Starting a game soon, what should I know?

[Mavrickindigo]

So I just got the book, but wont' have enough time to read EVERYTHING before my first game. Is there something I should make sure to read so I know about it ahead of time? I noticed there's something called "Sin Points" that suggest tracking them from the start, but is there anything else?

[Landon Winkler]

Make sure you read Burnt Offerings and try to get players invested in Sandpoint during character creation.

As far as stuff that's important later, make sure the Aldern Foxglove shows up and gets attached to one (or more) PCs. Also try to introduce Brodert Quink, especially if none of the PCs are knowledgeable about history, and Father Zantus, if your party is going to need outside healing.

I'd say the only critical things out of Burnt Offerings are: players being attached to Sandpoint, connections with Aldern Foxglove, and the Sihedron rune.

Cheers!
Landon

[Matthew Bellizzi]

Yep Landon pretty much covered it all. For sure bone up on Aldern

[Swordborn]

It's a real trick to make Aldern a great character without making him too obvious. Best way to do this: lots of roleplaying with as many townspeople as possible, even if they're not named.

Chapters one and two of Burnt Offerings offer a TON of information on these points. In fact, I'd suggest putting in some time (if you have it) with the "Sandpoint" section at the end of the book (assuming you have the Anniversary edition), reading up on the characters and locations.

...but that's all icing on the cake. Landon's post is perfect. DON'T FORGET to make a few things start to go "missing" from Aldern's favorite PC, starting after saving him. This really makes the plot interesting.