Lead in to Slumbering Tsar-Barakus or Stoneheart Valley?

[Wandslinger]

I think the title says it all. I'm looking to eventually run the behemoth that is Slumbering Tsar after my first attempt imploded. Starting at 1st level this time, to give the group some time to fit themselves into their characters, so I need something to get them up to 7/8.

I was looking at Lost City of Barakus because I like running dungeons, and because it just sounds cool, but Stoneheart Valley is the actual adventures that Greg Vaughan used to get his own players ready.

I guess what I want from you Paizonians is an opinion: What would you use, of these two products, to get a party ready for Slumbering Tsar?

[Kargoth Kargoron]

I used Lost City of Barakus as my lead in to at Slumbering Tsar. It was an awesome campaign except the party paladin was way too overpowered. I have fond memories of Barakus, including a successful Vargoilles kiss on a PC leading to the first of many character deaths

[Chuck Wright]

I'm not going to be of much help here because I think that both are fine lead-ins for Tsar.

I'd say run TWO games. "Stoneheart to Tsar" and "Barakus to Rappan Athuk".

Problem solved!

<grin>

[Wandslinger]

That would be pretty rad, but I sadly lack the kind of funds necessary to make that a reality. 3 month old kids kind of suck up all your money.

[MichaelSandar]

I think Stoneheart makes a better lead in to Tsar, personally. Plus... it's a fantastic dungeon! I'm thinking of using Stoneheart to lead in as well, but I'll be converting Tsar to S&W.

[Wandslinger]

I've looked at S&W. I really like it. But I don't think I can convince my group to try an entirely new system just for this, no matter how awesome it is.

[KaiserDM]

@Wandslinger - I am in the exact same boat. I just got Barakus and Slumbering Tsar in the mail as part of the kickstarter. But for some nagging reason, I'm thinking Stoneheart might be the better lead in and I can keep Bard's Gate the main hub for pretty much the entire campaign.

I had some ideas on how to tie Barakus into Tsar, but I thought it would be harder to motivate the PC's to travel thousands of miles through the Lost Lands to Tsar, without railroading them, when Rappan Athuk was closer....(and I've already wiped my players twice in RA, so um, nevermind that).

[simon hacker]

As KaiserDM says that's the way i will be doing it, Stoneheart, Bards Gate and Tsar

Barakus I think is better for Rappan and you could use Endhome as the hub.

Limited funds do Stoneheart and maybe buy Bards Gate pdf if you want it (not essential you could run without it to be honest, its a city guide and OP so difficult to get the deadtree, although drivetrough rpg do a print on demand copy).

[Laric]

I have Bards Gate and I would say that you are safe to pass on it. I don't think that it is up to the same standards as most other products released by FGG and Necromancer Games.

In agreement with others that Stoneheart Valley is probably a better lead in to Tsar.

[Joshua Goudreau]

Chuck Wright wrote:

I'm not going to be of much help here because I think that both are fine lead-ins for Tsar.

I'd say run TWO games. "Stoneheart to Tsar" and "Barakus to Rappan Athuk".

Problem solved!

<grin>

This is my suggestion. :D

Or just dump it all together into a giant sandbox and let the players loose!

[Shem]

I am leaning more toward throwing it all together in one big sandbox.

[Wandslinger]

While huge sandboxes are fun, the short sessions we ply men that my players, in general, prefer to have a slightly more clear direction for their gaing.