Suggested character levels for Fangwood Keep

[Derek Weil]

I'm recruiting a group to run Fangwood Keep for PFS credit. So far the bulk of characters interested are level 3. The last fight is a CR 7. Still, it seems like modules are written with a party of 4 in mind. So a level 4 module should be manageable for a party of six, even if mostly all are level 3's, right?

They will be able to rest in between encounters, and there are 3 CR 6 fights as well. I guess I can softball things a bit, but I just don't want to recruit players knowing a TPK is likely.

[Cao Phen]

You have to really watch out on what is going to be encountered in the keep.

A Redcap, A Phase Spider, A character with Bouncing Charm Person and Summon Monster 3, as well as the Hound, which has Vital Strike, Grab, and Constrict. I Gm'ed it and it killed the Level 4 Pregen Fighter in one go. The hound also has the Howl, which would wreck tactics immediately.

Make note that if they are going to play a scenario that is suggested for 3-5, expect them to be responsible enough to know that there might be a few tough fights. But even before that, they have to play smart, since they are technically attempting to make seige against the keep. Hobgoblin patrols, archers, and signal horns would make mincemeat of them if they do not play it right.

[Chris Mortika]

My experience is that Fangwood Keep presumes PCs level 3 or 4 in the top level, and 4 or 5 below. But you can't level-upin the middle of a Pathfinder Society adventure. When I've run it at cons or game days, I have restricted the adventure to "levels 4-5".

[Derek Weil]

Right, those lower-level (dungeon) fights are what's really throwing me, since I've only really run level 1-2 scenarios. I forgot that in campaign mode the party would probably level up after clearing the top floor.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Yours is mined]

I have played this in PFS and have read but NOT run it.

We had 2 x HIGHLY optimised melee 5s (two experienced players), an alchemist 5, a cleric 4 and rogue 3 (three fairly new players – I was one of these).

The rogue 3 went unconscious pretty much every time he got close to the action on the upper level and in the dungeon.

The poor alchemist was a spectator for pretty much the whole mod.

The cleric burnt through a whole CLW wand and we used virtually all the healing potions (there’s a LOT of them!)

The Barrowhound fight was tense and entertaining.

We were lucky with the redcap – a crit for max damage with a cold iron weapon, pretty much ruined its day.

We had no deaths, but in my opinion, without the TWO Level 5 melee guys, we would have been toast in the lower dungeon.
Good luck with your game!