I have been skimming some of the reviews of Mummy's Mask: The Half-Dead City and see that a common complaint is lack of compelling story motivation for PCs. I was considering the idea of using the Campaign Setting: Faction Guide to give the PCs something to motivate them based on their personal leanings. I figured that in the beginning I'd give them a few choices to find a sponsor for their adventures.
I thought about using four factions: The Pathfinder Society, representing scholarship and exploration; the Aspis Consortium, representing treasure hunting and prestige; the Risen Guard, representing Osiriani patriotism and Garundi cultural pride and The Cult of the Dawnflower, representing combating the undead and Kelishite cultural pride.
I'd offer a sign on bonus for each including an ever=present wayfinder from the Pathfinders, 500 GP of arcane items from the Aspis Consortium, 500 GP of weapons and armor from the Risen Guard or 500 GP of divine items from the Cult of the Dawnflower. Also, the PCs would get the bonuses of rising prestige in their chosen faction throughout the AP. This all harkens back a little to Serpent's Skull.
What do you think? Any other ideas?
