Core Thornkeep

[Hitokiriweasel]

I'm running Core Thornkeep for some mostly new players and was wondering what some good scenarios to run for the level they need to get outside of Thornkeep would be. They'll be roughly level 5 at that point, so anything in the 3-7/5-9 range would be good. Ideally, I'd like some scenarios that open up some non-core things but scenarios that are just good in general would work just as well. The party consists of a half-elf bard, a dwarven cleric of Torag, a human fighter with greatsword, an elf evoker and a rogue of I forgot what race. So far the only scenario I can think of is In Wrath's Shadow for the Acrimony Veil for the evoker. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[GreySector]

Unless the evoker is somehow unable to hold a lesser metamagic rod, empower, the acrimony veil is a terrible investment IMO.

[GreySector]

I would probably suggest running Serpents Rise and then Deepmarket Deception.

Serpents Rise:

The rogue's player should play Marnarius.

[Vinyc Kettlebek]

Serpents Rise can only be run by a 4 star+ GM, and uses level 7 pregens which is outside of what the OP is looking for.

He could find any three part series or one of the older single level modules that everyone can play.

[andreww]

If they are doing Thornkeep then one or two levels of Emerald Spire might be appropriate, perhaps you could build some links into the Clockwork Maze on level 6.

[GreySector]

Vinyc Kettlebek wrote:

Serpents Rise can only be run by a 4 star+ GM, and uses level 7 pregens which is outside of what the OP is looking for.

He could find any three part series or one of the older single level modules that everyone can play.

Right, I forget that sometimes!

[Arutema]

"#5–06: You Have What You Hold" takes place in the River Kingdoms not too far from Thornkeep and the Emerald Spire.

Spoiler:

Also has a rather interesting heavy armor on the chronicle.

[Zach Davis]

If they haven't started yet I would suggest doing the extra level before Thornkeep. That way you can run it straight through, and they have a more resources going in to the The Accursed Halls which can be pretty rough(especially in Core.)

[Yiroep]

Zach Davis wrote:

If they haven't started yet I would suggest doing the extra level before Thornkeep. That way you can run it straight through, and they have a more resources going in to the The Accursed Halls which can be pretty rough(especially in Core.)

You can do that, but I really don't recommend Sanctum of a Lost Age at minimum levels. The rest are fine start at 2 and going through. :)

[Eric Clingenpeel]

Then they could also get a couple of levels between Menagerie and Sanctum.

[Zach Davis]

Honestly Sanctum was the least challenging level for my group. Though there was one kind of annoying room.

[Eric Clingenpeel]

:( It's the one level from Thornkeep I've never been able to play or run. I ran the others multiple times for groups, but that level gap meant playing other things before finishing and we never seemed to get back to it. :(

[Belafon]

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:

:( It's the one level from Thornkeep I've never been able to play or run. I ran the others multiple times for groups, but that level gap meant playing other things before finishing and we never seemed to get back to it. :(

Sanctum of a Lost Age is also the longest one with the most roleplay potential. I really recommend playing it in a non-time limited slot. I ran it at a convention once (with experienced players) and had to ruthlessly cut to get it in a 5-hour slot (and I still actually ran over).

[Yiroep]

Kevin Willis wrote:

Eric Clingenpeel wrote:

:( It's the one level from Thornkeep I've never been able to play or run. I ran the others multiple times for groups, but that level gap meant playing other things before finishing and we never seemed to get back to it. :(

Sanctum of a Lost Age is also the longest one with the most roleplay potential. I really recommend playing it in a non-time limited slot. I ran it at a convention once (with experienced players) and had to ruthlessly cut to get it in a 5-hour slot (and I still actually ran over).

Agreed. I'd say it's more a slot-and-a-half to two-slot length.