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So, my group is about halfway through "The Crossings at Celduin" and will be starting "The Watch on the Heath" very soon.
We recently introduced a new player (and character) after one of our original four players left the group.
Here's my problem. As written, the encounter with Raenar will probably get them killed.

For one, we've got an Elf in the group, so Raenar will attack the group once the Tolerance is exceeded.
Of course, having a new PC in the bunch, she's only got a Valor of 1 and a Wisdom of 2. So as written, the Tolerance of the encounter would be a big fat ONE. (We've got no Hobbits to help in that regard.)

So while, yes, it is possible that some of our more diplomatic PCs may pull some successes out of their asses to make this encounter end without their deaths, as written it will only take two failures to result in an attack from Raenar. And given the harrowing journey the players will have just completed (what with multiple Corruption tests, Snow Trolls and who knows how much Fatigue gain) two failures seems pretty likely.

I've got some ideas as to how to navigate this tricky bit, but I was eager to hear some input from others. Outside of the box ideas are encouraged.
Thanks.

So nobody in the party has higher Wisdom or Valour (I forget which is required in this instance) than the starting stat? The Tolerance uses the highest stat in the party. Usually anyway

Beleg wrote:So nobody in the party has higher Wisdom or Valour (I forget which is required in this instance) than the starting stat? The Tolerance uses the highest stat in the party. Usually anyway

Nope. Like I said, we have a new character who only started one scenario ago, and still has starting Wisdom and Valour. This particular encounter uses the party's LOWEST Wisdom or Valour rating.

Ah, apologies. My copy of TFW is at home and I'm not.. uh.. give the new player some bonus experience and advancement points? That's what I'd do personally anyway so that they're more on par with the people who have played all the way through

Yeah, sending a brand-new character into The Watch on the Hearth is not going to work well. I'd strongly recommend giving them some bonus XP to bring them up a bit.

Also, the encounter with Raenar is optional - the PCs can just head straight to the Watchtower and try to stop the Gibbet King before the dragon arrives. There's no need to chat to the dragon.

Beleg wrote:... give the new player some bonus experience and advancement points? That's what I'd do personally anyway so that they're more on par with the people who have played all the way through

Yeah, agreed. Either that, or if for some reason the group is opposed to handing out free XP, take the lowest rating from the characters but exclude the new PC. I'd go with the XP option though.

Yeah, I am not a fan of free XP. I *like* the idea that the newest member of the company is less experienced than the others and I don't like handing out XP just 'cause. I mean, hell, if I'm gonna do that just to "fix" this encounter, I might as well just arbitrarily raise the Tolerance, ya know? (Not that that isn't a valid solution in its own right.)

I was hoping for perhaps some other solutions, ideally of a more narrative sort? I'm not sure really, just hoping for some lightning bolts perhaps.
And while I realize that the encounter with Raenar is optional, I'm just trying to prepare for all possibilities.
Thanks for the input so far, everyone!

You could have Raenar dismiss the new character when he speaks ("impudent whelp! Be silent! Stronger voices are speaking!"), but by that argument, he might ignore everyone except maybe some elves.

You could let the players salvage the situation when Raenar's Tolerance is exhausted with Riddles. ("We know what awaits you, Raenar! Um.... nine iron men all holding hands, dragged the slaves across the sands, and when the slave all ran away, the weakest iron man was to blame. Who were these men?")

Before the dragon attacks, you could allow them to propose a non-combat action to start running and attempt momentary escape down the mountainside, rolling and tumbling, causing avalanches and uprooted trees...you know: Peter Jackson style. Let them describe the scene and then... there's a strong gust of gold scent in the air that catches Raenar's attention. He forgets about the Company and heads to the Watchtower.

Now we're talking.
All three of these are excellent suggestions. Thanks a bunch!