What is the best single book from any adventure path?

[mplindustries]

I am currently in a position where one of my groups has only enough time for a short adventure before a two month hiatus. I generally run campaigns of my own design--I've actually never run a module or anything--but considering the short time available, I don't really want to invest the kind of mental effort for that sort of thing.

I want to run just a single book out of some AP, but I'm not sure of which one. I'm open to any except for Carrion Crown, as I am PCing in a Carrion Crown game right now (we're on Trial of the Beast), and I'd rather not have spoilers. Ideally, the book would have a solid conclusion, so the PCs can feel accomplished when it's over (rather than simply transitioning into the next book, for example).

The group will be small and I'd prefer to keep the power level in the 4-10 range, but if a particular book is really good, I'm ok with trying it anyway.

[Vaellen]

My favorite is Book 2 of CotCT but it really builds off Book 1 to be awesome. If you are just running one AP book I'd go with the first part of Serpent's Skull. I've played it twice and it was lots fun both times. You could easily run the book as a One-shot.

[sunbeam]

I liked Entombed with the Pharoahs.

It is set in Golarion but it uses 3.5 rules. It's really good, and it is the kind of thing that shouldn't take too many sessions.

I would think someone has updated it for Pathfinder. I imagine you could just look up the monsters. I think Her Majesty's Expeditionary would be harder, particularly the orc fighter. He had a unique kind of theme. Most of the others should be easy to switch over however.

If you do pick up that module, I'd recommend you just run the figher 3.5 style. Make him a Tower Shield specialist, and swap his bonus feats for Sneak Attack Damage. I just wouldn't bother about worrying if he were changed over properly. And his trick is so cool, I'd like to keep it.

[Star Shadow]

The simple games are the best. Master of the Fallen fortress is a lvl 1 game, simply change the monsters for the lvl you want to play. MotFF can be played in an hour, as it is a simple clear the tower type of game.

At the top I put an etheric dragon (which dose not exsist in Pathfinder). I simply used a red dragon and gave it the ability to go etheric. The dragon could not hit the PCs or vice a versa while etheric. On the top floor the floor is weak, a PC steps on the weaken floor, the dragon pops in and down goes a PC. You could be nice and say he only fell to the next lvl down.

Before Paizo did this, we did this (ADD 1st ed) with Orcs. We Be Goblins allows players to be the "bad" guys. Simply use a race that fits your lvl.

When all else fails, Hungry are the Dead. It's a 6th lvl game...

[Coridan]

Seven Days to the Grave for AP series. The module line has some great ones too though not to be missed.

Carnival of Tears
Curse of the Bloodsworn Vale
Tower of the Last Baron
Clash of the Kingslayers
Hangman's Noose

all fantastic adventures.

[DM_aka_Dudemeister]

Book 1 of Serpent's Skull makes an excellent short campaign. Fun NPCs and a clear goal (get off the island) and a final boss worth hating. Definitely give it a go.

[Starfury]

Book 1 of Runelords is an excellent low level adventure that can be used without the rest of the AP. Good story, good NPC's, good setting. But it may take too long to complete to suit your situation.

Runelord spoilers:

If it's simply a tale of Nualia's revenge, I think it would work just fine on its own, with the Runelords elements making for an interesting background. All you'd have to do is remove or downplay the references to the Skinsaw Men and Xanesha from Nualia's diaries, and you should be good to go.

[hanez]

Book 1 from serpents skull is indeed good, and simple enough to run. Sandboxy enough to let your players explore too, I like it.

My top vote however, would be "the champions belt" from the age of worms adventure path. Think you can still get it in PDF

[Trinite]

Dang, I was gonna say Trial of the Beast. Seriously.

For a 4-10 level book, my second choice would be Rise of the Runelords 2: The Skinsaw Murders. It's really good, and I predict that if your group is enjoying Carrion Crown, they'll love the atmosphere.

[donato]

The Whispering Cairn

Alternatively, House of the Beast from Legacy of Fire, The Skinsaw Murders from Rise of the Runelords, or Seven Days to the Grave from Curse of the Crimson Throne.

[Haladir]

Skinsaw Murders, Book 2 of Rise of the Runelords. It's pretty much self-contained and could be very easily adapted as a standalone action-horror adventure for 4-6 sessions.

[Wyrd_Wik]

Seven Days to the Grave seconded

Also Brinewall Legacy is a solid low level adventure with a ruined castle to explore. The oriental flavour will stick out and though it is a strong setup for a whole campaign it can easily be wrapped up by the discovery of a certain NPCs family roots and then send her on her way. I just ran this book and it was a blast.

The Sevenfold Trial from CoT merits mention as well if you're looking for an urban, rp, investigation with a small bit of dungeon-crawling as well.

[Swordborn]

Haladir wrote:

Skinsaw Murders, Book 2 of Rise of the Runelords. It's pretty much self-contained and could be very easily adapted as a standalone action-horror adventure for 4-6 sessions.

This IS an excellent chapter, but it builds on a particularly strong plot lead from the first adventure. Aside from that, I agree completely.

I've been delving into the Shattered Star Adventure path recently with subscriptions, and given the range that you're looking for: Curse Of The Lady's Light is excellent. Just tweak it from "running quest to collect all the points of the Sihedron" to "Go get this one piece for us", and you're pretty much set. Excellent setting in the mushfens, good monster politics, great RP opportunity in the dungeon itself, secrets to discover, and a pretty satisfying ending.

[Pendagast]

Vaellen wrote:

My favorite is Book 2 of CotCT but it really builds off Book 1 to be awesome. If you are just running one AP book I'd go with the first part of Serpent's Skull. I've played it twice and it was lots fun both times. You could easily run the book as a One-shot.

+1 For Souls for Smugglers Shiv. Best all time stand alone AP book

[Jason S]

The problem with picking the best book from an AP, is that the reason they're the best is that there's often buildup from the campaign. So I personally don't recommend playing an AP book unless it's book #1 (like Serpent's Skull). The Second Darkness book #1 is also OK played on it's own. Also, playing only a single book from an AP kind of ruins the AP for everyone imo.

For that reason, I'd play a module instead. There are lots of great modules to choose from. I can't pick for you, it depends on your group preferences and tastes in location and theme. You should read some reviews.

My preference for modules are: Carrion Hill, From Shore to Sea, or The Harrowing.

[GeraintElberion]

Burnt Offerings

[Sissyl]

Hangman's Noose and Carnival of Tears are fantastic, both should go fairly quickly to run, and you won't spoil an AP by doing so.

[ibayboy]

Serpents Skull Book 1, Souls for Smugglers Shiv gets my vote. Honorable mention for CotCT book 3, a great dungeon, and just try and stop your PC's from playing Blood Pig.