A04: Forest for the Trees by Jonathan G. Nelson is a role playing game supplement published by AAW Games for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. This is an adventure aimed at 4-6 characters of levels 2-3. Notably, A01-3 were dual-statted for Dungeons & Dragons 3.5; this adventure is not. The supplement is also available in a Fantasy Grounds conversion and a version for Dungeons & Dragons 5E.
The supplement is available from DriveThruRPG as a 30-page PDF for $2.99, as a standard colour softcover print on demand book for $6.80, as a premium colour book for $9.80, as standard colour and PDF for $7.40 or as premium colour and PDF for $10.40. The PDF is the version reviewed although it was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover, one the front matter and one the Open Game License. Hero Lab files are also included.
The Adventure Background explains that loggers started operating in the West Wood, close to the Crypt of the Sun Lord, five years ago. A few days ago, they were warned to leave or die.
Adventure Synopsis gives a rundown of the adventure.
Adventure Hooks gives three different hooks; though not explicitly stated, this adventure is after Champion’s Rest. There is a map showing the various locations.
For the adventure itself, the characters head to the logging base camp where they will need to defuse a situation. The loggers don’t want help. Heading to the clear cut, they will then encounter an aged treant, who wants them to do three quests for her. These basically show the characters how much damage the loggers have done to the forest; annoyingly, one of them involves a “must lose” situation. Once the characters return, they have two options. They can obey the treant and get the loggers to stop, or they can side with the loggers. Both of these have effects on the campaign and how the characters are treated in the village.
A04: Forest for the Trees in Review
The PDF is bookmarked, but there are only a handful rather than it being fully bookmarked and there is no table of contents. Navigation is below average. The text maintains a two-column colour format and some minor errors were noticed. There are some colour and black and white illustrations, but apart from one depicting logging equipment, most of these are not that impressive. Presentation is okay.
Compared to A01, A02 and A03 this seems lacking. There is no table of contents, no rear cover, fewer maps and seemingly stock images rather than custom illustrations. Presentation seems to have taken a step down. In addition, the book has a number of hyperlinks that can get more information; though this is useful in some ways, it does mean the printed book likely stands less well on its own. Overall, there is a definite feeling of it being a lower quality product. It’s not bad, but it isn’t as good as earlier adventures.
In general, the adventure itself is interesting and having the characters make a campaign-changing decision at such a low level is interesting. Yes, the decision isn’t world-changing, but it will affect the characters for some time. A04: Forest for the Trees is an okay adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
Leave a Reply