the beginning and the option objectives are rather entertaining and offer some decent variation. The biggest draw back to this module, that frankly screw this module, is the final fight. Its not properly ballanced or scalled to the party in the least.

So the stat block says we fight a "Young Red Shadow Dragon". However, compared to the actual stat block the boss has a +2 to AC, a frightful Pressence, Legendary Resistance, No sunlight Sensativity, Legendary Actions, and extra +1 to hit, Spawns Hellwasps with its breath weapon (Compared to a Shadow), AND OF ALL THINGS LAIR ACTIONS. Like I understand modifying some stats to fit with the creature or giving abit of a buff, but when you just stack on the buffs for no reason and dont give a decent handicap for the players youre just being a prick. Not to mention the module gives no adjustment for this encounter. "Oh you're a weak party? Well enjoy fighting the equivalent of an Adult Dragon with Resistance to pretty much everything inside its lair." Also the entire room is difficult terrain so good luck moving across the 60ftx80ft room.

The social encounter you can do to get around fighting her is poorly planned out. So hellwasps attack on sight so you to sneak your way into her room, if you fight and kill anything inside the nest she knows you are there. So if you make it all the way through the nest you can attempt to stealth past the 30ft blindsight and 18 passive perception to get the thing you need but have ZERO INFORMATION ABOUT or break stealth to talk to her, but if you talk you also have to have telepathy to actually speak with her. Also if you fail one check while doing any of this, she attacks.

The only way this end fight/"social" encounter can be done is if the players know before hand what they will need to actual do either of these. Drop hints that something is wrong with the hellwasps and they can be reasoned with or describe how the queen is radiating shadows so a player can cast a light spell so the players can do full damage. Also scale the encounter for APL and fix the balancing issues. A better map for the hive would be better cause all we are given is side view and just the floor dimensions against flying creatures.

Good idea, not enough effort all around.

The Good:

• The optional encounter A is pretty interesting. It's not every day the players run across another group of adventurers and get to interact with them.
• The final encounter is pretty interesting. Introducing a possible way to interact peacefully is a good idea (the execution is not great, but the intent is good)

The Bad

• This adventure is very obviously an incomplete release. There are several issues that somehow got past the multiple editors listed on the front splash page. Besides the obvious typos, there are other problems:

  • The map. It's not gridded, and when you follow the approximate sizes given in the descriptions of the different rooms, they come nowhere CLOSE to making sense relative to each other. Furthermore, In the B1 description the author gets her cardinal directions all mixed up and it took a while to figure out what she meant.
  • The 'social' option of the last encounter relies on the players knowing about the secret MacGuffin, yet there is no way for them to know about the secret MacGuffin. So it's actually not an option at all unless the DM puts in some work to modify the adventure. This should have been caught by an editor for sure. I poured over the pages multiple times searching for an answer and found none.
• After acquiring the MacGuffin, the players return for some rest and relaxation...which turns into a way over-detailed way to screw the players over with insufficient scene transition, like a boulder in the middle of the road. It doesn't fit the rest of the adventure, particularly not at the end.

I'm halfway through with this module. Honestly, I thought the plot was okay. However, the document itself seems poorly edited which led to confusion especially when explaining the Skarband Company and the stats for the Hellwasp Queen.

Also, the thing where the Skarband Company needs to plane shift out. Mechanically, it doesn't fit the plot since Plane Shift just needs one action. So I opted to down the Wizard and have the party rescue and resurrect the wizard to do so. Honestly, I think the Skarband part of the module is the weakest part of this module.

Interesting Plot weak encounters. My players like the plot and the beating heart idea. However even for a 3 player group with a 13 APL using the module as written and not downgrading the encounters, the encounters are weak. My players suggestions were the following. Increase both the hit points and number of monsters. Increase the + to hit. (The lowest AC in the game was a 18). Change the room size of the final encounter, either double or triple it. Increase the damage for lair actions. They loved the final temptation. I suggest DMs create a printed menu. Also the disadvantage should be all social checks against Mahadi. I would increase the downtime cost to 20 days per coin.

I had the opportunity to play this adventure. I perished, but it was enjoyable. I hope to bring the enjoyment that I had to my players. As I prepped this adventure, I did not note too many things that caught my eye, but I'll share what did.

First off, good story. This series so far has gotten some good background going with it. This plot appears compartmented enough that you could insert it to any point in BG:DiA that starts in Mahadi's Wandering Emporium, or if you are looking at running this in non-organized play, you could have Lulu also be a guest in this particular hellwasp nest along with the heart and the other beings in the nest.

I like the bottom line of the Call to Action, but if you are pressed for time, then consider dropping the combat and turn it into something that the players are drawn to at its end, or have Mahadi's minions aid in the battle and bring it to its conclusion. there are some options there for you. If not pressed for time an encounter in the Infernal Rapture restaraunt has the potential to always be fun.

I like learning.. especially new vocabulary. frass, effluvium and cruor. I appreciate the designers use of the words. I admittedly had no idea what they meant, and looked them up. Now I do. Thank you!

Part One has you capturing a draining journey over the Avernian hellscape, but does provide some random encounters to help give the trek some substance, if you wish. I am curious why there is no Con Save for exhaustion level here every hour of travel, like in the hardcover (and I beleive in this modules predecessor). It's not a show stopper. The Skarback Company are an interesting bunch of NPCs.

When you get into Part Two, this is a well put together mini-dungeon crawl. This is a nest you're running ... expect the common theme. I really like the big baddie encounter at the end. I intend to give it an Aliens finale feel. I didn't see any 'Adjusting the Scene' sidebar for this encounter, but I could see the removal of lair actions, perhaps rolling damage vs. taking average damage, adding or losing hellwasps as options. Shouldnt be an issue to manage. Two potions of climbing are missing from the Magic Item Rewards in the Rewards Section. I intend to add it to what is there.

To get 'The Final Temptation' in Part Two you either have to acquire the parchment that you can find during the crawl, or maybe have already earned Mahadi's favor in the Call to Action. Seems reasonable that this could be an option for you if any of your players are already persona non grata (No Exceptions!-branded!). Again a return to Infernal Rapture can turn into a long one, so watch your timing, because I believe that the ending in 'A Freinds Return' is significant enough to present to players, especailly ones that will be playing the series.

The Story Award (outside of the return of Mahadi's giving-you-the-boot award) is interesting enough.

My rating is based off of these noted items above and my previous enjoyment of playing it. It is well put together and should not be a challenge to present to players. There are opportunities for all the Pillars of Play. I look forward to seeing other works by this designer.