Pathfinder Adventure Paths with non-violent endings or solutions (Related topics: non-violent / non-violence)

[oteta]

Dear Fellow Pathfinder Players:

Good morning. It seems to me that the difficult times that we are in call for non-violent solutions. RPGs like Pathfinder are a powerful tool for conversation and debate about topics like the ones we face, especially if we are playing with young family members. Which Pathfinder Adventure Paths have non-violent endings or solutions, or are non-violent or focus on non-violence?

A couple good PF 2e Society Scenarios with non-violent solutions / endings my family played recently include "The Burden of Envy" and "The Blooming Castastrophe".

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[Squeakmaan]

The only one I am familiar with a potential non-violent resolution is Ironfang Invasion. But there's a significant amount of violence between the beginning and that potential resolution.

[zimmerwald1915]

Squeakmaan wrote:

The only one I am familiar with a potential non-violent resolution is Ironfang Invasion. But there's a significant amount of violence between the beginning and that potential resolution.

This is the Fallout 3 approach to nonviolence: it is only questionable to murder people who have a conversation tree. All the people you have to murder to get to them don't count.

[oteta]

Zimmerwald: S:-) Thanks for the suggestion, Squeakman!

[YawarFiesta]

Ironically, Skull & Shackles can be modded very easily for non-violent solutions, but I believe the themes of the AP would defeat the purpose. The current AP, Agents of Edgewatch, is has an emphasis on non violent resolution, but also:

CONTENT WARNING AND PLAYER CONSENT:

The Agents of Edgewatch Adventure Path centers around the player characters in their roles as newly enlisted members of the city watch. The characters start their careers resolving minor disputes but eventually become the city’s only hope against an evil power. Since this Adventure Path assumes the characters are city guards, the campaign (including this player’s guide) makes frequent reference to aspects of law enforcement and policing—themes that might hew closely to real-world
situations and might make some readers uncomfortable.
If you are reading this player’s guide because you’re considering playing through the Agents of Edgewatch Adventure Path, talk to your Game Master about how they’ll handle themes of law enforcement throughout the campaign. As always, the consent of everyone at the table is mandatory for a safe and fun play experience, so it’s important that you discuss any concerns you have about this Adventure Path’s subject matter with the rest of your group. If your group is interested in the Adventure Path’s other themes but one or more members don’t want to roleplay as city watch, you can eliminate that aspect of the campaign by using the suggested changes listed under Playing without Law Enforcement on page 3.
Additionally, Agents of Edgewatch presents scenarios that fall into the realm of horror. This includes depictions of serial killers, body horror, torture, nonconsensual voyeurism, violence against children, and bioterrorism (including a suicide bombing), humanoid experimentation, self-harm, animal cruelty, and mental illness.
This Adventure Path is intended to be an action-packed romp through a fantastical metropolis full of danger and excitement, not an analysis of or mirror for real-world matters of law and justice. Nonetheless, you and your friends might not enjoy the situations or conversations that arise as a result of your unusual roles in this campaign or the horror elements. Remember that a fun game involves enthusiastic consent from everyone at the table, especially when discussing or roleplaying themes that might closely resemble sensitive issues from the not-so-simple real world. What one person might consider an opportunity to discuss real-life ethical dilemmas might be an upsetting or traumatic situation for another.
Ultimately, it is your choice whether or not you wish to participate in this Adventure Path, as written or modified. We at Paizo wish you a safe and fun gaming experience no matter what type of campaign you decide to play.

Another thing to take into account is that PF is a game where heroes kills things and take their stuff. There are workarounds this like Magic Item Variants (Gamemastery Guide P.196) or the system of the previously mentioned AP in which the players are rewarded for turning evidence. Also, if the game is going to be more socially or investigation focused than combat focused the Bard, Investigator or Rogue might end up stealing the spotlight so handle with care.

Humbly,
Yawar

[Evan Tarlton]

A number of encounters in War For The Crown can be decided without fighting, including some of the final bosses of each volume.

[oteta]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks! I'll add these to the list I compiled here:

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs433pb?Pathfinder-Society-scenarios-that-have#1

[Yakman]

There's a Starfinder scenario which ... the Duskmire Accord? .... where you don't have to fight at all. It's fantastic. A lot of Starfinder society material can be pretty low on violence if you want to choose that path.

[oteta]

Thank you, Yakman! Is your screen name related to the Yakmen of the World of Greyhawk fantasy setting by any chance?

Yawar, you bring up a good point about skill-starved martial classes and more complex, even non-violent stories. I guess if you’re going to play such a scenario players should be primed to take martial classes with more skills like Rangers and Slayers.

[Ashbourne]

oteta wrote:

Dear Fellow Pathfinder Players:

Good morning. It seems to me that the difficult times that we are in call for non-violent solutions. RPGs like Pathfinder are a powerful tool for conversation and debate about topics like the ones we face, especially if we are playing with young family members. Which Pathfinder Adventure Paths have non-violent endings or solutions, or are non-violent or focus on non-violence?

A couple good PF 2e Society Scenarios with non-violent solutions / endings my family played recently include "The Burden of Envy" and "The Blooming Castastrophe".

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Pathfinder Bounty #4: Cat's Cradle

https://paizo.com/threads/rzs433p8?Pathfinder-Adventure-Paths-with-nonviole nt#1

Cat's Cradle is a very short bounty type side adventure; meet the quest giver, travel for 2 hours, combat encounter, a final encounter which is all about solving a riddle.

The combat encounter is not important to the story so easily dropped if included it's not too harsh the creatures will flee if their HP is reduced too much.

To make it longer just add some exploration activities/obstacles while looking for the bandits camp.

[Tangent101]

While the ending of Hell's Rebels is a fight scene, there are multiple sections of the AP where negotiation and discussion can bring about a better solution. In fact, there are segments where RP and non-combat situations ARE REQUIRED. In the final book there is even a section where you can go into Hell and if the party plays their cards right never once draw a blade or kill anything in Hell, and leave unharmed and with their souls intact.

[roguerouge]

Any AP where you can plausibly run a jail and a court system is one that you can at least capture rather than kill people, if that's what you mean by non-violence. Skull and Shackles (you end up with a fleet and a base, you could ransom people, etc.), Kingmaker (literally, just build jails and courts to your heart's content), Hell's Rebels (street trials once you get your rebellion on and a jail by the end of book two, but probably not enough capacity to hold all the collaborators and true believers of Thrune until after book four), maybe Curse of the Crimson Throne.

Look to The Flash and Green Arrow on TV for the potential drawbacks for running a jail as a vigilante hero, however.

As for PCs... The plus side of these APs is that there's a lot of focus on leveled humanoids, so having a monk or fighter focus on combat maneuvers will work for lot longer than usual. Monk's ability to do nonlethal damage in melee with no penalty is a major plus. Merciful spell would be a must for the casters. Depending on your definition of violence, enchanters and illusionists could shine if the party wasn't trying to kill people at the drop of a hat. The stabilize cantrip would come in very handy.

And if you have a PC dedicated to Diplomacy and Bluff you could probably end a lot of encounters early, even with the penalty for rushing or implausibility.

[oteta]

Thanks for the responses Ashbourne, Tangent101 and roguerouge!

[keftiu]

Since it's come out since this thread was made: Strength of Thousands is the poster child for this. There's tons of nonviolent solutions in just about every volume, and diplomacy is pretty much always the smart play.

[Errant Mercenary]

Squeakmaan wrote:

The only one I am familiar with a potential non-violent resolution is Ironfang Invasion. But there's a significant amount of violence between the beginning and that potential resolution.

" Ironfang Invasion: Hobgoblins commit warcrimes against you and your loved ones! You commit warcrimes in return! Commit warcrimes agaisnt fey as they also massacre and torture everyone! Everything in the campaign is about further warcriming!

Resolve with sudden change of heart and good will at the point of a sword, it is TOTALLY valid! "

Yeah, not a fan of a lot of elements in that AP and I dont think it counts as a proper non violent solution, considering it is under the guise of "We just killed all your generals, will kill the rest, and you, unless you stop ok? We friends".

I'd consider Strength of Thousands a better candidate, it has baked in a lot of dialogue options and leans into the teacher-student dynamics.

Skull and Shackles, surprisingly, has many non violent solutions, but you will encounter a lot of humanoid on humanoid violence regardless. It is a rather easy campaign to coat with nonviolence/lethality if you focus on the pirate theatrics more.

Edit:
I'd also suggest a different roleplaying system altogether that is not focused on +1 to attack, especially with a younger audience.
I do find the exercise interesting nontheless and there is definitely space in PF2 for non violent solutions, and should be more included (again, +1 to strength of thousands' approach)

[oteta]

Thanks for the replies keftiu and Errant Mercenary! I’m glad I revisited this post because we’re getting more excellent feedback. We’re currently playing “Strength of Thousands” (SOT) and I noticed and appreciate the effort by Paizo to diversify the role-playing experience.

I am embarrassed to admit that I missed a non-violent solution in SOT myself, so I am writing down a new procedure for interacting with non-player characters that comes from the technique called Non-Violent Communication. I’ll start conflict situations with the question or observation about the questions, “What are you feeling?” and “What are your needs?” This is a powerful tool from which I’m even seeing dividends in the rpg called life!

We are alternating this campaign with “War for the Crown”, which was recommended earlier in this thread, and I am happy to report that the players enjoyed the social intrigue first portion of “Crownfall” more than the combat sections afterward.

I think that a key element of this enjoyment is the Influence system set up in “Ultimate Intrigue”, simplified in “Crownfall” and improved, according to a family member, in the “Gamemastery Guide” 2e. Thank you, Paizo!

[oteta]

PS: About “War for the Crown”, let me add that it is eerily timely and prescient.

[Richard Lowe]

Kingmaker certainly, especially if the GM takes inspiration from the Owlcat CRPG version. I'd say that it's possible for every 'end of book villain' to be defeated peacefully except 1, perhaps 2 at a push. Diplomacy, bargaining, striking deals, exposing hidden truths, etc can all be used to resolve the encounters without ever having to fight most of the bbeg's in that AP.

[oteta]

Thank you, Richard!

[Carrauntoohil]

YawarFiesta wrote:

An amazing post

This post was incredibly well-written and showed a remarkable level of consideration for various table views.

It is a masterclass in considerate gaming and DMing.

[oteta]

Good morning, all. Thanks for the encouraging post, Carrauntoohill! I’ve confirmed Evan Tarlton’s point about the Crownfall path in that the second installment, “Songbird, Scion, Saboteur” by Crystal Frasier and Richard Pett has an interesting mechanic for a non-violent solution.

Have a good day, everyone!