Emerald Spire chronicle question - Splinterden

[Serisan]

This is mostly a question due to the piecemeal nature of Godhome's chronicle, but what happens if the PCs successfully bypass the dungeon level and progress down to 4? Do they get full credit? Do you push them back up to 3 and tell them to do it the murderhobo way?

Splinterden:

Players can make an opposed Bluff check, a DC 20 Diplomacy check, or bribe the guards (50g minimum) to get them to open the gate and let them pass to the level 4 (Godhome) stairs. These 3 options would all allow players to bypass the level.

Godhome:

This level has a breakout of XP/Prestige awards for several different objectives in the level. One of the options involves following the NPC's instructions, "sacrificing" 2 lbs of iron per character, and walking to level 5 (The Drowned Level). If the players complete only this objective, they get 1 XP and 1 PP, but are completely able to move to level 5.

My impression here is that the players shouldn't get full credit for doing a bypass because they don't actually explore the level, but there's no way to handle that on the chronicle short of giving them a zero for the level.

[graypark]

SPLINTERDEN:

In my running of Splinterden, Venture-Captain Istivil Bosk has "loaned" the Pathfinders to Maralictor Dandru Wolfhelm (commander of Fort Inevitable's Order of the Nail). The Maralictor has tasked the agents with tracking down and eliminating the outlaws thought to be hiding somewhere below The Cellars. Such a mission briefing should keep your group on level and on task.

GODHOME:

Should your group still decide to bypass Splinterden and head straight down to Godhome, I'd simply run that level instead and give them the Chronicle Sheet for Godhome (provided they're in-tier to play it).

[DrParty06]

Splinterden:

It does say within the module that the guards observe the PCs for a few rounds before assuming they are hostile and opening fire. It's unlikely (or you can make it unlikely) that in that short amount of time the PCs won't do something that marks them as threatening. Once the guards shoot first, combat and completion of the level is inevitable as the fort.

[Eryx_UK]

I'm running ES at the moment and I've handled this by having their VC simply inform them to complete one level at time. If they get too far ahead there won't be the back up if something goes wrong.

[Serisan]

I decided I'd use the following note as a player handout while the characters are resupplying in Fort Inevitable, to be given by a Hellknight guard.

Quote:

Pathfinders,

It has come to my attention that a group of bandits may be inhabiting the Emerald Spire. As Maralictor of the Order of the Nail, I charge you with the task of eliminating lawlessness in this region by handling them as appropriate. With your swift action, we may avoid unnecessary trade impacts and further loss of citizenry to savagery. Do this and the Hellknights will continue to sanction your exploration of the ruins.

Maralictor Dandru Wolfhelm

Hopefully, this and some very low DC Kn: Local checks should cover the loose ends.

[Serisan]

Unfortunate consequence of my choice of wording: the players decided that eliminating lawlessness only took a swift action, leaving their moves and standards unaffected.

/sigh

Fortunately, I had no problem getting them to explore the entire floor and the players were pleasantly surprised by the existence of bathrooms.

[David Neilson]

My players were actually wondering if the thieves needed quite so many bathrooms.

[Serisan]

Depending on how the waste is taken care of (does Jaris make potions for that?), I've been wondering why they'd put them in the bedrooms. Seems smelly.

[Jeffrey Fox]

Serisan wrote:

Depending on how the waste is taken care of (does Jaris make potions for that?), I've been wondering why they'd put them in the bedrooms. Seems smelly.

I assumed the waste drops down into Godhome, which is rather horrible.

[Serisan]

Jeffrey Fox wrote:

Serisan wrote:

Depending on how the waste is taken care of (does Jaris make potions for that?), I've been wondering why they'd put them in the bedrooms. Seems smelly.

I assumed the waste drops down into Godhome, which is rather horrible.

How is that any different than what the residents of Godhome are already doing to the place?

[David Neilson]

Hey, the residents of Godhome are arguably the nicest people in the Spire.

[Serisan]

They try so hard.