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Hey guys. A group of guys I play League of Legends with heard me talk about Pathfinder one night and have requested that I teach them how to play and play a game with them. I like these guys and they're good people, so I've decided to teach them what I know and play their first game with them. However, I'm not a DM. As much as I would like to run their first game for them, I'm not a dedicated storyteller (I've tried to DM before but I always lost my muse early on).
We all know each other, and we're all working together in real time to make our characters (and we might develop some kind of connected or shared backstory between us), so party unity is absolutely not an issue, but these guys have literally never roleplayed before and I'm teaching all four of them the rules and the basic premise right now as I type this post. So...
There are five of us. If anyone would like to give these newbs their first taste of a campaign (I'd like it if the game could go on for as long as a real campaign, like a few months at least), then please come forward. Of course, I'd like to ask for your patience with all of them. :)
I have no suggestions for a game, we're open to anything!
I've actually been tossing around the idea for a little mini-thing to get noobies into the game. I recently had to do that with a group of my friends IRL, and it was actually quite fun. I think I'd be willing to step up and take on this challenge!
I'm a pretty lenient GM, very open to different concepts and rules from different sources and even 3rd-party stuff if you like. I really love the RPing aspects of the game, but I'm up on combat as well, and I think I have the rules down well. I've worked with getting people into RP plenty--believe me.
I assume you're looking to do it on these forums, as a PbP? Also, you say you have no suggestions, so I can just start rolling ideas and adventures around in case?
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Actually we were hoping to play on Skype, because that's the best way to incorporate the tabletop feel (all the side chatter, the cheering when you get a good roll, the ability to discuss tactics in real time and everything), but if you don't have/want to do that we'd be willing to play a PBP.
And yes, whatever adventure you'd like to have. Don't worry about the difficulty either, I'm a veteran and I will be playing as well so if there's a challenge that's not too obvious I'll be there to help them figure everything out. :)
Thank you for your interest.
Well, I'll be honest: I'm in school, it's hectic, and I can't promise any level of commitment to a Skype game. I'd love to do that, and I hope someday I will, but for now, PbP is really the best I can offer. I'm sorry I can't do more :(
Adventuring shall be fine. How much have you done with them already? I have a couple of low-level adventures that I've drafted up, I can convert some stuff from 3.5.... And I have my notorious "Skippy's Combat School" that I could run to teach the basics of combat, by having them do some basic combat routines. All very basic stuff.
I'm happy to help out! Always looking to expand my GM repertoire :)
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I spoke with my players and they really don't want to constrict themselves to a forum. They want the full experience. So, if you can't play Skype then I understand and I'm sorry, but I'd like to leave the request open for someone who is willing and able to play online at the same time with us. :)
(Sorry. I thought they would be okay with a forum when I posted it.)
So to anyone else out there who's reading this, if you are interested in running a Skype game for a group of newbies (in the Central American timezone, around this time of day maybe once a week) please let me know.
It's fine, I fully understand. Best of luck to you and yours!
How flexible is everyone's schedules and how often were you thinking of trying to meet? I'm central timezone myself but work shiftwork which means my availability varies week to week.
I've done another campaign over skype and also know how to use Maptools and Roll20 for a VTT. Roll20 I think would be better for the feel of a real tabletop personally and I definitely wouldn't mind at all helping some new players get acquainted into the game (and running a campaign).
So what sort of characters are they aiming at and what sort of campaign/setting would you be looking at? I can homebrew pretty well (and usually prefer to) but also have a number of modules and adventures that could work.
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Here is the stuff so far.
I've got someone who wants to play a dwarf paladin, someone who wants to play an elven magus/rogue, a third who wants to play a sorcerer or a bard, and the last guy is still contemplating his character. I myself was going to wait until the setting was decided before I chose a character, but I was hoping to play a Mammoth Rider (Paths of Prestige) if the setting just happened to be prehistoric/savage/non-civilized.
Everyone's schedules are up in the air right now. I'm in college and the others are all teenagers in high school, so after next week we'll all be free most days (this week is finals for me, next week is finals for them, after that we're all on holiday break, though I'll still be working some nights).
I would like to meet at least once a week. Twice would be ideal, but not likely.
Whatever campaign you had in mind would be fine. :) I will say that I suggested APs to them and they thought the Council of Thieves path sounded like fun, so that might give you an idea of what kind of setting you might like to homebrew.
I'll generally have 3-4 nights off on a given week so at least once (maybe twice) a week I should be able to do, outside the odd week where the scheduling is bad, overtime, or other obligations.
We might want to hold off to actually start until after the holidays pass since most people are pretty busy (I'll be gone at least a week or so visiting home and family...and be without an internet connection during that time unfortunately). This would also give me more time to do some prep and everyone to work on their characters. We can still meet up to discuss and work everything out.
Bit more info about me. I've been DMing actual Pathfinder/pen and paper for 2 and a half years now. Before that I've DMed on Neverwinter Nights persistent worlds for about 6 years. Still not perfect with all the rules and creating good descriptions, but do my best to ensure everyone has a fun time (which I believe is the most important part). I'm a big fan of creating stories and plotlines based around the characters and their backgrounds.
Anyway, I'm definitely interested if you (and they) are. I'm going to toss you a PM with my contact info and I'll try catch you to have a more indepth chat. Until then feel free to toss questions or whatnot here too. I'll check in when I can.
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I'll generally have 3-4 nights off on a given week so at least once (maybe twice) a week I should be able to do, outside the odd week where the scheduling is bad, overtime, or other obligations.
We might want to hold off to actually start until after the holidays pass since most people are pretty busy (I'll be gone at least a week or so visiting home and family...and be without an internet connection during that time unfortunately). This would also give me more time to do some prep and everyone to work on their characters. We can still meet up to discuss and work everything out.
Bit more info about me. I've been DMing actual Pathfinder/pen and paper for 2 and a half years now. Before that I've DMed on Neverwinter Nights persistent worlds for about 6 years. Still not perfect with all the rules and creating good descriptions, but do my best to ensure everyone has a fun time (which I believe is the most important part). I'm a big fan of creating stories and plotlines based around the characters and their backgrounds.
Anyway, I'm definitely interested if you (and they) are. I'm going to toss you a PM with my contact info and I'll try catch you to have a more indepth chat. Until then feel free to toss questions or whatnot here too. I'll check in when I can.
Sounds good to me. I'll let them know.
Could you give us some basic info though? Ability score generation, starting gold, starting level, alignment restrictions, class/race restrictions/preferences, etc?
Good question and please pardon the oversight. I'm actually drafting some ideas up now but I think I can answer most of those. Honestly I'm pretty flexible and more than willing to discuss what follows:
Ability Score Generation: 25 Point Buy
Starting Level: 2 (Still debating a bit)
Alignment Restrictions: Non-evil
Class/Prestige Class Restrictions: No Summoners, all others simply by request/approval (like to know what I'm getting into beforehand), 3PP content approved on a case by case basis
Race Restrictions: Most Allowed (assuming balanced against what everyone else is playing, generally all 0 HD races are fine), 3PP content approved on a case by case basis
Banned Feats: Leadership (if no one wants to play a healer we'll add one as a free cohort), Antagonize (seen the errata, still not sure about it), 3PP content approved on a case by case basis
Free Feats: Agile Manoeuvres, Weapon Finesse, Heighten Spell, Power Attack, Deadly Aim (Everyone receives these feats for free)
Hit Points: Max for first two levels (we'll do roll or take half round up after)
Gold: 800 GP and one item upgraded to masterwork quality for free
House Rules:
- I use Hero Points (generally awarded for good RP and achieving plot goals)
- 'Auto 20s'. Whenever a 20 is rolled for an attack it is considered automatically a hit and critical (with no confirmation required). For any other roll that threatens (a 19 on a Longsword for instance) a critical, a confirmation must be rolled.
Anything in the core book and advanced player guide is fair game outside of what is mentioned above. I'd like to look over any feats or spells chosen from sources outside that though (while I have a lot of resources, I just haven't had the time to go through every option and critique/judge it for how I run games).
If you need any more information, feel free to ask. This is a rough outline for now and is possible to change as mentioned though.
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Heighten Spell as a free feat? Interesting mechanic. And thank you for taking the steps you've taken to balance out feat taxes (though honestly as a player I would prefer Precise Shot to Deadly Aim, since that's such a ridiculous feat tax and you can't even get it at level 1 because of the PBS requirement).
Are the "Other Playable Races" on the d20pfsrd allowed? The ones from the ARG that aren't core, like Aasimar, Orc, Drow, Dhampir and Tiefling?
I like your auto 20 rule, but in that case, would you consider adding a small buff to the Critical Focus feat? It's the core of a popular and versatile feat chain, but if the feat itself does nothing it's a real detriment to take it (Point Blank Shot is a feat tax at level one, and that's bad enough. A feat tax at level 9 is just too much to be worth it).
Will be my first game with Hero Points, so I'll be a noob along with the rest of the party in that regard.
:) Looking forward to playing with you.
Heighten Spell as a free feat? Interesting mechanic. And thank you for taking the steps you've taken to balance out feat taxes (though honestly as a player I would prefer Precise Shot to Deadly Aim, since that's such a ridiculous feat tax and you can't even get it at level 1 because of the PBS requirement).
I like that idea. Swap those two in the list (Precise Shot for Deadly Aim).
I like giving out heighten spell since it gives spontaneous casters a little more flexibility and preparation casters shouldn't need to spend a feat to prep spells in a higher slot.
Are the "Other Playable Races" on the d20pfsrd allowed? The ones from the ARG that aren't core, like Aasimar, Orc, Drow, Dhampir and Tiefling?
I'd actually prefer staying away from outright monstrous races like orcs, but if you have a concept you really want to try we can work it out somehow.
Any like Aasimar, Tiefling, Dhampir, are allowed for sure but likely not some of the alternate racial traits (like Aasimar trading their spell-like ability for another +2 to a stat).
I like your auto 20 rule, but in that case, would you consider adding a small buff to the Critical Focus feat? It's the core of a popular and versatile feat chain, but if the feat itself does nothing it's a real detriment to take it (Point Blank Shot is a feat tax at level one, and that's bad enough. A feat tax at level 9 is just too much to be worth it).
Honestly I had overlooked Critical Focus with that change. I'll give some thought into a buff for it (or maybe just remove it entirely).
Will be my first game with Hero Points, so I'll be a noob along with the rest of the party in that regard.
I generally don't give them out as often as you would normally byt he rules, but I tend to let them be a bit more powerful when used. They are one way characters can sort of break the game rules for a moment to achieve things they couldn't otherwise. Additionally, you can use 2 to escape death so they become very helpful especially early on when characters are a bit squishy. They've been a hit in my other campaigns.
:) Looking forward to playing with you.
Likewise! Any further questions or ideas, please do share!
Additionally FYI the campaign I'm hashing out now I'm using a modified version of Golarion setting for. Meaning for the most part, most Golarion lore will apply (though possibly/likely not all as I work things for the purpose of the campaign). The city we will be taking part in will be new and based off an old campaign I ran so still converting it.
You'll be looking at a big, coastal city teeming with adventurers and intrigue (especially the prior, the city has essentially become known as an Adventurer capital to the point they do a lot of the guarding and law enforcement). Tons of opportunities for trouble and adventure with a seedy underground. Monstrous races wouldn't be unknown but generally are stuck in the poorer districts or sewers of the city and need to take care to hide their appearances.
More information to come though.
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I like that idea. Swap those two in the list (Precise Shot for Deadly Aim).
Thank you. I'd gladly spend a feat slot on Deadly Aim, it's so good, but Precise Shot is just a tax.
I like giving out heighten spell since it gives spontaneous casters a little more flexibility and preparation casters shouldn't need to spend a feat to prep spells in a higher slot.
I agree entirely.
I'd actually prefer staying away from outright monstrous races like orcs, but if you have a concept you really want to try we can work it out somehow.Any like Aasimar, Tiefling, Dhampir, are allowed for sure but likely not some of the alternate racial traits (like Aasimar trading their spell-like ability for another +2 to a stat).
Lol. Orcs are monstrous, but half-vampires aren't? Still, I understand what you're saying and I'll keep it in mind.
Honestly I had overlooked Critical Focus with that change. I'll give some thought into a buff for it (or maybe just remove it entirely).
If I might suggest something? How about: "You receive a +4 bonus to critical confirmation rolls. If you roll a natural 20, you instead increase the critical multiplier of your weapon by 1 for that critical hit only." <- I think this is fair for a level 9 feat, since level 8 is when Improved Critical comes online.
I generally don't give them out as often as you would normally byt he rules, but I tend to let them be a bit more powerful when used. They are one way can sort of break the game rules for a moment to achieve things they couldn't otherwise....
Always a good thing for a noob to have, when they don't understand they need the right feat for everything. ("What do you mean I can't just knock the guy over? Improved Trip? What the heck is that?")
As for Dhampir vs Orcs...I admit I thought Dhampir were closer to Aasimar and Tieflings for lore. Didn't realize they were half children (believed they were far down descendants, my bad). I'd still probably allow them over an Orc since they would be a bit easier at hiding it and more subtle than an Orc likely would be. That said, I could see allowing either if someone was absolutely set on it.
Increasing the crit multiplier every time you roll a 20 might be a bit much (especially at level 9). Keep in mind the weaponmaster fighter archetype can do something similar but only 1/day every few levels and sometime past that point. I think we'll change it to this:
"You receive a +4 bonus to critical confirmation rolls. Additionally, once per day if you roll a natural 20 you can increase the critical multiplier of your weapon for that attack"
That I think is still worth a feat and not quite so much a tax but not entirely game breaking either.
As for players, six is my maximum. More than that and it tends to get a bit too chaotic. I can help you teach too so no worries there. I might not be perfect with the rules, but we'll make it work.
Increasing the crit multiplier every time you roll a 20 might be a bit much (especially at level 9). Keep in mind the weaponmaster fighter archetype can do something similar but only 1/day every few levels and sometime past that point. I think we'll change it to this:"You receive a +4 bonus to critical confirmation rolls. Additionally, once per day if you roll a natural 20 you can increase the critical multiplier of your weapon for that attack"
Sure. Sounds legitimate. Thanks. :)
As for players, six is my maximum. More than that and it tends to get a bit too chaotic. I can help you teach too so no worries there. I might not be perfect with the rules, but we'll make it work.
Absolutely. I'm not eager to add any more than that as well, don't worry.