Hi everyone,
I always liked the old Oriental Adventures stuff and am really interested in running a Dragon Empire module-- I guess "Jade Regent" is it.
Does anyone have any experience running it or playing it?
I peered at it a bit; seems "Ameiko Kaijitsu" is some manner of taven owner (as well as a favorite personal PC of the author it seems) and "old friend" of the PCs and is revealed to be the rightful ruler of the Dragon Empire, so the PCs must help her get to her true place on the throne. I guess she's also in Rise of the Runelords too? Something I haven't played, but one of the people in my group read, thinking he might run it at some point.
I guess I don't like the idea of an automatic DM PC. Particularly a feisty little asian badass chick who was a pet favorite of the author. Over all, it doesn't interest me and it seems like a weak hook.
Do those who have experienced the module have insight about "Jade Regent?" DMs or PCs?
I've been playing Jade Regent with some friends...we're still in the early stages. You start out in Sandpoint, and from what I understand it's a little while before you actually reach the Dragon Empires.
I've been playing Jade Regent with some friends...we're still in the early stages. You start out in Sandpoint, and from what I understand it's a little while before you actually reach the Dragon Empires.
Right, all the Goblin fireworks stuff. I actually played the super-short "We be Goblins" module where you actually adventure out and acquire the fireworks. It was silly and really fun.
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To my knowledge (and I haven't played or ran it, though do own all of it) its not that Ameiko is a DM PC, she is just a part of the caravan that the party is escorting. There are a few NPCs involved in the caravan and Jade Regent has rules for developing relationships with them (romantic, friendly, or rivalry) on your adventure over the Crown of the World and into the Dragon Empires.
So Jade Regent isn't so much an DE themed AP, more so a caravan traveling adventure path that deals with all sorts of encounters, mini plots, and themes. In the end the game focuses more on the events in the DE, where Ameiko could, key word could, take over the throne.
I guess I don't like the idea of an automatic DM PC. Particularly a feisty little asian badass chick who was a pet favorite of the author. Over all, it doesn't interest me and it seems like a weak hook.
Do those who have experienced the module have insight about "Jade Regent?" DMs or PCs?
If you don't like the hook, this probably isn't the AP for you. Besides the feisty asian badass chick, you get a feisty elven badass chick and a feisty human cleric chick (who, in my opinion, is also fairly badass). Also, a swarthy badass dude to balance things out. You all travel in a caravan together, but they can't help with fighting because they would either curb stomp everything (in the beginning) or get slaughtered (after the 3rd module or so).
I'm joking a bit, but seriously, this is an issue some people have with the AP. Balancing the ideas of the party being the focus of the story, with the story being about Ameiko reclaiming her throne, with a large cast of NPC tag-alongs can be difficult and not necessarily the sort of game everyone likes. There are absolutely people that are pulling it off, and seem to be having a wonderful time with it. If you get past any problems the overall story, I feel like this is some of the best material Paizo has put out.
If all you want is some Oriental Adventures content, you do still have options. Ruby Phoenix Tournament is a module set in Tian-Xia, and the last three volumes of Jade Regent (the bits actually in Tian-Xia) could be repurposed as a high level campaign without the caravan or Ameiko. I believe there are also some Pathfinder Society modules set in Tian-Xia, which you might want to check out to get your fix.
EDIT: Oh, one more option. Let one player be "Ameiko," and build the ruler-to-be any way they want. Others can take the roles that would normally be given to the NPCs, or just make something up themselves. It might fit your group better, and is an option presented in the first volume for just these situations. I can't emphasize enough how much I like the AP after getting past the NPC issues.
I believe there are also some Pathfinder Society modules set in Tian-Xia, which you might want to check out to get your fix.
That's the ticket! Like what?
That's the ticket! Like what?
Someone more familiar with Pathfinder Society might want to pop in with more, but these are the three I know of.
Part 1: The Edge of Heaven
Part 2: On Hostile Waters
Part 3: Defenders of Nesting Swallow
That's the ticket! Like what?Someone more familiar with Pathfinder Society might want to pop in with more, but these are the three I know of.
Part 1: The Edge of Heaven
Part 2: On Hostile Waters
Part 3: Defenders of Nesting Swallow
What's the difference between a "Pathfinder Society Scenario" and just a regular ol' module?
What's the difference between a "Pathfinder Society Scenario" and just a regular ol' module?
Again, anyone with PFS experience? Feel free to hop in and keep me from making a fool of myself.
From the ones I've seen, there are a few obvious differences. First off, they aren't terribly long, and don't seem very story heavy. They all come with the idea that you are working for the Pathfinder Society, and have little optional goals for how to get points with the various Pathfinder factions a PFS player might belong to.
They also have several different level ranges for each encounter. As in, a fight might be 2 orcs (level 1-2), 5 orcs (level 3-4), or a 5 orcs with some extra levels (level 5-6). It is actually rather helpful, since it makes it extremely easy to slot them into a campaign.
I'm sure there are others concerns and special PFS rules mixed in there, but I don't have enough experience with them to pick them out. It shouldn't interfere with running the adventures, though.
I've been DMing a game of Jade Reget since September and we are nearly at the end of the second book. I haven't used Ameiko, or any of the other NPCs in combat yet (although that might be because it is a 6 person party), and I usually have them getting supplies or following leads or having Ameiko practice her Tien diction or whatever while the group goes off and makes stuff happen.
I don't think the modules place any expectation on them being involved too much in the encounters, except...
I've been running Jade Regent myself and I generally have not shied away from including the NPC's in combat situations when it seemed appropriate. I'm mid-way into book 2 at the moment with one of my groups and they have seen Shalelu, Ameiko, and Koya all in combat with them at various points so far. That said, my players have actually genuinely 'wanted' them around when it seemed appropriate. I've just divided the exp as if there was an extra person in the party if they are present for 'exp worthy' encounters.
Generally there is concern enough over the caravan and keeping it safe that there is always a need to keep some of the 'major 4' around simply for defense. My advice is to 'use them as much as you are comfortable with'.
Jade regent is an excellent AP but certainly not for all groups. That said, it is my favorite AP to date. As long as your player group is not particularly curmudgeonly about NPC's being around and if you are comfortable with giving said NPC's 'face time' so your players can interact with them, the game should go spectacularly! As with any AP, the GM can make the game good, the players will make the game great! Try to tailor your games to your players tastes and all things should go well.