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Message: <blockquote data-quote="baconcow" data-source="post: 5340135" data-attributes="member: 95414">GoalI want to learn how to be a Pathfinder RPG Dungeon Master.ExperienceRoleplaying Games (table-top): None.D&D-based RPGs (video games): Baldur's Gate II: Shadow's of Amn, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Baal, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Neverwinter Nights.Notes- I understand many of the concepts of being a DM.- I've played many rules-heavy Eurogames (Caylus, Through the Ages), Wargames (Combat Commander Pacific and Twilight Struggle), and Ameritrash (Twilight Imperium III). Rules do not intimidate me; just applying them to others when uncomfortable with them can be difficult.- I want to do some trial runs on my own to get the rules down before bringing in other players.- I always loved the quests and missions in an RPG but was not always one to read EVERY word that an NPC had to say. I enjoy more the interaction between the main players (PC's) and the enemies and their environment (traps, puzzles, and exploration).Questions[1] Are there any tips or suggestions for running a game (by myself, for practice) without emphasis on roleplaying, just to learn the mechanics? For example, are there any example quests that have smaller maps (the free D&D 4e has maps larger than a BattleMat and so does the Pathfinder Everflame module, from what I've read in a review) and have pre-setup monsters and battles for early levels.[2]  I see Pathfinder RPG as being an excellent platform in which to set up many traps and puzzles within a simple dungeon environment. Does anyone else play Pathfinder or D&D 3.5 with lower emphasis on roleplaying and more on exploration and combat?[3] How many monsters (XP worth) should I have in each smaller dungeon (max size of a BattleMat: 22x25 squares)? All of the online random dungeon generators puts like 4 sets in the dungeon, at most, which seems a little bare (except the WotC one, which has roaming monsters as well).the GameMastering section.[4] When is the best time to let a player level up? At the end of the dungeon and quest (kind of like Oblivion where you level up when you sleep). Or at the time the XP is "earned" that puts them above?[5] What are the best tools (outside of the 4 "core" Pathfinder books: Core Rules, Bestiary, GM Guide, and APG) that are best for leaning how to be a DM?____________________________________________I will summarize, in this post, with answers and tips for other new-comers to both Pathfinder and tabletop RPG's with tips and suggestions given by other users.Introductory Adventures[1] <a href="http://paizo.com/store/downloads/pathfinder/pathfinderModules/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy85js" target="_blank">Pathfinder Module: Crypt of the Everflame (PFRPG)</a>"An adventure for 1st-level characters"[2] <a href="http://paizo.com/store/downloads/pathfinder/pathfinderModules/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy8ey4" target="_blank">Pathfinder Module: Master of the Fallen Fortress</a> (free PDF available)"A dungeon-based adventure for 1st-level characters"Thanks in advance for any help!</blockquote>

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