Running scenarios you don't own.

[evillmonkey]

First off, I'm not talking about pirating scenarios, etc.

In my local PFS group my friend and I take turns GMing. However, in the case that more than one table of players might show up, the "off-week" GM has the scenario printed just in case he needs to run it. We've been running the Intro series, so purchasing scenarios hasn't been an issue yet.

I couldn't find any info in the Guide or the forums here to answer my question, so here it is. Is it legal for me to print out 2 copies of the scenario and give one to the "off-week" GM if we need to run a second table, or would he have to purchase it in order to run the second table?

Aside from just a local concern, I guess the same situation would apply to con games as well. Does the con GM need to have purchased the scenario in order to run it, or as long as it is available there can they do so?

Thanks!

[pathar]

I have been given copies of scenarios to run (for specific game days) by venture officers in the past.

As long as you aren't, like, deliberately building a shared collection, I don't think it's going to be a problem. In other words, I would not advocate the necessity of each GM spending the extra $4 each week "just in case."

Unless you both have more disposable income than you know what to do with, in which case you should buy them and support Paizo in general and PFS specifically. ;)

[anthonydido]

I don't know of any rule stating that you have to own the scenario you are running. VO's, or at least VC's, get access to all of them for free probably for that very reason. I can't imagine there being such a limitation as it would probably keep a lot of GMs from GMing.

[Fromper]

Don't ask me to point you to a direct quote right now, but I swear I remember Paizo employees posting here that it's ok to give someone else a printed copy. Sending them the electronic pdf, however, is never allowed.

[Whiskey Jack]

From my experience, it is ok for Venture Officers to have printed copies on hand for GMs volunteering at game days or conventions. I am not sure what "official policy" is regarding this, however.

[Yiroep]

I don't know if the rule has since changed, but if a gameday has 5+ tables, you can request the scenarios be added to the GMs' account...but you usually need to know the gameday and send the request some weeks in advance to get it in time.

[evillmonkey]

Thank you all for your responses!

[TriOmegaZero]

I was handed a print copy of The Midnight Mauler for my second time GMing PFS.

This was at PaizoCon last year.

I'm pretty sure borrowing scenarios is legit.

[Matthew Pittard]

As I normally print out my gear at work for the weekend Ive got it easier. I will occasionaly print out the same stuff if I have a fellow dm running the same scenario.

I also always try to print out the Chronicle sheets on blue a4 paper. (We have a bucket load at work we ordered by accident and could not return). I like the idea of people being able to identify a game I have run and as I dont have a colour printer here, makes it seem a bit nicer

(as my handrawn battle maps often look very poor)

[Lady Ophelia]

I am also bringing up, that if possible, start a small library for a group of players and GM's.

Library's help those days when you need an adventure on the fly. It's been a life saver for me.

[Majuba]

TriOmegaZero wrote:

I'm pretty sure borrowing scenarios is legit.

I think "borrowing" is the key word there. From what I've been told, you can loan the scenario out, but you need to get it back afterwards. (Not getting it back does not invalidate the table or anything, it's just the idea that you're loaning it, not giving it away).

Responsibility is on the purchaser from what I recall.

[Whiskey Jack]

Majuba wrote:

Responsibility is on the purchaser from what I recall.

I think this is a key part of the equation.

[Avatar-1]

I think this kind of thing gets a little overanalysed due to how much we love Reading The Rules.

I doubt Paizo would have issue with anyone having to give another GM a second copy of a scenario to run a second table because a lot of players want to play.

I mean, if that kind of thing happens all the time, then yeah, buy more copies if you know more players are going to show. But if it happens without warning, nobody's going to mind that you're doing what you can to grow the player base, so long as supporting Paizo is in the forefront of your mind.

Just be smart about it and give Paizo their dues when you can.

While that's not black-and-white to everyone's situation, that's going to be the best catch-all answer you'll find.

[nosig]

Often I'll judge at a CON. Normally the CON organizer will supply the scenario - but when I can get it, I like extra prep time. SO... I go ahead and buy it myself.

SO... this is the other side of the coin maybe?

I often run pick-up games (or sub for a no-show judge). Running the scenario cold. The event organizer hands me the scenario after the players are already at the table - and that will be the first time I've seen the thing. Those I don't own. And they go back in the coordinators folder at the end of the game.