Module suggestions for a laid-back group?

[Fredison]

I've recently been introducing a few friends to Pathfinder by running the PFS First Steps series to them, along with We Be Goblins! It's been great fun, but they could care less about the paperwork and rule restrictions. Fair enough.

So instead, I've decided to start from scratch and grab some modules to run as episodic adventures for them. Since most of them have little experience with the game, I'd start them off at level 1 and go from there so they can learn as they go.

The group members' familiarity and skill with the rules varies, as does their interest in Golarion lore, but one constant is that they're all rather laid-back. They're usually not interested in deep role-playing or crazy challenging battles so much as getting into interesting situations, cracking jokes and saving the day at the end.

...In fact, I just realized that their current party makeup maps alarmingly well to the Scooby Doo gang. That should give you an idea.

Ideally I'd like adventures that hold plenty of surprises and have colorful backdrops (which Golarion luckily has no shortage of). In a perfect world, I'd like adventures that somehow have a high prep time-to-fun ratio. So with that in mind, what modules would you guys recommend for this particular merry, rag-tag group?

[Trinite]

For episodic adventures, I'd recommend that you check out some Pathfinder Society scenarios, since they're built to be short and mostly standalone, and built to be played by a slapdash party of random adventurers.

I had a really good time playing through The God's Market Gamble a few months back, and it seemed especially ripe for some RP hijinks. :)

You may need to dial back the combat difficulty a little for some PFS scenarios, though, including that one. But that's a pretty easy adjustment to make, I think.

[Tamago]

If you want some PFS Scenarios with fun RP opportunities, I would definitely look at The Disappeared and Severing Ties. Another really fun one with good potential for wacky hijinks is The Frostfur Captives.

For modules, I think your group would really enjoy The Harrowing. It's 9th level, though, so you'd either have to wait a while or have them generate higher-level characters.

[Fredison]

PFS scenarios are perfect for what I'd like to do, but as a PFS player myself, I'd honestly rather not spoil them for myself if I'm not going to get GM credit for them.

I'll keep the Harrowing in mind for when they hit that level, though.

[Bellona]

A Scooby Doo-like gang might be interested in Entombed with the Pharaohs and the Pactstone Pyramid modules.

Pros: racing against a rival party, exploring ancient Osirion pyramids, and tangling with mummies and other nastiness (there's even a minor Lovecraftian vibe with the Aucturn connection).

Con: they're 3.5, so some adjustments will have to be made.

[Lord Snow]

For any begginers group I'd recommend "Crypt of the Everflame", followed by it's two semi sequels, "Masks of the living god" and "City of golden death". A great series for introducing both Golarion and the rules system of Pathfinder - crypt of the everflame is literally a "teaching scenario", that includes encounters designed to show off the various mechanics of the game. "Crypt" is a simple dungeon that is really fun to play through, has a relaxed pace and just the right amount of action. "Masks" is a nice change of pace as the PCs have to infiltrate a cult. I didn't read the third module in the series yet but it looks great.

If you are willing to go 3rd party, Raging Swan Press has a great module named "Shadowed keep on the borderlands". From what Iv'e seen of it, it's good stuff.

[Fredison]

These all seem pretty interesting. I'll likely start from Everflame and go from there. Thanks for the suggestions!