This is a thread for DM's only. It is for discussing thoughts,issues and else that will arise about this scenario.
This scenario became legal for store play on 6/1/2015.
Okay, I've only just started reading this scenario, and I find myself confused.
The entry for Brother Glavel says, "He knows that Olara, his lover, is a member of the cult, but otherwise is not aware of who is and who is not a cultist."
The entry for Sister Olara says, "She only knows Glavel, her lover, is a cultist."
So, how did the two of them get in there? "No, no, I'm an infiltrator from the Cult of the Howling Void. The only other cultist I know is my lover [Glavel/Olara]. Ask them." Is this like a video game where the dialogue is changed for one of the NPCs and you suddenly have an infinite quest loop? Who originally recruited them into the Cult, and who brought them into the Monastery?
Honestly I think it is hillarious.
They both think the other is cult member and thus they find themselves in it, without really knowing why. Just think, how many couples do you know where that could totally happen. I know a few..
imaginaryfriend wrote:
The problem is, none of the people in the Monastery are in there by accident. They are all there because of an infiltration operation currently ongoing. They were undoubtedly recruited by Father Nym ("[Father Nym] knows all cultists and can set up meetings in case of an emergency.") It's just a question of which of the two knows one other guy (Father Nym). Glavel is something of a sociopath, while Olara is erratic ("mumbling to herself on occasion"). I'm thinking Glavel. It fits with the bit we know of Nym's background from the module ("something caused him to go mad during his adventures"—not a terribly detailed backstory for a relatively important character to Act III).
I know the module is hefty enough at 68 pages, but somehow it still feels like a lot was left out that might have eased the DM's prep work. Also, the editing is terrible.
Page 31: "Characters following him unobserved for some time might see him give some kind of signal in the kitchens disguised as an innocuous action."
One possibility is this bit from the Princes of the Apocalypse adventure: "By touching the thumbs and little fingers together and closing the rest of the fingers into a fist, an air cultist forms an inverted triangle that is a mark of membership in the cult."
If you want a basic map for the Monastery of the Yellow Rose to encourage immersion for your players (no need for total mapping of the complex) I recommend the map of the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet.
How about the fact that non of the creatures you face are above a challenge rating 5 and it is for characters of levels 5-10. There are two frost giants, but you aren't suppose to fight them. I found the monsters in the mod to be highly underwhelming. I had a high level party, so I changed the young remoraz to a full adult. I think next time I'll have the frost giants join the fray as well.
It could be that combat is actively being deemphasized. If not I am at a loss. I fear something may have gone very wrong here.