I work in a facility for troubled adolescents and my clients are very much interested in playing D&D. I only began playing with my friends about 3 months ago but I have been doing a lot of reading and research and feel as if I have a firm understanding of the game's concepts.
I have never DM'ed before and the clients I will be playing with have never played before, they are 13-17 years old. I really want to get them started playing on Pathfinder, the version I have learned.
I would like it if someone could recommend for me a campaign to use for the guys that would be simple to play for them and simple to run for me. I also need a campaign that would not have much or any adult content. The guys are pretty smart but don't have experience with the game so some difficulty that could be puzzled out without in depth knowledge of game concepts and "lore" would be OK. I want enough to keep them engaged and entertained but not enough that the younger or weaker players become overwhelmed or bored.
Also, what else would I need? I know how to play the game and have played(though not for long). I own and have read the core rule-book, advanced players guide, and the Gamemastery guide. I have bestiary 1 and 2. I have dice, character sheets, and a dry-erase battle grid for battles. Is there anything I am missing to be successful in my first venture into DM'ing?
Thank you for any help or advice you can offer.
First and foremost, welcome to Pathfinder. Its great that you want to introduce these teenagers to the game. It can be a great way to help troubled young people overcome their social or learning difficulties by learning through play.
In terms of adventures, I have a couple suggestions. First if you are relatively new, and they are all completely new, you might want to try the Begginner Box to start. It offers a well presented introduction to the game, and cuts out some of the more complicated rules. An introductory game using this (there is a basic starter adventure included) might be just the way to get you moving.
If instead you'd prefer to start with the complete ruleset, I have a couple suggestions.
Crypt of the Ever Flame is a 1st level introductory adventure that was designed to introduce players to some of the unique elements of pathfinder. It is pretty simple to run, You can even get pretty much the whole dungeon as a flip map
If that goes well there are 2 follow up adventures that build on the story of that module, Masks of the Living God and City of Golden Death
If you have some time to wait, another good option is The dragons Demand which is the first of paizo's new formate modules due out in july. That module will be longer then the current ones, going from Levels 1-6, and is a classic dragon focused adventure. While there are lots of dragons in various paizo adventures, this is their first to really feature the classic foe. A great introduction, as they didnt call it dungeons and dragons for nothing.
Edit:
Also in answer to your question about needs, there is one thing you will also need. Physical representations of characters, npcs and monsters for your battle board. Most people use miniatures for this, but paizo also offers a line of 'Pawn' which are basically cardboard standees with artwork of various characters and creatures on the as a cheaper alternative. But really anything will do. In highschool my group often used coins and dice for monsters, and an old Go Board for a battleboard, so dont think you HAVE to shell out for minis, but sometimes it can really be a cool moment when you plunk down some of the beautiful options you have for miniatures out there, on the table.
If you are looking for something "long term" - that is, multiple sections of questing and adventure over the course of months or more - then my #1 top pick is Kingmaker.
Kingmaker, the obvious part, is a multi-section adventure path that goes from Level 1 to... well.. pretty much wherever the DM wants it to go. It's easily modifiable to compensate for lesser or greater power groups, skill levels and play time. It has a very fun and thorough story, but more specifically it's something that sounds like it might be really good for the type of adolescents you are dealing with.
You should read the overview of the campaign for a better description, but the general idea is that the group starts out simply "going on some adventures" as a band of heroes for hire, but it eventually leads into intrigue, political maneuvering, and building an entire country out of a swamp (or whatever) to rival those next to it and eventually name members of the group to important positions of power (hence, Kingmaker).
There's a lot of opportunity to teach teamwork, critical thinking and morality in this type of campaign more so than most dungeon-dive type settings.
If you want something more short term though, really any pre-boxed paizo adventure would likely work, just check the level requirements.
I have to disagree about kingmaker. While it is an amazing adventure, it is also fairly high on the difficulty scale to play and run. For a new dm and new players it isnt a good idea. Sandbox games require alot more preparation on the part of dms, and are more player driven then linear adventures which can be a problem for new players who arent comfortable with the game yet.
there is a module that is essentially babys first dnd its called crypt of the everflame its a great way to get people into the game without accidently killing them it has traps that arnt really traps (for example pitfalls with pillows at the bottom) enemy's that are just illusions and much more, obviously it starts out inocently enough and sure enough there is real danger, so if its the first ever time they will be playing dnd I sugest that module.
also if you need more advice look at this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH4z1vmubpY
also check out his other videos for more advice they are all really useful
If you are looking for something "long term" - that is, multiple sections of questing and adventure over the course of months or more - then my #1 top pick is Kingmaker.
This is a really great campaign, I agree. Its the one me and my friends have been playing. I love it but we are very hard on our DM at times. We have taken so many turns in the story and our exploration of the stolen lands, that, while they are not "wrong", have wreaked havoc with what our DM has planned for us. He has been up to the challenge and adapted quickly, and can even now predict us a bit, but I do not believe I have his skill yet. Thanks though
If instead you'd prefer to start with the complete ruleset, I have a couple suggestions.
Crypt of the Ever Flame is a 1st level introductory adventure that was designed to introduce players to some of the unique elements of pathfinder. It is pretty simple to run, You can even get pretty much the whole dungeon as a flip map
there is a module that is essentially babys first dnd its called crypt of the everflame its a great way to get people into the game without accidently killing them it has traps that arnt really traps (for example pitfalls with pillows at the bottom) enemy's that are just illusions and much more, obviously it starts out inocently enough and sure enough there is real danger, so if its the first ever time they will be playing dnd I sugest that module.
I have glanced at this campaign and I think that it may be what I am looking for. Thank you both, however you concern me with the "pitfalls with pillows at the bottom" bit. I want the guys to be relatively safe in the campaign while they are learning but I don't want them to walk through it with no challenge or sense of danger. This is also important considering that one of the key lessons we try to impart in our facility is that bad choices lead to bad consequences.
Also in answer to your question about needs, there is one thing you will also need. Physical representations of characters, npcs and monsters for your battle board. Most people use miniatures for this, but paizo also offers a line of 'Pawn' which are basically cardboard standees with artwork of various characters and creatures on the as a cheaper alternative. But really anything will do. In highschool my group often used coins and dice for monsters, and an old Go Board for a battleboard, so dont think you HAVE to shell out for minis, but sometimes it can really be a cool moment when you plunk down some of the beautiful options you have for miniatures out there, on the table.
I appreciate where your going with this but I am kind of strapped for cash at the moment and I also have the issue of where I work. Some of the guys can have fits and throw and break stuff, for this reason the higher ups recommend we limit the personal possessions brought in with us. This being said, I am going to just be writing or drawing character representations on the dry erase grid and go with that. It will take a little from the game but considering the circumstances it is unavoidable.
Thank you guys for the help!
I have glanced at this campaign and I think that it may be what I am looking for. Thank you both, however you concern me with the "pitfalls with pillows at the bottom" bit. I want the guys to be relatively safe in the campaign while they are learning but I don't want them to walk through it with no challenge or sense of danger. This is also important considering that one of the key lessons we try to impart in our facility is that bad choices lead to bad consequences.
Well it only starts that way. The idea behind it is this is supposed to be a 'training' adventure for newbies, and is relatively safe, but it turns out theres real danger there now, and the challenge ramps up pretty fast. Basically the end result is a slow entry into adventuring, with some easy lessons at first, but some hard ones towards the end if you dont learn.
I appreciate where your going with this but I am kind of strapped for cash at the moment and I also have the issue of where I work. Some of the guys can have fits and throw and break stuff, for this reason the higher ups recommend we limit the personal possessions brought in with us. This being said, I am going to just be writing or drawing character representations on the dry erase grid and go with that. It will take a little from the game but considering the circumstances it is unavoidable.
Sounds like a perfect reason to use Paper Minis Dirt cheap and you can print them on cardstock or just standard paper, for disposable easy, but pretty good representations for the board.