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No one's made these valuable threads yet?
The purpose of this thread is to clarify questions arising in this adventure. This is a SPOILER-filled zone: do not venture further if you do not wish the adventure to be spoiled for you, and spoiler tags are not required when posting here.
This thread is a GM Reference thread for Part 1 of the Ironfang Invasion Adventure Path. Links for the individual threads for each part are as follows:
Admittedly I tend to wait until the product is actually available. I just popped in to create them if they weren't already after checking my e-mail and seeing shipment notification.
Now to find time to read.
I got my shipping e-mail this afternoon and went looking for a place to ask questions as I read. :)
Is the assumption that Aubrin travels with the PCs as they move from location to location in Phaendar? Or does she stay behind at the first location and wait for them to return? How about the rescued villagers? I guess if they're providing Aid Anothers, they're assumed to be there, but it seems a bit weird to have everyone sneaking around en masse (and badly injured) and not being totally obvious to the hobgoblins by the last stop.
I might provide a "muster point" where the rest of the refugees wait until all possible survivors have been rescued.
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I got my shipping e-mail this afternoon and went looking for a place to ask questions as I read. :)
Like, how do you pronounce Phaendar?
I read it as there's enough commotion going on that the hobgoblins aren't particularly concerned with all of the townsfolk yet, just the ones in the way of the loot they want. The longer the PCs wait, however, the more likely they'll care. There was a line that said Aubin was following along, as I recall, but of no help in combat.
I would say either Feendar, as in Aegis,, are Feyndar, as in Fey, depending on your preference.
I might provide a "muster point" where the rest of the refugees wait until all possible survivors have been rescued.
That's a good idea... somewhere on the edge of the town towards the bridge, but out of the way of the hoarde.
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I got my shipping e-mail this afternoon and went looking for a place to ask questions as I read. :)
Is the assumption that Aubrin travels with the PCs as they move from location to location in Phaendar? Or does she stay behind at the first location and wait for them to return? How about the rescued villagers? I guess if they're providing Aid Anothers, they're assumed to be there, but it seems a bit weird to have everyone sneaking around en masse (and badly injured) and not being totally obvious to the hobgoblins by the last stop.
I might provide a "muster point" where the rest of the refugees wait until all possible survivors have been rescued.
The assumption is that Aubrin and whatever refugees the PCs gather follow with them, but keep their heads down—tending the wounded, carrying the injured, ect. If nothing else, Aubrin is intended to accompany the PCs and provide healing (even if you send the other survivors to a muster point), because otherwise that's a LOT of fights for 1st level characters to wade through without sleep.
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I got my shipping e-mail this afternoon and went looking for a place to ask questions as I read. :)Like, how do you pronounce Phaendar?
The name is entirely fictitious, so technically there's no wrong way to say it. I've been pronouncing it "fey-AN-der" but Nirmathi are notoriously independent, and I imagined the pronunciation of the town's name is a hot-button topic of discussion for locals.
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While you're here(ish), Crystal, loved the foreword. Not least because we once had a paladin PC in our group who kept shouting, "Stop being evil! Stop being evil!" while he was beating on the bad guy. (Also, a major NPC in the first campaign I ever wrote back in AD&D was named Aubryn.)
I just love Kining Blondebeard and she will definitely play a bigger role in my campaign as one of the PCs is also a female dwarven smith whose family was exiled from Glimmerhold (her mother was a Torag priestess).
My question is: What do you guys think were the "crimes she refuses to divulge"?
Concerning the Grave of Gristledown encounter, does the amount of treasure to be found here seem curious? If I read the text correctly, Scarvinious' band looted the place before burying the inhabitants. I totally understand the mechanics of treasure distribution & WBL (PCs gotta get paid!), but I'm already dreading the questions my group will pose. They'll ponder whether the attackers suffered from an allergy to precious metals or convince themselves that the loot must be cursed, if it was so easily left behind and consider leaving it themselves.
If I missed something obvious in the encounter text that would explain why so much perfectly good treasure would be left behind, please let me know, but I'm thinking of shifting this loot drop to another location/encounter...
If I missed something obvious in the encounter text that would explain why so much perfectly good treasure would be left behind, please let me know, but I'm thinking of shifting this loot drop to another location/encounter...
I just don't see the characters on my group excavating the corpses of fellow Nirmathi and rifling through their pockets - even less finding SO MUCH loot left behind. The adventure establishes the hogboblins carry and care about coins (one of the encounters has the group finding a salary shipment), don't see why they would leave behind all of that.
Yeah I'll probably change that, have those coins be on a hoard somewhere... Maybe the owl directs the PCs to the looters - a slow creaking wagon going to camp. A wheel has broke in the way, and Scarvinious left them behind to fix it while he gets back to business at camp. The group might fight the looters and deal (one of many!) blows to the hobgoblins' morale.
I would say they have something to do with the Buckler that you are able to find in her Smithy. Namely, the fact that it has the Holy Symbol of Droskar on it, and she doesn't want people to find it. From what I can find, Droskar is the Dwarven God of Toil, with specifics saying that you should be able to do anything you can to achieve your goal. That includes, but is not limited to, cheating, slavery, and exploitation.
On a regular dwarven town just plain worship of Droskar would probably be bannable offense, but Glimmerhold is already douchebag country (see the "Clash of the Kingslayers" adventure module) and they don't keep to the worship of Torag. That crime should be real sordid indeed to make her get exiled from that place.
I'm loving this so far. Nice job, everyone!
Anyone have any theories on how a ringhorn grazes? It looks like it could only eat the tops of very tall stalks/blades/plants. This might also be my eye betraying me, so if I'm misinterpreting the picture then I'll just assume it can graze like a sheep. (I'm also okay with the answer being "It looks cool, so don't worry about it. :D )
I am absolutely loving the encounter with Yorc the centaur, who is wicked-devious (and as I am a bugbear, that is the highest praise). I cannot wait until the last of the meddling PCs drifts off to sleep, and I get to yell "so whadd'ya think about DEM apples!"
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I'm loving this so far. Nice job, everyone!
Anyone have any theories on how a ringhorn grazes? It looks like it could only eat the tops of very tall stalks/blades/plants. This might also be my eye betraying me, so if I'm misinterpreting the picture then I'll just assume it can graze like a sheep. (I'm also okay with the answer being "It looks cool, so don't worry about it. :D )
The art came out a little different than we expected, but if I had to pull out a no-prize, I'd say that this specimen is clearly near the end of the season, with his horns at their largest. The males gorge themselves all through spring and summer, but by late autumn, their horns grow too large to let them easily graze, encouraging more competition for the best grazing spots.
Seeing as the PCs are locals to the area and likely have family living in Phaendar, how would you guys deal with them running home to escort their families out of town during the first part?
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Almost everyone in town is celebrating in the early evening when everything begins. The easiest solution is to have the PCs' family either be among the unnammed NPCs at their starting location, or else shopping or celebrating at one of the other detailed locations.
The art came out a little different than we expected, but if I had to pull out a no-prize, I'd say that this specimen is clearly near the end of the season, with his horns at their largest. The males gorge themselves all through spring and summer, but by late autumn, their horns grow too large to let them easily graze, encouraging more competition for the best grazing spots.I'm loving this so far. Nice job, everyone!
Anyone have any theories on how a ringhorn grazes? It looks like it could only eat the tops of very tall stalks/blades/plants. This might also be my eye betraying me, so if I'm misinterpreting the picture then I'll just assume it can graze like a sheep. (I'm also okay with the answer being "It looks cool, so don't worry about it. :D )
I love it! Thanks, Crystal!
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The art came out a little different than we expected, but if I had to pull out a no-prize, I'd say that this specimen is clearly near the end of the season, with his horns at their largest. The males gorge themselves all through spring and summer, but by late autumn, their horns grow too large to let them easily graze, encouraging more competition for the best grazing spots.I'm loving this so far. Nice job, everyone!
Anyone have any theories on how a ringhorn grazes? It looks like it could only eat the tops of very tall stalks/blades/plants. This might also be my eye betraying me, so if I'm misinterpreting the picture then I'll just assume it can graze like a sheep. (I'm also okay with the answer being "It looks cool, so don't worry about it. :D )
Which also goes to explain why they don't have a gore attack, just two hooves... :)
Are any of the new animals able to be Animal Companions for a druid or a cavalier?
Almost everyone in town is celebrating in the early evening when everything begins. The easiest solution is to have the PCs' family either be among the unnammed NPCs at their starting location, or else shopping or celebrating at one of the other detailed locations.
That does it, thanks for the reply, Crystal. I will let the PCs know where their family is hanging around, and will probably just make them the unnamed NPCs. That will probably make them extra invested in their safety.
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I've read the first three parts of the adventure, and I'm enjoying it so far, more than I thought I would. I thought the first part was especially well done, with lots of guidance on what to do if your players made various choices.
The second part I was less sure about, because the resource and shelter tracking, including behavior from 20 NPC-level mooks, seemed rather tedious to me. I liked the variety of adventures, though.
Third part doesn't sit right with me. I know that troglodytes (which I often accidentally call trogdolytes---which sounds like trog-delights---much to everyone's amusement) are usually chaotic evil, but just going in and killing sentient beings to steal their shelter doesn't sit right with me. I know the players don't HAVE to, but the alternative is no shelter. I think if I were to run it, I'd put more troglodyte encounters in part 2. That way it looks like, "Huh, the troglodytes are a threat to us. We better root them out at the source. And oh, hey, these caves might make for decent shelter."
So what maps are people using for the F-H encounters? I know I could easily make up a map I'm trying use D20Pro for a go around on this and having some premade maps to put the tokens on would be of great help. An old farm with apple tree's and all that. If anyone can point me in the right direction for battle maps I'd appreciate it!
While reading the Survival rules (food, shelter, etc) I have a few questions. What time of year does this AP start in? (What season is it)
Also, what kind of weather should the PCs be dealing with?
It's my understanding the APs generally start at the time of release with weather appropriate for the region, but I do not know for sure.
You are correct about the date (the Pathfinder calendar mirrors our real year) - but the AP mentions surviving winter weather, etc. - so I was wondering if this was supposed to start in late spring, early fall, etc?
Also - I don't know what the Nirmathas climate is like. I'm fishing for suggestions/ideas/insight.
The original release month for book 1 of the AP (before it was pushed back to be released in tandem with book 2) would have been February. That still allows for some 'winter weather' before spring arrives.
As for climate, Varisia is supposed to be vaguely "Pacific Northwest," according to the creative director, so that would make Nirmathas ... Montana-ish?
Alternatively, Nirmathas is Golarion's Robin-Hood analogue, so you could go with Sherwood Forest in winter, however you picture that.
Yeah, February in some place Montana-ish would be pretty winter weather intensive. Probably winter-like until the end of May, actually.
Thanks for the input.
I don't want to put my players through Reign of Winter like conditions, but at least I know it's cold (February weather in the woods) - I can work with that.
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The original release month for book 1 of the AP (before it was pushed back to be released in tandem with book 2) would have been February. That still allows for some 'winter weather' before spring arrives.
As for climate, Varisia is supposed to be vaguely "Pacific Northwest," according to the creative director, so that would make Nirmathas ... Montana-ish?
Using this excellent work, I was able to place Kraggodan into south-central Montana (relative to Magnimar), so I'm using Billings MT for the weather in Phaendar.
In the sidenote: "AN ARMY OF TAGALONGS" it is mentioned that you can get 20-30 survivors in part 1. can you actually get 30? or is this just a rough estimate. because I only came to 25, maybe Í'm missing something.
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Third part doesn't sit right with me. I know that troglodytes (which I often accidentally call trogdolytes---which sounds like trog-delights---much to everyone's amusement) are usually chaotic evil, but just going in and killing sentient beings to steal their shelter doesn't sit right with me. I know the players don't HAVE to, but the alternative is no shelter. I think if I were to run it, I'd put more troglodyte encounters in part 2. That way it looks like, "Huh, the troglodytes are a threat to us. We better root them out at the source. And oh, hey, these caves might make for decent shelter."
I have the same reservations. I can think of no reason as written why a good party would entertain the idea of ousting the trogs. Sure they are evil but aside from failed negotiations and another protracted battle there's nothing to set up the trogs as enemies. I'll need to do a little reworking here.
Deikssus I counted 25 as well and that assumes you get to every location first, which obviously you can't. Of course I may well be missing something as well.
All that aside it looks like a great adventure which I'm going to have to do a lot of planning to get to grips with the logistics of the initial attack. Here's hoping the remainder lives up to this part.
On p. 13 it lists Kining Blondebeard as LE, but in the Phaendar statblock, it lists her as NE. Which is the typo?
Judging from her description I'd have to guess LE is her correct alignment. :-)
Third part doesn't sit right with me. I know that troglodytes (which I often accidentally call trogdolytes---which sounds like trog-delights---much to everyone's amusement) are usually chaotic evil, but just going in and killing sentient beings to steal their shelter doesn't sit right with me. I know the players don't HAVE to, but the alternative is no shelter. I think if I were to run it, I'd put more troglodyte encounters in part 2. That way it looks like, "Huh, the troglodytes are a threat to us. We better root them out at the source. And oh, hey, these caves might make for decent shelter."I have the same reservations. I can think of no reason as written why a good party would entertain the idea of ousting the trogs. Sure they are evil but aside from failed negotiations and another protracted battle there's nothing to set up the trogs as enemies. I'll need to do a little reworking here.
Deikssus I counted 25 as well and that assumes you get to every location first, which obviously you can't. Of course I may well be missing something as well.
All that aside it looks like a great adventure which I'm going to have to do a lot of planning to get to grips with the logistics of the initial attack. Here's hoping the remainder lives up to this part.
A few events do have a party of Trogs attack you, and indicate that the Ironfangs are seeking to recruit them.
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Even then: the PCs know that the Irongfangs are aware of the location of the caves and are trying to form some form of alliance with the inhabitants; so why would you take your refugees there?
I'm intending to rework things somewhat if/when I run this. Having the troglodytes already be on the offensive against the refugees, so that the good-guys don't just invade someone else's cave, and to re-jig the letter that the hobgoblin scout is carrying so that it refers to "a cave system that we were unaware of containing potential allies" or similar.
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On p. 13 it lists Kining Blondebeard as LE, but in the Phaendar statblock, it lists her as NE. Which is the typo?Judging from her description I'd have to guess LE is her correct alignment. :-)
That's what I was thinking from her description, but then I got to the bridge description, where it mentions this:
"Kining performed some cursory repair work and removed the cracked keystone from the bridge’s north side before promptly announcing she would require twice her original estimate to complete repair work on the bridge. The construction shed and crane have sat untended beside the bridge for 9 months as the town struggles to gather funds"
...which strikes me as more NE than LE and a departure from "living up to the letter of her agreements," but maybe that's just me.