For the past few weeks, our GM has been on vacation, which normally wouldn't be a problem..except, well, there aren't any alternative GMs in the area. Seeing as there was no other way, I began flipping through the Pathfinder Beginner Box, playing the do-it-yourself mini campaign; which only offers set characters and a rather unreplayable adventure. Any tips, fellow people of Pathfinder? Or am I doomed to search the internet for more of these mini adventures?
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I see on Roll20 all the time little oneshot games and one that's like an "Adventurer's Tavern" thingy. He runs multiple little bite sized adventures a day with the first people who speak up and say "I wanna play" on the newest one.
I see on Roll20 all the time little oneshot games and one that's like an "Adventurer's Tavern" thingy. He runs multiple little bite sized adventures a day with the first people who speak up and say "I wanna play" on the newest one.
Many thanks good sir!
Play Pathfinder Society. You have to follow a bunch of rules, but it is still fun to play. Or bide your time by making hordes of back-up characters or even building your own campaign.
You also have to stomach PUGing everything in you go this route. You meet lots of great people! And lots of jerks. Jerks tend to stick in you memory pretty well if I know my confirmation bias...
PFS or just play vids. Finding a game just to tide you over while the GM is on holiday sounds like too much work.
I would, but sadly it could last for months, and he's picked up a new RPG for his collection, Anima "I'm just solely the Pathfinder guy".
Play Pathfinder Society. You have to follow a bunch of rules, but it is still fun to play. Or bide your time by making hordes of back-up characters or even building your own campaign.
I've been greatly considering the Society, to be honest. The rules could be a little unnerving, but, I suppose you never really know until you try! I never really considered making my own campaign..hmm, perhaps you're onto something my good fellow!
Play Pathfinder Society. You have to follow a bunch of rules, but it is still fun to play. Or bide your time by making hordes of back-up characters or even building your own campaign.You also have to stomach PUGing everything in you go this route. You meet lots of great people! And lots of jerks. Jerks tend to stick in you memory pretty well if I know my confirmation bias...
I'm unfortunately new to the term PUGing...though it does sound unpleasant. I have no doubt in my mind I could meet awesome people, but alas, I am also aware of the jerks, but hey; sometimes miracles happen haha
You need to find out where your GM is vacationing and crash it.
A drop kick followed by a dramatic table flip should suffice!
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PFS or just play vids. Finding a game just to tide you over while the GM is on holiday sounds like too much work.I would, but sadly it could last for months, and he's picked up a new RPG for his collection, Anima "I'm just solely the Pathfinder guy".
Damn Id love to try Anima but nobody I know plays it.
(PUG stands for Pick Up Group.)
I'm curious, what is PUGing?
PUG stands for "Pick Up Group/Game" I believe.
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You find a game of random people.
Never heard the term "Pick Up Game" before? It's used a lot for MMOs and such, but also for sports ("Hey Fred we've got a pick-up game of football going on, wanna join?").
At least here it is.
What does that even mean?
The P stands for pain. U is for undesirable, and G is for grievances...
You don't know who your going in with and you might have the most amazing group in the world or the complete opposite. Since your usually uncoordinated its much more likely to be the latter. It seems worse than it is because of confirmation bias though.
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You can also adjust your expectations when attending a PFS session. I dont expect to have a custom time with my best mates in the ideal setting when I go to PFS. I just take it as a very causal game. I tend to like meeting people though and keep it firmly in the back of mind that this is one session and it never has to happen again.
On the flip side, attending PFS can help you meet members of the gaming community. You will find like minded gamers and those whose play style clashes with your own. Having a pool of gamers that you like to be around is invaluable. You know who to avoid and who to ask if you ever need to start up another group. I am fortunate enough to have a very active and large PFS community your experience may vary.
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You could try GMing yourself.
You could try GMing yourself.
It's certainly an option! I'm fairly shy, so I never really thought about it.
I'm fairly shy, too, but GMing is still doable.
PFS or just play vids. Finding a game just to tide you over while the GM is on holiday sounds like too much work.I would, but sadly it could last for months, and he's picked up a new RPG for his collection, Anima "I'm just solely the Pathfinder guy".Damn Id love to try Anima but nobody I know plays it.
(PUG stands for Pick Up Group.)
Ohh, okay! Cool cool. Sorry man, hopefully someone nearby will eventually obtain it. The character creation system is complex, at least I found it to be so haha. Very high fantasy, from what I gather, almost a Final Fantasy PNP. Not my type of setting, but hey; apparently it's great
I'm fairly shy, too, but GMing is still doable.
Agreed. I dusted off my Game Mastery Guide not too long ago and started flipping through that. I tried once before, but I tried to do an open world Campaign first *very bad idea*. I'm getting better at roleplaying, but I struggle severely at the ability to describe things; most GMs are "Your sword cleaves the troll's stomach like warm butter as it's entrails slop on the ground below" whereas I'm like "you hit it with your sword"..well, not THAT bad, but not much better
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GMing has a bunch of different skills.
All of us had to learn then on the job.
Running a module or two before your GM gets back would be a good way to get your toe in the water and see if you like it.
You sir (or ma'am), need to read.
Start with the classic appendix of awesome fiction, and then maybe branch into the pathfinder fiction.
Try a gaming blog or two. Gnome stew is great if you're thinking about running a game.
Seeing how others describe things WILL help you do the same, and might even give Yu some ideas for a campaign.
And PFS is a great way to meet other gamers, as is going to a con if you can. Most gamers are shy but nice. A very small number are mean, that's true of all groups. Worst case is that you have t play one game with them.
Pro tip: only invite the cool people back
GMing has a bunch of different skills.
All of us had to learn then on the job.
Running a module or two before your GM gets back would be a good way to get your toe in the water and see if you like it.
Mm, very good points. I have the Scarlet Sun..or Son "can't remember which now" that I could try. Going from PC to GM will be drastic, but it is worth trying. Plus, I've had so many ideas for props just laying around..
I'm fairly shy, too, but GMing is still doable.Agreed. I dusted off my Game Mastery Guide not too long ago and started flipping through that. I tried once before, but I tried to do an open world Campaign first *very bad idea*. I'm getting better at roleplaying, but I struggle severely at the ability to describe things; most GMs are "Your sword cleaves the troll's stomach like warm butter as it's entrails slop on the ground below" whereas I'm like "you hit it with your sword"..well, not THAT bad, but not much better
Its a fine start. My advice for beginning singers is Loud, Proud, and Wrong. I don't want to even remember how bad I was when I started. Just keep at it and you'll develop the skills.
You sir (or ma'am), need to read.
Start with the classic appendix of awesome fiction, and then maybe branch into the pathfinder fiction.
Try a gaming blog or two. Gnome stew is great if you're thinking about running a game.
Seeing how others describe things WILL help you do the same, and might even give Yu some ideas for a campaign.
And PFS is a great way to meet other gamers, as is going to a con if you can. Most gamers are shy but nice. A very small number are mean, that's true of all groups. Worst case is that you have t play one game with them.
Pro tip: only invite the cool people back
I am a sir, good sir! "Or well, yeah ma'am haha" I've run one small adventure a few months back, but my fatal mistake then was GMing for a casual group, when I had intended it to be a very in-depth RP campaign. I still believe my base story and world were decent enough, but I often stumbled over my words or forgot how tall buildings were or other details. Heavily considering PFS, since everyone here has been so encouraging about it; the rules thing is intimidating though *we play with a vast majority of house rules*. As for the local session, my current group consists of a few veterans of 2nd Ed., so naturally it's quite nerve racking to GM for your GM haha, especially someone who's been GMing for 15 years
Its a fine start. My advice for beginning singers is Loud, Proud, and Wrong. I don't want to even remember how bad I was when I started. Just keep at it and you'll develop the skills.I'm fairly shy, too, but GMing is still doable.Agreed. I dusted off my Game Mastery Guide not too long ago and started flipping through that. I tried once before, but I tried to do an open world Campaign first *very bad idea*. I'm getting better at roleplaying, but I struggle severely at the ability to describe things; most GMs are "Your sword cleaves the troll's stomach like warm butter as it's entrails slop on the ground below" whereas I'm like "you hit it with your sword"..well, not THAT bad, but not much better
Thanks friend. It's quite the task, so many GMs make it look easy. But hey, Vet. GMs have been training younger aspiring players for many years now. Practice makes perfect!
I've been Beta Testing Paizo's Gamespace and it's pretty good. If you can wait a bit, it should be out soon.
Ooh, ooh, I haven't heard much about Gamespace lately. Is it alive? Is it kicking? Is it decent? Is it awesome?
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And to the OP--
Actually for a beginning GM Pathfinder Society play is nice. Its a short, pre-set module. So you have the chance to learn it very well, rather than an enormous milieu where you know some parts well and other parts have big holes.
I've been Beta Testing Paizo's Gamespace and it's pretty good. If you can wait a bit, it should be out soon.
I've been hearing good things about it, and it has a pretty cool idea going for it. Definitely seems worth the wait
Ooh, ooh, I haven't heard much about Gamespace lately. Is it alive? Is it kicking? Is it decent? Is it awesome?
~~~
And to the OP--
Actually for a beginning GM Pathfinder Society play is nice. Its a short, pre-set module. So you have the chance to learn it very well, rather than an enormous milieu where you know some parts well and other parts have big holes.
Well, thanks! I can only hope my first experience will be a good one.
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I would also recommend checking out the "play by post" forum on this site. Lots of great games going on there.
Well, thanks! I can only hope my first experience will be a good one.
While I don't like society play that much myself, there are some free modules that are society legal and repeatable. We be Goblins and Master of the Fallen Fortress for instance. I know quite a few people who love we be goblins, and master of the fallen fortress is quick. There was first steps to help introduce, but if I remember right those scenarios are being retired.
Turn to the streets begging for people to ask you to roll a sense motive check?
I charge 9.99 an hour. How much is it worth to you?
Luckily, we have the internet to turn to. Its when your internet is down you really need to freak out.
The biggest problem with PFS is that you might like it and then you'll end up doing both. Then what happens the next time your gm goes on vacation and you can't find a PFS game? Turn to the streets begging for people to ask you to roll a sense motive check?
Our group is sadly deteriorating anyways; game night friday lasted for awhile, then it turned to game night on a random date each month, now they just get too lazy to do anything, and the GM wanted to try a new PNP because he's been playing Pathfinder forever, whereas I myself only started back in 2011. Honestly, paring up with friends that are casuals was a bad idea, never really clicked in until now.
I would also recommend checking out the "play by post" forum on this site. Lots of great games going on there.
Hm, I'll look into this. Just joined the site yesterday, so navigating is still a little off, but maybe there's one!
Ooh, ooh, I haven't heard much about Gamespace lately. Is it alive? Is it kicking? Is it decent? Is it awesome?
There is a gamespace message boards you might want to checkout. For a Beta it is extremely well done. I've hosted 2 games thus far and I am sold. Once they polish up the rough edges and add in a few bells and whistles I am not sure my group will be using pen and paper.
The biggest problem with PFS is that you might like it and then you'll end up doing both. Then what happens the next time your gm goes on vacation and you can't find a PFS game? Turn to the streets begging for people to ask you to roll a sense motive check?Our group is sadly deteriorating anyways; game night friday lasted for awhile, then it turned to game night on a random date each month, now they just get too lazy to do anything, and the GM wanted to try a new PNP because he's been playing Pathfinder forever, whereas I myself only started back in 2011. Honestly, paring up with friends that are casuals was a bad idea, never really clicked in until now.Your group sounds a lot like my most recent one, except with mine I was under the impression that they were more enthusiastic about the game than they turned out to be. What started out as a game every Sunday turned into a game every other week, then nothing for 3 months. Then they asked if I wanted to start back up again and asked if I could DM, so I did, and it went the exact same way. We got maybe a game a week for a month, then everything fell apart again and people stopped showing up. So I ended up having spent a bunch of money on books that I barely got to use.
What I did was find a Play by Post here. My first PbP fell apart when the DM left us high and dry, but now I've jumped back in and I'm in two PbP's. One is with a DM who's new and trying to get the hang of it, so we're playing a short module(Hollow's Last Hope. Built for 3.5, but easily used with PF and it's 100% free on here.). The other hasn't fully started yet, but is supposed to be a bit more open and is definitely a lot more ambitious. I'm having a lot of fun with the game that's currently up and running, and between the two games I'm going to be pretty well covered for getting my RPG fix.
So I'll definitely join the "find a PbP" camp.
PbP seems like the way to go, though how it plays still seems a little odd to me, but I guess I'll just have to keep looking for example sessions. I'm writing a few adventures myself, though I just plan to host them via Skype or other means of chat rooms once finished. None of this would really be an issue if my local game store was more friendly to Pathfinder people; the gaming area is strictly reserved for all means of Warhammer. I mean sure, they sell all the Pathfinder books and accessories you can think of, but all of it can be rendered useless if you have no place to host *this guy*.