Are There Any Pathfinder GMs Who Would Like To Run Single Session Events?

Looking for some input from Gamemasters who might want to do some Single Session Convention Type Events. Players play their same character in all the events and the leveling system is a simple 1 XP per Event Completion, 3 XP to level, in other words a player would play 15 sessions to reach level 5. And all the events would allow a level span of 1-5. If the players wished to keep playing, games with level span of say 5-9 could be done. The thought here is that if enough of us put up good Single Session Adventures to keep the interest up, then players who don't want to let anyone down by not showing up regularly will have a viable gaming outlet with out the commitment. More and more people are going to discover this outlet and there are going to be lots more players looking for a game to play. I run Pathfinder Games and the Pathfinder Game System is Extremely popular right now so this is why I've chosen it but this concept would work with any system. Adventure building for a single session just means you need to design something that can be run in say a 4 hour time frame and has a definite goal that can be accomplished in that 4 hours. So any thoughts?

You mean like the Pathfinder Society Organized Play? That would definately be doable. That kind of ad-hoc gaming seems to appeal to the roll20 crowd. i have also looked at making an online West Marches (<a href="http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/" rel="nofollow">http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/</a>) style game. Basically, theres a bunch of players who agree between themselves when they want to play and where they want to go. if the Gamemaster can prep and is available, they play. The world is a sandbox-y newly discovered world, filled with ruins of forgotten mysteries. The players then go on expeditions from there, earning either Fame and Glory, or a quick death. Joy If people are intrested in this style of play, i'm in. My timezone is GMT +1 (i live in denmark).

Well I would love to give this a try, the westmarch Idea seems quite interesting to me. I dont have that much experience with Pathfinder but I could learn. My timezone is GMT+2 so it shouldnt be a problem. I like a more dangerous world, where the PCs know their place at the beginning, or atleast should know. I haven't used Roll20 as of yet, so it would be the first time I could really play with it.

Yeah. Danger Unites, as the saying goes ^^ The West Marches style works best with one GM who keeps up with what the players do. The players are a more fluid size. I think the easiest way to organize things are to either create a facebook group or a google + circle to facilitate planning. I have never used Roll20 before as well, but i guess it's only as complicated as "do a test run before the show"

These events would not be run by a group of players who agree when to play, that is a Campaign. This idea is vaguely similar to the Pathfinder Society, but nothing official. The only Rule if you will, would be the 1XP rule, where completion of an Event earns 1 XP point and you level at 3 XP, 6 XP, 9 XP, etc. The Players themselves must be honest in self monitoring their Characters. Anyone could play in these games, and use the same Character, you could have situations where an Adventure might be run more than once for a different group. For Example: GM A Runs an Adventure Called "The Kobold King's Hat" GM B Runs an Adventure Called "The Lost Crypt of Elmo" GM C Runs an Adventure Called "The Wizard's Tower" Anyone can play in these Sessions, but what if Game A if Full, and Players X, Y , and Z. Didn't get in but they did get to play in Game B, GM A could now run "The Kobold's King's Hat" again for a different group which might include Players X, Y, and Z. If they eventually played in all Three Single Session Games they would Level Up to Level 2. In the example All Three Adventures would have nothing to do with each other, each would have been a separate Event with a different Goal. More Input Please?

I love this idea and would be interested in participating.

@Jeff, I also think you need a uniformed stat creation rule, be it the point system or dice rolling, ect.. I still think some kind of thread starter tag would help those people looking for game sin this group. [R20PS] for Roll20 Pathfinder Society, or something like that.

@tommy I would say point-buy. That can be checked before play and is generally less inclined to arguments when large groups of people are involved. @Jeff Thanks for the clarification. I would still be intrested in GM'ing (although not nessecarily playing). My only concern would be that the adventures would tend to be a bit on the rail-roady side, but if that's what people want... ;) What would be the minimum amount of players? No use prepping for 5 when only 3 show up

@Jeff I am interested in this type of DMing. I have never played Pathfinder, but intend too. Been a long time 3.0 and 3.5 player and a d20 modern GM. It shouldn't take that much to run a decent group. Minus Combat Maneuvers which I still need to get down, the rest if pretty standard stuff with some tweaks. So far the prerequisites in DMing are agreeing to a standardized XP and having characters start at a point buy, correct?

Pretty much so, right now, that and a careful consideration of what is given out as loot, you know like a level 2 character with a +4 Vorpal Blade.

@ernie The optimal number is 6 players, you should create your Adventure for 6 players with enough variation that a level span of say 4 levels is possible.

I think some kind of max loot table would be nice. Each adventure should equal too X Gold in loot and money.

GMs will always reserve the right to exclude items that may imbalance their Event. Keep in mind penalties for using items beyond a Character's grasp. Gold is really not overly important as the opportunity to spend it, is limited by the time constraints of a Single Session Adventure. It should usually be assumed that the characters will have normal adventuring equipment. Certain mundane items might spark some interesting Role Play of course, Barrel of Kerosene, Cask of Dwarven Spirits, Bag of Caltrops, etc. A word on Characters playing in these sessions: Since these Adventures are NOT continuing Campaigns, Players should choose Characters that are truly Adventuring types. As mentioned above about Gold and no opportunity to spend it, if your PC is say a Scribe, there wouldn't be time for Scribing Scrolls or Brewing Potions. The Most Important thing about your Character, Make Him More than a Bunch of Numbers you've manipulated to achieve maximum effect.

Jeff - I'm hoping you will open it up to the APG classes as well as just the core rulebook, but other than that, I am very excited about the idea and will see you tomorrow night!

@Jeff 6 players? That's quite a handfull. And with a 4 hour adventure, i doubt there will be time for every player to shine. I would say 4 players per session. I don't think it will be a problem, since you don't seem to be short on GM's. I think players will appreciate it as well. Also, i think it would be a good idea to create some sort of "meta-plot". A reason the characters are there in the first place, like "You have all joined Exculibars League of adventuring Lunatics" or something. Hapazardly throwing people into an adventure will make it somewhat flat, as the character aren't "Grounded" in the setting, shallow as that setting might be. As for classes allowed, i would say anything made by Paizo, like i do at my home games. The official SRD at paizo's webpage provides everything you would need to create an awesome character @Tommy Combat maneuvers is actually pretty simple. Whenever someone wants to Trip, Grapple, Sunder, Bull rush, Drag or any other maneuver, roll a CMB against CMD. Unless you have Improved Something, it provokes an attack of oppertunity

@ Ernie 6 players is the normal number of players in a single session event and 4 hours is the normal allotted time. The object of the event is for the characters as a group to accomplish the Adventure Goal. The players work together to complete the Adventure not to shine. The satisfaction of playing should be, "I had a good time and Hey we finished the session and I didn't get killed". If the object of the game was to let players shine, then you would want to create your adventures for a specific group of players so you could provide situations for each individual, which is what you essentially do in a Campaign. Meta Plot, i.e. CAMPAIGN, not what this concept is about. This is much simpler than that. Your idea is a good one, don't get me wrong, but it is totally different for what have in mind. Now on to the Classes allowed, players always seem to want an edge, they want better numbers, after all mechanically a RPG character at it's root is a series of numbers, I hate looking at it like that but face it, it's true. I have no problem what type of character someone plays, I have to trust the Game Designers to have balanced the mechanics. So as long as a player starts with a level 1, legal (according to Paizo) character, not a problem. Oh one more thing after I run a few sessions like this I will try and get an idea of how to refine the whole concept and maybe try a get a few GMs to help standardize an Adventure Layout.

@Jeff Thanks for the clarifications. I still think that 6 players in a 1-5 level span is way to wide an appeal, but each to their own ^^ I will most likely stay and watch for now. See how it unfurls and how it goes. I can always join as GM later on if its needed

A bit of Roleplay should still be given out to the players. A reason why the characters adventure together. seems plausibel. Would be better than to begin every evening in a tavern so the players get to know each other. Maybe something like an adventurers guild. The guild takes job offers and sents in a group. This would provide everyone with a reason for the adventure. Another thing would be to know the timezones of the possible members. I am as I stated above in gmt+2. @Ernie I would be interested in the Westmarch setting, so if you would run a couple of games in it, I would like to join. Exploring an unknown region seems promising.

That sounds good, Henning. I'll probably make a thread of my own once i get the details down. I'm thinking about making it an E6 game too. Basically the players advance normally until 6th level. From then onwards, they gain a feat every 6000 xp or so.

Write me a pm, if you start your thread. Never played or even heard of E6 games, seems promising enough to give it a try. I'll be interested in how you present the various regions of Westmarch or what you want to call the world. I havent played Pathfinder a lot. But I know the basic rules. If it gets into more detail I'll read through it. Regarding this E6 idea, what this basicaly does is slow character progression down, next to stop it. But thats fine with me, if the Characters get too powerfull, the environment wouldnt be that dangerous anymore, or you would have to set some really mean things loose in the world.

An Adventurer's Guild with a Adventurer's Fest Hall that is a GREAT Idea! I hope you don't mind if I expand on that.

I don't mind it at all, quite the contrary. I'm glad you like it. I'm interested to see what you make of it. The idea has great potential and I think that you will manage to make it a great success.

Here's a thought, a Campaign (I prefer to call them Modules) is set up with a Very Large Tavern/Fest Hall interior, something like a Norse Longhouse type of thing. Now it would be tied to one particular game system, because I play Pathfinder I will use that as an example. Players and Gamemasters can log in and use the Fest Hall as a Meeting place for either spontaneous or regular scheduled games. What would this accomplish? Well for starters, players and GMs looking for a game right now could meet up for Pick Up Games. GM's Running campaigns that have a few players missing or not showing up could pick up a player to replace the missing player even if it was only for one session, why have your game ruined because of a NO SHOW. It would replace the LOOKING FOR A GAME Posts which are continually being bumped by The Rogue Trader guy. A Player could just pop into the Fest Hall to see who was there, maybe do some Role Playing, maybe find a game, maybe meet a few other players with similar game interests. Anyone else care to chime in, does this have any validity.