Any advice on Pathfinder?

estar · December 11, 2013, 08:32:22 AM

Quote from: worldeater;715161The book is already wrapped and under the tree, but even if it wasn't I think I'd skip the box set. It's a fine idea, but I have plenty of RPG experience so I can provide the same sort of guidance that an intro set would.

I would print up a copy of the Swords & Wizardry Quick Start, wrap it, run one or two sessions using the included dungeon and then proceed on with Pathfinder. I am involved in Webelos in Scouting and I had a couple of kids over the past two years ask me how to get started.

They had copies of 4e, 3.5e, and Pathfinder the full core books and were a bit lost at how to start. So I give them copies I had of the Quick Start. Told them to run that for a session or two and then jump into the books they had. It seemed to work for them.

Swords & Wizardry Quick Start

rgalex · December 11, 2013, 09:37:14 AM

Paizo has some free pdf products on their website. If you go to the Pathfinder section and into the Adventure Path listing, a lot of them have free Player's Guides if you look at their product listings. While they are focused on whatever area that Adventure Path takes place in and more for the players, there are some GM aids in there (a map or two, maybe an NPC and an organization write-up, a brief description of the area, etc). I mean, it's not a lot, but they are free.

Also, under their modules heading there are the Free RPG Day adventures up as free pdfs.

You may also find the Golariopedia useful.

mcbobbo · December 11, 2013, 10:44:30 AM

This - http://paizo.com/products/btpy89c9 - Crypt of the Everflame.

Not only is it a first level adventure, but it assumes the PCs are youngsters starting their adventuring careers. Just read it before the characters are rolled up, so you can implant their backstories in a more natural way.

And, one of the flip mats has that exact dungeon on it, if that's your style. So you can replicate that part of the BBox, too.

Once they tire of those characters and have more experience, I also recommend Rise. Great stuff, that.

This is one of those circumstances where I wish it was legit to resell pdfs.

tanstaafl48 · December 11, 2013, 12:59:40 PM

Quote from: danskmacabre;715149I just toned down parts as appropriate. I think I changed the bit where the Goblin was capturing kids and eating them or something. Can't remember much of the details now, but it's pretty obvious what needs changing, which isn't a lot really.

It's easy enough to do and there's some hilarious moments in it for kids as well.
The first adventure is a goblin attack on a town, which is choreographed in a humorous way.

I think the first module is fine I was really thinking more the second and third modules- I'm not sure how you sanitize the "Hills have Eyes" inspired bits beyond basically rewriting the whole thing.

"Crypt of the Everflame" is a great starting point and if they like it there's two sequel modules (Masks of the living God/City of Burning Death)that form a kind of mini-campaign.

Paizo recently released a module called "The Dragon's Demand" that runs from levels 1-7 and is, if I remember correctly, pretty age appropriate (and it has kobolds, my personal favorite goofy enemies)

languagegeek · December 11, 2013, 03:35:18 PM

Quote from: mcbobbo;715190This - http://paizo.com/products/btpy89c9 - Crypt of the Everflame.

Yeah, I think that's a nice adventure to start with. We're all long-time gamers but still had a good time with it.

At level 1, Pathfinder isn't that complicated. Get some pre-gen characters and you're off. I DMed some 10 year-olds last Christmas with the beginner's box and they picked it up really fast.

danskmacabre · December 11, 2013, 09:30:06 PM

Quote from: tanstaafl48;715242I think the first module is fine I was really thinking more the second and third modules- I'm not sure how you sanitize the "Hills have Eyes" inspired bits beyond basically rewriting the whole thing.

"Crypt of the Everflame" is a great starting point and if they like it there's two sequel modules (Masks of the living God/City of Burning Death)that form a kind of mini-campaign.

Paizo recently released a module called "The Dragon's Demand" that runs from levels 1-7 and is, if I remember correctly, pretty age appropriate (and it has kobolds, my personal favorite goofy enemies)

Is the 3rd module the Mutant ogres type scenario in the hills like Hillbillies?
I don't remember the details very well. I did run that at one stage but not for my kids.
I got as far as (I believe) the haunted house scenario, which went well, I probably removed some bits, but really I can't remember running a scenario I didn't change quite a bit for tastes or to fit into the campaign in general.
I would rarely run a scenario verbatim, so maybe for it was easy work to change things as appropriate.
After that, we moved onto other RPGs, like Mutants and Masterminds, Dragon warriors etc.

Still, I did run the crypt of the Everflame as well, which went down very well.
It's a great intro scenario.

Benoist · December 11, 2013, 09:53:46 PM

Have fun playing with your son, man. That's the first rule. If you coach your son into playing the game, everything will be okay. And if you run into some obstacle, that he finds the game too complicated or whatnot, you will be able to point him in the right direction (Moldvay B/X or whatnot). Don't wait for us to do your thinking for you. You're smart enough to do that.

Chairman Meow · December 11, 2013, 10:23:33 PM

Quote from: worldeater;715161I've played DnD from 2nd to 3.5 and have tinkered with PF a little bit. It's been 5 years since I played anything, so I'm a bit rusty.

In that case, I'd throw in a recommendation for Crypt of the Everflame or The Dragon's Demand for low level adventures. It'll be less to absorb and cheaper than buying an entire adventure path.

Evansheer · December 11, 2013, 10:58:40 PM

Dragon's Demand is a very good choice. It's also the first of the larger-sized modules they're doing, which makes it a good compromise between short modules and full adventure paths.

Crypt of the Everflame is a really good starter adventure, but the follow-up adventure might be a bit heavy for a ten year old with the whole deep-undercover cult infiltration bit. It's been a long time since I've read it though, so that might be easily bypassed.

Spinachcat · December 12, 2013, 04:08:22 AM

Quote from: worldeater;715159Sorry for liking something that you don't like.

You are forgiven this once. Go forth and sin no more.

Teazia · December 16, 2013, 02:53:01 AM

Make sure he grabs some friends. Much of the magic of rpgs in the interaction between people, not necessarily the module or rules.

Alternatively check out the free pdf Black Streams for interesting rules on running a solo game.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/114895/

Cheers

James Gillen · December 17, 2013, 02:07:13 AM

Quote from: Evansheer;715136Going down the list and off of memory:

SPOILERS

3.5 years

Rise of the Runelords : Gore, serial killings, hillbilly rapist ogres, incestuous succubus and her daughters, etc.

Neat! Did Garth Ennis help write it?

JG

Rincewind1 · December 17, 2013, 02:15:35 AM

Quote from: James Gillen;716522Neat! Did Garth Ennis help write it?

JG

Obviously not, since it lacks greedy all - powerful yet surprisingly incompetent corp- merchant guilds

. Though admittedly that might be just me being bitter over The Boys not turning out all what hype had them to be.

I'd also recommend the freebie adventure where everyone plays goblins, for a sillier game. If your kid ever had a hold of MtG goblins, or just a pendant for rooting for the bad guys in toons, he should love it

.

mcbobbo · December 18, 2013, 09:57:52 PM

I was going to ask how it went, but it isn't Christmas yet, is it?

OP, did you get the answers you were after?

jhkim · December 19, 2013, 02:38:53 AM

As it turns out, I'm also running Pathfinder for my son and two nephews over Christmas - by their request. I've run three other short adventures for them on previous holidays.

I picked up The Dragon's Demand, and I'm seeing about adapting it to work a little better for them and their previous adventures.