Minireview: The Ruby Phoenix Tournament (Pathfinder)

The Ruby Phoenix Tournament is a bit of a weird bird. It’s a standalone Pathfinder adventure module, but it’s set in a very nonstandard location (Tian Xia, Pathfinder’s faux-China) and has the players as contestants in a martial arts tournament. One cannot help but get the idea that it’s partly a marketing tool for the new Ultimate Combat sourcebook, since that is referenced in multiple places – but to be fair, the module does not depend on that book, just uses it for extra flavor if desired.

Anyway, the main feature here is a once-every-10-years martial arts tournament, where anyone can compete for a chance at fame and glory (not to mention access to a legendary hoard of magical artifacts). To add to the mix, this time around some of the contestants have other goals in mind, and are out to play for keeps. Naturally enough, the PCs are assumed to intervene, ideally before the shit completely hits the fan.

It’s not bad at all. The martial arts fights/contests are varied, and the side plot of “what else is going on” adds spice to the mix. Sure, some of the “clues” are quite… unsubtle, but that can be excused due to page count issues and need to keep multiple plot threads running. The GM can obfuscate some of the stupidly obvious clues, if needed. Of course, due to the nature of the story here it’s mostly useful as a one-shot game, it’s not very likely that your campaign will feature characters who are in the right place at the right time, with enough martial arts ability and fame, to take part in this. On the other hand, it is D&D-style fantasy, so realism can take a hike.

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