A while back, Paizo released a new adventure, set in Galt. I knew from the second I saw the promo text that I wanted to run it. I love high-level Pathfinder play, and I love it even more when it’s given a novel backdrop.
From Paizo’s website:
Galt’s executioners are the masked and mysterious Gray Gardeners. Held above the laws of the chaotic nation, these grim killers soak the revolution-wracked land in dread and blood. They behead the guilty and innocent alike with their magical guillotines, but few possess the courage to stand against them. Powerful heroes must infiltrate the Gray Gardeners and put an end to their reign of terror. As the heroes race from haunted crypts to the elegant opulence of an ill-fated masque, the midnight chime will bring salvation or doom to a nation.
For those who don’t know, Galt is basically Golarion’s France, but stuck in a perpetual revolution. This adventure leans into that hard, bringing together the paranoia of a state tearing itself apart and elaborate balls.
It’s also high-level and feels it. The challenges were no joke, but there were still multiple situations where a competent player can short circuit a problem with a well-applied feat. For me, that’s peak high-level play: Either screaming in terror or waltzing past dangers.
Our group
Our group was made of a group of PCs from a West Marches campaign. Initially, it was a polycule who was extremely extra, but eventually they had to call in back-up when it became clear they couldn’t charm or sneak their way past some upcoming challenges. The make-up:
- Two rogues (one thief, one scoundrel)
- A swashbuckler
- A bard (controlled by me)
- A fighter (called in later, because lord, we were squishy)
We played once a month, during the week, so the sessions were shorter than a weekend one might have been. I recorded every session, which left us with 18 hours of recorded playtime. We’re a fairly focused group when it comes to moving the plot along, so if your group is more chaotic, it might take longer to complete.
Note: After this point, there be spoilers, so if you want to play in this, begone!Pros
There’s something for everyone! A large part of the game involves gathering information in multiple ways. Maybe the face charms the dress-maker. Maybe the rogue sneaks into the quiet mansion. Maybe the fighter goes and beats the snot out of someone in their way. There’s always a path forward, and there’s always something for everyone to do.
It’s also great to see high-level adventures. So many companies struggle to put out content for characters past the midway point. It can be rough for GMs who lean on pre-packaged content. There’s a reason we do this, after all! This was not only high-level when it came to challenges, but also concerning the stakes at hand. This isn’t about taking out a pesky dragon. This is about saving a nation.
It’s also easy to slot into any existing campaign. Your group (probably already well-known) gets called in. In fact, it works better if none of you are from Galt. You’re neutral parties that aren’t being closely watched by the Revolution.
There’s also so many fun NPCs. It’s honestly a challenge to fit so many of them in, but this just makes it appealing for me to run again.
Cons
There is one fight that can be a game ender: Three Lesser Deaths. It happens in the middle of the second chapter which is run hour-by-hour. Because of this, if the combat knocks out a character, they’re OUT for the rest of the chapter, which could run for several sessions. This one worried me so much, we pulled in a Fighter to boost our very squishy party. Nearly all other fights were fine with a sensible group, but that one could have been rough.
Speaking of, a high-level adventure can be both a boon and a bane. With our players, we shared a high level of mastery and familiarity with our builds. This is not a module for complete beginners. Experienced players with new sheets may also struggle at first, so don’t skip the easier fights in chapter one. They’ll need that practical experience for chapter 2.
There are a number of encounters that never happen, so you may end up prepping maps you never use. If that’s something that bugs you, consider reshaping the first chapter to guide the players a bit more tightly. Each path leads to what they need, so select whichever one seems like it fits with the group’s vibe.
If I were to run it again…
I would probably cut references to NPCs the players never met. This happens in the later chapters, and while it does add to the air of menace, it also confused them, thinking they were clues rather than ambiance. I would also make sure to hint that the Lesser Deaths were a thing somehow, so players could prepare. Otherwise, I would keep it as is! It’s an awesome adventure that had something for everyone.
Katie Plays Games 