Auroris wrote:
The mod is definitely functioning as intended. ...snip... However, the intention could be reviewed. Even if the mod is functioning as intended, we can make sure that the intention itself is a good one.
Hadn't played this in the d&D version so I peeked at the stats. HP 2-8 is about Ansharan heretics and maybe a really big McGuffin. As a result, I think its odd from a story perspective that the biggest negative effects that potentially sticks to a PC come from what was a warm up encounter for the A:RPG version of the mod.
Story-wise, I think those kinds of consequences are best reserved for main encounters or optional encounters where PCs make a choice to face extra trouble.
Mechanics-wise, i do thinks that what was written is a fair representation of "Shades." Though potentially we have a lot of other D&D permutations: specters, wraiths etc etc. Magical aging seems like a harsh thing to throw at low level D&D PCs...but various other incorporeal undead also have other harsh powers.
I know time and energy is at a premium among campaign staff going into Origins, but I would encourage a second look at this encounter to do a sanity check on wether or not this is an outcome the campaign wants for the module.