How do you start PFS?

[VDZ]

Hey, im new to PFS though i've been playing pathfinder for a good year at least now. I just moved to Valdosta, GA, and there are no PFS events anywhere near me and haven't been any for the past few months. So I'm here to ask for help: How do i start a PFS chapter in my area? I've seen the regional coordinator position and would have loved to volunteer but because I'm in the military i can't commit that much time, not to mention my times of absence. I've been to the nearby game shops and a few of them run pathfinder games, but no PFS. And, if worse comes to worst, where do you look for PFS players in an online game?

[Benrislove]

Either make your friends play, and run it at a store inviting new players in, or try to work with your local stores and set-up events.

I would suggest having We Be Goblins, and First steps ready. Print out the pregens.

In order to make the first experience really awesome, try to dig up the models and maps for the scenarios (this will cost a few bucks, but maybe your FLGS will give you a discount to get things going).

First Steps, and We Be Goblins are both super fun, and free. They are a great way to introduce people to Pathfinder/PFS.

most importantly. you're going to fail to fire the event a few times, unless you have 2-3 friends that you can bring with you. DON'T Get discouraged being consistently there will eventually get things rolling, it takes a while for people to hear about things, so patience is a virtue.

The local VL in madison area brings board games with him just to make sure there is always something fun to do.

[Coraith]

I suggest putting up a Notice a week or two in advance at where ever you are going to host the game day at. If there is a gaming store that hosts MTG(magic the gathering) events at their store talk to the owner and see if you can get a table during the Casual Game time. It will increase the chances of you getting a gaming group going, and you might quickly find yourself swamped in people coming to specifically play PFS. Goodluck!

[VDZ]

would i just schedule the event online then update it? What set up is there beyond a normal game? I've read the Resources PDF but i just want to make sure i don't miss anything.

[Eric Brittain]

To get an event started I find it useful to do the following:

1. Coordinate the event with your location. You want to make sure that you have asolid place and time to play.
2. Advertise / get out the word. There is no way you can do too much of this. Place otices (the better looking these are the better they will serve you0 everywhere you think players might go.
3. Have some way to handle signups for people who want to play, even if this is just sending you and email. If you know you are going to only be able to run 1 table make sure you keep track of the number of signups to let you know if you are getting close.
4. Have yourGM prep the living heck out of the scenario / module that you are planning on running. this prep should be on 'how am I going to ensure people have a blast' vs. 'these are the iron clas rules of pfs' focus.
5. Print a lot - PFS member cards, the scenario (never bad to have an extra copy), chronicles, pregens (of the appropirate level for the scenario/module), the guide to organized play, proprably a couple copies of the guides chapter on factions, you also might want to make some type of signage about your event this will help players find you and might draw in more people if your event had the space.
6. Organize all your materials and make sure you have everything you need. Include water, extra pencils, paper, extra dice, some way to keep track of time.
7. conirm with your location at least 24 hours in advance that the event is still happening and is on their schedule and that you have the space you need.
8. Get to your location at least an hour early. This helps if there is some problem with the location, you will have time to deal with it. If there are no problems
9. Put on your game face. Once you walk into the store it is all about making the event happen. The time before the actual game is a part of the event. The lunch break is a part of the event. The event is the entire experience. Ifyou want ot have your event become a regular thing you need to constantly present something that people want to come back to again and again and again. This includes answering questions and making sure people know about why you like PFS (but don't talk about your characters - A fellow VC puts it as "other people should talk about your character")
10. 15-10 minutes before the game begins announce that the game ill begin in 15-10 minutes also announce where it will be happening (if the location has more than one gaming space).
11. (assuming you are running) Introduce yourself to your table. Tel them about your gaming history in brief with PFS. If this is your first time judging say so. People are more supportive than you might think. Have your players introduce themselvs as well and let you know about their PFS experience. Have them introduce their charcters as well.
12. Explain the time constraints of the game (if any).
13. Ask if anyone has any quick questions about this PFS game before we begin.
14. Run the game. read your table and work to make sure that everyone is havign a good time and getting their share of GM spotlight. Don't let anyone steal/try to keep focus unless the entire table is grooving on it. If people are having fun you are doing the right things.
15. Have some method to track initiative and stick to it. You might learn better methods as you GM more but stick to what you know.
16. Keep the game moving.
17. Handle the wrap up and distribut the chronicles for hte event. Make sure to explain these to new players. Let people know the next time this event will happen and how to contact you if there are any questions.
18. Hang out a bit after the games stop. This is also a part of the event and often where you can 'set the hook' of PFS on new players. Chat ask them what went well and what they would change for next time. Invite them into the process. Listen to their war stories. Share yours. Often this phase tranforms in to going out to get a meal. Yap with people and have a good time.
19. Go home and rest.
20. Strt the process for the next event.

Let me know if there is anything you would like me to go into in more detail or if you have any other questions that I might answer.

Best of luck and may good gaming be yours.

[Benrislove]

one suggestion I would try is print out some chronicle sheets, make a fake character and apply them to it.
Go through each step with the guide there until you can apply a sheet without referencing things, your players will have those questions the first couple sessions, it's very helpful to be familiar with them. Your players WILL have questions.

A Cheat sheets for day job results is also sweet. Let people know about some of the more character changing PP awards. Hunting lodge, Caravan, anything else that allows something as a day job check, this will undoubtly affect how your players spend skill points. it's nice to know :D

Plan for an hour before, and an hour after to go through PFS character build restrictions, help applying chronicle sheets, and such.

Schedule the event online, follow the thread about it, delete it if it fails, you don't have to report the event immediately.

[VDZ]

Wow that's very helpful. i guess i was just making sure i didn't miss any registration part of the process and i guess not. I wasn't sure if i NEED to coordinate with a VC/VL or anything. I guess i'll go print out some fliers :P

[Benrislove]

Wow Eric, that is an amazing post. I'm going to link to it in the future, awesome :D

[Eric Brittain]

I left out ordering the event from Paizo. You will need this number to report the session.

Plus don't forgetthose tracking sheets!

[KestlerGunner]

Eric Brittain wrote:

...don't talk about your characters - A fellow VC puts it as "other people should talk about your character"

This is probably the fastest and easiest way to permanently increase your gamer charisma by two points.