Playing pathfinder RPG in Japan

[yuki_sc]

Hi there.
I play this game from Japan. My English skill is intermidiate, I think.

As you know(maybe not), D&D and pathfinder are not common in Japan because of English problem.

In addition to this problem, I can't explain what pathfinder RPG is (for example, cyber space, SF series, so on). I always say this game is sword and magic fantasy. However, they can't imagine this game.

Playing pathfinder in Japan is very difficult, but not impossible, because some volunteer(s) always translate materials(which is only open-license) into Japanese in order to play this game smoothly.

What should I do to play pathfinder RPG with everyone in Japan?

(Plus two questions)
(1) Is it possoble to buy "25 charges" (= half-charge) cure-light-wonds-wand ? Some say that it is OK, but other say NO. I can't solve this problem at all.

(2) I would like to be great GM in this game, to achive this, what should I do? (For example, reading a lot of official scenarios and learn new vocabularys, and so on)

Thank you for reading.

[proftobe]

1, Rules as written; no but a lot of people let you anyway

2, Just get a good handle on the rules and try to make up stories you think your friends will like. That's it being a GM is more art than science. You're gonna make mistakes and if your friends are still having good time then its all cool.

[Odraude]

Try to list some books, manga, or anime that you think you can compare Pathfinder to. Things like the early Final Fantasies, Lord of the Rings, Record of the Lodoss War, Harry Potter.

Of course, remember that Pathfinder encompasses all kinds of fantasy and is inspired by more than just European culture.There are ninja and samurai classes. You can also show some of your friends the Bestiary 3, as it has various creatures from Japanese mythology (Oni, Jorōgumo, Yuki-onna are some I remember) that I feel may help people relate to Pathfinder a bit more.

[Sleet Storm]

Well you could try and translate it for yourself.I know that would be a ton of work but if you want to GM you will have to read the rules over and over again anyway,so you might as well,write down all the Rules that are relevant for players and run it by some people you think could be interested in it .

[Helaman]

Old Japanese cartoon - ロードス島戦記 (Lodoss Wars) is a good expression of D&D/Pathfinder

[Gorbacz]

A truly dedicated bunch of Japanese gamers maintain a constantly updated translation of PRD (including all hardcover books) at http://www29.atwiki.jp/prdj/

[Odraude]

Gorbacz wrote:

A truly dedicated bunch of Japanese gamers maintain a constantly updated translation of PRD (including all hardcover books) at http://www29.atwiki.jp/prdj/

That's actually a really cool find right there.

[Winter_Born]

Yes it is a bit dated but Record of Lodoss War anime is for all intents and purposes Pathfinder/D&D, since it was based of the author's own D&D campaign.

[Zeetle Wyrp]

I commend your courage.

Is it the concept cunstructing a game in an imaginary world that is difficult to convey, or is it the world of Golarion itself that is hard to describe?

I look back at Japanese ideas like Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior, and Zelda, and I know that sword and magic fantasy exists in Japan.

[hellacious huni]

Welcome to Pathfinder!

I'm so excited to hear how hard you're trying to bring a great game to a great country!

What has helped me to be a better GM has being hanging out on these forums and reading a lot of advice and examples from other GM's and players, as well as speaking directly to the developers of the game. Also, reading the Play By Post section of the messageboards has helped me immensely in seeing examples of play.

Keep going, I believe if you practice and love the game your GMing magic will become strong.

You've come to the right place.

-Jeremy

[joriandrake]

damn, I wish I could gather a group for a campaign in a romantic comedy school setting, that would be awesome :)

(1) In this game a GM decides most things, some rules can be bent or broken with no problem, I would allow a wand of 25 charges for half the price

(2) learn to listen to your players, learn to be fair, and learn to tell a good story. With these things will work out well :)

I wish you good luck in finding a team, if you are not living near the same location I suggest playing through internet as alternative, and avoid Tokyo and Ishihara. I am from Hungary and because I lack a proper group close to me was one of the reasons I registered on this site to play online too.

PS: If you meet Ishihara throw a shoe or something else at him please.

[Esper Ranger]

I know that one one of my trips to Japan I saw D&D 3.5 books in Japanese in a game shop in Kobe. I hear those are pretty close to Pathfinder if you wanted something to help get a grip on the basic rules. I need to find the pics I took from that trip but I can't remember which year and which computer they are on.

[Harrison]

yuki_sc wrote:

In addition to this problem, I can't explain what pathfinder RPG is (for example, cyber space, SF series, so on). I always say this game is sword and magic fantasy. However, they can't imagine this game.

I would describe the setting as similar to Final Fantasy I-VI, IX, XI, XII, and XIV.

Your description is accurate, but it would help if you paired the description with something they might recognize.

[hogarth]

Don't forget this guy's Japanese Pathfinder campaign videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaeRbup9fus

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