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@ Imper1um - thanks - you were an awesome GM at SwampCon! And you're right, it was quite the awesome experience.
@ Preston - the best advice is relax, keep your table 'on time' as best you can and try to have fun with the game. If you are enjoying yourself, the players will have a good experience.
Oh, don't forget to shower (every day + deodorant) and have high-energy snacks on hand.
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As an addendum to what Imper1um said on the maps:
Pre-draw maps (where you can't use a flip-mat or map pack) as much as possible in the days leading up the convention. Gaming Paper is great for this.
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As an addendum to what Imper1um said on the maps:
Pre-draw maps (where you can't use a flip-mat or map pack) as much as possible in the days leading up the convention. Gaming Paper is great for this.
Absolutely pre draw the maps where possible. I use quad ruled flip chart paper.
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It was a blast. I saw a LOT of interest at the tables. When I mentioned they could look for games back home to play on holidays/vacations I got thoughtful looks. I'm betting (hoping) the Florida PFS site gets a lot new applications in the coming days and hope to see folks from the con appearing here and there.
I handed out about half my own cards too. So we made at LEAST 55-60 new numbers I'm hoping.
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SwampCon '13 was not only my first con, but also my first experience with "organized" gaming. I had a good experience.
I am a resident (not a student) and can pretty safely say that as for any PFS presence here in Gainesville, there is none that I have found. The most popular gaming store is pretty dedicated to WH40k and Magic. Though I haven't spoken to the owner/manager about PFS, I have reviewed their regular gaming schedule and didn't find any PFS game having ever been organized there. That's not to say they would be against it, just that it doesn't currently seem to be a priority.
SwampCon was an easy (and FREE!) way to get my feet wet with the PFS, and I'd like to continue. My problem is that the only other locations to participate are at least a few hours away (Tampa/Clearwater & Jax). Or I could resort to only playing at Cons, but that is not my preference. I can't believe that with all the interest I saw this weekend that a chapter can't be started here. I would certainly be interested in participating.
And on a side note, I would like to thank the GMs (Max, Dom, and Patrick) again for running the games I participated in.
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I can't believe that with all the interest I saw this weekend that a chapter can't be started here. I would certainly be interested in participating.
Generally all it takes to get it started in your area is one person stepping up to organize an event. Anyone can do it, so what's holding you back?
Even with a transient population like a college presents, you should be able to build a big enough base to keep things rolling.
Venture-Captain, Washington—Spokane
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Closetgamer, the best way to start is to talk to the manager at the FLGS (Friendly Local Gaming Store) and if you can set something up at the store. You may be surprised and find out there is interest but no one was willing to consistently run a game (that is what happened to me). It sounds like you have a lot of support in your area and I know, from my own experience, that the community here will help if you get stuck with anything.
Good luck if you decide to take the plunge and let us know how it goes.
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SwampCon '13 was not only my first con, but also my first experience with "organized" gaming. I had a good experience.
I am a resident (not a student) and can pretty safely say that as for any PFS presence here in Gainesville, there is none that I have found. The most popular gaming store is pretty dedicated to WH40k and Magic. Though I haven't spoken to the owner/manager about PFS, I have reviewed their regular gaming schedule and didn't find any PFS game having ever been organized there. That's not to say they would be against it, just that it doesn't currently seem to be a priority.
SwampCon was an easy (and FREE!) way to get my feet wet with the PFS, and I'd like to continue. My problem is that the only other locations to participate are at least a few hours away (Tampa/Clearwater & Jax). Or I could resort to only playing at Cons, but that is not my preference. I can't believe that with all the interest I saw this weekend that a chapter can't be started here. I would certainly be interested in participating.
And on a side note, I would like to thank the GMs (Max, Dom, and Patrick) again for running the games I participated in.
Good news everyone! We are working behind the scenes to try and get something started in Gainesville ASAP that would be free. There was a lot of interest and I have had some offers of help. It may or may not be hosted at a local game store - as you mention, some of the FLGS may not be so friendly to RPG play in their stores.
Do not despair - games are on the way!! If you are interested in helping with organization, or helping with GM duties (once you get more experienced) please PM me here on the boards or email me at tampabaypathfinder (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks for joining us at SwampCon!
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SwampCon '13 was not only my first con, but also my first experience with "organized" gaming. I had a good experience.
I am a resident (not a student) and can pretty safely say that as for any PFS presence here in Gainesville, there is none that I have found. The most popular gaming store is pretty dedicated to WH40k and Magic. Though I haven't spoken to the owner/manager about PFS, I have reviewed their regular gaming schedule and didn't find any PFS game having ever been organized there. That's not to say they would be against it, just that it doesn't currently seem to be a priority.
SwampCon was an easy (and FREE!) way to get my feet wet with the PFS, and I'd like to continue. My problem is that the only other locations to participate are at least a few hours away (Tampa/Clearwater & Jax). Or I could resort to only playing at Cons, but that is not my preference. I can't believe that with all the interest I saw this weekend that a chapter can't be started here. I would certainly be interested in participating.
And on a side note, I would like to thank the GMs (Max, Dom, and Patrick) again for running the games I participated in.
Good news everyone! We are working behind the scenes to try and get something started in Gainesville ASAP that would be free. There was a lot of interest and I have had some offers of help. It may or may not be hosted at a local game store - as you mention, some of the FLGS may not be so friendly to RPG play in their stores.
Do not despair - games are on the way!! If you are interested in helping with organization, or helping with GM duties (once you get more experienced) please PM me here on the boards or email me at tampabaypathfinder (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks for joining us at SwampCon!
And you got folks to the North willing to help out. Jax is just as happy to have helped out and we'd have brought more folks if prior commitments hadn't interfered with their plans to come and help out.
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Good news everyone! We are working behind the scenes to try and get something started in Gainesville ASAP that would be free. There was a lot of interest and I have had some offers of help. It may or may not be hosted at a local game store - as you mention, some of the FLGS may not be so friendly to RPG play in their stores.
For the record, I have spoken to the owner at Mega, he's open to running some Pathfinder stuff on Sundays after the D&D slot. The only issue is that if it becomes too popular, he may start charging for people to play just to limit the number of people showing up, due to limited parking. (of course, if the Pathfinder players were buying a lot of stuff at his store, he might have a different opinion about that)
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Hi ya'll I have to say that games I tried out at Swampcon were a huge blast and really reminded me how much fun I used to have dungeon delving. Special thanks go to Kristy for keeping things on track and on time and to Dominick for hosting rooms, I thought you were a fantastic DM and you made sure that even though I had no idea of the background I was always one movie or historical reference from "getting it." Since than I've been collecting a few more friends who are interested in starting our own weekly group and slowly been accumulating the paper and resources to start up my house as place to game. Once I get into the swing of things I would be more than willing to move one of our games into a local store to help give it some face time.
I was wondering if you guys had any advice to a long absent DM on how to get new players into the Pathfinder setting and how I can get them over the hump of numbers and words. To get them to ask and question their way into a story. Any good introductory modules to get people started? I'll will be dealing with two girlfriends who've never seen a tabletop played and I don't want to ruin their experience by making it too number crunchy or genre savvy.
First of all, you're quite welcome. SwampCon was a blast and it was my pleasure to corral the chaos. :)
Second, we are having a PFS game day on Feb 16th at the downtown library. If you'd like to join us, please register on our forums at floridapfs.org and post a note in the Alachua County Library thread.
Third, if your friends are truly new to tabletop, consider picking up the Pathfinder Beginner's Box. It is designed to welcome new players who have not played previous editions. It comes with maps, pre-written adventures and some nice monster pawns. The adventures are focused on getting to the 'good stuff' and don't focus too much on crunch.
Or bring them to the library on the 16th and we will sit them at a beginner's table. :)
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Hey Flyingfoigras, welcome back to GM'ing :)
I would strongly suggest checking out We Be Goblins! for a group of new players/ DMs - it includes the premade, fastplay characters (though there are a few rules that you may need to brush up on). This is a free adventure.
You may also want to explore the First Steps series; they're for level 1 characters and were published in Season Three. First Steps is designed to be an introduction to Pathfinder for DMs as well as players, as everyone gets to interact with each of the major NPCs and visit a few notable locations. These are all free adventures.
If you have the extra cash, Kristie's suggestion to pick up the Beginner's Box is also very good.
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Warfteiner speaks true. Both of those are free PFS scenarios/modules that are meant for new players and are a great experience.
The BB does come with a price tag - but it is the BEST tool to introduce people to RPG without too much in the way of intimidating numbers etc.
Or, as I mentioned, bring 'em to our game day and we will show them the way. We have brought lots of new players on board and are very welcoming to total noobs. :)