I'm looking to run a game for the first time and had a question. What's the general consensus on the best adventure path? In terms of adventuring? Roleplaying? I was thinking of doing the updated Rise of the Runelords but before I formally settled I figured I'd see what else was out there. If possible something that has a blend of a little of everything, from goblins to ogres to giants to dragons, gods and everything in-between! (while it may be my first time running, my group has been playing for years. I also don't want to be running different modules every session. I want there to be a coherent story running thru each session)
You really can't go wrong with the updated Rise of the Runelords Anniversary compilation. It has entire modules dedicated to goblins (Burnt Offerings), ogres (The Hook Mountain Massacre), and giants (Fortress of the Stone Giants), with a handful of dragons scattered throughout. And while the gods themselves don't make much of an appearance, the main villain's ancient power certainly offers an analogue. It's also a nice introduction to the Pathfinder setting, and I'd be willing to bet that its unique position as both the first Pathfinder AP and the only AP to have been re-released in updated hardcover means it has received more developer attention than any other adventure path in the line.
General consensus probably puts Runelords as the best AP, but its not one I'd reccommend. It contains all the elements you mentioned (except for gods) and there is fun to be had with this AP, but its also extremely difficult. If a high death toll doesn't deter your group, then go nuts. For mine (an experienced bunch), we packed it in halfway through book 5 because it became such a slog. After book 2 there isn't a lot of down time for the players either as they are bounced all over Varisia. And personally, I found the overall plot was overly convoluted (but to be fair, most of the APs suffer from this at least a little).
You might want to check out Kingmaker. I've never read it through entirely but from what I know it contains most of the ingredients you're looking for. For what its worth, my two personal favorites are Curse of the Crimson Throne and Legacy of Fire, although they do not contain all the classic fantasy tropes you seek.
Good luck with whichever one you choose!
After book 2 there isn't a lot of down time for the players either as they are bounced all over Varisia.
They literally gain a keep at the end of book 3, with an arbitrary time frame before book 4 starts allowing for basically whatever amount of downtime you want to give them.
As for the difficulty, IIRC some adjustments were made to certain notorious fights to bring them more in-line with what is possible for the party to handle.
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After book 2 there isn't a lot of down time for the players either as they are bounced all over Varisia.They literally gain a keep at the end of book 3, with an arbitrary time frame before book 4 starts allowing for basically whatever amount of downtime you want to give them.
As for the difficulty, IIRC some adjustments were made to certain notorious fights to bring them more in-line with what is possible for the party to handle.
In the Anniversary edition, it tries to discourage giving them Rannick, whilst giving a pretty hasty kick back to Sandpiint.
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Not to be the voice of dissent here, but if you're running a game for the first time (and without knowing how much play experience you have), I'd advise against jumping head first into an adventure path right off. Instead, run something smaller and give yourself a chance to get comfortable in the GM chair before committing to something that is potentially so long-term. GM'ing an AP can take months or years and running something short-term until you get your feet wet will help when you do start a long-term campaign, IMO (if nothing, you'll be more confident and you'll have a chance to ask yourself if running a long campaign is really something you feel prepared to do).
Actually, I'd probably try something like the new module The Dragon's Demand first (it gets players to level6-7 very quickly) first, then start RotRL:AE with new fresh characters.
-Skeld