Straight from the folks at Gen Con UK, here is how you sign up to volunteer for Pathfinder Society Organized Play as a GM at Gen Con UK (and the rewards of doing so):
The method for volunteers to sign up is as follows:
Go to www.consupport.com
Create a user/logon
Select Gen Con UK 2008
Go to the Sign Up menu and choose Events By Type > Pathfinder Society
Each slot a GM volunteers for gets them entry to the con for that day if its the first slot they have run that day. A second slot in the same day gets a GM either free entry for another day or £5 cashback.
None of the scenarios are linked to specific factions, so no.
You'll be running one or more scenarios. Just like running any adventure, really, except for the few paperwork things you have to sign off on as a GM.
We'll release a GM's Guide around August 1.
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None of the scenarios are linked to specific factions, so no.
You'll be running one or more scenarios. Just like running any adventure, really, except for the few paperwork things you have to sign off on as a GM.
We'll release a GM's Guide around August 1.
so The only rule really...
If you GM it..you can't play it..?*which makes sense*
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Ok... I have decided I am interested in GMing one of the scenarios..
Few things..
I have never GMed at a Convention and it has been 6 years since I have even been to a Convention. Any Advice from anyone on GMing at a convention?
The Slots at GenCon UK are 5 hours?
Mr Frost currently your link on the web page to the sneak peak of the scenarios is broken, mind getting it fixed?
Who is responsible for setting up the pathfinder games at GenCon UK, because I would like to get more Info on the free pass and money off and How that effects me since I already bought My tickets?
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The Slots at GenCon UK are 5 hours?
It's 5 hours from the start of one slot to the start of the next -- allows time for starting late, over-running, going for food, visiting the trade hall, etc. in between slots.
Who is responsible for setting up the pathfinder games at GenCon UK, because I would like to get more Info on the free pass and money off and How that effects me since I already bought My tickets?
Assuming that it's the same as for other volunteers -- I don't know if there's anything Paizo-specific for PFS volunteers -- then I believe your recompense comes at the end of the con after you've run what you've signed up to run, at least I think that's how it works for other vols, like me -- not GMing stuff, just receptioning & gophering (not running anything as my GMing style is probably a smidgen antithetical to organised play).
For non Paizo-specific Qs you're probably best off emailing Mark or Ratty at genconuk.com or contact at horsemenevents dot com.
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Dragnmoon - Callum is right about Ratty or Smiffy (Mark Smith) being able to help with the tickets and rewards. Also Kithran, mentioned on one or two of the other threads may be able to help you.
GM at a Convention
I've done it a few times and its mainly about managing time. here are a few pointers that may help.
Scenario
Get it early as you can. Read it. Learn it as best you can. I always put them in sections in a folder and make copious notes down the side of each page to help me. One tip is to tr and imagine how much time the party will have at each location, so that you can keep an eye on the schedule. Players like to finish.
Any questions, ask Kithran or one of the other GMs.
The Start
People tend to mill about in the room until Kithran calls them to order. They are trying to sort out groups, especially groups of friends. Kithran is the Senior DM. He will give you a group of players and a table number. You set up.
At the Table
Get the players to put character name, race and class badges on a fold up piece of paper in front of you so that straight away they can start in character with each other.
Fill out any paperwork that may be needed, there is usually a RPGA form which has to be passed around.
Explain anything about your style of GMing, breaks for food and drink etc. Mobile phones switched off is one of my bugbears.
Problems
If you strike a serious problem in the game, like a rules argument or possible character death or whatever then feel free to stop the game and ask advice from the Higher Ups. Everyone has their own style but sometimes it is best to check whether a player has made a mistake or not. It can be critical, especially at low level.
Enjoy
UK gamers are no different from Americans and they just want to have fun.
Good Luck
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I'm signed up. Should be fun and I've never GM'ed at a con before but figure after the best part fo 30 years of DM'ing then it can't be much worse than putting up with my usual bunch!
Its not that much harder. I just got into RPGA judging last year and while I was a nervous wreck the first couple times (ok, it might have been the fact the con was two days after the Bar Exam :P) its something you get used to. But I can echo the fact that preparation is key. Read your modules well and know where possible time snags are. Other piece of advice is , well, don't let the players get to you.
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Basically the free entry for a day/£5 cashback is a refund deal. You pay upfront, as a gm get the fact you turned up when required signed off and at the end of the con you get refunded the relevant amount.
If you've already volunteered you should have received an invitation to the GMs yahoo group and there are a lot more details there on what is required from gm's and how things work.
Paul James / Kithran
Gen Con UK Senior GM
Thanks Kithran,
Though I have not volunteered on the web page yet since I have not seen the brief scenario descriptions to decide what I will run, I did send you an email a few days ago about volunteering that you never replied to :-p.
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Fill out any paperwork that may be needed, there is usually a RPGA form which has to be passed around.
Thanks for the Advice French...
But why would there be an RPGA form going around a Pathfinder game?..:-p
On rule Arguments..
Since we are there to have fun and not trying to win a tournament...I should not have to go to an "higher Up" to make a call, I should be able to make that decision on my own and leave it at that.
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Basically the free entry for a day/£5 cashback is a refund deal. You pay upfront, as a gm get the fact you turned up when required signed off and at the end of the con you get refunded the relevant amount.If you've already volunteered you should have received an invitation to the GMs yahoo group and there are a lot more details there on what is required from gm's and how things work.
Paul James / Kithran
Gen Con UK Senior GM
Kith...
Still waiting on that invite to the Yahoo group.....
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I feel I am already in good company, guys. I signed up for 5 Pathfinder slots and if it wasn't for Pathfinder I certainly wouldn't be going to GenCon this year.
The weighting for Pathfinder comes from their emphasis on story rather than rules. I understand Paizo are running this year under straight 3.5 rules, and next year they will pick up any speciality rules from the Pathfinder system. I hope they have some pre-gen characters for last minute players and I hope they have a background crib sheet so new players know a little about the world/deities/politics/factions.
I'm sure Dragonmoon won't have any problems that he can't be dealt with at the table. It's very, very, very rare to get a stroppy player in an enjoyable game at GenCon. If it happens I usually say let's run on with the game and if any aggrieved party wants to look up and show me a contradiction to my ruling then we'll make a retro-fix.
I don't know why RPGA is involved with Pathfinder but, hey, let's not worry. I DO know that Kithran is The Man to get things fixed. That;s good enough for me.