Wanted Poster Idea

[Evan Draughon]

I have this idea I would like to do for my local PFS sessions I run and wanted some input from other GM's. I am a huge fan of props and I came up with the idea of creating wanted posters for my scenario's. The posters might have an image of the bad guy or the location of something they are looking for. I also want to include some basic knowledge of the adventure. Whether or not the pathfinder's could expect, (cold weather, etc.) and basic skills that might be useful (sailing, tracking, etc.) I thought this might be a good idea to help players have additional time to prep characters and gear and become immersed into the game quicker than reading a text box and making adjustments off of that. This way they can also have an image in their mind of who/what they are looking for. I figure in the lodges there is bound to be some kind of "Job Board" that things like this might go on. Thoughts? Also any suggestions on what might be too much information or information I should give would be awesome. I do not just want to list basic stats, I want to give it some flavor and make it seem authentic.

[Cameron Ackerman]

I foresee some corner cases with this idea with respect to certain scenarios where the goal would not really fit with a wanted poster. A number of the 3rd season scenarios come to mind such as "The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment" and "The Haunting of Hinojai" which are ultimately exploration missions. Scenarios in the Blackros Museum, too, would be of a similar group to consider. Anything where the VC says "Hey, there's some sketchy stuff going on here, go figure it out" might be a little difficult to capture in that format. That's easily solved by generalizing the posters from "WANTED" posters to simple "Job Request" posters.

But other than that I think it's cool idea. When listing useful skills, be careful to analyze which skills would be encountered during unexpected challenges and which ones would actually be sensible for a VC to request in advance. On that note, I'm betting you'll wind up with a lot of repetition on the skills list (diplomacy and perception in particular).

[Evan Draughon]

Thanks for the advice Cameron. I was thinking I might have to make some of them different than a Wanted Poster. I run "Prince of Augustana" next Saturday so I still haven't decided how to do that one yet.

Some of the key concepts I want to add is mentioning information about venturing into sewers, and in some way that the Pathfinder's needed would be looking into "royal heritage" of someone. Not sure if I should mention anything about the "demonic portal" or not until they meet with the VC.

[Cameron Ackerman]

Evan Draughon wrote:

Thanks for the advice Cameron. I was thinking I might have to make some of them different than a Wanted Poster. I run "Prince of Augustana" next Saturday so I still haven't decided how to do that one yet.

Some of the key concepts I want to add is mentioning information about venturing into sewers, and in some way that the Pathfinder's needed would be looking into "royal heritage" of someone. Not sure if I should mention anything about the "demonic portal" or not until they meet with the VC.

Yes, there's also the issue of how much information the PCs should get up front. For instance, if the Society wanted to hire a group of adventurers to remove a crime lord or something, they certainly would not want to come outright and say it on a poster because it would blow the operation. I think you have the right idea by leaving some information to the VC briefing.

[Andrew "The Great Kilt" Rauch]

I have had a great deal of fun with a similar idea when I ask players what they would like run. I can definitely see a large cork board in the common room of any pathfinder lodge with all of the less time sensitive missions waiting to be picked up.
"Needed; group of pathfinders for long sea voyage. Escorting diplomat through three month voyage. Knowledge of elven a plus."
"Tired of hacking your way through thick forests and tentacled monsters? Want to put to use all those noble clothes collecting dust in your bag of holding? Drendle seeks pathfinders capable of representing pathfinder interests during Blakro's Gathering. North hall 2 am for briefing. (Barbarians need not apply)"

[Akerlof]

I like the idea.

What you might do is pull out the core pieces of information in the VC's briefing and put that in bullet points: Where, who, why, etc.

I would shy away from putting in specifics, like what kind of weather or what kind of monsters (unless the VC specifically says you'll be facing something.) Even if it doesn't require a skill check to find out, that extra information is sort of a reward for players asking good questions and interacting with the VC.

Give them the information they get in the box text so they can focus on listening and interacting with the VC instead of taking notes, but leave out enough that they can be rewarded for being proactive.

[Evan Draughon]

I like that Akerlof. Thanks for the input.