GM Notes for Party of 5, 2nd Level

Encounter Scaling & Adjustments

Module: The Price of Prophecy — Act 1 (Reiver's Right) | Party: 5 PCs, Level 2

Low: 50 | Mod: 100

Sev: 150 | Ext: 200

DC 18 (Standard)

DC 16 (Easy) | DC 20 (Hard)

L-1: 15 | L0: 20

L1: 30 | L2: 40 | L3: 60

Hazard 1 → 2

Baseline: Hazard Level 1 (Simple) — 6 XP[cite: 1]. Trivial threat for a 2nd-level party[cite: 1].

Option A (Level Scale): Upgrade to Hazard 2. Set Stealth/Thievery/Crafting to DC 18, Attack +12, Damage 2d8+4 piercing[cite: 1].
Option B (Tactical Combo): Keep Hazard 1 (6 XP) and add 2× Infernal Rootlings (Level 0, 20 XP each) inside the room to trigger a 46 XP (Low Threat) dynamic encounter[cite: 1].

Target: Moderate (100 XP)

Baseline: 3× Hardwood Scamp (Level 1, 30 XP each) = 90 XP (Low-Moderate for 5× Level 2)[cite: 1].

Quantity Scaling: Add 1× Hardwood Scamp (4× total = 120 XP) or add 1× Infernal Rootling (Level 0, 20 XP) to total 110 XP (Moderate)[cite: 1].
Elite Scaling: Apply the Elite template to 1× Hardwood Scamp (making it Creature 2, 40 XP) = 100 XP (Moderate)[cite: 1].

Boss Encounter

Baseline: 1× Foreman Hendrick (Creature 2 = 40 XP)[cite: 1]. Solo Creature 2 against five Level 2 PCs is Trivial[cite: 1].

Option A (Solo Capstone — Moderate/Severe): Apply Elite template to Hendrick (Creature 3 = 60 XP) and add 2× Infernal Rootlings (Level 0, 20 XP each) = 100 XP (Moderate)[cite: 1].
Option B (Story Minions): Keep Hendrick at Creature 2 (40 XP) and add 2× Infernal Thornlings (Creature 1, 30 XP each) breaking through the floorboards = 100 XP (Moderate)[cite: 1].

Hazard Scale

Baseline: Simple Hazard 1 (6 XP)[cite: 1].

Target: Moderate (100 XP)

Baseline: 1× Infernal Rootling (20 XP) + 1× Infernal Thornling (30 XP) = 50 XP (Low)[cite: 1].

Adjustment: Increase squad size to 2× Infernal Thornlings (30 XP each) + 2× Infernal Rootlings (20 XP each) = 100 XP (Moderate)[cite: 1].

Target: Severe (150 XP)

Baseline: Wood Wraith (Creature 2, 40 XP) + 3× Animated Log Servants (Creature -1, 15 XP each) = 85 XP[cite: 1].

Severe Capstone Adjustment: Apply Elite to Wood Wraith (Creature 3 = 60 XP), increase to 5× Animated Log Servants (75 XP total), and add 1× Infernal Rootling (20 XP) = 155 XP (Severe)[cite: 1].

Update stat block payloads in module-export.schema.json with Elite adjustments for Foreman Hendrick and Wood Wraith[cite: 1].
Update placement arrays and quantity values in E3, E10, and E12 encounter nodes[cite: 1].
Bump skill and saving throw DCs for Gatehouse Snapbow and Rigged Cargo Collapse hazards by +2[cite: 1].