Pathfinder Legends--Rise of the Runelords # 4: Fortress of the Stone Giants [RPG]

NO SPOILERS

In pretty much every respect, the fourth volume of this series shares the pros and cons of earlier volumes.  On the negative side of the balance sheet, it's expensive, has a short run time, and has action scenes that are difficult to follow in the mind's eye because there's not enough narration.  On the plus side, the voice acting and sound effects are really good, it's clear that the writer has paid close attention to the background and details of the story, and it's a fun, fresh way to see how the four Iconics (Harsk, Valeros, Merisiel, and Ezren) fared.  Even when you've GM'd the chapter and are intimately familiar with the plot, the audio adaptation manages to surprise in what it has left out, what it has changed, and what it has added.  More on that below.

SPOILERS

The story picks up with the heroes arriving at Sandpoint just as the stone giants are making their assault.  The giants are given oafish, almost Cockney voices, which I'm not sure I like, but there are some really funny lines of dialogue by Harsk and Valeros.  Valeros gets kidnapped by Longtooth and taken all the way to Jorgenfist, forcing the others to follow (once Ameiko, in a nice touch, charms a giant prison to learn about the base).  In Jorgenfist, a subplot develops of a rivalry between Mokmurian and Longtooth, with Valeros temporarily turned over to the suitably creepy harpies for safekeeping.  This chapter of the adaptation has some narration by Ezren, and it's really helpful when it's there.  As an aside, the listener gets a much better explanation of why the giants attacked Sandpoint than players of the AP are likely to get!

Once Valeros' companions reach Jorgenfist, they're almost entranced by the harpies but are rescued by Longtooth in an exciting twist.  There's a great battle between Longtooth and Mokmurian, with the former getting the wrong end of a disintegrate spell!  Conna, the stone giant elder who wants Mokmurian overthrown, aids the adventurers in penetrating to the library for the final big battle.  The possession of Mokmurian's body by Karzoug is done quite well, and the chapter ends on a foreboding note.

"It was good, I enjoyed it" say my notes, and I can't disagree with myself.  These adaptations are what they are, but if your expectations aren't too high I think most listeners will get something good out of them.