We started recently playing Reign of Winter. My 1st masteting experience after 6 years of silence. I'm not native eng speaker but I really want to share some stories how campaign started and want I changed.
So we have 3 experienced players and I invited my close friend to join us. So 4 players. Never expected that how much new player can join the flow of the game. I'm really proud that I met such great players (always played with newbies before who killed npcs on sight for exp or something like that).
What I changed in Heldren:
I changed completely the village. It should feel like feudalism with rotten bureaucracy and titles. So I have a titular councilor (let's imagine this is good title) who owns these lands. I left the same npcs who were introduced in book thou like gold-teethed dwarf and elven female who runs apothecary.
We started from wedding. Bride and her husband were meeting guests. Each player's hero was introduced differently. And players started to show theirs heroes. This is really great thing to introduce heroes to players and in the same time I introduce world of Golarion to players.
We had mini RP games maybe I will talk about later if you curious. Those wedding games were great for atmosphere.
Since we have gunslinger it pushed me a idea that I want to play in 17th of our century. Just between dialogues and events I told to my players about one boy who brags about his dad in Oppara and that his dad is cannoneer. Just small things that tell about country and people.
Our barbarian is taldane. And fought in war where Qadira won southern lands from Taldor. He was slave back there but after one more loss Taldor had reforms so no more slaves. Taldane government should have opposition.
I believe that Taldor which I imagine in my game should have revolution with blood and magic soon. I gave that information for another player who is 136 aged dhampir cleric of Abadar. And I gave rank to him. He is like noble and stayed at titular councilor's manor. Small things but that gives to players some info how world works.
Are you still here? (: Cause like I use google translate for some words (: Bear with me.
Gunslinger tiefling from Ustalav came with dhampir's company. And knife master rogue with trapfinding but bonus to conceal a dagger. Rogue was introduced to the game as fakir since player stated that his half-elf from circus with his fellow mime dwarf. And he ACTUALLY did great with a show. For next 10 minuted he took the main role of the game.
Players did some games in this wedding and helped to bride's mother with drunk mime. I want to share more but I'm afraid with my clunky language I can't talk too much and do not want to cause you weary.
And only then RoW starts.
World is really important to me and I find Golarion like a clay, paizo gives some good tools for imagination.
PS. Yeah (: Too much text. Sorry (: