Becoming a venture captain

[Twisteminds]

So a few of my friends recently went to Toronto and played in a Society game. They both come back and they really enjoyed it. I am the GM of our group and they both suggested I try applying so I can run games within the Society. I looked at the requirements and my only question is, should I even bother applying?
I have a good deal of free time to do everything. Saskatoon is currently on their list of places needing volunteers. I have been the GM for our group, and a few others, for 4 years now. We do have some conventions in Saskatoon that are growing and could probably successfully start some games up in them.
However looking at the other requirements, I personally have no experience with the Society play. All I know is what I could research online really.
I do want to apply, my friends would like to be able to play without going so far away, but with no actual experience, should I even bother?

[Paz]

You should probably play and run some PFS sessions first, so you've got some familiarity with how PFS organised play works, as I expect you'll get asked for help by other people in the area who are interested. There's nothing to stop you setting up your own event, even if it's just in your own home or a small local venue; you just need a PFS number and the scenario to run.

I've run quite a few sessions at my local games club and helped other GMs with the organisation/admin for their games, all without a VC being involved.

[Jiggy]

Be aware that you don't need to be a Venture Officer to run PFS games, and there's no application process to just be a GM.

If you want to run PFS games, then just read up on the campaign rules in the Guide to Organized Play and run your games accordingly. That's really all there is to it: if you run a PFS scenario according to PFS rules for a group of PFS characters, then it's a PFS game. :)

[Mergy]

If there's currently no leadership in your area, then you had might as well try. In the meantime, set up a sanctioned game day, because as Jiggy says, there is no VO requirement to do that.

[Todd Lower]

It seems as though most areas get a VO once they reach a tipping point where having someone to go to when things are unclear becomes important. Have fun, play, play, play, then later on maybe your area would need a Venture Captain.

[GM Lamplighter]

I recommend you just start running games and building a community. I did that for half a year before applying - there's no real reason to have a V-C in a place where there are only a few players. I don't know what the Decemvirate uses as a guide, but if it's just you and your friends in your basement, you probably don't need an officer. Start a public game night, and just start doing it.

[Braeden Caldwell]

All it really takes is to apply, but as the others have been saying, you really want to familiarize yourself with the Pathfinder Society system of play before you try and become a VC as you will become the main point of contact for a fairly large area and will field questions both from players and event organizers and will be expected to work to grow the hobby in your area.

Also you will need to start going to conventions and getting to know the other VOs arond your area, most people are more than willing to help others get into the game. The more people that you can get in contact with the better because that means you will be able to have a larger playerbase for your area. Possibly look to go to conventions either in Calgary or Edmonton or even as far as Winnipeg and volunteering for conventions to help as a GM or work in the PFS HQ organizing tables.

[Preston Hudson]

I would have to echo what others have already stated. You do not need to be a VO to run games. Familiarity with Pathfinder Society rules will be great to have and a few GMd games under your belt would not hurt either in your efforts. In that process, work on building your community and assist in conventions as well as other events in your area . This will get your presence known and then apply for Venture-Captian.

My best wishes as you go forward and I hope to post a congratulations to you when you become a VO.

[Thorkull]

Counter-point: Since a VO's mandate is basically to grow PFS, having one in an area that doesn't have an active PFS presence could be considered similar to sending missionaries out to spread the word.

That aside, as others have stated, you don't need to be a VC or VL to run or organize PFS events.

[The ShadowShackleton]

Another option (the route I took) is to attach yourself to the nearest Venture Captain as a VL. That way you have a good resource for advising you in getting things rolling and, once things start to grow you can always apply to be a VC.

[Feegle]

Glen Shackleton wrote:

Another option (the route I took) is to attach yourself to the nearest Venture Captain as a VL. That way you have a good resource for advising you in getting things rolling and, once things start to grow you can always apply to be a VC.

And if you do it the way Glen did, you swear up and down to the VL that recruits you that you have no interest in being a VC, but that you're happy to build the community until such a person emerges.

Then, six months later, you take the plunge anyway. :)

[The ShadowShackleton]

Ha! I meant it at the time. Just turned out to be too much fun building a local PFS community.

[Chris Lambertz]

Removed an unhelpful post.

[Care Baird]

Chris Lambertz wrote:

Removed an unhelpful post.

Was it about bacon?

[Eric Clingenpeel]

Care Baird wrote:

Chris Lambertz wrote:

Removed an unhelpful post.

Was it about bacon?

Of course not! Bacon would have been helpful.