Greetings,
I have been part of a group that has been role playing for a while already. We started in 3.5 (yeah, I know, we are newbs to the 1st and 2nd edition elders)and then we went into pathfinder and we just loved it at first sight. Now we are interested in the Pathfinder Society Organized Play and I have been trying to coordinate it for my group. I have tried to understand all rules and changes and adaptations through seasons in order to make everything clear and legal. My only concern right now is this part in the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play, The Year of the Demon, Version 5.0 (August 14, 2013), p.30, Ch.7:
"Prestige awards and faction missions: Faction missions
no longer count towards the success conditions of a scenario,
but they may be used to add extra flavor to the game session.
Instead, earning Prestige is tied to fulfilling the primary and
secondary success conditions of each mission. The primary
and secondary success conditions grant 1 Prestige Point
each, for a maximum total of 2 Prestige Points. The primary
success condition for a Season 0–2 scenario is the overall
scenario’s goal; Season 3–4 scenarios instead use the Success
Condition included after the scenario’s Conclusion section.
A free, supplementary document available for download at
paizo.com/pathfinderSociety/pfsproducts/pfsFreeProducts
details the secondary success condition for each scenario."
After consulting the forum on the matter, I had in mind to start with the Into the First Steps series as an introduction, and then continue with most of the season 3 modules, but I also wanted to throw in there some season 0, 1 and 2 modules from time to time, as some people recommended in the forums, to help introduce recurring places and characters (The Grandmaster Torch for example, if I have not mistaken the name); that is why I am interested in following that specific paragraph in the best way possible. If I were to GM some season 0, 1 and 2 modules, how exactly would rewarding Prestige Point work?
Also, do you consider that my introductory plan with First Steps, then season 3 modules and a splash of some season 0, 1 and 2 modules would be a good way to start in the Society as a new group?
Thanks for your time and help.
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As stated in the part quoted, the Primary Prestige point is gained by succeeding at the overall scenario's goal/primary mission.
For the Secondary Prestige point, you can find all that you need to do for each Season 0-4 scenario HERE. Add that file to your downloads and check it out. It will give you more information on the success conditions for the second PP.
Working with season 0,1, and 2 scenarios after First Steps should be fine. There are a lot of good stories from the early seasons that are worth going back and going through (IMO).
Good gaming, and good luck to you!
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Rather than, or in addition to, First Steps Part I, I strongly recommend using #5-08, The Confirmation, as an introductory scenario for new players and characters. That's what it was designed for, and it does it quite well.
When you purchase and download scenarios written before Season 5, you'll find handouts in the back with all sorts of faction missions. You can now just ignore those completely (unless the players want to attempt them for fun and flavor, but not for additional Prestige) because the second Prestige Point is now defined in the Secondary Success Conditions document.
Thank you very much for the help and advices, I feel more comfortable now.
I do have a last question, just as there is a document that points the secondary success conditions, is there a document that shows which modules are no longer valid?
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Thank you very much for the help and advices, I feel more comfortable now.
I do have a last question, just as there is a document that points the secondary success conditions, is there a document that shows which modules are no longer valid?
No, but if you look at the scenarios on Paizo's site they are boldly marked as being RETIRED. There are a handful of season 0 scenarios and First Steps 2 & 3 in that list realistically.
And what does "no longer valid for PFS credit" means exactly? Can I GM part 2 and 3 of First Steps just for the sake of storytelling and role play but I cannot reward the players with exp, loot and prestige points?
Having this in mind, maybe The Confirmation sounds far better, just one valid module to introduce instead of 1 valid and 2 with no rewards.
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You could do first steps part 1, which assumes the characters aren't pathfinders yet. Then at the end tell the players they (passed the test/have one more chance) and link it to the confirmarion by having the venture captain tell them to get some rest and give them the note "Start where it all began"
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is there a document that shows which modules are no longer valid?
For a listing of all the retired PFS scenarios, see this page.
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You could do first steps part 1, which assumes the characters aren't pathfinders yet. Then at the end tell the players they (passed the test/have one more chance) and link it to the confirmarion by having the venture captain tell them to get some rest and give them the note "Start where it all began"
You can also lead off with Master of the Fallen Fortress - a free module which introduces the Pathfinder Society via an NPC (and now grants fame/prestige).