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If you have access to it, Crypt of the Everflame is a great intro adventure for the group. Can easily take 2 sessions too. Which would give you time to prep the next module/scenario you intend. Or design your own adventure if going the homebrew route.
Alternately, if you run an AP you should decide before everyone sits down to create characters. This can affect traits chosen.
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That's perfectly acceptable. As the GM you have final say in what's allowed. Unless it's for PFS. In which case you still have final say. YOu can tell everyone "this is a core session" which means CRB and web traits enhancement only, or "this is standard" which opens the doors wide for (most) options... so long as the player actually owns their own legal copy of the book and brings it to the session. Or at least a watermarked printout of the required pages from a PDF. A photocopy from the physical book doesn't count.
Most Adventure Paths are actually balanced to the Core Rulebook with a 15 point buy on attributes. So in that aspect, you are correct Hydra. Secondly, when I was with a new group, I actually ran the old Falcon's Hollow modules (updated to pathfinder rules which is as easy as just using your bestiary).
That led to a mini-campaign to get my players hooked. Then, after the Carnival of tears, we switched to Carrion Crown as an AP.
Hollow's Last Hope
Crown of the Kobold King
Revenge of the Kobold King
Carnival of Tears
So in about 6 hrs I'm supposed to hold character creation for my second ever serious foray into being GM (while also starting the first one two weeks ago).
This one has 3 players new to Pathfinder but played a homebrew mix of D&D 3.5 and 4 (one that sounds very like Pathfinder but not identical) and 1 player that has played one campaign of Pathfinder before this.
Here is the real question: should I run something like Runelords/Throne or run a series of modules at progressive levels like a group of adventurers that are hired/stumble upon various scenarios?
I would go with progressive modules. That way, if someone doesn't like the character they first thought of (because, for example, the build doesn't work they way they wanted -- think original monk -- or it's simply not fun) they can swap out easily without breaking too much continuity.
Second,... er, how to put this,.... the adventure paths are a series of modules at progressive levels; because of the way they're farmed out to different writers, the individual books of the AP often feel radically different from each other. So rather than trying to fight the fundamentally episodic nature of Paizo's publishing model, I'd say roll with it, and use this opportunity to figure out what types of adventures your group likes.
I would run a one off module for the first session. Get to know them and then ask them what they want to do.
Having run several APs I can say they are a blast to DM and to read but they can be heavily themed. You want to make sure the expectation of your group matches the AP.
Get through today and have the conversation - then come back to us and we can advise on the next step.
I'd do one module to get them some experience with characters and combat then if they like it go with an AP like Rise of the Runelords. Makes things easier for all plus it is a fun AP.
Why are you asking us what to play?
You should be asking your players what they want, including what you want, and playing the style of game that makes YOU, not us, happy.
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I'd do one module to get them some experience with characters and combat then if they like it go with an AP like Rise of the Runelords. Makes things easier for all plus it is a fun AP.
+1.
Usually i always start with the "Falcon´s Hollow" module. Free, fast, simple and well done.
And if you can link it to any AP, you can have your players start the AP from second level which is a nice plus for new players. Eventually it balances with the AP, so it should not be a problem.
Modules are probably the best choice. APs are most fun when th GM can modify and freewheel , which comes with experience.
The series starting with Hollows last hope or the one starting with Crypt of the Everflame are good choices.
My first GMing experience was/is (campaign is ongoing, but running another now) running a series of modules. At least, that was the original intention. I started off with Murder's Mark, then moved on to Daughters of Fury, then realized there wasn't anything else in the same geographical area and/or with the kind of storyline I wanted, so I homebrewed something for the next portion of the campaign to get them leveled up enough for the next module I wanted to run (3.5 module called Gallery of Evil). The next portion will be homebrew as well, capping off with Wardens of the Reborn Forge.
All of which is to say, chaining a bunch of modules together might work well if you're willing to handwave certain elements of "the party's over here now" or skip some levels, but depending on what you/your group want to run, there isn't necessarily a module chain that will get you sequentially to where you want to end the campaign. Depends on what level you want to get to, also.
I do recommend starting off with modules, though, just to get a feel for the group (and the system, since you're all new). Adventure paths are great in that they usually have cohesive storylines, but they're usually more fun with a bit of tailoring to your specific PCs.
