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I'm enjoying the first volume of the adventure path. I'm a bit of a grognard, so I really enjoy the return to the classic theme of Against the Giants. I hope an upcoming AP will be along similar lines.
That said, there is something that really stands out in the first volume:
In at least two instances it is stated that Rodrik and Brinya met in the Plague House to "share their love." I can't help but think they must be into some kinky stuff if they're willing to meet in a Plague House to begin with - much less one haunted by souls claimed by the plague and that also happens to be infested with large, aggressive spiders and spectral rats.
I was wondering if anyone else caught that too.
Yes. I'm GMing for my 12 year old son and his two 13 year old friends, however. We'll just say that aspect was not emphasized.
It's been noted by others before in the Battle of Bloodmarch Hill thread. As has been suggested...
As for the haunts, they're limited to a single room and remain at rest as long as no one happens to walk down the isle between the rows of bed frames. Knowing that the big room behind the double doors was the hospital ward where all the patients burnt to death, I imagine those visiting the Plague House have wisely kept out of it over the years. Also, it's possible that the dark energies which initially created the shadow rats also spilled out of the warrens to somehow empower the haunts to manifest as described in the module; meaning that they weren't previously an issue.
So, take away the monstrous vermin and haunts and visitors who entered through the front doors to walk down the central hall were treated to a quietly peaceful old church bathed in bright colour from the remaining stained-glass windows and with shafts of sunlight shinning down through holes in the roof. Looking at it in that respect, I can see how the large back room might make a serene and inviting love nest for those seeking privacy. ;)
Honestly, there are other aspects of the Burnt Church which baffle me more; such as why a big obvious lock box, various treasure stashes, sacred statuary and holy texts have never been reclaimed by the Sanctuary's clergy in the past fifty years...
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It's been noted by others before in the Battle of Bloodmarch Hill thread. As has been suggested...
** spoiler omitted **
The explanation of the vermin is possible, but the explanation of the haunt strains credibility for me.
You're right about the items just laying around for decades - how are the ruins not picked clean by now?
Honestly, I have no end of questions regarding the Burnt Church, let alone the whole module.
Why hasn't Othdan's family raised a fuss in town about his disappearance after several days of his being missing?
Why do Daktani and the flood trolls continue using the church as a nightly rendezvous locale after having been spotted there by a militiaman and considering that the church is infested with monsters and haunts? Surely there's some other discrete landmark outside of town they could use.
Some ideas:
Maybe you could say that the doors into the infirmary have had a board nailed across them (hastily and poorly, so they don't really hinder anyone who wants to enter) and a skull painted on them? That would stop any superstitious or sensible people from entering (so... most everyone but the PCs).
I'd consider adding a rumor about a man disappearing on the same night that Rodrick is killed. It adds to the mystery, and sets up the rescue of Othdan a bit better when they eventually find him.
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Honestly, I have no end of questions regarding the Burnt Church, let alone the whole module.
** spoiler omitted **
If their meeting was interrupted by the PCs, Daktani and Ghaer meet again the following night.
"Hey - do you think they found our hostage?"
"I dunno. Let's meet back here tomorrow night and find out."
Not only did I notice that on my initial readthrough, but...
So if the choice is nookie in a haunted, spider and rat infested 'Plague house'. Or no nookie at all...
Maybe it's considered a 'Romantic atmosphere' to a resident of Trunau?
You're right about the items just laying around for decades - how are the ruins not picked clean by now?
Trunauans are there for booty, not looty.
I think it was probably their equivalent of sneaking off in to the woods, or a sort of 'make out point' type thing.
Anyone could be lurking in both those places. The danger of it probably has something to do with it too. Add to that the fact that it is implied that interracial relationships aren't looked on too kindly in Trunau, as well as the fact that Trunau natives are accustomed to generally uncomfortable and traumatising events, and the plague house just ends up being their version of that.