Advice: First Time GM Running Curse of the Crimson Throne


Advice


Hey all,

So I've recently agreed to GM the CotCT AP with a group of friends. This will be my first time GMing (I started with tabletop RPGs only a year ago), but the PCs will be inexperienced as well (two have never played tabletop RPGs, one has played a couple times, and the last is as experienced as I am).

Given that CotCR was written with 3.5 rules, would people recommend trying a different AP for a first time GM, or is CotCR a good one? I've already found very helpful conversions for all the NPCs (and just assume I can find stats on beasts from Pathfinder sources like PFSRD), a brief glance at the first encounter doesn't seem too troublesome. However, I'd hate to get into it before realizing that there is a lot I'll need to finaggle further down the line.

Thanks!


If your group has already agreed to play that adventure path, you should probably stick with it through at least the first book. Once you've gotten through that much, ask if everyone wants to keep going or focus on a different story/adventure instead. ^^ It shouldn't be particularly difficult for you to run.


I have GMed 5 of the 6 APs for my CotCT online campaign so far. Converting from 3.5 to Pathfinder is an afterthought as there's little that really needs adjusting. So I found it has not been an issue at all.


1) Don't worry too much about 3.5 vs. PF. The differences are pretty minor. Also, a lot of the adjustments have already been made by other players, and can be found easily enough. Go to the CotCT forum (you can find it right here) and ask around.

2) The first module is broken up into smaller chunks that will make it easy for a new DM to run. (This is deliberate on the part of the designers.) So, for instance, the business with Lamm and Zellara is a short adventure that should cover your first play session.

3) The CotCT Players Guide is a free download or a buck fifty in hard copy. You can find it right here. Feel free to pass it around to your players for background information.

4) There are some products you could buy if you feel the need. There's a Guide to Korvosa splatbook that you can guy. I think it's okay, not amazing. It's definitely not required to run the module. Consider picking it up if you really want to add more depth and detail to the city. You might also consider a physical Harrow deck. The original $12.99 deck is OOP, but they've brought out a Deluxe version which is $18. I think that's a bit steep, but OTOH it's pretty lovely, and it could definitely add to the game. Up to you. Finally, there's the Harrow Handbook, which is just $9 for the .pdf and which contains some cool and thematic material.

5) Read the first module _thoroughly_, then read ahead a couple of modules. There are some twists that you can add if you care to. For instance, someone suggested that the insane Emperor from volume 3 should be Lamm's son. IMO that's an inspired idea, and one that could be planted in the first adventure -- you can mention that Lamm had a ne'er-do-well son who used to come sleazing around asking him for money. You can drop this as a detail, or weave it into a PC backstory.

6) Finally, congratulations on picking this AP. I think it gets a bit less love than it should because it's 3.5 and also because it's standing next to the classic RotRL. It's not perfect (if you go on the forum people will be happy to point out its flaws) but it's a fun, complex urban adventure with memorable NPCs and a cool overarching plot. I've run it a couple of times, and it's never failed to deliver. Enjoy!

cheers,

Doug M.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Advice: First Time GM Running Curse of the Crimson Throne All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.