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I am going to be running level 1 of Emerald Spire - and I was wondering for those who are running it or going to run it. If a party of all or most (race-redacted) are about to play - do you recommend a group change?.
I can tell you for me playing my (race-redacted) it might be frustrating enough not to finish - so I can see how it could be a frustrating game and take a lot longer - where a little warning and a change at 1st level would make the game more fun -
So how are other GMs handling the "Features of the Level" in respect to the (race-redacted) at level 1?
TIA
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Two options: I usually let players play what they want - the society doesn't know what to expect when they assemble a team, and sometimes that works out good or bad. However, if they have a group that all have the same weakness, it might be something to point out to them. I haven't read that level yet, so I don't know the specifics, but neither should the players when they decide who to bring on an adventure. (If it is something in the players' favor, like all elves going into a dungeon of ghouls or something, then definitely don't trick them into switching! Sometimes it's the Gm's job to get totally slaughtered in round one every time.)
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Also - remember Emerald Spire (and Thornkeep) is not just for PFS, so it is not the same as most scenarios... people playing it should know they are in for a challenge.
this is also a level 1 game that is an introduction to new characters - I can see losing people because their caster was totally shutdown for what may seem no reason and no warning.
I can understand we need to encourage people to not specialize so much - but the options for level 1 casters in that regard are minimal and only by specializing and maxing your caster stat can you have a 50/50 chance of making the concentration check.
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Its not magical darkness though, he posted the effect above. As you can usually see at a light source I see no reason you can't with this ability. Also, Lisa says in the link provided by grandpoobah above that they can see light in the distance. As she wrote it I say we are good there.
When I played it I had darkvision(Half-orc) as did the dwarf, but the rest of the party didn't. They all lit up themselves, torches, and made a rope of lights one guy spent the first round or 2 of combat positioning so the others could see the battlefield well enough. It was on a VTT with dynamic lighting so it worked amazingly. I don't think it'd be impossible for a party without darkvision, and it will certainly create a challenge most players have never faced before so I say don't tell them and let them deal with it.
Really, we smashed it even with the lighting issues, but I was a reach inquisitor with darkvision and basically crushed the opposition with AOO's. The lighting situation would've hampered that had I not had darkvision, but I still don't think it will be too diffiuclt.
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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Its not magical darkness though, he posted the effect above. As you can usually see at a light source I see no reason you can't with this ability. Also, Lisa says in the link provided by grandpoobah above that they can see light in the distance. As she wrote it I say we are good there.
It's a magical effect, suppressing light. Arguing that it isn't 'magical darkness' is splitting hairs rather too finely, IMO. And while Lisa may say you can see light in the distance, that isn't how darkness has been ruled to work in PFS.
Don't get me wrong - I think it ought to work that way. And in a home game, I'd house-rule that in an instant. But I don't get to introduce house rules at a PFS table.
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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First level of PFS should be MotFF, First Steps, and The Confirmation. That way you don't waste any single use scenarios getting to 2. Crypt of the Everflame and Godsmouth Heresy also work.
Ideally I start people out on the Confirmation for several reasons;
- the boon does more if it's your first Chronicle for that character.- Janira's backpack contains all the consumables you need, which is nice for fresh-from-the-egg characters with no happy stick.
- easy to earn 2PP so you can start session 2 with a happy stick.
- good Pathfinder flavour, introducing a splash of lore but in manageable proportions.
- less predictable than the other scenarios due to random encounters; this also keeps you from getting bored as GM.
The 2PP thing is why I wouldn't use MotFF as first scenario, because I feel it kinda screws you.
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You might want to change the title to say "emerald spire level 1" - so you don't need to spoiler it up.
I'm running it tonight. I'm not sure what (race redacted) means, but I'm guessing:
** spoiler omitted **
Emerald Spire does have a few levels that are very annoying, especially for many PC types. But that's what happens when each layer has its own theme.
For me, I would prefer to never run level #5:
** spoiler omitted **
Then there are levels like
** spoiler omitted **
I'm running a group through all of Emerald Spire and just finished the 5th level. I chose to expand their area of vision in the first level by 5ft because only one person in the party had darkvision. Even then, I found myself pulling some shots in order to not TPK the whole group.
I liked running level 4 as it was a welcomed breather between the grind. My group talked their way through it but insisted on seeing the whole level (for mapping purposes ala quest). They had to use invisibility spells to get it done though.
Level 5 is a doozy, like the water temple from Ocarina of Time, but way worse. Almost every fight was a near TPK, but my group loved it. I'd do it as a player, but not without a level of preparation first.
Now my group is gearing up to head down to level 6. I'm looking forward to seeing what Richard Baker can dish out here as he has a tough act to follow.
Venture-Agent, Australia—QLD—Brisbane
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I've run this module 3 times now, all as PFS play. The first and second groups were mostly unable to see, but the third group had a large portion of darkvision-enabled characters. The third group was the least challenged by most of the scenario, and yet TPKd (ok, not quite - one guy ran away) against the big boss. So, I wouldn't focus too much on the lack of light.
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To each his or her own.
I can't imaging starting character after character with the same adventures. It would feel tedious to me.
When you have as many characters as I do, you need to do everything you can to preserve scenarios, lol.
And yes, I didn't mean to say that you had to do them in that order. I just feel like doing them in that order makes them feel more serial. The Confirmation makes it seem like you've been doing little minor things for the Society for a while, and now you're finally going to be a full-fledged member.
QFT. Now with 14 characters in my own arsenal of adventurers, I've been forced to set a 'must play' shortlist before I play any regular tier 1-5 scenario. Ideally for me, the order goes:
5-08 The Confirmation
3-00 First Steps pt.1 - In Service to Lore
any tier 1-2 module (Crypt of the Everflame, Godsmouth Heresy, Murder's Mark, 1st floor of Emerald Spire, ect.)
Master of the Fallen Fortress is also an option. I'm personally not too fond of it though. My last experience was a "yep, I'm good" moment for me too. XD
All of the list I've played/GMed a few times now. I end up with a character on the brink to level 3. What really makes doing these runs enjoyable is the players. The X factor that comes with it is just so fun.
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The Half-Dead City (Mummy's Mask AP) is also evergreen, and is IMO a great intro for a Pathfinder after (say) Fallen Fortress and Confirmation. It gvies a full level, but you don't really want to do a module or AP with a no-XP character who can't afford healing.
At least The Confirmation has some changeable aspects so it isn't a complete repeat.
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Replayable/evergreen scenarios, modules, and AP segments:
Scenarios:
Intro 1 - First Steps, Part I - In Service to Lore (1)
5-08 - The Confirmation (1-2)
Modules:
Crypt of the Everflame (1-2)
Murder's Mark (1-2)
The Godsmouth Heresy (1-2)
Thornkeep - The Accursed Halls (1-2)
Free RPG Day modules:
Master of the Fallen Fortress (1-2)
We Be Goblins (1-2)
AP segments:
Mummy's Mask - The Half-Dead City (1-2)
Reign of Winter - The Snows of Summer (1-2)
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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bigdaddyjug,
I decided at some point that I was going to run the Accursed Halls, at least 5 more times, and I decided to prep it accordingly: each room is on heavy cardstock, and the rooms with multiple levels are 3-D in that regard.
I tmakes for a better play experience, I think.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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@bigdaddyjug:
I bought a roll of flipover grid paper for 11€, 50 sheets. You know, the kind they use for presentations in corporate meetings. But they're just a slight bit bigger than standard flipmats, and when I prep a map once, I can just file it away after the game for when I run the scenario again.
Also, it really speeds up the game if there's multiple maps in the scenario.
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I had the joy of murderhoboing my way through level one a few weeks ago, and it was very frustrating for my human oracle (no dark vision and lame curse). In fact, nobody in the group had dark vision, so it was a real challenge. That is what made it memorable though.
Nobody died (squeaked by thanks to found healing items), and we had a real feeling of accomplishment at the end. Defeating the dungeon with brand new characters and the odds stacked against us and all.
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just a level or 2, it's a mini con and we are running 3 levels over 3 days so apart from me whom will be GM'ing 2 of the levels, there may not be many continuing players, I am thinking of going with the shared prep dark archive intro.
If you're only doing the first two levels, just treat it like any other module where the players have time to rest up and prepare in-between as normal. There's no point to using any of the quests save if you have a group together for the long haul. Even then, it doesn't really count for anything except for flavor as far as PFS standards as concerned.
/rant
*sigh* Honestly, Emerald Spire should've had a campaign mode.
/rantoff
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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I will be running this (and level 2) shortly for PFS, how do we introduce it? The quests don't seem to relate to PFS!
I've written introductions and knowledge checks for the first six levels (more to come) in another thread here. They're meant to give the players a sense that they're part of a growing effort on the Pathfinder Society's part to explore the Spire. They may be of some use to you.