Black Blade advice

[Solidchaos085]

As I said in my previous topic, I'm about to start this AP with my friends and I now have it on good authority that one of them is going to be a Bladebound Magus, he does NOT want to start with his soon to be bound weapon (as it's too easy, he wants the roleplay of finding it).

Question is: when would be a good point to give it to him? I expect my group to explore everything in the swamp before fighting Tsutamu, possibly making them level 2 or 3 before even forming the caravan. I'm very seriously considering changing Tsutamu's weapon into a katana that 'calls out' to the magus as Tsutamu fights the party.

Any advice?

[RoninUsagi]

It might seem like a bit far, being at the end of Book One, but the vault in Brinewall is probably where I would place it.

Fighting some dusty skeleton doesn't seem as epic a way to find his/her focus Blade as downing your first Oni and some crow people. Maybe have them use "Dad's old training sword" as a focus because of familial ties - but have it channel magic in unexpected ways until (s)he finds a blade of their own. (Gods help them if they roll a 1, for example.)

Just my 2 cents.

[Cyrien Blackstar]

I agree with Ronin, in the vault would be the best place, it may be cruel but the players will only just be about level 3 at that stage and a blade bound magus does not unlock the skill black blade until then anyway.

[Solidchaos085]

I think I'll do that, it get exceptionally crueler when I remember I have them following the fast xp track, they'd be closer to level 5 by that point. Perhaps I should rein in my old 3.5 mentality and have them actually follow the medium track. Thanks for the help

[Matthew Downie]

Fast XP track is likely to seriously unbalance Jade Regent. The party will constantly be about a level higher than they're expected to be. My players are on medium track, and they're complaining about the weakness of the enemies in book 4.

[RoninUsagi]

I know what you mean. My group is actually about to finish the Skull and shackles game I've been running, and they're nowhere near the AP's suggested levels. I'm having them finish it at twelve/thirteen instead of what's suggested.

Of course, this is just as much a result of my light hand with the rules/ hacking parts out as it is with how incredibly pirate thinking my friends are in real life.