this is going to be my first time GMing with my friends and although I have done a few things and understand the basics, id really like to try to make my party feel like the are a group from the beginning, because in my experience its always kind of like " you guys are going to do this first thing as a group because ur all here" and I want them to really feel it. I've been thinking maybe they are in the military? that would explain why they are together at the beginning, or making them captives trying to run away together for survival? I don't want to follow an adventure path, because well, I just wanna make my own stuff up, and im just really looking for help for a first mission =p. BTW there are only 3 people, a very experienced player who is a wiz, and two pretty inexperienced players. 1 inquisitor and 1 magus. plz help, and thank you in advance =)
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Pathfinder 1E HELP FIRST TIME GM WITH FRIENDS!!! D=
- Thread starter ob250
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MortalPlague
Adventurer
Military organizations can be a good way to put the group together. It also allows you to hand them quests that they're expected to do. So long as you make sure their military group has enough flexibility to handle situations as they like, you're on the right track.
I also like this idea because then I can always give them npc help by just saying "he is a specialist to help u on your mission" im just not sure its a good scenario for 3 mages. also, I want them to feel like they are in control, which I don't feel like they will have with someone giving them orders. but I like the idea of a war in general so they are facing more humanoid creatures.
MortalPlague
Adventurer
Yeah, so what you want to do is have them be a team of specialists themselves. They don't fall into the command structure, they won't have anyone giving them orders. Instead, they're given a job and expected to complete it, using their unique capabilities.
It's a good idea to maybe have a bodyguard, so long as he's not someone who outranks them. You don't want to send along an NPC to outshine the PCs.
It's a good idea to maybe have a bodyguard, so long as he's not someone who outranks them. You don't want to send along an NPC to outshine the PCs.
I like that =) the party has 2 elves and some weird earth creature, cant think of what its called, but I could very well make it a world where humans are the enemy. makes since because in race guide we are using humans enslave elves by using special iron rings. so it makes since =) what would be a good first objective?
Gilladian
Adventurer
If they are in a war fighting against humans who hold elves captive, then maybe their first job could be to act as bandits on a road where captives are being transported; they have to rescue a certain captive, but are not sure when the caravan holding him will be coming along.
You could break this down into a series of scenarios: 1) getting to the place where the caravan will be traveling (sneaking behind enemy lines, etc) 2) eliminating the bandits who are already there (or making use of them somehow) 3) selecting the correct caravan (infiltrate a village nearby so they get an early look at the caravan on the night before?) 4) overcoming the caravan's guards and rescuing the captives 5) getting back to friendly territory with the important rescuee intact.
You could break this down into a series of scenarios: 1) getting to the place where the caravan will be traveling (sneaking behind enemy lines, etc) 2) eliminating the bandits who are already there (or making use of them somehow) 3) selecting the correct caravan (infiltrate a village nearby so they get an early look at the caravan on the night before?) 4) overcoming the caravan's guards and rescuing the captives 5) getting back to friendly territory with the important rescuee intact.
Dwimmerlied
First Post
that should be for the characters to decide! encourage them to problem solve, and you should brainstorm and plan for contingencies. I'm not confident with the pathfinder system, but I'd imagine if its similar at all to 3.5 which I play, they should be able to handle one or two more in a straight up fight...
But, if the characters have taken advantage of certain opportunities (which you provide) they may already know how many enemies they face; they might be able to plan an ambush, enlist help from others, or even, for an exciting battle, time their attack when the caravan is about to be ambushed by mutual enemies or some kind of monster.
If I'm planning for an encounter that might be too tough, I make sure there are other opportunities, too. perhaps some kind of skill challenge to gain some advantage (perhaps a one-off powerful item), handle animal/wild empathy to spook or influence their horses, knowledge (nature)/wilderness lore to identify hazards that can be used to characters advantage, disable device to cause the caravan to experience problems at a crucial moment or craft a makeshift trap. Although these may not be directly useful to your party right now, there are absolutely similar things they can do if they think about it.
Although a TPK is not desirable, dont worry if one of the characters dies in the first combat either. Thats the risk they take! And also, perhaps the encounter might end up being a fighting retreat if the characters feel overwhelmed. Plan for this too, because its a viable option and wont take from your story so far, just complicate the plot in new ways
But, if the characters have taken advantage of certain opportunities (which you provide) they may already know how many enemies they face; they might be able to plan an ambush, enlist help from others, or even, for an exciting battle, time their attack when the caravan is about to be ambushed by mutual enemies or some kind of monster.
If I'm planning for an encounter that might be too tough, I make sure there are other opportunities, too. perhaps some kind of skill challenge to gain some advantage (perhaps a one-off powerful item), handle animal/wild empathy to spook or influence their horses, knowledge (nature)/wilderness lore to identify hazards that can be used to characters advantage, disable device to cause the caravan to experience problems at a crucial moment or craft a makeshift trap. Although these may not be directly useful to your party right now, there are absolutely similar things they can do if they think about it.
Although a TPK is not desirable, dont worry if one of the characters dies in the first combat either. Thats the risk they take! And also, perhaps the encounter might end up being a fighting retreat if the characters feel overwhelmed. Plan for this too, because its a viable option and wont take from your story so far, just complicate the plot in new ways
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