So, I've been playing Pathfinder since it's release, and have been avidly keeping track of I'd wager 80% of each new release. However, from the foundation of PFS, I've never really taken much notice of it. I hear it thrown out alot on the forums, and I know it has something to do with more restrictive rules of some kind, and something called scenarios, and then some kind of boons? Yeah, I have no idea.
Can someone tell me what exactly this is? Is this some kind of AP Nuzlocke Challenge for Pathfinder?
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Pathfinder Society is similar to the organized tournaments of TCGs/CCGs like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh, even including a ban/restricted list. Just like with those games, a Society character you create and play at one store can be used any where else that runs a Pathfinder Society game.
When you make a Society character, you follow the same restrictions as everyone else, then you play through a Scenario, typically a short, one-shot mission. At the end of the mission, you gain a Chronicle (called certs by older players). This details how much xp and gold you gained by completing the quest, and includes a list of items found within the mission that you can later buy. Some Chronicles have a special bonus that's specific to that Scenario, that bonus is called a "boon." The more desirable boons grant the player access to a race that is not normally allowed in Society.
Out of everything that's available to play, there's a list of certain items/archetypes/races/etc. that are not allowed in Society. What this allows us to do is create an even playing field. Everyone has the same options available, though more unique options require you to own specific books before using them.
Though there is more to it than what's above, read through the Guide to Organized Play found here (link), and look at the Additional Resources page for a list of what is and isn't allowed in Society (link).
Oh okay gotcha. Is there any kind of database or listing source for where/when these meetings take place? I live in St. Louis so I'm sure there has to be a few, and I'd like to go sit in on one to see what it's like.
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You can search for stores/events here: http://paizo.com/pathfinderSociety/events.
Days and times, as well as character levels and what scenarios are played will vary by store.
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So in order for me to participate in higher-level games, I need to find some level 1 scenarios and work my way up correct?
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Yup. Can either go normally and do it a single Scenario at a time (1xp each, 3 required to level. Does not increase as you go higher), or you can do some Modules, which are longer than Scenarios, but count for 3xp. You get less prestige for a Module, but in turn you level up faster since it's 1 level per module.
Wow, I admit I was really thinking that it would take forever to level this way, so I'm glad that that's how it works. I take it scenarios are usually a 1 sitting kind of deal?
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-I'd like to add into s_gmusic's excellent information.
Scenarios can be stand alone - single 4-5 hour session.
Modules can be stand alone - double 4-5 hour session (or longer.)
- some modules are extensively long (reign of winter, rise of runelords) and can span a dozen or more levels.
Special Interactive Scenarios - single 4-5 hour session (can involve multiple tables (10-100+ tables) of players at the same time.) Usually played at conventions (see events)
Quests (I may be using the wrong term.) - short 1-2 hour adventures
Both Scenarios and Modules could have a story arc spanning multiple scenarios or modules. I just DMed a recent Season 5 scenario and spent a goodly amount of time tracing the story arc back to season 3 (2 years ago) for my players at the end.
Society play can be very fun. Meet new people, see different places, find out how other people play this game. Dming is also very fun, especially when you run into a bunch of fun loving folks.
It only takes as long to level as time you have to play. I only started 2 months ago and have a level 8, and a level 3.1, and a new level 1, so good luck and have fun. I did start at a virtual game day and play usually 2 times a week sometimes 3 or even 4 but usually 2
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Modules can be stand alone - double 4-5 hour session (or longer.)
- some modules are extensively long (reign of winter, rise of runelords) and can span a dozen or more levels.
Also note, since you're interested in higher level play, and you stated you are pretty up to date with the other releases, the adventure paths can also be played in 'campaign mode' which if your GM for the AP has a PFS number, once you finish certain parts of each book, you can get credit to apply as if your PFS character completed it.
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Wow, I admit I was really thinking that it would take forever to level this way, so I'm glad that that's how it works. I take it scenarios are usually a 1 sitting kind of deal?
Most scenarios that grant 1xp (of the three needed to level) take about 4-5 hours each. I know in St Louis they hold monthly game days where they run 3 sessions in a day. So if you made it out for the entire day (free of charge, btw), then youd be able to level by the end of the first day of play.
Easiest way to find out about when and where sall they have games is probably to look them up under 'Game Knight Pathfinder Society' on Facebook.
If you dont mind driving a couple hours to play sometimes, then I organize games at Castle Perilous in Carbondale IL (about 2.5 hours or so south down 64 and 57 from St Louis). We also have a Facebook group (Southern Illinois Pathfinder Society).
If you would prefer to send an email to whoever is in charge in the area given area (Brett Sweeney for StL), then look in the last few pages of the Guide to Organized Play. All the VO email addresses are listed there.
Hope that helps!
Also note, since you're interested in higher level play, and you stated you are pretty up to date with the other releases, the adventure paths can also be played in 'campaign mode' which if your GM for the AP has a PFS number, once you finish certain parts of each book, you can get credit to apply as if your PFS character completed it.
Modules can be stand alone - double 4-5 hour session (or longer.)
- some modules are extensively long (reign of winter, rise of runelords) and can span a dozen or more levels.
Just because I'm a greedy bastard, does this mean that the longer modules grant more than 3xp?
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Assuming you mean the newer ones like Dragon's Demand, then the answer is not on any one sheet. BUT, Dragon's Demand has 4 different chronicle sheets that can be gained by playing through it, each granting 3xp. You can get 3 of them by playing through the 'module' parts of the module in PFS, or you can play it in 'Campaign mode' and get the 4th one as well at the end of the adventure.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Welcome, dude! It's great to have you. The St. Louis folks are a terrific lodge, a lot of fun.
I haven't noticed if anybody's told you about playing a pre-gen, FSH. If you don't have a high-level character, and the group is playing, say, a Tier 5-9 scenario, you can step in with a 7th-level* pre-gen. You'll hold the experience and treasure until your character reaches 7th level, and then receive it**.
* Pre-gens come in 1st-level, 4th-level, and 7th-level varieties. The only legal pregen for a Tier 5 - 9 adventure would be the 7th-level version.
** I'm simplifying a little. If you wanted to start a brand-new character with the Chronicle you receive with a pre-gen, you can. See the Guide for details.
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** I'm simplifying a little. If you wanted to start a brand-new character with the Chronicle you receive with a pre-gen, you can. See the Guide for details.
Doesnt have to be a brand new character anymore. Just a level 1. Thats something that changed with Guide 5.0.
You may also opt instead to apply the
Chronicle sheets earned with a non-
1st-level pregenerated character to a
1st-level character with the amount
of gp gained reduced to 500 gp (or
250 gp for characters using the slow
advancement track).
So if you have a character that's above one, but not say level 7, I would be unable to assign anything I gained from a pregen to that character?
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The rules for pregens are all in the (free) Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but the short answer is that you can save credit from playing a higher-level pregen and apply it when your character reaches the level of the pregen character.
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So if you have a character that's above one, but not say level 7, I would be unable to assign anything I gained from a pregen to that character?
You could assign it, but you wouldn't be able to use it until you hit the level of the pregen.
Its why Society venues should try really hard to have at least two tables going, so people can level up the newbies without making the veterans start over with new characters.
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FlySkyHigh, coming from where you're coming from, I can imagine what it's like to have some resistance but some small curiosity about PFS.
Without specifics, let me say this - once you start playing Pathfinder Society, you'll wonder why you didn't get right into it earlier. It's a lot of fun, it's very cleverly set up, and it's addictive.
Venture-Lieutenant, Washington—Seattle
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Hey, FlySkyHigh!
Currently, the best time to play in the St. Louis area is on Tuesday and Wednesday night at Game Nite. We start the scenario at 7 PM, so be there a little bit beforehand and we can make sure your character and Pathfinder Society information is all sorted out.
Here's the event information, which includes Game Nite's location:
http://paizo.com/events/v5748mkg0am00
If Tuesday and Wednesday don't work for you, we hold a monthly Saturday game day at the same location. The next one will be in mid-to-late January.
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Thanks Brett! I'm gonna be leaving for vacation soon, but starting January I'll probably start showing up with my buddy, we're both currently trying to figure out what characters we want to play, so hopefully by then we'll have everything figured out.
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Wow, I admit I was really thinking that it would take forever to level this way, so I'm glad that that's how it works. I take it scenarios are usually a 1 sitting kind of deal?
Actually it is like anything... the more you play the faster you gain XP. I have a Blight Druid that just got his level 8 which I started in July but I also have a near level 4 inquisitor (sin eater). I only play a scenario a week with a few exceptions here and there (mostly a local con)