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I've been playing tabletop RPGs with friends for something like 15 years now, but I've never once been to a public game, despite being a pretty avid convention-goer - I'm trying to change that.
A few friends and I are going to GenCon this year, and we bought spots for The Confirmation & Horn of Aroden, but there's a few things that I've had trouble dredging up in my reading about society play. I'm sure I'm just being overly-concerned, but...
First, gencon specific, Should we be concerned at all about getting the three of us at the same game table? I have no idea how that organization works, last year we just peeked into the huge hall it was in, and were totally overwhelmed!
Second, how much of the Golarion lore should I catch up on to effectively roleplay? How roleplay heavy do these events typically run? I'm assuming it's a case-by-case basis, but I don't want to ruin someone's fun by being "that guy that over-RPs", or "that guy that isn't even RP-ing." I know that spectrum well after many years of playing, lol.
I'm sure it's going to be a huge culture shock, but I'm really interested in seeing how other people GM. After years taking turns with the same 3 or 4 people GMing, that is what has me most excited.
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*disclaimer that this information is based on what happened last year and could be changed this year*
Basically find the area that you are mustering in and tell the muster person (holding the clipboard) that you have three in X level range .. they will try to work with you -- but always good to listen to what others are saying and see if you can get a full table of 6 .. if you have a full table of 6 let the muster person know that as well.
You can learn as much or as little as you like. I think most people know a smattering, but no one is an expert at it .. and with timed events in this type of situation roleplay past what is done w/in the boundaries of acts in the scenario, while not discouraged, isn't typically drawn out that much (from my limited experiences)
Other than that .. take a deep breath; if you get lost or need help look for me .. I'm going to be trying to wear a pair of purple bunny ears for the con; I'm sure I can get you pointed in the right direction as much as I can.
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Axiem, while this is my first Gen Con coming up this year, I've done a few regional conventions (especially Con of the North), and what you state is one of the coolest things about playing at a Con. You get to see how others interpret the whole system. Heck, that's one of the cool things about Organized Play.. you get out of your little group, and get more interesting interpretations.
Personally, I am looking forward to the eight games that I am running, as well as the 2 that I am playing in. I always learn new things while playing PFS, and am really looking forward to seeing how people do it outside of Minneapolis/St Paul!
Hope I get the chance to meet you (though it will likely not be at one of my tables, as I am running mostly 5-9s).
Oh... Remember all of your chronicles, and your Inventory Tracking Sheet! And any Additional Material that you will be using.
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Oh... Remember all of your chronicles, and your Inventory Tracking Sheet! And any Additional Material that you will be using.
Silbeg brings up a good point. You need to have on your possession either a watermarked pdf, print outs of said watermarked pdf, or the hard copy book for anything you use to build yer character. Photocopies of a book are not acceptable.
Like the purple one says, if you need help look for people in either a red, green, or purple volunteer shirt. We're friendly folks and can answer just about any question you have.
I am running two tier 1-5 scenarios at Gencon this year, 5-22 Scars of the Third Crusade, and 6-01 Trial by Machine. I am pretty sure there are tickets left for both scenarios. Hope to see you there!
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I'm running several Horns of Aroden myself, so if you come to my table, I'd be happy to give you guys a fun experience!
Other advice:
While the GM may/may not audit your PC, if you know your character has any interesting/complex tactics or tricks to them, let the GM know in advance. That way, the GM isn't caught off-guard and if there are any gray areas, those can be worked out before the game instead of during it.
Bring plenty of fluids!
If you're new to Pathfinder Society as a whole, read the free Guide to the Pathfinder Society to understand how the organized play system works and what the expectations are. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here on the boards :)
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Arrive a little early for your game and find the muster area for your game. Start talking to other players in that area and find others in your level range who complement your group. When you have 6 players, notify the guy with the clipboard. They tend to seat groups with 6 players first. Effectively you muster yourselves. Makes it easier on the staff, and helps you find people you are comfortable playing with and helps you avoid the getting seated at a table with party issues (like no healer).
BTW - In years past, they seat 6 player tables first if all the players have actual game tickets. People with generics get seated after event ticket people. I suspect it will be the same this year with the number of event sell outs.
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A couple of other things:
Bring a table tent: while your friends will know who you are, you still have 2-4 other people that don't. It'll help the GM and others address you appropriately.
Likewise, make a good introduction to your fellow players. Do it in character for more fun and interact with the new players as well as your friends.
If there's a bit of time (either during initial setup or during a break), discuss tactics and roles. See who can cover what and what can be done to shore up weaker areas.
Finally, have fun! Make awesome stories with the new people that you will meet and have a blast rolling dice with 'em!
EDIT: Just as a note for your inquiry: Both The Confirmation and The Horn of Aroden have some great RP elements involved, albeit with different timings. Hopefully you're playing The Confirmation first as it'll work best thematically as well as give you a better boost (gold-wise) to handle the potential challenges in The Horn of Aroden.
I would like to emphasize "know" your character. That is, if you are a mounted character, know the rules for mounted combat, riding skill, etc. Even better if you can make yourself a copy and paste document with book references - both for you and the GM if they have questions.
Spells often cause problems if the player doesn't know them by heart - range, duration, saves, etc..
If you are a summoner, have sheets pre-prepared with the summoned creature stats and templates applied (like celestial template where applicable).
Have fun.
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Thanks for all the info everybody!
As far as I know, we were all just planning to grab iconic character pre-gens. Do they typically have those printed out at the event, or should we bring our own? I'll probably print some out just in case, I suppose. Better safe than goblin food!
@ David We are doing Confirmation Friday, and Horn of Aroden Saturday!
Depending on how the rest of our schedule shakes out, we might jump into a third with generic tickets, but we're also doing True Dungeon in the evenings both of those days.
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They have their own. Go ahead and use Paizo's :) If it was like it was 2 years ago, they'll also have HeroLab stations so if you have some time and wish to create some characters after all, you can go ahead and create your character and print it out!
I know I read it somewhere, that not only are they planning on having room for Lonewolf to have HeroLab stations setup, but they have plans to have it in a more accessible area away from the hustle and bussle of HQ.
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It's not bad software. It's a great reference when building PCs, although you have to be aware of the rules as the software is good, but not perfect, and can let some things illegal slide in or get the math crunching numbers wrong.
Still, if you need a PC generated quickly, it's a great tool for that. And the character sheets it prints out are incredibly handy, too.
<PFS Disclaimer>
Do note, though, that for PFS play, owning HeroLab or using it does not constitute as ownership of a resource for PFS play.
</PFS Disclaimer>
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Second, how much of the Golarion lore should I catch up on to effectively roleplay?
For the confirmation you should know the basics about aroden (God of humanity, started as an azlanti wizard, raised kortos out of the ocean, took the test of the startstone, became god of humanity, said "I'll be right back guys.. and then died)
For the horn of aroden the above is helpful, plus Brevoy is a more or less traditional european style aristocracy with a good bit more gender egalitarianism (like most of golarion). It was unified a couple hundred years back.
How roleplay heavy do these events typically run?
Depends almost entirely on the DM and the players, and the scenario. Horn of aroden has a heavy role play element.
I'm assuming it's a case-by-case basis, but I don't want to ruin someone's fun by being "that guy that over-RPs", or "that guy that isn't even RP-ing." I know that spectrum well after many years of playing, lol.
Chances are pretty good you'll do both at the same time no matter what. One person's too much rp is another persons not rping enough.
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I will also be at GenCon (as I have been since '09) and this will also be my first PFS adventure, and the same can be said about a friend of mine as well. We'll hopefully be adventuring as a team, though we'll likely just bring generics and hop on where we can.
Also for those of you traveling, if you have questions about Indianapolis like where things are or cool places to eat, let me know!
Wow, HeroLab ain't cheap!
That being said, I was trying to level a character in time for GenCon, but it seems like level 1 scenarios are few. Might be playing Pregens or switching to level 1 stuff at Gencon.
Since this is the last weekend to change ticket decisions online, does anyone have thoughts on that?
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**disclaimer on herolab** please keep in mind that having all the books and whatnot in herolab does not negate the need to have the official reference at the table with you.
That can be either the physical hardcover or the pdf -- saying at the table "but herolab says" is probably going to have the GM sending you to the pregen table.