Dawn of the Scarlet Sun PFS intro (spoilers, arguably)

[Patrick Harris @ SD]

I ran DotSS today, and since I saw somewhere that GMs were encouraged to come up with something more PFS-oriented for adventure hooks, since modules generally assume "zomg heroes!!1," so I wound up digging out Seekers of Secrets and writing a new intro. In case anyone else wants something similar but doesn't feel like writing it--and, really, because it pleased me--I thought I might post it.

The actual flavor text from the module itself is bolded.

Spoiler:

You've all been rather imperiously summoned from various tasks around the Varisian coastline by urgent messages from Sir Canayven Heidmarch & Sheila Heidmarch, the married couple who runs the most recently-established Pathfinder Lodge: Heidmarch Manor, in the city of Magnimar. You're not entirely certain which of them is the Venture-Captain, but you're fairly sure that between them, they have the authority to call you in. So you've come, grudgingly though it might be, to the City of Monuments.

While those who managed to arrive last night were treated to the comforts of Hiedmarch Manor's Thassilonian-style guest houses, and given leave to wander a topiary maze so convoluted as to confound the most experienced dungeon delver, those who rode in today were given only brief refreshment before everyone was called together in the estate's meeting house.

You've been ushered into a well-appointed conference room by a one-legged dwarf who identifies himself only as Wumbrout, and greeted by the Heidmarchs themselves, who are accompanied by another woman.

"This," declares Sir Canayven Heidmarch, "is Kasadei, an officer in the city guard. She has come to us for assistance, and we in turn have come to you. You see, for the past few days, the city of Magnimar has been in the grip of terror. A murderer stalks the city's streets in the gloaming pre-dawn hours, and each morning it seems a new and freshly mutilated victim appears in an alley. There have been four bodies discovered to date--all worshipers of the goddess of healing and redemption, Sarenrae. The city guard desperately wants to catch the murderer, yet he is a cagey and elusive foe. In order to expedite the search, they have turned to us, new allies of Magnimar as we are, to aid them in stopping the culprit before he slays again."

At this point, Lady Heidmarch steps in. "I realize this isn't your normal cup of tea, darlings, but we've been negotiating access to some Thassilonian runes for simply ages now, and frankly, this would really help us get hold of them. And as you know, what's good for the Society ..."

The Heidmarchs make happy upper-class noises at each other briefly, and sally out of the room, seemingly oblivious to any inquiries you might pose, leaving you with the rather disgusted-looking Kasadei. "Charming couple," she mutters, then turns to you. "Well. Questions?"

[Harley Quinn X]

Looks good. But you may want to get rid of the

Spoiler:

"You're not entirely certain which of them is the Venture-Captain"

part for more experienced players because some of them will have already had missions in the area and have already met the Venture-Captain there.

[Patrick Harris @ SD]

Oh. I threw that in because glancing at the entry in SoS, I wasn't actually sure which held the title. I assume one of them does, since they have a lodge, but I figured it wasn't really that important under the circumstances.

[Harley Quinn X]

It's Sheila who does most of the dealing with the Pathfinders.

[Patrick Harris @ SD]

Cool, I'll remember that for next time. :)

[Don Walker]

There is a precedent that a couple may serve as co-Venture-Captains for a lodge. Though, I've only seen Sheila in the VC role myself.