Converting Rise of the Runelords to Pathfinder 2E Remastered and integrating it into Foundry VTT was an ambitious but rewarding project. Over the course of several weeks, I transformed this iconic adventure path by updating its mechanics, creating custom maps and tokens, and adapting the lore to align with the Remastered ruleset. The process included balancing encounters, streamlining journal entries, and enhancing visual storytelling with detailed assets, all tailored to provide my players with an immersive and engaging experience. Now, the first chapter, Burnt Offerings, is fully prepped and ready to deliver months of exciting gameplay. It took about 60 hours to convert and data enter 65 page of 1st Edition content into Foundry VTT.

Why Convert Rise of the Runelords?

Rise of the Runelords is a classic adventure path set in Varisia, a region brimming with rich lore and ready-to-use content from Paizo. Varisia offers a wealth of world-building opportunities, which makes it easy to improvise during sessions and enhances prep work. The campaign begins with the iconic goblin raid on Sandpoint, setting the stage for an exciting narrative from the start.

My players expressed interest in a campaign centered around themes of lost magic and forgotten technology, and the Thassilonian elements in Rise of the Runelords fit perfectly. Compared to regions like Otari, the Sandpoint Hinterlands offer significantly more detailed content, making it possible for players to explore in a sandbox style if they wish.

Challenges in Conversion

Maps and Assets

Converting the adventure required creating high-resolution maps compatible with Foundry VTT. Beyond importing, I spent a significant amount of time setting up walls, doors, hidden doors, and lighting. Ensuring these features worked smoothly required careful testing with player tokens to confirm natural movement and accurate vision boundaries. I’ve shared some of the maps I’ve created for this conversion.

Text and Stat Block Conversion

The process of copying text from the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition PDF was tedious. Line breaks were often incorrect, and the original formatting lacked clarity. I used tools like ChatGPT to fix line breaks and add headers for better readability. Converting stat blocks involved balancing encounters using the GM Core guidelines for Pathfinder 2E, as the prebuilt conversion resources I found were often too difficult for balanced play.

Unfortunately, none of the NPCs in the Burnt Offerings module were prebuilt for Foundry, so I manually entered their data. This included abilities, weapons, spells, and special actions. The PF2E Style Guide and Rule Element Quickstart were invaluable resources for this process.

Lore Adjustments

Adapting the lore to fit the updated ruleset required a few changes. For example, goblins were removed as playable ancestries at the start of the campaign, though I plan to introduce back in as playable ancestries around level 5, when they’re moving on from facing Goblin antagonists. I also adjusted treasure distribution to align with PF2E Remastered’s tighter wealth guidelines, avoiding large hauls that could disrupt game balance.

Preparing for Foundry VTT

Here’s the workflow I followed to prepare Burnt Offerings for Foundry:

1. Map Creation: I created encounter maps using DungeonDraft, imported them into Foundry, and adjusted walls, lighting, and teleportation regions.
2. Journal Setup: I added journal entries for all encounter areas (e.g., J01, E20, D05) with identifiers visible on the map. This made subsequent data entry easier.
3. Encounter Details: I copied encounter text from the PDF, fixed formatting issues, and added headers for clarity. Then, I imported existing creatures or created custom NPCs as needed.
4. Testing: I used a test token to verify walls, vision, and lighting for each map. For natural movement in caves, I added invisible walls for pathways and ethereal walls for vision boundaries.

Tricks for Streamlining

• Add weapons to NPCs first, then use the lightning bolt icon to auto-generate actions.
• Get the journal markers on the map before filling in the journal detals. It lets you drag and drop journal links as you start filling in the details.
• Get all the NPCs in the actors, without worrying about their stat blocks yet. It lets you drop them into journal entries. This way if you’re filling in details for an early area you can link to an NPC in a later area, the ID will work.
• Copy special abilities and feats from other monsters or player feats where possible, modifying them as needed. Copying from feats means data entry.
• Use the dd-import module for foundry to speed up map setup in foundry. It sets up your walls, lighting, and doors automatically.

Custom Elements and Enhancements

To enhance the campaign, I created custom visual aids:

• Maps: Every map was custom-made, and I ensured they were tailored for Foundry’s features.
• Tokens and Art: I used Photoshop to clean up artwork from the PDF for full-body NPC visuals and created portrait-style tokens to make character faces more recognizable on the board. I also used Stable Diffusion and some Loras from the community to create some character art which doesn’t exist (ie: goblin wives).
• Scenery Images: For key locations, like a Lamashtu shrine, I used Stable Diffusion to generate vivid visual aids.
• Reference the pf2e System Style Guide. It has some invaluable information for working with Foundry VTT, adding Pathfinder content.
• The Quickstart Guide for Rule Elements is a good primer on adding rule elements, which is helpful for NPCs.

Advice for GMs

Preparation Tips

• Start with the 2E conversion from reflactions on Github. The sourcebook monsters have been looked up and encounters have been scaled properly for the levels already if you use it.
• The GM Core is an excellent resource for understanding encounter building, pacing, and world-building. Use it extensively.
• Start with the ending in mind. Understanding how the story concludes helps you focus on what truly matters for the narrative.

Technical Considerations

• Foundry’s PF2E module is powerful but has limitations. Dual-monitor setups are clunky, and wall editing can be tedious. Be prepared to spend time troubleshooting.
• Consider using tools like ChatGPT to speed up repetitive tasks, such as reformatting text or OCR for PDF content.

Time Investment

I spent about 60 hours preparing Burnt Offerings over the holiday season and a couple of weekends. This includes creating maps, importing content, and adapting encounters. While this seems like a lot, the preparation covers roughly eight months of gameplay at our pace (sessions every 2-3 weeks, 5-6 hours each). Once everything is in Foundry, the ongoing prep time for each session will be minimal.

Closing Thoughts

Converting Rise of the Runelords to Pathfinder 2E Remastered has been a rewarding process. The campaign’s rich lore, engaging storylines, and flexibility for sandbox play make it a great fit for my group. While the prep work was time-consuming, the end result is a fully integrated adventure ready to run in Foundry VTT, with immersive maps, custom tokens, and a strong narrative foundation.

If you’re considering running this adventure path, take the time to understand the storyline, invest in the right tools, and don’t hesitate to tweak the content to fit your players’ interests. The effort is worth it for a campaign your group will remember for years to come.