Episode 4: Blood Wind

[Yaztromo]

This is a strange episode, in the sense that, more than its title, I think that the blurb introducing the adventure put off the players, as they considered it very uninspiring.

The High Hak is a deadly place for even its hardiest of residents. Peshwah nomads tred carefully for the land is riddled with treachery. Among these nomads, trust is not given lightly, but in this harsh environment, adventurers will quickly learn the true need for trust.

The above doesn't sound so bad to me, but didn't motivate the players to choose this adventure to be run (in my campaign, the players form the groups and chose together what adventure they want to play next, based on the level of experience required, the requirements to have played some other episode in the adventure arc -if such requirements do exist- and, of course, the introduction blurb). This was just Episode 4, but was overlooked for over a year and half (with a new adventure starting approximately every month).
The adventure is not over yet, but the players' feedback was that he first part of the adventure (somebody asking you to buy some horses on his behalf in Hak) was very dull and uninspiring, but then, suddenly, after the meeting with Sulla, the adventure clicked and it is proving one of the most exciting of the campaign.

What is your feedback on this adventure?

[Yaztromo]

As a Game Master, I have to raise also a small complaint about how the in game times are managed, as every episode is supposed to take a tendays, but this actually takes at least twice as much and this isn't flagged anywhere, as discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=91&t=9052

[TheMystic]

This is interesting feedback.

I think it's important for folks to realize these episodes were written in a convention form with the exception of the Conversion docs, like Redwood Scar, DCB, etc.

Players were expected to complete them in a single 3 hour play session. Most convention players know to go along with the premise, but I can see how this might be tougher to sell as part of a home game.

Personally, this is one of my favorite Episodes in the whole Campaign. It was debuted as part of the first 4 episodes and it gave the Peshwah a new personality that was never really seen before in Blackmoor. Further, it showed the wider breadth of magic as a contrast to the Wizards' Cabal and the Spell Focus based approach.

Please feel free to make these Episodes your own so that your players will have fun. That includes rewriting the description.

D

[Yaztromo]

I think that the overall comment from the players was that it is much better than it looked like "from the outside" and indeed I think that this episode is a great opening of the saga of Hadeen, that is one of the best sagas of the MMRPG. On top of this, Sulla is a NPC that every player will remember.

I also think that this is a well crafted episode for doing everything nicely within 4 hours or less.
Said that, as the MMRPG adventures were all supposed to last a ten-day in game time, I'm even more surprised that this episode takes at least twice as much in game time (including travelling, etc.) and this is not flagged.

[Yaztromo]

Another small comment about Blood Wind: somehow it is assumed that the characters can ride and have horses. Just remember this if you are planning to run it.

[Yaztromo]

Personally, this is one of my favorite Episodes in the whole Campaign.

Having run it thoroughly, I definitely agree. 8)