We did actually start Reign of Winter some time around August, and we've only just had our third session in December. I expect them to reach book 6 around the time Half-life 3 comes out. There was a slight disruption due to two of the players getting married (to each other). Luckily I've got a more local weekly game (alternating between Carrion Crown and Kingmaker, both different people as GM) to give me my fix.
As demonstrated above, the rules as written allow you to justify almost any plan for progression you like, so the question of when to grant tiers is more about what's fun for the players; what will make the game a challenge but not an overwhelming one, and what will add the most interesting roleplay. I'm blessed with players that give a lot of care to flavour and character integrity - particularly the policeman who's playing a Paladin, who barely has to roleplay at all.
Same here. Between the wedding and my going hunting in Colorado, we ended up with what ended up being a three month hiatus from the tabletop group (though even with that one of the players attends via Skype as he's in a different state).
The irony is that the Skype group (for Runelords) actually meets far more often than the Tabletop group. None of my games are weekly though - no one has the time anymore. Not to mention I doubt I'm up for a weekly game, seeing I suffered burnout a decade ago and only really recovered enough to want to run games a couple years ago.
I'll be add mythic to my campaign. One from the black rider and then one in each book to Max of 6 in book 6.
I'll have the odd mythic dude here and there but mainly just stick to the required number to satisfy the trial needs.
I was planning on Elvanna escaping through a Contingency or the like. She then flees to the ice caves which are the setting for the Witchwar Legacy module - the end battle is fighting her in the final chamber while in possession of the Torc.
Tangent! Mind brainstorming with me a bit in the other room? (points to Witch Queen Revenge forum) lol. I was thinking of having the start of the fight inside the kurgan, she flees into the palace using the portal, and then the players will have to chase her, but I like this witchwar legacy idea. What were you going to do with the granny though?