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Hi,
I'm running this tomorrow night (guess it'll be the only time, given the recent announcement to retire it), and read through several threads which have been helpful. I have some lingering questions and thoughts:
GETTING STARTED
1) How did you get the PCs the letter from Lady Morilla to take to the gillman embassy? It seems she slips them the note, not the letter. Part of me feels this side thing is unnecessary, but I guess it gives a little flavor regarding the motivations of the Taldor faction and nation, and the gillman response at the end.
KRENSHAR ATTACK!
2) It seems a bit odd that the krenshar is "desperate for a meal," but left the deer half eaten. Still, I suppose trying to attack a lone PC while the rest sleep is fine. Seems I should ask specifically what the PCs will be doing regarding light during watches (e.g., will the one on watch have a torch lit?).
3) Does the krenshar's skullface ability give it two choices (either use Intimidate vs. an opponent or go all out by screeching too, which requires the Will save)?
4) It seemed too convenient to have the centaurs burst into the forest clearing just as the krenshar is defeated. Think I'll wait until the next morning, before they leave the forest.
HERO'S SHRINE
5) Does the whole party get the 98 gp if a just single PC leaves an offering or takes the gold? I'm guessing different PCs will have different reactions to this. I know when I played this, my PC just left the site, but didn't think to leave an offering. Everyone just left the shrine as is, and we missed out on the gp (if only someone had been greedy!)
FOGSHROUD LEECHES
6) Given that I've heard the session tends to run long, I don't think I'll be running the optional leeches encounter, or perhaps I'll just take a moment to describe it like boxed text, but skip all of the checks.
BOG MOTHER'S LAIR
7) I don't get why the Bog Mother would attack a group of 5-7 armed figures (counting Rees) and fight to the death. Being a bit "off" doesn't mean you don't value your own life. (I think too many enemies in fantasy roleplaying - not just Pathfinder - seem completely content to die for silly reasons!) I plan on playing her as belligerent and kooky, and that she threatens the PCs to take a different route, but she won't attack without provocation, and will beg for her life if forced to fight and is badly hurt. I think it's fair to give the PCs credit if they get past her (i.e., I'm interpreting "defeat" broadly here).
That's it - thanks!
~Doug
Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville
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I would make the game pause a bit as she is trying to get up from the chair, and put my hand up for one of the players to grab, handing him/her the note when they assist. The missive is assumed to be with the note.
You can make an envelope with a wax seal to hand with it if you like. I have thought about doing this myself.
I would have the ambassador read the note, chuckle to himself and look up, surprised that the PC's where still there. "Most gratifying." He would then put the note aside and say nothing more about it.
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The PC's may have been coming up as it was eating, and it hid as they approached. It is watching them. (I had one game where the battle happened there instead of at the campsite because of a very perceptive and capable Ranger.)
I would go the opposite and have them burst in if the PC's are having trouble. Remember that Rees can help out if you feel the need. Remember to offer the furs for the remains as they will need them later.
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As I read it, the reward is given for offering or simply taking the offerings outright. The boon is given for a certain amount offered, but I would reward all that puts in even a copper.
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I have not had the overall pleasure of acrobatics checks to avoid fog and leeches the four times I have played this. Guess a lot of GM's have skipped this, running long or no. I have heard that some think the Bog Mother is the optional, which would be a shame, since she is a character everyone should meet.
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It says it, right there!!! The PC's are obviously after her precious ones, leave my precious alone... LEAVE MY PRECIOUS ALOOOOOOONE!!!
The real fight is with her animal companion, it can surprise someone and is a big problem with first levels. I would again remind you that Rees can help here, as this is the hardest battle in the scenario.
Good luck
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I've GMed this one 4 or 5 times now, and the only time I ever had to have Nester Rees help out in a fight was the final fight, when most of the party was blinded. And yes, I rolled his saving throw alongside everyone else.
I always just assume the centaurs hear the sound of the fight and come running, arriving within 5-10 minutes after the fight is over, but not soon enough to help.
And Bog Mother is definitely required to fight the PCs, and not give up until they're dead or she's unconscious. Remember that in Society play, you aren't allowed to modify scenarios. You can make minor cosmetic changes, but if the scenario says that a bad guy attacks on sight, then you can't change that.
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You can make an envelope with a wax seal to hand with it if you like. I have thought about doing this myself.
I have an old pre-stamped envelope issued by the USPS with a sailing ship printed next to the rate that I hand to the player along with the note. I tuck the flap inside the envelope hoping they'll open it to see if anything is inside, which someone invariably does. Peeking inside they find a piece of paper with odd looking symbols. Of course they take it out to see it better. Turn it over. You know what comes next, right?
Gets 'em every time.