Interest check PFS2 season 2 metaplot, season 3 metaplot, Dark Archive Case Files,...

[stephan_]

Due to the limited availability of replays in PFS2, scheduling older scenarios has been a bit of a challenge.

This interest check would make it a bit easier for me to determine what demand there still is for older scenarios.

We would use Fantasy Grounds Unity.

Please indicate timeslot preference and scenario preference.

E.g. I. or II., C. Case Files

or

II. D11. Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-15: Cavern of the Sundered Song (9-12)

Timeslots

I. FRI around 6.30 PM UTC

II. SAT around 9 AM UTC

III. SAT around 6.30 PM UTC

IV. SUN around 9 AM UTC

V. SUN around 2 PM UTC

Other times may also work, depending on the specific week.

A. Season 2 metaplot scenarios

1. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-01: Citadel of Corruption (1-4)

2. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-03: Catastrophe's Spark (1-4)

3. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-05: Balancing the Scales (1-4)

4. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-14: Lost in Flames (3-6)

5. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-18: The Fanciful March of Urwal (3-6)

6. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-20: Breaking the Storm: Bastion in Embers (5-8)

7. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-22: Breaking the Storm: Excising Ruination (7-10)

8. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-24: Breaking the Storm: Parting Clouds (7-10)

B. Season 3 metaplot scenarios

Grand Lodge:

1. 3-01 Intro (1-4, repeatable)

2. 3-06 Struck by Shadows (3-6)

3. 3-17: Dreams of a Dustbound Isle (5–8)

4. 3-19: Mean Streets of Shadow Absalom (7–10)

Andoran:

5. 3-02 The East Hill Haunting (1-4)

6. 3-05 The Inheritor's Rite (1-4)

Cheliax:

7. 3-04 The Devil-Wrought Disappearance (3-6)

8. 3-07 The Locked Lodge (3-6)

Qadira:

9. 3-08 Foundation's Price (1-4)

10. 3-12: Fury's Toll (1–4)

Osirion:

11. 3-09 The Secluded Siege (5-8)

12. 3-14: The Tomb Between Worlds (5–8)

Taldor

13. 3-11: No Time for Treason (3–6)

14. 3-16: Escape from Oppara (3–6)

C. Dark Archive Case Files

Each case file likely runs for around 2-4 hours (depending on the specific case file and the group) and awards 2 XP (plus appropriate other rewards).

They are written for four characters of the appropriate level. As this is sanctioned content in adventure mode, the characters do not necessarily need to be PFS2 legal.

The case files are:

1. The Beast of Birchfrost (3rd level)

2. Shaking the Helping Hand (5th level)

3. A Song of Making and Unmaking (6th level)

4. Lady of the Harvest (7th level)

5. The Verdure of Iblydos (8th level)

6. Wishes in Krasnoprudny (9th level)

7. Tomorrow’s Feast (10th level)

8. The Last Dream (12th level)

"These adventures contain horror-related themes, including body horror, mind control, and themes of gaslighting and emotional abuse. One adventure also requires players to withold information from each other and potentially act against each others’ interests. Before you begin, understand that player consent (including that of the Game Master) is vital to a safe and fun play experience for everyone."

"Players who play through each Dark Archive Case File, as well as GMs who run the adventure, can apply the adventure’s Chronicle Sheet to any of their Pathfinder Society Organized Play characters. Players and GMs must decide which character to apply credit to when they receive the Chronicle Sheet. The Chronicle Sheet gives 2 Experience Points, 2 Reputation with one faction, and 5 Treasure Bundles appropriate to a character of their level. It also grants 4 days of Downtime. These adventures are not repeatable, therefore an individual may earn a Chronicle Sheet once as player and once as GM for each adventure."

D. Others

1. Pathfinder Society Scenario #1-18: Lodge of the Living God (1-4; this one usually runs long)

2. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-02: Mountain of Sea and Sky (3-6)

3. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-07: The Blakros Deception (5-8)

[4. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-08: A Frosty Mug (5-8)]

5. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-09: The Seven Secrets of Dacilane Academy (1-4)

6. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-10: In Burning Dawn (5-8)

7. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-15: A Dirge for Sarkoris (3-6)

8. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-16: Freedom for Wishes (5-8)

9. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-17: Lost Maid of Anactoria (3-6)

10. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-23: An Agent's Obligation (3-6)

11. Pathfinder Society Scenario #3-15: Cavern of the Sundered Song (9-12)

E. Other content not listed here (no APs)

Please specify which scenario, quest, bounty, one-shot, ... you'd want to play.

[Navigat0r]

I am interested. That said, I am completely new with regards to pathfinder society and have only a bit of experience with PF2 (played through and GMed the beginner's box). If it is okay for a new person like me to join, I would be happy to play.

Timeslots:
IV (preferred) or II
Scenario
A1, D5 - If there are any other scenarios that are especially well suited to new characters/players, those would be great!

[Malkavian_Andi]

If it is okay for a new person like me to join, I would be happy to play.Welcoming new players is one thing Society Play is there for. Always nice to have new players at the table.

As for my data:
Timeslots: Technically they all work, although SAT and SUN would depend on the specific week.
Snearios: B1, C-all, any other repeatable would probably also work

[stephan_]

Welcoming new players is one thing Society Play is there for. Always nice to have new players at the table.

Indeed, Society games are a good way to get started.

The difficulty is finding a scenario and timeslot everyone can play- which is actually easier for newer people.


If there are any other scenarios that are especially well suited to new characters/players, those would be great!

The upcoming FG Con (https://warhorn.net/events/fg-con-2022/schedule/agenda?c=Q2FtcGFpZ24tNjQ%3D) has a couple of Intros as well as PFS2 2-11: The Pathfinder Trials, all of which give a good introduction to the specific setting. They are not completely essential to play first though. Most lower level scenarios or quests should be a good place to get started. There is e.g. PFS2 4-05: The Arclord Who Never Was (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/939c3efa-cb04-4291-8407-b843b1a0b14f) though that may not work time-wise for you.

[stephan_]

I forgot about March of the Dead (3-4 sessions, 3rd level characters) - though that has some issues (very repetitive fights for one).

"Players who play through March of the Dead, as well as
GMs who run the adventure, can apply the adventure’s
Chronicle Sheet to any of their Pathfinder Society
Organized Play characters. Players and GMs must decide
which character to apply credit to when they receive the
Chronicle Sheet. The Chronicle Sheet gives 8 Experience
Point(s), 8 Reputation with one faction, and 20 Treasure
Bundles appropriate to a character of their level, applied
in batches of 10 Treasure Bundles at each 4 XP interval.
It also grants 16 days of Downtime. This adventure is not
repeatable, therefore an individual may earn a Chronicle
Sheet once as player and once as GM for the adventure."

[muzouka]

Interested in playing.
Timeslot: IV
Scenarios: A.3 to A.8, B(All)

[Navigat0r]

The upcoming FG Con (https://warhorn.net/events/fg-con-2022/schedule/agenda?c=Q2FtcGFpZ24tNjQ%3D) has a couple of Intros as well as PFS2 2-11: The Pathfinder Trials, all of which give a good introduction to the specific setting. They are not completely essential to play first though. Most lower level scenarios or quests should be a good place to get started. There is e.g. PFS2 4-05: The Arclord Who Never Was (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/939c3efa-cb04-4291-8407-b843b1a0b14f) though that may not work time-wise for you.

I have checked out the FG Con warhorn page, but it seems that the events marked "beginner friendly" and "learn to play" are already full. Is it acceptable to sign up for an event even if it is not explicitly marked for new people?

[stephan_]

Unless there are already several people on the waitlist, I'd still suggest signing up. People always drop out for various reasons (like FG Con using FG as a VTT, ...) and more often than not, some signups do not show up on game day. So even if an event is currently full, there's a not-insignificant chance you can still get in.

As far as other events are concerned:

"Beginner friendly" and "learn to play" were options during the GM signups but I don't believe the absence of the tag indicates an unwillingness of the GM to also have new players. It won't hurt to double-check but I think most GMs would be happy to also have new players (especially if the game would not fire otherwise). Do note however that depending on the game, the GM may have specified some requirements in advance. A common one is "have your character ready in FG format" - people creating characters only when the slot starts (and especially if they have never done so on FG) rarely ends well.

The only exception may be "FG Experience Required" - though note this one is pretty broad, so could just indicate that you should be familiar with the FG basics (combat tracker, ...), not necessarily the ruleset itself (especially if there are pregens). A lot of rulesets are very similar to each other after all. I would say best to double-check with the GM what requirements they think would be essential if you are interested in one of those games.

[Malkavian_Andi]

I believe "Learn to Play" and "FG Beginner Friendly" just mean it's some kind of introductory scenario and/or the GM has specifically planned for some time to go over using FG.
But in general, any scenario that can be played with a 1st level character is a good place to start. As Stephan pointed out, it's always good to have a character built before the game. Most GMs set aside some time a day or two before the game to log on to their server and create the character on FG (or if they don't do so on their own, they will find a time if asked). Some also offer to build a player's character on FG if they receive a copy (like a pdf).
And lastly, for players who have no experience with PF2 at all, there's always the option to ask the GM to provide a pregenerated character. There are official ones for Pathfinder Society for every class from the Core Rulebook.

oh, and before I forget: March of the Dead would also be something I'd be interested in, in addition to the options I posted earlier.

[redchin42]

Time slot: V, although a 3pm (or later) UTC start time works better for us PDT/PST 'ers.
Adventures:
all Dark Archive Case files, other than that, I'm pretty much caught up with PFS.

[stephan_]

I will wait until after FG Con to see if there are other responses (especially as people are likely already signed up for games for FG Con).

Currently, it looks like two main possibilities (apart from repeatables):

1. C. Dark Archive Case Files in slot V or later.

2. Potentially A. Season 2 metaplot scenarios and B. Season 3 metaplot scenarios in slot IV.

[stephan_]

Having survived FG Con, here would be the next practical options:

Metaplot scenarios

Two options for SUN 4th around 9 AM UTC would be

1. 3-01 Intro (1-4, repeatable)

2. Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-05: Balancing the Scales (1-4)

The alternative would be to run a scenario one week later during the FG Paizo OP day (December 10th).

Case Files

There are a decent amount of case files that could run in half a regular scenario timeslot. However, some definitely need a longer slot or some cutting.

1. The Beast of Birchfrost (3rd level)

and

2. Shaking the Helping Hand (5th level)

I'd put in a 2 - 2 1/2 hour slot.

I can either put them into a combined slot at 2 or 2.30 PM UTC for 4 1/2 hours or one in a slot of 2 - 2 1/2 hours during that time.

I should be good most Sundays (with the expected exceptions during the holidays), e.g. on the 4th.

Let me know what you prefer.

[Malkavian_Andi]

I'm in favor of the Case Files, as I can't play most older scenarios (except Repeatables).
I can't precisely tell how my Sundays work. Some are currently reserved for a campaign I play in, but one of the players might have to cancel the December sessions, so I could have plenty of time after all.

[Navigat0r]

From a schedule perspective, I can work with both the 9 am utc timeslot and the 2 pm utc slot.

In terms of pathfinder society stuff, my only character is level 2. Does mean I need to level up before paticipating in higher tier adventures (such as the the 3rd level Beast of Birchfrost mentioned above)?

[stephan_]

Generally speaking that would be the rule (though you could play with pregens).

The case files are slightly different as they are run in adventure mode.

"Adventure Mode is used for adventures not specifically designed for society play, and allows the GM more freedom to adapt those adventures, including running the adventure in Pathfinder using*GM house rules and the ability to alter encounters and statistics found in the adventure. "

While they still give Society credit, they don't have strict rules. In theory, you could bring a Wookie or a teletubby to the table (with GM approval...) and you could still receive credit.

So for the case files you'd usually bring your own, appropriately leveled characters (not even necessarily PFS2 legal, though it may not hurt to double-check with the GM in case of unusual options).

[Malkavian_Andi]

In theory, you could bring a Wookie or a teletubby to the table (with GM approval...)
Don't give me any weird ideas (beyond those I already have :D )

[stephan_]

On that note:

While I'm usually hesitant to include third party content, I'd be inclined to also allow the Battlezoo Ancestries for the case files. Note however that I do not have a FG module for them (nor any pdfs for most of them) and you would have to let me know the relevant rules a bit in advance.

[Navigat0r]

So for the case files you'd usually bring your own, appropriately leveled characters (not even necessarily PFS2 legal, though it may not hurt to double-check with the GM in case of unusual options).

I am okay with using pregens if needed. In the meantime, I will make something at the appropriate level(s) for the case files. To keep things on the safe side, I will only use first party stuff. Are there any other restrictions I should be aware of?

[stephan_]

Pregens are possible at some of the levels, though not all levels have them. With adventure mode it's easy enough to make adjustments if necessary (though less than four characters can at times lead to some issues).

You can either use the same character at different levels (easier) or a different character every time (or any combination in between).

Nothing specifically, though if you pick any unusual options please let me know a bit in advance, especially at the higher levels.

Treasure by level. (https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=587)

[stephan_]

I have tentatively scheduled (shorter) Dark Archive Case Files, tough I'm also happy to run them on SUN if there's enough demand (they are fairly easy to prep compared to scenarios for various reasons).

I have not heard back from all players originally interested in the scenarios unfortunately.

Do you want to try to schedule something this Sunday or the next Sunday?

[Navigat0r]

I am available on both this coming Sunday (Dec 11) and the next Sunday (Dec 18) at the 9 am utc timeslot and the 2 pm utc slot discussed above. I also signed up for some of your Case File games that you posted in the FGU paizo organized play discord. I wasn't sure if what we had discussed here overlapped with those sessions or not (in terms of replayability, scheduling and the like).

[Malkavian_Andi]

I would be available for the 9 am UTC timeslot on both Sundays, I might be able to make a later timeslot this week (I'd have to cancel a game I'm signed up for, but it's a Repeatable, so wouldn't be that much of a loss).

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: A Song of Making and Unmaking (Dark Archive Case File #3) SUN 9 AM UTC
(https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/manage/schedule/sessions/2983235d-459a-4ddd-8d44-6adacce334f0)

I scheduled it for a five hour timeslot. I should be able to shorten it a bit if necessary.

The Case Files can unfortunately only be played once for credit. That being said, they are mostly standalone and if we have enough players I have no problem running them two times if necessary.

I mainly scheduled shorter Case Files for the other two FG Paizo events as there aren't many scenarios that fit into those timeslots.

[stephan_]

As a note, a later game will not fire so I could also try to reschedule it a few hours later.

[Navigat0r]

If it helps us get the needed number of players, I am okay with a few hours later.

[stephan_]

Technically two would be a legal table, though this particular case file is very combat-heavy.

[Navigat0r]

Does that mean that we would be playing through as only 2 PCs, or would we have pregen backups? I don't mind running an extra character as long as it is relatively simple (like a fighter or something).

Of course, if we can get more players that would be best.

[stephan_]

Most likely two extra pregens (note you'd likely add a level to the level 5 pregens).

Downscaling is also possible in adventure mode but with two players you run into issues if one goes down.

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: The Verdure of Iblydos (Dark Archive Case File #5) (level 8) THU December 15th 7 PM UTC (https://warhorn.net/events/fantasy-grounds-game-day/schedule/sessions/174bbb6a-c302-4233-b4aa-d6e00d0704fd)

PF2 Adventure: Lady of the Harvest (Dark Archive Case File #4) (level 7) SUN December 18th 9 AM UTC (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/fb22bc73-cd2b-44cb-9ec9-39fcfb8be1c5)

[stephan_]

I am assuming people will be unavailable on the 25th and 1st, though if anyone has any availability over the next two weeks (e.g. workdays evening) let me know.

[Navigat0r]

I will be available over much of the holiday period. The 9am timeslot that we used before works best for me.

[Malkavian_Andi]

I am available on most weekday evenings (european time). I also might be available on the 1st, depending on the time, as I already have a game on that day.

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: Tomorrow's Feast (Dark Archive Case File #7) THU January 5th 6 PM UTC (https://warhorn.net/events/fantasy-grounds-game-day/schedule/sessions/c8f0376f-2763-47f7-9a81-3fee0b0b34da)

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: The Last Dream (Dark Archive Case File #8) SUN January 8th 9 AM UTC (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/cf1c0710-8dc4-49eb-8004-72cb213af3fc)

[stephan_]

I had a look at the last case file.

There's two ways I can run it:

A. It should be somewhat feasible to run it in a 6 hour slot unabridged (or two 3 hour slots).

B. I can also try to fit it into 4 1/2 hours but that will require skipping or significantly shortening some content.

Any preferences?

[Navigat0r]

I would prefer the unabridged version. I can do both options (the two 3 hour slots of the 6 hour one).

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: In Darkness (Dark Archive Case File #9) Sunday January 22nd 8 AM UTC (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/c0f279b7-3caa-4ee3-8db0-f75cc1668560)

I am still a bit unsure what to run after the case files.

[stephan_]

We've now run all the Dark Archive Case files as well as a handful of repeatables.

There's not a whole lot of choice but one option would be March of the Dead.

I'd tentatively say around 3 3-4 hour sessions, especially if some of the more repetitive combats are skipped.

8 XP.

"Players who play through March of the Dead, as well as
GMs who run the adventure, can apply the adventure’s
Chronicle Sheet to any of their Pathfinder Society
Organized Play characters. Players and GMs must decide
which character to apply credit to when they receive the
Chronicle Sheet. The Chronicle Sheet gives 8 Experience
Point(s), 8 Reputation with one faction, and 20 Treasure
Bundles appropriate to a character of their level, applied
in batches of 10 Treasure Bundles at each 4 XP interval.
It also grants 16 days of Downtime. This adventure is not
repeatable, therefore an individual may earn a Chronicle
Sheet once as player and once as GM for the adventure."

Any interest in e.g. the SUN 9 AM UTC timeslot?

[Malkavian_Andi]

I'd be interested, although some Sundays could be difficult for me.

[Navigat0r]

I am interested. On most weekends, the 9 am Sunday UTC slot is best for me but I should be okay for the 2pm Sunday slot as well. On some Saturdays, I will be available for 9am UTC slot.

Do note that for the upcoming weekend (28/29) I will be unavailable except for the Sunday 2pm slot.

[stephan_]

Do you want to try starting March of the Dead next Sunday?

[Malkavian_Andi]

I could do next week, although rest of February is probably not going to work for me.

[stephan_]

Unless people reliably can make the Saturday probably best to delay then (and maybe run a one-shot instead).

[Navigat0r]

I can do Saturdays but it would need to be after 1 pm UTC. The other Saturday slots depend on the week (I have a some other bi-weekly/periodic campaigns I am in).
My Sunday schedule has also changed recently so the best time slot for me has changed to the 2 pm UTC slot.

[stephan_]

Any preferences between

A. THU around 6.30 PM UTC

B. SAT around 6.30 PM UTC

C. SUN around 2 PM UTC?

[Malkavian_Andi]

I'm generally available on all three of those timeslots, with a few exceptions:
On some weeks, slot C might not work, as I play in an "Attack of the Swarm" campaign on some Sundays. The campaign is almost finished, though, so after that, Sundays would be free for me.
Slot B and C don't work for me on the last weekend of February as there is a local con happening.

[Navigat0r]

Slot B works best for me. Slot C is a little difficult as I play in a different campaign until around 3 pm UTC.

[Malkavian_Andi]

A little update from me: As, after finishing "Attack of the Swarm", that group will start a new campaign, slots A and B will work best for me. My Sundays will probably be too unreliable for planning more than one-shot games there.

[stephan_]

I'd pencil it in for the 4th, 11th and 18th - it would also be possible to start this week but that would mean we'd have a break next week.

[stephan_]

Do you want to try to start on the 4th or do you believe it would be better to schedule a one-shot for the FG game days on the 4th and start this one a week later?

[Malkavian_Andi]

I already blocked those times, so I'm good either way.

[stephan_]

PF2 Adventure: March of the Dead (from Book of the Dead, 3rd level) 1/3

SAT March 4th 6.30 PM UTC

Three sessions in total, the other two sessions are tentively scheduled at the same time on the 11th and 18th. Note that your timezone may change during the second and third session. Not PFS2 but you can get PFS2 credit.

Warhorn (https://warhorn.net/events/sonoma-county-pfs/schedule/sessions/603a6670-7eaf-4690-ad12-4d1c61ce1755)

[Navigat0r]

I'm in. In terms of character building, would this adventure be suitable for options found in Book of the Dead?

[stephan_]

That depends. Undead hunting likely yes. Being an undead however may present some challenges.

[Navigat0r]

Understood. In that case I'll steer clear of making an undead character.

[stephan_]

To clarify: Being an undead hunting other undead may work. Being an undead that wants to make more undead may be problematic. Being an undead in a party with PCs that don't like undead needs to be discussed with the other players.