Does the Show Go On? Pathfinder Adventure Path #205 – Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man Reviewed

Sami YuhasAug 31, 2024

Title: Pathfinder Adventure Path #204 – Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man (Curtain Call 2 of 3)

Authors: Kendra Lee Speedling with Minty Belmont, James Jacobs, Chesley Oxendine, and Isabelle Thorne

Artists: Miguel Regodon Harkness, Robert Lazzaretti, Alexander Nanitchkov, Justine Nortjé, Christoph Peters, Gunship Revolution (Mico Dimagiba, Adelijah Ocampo, Hinchel Or, Jen Santos, and Brian Valeza)

Year: 2024

Genre: The second chapter of the Curtain Call Pathfinder adventure path

Pages: 94 pages

MSRP: Softcover $29.99 or $19.99 in PDF

Preparations for the opera continue as players navigate a bevvy of obstacles in Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man, the second chapter in the Curtain Call Adventure Path.

Above all, Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man is both playful and play-full, spilling over with theatrical flair and rife with opportunity for memorable roleplaying. While the classic adventure elements are, of course, all in place, there are also delightful diversions aplenty that will appeal to those who enjoy something out of the ordinary and, perhaps, a little over the top. Why not interrupt an imentesh in the bath? Why not improvise a performance to convince to a reluctant opera star to return to the stage? Why not allow their former revival to star alongside — and why not try for a spot of romance? After all, the PCs will need to cross the seas to secure sponsorship, find a cast, bear the dreaded burden of naming a work, and (obviously) save the day, so what are a few rather unconventional errands in the name of fine art?

True to any theatrical production, Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man has a lot going on, often all at once. While it’s a reasonably straightforward narrative overall, plays will spend no shortage of time during the second act on smaller quests rather than pursuing a single objective. Some of these are, again, more traditionally adventure-related matters, while others –such as bailing out an actor caught between an unfaithful couple– could only happen in an Adventure Path such as this one.

Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man also has its charms for fans of mysteries – as players will be doing an awful lot of investigating. While this could feel repetitive, again, the narrative framing and purpose keeps things fresh. Ferreting out a reclusive star is one thing; discovering their whereabouts and the responsible party is another matter altogether.

As the Curtain Call Adventue Path progresses, it becomes clearer that to really enjoy the experience, players should lean into the roleplaying as much as possible. While this is ostensibly true of any adventure, a half-hearted commitment to the bit won’t yield the best results. Curtain Call is for theatre kids, would-be theatre kids, and those who have always wanted to run a little wild; players who are just here for the tactical combat are going to find themselves at a loss. In its own way, this becomes a lovely bit of ludonarrative coherence – an Adventure Path tied to the theatrics of opera should demand some theatrics at the table.

That said, Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man’s fourth act is deadly serious and takes a turn for the more horrific. As players navigate a textile factory turned nightmare den, the atmosphere turns appropriately creepy. The moments following the climactic battle are some of the more disturbing in recent Pathfinder memory and set the stage for a hair-raising finale.

Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man captures the chaos of the performing life and raises the stakes. Best for players who enjoy the play in roleplay, the adventure benefits from diverse challenges, memorable NPCs, and a strong set up for the third act.

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Sami Yuhas

Writer, gamer, and necromancer bard (at least in D&D). Sami focuses primarily on board and tabletop gaming, with a focus on sci-fi and fantasy, as well as worker-placements and co-op titles. She prides herself on the ability to overthink world building in games, and cites a three post manifesto on the costuming of XCOM 2 as among her greatest nerd achievements.