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Hi all,
recent forum lurker, first time poster. Just want to say a big thank you to all at Paizo as well as the Pathfinder community.
I had always been curious about tabletop RPGs and wanted to give them a go. I found out about Pathfinder from researching into D&D (the default go to to an outsider) and hearing nothing but good things, I knew I wanted to give it a go.
Flicking through the core book, I fell in love with the idea of it all, but, reluctantly put it back on the shelf as I wasn't sure if any of my friends would "get it".
Recently I came across the Beginner's Box and took the plunge. I tentatively put it out to my friends to see if they would be interested and the fact that it had a "boardgame feel" as a package made it easier for me to sell. We are all big time video gamers but none of us had done anything like this.
We ran it, with me as GM, using the adventure in there. Sunday afternoon disappeared as we were having fun running the adventure and exploring the dungeon! With it completed, everyone throroughly enjoyed themselves! We were all eager for more!
I invested in the core rulebook and bestiary and got everyone to make their own characters,which we managed to do after much wrestling with the advanced, spread out rules (that book has a high CMD!!!). I decided to run the carrion crown : haunting of harrowstone. I was nervous because although there was a bit of roleplaying in the beginner's box, it was mainly a hack and slash. This was much more RP heavy and again, I was worried my group wouldn't "get it" and be bored with the mysteries round Ravengro. I heavily tweaked it from as written (thanks to the boards on here for advise on that) and added in more combat events as well as general weirdness.
I ran this on Sunday just gone. Everyone had a great time as we played for 6 hours straight. Even with our jokey group, I was creeping people out with some of the things going on! Getting feedback from everyone, they really, really enjoyed the RPing and investigation, weren't self concious at all and said it made a great contrast from hacking and slashing! We are all looking forwards to the next session and I can see this game dominating our weekends for a long while.
So once again, just a big thank you, your efforts are greatly appreciated and you have five new fans!!!
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Glad you enjoy the game.
Some very general advice for your group:
1) The most important rule is to have fun. If playing a certain way is fun for you guys then that is the best way for your group.
2) There is no wrong way to run a home game. People will tell you some ways are better than others but they are wrong. Why? See rule 1.
3) Getting a creep factor is tough. It sounds like you are doing a good job with atmosphere so keep it up.
Some specific advice:
1) Attacks of opportunity only occur when an enemy LEAVES a threatened square. The AOO rules get misinterpreted a lot.
2) Feel free to restrict treasure early on. Magic items can get out of hand for a new DM.
Welcome to pathfinder. If you have any issues, please feel free to ask questions here (or if they are specific to carrion crown ask in the adventure path sections of the forums). Either way, we like to help.
I actually really enjoy stories of peoples first expeirence with rpgs. Long time addicts like me get all nostolgic for that stuff. It seems to me the begginner box did exactly what it was supposed to do with your group, so kudos to paizo, and I am really glad you guys are having fun with it. I do believe it is important for us at all ages to use our imaginations and explore games like Pathfinder. Too often our entertainment is dictated to us, roleplaying games let us create it.
The best advice I can give has already been given. Have fun! Dont worry about making mistakes or seeming foolish. There nothing shameful about using silly voices (you should have heard the attrocious accents used the first 2 sessions of my slumbering tsar game) or getting into the roleplay. And its ok to just hack through monsters for a night too.
Play it the way you and your group has fun. You have taken on a big and special responsibility as dm. You are hosting the party so to speak. The costs are there (money time and effort) but the rewards are high as you get to watch your friends have fun with something you created, feed off it, and create something new. Dont be afraid to make mistakes. You will, we all did, we all do. Just try to learn from them and roll with the punches. I have been playing essentially this game since fall of 2002, and I am still learning new things about it every time I play.
Good luck and happy gaming!
Welcome! Keep having fun. :)
Thank you all for the welcome! This is certainly one of the friendliest online communities I've joined at least! Will take all advice on board and looking forwards to what the future of the game will bring us!
Welcome. ;)