Pathfinder Society (second edition) (PFS) is a worldwide fantasy roleplaying campaign set in the World of Golarion during the Age of Lost Omens. As agents of the Pathfinder Society, a legendary league of explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers headquartered in Absalom, you dedicate your life to discovering and chronicling the greatest mysteries and wonders of an ancient world. Pathfinder adventures range from exploring the dark alleys to engaging in political intrigues to embarking on far-flung travels to exciting locales.
Pathfinder Society (second edition) uses Paizo’s Pathfinder Second Edition ruleset and Lost Omens setting under the campaign leadership of the Paizo Organized Play Team. This guide presents the information you need to participate in this exciting, dynamic campaign. Welcome to the Pathfinder Society!
What is Paizo Organized Play?
In a Paizo Organized Play campaign, your character adventures in a shared setting with thousands of other gamers worldwide. Anyone can host games at homes, game stores, libraries, conventions, and online, as long as they report the adventure’s results afterward. Reporting earns participants campaign rewards and player actions influence the fate of the world of the game.
As part of the Organized Play experience, you can take your character to any Organized Play event in the world, allowing you to join a game with friends and strangers alike with ease. After each adventure, your characters grow stronger and carry their rewards with them to the next adventure, even if your fellow players and Game Masters (GMs) change between adventures. The experience is uniquely immersive, as the diverse range of players, GMs, and characters provide incredible depth. The campaign is also a great way to meet other gamers and play regularly without needing to schedule events with a single set of people as you might for a more traditional game.
Paizo Organized Play campaigns include the Pathfinder Society (second edition) , Starfinder Society , Pathfinder Adventure Card Society (legacy), and Pathfinder Society (first edition) (legacy) campaigns.
Registering for Organized Play
To ensure you have access to all the tools and benefits available to players, you need an Organized Play number and an account on paizo.com . To create an account, visit paizo.com/organizedplay and click on the “New Players Create an Account” button.
If you are unable to acquire an organized play number online, ask your Event Organizer for help.
Where to Find Games
Each community uses their own game scheduling process. Common platforms used in scheduling games include:
Organized Play Forums
Join the vibrant Pathfinder Society online community by participating in the official Pathfinder Society forums . Ask questions! Compare character builds! Discuss! Find events! Your feedback helps us improve our program, so drop by and tell us what we can do to enhance your organized play experience.
Key Terms
What is a Player Character?
To participate in an Organized Play game, you need a Player Character (or PC). You control your character, who will be one of the protagonists in the game's story and can directly interact with the objects, characters, and events within the adventure. You can use a pregenerated character or create your own using the rules in Pathfinder Society Characters below.
What is a Game Master?
A Game Master (GM) is the person who presents the story, adjudicates the rules, and establishes the parameters of the player’s exploration. A GM’s duty is to provide a fair and fun game for all involved, including themselves. GMs receive credit as if their character had played the adventure as well as other recognition as thanks for volunteering their time to run events.
What is an Event Organizer?
An Event Organizer sets up Organized Play games and ensures they are reported accurately. At smaller events, including tables at most game stores, there is no separate event organizer and the venture officer handles those duties. Separate event organizers are more common at conventions and other large events.
What is a Venture-Officer?
A Venture-Officer is a volunteer for Paizo Organized Play responsible for a specific geographical region, online lodge, or other area of responsibility. They set up and assist with regular Organized Play events in their area. They are also responsible for responding to any player concerns in their area, reporting concerns to higher ranked officers as needed, and ensuring accurate data reporting.
What are Achievement Points (AcP)?
Achievement Points (AcP) are currency used to purchase Boons (in-game benefits) on paizo.com. You earn AcP by participating in and reporting Paizo Organized Play games. Details about Boons and AcP are found under Player Options and Tools.
Campaign Rules Sources
The rules of the campaign are found in this Guide and the other rules documents listed below. When additional rulings are needed, they will be published in forum or blog posts on paizo.com and later added to one of the campaign rules sources.
The campaign rules sources are:
- this Guide
- the Character Options page
- the Pathfinder Society FAQ page