Making a scenario for 3lv (from Japan)

[yuki_sc]

Hi.
How's going?

I would like to host a pathfinder 3lv campaigns which contain 4 or 5 sessions.
However, in Japan, it is very diffucult for us to read paizo's official scenarios by amazon.com or etc, because of language problem. In addition to this problem, it is almost impossible to get D&D 3.5 scenarios (which are commonly almost compatible to pf) because D&D 4.0 was released.

Based on this, I decide to make an own scenario by referring some offical materials. However, the scenario which I made is too simple, I think.

Ex.)
1. A villege was attacked by some monsters.
2. Party was asked to eradicate them immediately.
3) Party goes to cave (or ruins) and explore it (Let's say that some traps exist.)
4) Finally, they decimate very terrible monsters and get some treasures.

That's all... Nothing is more..

I think that this scenario is TOO simple and I am afraid that our members (meaning players) finds it boring immediately.

I have read some official scenarios and realized that some math puzzles or word puzzles should be included in each game. However, this is very difficult for us(Japanese) to utilize them because English and Japanese are totally diffeent language(which makes us hard to use these puzzles in session).

(*) We (in Japan) use "nazo-nazo" (lit. means "word puzzle-puzzle) when hosting Japanese game. However, pf's scenario is written in English, which means that we can't employ these word puzzles at all.

If I could use official materials, I would run more attractive game, I think. However, running a game without consulting with dictionaries is almost impossible. Using these books requires us to utilize some basic English skills, I think. However, not everyone is like that.

So...
(1) Is it acceptable to host very simple game? (For example, go to ruins and eradicate monsters and find treasures)
(2) If not, What should I do to improve sessions.
(3) What kind of sources can I utilize to improve our game? (I can read or write some basic English..., I think.)

I would like to hear your opinion.

[Bilbo Bang-Bang]

Hajimemahite,Yuki-san.

I understand the issue you are facing with the puzzle issue. I am currently am an American in Okinawa and haved many problems with the language barrier.

1.) Yes, you may host a simple game. But, it may get boring as you have said. The game can be played in this way.

2.) Maybe run your own game similar to Monster Hunter video game series if you need simple, but fun. Look to puzzles in games like Final Fantasy for inspiration. As these games are popular here, they serve as a source in your first language and that of your friends who do not speak English.

3.) Manga novels, video games, and movies are all sources used for inspiration in my country and I think they could work as a starting point for you. I sometimes use history as basis for adventure. Just re-write for game and let players see if they can make right choices.

I will watch this thread and help if possible. I know cultural differences will shape how our games will go, but I think you will be able to have fun with your friends.

[Fergie]

You seem to have mastered English very well!

To answer your questions:
(1) It probably is fine. Some players may want more story or interaction with the townspeople, while others are happy to just swing swords and collect gold. It depends how each person has fun.
(2) Improvement is always possible. Give the different groups personality and motives. Perhaps some of the villagers are helping the monsters, while others are offering up sacrifices. Perhaps some of the villages are trying to communicate and pay ransom to the monsters, while others would consider any dealings with the monsters treason.
(3) Get ideas from books, movies, magazines, history, art and anything else that inspires you. When I think of a village being attacked, I am reminded of the Seven Samurai. That movie could be good inspiration for seeing how helping townspeople can be more complex then it appears.

[Bruunwald]

Faustusnotes used to post to this site, and he is a native English speaker who has run Japanese Pathfinder campaigns. Not sure if he still does, but here is his blog. He might have some good advice.

Link

[Brambleman]

1) Simple Games are fine. Many games are just heros fighting monsters
2) Puzzles are nice, but it is okay to not have them.
3) PDF files are available in english, and the text can be put through a translator program. The translation will be bad, but you can usually understand your own language better, even when there are mistakes.

(I ran a game that was just like the example you described. Everyone had fun. The key is to make the monsters fun to fight, interesting places and monsters make for fun battles.)

[LoreKeeper]

Hello yuki

I suggest you look at the Pathfinder Society scenarios here.

Do not worry about complying to Pathfinder Society rules for playing, as you're just introducing your players to the game. Instead, the scenarios make great adventures for you, as they are far smaller and much less complex than the big adventure paths and modules.

A single scenario can normally be played in 4 hours, many of the scenarios are fun and interesting challenges; and best of all a good selection of them are available for free, so you can easily try it and see how it goes.

[Yora]

When you start creating your own stories for your players, it is a very good idea to start with very simple ones. Very often people try to do long and complex stories first, but they are difficult if you have not done some easier ones before.

An easy way to make scenarios more interesting is to think of a reason why the enemies or monsters attack. Maybe a sorcerer wants to find a treasure that is burried under the village, but is not strong enough to fight all the guards in the village. So he sends monsters to kill the guards or make everyone flee, so he can dig out the treasure without being attacked. After the player characters kill the monster, they can kill or arrest the sorcerer who is in another part of the cave and has a map that shows where the treasure is burried. Then the player characters can dig up the treasure and give it to the people in the village, or take some of it or all of it as a reward.
In such a scenario, you would only have to make one more 4th level or 5th level sorcerer while everything else is the same. But the scenario is a lot more interesting.

When you have an idea why the enemies or monster are dangerous and attack other people, a simple scenario can easily be made into an interesting story.