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Re: planes as places for high level folk, I wonder how much of that assumption comes from the foundations of the setting vs. just the fact the Gygax said it was so. It does make sense that hobnobbing with angels and demons, surviving hostile environments, never mind just getting around requires some power. But, the Planescsape setting managed to have plane hopping be a thing for all levels.
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The folks over at Know Direction producea roundup of the information released at the banquet; they're section on the 'Academy includes the following: "It is a three prong program. First, sets up a space for younger gamers. These are my tables, these are my people. This allows adults who don’t want kids at the table to make that choice."
Are they, or I, getting hold of the wrong end of the stick here? 'Cause this seems to read something along the lines of, "if the Academy is running, no kids on regular tables"
Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Will Pathfinder Academy have school friendly materials? I ask since I found out my old school has a D&D club and I'm hoping to donate them som Pathfinder stuff.
This is a pretty important question, and leads to another important question:
Will this program be available outside of conventions? Because if you think only conventions have the potential to attract a bunch of kids to a role playing game day, you are woefully mistaken and missing out on a big opportunity.
I.E., you should give local and store organizers access to the program, as well, or you will be under-serving this program's potential.
By the way: That's a bad-ass logo for Season 8. Can't wait for the t-shirt. (-:
Contributor
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The folks over at Know Direction producea roundup of the information released at the banquet; they're section on the 'Academy includes the following: "It is a three prong program. First, sets up a space for younger gamers. These are my tables, these are my people. This allows adults who don’t want kids at the table to make that choice."
Are they, or I, getting hold of the wrong end of the stick here? 'Cause this seems to read something along the lines of, "if the Academy is running, no kids on regular tables"
You're quoting my tweet, so I'll happily clarify.
It was explained in a way that there's no real difference between a PSA table and a PFS table, and a PSA table can be CORE or standard. The only real difference is whether or not you choose to allow young gamers at your table; basically, if a kid is at your table its PSA. If there's no kid its not.
I'm sure Tonya will clarify your concerns, but that was the impression I got sitting in the banquet room.
Regional Venture-Coordinator, Massachusetts—North Shore
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This is what I just answered about PSA: KT in the PaizoCon Bloggery thread. But these are the base lessons in a nut shell and a quick line about Transitions.
PSA is expanding the existing Kids Tracks using the beginner Box to teach the basic rules to the the kids.
Basic Lessons: 4 Lessons
1) Bare Bones: What do I do with these Crazy Dice
2) Skills and Class Features: What is my character Good at
3) Personalities: How does my character act
4) Roleplaying: how to describe what my character does
Advanced Lessons: Leveling Up
1) Vital Statistics: Changes in the Characters as they Level up
2) Know your Role: Everyone plays a part in the Team
3) Things I'm Good At: Explaining class features and differences
4) Loot: What do I need
5) Putting it all together: Using everything learned in Both lessons Series to make the character your own.
Transition Lessons
This series of lessons goes into the Differences between the Beginner Box and the Core rules starting by showing players how to create their own character.
@Drogon these will be available outside of the con environment. Over the last year I have been testing the running event for kids and families at stores, at one location we had a group run for 6 months before we ended we finished the Basic and Advanced Lessons as well as the first 2 We Be Goblins the kids had a blast before some of the families moved. I am looking to work with my regular games store to offer PSA Sundays after Pokemon.
@Matthew Morris I am not sure about School support you would have to direct that question to Tonya or John.
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The folks over at Know Direction producea roundup of the information released at the banquet; they're section on the 'Academy includes the following: "It is a three prong program. First, sets up a space for younger gamers. These are my tables, these are my people. This allows adults who don’t want kids at the table to make that choice."
Are they, or I, getting hold of the wrong end of the stick here? 'Cause this seems to read something along the lines of, "if the Academy is running, no kids on regular tables"
You're quoting my tweet, so I'll happily clarify.
It was explained in a way that there's no real difference between a PSA table and a PFS table, and a PSA table can be CORE or standard. The only real difference is whether or not you choose to allow young gamers at your table; basically, if a kid is at your table its PSA. If there's no kid its not.
I'm sure Tonya will clarify your concerns, but that was the impression I got sitting in the banquet room.
Thanks for the clarification.
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This is what I just answered about PSA: KT in the PaizoCon Bloggery thread...
Semi-offtopic: Is this what will be run in the PSA room at GenCon? If so, when will we (my daughter is GMing one of the learner tables at GenCon) get access to the new materials? Sooner is better, because we want to run her through a couple practice sessions before GenCon.
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It was explained in a way that there's no real difference between a PSA table and a PFS table, and a PSA table can be CORE or standard. The only real difference is whether or not you choose to allow young gamers at your table; basically, if a kid is at your table its PSA. If there's no kid its not.
I'm not sure that this is accurate. Just because a gamer is a kid, doesn't mean that they must be at a PSA table. I've played with some kids who know more about the game then many adults. The only time I would consider asking a kid not to play a scenario is if I felt the content of the scenario was not appropriate for them. Otherwise, I think you need to allow kids at a table.
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It was explained in a way that there's no real difference between a PSA table and a PFS table, and a PSA table can be CORE or standard. The only real difference is whether or not you choose to allow young gamers at your table; basically, if a kid is at your table its PSA. If there's no kid its not.I'm not sure that this is accurate. Just because a gamer is a kid, doesn't mean that they must be at a PSA table. I've played with some kids who know more about the game then many adults. The only time I would consider asking a kid not to play a scenario is if I felt the content of the scenario was not appropriate for them. Otherwise, I think you need to allow kids at a table.
That was the other part of this announcement that has been getting missed -- content warnings.
So someone (no matter what age) who has a painfully crippling phobia or exceptional distaste for certain elements can know in advance before sitting down for a scenario.
That was the bigger thing to me.
I have a phobia (which will go unmentioned here -- sadly there are folks who really like to push the trigger) so this was welcome information.
The other aspect is so that people who don't want to sit at a table with children/learners will know in advance to avoid a given sign-up (or to sign up to GM to help bring in the next group of gamers to the Society play)
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The other aspect is so that people who don't want to sit at a table with children/learners will know in advance to avoid a given sign-up (or to sign up to GM to help bring in the next group of gamers to the Society play)
I believe the intention in having a table designated as PSA indicates that its aimed at kids learning to play. Kids who know how to play PFS can play at any PFS table with appropriate content. In other words you can not exclude a kid who knows how to play from a PFS table just because they are a kid.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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It was explained in a way that there's no real difference between a PSA table and a PFS table, and a PSA table can be CORE or standard. The only real difference is whether or not you choose to allow young gamers at your table; basically, if a kid is at your table its PSA. If there's no kid its not.I'm not sure that this is accurate. Just because a gamer is a kid, doesn't mean that they must be at a PSA table. I've played with some kids who know more about the game then many adults. The only time I would consider asking a kid not to play a scenario is if I felt the content of the scenario was not appropriate for them. Otherwise, I think you need to allow kids at a table.
*nods* I've ran the Disappeared with a 10 year old, modifying content. "This is Zarta's bedroom, it is full of things we won't talk about, and a bed." And ran Black Waters with kids and when the parents got horrified looks from other adults, the explaination of "Matt's running it." was all that was needed.
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Keep in mind that the PSA program is not ONLY focused on youth gaming. It is also a program by which adult gamers can be brought into Pathfinder with a lite version of the rules using the Beginner Box materials and the expanded lessons can add elements as they progress until they are ready for the full rules set. Surly, most applications of PSA will be focused on youth gaming as its foundation is the Kids Track program, but it doesn't HAVE to be.
At GenCon, since we have 150 tables of RPG running in each slots, plus Quests, PSA will be focused more on youth gamers, but that does not mean a table of adults who want to learn how to play couldn't sign up for PSA. They would be welcome as well. In addition to the evergreen scenarios that are running in the "normal" RPG area, we have a few tables of them running in the PSA area as well.
As the materials for PSA are made public, local areas will have the opportunity to apply the included quests and lessons to both adult and youth gamers as needed.
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*nods* I've ran the Disappeared with a 10 year old, modifying content. "This is Zarta's bedroom, it is full of things we won't talk about, and a bed." And ran Black Waters with kids and when the parents got horrified looks from other adults, the explaination of "Matt's running it." was all that was needed.
I almost had a 9 year old at a table of The Disappeared once. She would have been the only Silver Crusader, back when faction missions were mandatory. Luckily, we had multiple tables running, and rearranged, so she ended up at a table with another Silver Crusader. I didn't have to run for her that slot, so I don't know how it turned out.
The funny part is that I think her gamer father probably put her PC in the Silver Crusade specifically to avoid that sort of thing. I GMed for her in a different adventure, and the character didn't fit in as a Crusader at all. *grumble*blood thirsty little munchkin*grumble* :P
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Will Pathfinder Academy have school friendly materials? I ask since I found out my old school has a D&D club and I'm hoping to donate them som Pathfinder stuff....
I.E., you should give local and store organizers access to the program, as well, or you will be under-serving this program's potential.
...
I bet my local public library could be convinced to host some PSA events if materials were to be donated...
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Regional Venture-Coordinator, Massachusetts—North Shore
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The rating system we are working on is 3 tier, Green=Safe good to run, Yellow=ok to run with some changes in wording and Red=Too much to change to run the scenario. The warning will be spoiler free and one to two lines. When this drops it should be caught up thru season 7.
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Regional Venture-Coordinator, Massachusetts—North Shore
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Is it intended to be used as "play at your own risk" line, or more a "children, an people of a nervous dispositionl shouldn't/mustn't play this adventure"?
Play at your own risk, we can only give guidelines we can't tell you what you can or cannot play. We are just giving you a heads-up on content.
The Deadpool Example: Deadpool is Rated R for Violence, Adult Situations and Foul language. People still brought kids to see Deadpool knowing what they were getting into.
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Venture-Lieutenant, California—Los Angeles (South Bay)
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I am very pleased to learn about these announcements. As a longstanding PFS GM, I have had several young people at my tables. I have edited content.
I think that the spoiler warning might be something PFS could perhaps take from PSA. I have known gamers who had issues, and perhaps this would have been helpful.
I look forward to having the PSA materials. I can see a lot of teachers working with this at their schools.
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Organized Play Coordinator
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Some replies to messages above. If I missed your question, please ask again and I will answer.
PSA doesn't limit the seating to only kids/no adults at the table. It is an acknowledgement that there are youth participating - either as GMs or players. We have had issues where adults did not want to interact with youth, as players or GMs. Pathfinder Society is a PG-13 base, as evidenced by some of our scenarios. On mixed tables, appropriate content is not guaranteed. PSA makes for content appropriate, youth friendly tables that leave all players happy.
No, we cannot list all the triggers. But we can cover the big ones - drugs, intoxication, adult themes, nudity. Violence is inherent in all the games, so not calling it out unless is major. Physical restraint is another trigger. As is arachnophobia and ophidiophobia. We are starting by color coding, but may consider moving to the movie rating system if we need more levels of distinction.
Once completed, PSA will be available to all locations, similar to GM101 & GM 201. The goal is to get more people playing. With all the Beginner Boxes being sent out as part of Humble Bundle, this gives another step to bring them in. The logo was designed with that in mind - its got goblins, but is not too "kidsy". The lessons themselves are stand alone. Once the lessons are over, you can transition into regular tables (I suggest CORE to start) and would then need the rulebooks. Those aren't being provided as part of PSA, but we are looking at library packages of books/loaner equipment. I'm traveling to the American Libraries Association conference the end of June (with Pierce Watters, our sales director) to talk about spinning up a Pathfinder in Libraries program.
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Once completed, PSA will be available to all locations, similar to GM101 & GM 201. The goal is to get more people playing. With all the Beginner Boxes being sent out as part of Humble Bundle, this gives another step to bring them in. The logo was designed with that in mind - its got goblins, but is not too "kidsy". The lessons themselves are stand alone. Once the lessons are over, you can transition into regular tables (I suggest CORE to start) and would then need the rulebooks. Those aren't being provided as part of PSA, but we are looking at library packages of books/loaner equipment. I'm traveling to the American Libraries Association conference the end of June (with Pierce Watters, our sales director) to talk about spinning up a Pathfinder in Libraries program.
Having been first exposed to tabletop RPGS at my local library as a 14-year-old, and having a lot of librarian friends, I am interested in seeing this program!
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Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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I've noticed not everyone likes kids at the table - especially high-energy kids. I'm usually fine with it, I get quite a lot of high-energy adults at my table as well.
However, I've also noticed that I'm much more okay with it if the scenario isn't "high stakes". If the scenario is very dangerous or difficult, punishing of mistakes; or if the outcome is very important, like a faction-story-climax or one that has a very very shiny but hard to get boon, then I want a focused and reliable party. I wouldn't want to walk into The Silvermount Collection with anyone who can't keep his head in the game (kid or adult) for example. The Consortium Compact on the other hand I'd see what kind of antics we can get up to together.
How are other people's experiences with this?
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Having played Trial by Machine at a table with a family of four (two parents, one child) and another child (who was unattended) I'd have to say based on that experience the unattended child (who had GM stars, even!) could have used some more 'tempering/training' on the social side.
On the other side of the coin, played a Captive in Crystal this past weekend with two much younger gamers at the table, and they performed admirably, much better than some of the 'adults' at the table, imo.
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No, we cannot list all the triggers. But we can cover the big ones - drugs, intoxication, adult themes, nudity. Violence is inherent in all the games, so not calling it out unless is major. Physical restraint is another trigger. As is arachnophobia and ophidiophobia. We are starting by color coding, but may consider moving to the movie rating system if we need more levels of distinction.
One I would bring up is creepy animated dolls. I've run 3 tables of a certain season 7 scenario and had multiple players tell me that it's a legit phobia for them before we actually got to the part where there was an animated one. I know there are at least a few other scenarios that this happens, too.
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No, we cannot list all the triggers. But we can cover the big ones - drugs, intoxication, adult themes, nudity. Violence is inherent in all the games, so not calling it out unless is major. Physical restraint is another trigger. As is arachnophobia and ophidiophobia. We are starting by color coding, but may consider moving to the movie rating system if we need more levels of distinction.
One I would bring up is creepy animated dolls. I've run 3 tables of a certain season 7 scenario and had multiple players tell me that it's a legit phobia for them before we actually got to the part where there was an animated one. I know there are at least a few other scenarios that this happens, too.
** spoiler omitted **
Also just about anything in Irrisen.
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No, we cannot list all the triggers. But we can cover the big ones - drugs, intoxication, adult themes, nudity. Violence is inherent in all the games, so not calling it out unless is major. Physical restraint is another trigger. As is arachnophobia and ophidiophobia. We are starting by color coding, but may consider moving to the movie rating system if we need more levels of distinction.
One I would bring up is creepy animated dolls. I've run 3 tables of a certain season 7 scenario and had multiple players tell me that it's a legit phobia for them before we actually got to the part where there was an animated one. I know there are at least a few other scenarios that this happens, too.
** spoiler omitted **
Yeah, there are two much earlier season scenarios with dolls like those, too, and I played them with a friend who was totally creeped out by them. I think those were from seasons 2 and 3.
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No, we cannot list all the triggers. But we can cover the big ones - drugs, intoxication, adult themes, nudity. Violence is inherent in all the games, so not calling it out unless is major. Physical restraint is another trigger. As is arachnophobia and ophidiophobia. We are starting by color coding, but may consider moving to the movie rating system if we need more levels of distinction.
One I would bring up is creepy animated dolls. I've run 3 tables of a certain season 7 scenario and had multiple players tell me that it's a legit phobia for them before we actually got to the part where there was an animated one. I know there are at least a few other scenarios that this happens, too.
** spoiler omitted **
Yeah, there are two much earlier season scenarios with dolls like those, too, and I played them with a friend who was totally creeped out by them. I think those were from seasons 2 and 3.
TIL:
Pediophobia - fear of dolls
The more you know.
