I decided to post this here, but it seems like this area does not have a whole lot of traffic. Here goes....

I am finally starting a campaign in Aihrde and I am starting with the Umbrage Saga. So 1st level players in A0 Rising Knight. Has anyone run this module? If so, how did it go? Is there anything you would add to it or leave out? I have read most of it, and the background is very good. A lot more fluff than crunch here for sure. On a scale of 1 to 10, what did your players think? Did they run the story line or derail?

About the only problem I had with A0 is getting the PC's a connection to the elderly knight. Other than that, it worked pretty well.

Mike

I've only ran A1 onward. I ran a kind of pre published version of A0. They had fun with it, and I had no problem with keeping them willing to go along with the story.

Be sure to bring a cleric.

Yes, old-school requires a cleric.

If A1 Assault on Blacktooth Ridge is next, you may want to read through that.
1) Print the PDF because the map is in the middle of the book (i.e., print the map)
2) The names and history are involved.

There's kind of no reason for the PCs to talk to the townspeople, but they are the only link to the adventure areas. I had to persuade the PCs to spend a little time getting to know everybody and their rumors and comings and goings. If they don't do that. then it's either teleport them to where they want to go through weak hooks "Hey, didja hear about the fairy mound?" or get them to walk around for weeks hoping to bump into things.

I think I was too nice with the Knight... the players didn't really earn it.

For a group used to hexcrawl sandboxes, it's all peachy, but if they just want a ride to Baleon Nakt it can be frustrating for them.

There's a certain room in Baleon Nakt that can be a challenge for some groups because of sheer numbers and low starting HP.

I ended up making a list of places and events in the module and who knows about them so if the PCs did end up talking to someone I didn't miss my chance to set the hook.