In the book, the path is described as going south out of town, around a hill, then up to the prison. Does that feel too short to anyone else? I expected an hour walk at least before the PC's got to the dungeon. Is this done for fluff reasons (keeping the town close to the prison)? To let the players know they can go back to rest/resupply? What gives?
Another thing I'd like to point out relating to the path is the relationship between how long it takes to get there and the time of day. Ideally, the PCs would get to Harrowstone by nightfall and spend the night in the haunted prison. But as its written, they could get there in the morning and adventure when its bright and sunny outside; not the best horror environment.
I realize, of course, that as the DM I can change it as I please. The journey could take the entire day (allowing for a random encounter), making the PCs get there as the sun sets. If they wait out the night anyway (more random encounters) then I'll leave out all the haunts/ghosts in the dungeon until night falls. They will kill some giant centipedes, some stirges, a lot of "empty" rooms until WHAM! Night falls, the prison comes to un-life, and now the PCs are fighting for their lives.
Thoughts?
The prison's guards most likely lived in the town. I don't think an hour's walk to and from work is too appealing. I would also assume the town had a militia at the time the prison was active. If the prison is close to the town they can respond quicker if they have to intervene.
The prison's guards most likely lived in the town. I don't think an hour's walk to and from work is too appealing. I would also assume the town had a militia at the time the prison was active. If the prison is close to the town they can respond quicker if they have to intervene.
Okay, yeah that makes sense. I would still probably throw in a random encounter on the way, something to keep them on their toes, especially since they've left the town proper.