Just what the title says!
My group is seriously considering runing this and I was wonders what are the good and bad things about this campaign
The only real minus about the campaign is that it was written for 3.5 and the DM will need to do some prep work to bring it up to Pathfinder compliance.
So there's nothing to the terrible reviews or that according to accounts in the message boards the beginning is a big bait and switch.
pro: some of the best set pieces I've ever read
con: needs some work and a couple of good ideas for an adventure between book 2 and 3 that a) makes the group want to leave the city the AP begins in and b)makes it easier for the group later on to choose the side they are supposed to choose
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Honestly ? One of the best APs I've played (GMed).
We're just starting book 4 and having an absolute blast. With all the advice on these boards for the more problematic areas (discussed ad nauseum) you can't go far wrong.
It is true that it requires a bit/lot of work, but then so does anything worth doing. We're playing 5e rules and it's been a dream to convert, actually. The other big prep aspect for me has been because of the lack of dedicated pawns, I've been doing a lot of miniature painting! :D
I used Last breathes of Ashenport as the bridge between bk2 and 3, setting it north of Rodderick's Cove as they returned via a circuitous route from 'that' island and got caught in an unnatural storm. It was perfect. Provided a nice break from the main plot whilst continuing the theme of creepy, wired and scary. Also put even more distance between the PCs and any remaining connection to Riddleport (I'd also dealt with this by providing very strong character motivation to continue on to the Meriani)
Book 4 has been the biggest challenge (it's super epic, but very light on scripted encounters. Not too surprising given the epic scope of the setting). However this has turned into a boon as I've had to really flesh out the characters and story lines - the book provides an extremely rich setting guide and a plethora of hooks, seeds and ammunition for great NPCs and adventure locales. I'm now convinced the authors made the correct call in how to deal with this part - bravo indeed Wesley, James and James!
This process also resolved the 'big problem' with this book as the story and plot now make sense to my PCs and story and won't feel contrived or railroading in any way. I think this is now the most anticipated part of the AP for me. Well, until I give book 5 the same treatment and embark on a tour de force of Treerazor's war-torn lands!
I have been making loads of conversion and plot notes. If there's interest I'd consider sharing them via PM or Googledocs. Let me know if you are a DM and would find that helpful.
In summary, definitely go for it. It doesn't really have any more issues than most published adventures or APs and has the benefit of years of real-world playtesting and is full of wonderful characters, settings and wrapped in an epic plot. Highly recommended.
My friends gonna dm it so I'd like to avoid specifics, but I am a little worried cuz I'm planing to play a fighter type of sorts and idk how effective he'll be since he won't be charismatic at all except for being intimidating, cuz I understand there will be sneaking into a city or something like that
A fighter will be absolutely fine. There's definitely lots of fighting!
You should probably not completely neglect your stealth as there is definitely also a lot of sneaking or times you'll want to be quiet before charging in for the kill!
I would say of all the 'face' skills, intimidate is probably the most appropriate and useful for Second Darkness ;/
Hope you enjoy it, my players certainly have. We have an elf ranger, fetchling rogue (assassin), and a gnome fighter (eldritch knight) - we're playing 5th Edition rules. They've been joined from time to time by NPCs - wizards and lots of fighter/ranger types.
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Some of the background concepts introduced are very interesting (the relationship of Elves and Drow, the Elven librarian of Celwynvian, the Earthfall itself, the Lantern Bearers), and can influence later characters or campaigns set on Golarion. (for instance, I have an Elven Psychic who channels his inner Drow - when he invokes his Abomination Discipline, his hair turns white, and his skin black).
The group I ran through the AP is less discerning, and had no qualms with walking the railroad at all, but then they're used to being led by the nose through most campaigns. The biggest issue I actually had was the party immediately working out that a certain someone was a Succubus, and then leaving her behind rather than work with her.
The Drow city part can be a little tedious, but you can fast forward it by just doing a little bit to show some flavour, and focus more on important events.
The Island portion was awesome fun, from the 'zombie invasion' aspect, to the 'tower rolling down the hill' battle.
Yes, converting to Pathfinder took some work, but I've left links to my conversion documents available in this forum if you want them.
There were a number of complaints about the bait and switch issue, but now that you know people have complained about it, you can allude to some of the eventual aspects of the campaign (adventures in caverns, elves, leaving Riddleport behind) so players don't feel they invested too heavily in something only pertinent for the first chapter.
Anyone know if the character koriah azorman is in this AP at all? Because I know she's mentioned in the book on the darklands, I was just curious
Half elf ranger, fights with a bastard sword and a aklys
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If you ever do intend to run Shattered Star though and you want some continuity between the AP's it might not be a terrible idea to insert her into Second Darkness. Maybe more of a fledgling pathfinder agent who finds herself over head or even a young NPC who is saved by the party and idolizes them and maybe a potential cohort.
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I was actually thinking of playing her myself lol