Harles |
I know this is a strange topic, but I hope you'll see the purpose after reading my post.
I have GMed three biweekly PFS sessions at my local gaming store. The game has been a huge hit already. We had 7 players last time, and I had to turn away three others.
Sounds good so far, right?
Enter complications...
1) Well, the owner of the gaming store hates that I am turning away players (and I do too). I am the only GM willing to run PFS who has volunteered at the LGS.
2) With the hours I work and the hours of operation for the LGS, it is a challenge to find hours they are open long enough to allow the 4-5 hour sessions required for PFS.
3) Over half of the players are completely new to Pathfinder (and tabletop RPGs in general). The regimented nature of PFS sometimes seems a rude awakening to them.
4) Some of the players have refused to register their characters for PFS.
So allow me to ask: Is it necessary that I should run PFS? It seems that many of the complications I have come from the PFS format. Considering that we are having mostly the same players week after week, would it be better to have a regular campaign?
brock, no the other one... |
It might indeed be better to start a campaign, especially if you have a regular player-base. 10 players is still going to be too many though, and you also have no way to easily accommodate new players - potential new customers for your host.
Another option would be to run PFS scenarios, but make it clear that they are not being run to PFS rules, and that chronicles would not be awarded. Then you could edit them to time and change them as you see fit.
Mergy |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
1) The owner has no real business blaming you for turning away players from a full table. GM recruitment is a difficult process, and the owner should be contributing there before giving you flak about it.
2) You could consider modules. While they are much longer, they tend to be more relaxed because you typically have three sessions to get through the adventure. Otherwise, get used to skipping optional encounters. I know I have! :)
3) New players are just experienced players waiting to happen. Beginner scenarios like First Steps I, The Frostfur Captives, and Citadel of Flame are a great introduction to the game. You should have some veterans in no time if you are patient with them.
4) I think you may have solved the problem of having too many players. If someone is not willing to follow the rules of organized play, then they have no place in it.
To answer your final question, of course it's not necessary to run PFS. However, PFS is a great way of growing a gaming community, and I think it's worth the effort. That said, if you've found a good group of people, a long-term campaign can be amazing.