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Message: <blockquote data-quote="nogray" data-source="post: 5502314" data-attributes="member: 28028">Definitely thin, and a little weak to meNot only is the adventure (less than a three-encounter-delve) somewhat thin, I also thought that the premise might be at least a little weak. It seems like the devil's "gotcha" clause could be easily foiled by a simple (level 1) ritual.[sblock="Minor rituals"]Couldn't the whole thing be avoided by the make whole ritual--enough applications of it--along with sufficient funds to pay that cost? I mean, the adventure notes that the glassware and statuary are "irreplaceable," but that doesn't mean "irreparable when damaged," and no mention of any actual value means cost would be in the DM's hands, but I'd have a hard time justifying much of a ritual price unless the cargo is made of . . . astral diamonds or something. Make Whole is the first thing I thought of, in fact.The cargo could be some rare and valuable magical stuff, and that would void the Make Whole solution (I think), but the module noted that it was specifically "trade goods," so that seems less likely to me.[/sblock]I was also somewhat put off by the PCs' inability to influence certain aspects of the adventure unfolding -- brief though it is. For lack of a better term, it felt a bit forced and railroad-y.[sblock="Railroad-ish-ness"]The lack of PC ability to do anything about the damage was irksome to me, too. At least one probable outcome of the boarders--especially given relative levels involved--is that they are repelled before they get to the cargo to damage it, and if the PCs are hired to guard the cargo and they successfully repel the boarders, I can understand if they would be upset that they will fail, no matter what, based on the ramming of their boat by the boarders' vessel. I can see my players being upset by that, especially knowing that they would have likely even seen to making sure the cargo was more secure. Leomund's Secret Chest and Rope Trick could be used in various ways to be sure that the cargo makes it with less risk of damage, too, as could simply ensuring the fragile cargo is well-packed.[/sblock]In short, it seems like the author neglected many of the resources available to paragon (and even mid-heroic) tier PCs. Lest I seem too negative, though, I will point out that the encounters did seem tactically interesting.</blockquote>

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