Starfox
Hero
If your players' characters are more steampunk than medieval, that is probably a good thing. This AP explores concepts that are not really a part of medieval fantasy. It could be conquistadors, but actually fits better as Victorian explorers exploring for the sake of exploring. I could even see this played in a 30s pulp style. You will probably want to play up the exoticism of the setting, so resist the impulse to let a player play a native. Maybe one player can be the "local guide", but having the entire party be locals would remove some of the freshness.
I have only read the AP, not played it, but yes, parts 5-6 seem highly optional. A solution to the repetitiveness of late encounters is to make the party stronger relative to the opposition - they can then handle more encounters in a shorter time, and you can merge battlefields by having the villains reinforce each other for big, dramatic set piece battles. This also makes it play faster.
Otherwise, I think my group would like more filler content, not less. But this you must decide on your own, depending on the preferences of your players.
I have only read the AP, not played it, but yes, parts 5-6 seem highly optional. A solution to the repetitiveness of late encounters is to make the party stronger relative to the opposition - they can then handle more encounters in a shorter time, and you can merge battlefields by having the villains reinforce each other for big, dramatic set piece battles. This also makes it play faster.
Otherwise, I think my group would like more filler content, not less. But this you must decide on your own, depending on the preferences of your players.
