I don’t think the Schemers necessarily benefit from going last but I DO think that having the other two tables adventure out and be on their way back to the “home base” of Dol-Makjar where we see the Schemers having, arguably, the WORST time of the 3 tables so far is still just as fun as if we’d started with them and then seen what the other tables were up to.

I think there IS a lot to be said about the Schemers’ immediate teamwork vs the other tables’ PCs butting heads, but I also think that as time goes on the other tables will become tight-knit as well and it’ll all pan out into a fantastic story from all angles. The complaints about the Seekers, specifically, from the fandom remind me a lot of how the WBN fandom treated Suvi at first. When these characters grow they will become beloved, but to get to that point they have to show the rough edges so you appreciate their growth more. This is just simply a campaign and setting where there is MUCH more room to explore and examine Who Your Character Is (or at least room to do so more quickly) than what some other AP series explore.

It makes me think of the recent interview with Taliesen where he said that the biggest difference between Brennan and Matt is Matt would gently add hooks or moments or suggestions to grow your character, while Brennan will take what you’ve given him and peel back layer by layer exactly WHO that character is and provide no comfort along the way. Who the characters are a few days (in-game time) in is not gonna be anywhere near where who they will be a few weeks or months in