Advice for running a children's PFS table

[Jamesui]

So I signed up to run a few tables at Pacificon this weekend, one of them for children 12 and under. Does anyone have experience with or advice on running such a game beyond watching my language? I imagine a full table of children poses novel difficulties in terms of keeping things simultaneously focused and on point but also animated and engaging. I know I wasn't exactly a paragon of attention span at 12.

Or at 21. Or now, ya doofus.

So, yeah, pointers?

EDIT: I don't think this belongs in the PFS forum because I hope that the same principles for running a Society table for kids should apply outside that context as well.

[Letric]

Check youtube Dwardenfoegedcast hes a teacher and there is a video specofically about it

[Mathius]

Kids take a lot of narrative control. It can be great fun to let them. I once did not speak for an hour and 15 min while running a kids table. This of course takes anything you have prepared and chucks it out the window.

[Headfirst]

Do something nonviolent, like an all arcane spellcaster group where every battle is some kind of magical challenge/duel, a la Harry Potter. Only allow arcanists, bards, sorcerers, and wizards, and cut their spell lists down to "fun" stuff like charm person, grease, and hideous laughter. Give out experience for clever use of spells, not just killing monsters. Only use the wackier magic items, like bags of tricks, sovereign glue, and immovable rods. Focus heavily on puzzle solving, riddles, and dealing with chatty NPCs. That's what I'd do.

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

Is there a specific scenario that you are going to play? If not I would recommend some of the older scenarios that are straightforward combat and skill checks. Some of the newer scenario that are complicated puzzles or subsystems may not work well. Sometimes the classics are best. Mists of Mwangi could be a good option.

[Avaricious]

Stream of thought with a loose concept/image in your mind going into it. Let them adapt the encounter to themselves; you do not need pre-built products, but even leafing through the player's guide to a particular AP or a loose perusal to one of the area guides is more than enough to set yourself up for success. I view your efforts would probably be spent in advising or corralling (let chaos rule).

I'd say the biggest challenge would be helping them build characters if it is a society game and keeping it civil/involved if there are stronger personalities on the board than others (enjoy), but rule of fun not tournament -if its a bad build but their idealized preference, don't crush their hopes and dreams, adjust for it. Unless there is some Preteen PFS League DPS Olympics shenanigans going on, then its time to drop Old-School. "Best Level 11 11-year old award goes to..." (lol) Brings to mind one of them bringing in a sheet with optimized race, traits, feats, attributes, archetype qualities in with an innocent intro, "My brother said..."

Elementary-schoolers: you are set. Middle-schoolers: may Paizo have mercy on your soul.

Tell yourself it'll be awesome, and regardless of the antics, if controlled, they would still be more mature than some of the players you've dealt with before. Kids being kids is not a bad thing.

[My Self]

But if you are going to kill things, make sure they're acceptable targets. Like, you know, rats, wicked witches, dragons, wolves, etc.

If you can give the kids a pet, do so.

Avoid messing around with loot, exact rules, small numbers, and high levels. Make sure it's very clear what everybody can and can't do. Print out small rulecards explaining basic actions and directions and rules that they need to know, like turn-by-turn combat.

Younger kids won't notice railroading as much, though they still might go on a crazy misadventure to the side. If you give them a consistent quest-giver who is obviously a good guy, they're more likely to follow.

Use as few feats, archetypes, and classes as possible. Prebuild your feat chains or something.

[Avaricious]

Let us know how it goes, too. One of them may be the chosen one to rise and become the DPS Olympian foretold, GG reborn.