Well, what's the major reason for the creation of an AP? To give the players a long term thing to play without having to worry about creating a new scenario every session or two. And with this one, at a time when all the rules still aren't published and known. So the length of the two shouldn't really surprise anyone at this point in time of 5e introduction.
And the other reason for the creation of such a long adventure.... a significant time between book introductions to the world from WotC. Starter set and online basic rules! Cool! Now what?... oh, nothing......... Sweet, the official PHB, finally! Awesome! Now what?!..... ........ oh, nothing ....... ...... ...... ...... oh, WotC needs to make money so they put out a long adventure to cover time before the MM comes out because the published rules don't have enough info for DMs to competently create adventures of their own?.... Finally, the MM!.... what? The DMG has been delayed?.......
This AP was made to introduce players and get people up to speed on the newer rules of play the starter kit and basic rules did not cover. In a year, when options are out there, conversions of other DnD and PF versions are easy and another book or two are published, I would be surprised if people are playing this at first level unless a DM doesn't want to think about adventure creation.
These still only take you to 10th/11th lvl, right? That leaves a lot of room at the top for individualized playing.
And the other reason for the creation of such a long adventure.... a significant time between book introductions to the world from WotC. Starter set and online basic rules! Cool! Now what?... oh, nothing......... Sweet, the official PHB, finally! Awesome! Now what?!..... ........ oh, nothing ....... ...... ...... ...... oh, WotC needs to make money so they put out a long adventure to cover time before the MM comes out because the published rules don't have enough info for DMs to competently create adventures of their own?.... Finally, the MM!.... what? The DMG has been delayed?.......
This AP was made to introduce players and get people up to speed on the newer rules of play the starter kit and basic rules did not cover. In a year, when options are out there, conversions of other DnD and PF versions are easy and another book or two are published, I would be surprised if people are playing this at first level unless a DM doesn't want to think about adventure creation.
These still only take you to 10th/11th lvl, right? That leaves a lot of room at the top for individualized playing.