Drop Zones: Count Your Blessings
By Steven Creech Genre: Fantasy System: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Appropriate Level: Adjustable for a standard party of adventurers from 4th to 6th levels although information is provided on how to scale the encounters for groups up to 12th level. Location: Open fields¸ hills and woodland areas common to travel between towns and settlements. Count Your Blessings is a Drop Zone designed to test a party of adventurer's physical endurance to the weather elements and their mental fortitude while they make their way through the countryside towards their next destination. It starts out with a simple attack by a band of outlaws in the cold of night. However¸ the adventurers soon find out that something slightly more sinister is afoot as they journey to their destination. It will take every ounce of courage not to panic when they face their final challenge. If they survive¸ they will truly count their blessings. What is a Drop Zone encounter? A Drop Zone encounter is not an adventure in the usual sense¸ but is designed as a finite¸ independent area you can drop into most any campaign world. Each encounter is a geographic area that contains specific components¸ i.e. structures¸ events¸ creatures¸ items¸ effects¸ etc. All components are fully detailed along with several variations. What a Drop Zone encounter doesn't have is a specific plotline¸ an expected outcome. How your PCs react to the components of the encounter or how the components react to the PCs isn't preordained. You are provided with numerous options and ideas to pick and choose from¸ all to help you mold this encounter towards your group's and your campaign's unique needs. You can weave each Drop Zone into the storyline of your own home brew campaign or simply use each as a short diversion between adventures. Either way¸ Drop Zones are a quick and effortless way to spice up the more unremarkable portions of your campaign world. Remember to read the entire encounter and all additional information before attempting to run your players through it. Enjoy!