Spoilers for CORM2-1:
As is typical for an H1 adventure, For Crown and Kingdom has a lowly and simple premise. However, the adventure has several bright spots to provide RP and tactical challenge. Overall the story, if simple, is solid and convincing. The dual NPCs create some variance as does the choice of options.
My table chose to try and bluff in, and then to roll horribly. Thus, gate combat ensued and proved fairly challenging (they also rolled poorly). The second combat was also challenging. At 6 PCs, the goblins and the well provide for many interesting moments, to say the least. The leaderless table had a very challenging fight. The final fight was not challenging, but was still enjoyed. They ignored the SC, just wanting to get some revenge now that their dice were cooperating. Still, they enjoyed the story and concept.
I appreciated that several parts in the adventure are written in clever ways, providing for moments of amusement, fun for the DM, and interesting play. The captured NPC, the bugbear's outfit, the bucket of critters... a lot of thought was put into the adventure to give things reason and depth. I appreciated that as a judge and it helped me want to give more as well. In the context of H1 (which sadly is made to be simple and lowly), this was really a very good adventure. It was also good to see the rewards be more in-line with actual expected H1 rewards (I'm looking at you, CORM1-7!). Even if most players take more gold, it is better than handing out +2s and contributing to making H1 (and H2) too easy.
In terms of things I did not enjoy too much... I think the outdoor night encounter was a bit underwhelming. If I had really worked hard it might play differently, but as it is (and with the suggested DCs, which are normal), the likelihood is more of a comedic moment than the intended sense of threat. But, honestly, we loved it as a comedic moment... I mean, food taken by small animals? Classic.
My table chose to try and bluff in, and then to roll horribly. Thus, gate combat ensued and proved fairly challenging (they also rolled poorly). The second combat was also challenging. At 6 PCs, the goblins and the well provide for many interesting moments, to say the least. The leaderless table had a very challenging fight. The final fight was not challenging, but was still enjoyed. They ignored the SC, just wanting to get some revenge now that their dice were cooperating. Still, they enjoyed the story and concept.
I appreciated that several parts in the adventure are written in clever ways, providing for moments of amusement, fun for the DM, and interesting play. The captured NPC, the bugbear's outfit, the bucket of critters... a lot of thought was put into the adventure to give things reason and depth. I appreciated that as a judge and it helped me want to give more as well. In the context of H1 (which sadly is made to be simple and lowly), this was really a very good adventure. It was also good to see the rewards be more in-line with actual expected H1 rewards (I'm looking at you, CORM1-7!). Even if most players take more gold, it is better than handing out +2s and contributing to making H1 (and H2) too easy.
In terms of things I did not enjoy too much... I think the outdoor night encounter was a bit underwhelming. If I had really worked hard it might play differently, but as it is (and with the suggested DCs, which are normal), the likelihood is more of a comedic moment than the intended sense of threat. But, honestly, we loved it as a comedic moment... I mean, food taken by small animals? Classic.
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We had one player at the table who would have preferred to go with the more methodical knight of the two choices, and two neutrals, but the other three of us all really wanted with the hot-headed woman.
After the fight at the gate, I was a little concerned that this adventure would be too easy, but that minion-heavy battle just upped our confidence for the fight with the Acolytes and the Bugbear. That fight took a lot of careful thought to survive, with the controller effects pairing up so nicely with the big brutish damage. We were lucky that the more careful party member decided to read the posted rules, since that made it so that we could negotiate the Mage out of the final fight.
With two barbarians and an Avenger in that fight, the enemies fell fast, but it was all around a really fun, well balanced adventure.
After the fight at the gate, I was a little concerned that this adventure would be too easy, but that minion-heavy battle just upped our confidence for the fight with the Acolytes and the Bugbear. That fight took a lot of careful thought to survive, with the controller effects pairing up so nicely with the big brutish damage. We were lucky that the more careful party member decided to read the posted rules, since that made it so that we could negotiate the Mage out of the final fight.
With two barbarians and an Avenger in that fight, the enemies fell fast, but it was all around a really fun, well balanced adventure.
I zeroed it with one character. This is one of those mods my Paladin of the Red Knight needs to play for RP reasons.
Like almost every Cormyr module it is fun to play and if you have a good group of regular players with a quick thinking DM, it'll be a big laugh sessions. CORM 1-1 Scooby Doo and the Black Knight and CORM 1-2 Gangs of New York or The Great Escape come to mind.
It was tough being at a leaderless party, and it really should have been . But none the less i enjoyed it , as did the rest of the table, well that is once our DM put away his loaded dice.
well that is once our DM put away his loaded dice.
Truly, it wasn't just me. You guys showed up with dice of inauspicious misfortune. While I did crit amazingly (my PCs never roll like that!) and roll well otherwise, you guys had an amazing series of bad rolls... especially on AoE. Glad it was fun. I had a good time, as always, and especially with the adventure. With low defenses and low hp, the party should be focusing those guys down first!