Finding the Path: Pathfinder #2 First Impressions

Image Source: Paizo’s Pathfinder Wallpaper found here*.

According to Google Analytics, the 1st search result that lands people here is ‘Pathfinder’ (at 11,6%), right before my ‘Nom de Plume‘ (which doesn’t mean ‘My name is Plum!’). So there seems to be some genuine interest in Paizo’s Pathfinder Adventure Magazine on the Web. Since I just got issue #2 from the the mail this afternoon (as my final Dungeon Mag-equivalent) , and since I plan on subscribing tonight, I might as well continue to share my thoughts on them…

After having posted my initial impressions on the 1st issue and then a more complete overview of the adventure a few weeks ago, I’d like to repeat this for the second one.

The second installment in the ‘Rise of the Runelords’, called ‘The Skinsaw Murders’ has the same top notch presentation values as its predecessor. It features the following sections:

• Foreword by James Jacob. Talks about the much more sinister tone of the adventure and GM tips on running an horror-themed/grim campaign, which is where this one is unmistakably going.
• The Skinsaw Murders, by Richard Pett. Another great looking 50 page adventure for 4 level 4 characters.
• Magnimar, a 10 pager description of a large city in the vicinity of Sandpoint, the campaign’s home base village. Part of the adventure happens there.
• Desna, another 10 pager, describing one of the major gods of the setting, by Sean K. Reynolds.
• The Pathfinder’s Journal: 6 pages of the second installment of gameworld specific Fluff by Jason Bulmahn.
• A Bestiary featuring the following monsters (some appear in the adventure, some don’t)

• Carrionstorm : Undead bird Swarm
• Boggard: Frogmen
• Lyrakien: Fey-like outsider
• Faceless Stalker: Featureless humanoid-shaped Aberration
• Revenant: Corporeal Undead
• : (Adventure Boss): I Don’t want to spoil it… Hint: Its a cool ‘upgrade’ to a Core Monster.

The 4 iconic pregenerated characters, now at level 4.

The adventure really seems to take a gruesome turn and focusses on a series of mysterious murders and mutilations in Sandpoint. Just the term ‘Skinsaw’ is creepy enough. Expect Undead and Homicidal cultists!

As was the case for the 1st issue, the adventure comes with gorgeous color maps and is sprinkled with little Boxes of shaded text where the author shares his views on key issues of the adventure. One in particular gives hints on breaking up the adventure and use bits and pieces for other campaigns. The adventure even has a modular design to make ‘cannibalizing’ easier. It’s a sensible proposal, given that the Softcover does cost about 20$ and isn’t all that useful for anyone who don’t intend to run the campaign.

So at first glance, I think we have another winner product. I’m so looking forward to try the 1st adventure tomorrow!

I’ll read the whole thing next week and come back with a more detailed review of the adventure.

With or without spoilers? You tell me…

*The awesome cool female character is Seoni the Sorcerer, one of the 4 Iconic Pre-generated characters. (Who wants to play her tomorrow?)