Learn To Play Pathfinder 2E: Extinction Curse (2nd Sunday)

Creating your character

Character Creation We will begin at Level 1 since Extinction Curse is a full adventure path that takes characters from humble circus performers all the way to level 20. Character creation will happen before our first official session, so everyone can arrive ready to dive into the story. If you need help building your character, I am happy to walk you through the process step by step. Ability Scores We will use Pathfinder 2e’s standard ability boost system rather than rolling for stats. This ensures fairness and balance across the party, and it keeps the focus on storytelling instead of dice luck. Sources You are welcome to use the Core Rulebook, Advanced Player’s Guide, and other official Pathfinder 2e materials. If you have something in mind from a third-party source, please check with me first. My goal is to encourage creativity while keeping the game balanced and easy for everyone to follow. Ancestries and Backgrounds The circus setting makes this campaign a great place to explore unusual ancestries and colorful backgrounds. Feel free to choose whatever ancestry inspires you, whether that’s a classic dwarf, elf, or human, or something more exotic like a leshy or lizardfolk. For backgrounds, circus-themed options are strongly encouraged, but you can tie nearly any background into the story with a little creativity. Classes All official Pathfinder 2e classes are allowed. Martial characters, spellcasters, and hybrids all have room to shine in this campaign. Because the circus is a big part of the story, think about how your class connects to performance. A fighter might double as a strongman, a bard could be a literal entertainer, and a druid might serve as an animal tamer. Circus Connection Every character should have a clear reason for being part of the circus. You do not need to be a performer on stage—you could be part of the crew, a backstage hand, or even a reluctant recruit swept up in the troupe’s travels. The key is that you belong, and your ties to the circus will help drive the story forward. Party Balance and Collaboration We will work together to make sure the party has a good balance of skills and roles. If two people want to play the same class or similar concepts, that’s fine, but we’ll try to make sure everyone has a chance to shine in and out of the circus ring. Final Notes Characters will be created using Pathbuilder 2e or another approved digital tool, so we all have clean sheets and easy tracking. You will start with the standard Pathfinder 2e starting equipment and gold for your class and background. Please send me your character concept before the first session, so I can weave your story into the campaign’s opening moments. This process is designed to be easy, flexible, and fun. My goal is to help you create a character who feels like part of the circus family and has plenty of opportunities to shine both on stage and in the larger adventure.

Preparing for the session

To make sure everything runs smoothly, here are the steps you’ll need to take before we start playing: Create a StartPlaying Account You already have one if you’re reading this listing, but make sure your profile is set up and your preferred time zone is correct so scheduling is clear. Set Up a Roll20 Account We’ll be using Roll20 as our virtual tabletop. It’s free to use, and you can create an account at roll20.net . Once you’re in, I’ll send you the game invite link before our first session. Join the Discord Server We’ll use Discord for voice chat and out-of-session communication. Please have Discord downloaded and a working microphone ready. A webcam is optional, but I encourage voice at a minimum so roleplay and table talk flow naturally. You’ll get the server invite as soon as you confirm your spot. Character Tools I recommend Pathbuilder 2e (free on Android or as a web app) or Wanderer’s Guide for building and managing your character sheet. Both are simple and automatically apply Pathfinder 2e rules, which makes character creation quick and accurate. If you prefer, you can also use Roll20’s built-in sheet. Read the Pathfinder 2e Basics You don’t need to memorize the entire rulebook, but it helps if you’re familiar with the three-action economy, conditions, and how skill checks work. New players are very welcome, and I will go over everything in play, but even a quick read-through of the basics will help you feel confident at the table. Technical Check Make sure your microphone works clearly, your internet is stable, and you have a quiet space for play. Headphones are recommended to reduce background noise and echo. Session 0 Prep We’ll kick off with a short Session 0 to finalize characters, talk about party connections, and review safety tools. This also gives us a chance to make sure everyone’s tech is working before diving into the adventure.

What Sad Potato brings to the table

What I Provide Roll20 maps, tokens, and automation so you don’t need to purchase anything A private Discord server for communication and handouts Safety tools, including Lines & Veils and X/N/O cards Access to the story, NPCs, and circus management system What You Provide A working mic and free Discord account A free Roll20 account Your character sheet, either on Roll20 or Pathbuilder/Wanderer’s Guide A willingness to roleplay, collaborate, and join in the fun

Homebrew rules

Critical hit and fumble cards, no alignment, BG3 rules for potions.

How Sad Potato creates a safe table

Safety & Comfort Your fun and comfort at the table are my highest priorities. Pathfinder can include big emotions, dark themes, and intense encounters, but the game should always feel safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. Here’s how I handle that: Session 0 Before the campaign begins, we’ll hold a Session 0 where we: Introduce characters and talk about how they fit together as a troupe Review the tone of the campaign and the balance between circus whimsy and dark adventure Establish group expectations around roleplay, table etiquette, and spotlight sharing Go over safety tools so everyone feels in control of their experience Lines & Veils I will provide a Lines and Veils document that we’ll fill out together. Lines are hard boundaries that will never appear in the game, while Veils are subjects that can appear “off screen” but not in detail. Everyone can add to this document anonymously if desired, and I’ll make sure those boundaries are respected at all times. X, N, & O Cards During play, we’ll use the X, N, & O system in Discord chat: X means stop immediately, the current scene or content will be rewound or skipped N means a player is not comfortable with the current direction and would like a change O means everything is good and the player is comfortable continuing These can be typed in chat or messaged privately to me at any time. If you prefer, you can simply say “pause” or DM me with your concern. Open Communication You are always welcome to message me privately before, during, or after a session. If something doesn’t feel right, I want to know. Aftercare At the end of each session, we’ll take a few minutes to do a quick debrief. This gives players a chance to share highlights, address any issues, and cool down if a scene was intense. My goal is for everyone to log off the game feeling good, not stressed or uncomfortable. Respect First The circus is about community, and so is this table. Disrespectful or harmful behavior toward other players will not be tolerated. This is a welcoming space for players of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. With these tools in place, you’ll have the freedom to roleplay boldly, explore themes safely, and focus on the fun of the game.