Serpent's Skull session 5
The final session on the island. I knew it was going to be short as there was not a left to do there but I also lately have really not liked the idea of just adding frivolous encounters just to take up time. They had place left on the island to deal with and so it made it for an easy start with no need for the players to try to plan out the options. They had the Red Mountain Devil to fight which was really just a large winged chupacabra. The battle wasn't difficult but I did have it pick up one of the PCs and drop then forty feet into the surf.
From there they discovered and entered another ancient temple. I added more traps in there and placed in more undead monsters to fight. It was more exploration then fighting the woman that had shipwrecked them on the island. The battle with her didn't last too long. I'm not trying to challenge them yet I just want to showcase some of the differences and find ways for them to enjoy the game. The challenging combat comes later in the AP for now it is establishing setting, NPC's and theme.
We did some things about them trying to signal a rescue boat but we mostly just had them rescued and then taken to Eleder, capital city of Sargova. Right off the boat on the docks they find people waiting for them and they are summoned to the Govenor's house. I went through what each was going to do now that they are back in a city with real food, a real bed, real baths, and clean new clothes. I allowed them each to write letters home and enjoy not being on the island. We sold and bought items which we never do during game play, we use the message board for that. I wanted to establish they were in a safe city and could relax and enjoy life for a little while.
This week they go find their guide. I don't like the guide in the book or the tests they he has them do. So, I'm using the Sargova character from the NPC Guide book. They just have to find her and to find her I'm using the module River into Darkness with some changes influenced by the classic novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. I don't expect the players to catch the references as they probably haven't read the book but it works for good inspiration for me. I knew I wanted to run the two modules Pathfinder has set in the same area so I'm pleased to find a way to easily fit in the first one. It is also not as important part of the campaign and I know I'm going to have one player missing.
We might ease into book 2 when they get done tonight depending on time. I'm prepared to start that with the introduction of the groups now interested in the PCs.
From there they discovered and entered another ancient temple. I added more traps in there and placed in more undead monsters to fight. It was more exploration then fighting the woman that had shipwrecked them on the island. The battle with her didn't last too long. I'm not trying to challenge them yet I just want to showcase some of the differences and find ways for them to enjoy the game. The challenging combat comes later in the AP for now it is establishing setting, NPC's and theme.
We did some things about them trying to signal a rescue boat but we mostly just had them rescued and then taken to Eleder, capital city of Sargova. Right off the boat on the docks they find people waiting for them and they are summoned to the Govenor's house. I went through what each was going to do now that they are back in a city with real food, a real bed, real baths, and clean new clothes. I allowed them each to write letters home and enjoy not being on the island. We sold and bought items which we never do during game play, we use the message board for that. I wanted to establish they were in a safe city and could relax and enjoy life for a little while.
This week they go find their guide. I don't like the guide in the book or the tests they he has them do. So, I'm using the Sargova character from the NPC Guide book. They just have to find her and to find her I'm using the module River into Darkness with some changes influenced by the classic novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. I don't expect the players to catch the references as they probably haven't read the book but it works for good inspiration for me. I knew I wanted to run the two modules Pathfinder has set in the same area so I'm pleased to find a way to easily fit in the first one. It is also not as important part of the campaign and I know I'm going to have one player missing.
We might ease into book 2 when they get done tonight depending on time. I'm prepared to start that with the introduction of the groups now interested in the PCs.