I’ve been considering running the Scales of War again for a different bunch of players. As such, there are things that worked and things that didn’t in the first module.

I felt that the initial combat encounter was fun. However, there was a distinct missed opportunity with regard to Sinruth. He should have appeared during the first encounter or the second. There should have been some scene that focused on the theft on the Treasures of Brindol. Even going as far to have a couple of mysterious dwarven monks, on loan from Overlook, get killed trying to protect the treasures.

Preferably, Sinruth with Hobgoblins, and an Ogre in tow would have assaulted the Hall of Heroes in Brindol, faced off against a couple Dwarven monks and Sertanian, then cold cocking Sertantain to stuff him in a bag as the PCs show up. Sinruth would have had basically god mode engaged for this fight, and escape as a wave of goblins provide interference. The goblinoids would be seen attempting to take captives alive and unconscious for some nefarious end.

In hindsight, I think it would be better to begin the game with some characters on the street outside the tavern, across the street from the Hall of Heroes. In media res, would serve well to set the tone. Especially if the orge and the hobgoblins bashed their way into the Hall, while other goblins started setting fire to the town, and a separate contingent attempted to steal a Red Hand insigna from inside the tavern.

Another missed opportunity was the hiring Skill Challenge because:

A) the Council member is the one who wants to hire the PCs
B) the opposition isn't seen or heard by the PCs

Instead, it would have been better if the Skill Challenge had encapsulated an argument by the Council/city guard wherein the outspoken Half-Elf suggests hiring the PCs and the city guard object, while perhaps the other council members are split by various grudges, and the PCs have to take the high moral ground, in the face of mercenary attitudes.

Furthermore, if the PCs are only first level it would be awesome to establish connections to the prisoners-to-be prior to starting the game.

Adronsius, the alchemist would make a good ally for Arcane characters as would making his shop have an alchemist’s lab that he could allow the PCs to use to brew potions of their level + 4 once he’s been rescued, in addition to any other gratitude.

Jalissa, acolyte of Ioun might be someone’s respectable little sister.

Kartenix, the guard captain and his son Thurann

Sertanian, the castellan

Zerriksa the witch would make a good ally for a Primal or perhaps shadowy character as she is a bit of a con artist.

A huge mistake that I made when I ran Rescue at Rivenroar was to intimate to the players that each time they took an extended rest, one of the Prisoners would die. This was a terrible idea. I wanted to put a time pressure on the PCs, but never having run the game before, I was unsure of how much pressure would accomplish my goal. Now, I wonder why I bothered putting a time pressure on the PCs at all. When it achieved so little in play and caused so much stress.