Hi,
I will be starting a Runelords campaign soon. I am not familiar with the campaign setting at all, so which books will be useful for me to buy.
Thanks
Guy
Inner sea primer is a small player friendly book that goes on the setting real fast but gives good basic solid info.
Other than that the inner sea guide is the book you are looking for but then again this book is for the entire setting and not just the RotRL.
Check out the first three Adventure Paths, early in Crimson Throne, they give more details on native Varisians (part 1, Edge of Anarchy), later they talk about Shoanti Barbarians (Part 4 A History of Ashes).
The Adventure Paths really are designed to let you get to know the Pathfinder setting slowly. The first three are the major locations of Varisia, and then they move out into other areas. And since both the first part of Jade Regent and the Beginner Box start in Sandpoint, you learn a bit more about it there as well. The Player Guides are filled with useful info, and they're all free.
The Inner Sea Guides are good, but they have more information than you will need. At least that's how I feel. That said, the section on races and gods is super useful no matter what city you start in and it will give you a stronger concept of all the areas. The recent Faiths of ____ are really great and give you a good idea of how to use the faiths in game.
I started with Rise without knowing any more than what the AP told me and me and my players had a blast. Knowing everything is great, but you won't use most of that info in one adventure.
Pending how familiar your players are with the setting, I would say you likely don't need to sweat it much at all. If they are equally new to the setting, I think the info in the issues of the AP. Consider restricting the players to being from Sandpoint/surrounding areas and call it good.
Thanks everyone, going to guy the cheap players guide and read the wiki stuff.