A Higher-Level Challenge

[venkelos2015]

I'm sort of being roped into GMing a game, and before I decide that one or two of the players are going to make me want to quit that, I thought I'd ask for some advice. I hate lvl 1 games, and am scheduling to run a lvl 9 game, which I significantly prefer, minus one point; I need some ideas of good 9th level challenges. Bandits? They are bringing a loan to the party. Pack of wild animals? Hey guys, they brought us hats. I have 2 magi, a rogue, a ranger, a wizard, and a monk, with a few cheese-options among them, and am not sure what general challenges to throw at them, as I figure out what Elf vs Human world they are going to be in. Any good encounter ideas would be appreciated; otherwise, I might just let someone else run their lvl 1 3.5 game, and dodge the responsibility. Thank you ahead of time.

[DM_Blake]

"roped into GMing", "want to quit that", "dodge the responsibility".

My advice to you is just don't do it. GMing is a lot of work but it rarely comes with a paycheck. You volunteer to do it because you love it, because it's what you want to do. You accept the obligation that you WILL put in the time and effort to make the game fun and then hold yourself to that obligation because the players are depending on you and because your own sense of honor demands that you keep up your side of the agreement you made with them. But it can be time-consuming and at times tedious and at other times rewarding, but whatever it is is, you do it because you want to, because you'd rather do it than be a player.

You don't sound like you want to do this.

So don't do it at all. Let someone else do it.

Everybody will have more fun that way, including you.

[ArtlessKnave]

If you are set on doing it however, context would likely be a good thing for the encounter. This is a document that I found a while back and it is helpful in a lot of cases. Perhaps you might get some use out of it. The other option it to just run a level 9 module. This is easy, requires little prep and doesn't put pressure on you to create something beforehand.

GM's Guide to Creating Challenging Encounters

[Dosgamer]

Agree with DM_Blake about the perceptions of your attitude. If you're not sure you want to do it let someone else give it a try while you decide one way or the other.

If you move forward, I suggest using Golarion (Paizo's world). There's a great resource book for it as well as wiki page. Consider getting an adventure path and focus on the last 3 books (each AP has 6 books). Short of that, look over the long list of Pathfinder modules as ArtlessKnave suggests. Good luck!

[venkelos2015]

It's the idea I'm more leaning toward. Several of the people would rather I run something, but my ideas are not popping up, and like I said, as much as I like mi-to-higher level games, I can't come up with much for "general challenges" to throw at them, in between the the more scripted "this is the bad guy you need to stop now", or "this is the place that MIGHT hold the secret to what's going on, and/or what you might do to stop it." They'll be a bit pissed, especially after 3+ weeks of planning for this to be their game, but I think they'll be happier, in the long run, and I won't have to put up with certain crap I have no interest in. Will beat it around till Saturday, then let them know what's up.

Thanks folks for your thoughts. Have a good one.