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I am running a small weekly game that meets every Saturday in the local FLGS. I have a group that fluxuates in size from 3 to 9. Most often there is one gm and 6 players. Seven is a most inconvenient number. If there are 8 people at least you can split into two groups of three.
I basically presented my players with a choice, if you don’t like large groups either I would have to turn people away, and if I did, I would be pairing the group down to 4 players and a couple people go home unhappy, or you have to put up with a 7 people table.
Luckily I have two other players who have volunteered to GM, to give me a break some times. One player can GM on the spot, I can hand him an adventure and he will run it. The other, I have to give him something one Saturday, so he can read it and be prepared to run it on the next Saturday.
So I have given each of my “back up “ DM’s about three adventures a piece. I also plan to run something. IF the group is too large, I can ask the back up GMs to peel off some players. If it is a small group it isn’t a problem.
As for materials, at the store there is a bowl of “communal” miniatures. I share my flip maps and markers, and sometimes, what I will do, is hand one of the back up GM’s my printed Scenario, and I will run the same scenario off of my laptop.
We have only had enough for two tables on occasion. We have yet to have enough players for three tables
If you are the only one GMing, and no one is willing to help you, Perhaps you can have a sign up sheet…..either online or in paper at the store. And if there are a limited number of seats….there are a limited number of seats.
I hope this helps
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Can you think of a way around this?
If you're just getting started, you should start making it clear that all players are expected to contribute back to the PFS community. Yeah, it's going to take some time and effort, but it's best for the long run.
Sadly, you'll be killing your only judge(s) if you're making them do everything and shoulder all the load. The best thing to do is create a safe and fun learning environment that encourages judges to judge.
For more, see the Judge and Judge Recruitment section of this post.
A few links that may help:
Painlord's Guide to PFS Coordination
Painlord's How to be a Better PFS Judge
Painlord's "What we Teach New PFS Players"
Best of luck,
Pain
After our first session, we are nearing the cusp of maximum table size. We haven't started promoting it at the FLGS beyond our weekly D&D Encounters group. If we do, I think we will have too many players. No one else will run Pathfinder in our group. I'm afraid that the Society adventures (and the rules behind Organized Play) are a little intimidating to new GMs (particularly a guy who just shows up to play.) Then there are the supplies, printing adventures, etc.
Can you think of a way around this?
In the past, we've come up with a policy that encourages GMing. It goes something like this:
If the table has too many players, seating preference will be given in the following order:
1) If you have GM'd a PFS game here in the last 2 months, you get seated first. This encourages you to GM a game, because it will buy you a seat at a full table.
2) If you are a new player, you get seated next. This encourages new players to help the Society grow.
3) If you've sat out a game to make room for other players in the last month, you get seated next. This acknowledges that you've sat out in the past, and that others need to take their turns sitting out.
4) Any remaining seats will be filled in the order you signed up for this game. This encourages you to sign up for games early, so that we can plan on having enough GM's on hand.
Maybe you could mentor or apprentice some people through the GM process, if you think intimidation is what's holding them back? It could be as simple as pointing them to resources, answering questions via email etc., or letting them sit next to you while you GM and run a few NPCs or encounters under your supervision. It requires some time on your part but might be worth the investment if it generates a few more enthusiastic Pathfinder GMs in your area, relieving a little of the pressure on you.
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Your best option is to start grooming new GMs. PFs tends to grow quickly once word gets out - people just bring their friends even if you don't advertise. Any sort of GM incentives also really help people take the plunge - the seating policy is good, but see if your venue has GM rewards for organizers to sweeten the pot. You pretty much have to decide if you'er going to run a "home game" using PFS scenarios, or whether you're a "public" game. If the latter, then just start training and encouraging GMs - there's no way out of it.
I have had success by letting new GMs use my printed mods, maps, and initiative cards -it's often the prep time that scares new GMs away. Shared resources mean everyone has an easier time of it.
Good luck!