So I've got my party set:
1. gnomish cavalier on a wolf
2. human alchemist with a southern accent
3. half orc gunslinger
4. tielfling sorcerer
5. halfling rogue
6. human witch with a fox familiar
7. human fighter (sword and board)
8. tielfling inquisitor of Calistra
So yeah...big group. Now I've set it up so they all signed on with a named mercenary group who are helping a noble (Taldan) who has a claim to the land thanks to a Brevorian cousin. So now they all have jobs (except the gnomish cavalier and the halfling rogue).
Now I have everyone rounded up and ready to sail up to the Stolen Lands.
But I'm wondering...should I introduce the dangers to this party via river pirates or not...
I kind of want to, but not sure. Opinions would be GREATLY welcome.
Also I plan on having the PCs eventually take over the role of explorers/helpers in fighting the bandits. So kind of why I want to do river pirates too...
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The only advice I would give would be a word of caution...you don't want pirates to distract or overshadow the minions of the BBEG in Book 1. Since his initial minions are going to be very very wimpy for your group, this might prove difficult.
Or you could just have some of his bandits on a boat causing problems. Maybe they aren't good sailors, which should give the party an advantage to exploit. Let the party find their bsand's necklaces, but don't let them know what that means until they get to Oleg's and the encounter there. Then they can make the connection...and possibly foreshadow the site of The Staglord's lair.
The only advice I would give would be a word of caution...you don't want pirates to distract or overshadow the minions of the BBEG in Book 1. Since his initial minions are going to be very very wimpy for your group, this might prove difficult.
Or you could just have some of his bandits on a boat causing problems. Maybe they aren't good sailors, which should give the party an advantage to exploit. Let the party find their bsand's necklaces, but don't let them know what that means until they get to Oleg's and the encounter there. Then they can make the connection...and possibly foreshadow the site of The Staglord's lair.
Well my plan wasn't to have the river pirates necessarily be in league, but maybe I might drop a hint of the necklace or something else around say, Mivon or something. I do want to do this because I think river pirates are cool. :p ;)
So...no other advice folks? I mean I want to use Skull and Shackles ship to ship battles as a template.
Is that bad? Good? Indifferent?
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If you love river pirates, reflavour Staggy's bandits as river pirates. The initial bandit camp is near a river anyways. You could give them a skiff or two for fun.
Staggy and his minions could be moved from the fort onto a boat that sails around the two lakes south of the fort. In fact, the fort could be used as a small port or base of operations. For extra adventure, perhaps their main base is on Candlemere Island... Have a couple of skiffs or a barge at the fort/port/base that the party could seize to help them get to the pirate boat.
Name the boat The Nymph Queen, just to throw off your players!
Ermh.
I hadn't considered doing THAT. Mostly because I didn't feel like moving an entire structure around. That being said, I'll consider it.
Mostly I wanted river pirates to keep my PCs on their toes, give them some extra XP AND just you know, flavor.
But I'll keep that in mind for later.