Getting Started
Pathfinder is a role playing game (RPG) system based on the open-source version of Dungeons & Dragons 3.5. It’s published by Paizo Publishing. Paizo publishes Pathfinder print and PDF rulebooks, campaign settings, adventure modules, and other guides, available at Paizo.com. Pathfinder system rules can also be found online at the Pathfinder Reference Document (PRD) at the Paizo site (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/) and at the d20pfsrd (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/). These contain all the Pathfinder material freely available under the Open Gaming License (OGL). Some Pathfinder material, such as campaign settings, pantheons of deities, artwork, etc., is covered under standard copyright, and will not be found in the free online resources above. There are also many third-party add-on materials for Pathfinder, including modules, settings, and other guides; both free and for-purchase third-party Pathfinder products are available at Paizo and at RPG resource sites like DriveThruPRG (my personal favorite).
Teens can probably dig right into the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, but younger kids (particularly those with parents who are also new to the system) will likely have an easier time with the Beginner Box.
The Pathfinder Beginner Box is a boxed starter set that introduces a simplified version of the Pathfinder rules, with a pared-down list of character classes and races. It comes with a DM Guide, Player Guide, dice, character sheets, pawns (cardboard markers for representing heroes and monsters on battle maps) and instructions for creating four classic character classes (fighter, cleric, wizard, rogue) using three classic races (elf, human, dwarf). It’s available on Amazon as well as at Paizo.com, the home of Pathfinder. http://paizo.com/products/btpy8osv?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Beginner-Box
Some extras for the Beginner Box include the following.
The Beginner Box Player Pack contains rules for the Barbarian character class and new class options for the base characters. http://paizo.com/products/btpy8p2k?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Beginner-Box-Player-Pack
http://www.pfbeginner.com/ is an unofficial reference site for the Beginner Box and is a handy searchable online reference.
Pathfinders’ Guild of Berkeley has unofficial resources, including Beginner Box write-ups for extra character classes such as Bards, Druids, Paladins, etc and additional standard Pathfinder races: Halflings, Gnomes, Half-Elves and Half-Orcs. https://guildberkeley.wordpress.com/resources/beginner-box-resources/
Pathfinder Adventure Modules for kids
Modules Specifically for Beginner Box:
- “Black Fang’s Crypt” (comes with Beginner Box)
- The Beginner Box GM Kit, available for free download at the Paizo site. Contains a module, “Deadly Mine” http://paizo.com/products/btpy8p2l?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Beginner-Box-GM-Kit
- Beginner Box Bash Demos, very short adventure scenarios free for download at Paizo.com. Beginner Box Bash 1, Beginner Box Bash 2
- The Trail of the Apprentice Adventure Path consists of 5 modules that take younger/beginner players from levels 1-5. The modules can also be purchased individually. http://paizo.com/products/btpy9y19?Trail-of-the-Apprentice-Adventure-Path
- The BASIC series from AAW Games, intended for younger players. http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/a/adventureAWeek/roleplayingGames/pathfinderRPG/adventures/bASICSeries
- Commercial Beginner Box modules from 0one Games (these are written for adult players, so some content may need to be edited based on parent preferences/sensitivity of the players): Pathfinder Basic Paths
Standard Pathfinder modules with themes which work well for kids/beginners and/or can be easily adapted to Beginner Box rules:
- **HIGHLY RECOMMENDED** “The Burning Goblins” by Blue Sword Games (free PDF download, paid version with more content also available). This free module is extremely well done, with lots of great advice for beginner GMs and a straightforward story with obvious plot hooks for novice players. Many of the big fights can be avoided entirely through clever negotiation, should the party choose to do so. High production values, great artwork and maps. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/212228/The-Burning-Goblins
- “Master of the Fallen Fortress” is a free, straightforward dungeon crawl for level 1 players. http://paizo.com/products/btpy8ey4?Pathfinder-Module-Master-of-the-Fallen-Fortress
- Playground Adventures has written Pathfinder modules specifically for younger kids (4-10ish). These are short semi-educational adventures designed to be finished in a single after-school session. Some involve simple science experiments. http://paizo.com/companies/playgroundAdventures