Sample Libraries for Research Subsystem?

[Moloch1066]

So, I plan to use the Research Subsystem to help further some "B plots" while my players are taking some Downtime in Escadar.
I appreciate the sample Library in the GMG, but it's a bit too fanciful for my needs. Are there any other example libraries out there? Or similar skill challenges in an AP or PFS adventure? Even if it's 1st edition, I'm mostly looking for some inspiration to spur my imagination.

[The Raven Black]

I believe there are researches in Malevolence.

And there are skill challenges in all PFS2 scenarios I played IIRC.

[Moloch1066]

Awesome, I was thinking of getting Malevolence, thanks!

Do you recall any scenarios that specifically involved a library or research?

[AlastarOG]

Chapter 6 of agents of edgewatch has all the libraries of Absalom I think.

[GM OfAnything]

I don't recall any great basic libraries.

PFS 2-01 Citadel of Corruption has a lost cyclops library.

The different parts of the library are a map-mural of the cyclopean empire, stone tablets with recordings of a cyclops seer, and a crystal eye.

[twynsicle]

The Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-04 "The Devil-Wrought Disappearance" has a pretty good example of a library challenge.

It was probably the first library where I had the click moment of understanding how research might be able to combine with player agency. The library presented a variety of different areas the players could check, either for roleplay reasons or to be able to play to their own characters' strengths. I don't think it ended up being quite these, but it was the closest I've seen.

https://paizo.com/products/btq02ajc?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-304-The-Dev ilWrought-Disappearance

[Moloch1066]

Thanks everyone!
I just bought The Devil-Wrought Disappearance.
I really wish there was some sort of index of all the PFS scenarios or something. I think they're full of a lot of good content you can easily slot into a homebrew game or adapt to a side quest, but it's hard to figure out what's in each, and I can't afford to buy them all!

[H2Osw]

There is no library research in Malevolence

Malevolence::

uses books found on site, conversations, and dreams

for research.

[Perpdepog]

Moloch1066 wrote:

Thanks everyone!

I just bought The Devil-Wrought Disappearance.
I really wish there was some sort of index of all the PFS scenarios or something. I think they're full of a lot of good content you can easily slot into a homebrew game or adapt to a side quest, but it's hard to figure out what's in each, and I can't afford to buy them all!

This so much. I keep hearing about neat things in the scenarios but I don't personally play PFS since I don't believe there is a group anywhere near me, and they're too much of an expense to justify otherwise.

Also, while it's PF1E rather than 2E, I remember quite a few research opportunities in the Strange Aeons adventure path. You could give them a gander, or check out the threads in its subforum.

[Moloch1066]

New subsystem, same old problem: this time I'm looking for Influence NPC blocks. I know Mountain of Sea and Sky has a dragon, and there's the example in the GMG. Anyone know of any others?

[Ascalaphus]

#3-03 Echoes of Desperation has a substantial influence scene.

Also, the general gist of these mechanics predates PF2; some of the best particular executions are in PF1 and Starfinder scenarios. Sometimes in PFS2 they feel a bit shoehorned in because it was a thing you could grab out of the GMG, not because they were the best possible fit for the scenario.

Good older scenarios to look at how to best fit them into the story:

PFS1 The Blakros Connection (library)
PFS1 The Blakros Matrimony (influence)
PFS1 The Hellknight's Feast (influence)
SFS Rasheen's Reception (influence)

I think those scenarios did a very good job of letting the players have some actual agency in what to prioritize, who to target etc., while some of the more recent PFS2 ones don't have that very much.

There's also an alternative to influence used in PFS1 which you could call "presenting evidence" which didn't make it to the PF2 GMG, but which is perhaps better fitted to convincing a single NPC. You can find that in PFS1 Shadow's Last Stand II: Web of Corruption, Shores of Heaven, and in Ungrounded but Unbroken.

[Red Metal]

Fists of the Ruby Phoenix book 2 has several influence statblocks.

[Moloch1066]

Cheers! Thanks for the suggestions.
I've been interested in Ruby Phoenix, so this is just the incentive I needed to spend the dough (to my point earlier, if this stuff were easier to find, I'd spend more money paizo!).

Ascalaphus, how hard is it to adjust a PF1 influence encounter to PF2? I'm reading Hell's Rebels for the crimson masquerade bit, and somewhere I have ultimate intrigue or whatever it is with influence rules.

[nephandys]

Looks like in the Blood Lords AP there will be an influence stat block for Kortash Khain. Seems like it would be book 4 but we'll have to wait and see.