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I haven't bothered to do the math for Snows as I have for this one, but here we go in approximation...perhaps this will clear up some of the confusion and frustrated (and comical) posts I've read here and on other sites regarding the frequency and % of the checks...
Spoilers>>>>>>>
So just adding up the 9 day trip WITHOUT random encounters at medium xp track starting at level 4 (and supposedly ending at 5) you get enough XP, and this if if you divide it by 5 with your tour guide, assuming you have a party of 4 seated away from the kitchen please, you would only need 6 more level 4 encounters to get you there...this is assuming you give full xp for anything fleeing, don't give the bonus xp, and don't do anything with the megawhatever and the worgs in the tropical zone. Also assumes no xp for the gremlins...which is a shame because we all want them to be a smear on the side of a greatclub. What is up with that massive number of encounters...3ish a day? And this is assuming you cap the CR at 4. Bizarre. One poster on another review site commented that you would end up at level 8 or something...didn't do the math on that but I'm sure it is close. So what to do? Well just make it a 50% chance day and 50% night if you want to hit your mark (and be a little over), and if things are lagging in xp then up it a little, or throw one in if that is your style and ignore the table. I have no idea what the designers were thinking, but it is the same for the next and taking a peek....you guessed it, it is 35% PER HOUR for the fourth...now for all I know you are spending all your time in that hut as a tank but still. I would love to know the logic behind these tables, but I'm doubting I ever will. More misguided enthusiasm with disregard for the math? You also would be served at least in the second module to break down the "on the road" encounters from the rest...it is suggested you ignore the ones that aren't appropriate but that can lead to some annoying series of rolls so do yourself a favor and chop it up ahead of time, throw some extras in, whatever.
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Easy fix: don't use random encounters. If your players encounter something along the way, it's because you (The GM) put it there and it should have a specific purpose in mind (even if that purpose is only to provide the PCs with some additional experience).
Not as easy a fix: include random encounters that aren't combat oriented and/or provide rewards other than XP. This could be encountering an NPC that provides a helpful piece of information, or a merchant, or stumbling across a small ruin, et cetera.
-Skeld
I'm not going to include random encounters when they're travelling there, personally I think there's enough excitement! I am planning to have something ready for the city though, as I suspect the players will want a few days to go shopping etc. I'd like them to understand what's happening in Whitethrone beyond people saying, "oooooh, it's not good" and to link them to Milani a little more.
I'm not worried too much about the experience points side of things, it's more about the story...
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I'm not going to include random encounters when they're travelling there, personally I think there's enough excitement! I am planning to have something ready for the city though, as I suspect the players will want a few days to go shopping etc. I'd like them to understand what's happening in Whitethrone beyond people saying, "oooooh, it's not good" and to link them to Milani a little more.
I'm not worried too much about the experience points side of things, it's more about the story...
I think you want to be careful with random encounters in any AP WoTR had me roll TWO fights with cr 20+ Hecacontiers (however you spell that) and the test part ended the campaign with enough Xp to get to lvl 22.
