DMing a group of new players...

[Ponswick]

Hi, so a few of my friends have asked me to DM a D&D for them. They have played a few games of 4th edition or no games at all. I suggested we play Pathfinder and they're on board. This will be the whole group's first time playing Pathfinder and I've DMed for a while, I'm just a little curious because all the people I've played with are veterans. What should I do for a first level adventure of inexperienced players to kind of teach them the game?

[cartmanbeck]

Ponswick wrote:

Hi, so a few of my friends have asked me to DM a D&D for them. They have played a few games of 4th edition or no games at all. I suggested we play Pathfinder and they're on board. This will be the whole group's first time playing Pathfinder and I've DMed for a while, I'm just a little curious because all the people I've played with are veterans. What should I do for a first level adventure of inexperienced players to kind of teach them the game?

Run a low-level Pathfinder Society Scenario (just ignoring the "factions" part). It'll give them a feel for how combat works, how skill checks work, etc.

[DDogwood]

Take a look at the Beginner Box, as it's a great teaching tool. Alternately, the published adventure Crypt of the Everflame is a good introductory scenario.

Writing your own introductory adventure is also a good option, if you have time to do it. A dungeon is a good introduction, generally speaking - it allows players freedom of choice, but also provides a comparatively controlled environment so you aren't dealing with too many crazy possibilities as a GM. Try to come up with something where there is a little bit of combat, a couple of situations that can be resolved with skills (knowledges or thief-type skills are good), a couple of situations that can be resolved by talking to people instead of killing them, and at least one puzzle that the players can solve by using their brains instead of their dice.

Note that "a dungeon" is a broader term than it sounds... really, any scenario in a closed environment with only one or two ways out counts as a dungeon. For example, the PCs could be breaking into a mansion to steal something valuable, or boarding a mysterious shipwreck, or looking for a temple hidden in an enchanted forest. As long as their choices and decisions are meaningful, and you have an idea of what each choice leads to, it's all good.

[ub3r_n3rd]

I second the Beginner Box!

[Ponswick]

I'd rather not run the Beginner's Box, I love Dm-ing and I want to write my own stuff. This was my idea:

Baron's Fiancee was reported missing several weeks ago and the Baron's Steward (Man by the name of Simmons) hasn't shown up to work during that time either. The PC's enter the town of Harken's Hallow after hearing news of Princess Myriel's capture and the 500 gold reward. In town they there is talk of a drunk who wandered into the tavern earlier that week who says he's Redgar the Raider. He attacked Simmons and his party on the road in an attempted robbery, Simmons (Necromancer) messed him up with spells and he barely made it out with his life. Now Redgar drinks away his sorrows in The Griffin's Fancy Inn and Tavern.

The PC's talk to Redgar who does not want to talk about his encounter with Simmons. The PC's either have to coax (Diplomacy), outdrink (Introduce Saves) or beat (Combat) the information out of him. They find out Simmons was taking the Bristlewood Ferry to an abandoned jail in the middle of Harken's Waters.

PC's follow the road (random attacks by Bandits) until they get to the ferry. At the Ferry they discover the Ferryman has been killed and resurrected along with Redgar's bandit compainions (fight). Then they take the Ferry into the island where I'll have a small jailhouse with a few rooms, and in the bottom is Simmons with the fiancee sacrificing her to the gods of murder.

[ub3r_n3rd]

@Ponswick - You asked what we would do for a 1st level adventure for beginners or pathfinder newbies, most of the posters here will answer with the really good beginners box as it teaches the rules to new players and eases them into all the rules.

If you wanted a specific campaign idea/plot, that's what you should have asked at the beginning.

Anyhow, your idea sounds fun and interesting. Not sure what you are really looking for here if you already have an idea that you've written down and you don't like the advice of the beginner's box or PFS modules that are out there. Perhaps an Adventure Path? You can use it as a basic outline and pull things from it as you see fit, kind of rewriting the adventure, but keeping a lot of the encounters in it.

[Little Skylark]

I agree with DDogwood. Try to give all the characters a chance to shine as well. (Combat for fighters, exploring for the Rogue, nature stuff if you have a druid and zo on.) It migth help to get them in there rolls more. The story you have sounds good, gives a good chance to roll play.

[Ponswick]

thanks guys gives me some good ideas.

[ChaiGuy]

For these new players are you going to help them make their own characters or will you use pregenerated characters. For new players pregens would get them into the game quicker,and help ensure a "well rounded party".

With player made PCs they may have more "attachment" to the PCs which could lead to more roleplay. In the end it's probably a wash, I'm just interested in seeing how others would do it.

[TheGuyOverThere9888]

My tip for playing with new players is a simple one. You should prompt them to make checks when appropriate so they can better understand skill mechanics. I also suggest the first session focus on party creation. Give them build and synergy tips for easy to play classes and don't fear a bit of pc cheese. Also have your casters make a spell book so they can check what spells they prep and use.

[Psion-Psycho]

I suggest sending the to school. A training academy was how i trained my new players when it came to combat and skill rules while still RPing. It also made great fluff for the party background and explained y and how some of the characters could do what they could do. After the whole training coarse and test which took like 2 sessions, they enjoyed RPing school life so it took a bit longer than expected, and i awarded them with a free level to signify there graduation.