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I'm a new GM, only run a single scenario. I've been playing for years, 3.5 and PF in home games and in PFS. I wanted to play more PFS stuff, so started a home group to do so. I ran four players through First Steps pt 1, I think it went well and the players enjoyed it. The GM prep stuff here has been great. I have a fifth player joining us, some of the players are experienced with Pathfinder, some played older editions and one was a complete newbie prior to the first scenario.
I'm debating what to run next. I wanted to do a second scenario, then run them through Crypt of the Everflame, but was unsure of what scenario to run. Any suggestions that will be appropriate to a group of level 1s and not too complicated for me and with little chance of me accidentally killing them off due to inexperience? I'm up for heavy RP or a dungeon crawl, while I think the group would appreciate the latter more, they will get plenty of that with the module.
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I find "Mists of Mwangi" has a nice backstory, can be quickly done (easily in 3 hours) and is pretty linear. There's a few scenes were RP can be interesting (if you're good at adding dramatic tension and spookiness to your encounters). Encounters are not that tough (although one could become a TPK if all the players can't make their saves).
I also just GMed "Prince of Augustana". This one is also fast, very linear with a bit of RP. It has 3.5 rules though so some nostalgic players will find it funny that npcs are using spiked chains with a 10" reach :) The maps can be hard to understand at times. The scenario itself is a quick read.
Just some thoughts...
Venture-Captain, Germany—Hamburg
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"The Glass River Rescue" could be a good idea. It has some roleplaying and some fights, with exploring a building in the end (which is a bit like a mini-dungeon). Also, this scenario brings the PCs almost to where you want them to be for "Crypt of the Everflame".
If you plan to follow up with "Masks of the Living God" (the sequel to "Crypt of the Everflame"), there's also the added bonus of giving the PCs a first taste of what followers of Razmir are like.
But then, if you're actually planning to run "Masks of the Living God", I'd recommend running 2 scenarios before sending them into "Crypt of the Everflame", bringing them to level 2 (in PFS, it can be played with level 2 characters). This will increase the PCs' chance of survival both in "Crypt of the Everflame" and in "Masks of the Living God".
In case you want to go for 2 scenarios, I'd say first run "The Pallid Plague", which brings them to the northern parts of Andoran. From there, it's a short trip to Druma, where you can run "The Glass River Rescue", having the PCs travel to Nirmathas from there to run "Crypt of the Everflame", possibly followed by "Masks of the Living God".
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Should I bring them all to level 2 before running them through Crypt? I don't remember it being that difficult when I played it, but I've not read through it in detail yet. With two scenarios for most of them, they will have some upgraded gear and a stronger sense of what their characters can do and what their roles are.
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Most people advise that you should bring them up to level 2 before Crypt of the Everflame. I ran five brand new characters through that adventure and it was moderately challenging. The fact that there is customizable treasure available helps a lot. Be sure to include in that stash anything they are lacking.
I started running PFS games recently as well, and decided to keep everything in Absalom for a little while. So far we've done...
1. First Steps Part 1
2. Mists of Mwangi
3. Slave Pits of Absalom
First Steps has a lot of good roleplaying stuff going on that my group enjoyed. Mists of Mwangi is a simple little dungeon crawl. Slave Pits was a pretty solid investigative game that the pirate PC really had a good time with, though the non-criminal-types didn't have too much success with.
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"The Glass River Rescue" could be a good idea. It has some roleplaying and some fights, with exploring a building in the end (which is a bit like a mini-dungeon). Also, this scenario brings the PCs almost to where you want them to be for "Crypt of the Everflame".
If you plan to follow up with "Masks of the Living God" (the sequel to "Crypt of the Everflame"), there's also the added bonus of giving the PCs a first taste of what followers of Razmir are like.But then, if you're actually planning to run "Masks of the Living God", I'd recommend running 2 scenarios before sending them into "Crypt of the Everflame", bringing them to level 2 (in PFS, it can be played with level 2 characters). This will increase the PCs' chance of survival both in "Crypt of the Everflame" and in "Masks of the Living God".
In case you want to go for 2 scenarios, I'd say first run "The Pallid Plague", which brings them to the northern parts of Andoran. From there, it's a short trip to Druma, where you can run "The Glass River Rescue", having the PCs travel to Nirmathas from there to run "Crypt of the Everflame", possibly followed by "Masks of the Living God".
THIS, Great Idea!!
Venture-Lieutenant, West Virginia—Charleston
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A bit earlier, I posted a list of scenarios that I would use if I were starting up a new PFS group. I'll reproduce them below:
First Steps Pt. 1
Silent Tide
Mists of Mwangi
The Penumbral Accords
Murder on the Throaty Mermaid
The Frostfur Captives
The Gods' Market Gamble
The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment
The Rise of the Goblin Guild
Severing Ties
The Night March of Kalkamedes
The Glass River Rescue
Since writing that list, I'd add The Stolen Heir and hopefully The Confirmation once it's released. I also like the idea of starting with Crypt/Masks, since those have a good hook to introduce players to the Society.