Appalachian Region Weekly Update
Week of August 30 – September 5, 2026
📋 This Week at a Glance
DRAGONCON IS HERE! The biggest weekend of the year starts Thursday at AmericasMart Building 3. Get your tickets at gaming.dragoncon.org and join us for Pathfinder and Starfinder Society gaming on the 2nd floor. Also coming up: Game and Geek Expo in Raleigh September 5–6!
🐉 DRAGONCON 2026 — STARTS THURSDAY!
September 3–7, 2026 — AmericasMart Building 3, Atlanta, GA
It’s finally here! DragonCon kicks off Thursday, September 3rd and runs through Monday. Here’s everything you need to know:
Where to Find Us:
AmericasMart Building 3, 2nd Floor — see the floor plan below. Look for the PFS/SFS 4-Hour Event Areas and PFS/SFS Quest Events sections.
How to Get Tickets:
Visit gaming.dragoncon.org and click Search Events. From the Select Area dropdown, choose Role-Playing Games (Campaign). Then use the Select Game System dropdown to filter for Pathfinder Society or Starfinder Society.
Our DragonCon Volunteer Team: Huge thanks to Dennis B (Venture-Captain, Columbus), Courtney (Venture-Lieutenant, Statesboro), Brad G (Venture-Captain, Online PbP), and Arion and Raymond (Venture-Officers from Alabama, Gulf Region) for stepping up to help staff our tables!
FLOOR PLAN: AmericasMart Building 3, Floor 2 — Gaming Areas
🎲 Game and Geek Expo — Raleigh, NC
September 5–6, 2026 — Raleigh, NC
Coming up right after DragonCon: the Raleigh lodge will be at Game and Geek Expo September 5–6! If you’re in the Raleigh area, come out and support them. More info at gameandgeek.com.
📋 Organized Play Rule Updates (Published July 16)
Paizo published a rule-update blog laying out “Program Alignment” changes that took effect with the July 30 launch of Pathfinder Society Year 8 and Starfinder Society Season 2 — these directly affect how we run tables:
- Pathfinder Society: scenarios (and eventually other sanctioned adventures) become repeatable for different characters. New characters can start at 1st, 3rd, 5th, or 7th level, with more flexibility for how pregen credit gets applied. Pathfinder Provisions is going away, replaced by a bespoke kit of consumables handed out at mission briefing and returned afterward. Monster stat blocks from other sourcebooks are coming back in a combined appendix.
- Starfinder Society: Slow Track advancement is being added, letting players opt into half credit on a scenario-by-scenario basis. GM ranks are also arriving, called Nebulas, mirroring Glyphs and Stars.
Read the full rundown on Paizo’s blog.
📢 Regional Announcements & Opportunities
🚨 CRITICAL: Venture-Officer Opening: Chattanooga, TN — Restarting the Search
We’re restarting our search for a Venture-Officer in the Chattanooga area — our previous lead there didn’t end up working out. To be direct about it: this lodge cannot become active again without at least one officer stepping up. Chattanooga relaunched in 2025 and just needs someone consistent to build on that momentum. If you’re willing to help rebuild organized play in Chattanooga, or know someone who would be great at it, reach out.
Contact us at rvcapparegionop@gmail.com or through the Appalachian Region Hub.
🎲 Columbus, GA Lodge Still Gearing Up
The Columbus lodge, led by Dennis B, continues preparing to get games back on the calendar at Moxie Games. Keep an eye on their Warhorn page over the coming weeks, and reach out to Dennis B if you’d like to help build momentum as they get back up and running. Dennis will also be joining us at DragonCon — thank you for your help!
🚨 CRITICAL: Venture-Officer Opening: Charleston, WV — A Possible New Lodge
We’re exploring the possibility of a new lodge in Charleston, WV. The idea grew out of things like CharCon showing there’s real interest in the Charleston area, plus wanting to avoid stretching Morgantown and Vienna’s officers too thin if Charleston turns out to be too far a drive for them to cover reliably. If you’re willing to be the person who builds it, reach out now.
What being a Venture-Officer actually involves: scheduling games at a local venue, welcoming new players, maintaining a searchable public presence for the lodge (a Warhorn page is one option, but not the only one), and being a point of contact for the region. You don’t need to be an expert — you need to show up and care. The VO Handbook covers everything else.
Contact us at rvcapparegionop@gmail.com or through the Appalachian Region Hub.
🎯 Lodges That Need You at the Table
The single most important thing you can do for organized play in this region is show up regularly and occasionally run a game. These lodges need that from you right now:
- Mebane, NC — Tables are running but attendance is inconsistent and GM support is thin. If you are in the Triangle or Triad area, this lodge needs warm bodies in chairs.
- Charlotte, NC — Real momentum recently — keep it going by showing up regularly, not just for the big weeks.
- Memphis, TN — Keep the growth going with more players and GMs.
- Nashville, TN — Strong existing interest, real potential. The schedule could be bigger with more GMs willing to step behind the screen.
- Morgantown, WV — Could use more regular GMs and players at Wyvern’s Wargames.
If you are near any of these cities, reach out through the Lodge Directory or email rvcapparegionop@gmail.com to get connected.
📈 Regional Growth Snapshot: Q2 vs. Q1 2026
We can’t publicly share raw table or player counts — those fall under our officer NDA with Paizo — but percentage trends are fair game, and they tell a good story about where the region is headed. These figures cover retail, virtual, and acquisition events only — larger conventions are reported directly to Paizo and aren’t included here. Comparing Q2 to Q1 (Q3 just started in July, so those numbers are still too incomplete to include):
One data note: we’ve identified that Virginia’s numbers below were affected by a now-resolved access issue on one of our event-reporting codes. A correction will show up in next quarter’s figures — going forward, we’ll expand these comparisons to show amended Q1, Q2, and Q3 data side by side so trends stay accurate as the data gets cleaned up.
Region-Wide
| Category | Q1 → Q2 Change |
|---|---|
| Retail PFS2 Sessions | ▲ +8% |
| Retail SFS2 Sessions | ▼ -39% |
| Retail SFS1 Sessions | New this quarter |
| Unique GMs | ▼ -8% |
| Unique Players | ▲ +2% |
| New Players | ▲ +71% |
By State
| State | Retail PFS2 | Retail SFS2 | Unique GMs | Unique Players | New Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | ▲ +60% | ▼ -69% | ▲ +19% | ▲ +2% | ▼ -22% |
| North Carolina | ▼ -72% | ▼ -72% | ▼ -62% | ▼ -57% | ▲ +157% |
| South Carolina | ▲ +107% | ▲ +21% | ▲ +100% | ▲ +39% | ▲ +89% |
| Tennessee | ▲ +31% | ▲ +9% | ▲ +12% | ▲ +8% | ▲ +11% |
| Virginia* | ▲ +27% | ▲ +50% | ▲ +18% | ▲ +41% | New this quarter |
| West Virginia | — | — | — | — | New this quarter |
*Virginia figures pending correction — see note above.
A few highlights: South Carolina had a strong quarter across the board, North Carolina’s new-player growth stands out even as overall table counts dipped, and Georgia’s PFS2 tables and GM ranks both climbed nicely. West Virginia doesn’t have retail table data yet, but new players showed up for the first time — a good sign as Morgantown and the Charleston effort build momentum.
🎪 Upcoming Conventions – Next 90 Days
The Regional & National Calendar tracks conventions and game days across the six-state region. If you are interested in volunteering at any of these events, contact the hosting lodge or email rvcapparegionop@gmail.com.
🐉 DragonCon – Atlanta, GA — STARTS THURSDAY!
Dates: September 3–7, 2026
Venue: AmericasMart Building 3 — Atlanta, GA
Website: dragoncon.org
The Premier Paizo Organized Play event in the Appalachian Region. Tickets at gaming.dragoncon.org — see instructions above for finding our games.
Our DragonCon Volunteer Team: We’re grateful to have an amazing crew helping make DragonCon happen this year, including Dennis B (Venture-Captain, Columbus), Courtney (Venture-Lieutenant, Statesboro), Brad G (Venture-Captain, Online PbP), and Arion and Raymond (Venture-Officers from Alabama, Gulf Region). Thank you all for stepping up!
🎲 Game and Geek Expo – Raleigh, NC
Dates: September 5–6, 2026
Location: Raleigh, NC
Website: gameandgeek.com
The Raleigh lodge will be at Game and Geek Expo right after DragonCon weekend!
🎨 LUGCon – Duluth, GA
Dates: October 1–4, 2026
Venue: Gas South Convention Center — Duluth, GA
Lodge: AtlantaPFS (coordinated by Steve H)
Website: lugcon.com
AtlantaPFS is gearing up to support LUGCon again this fall and needs volunteers. Reach out to Steve H if you’d like to help.
🎨 Multiverse – Peachtree City, GA
Dates: October 16–18, 2026
Venue: Hilton Peachtree City — Peachtree City, GA
Lodge: AtlantaPFS
Website: multiversecon.org
AtlantaPFS is planning to be at Multiverse again this year and needs volunteers to staff it. Reach out to joel@atlantapfs.org if you’d like to help.
🌎 Also on the National Radar
A couple of national events worth knowing about later this year, both outside our region but on Paizo’s calendar:
- Toys of Boundless Wonder — November 27 – December 6, 2026. A distributed community event run through participating game stores nationwide; check leagueofaroden.com for locations or to sign up your venue.
- PAX Unplugged — December 4–6, 2026, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. One of the largest tabletop-focused conventions in the country. unplugged.paxsite.com
💬 Connect With the Region
- Regional Hub Website: appaopregion.org
- Regional & National Calendar: Regional and National Calendar
- Lodge Directory: Find Your Lodge
- Facebook: Appalachian Region Organized Play
- X (Twitter): @AppaRegionOP
- BlueSky: @apparegionop.bsky.social
- Mastodon: @apparvc@dice.camp
- Regional Venture-Coordinator: rvcapparegionop@gmail.com
For individual lodge social media, Discord servers, and Warhorn event pages, visit the Lodge Directory.
🆕 New to Pathfinder or Starfinder Society?
Welcome to organized play! Whether you’re brand new to tabletop RPGs or a veteran player exploring Society play for the first time, here’s how to get started anywhere in the Appalachian Region.
🤗 Safe, Welcoming Tables for All
Everyone is welcome at our tables. Pathfinder and Starfinder Society organized play is committed to providing a safe, fun, and inclusive gaming environment for all participants worldwide, regardless of background, identity, or experience level.
All games operate under the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct and Community Standards. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or behavior that makes anyone feel excluded or threatened. If you experience or witness problematic behavior, please bring it to the GM, Event Organizer, any Venture-Officer, or contact Paizo directly at organizedplay@paizo.com.
Getting Started Resources:
- Create a free Organized Play account at paizo.com
- Find the lodge nearest you in the Lodge Directory and check their Warhorn page for upcoming games
- Most lodges have a Discord server — a great place to ask questions before your first session
- Check the Regional & National Calendar for conventions and game days across the six-state region
Don’t have a character yet? No problem! Pregenerated iconic characters are available at every table. If you’d like to build your own, GMs and volunteers at any lodge are happy to help — just arrive a little early and let them know you’re new.
❓ Did You Know?
🎁 Achievement Points (AcP): New to Organized Play? You get 80 AcP free on your Paizo Organized Play account to spend on cool boons and character options!
🎲 This Week’s Scheduled Games – August 30 – September 5, 2026
Light Week — DragonCon Starts Thursday! This week’s schedule is intentionally light because DragonCon begins Thursday. Most of our GMs and players will be at AmericasMart Building 3 — so come join us there!
Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5
| Date | Time (EDT) | Scenario | System | Lodge / Venue | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Aug 30 | 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Bandits of Immenwood (PFS2 1-04) | PFS2 | Piedmont Roleplaying Society – The Mighty Meeple (Charlotte, NC) | Warhorn |
| Sun, Aug 30 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Age of Ashes, Part 4: Fires of the Haunted City (PFS2 AP 148) | PFS2 | Piedmont Roleplaying Society – Your Local Game Store (Charlotte, NC) | Warhorn |
| Sun, Aug 30 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Seize and Destroy (SFS2 1-07) | SFS2 | Piedmont Roleplaying Society – The Mighty Meeple (Charlotte, NC) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Within Antiquated Halls (PFS2 7-15) | PFS2 | Memphis – The Cellar (Memphis, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | The Fey Reclamation (PFS2 8-02) | PFS2 | Knoxville – The Game Piece (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | The Chitterwood Walks, Part 2: The Battle of Logas (PFS2 7-12) | PFS2 | Knoxville – Old Black Mountain Games and Toys (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM | A Star’s Journey (PFS2 7-16) | PFS2 | Murfreesboro – The Dragons Hoard (Murfreesboro, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Intro: Year of Clockwork Mystery (PFS2 8-01) | PFS2 | Knoxville – Paragon Gaming (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Burden of Envy (PFS2 1-12) | PFS2 | Knoxville – Paragon Gaming (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Mon, Sep 1 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | The Darkness Within (PFS2 7-11) | PFS2 | Garden River Lodge (Augusta, GA) | Garden River site |
| Tue, Sep 1 | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Inheritor’s Rite (PFS2 3-05) | PFS2 | AtlantaPFS – Battle & Brew Sandy Springs (In-Person) | Warhorn |
| Tue, Sep 2 | 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM | The Hollowed Shell (SFS2 1-25) | SFS2 | Knoxville – The Game Piece (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Wed, Sep 3 | 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM | Rescue in the Wreck (SFS2 1-22) | SFS2 | Palmetto Lodge (Columbia) – Firefly (Columbia, SC) | Warhorn |
| Wed, Sep 3 | 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM | Sulfuric Negotiations (PFS2 7-04) | PFS2 | Palmetto Lodge (Columbia) – Firefly (Columbia, SC) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Mountain of Sea and Sky (PFS2 2-02) | PFS2 | Knoxville – Paragon Gaming (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | The Fey Reclamation (PFS2 8-02) | PFS2 | Durham – Atomic Empire (Durham, NC) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Lightning Strikes, Stars Fall (PFS2 1-24) | PFS2 | Durham – Atomic Empire (Durham, NC) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM | The Beasts of Bo: Part One (SFS2 1-14) | SFS2 | AtlantaPFS – Virtual (Fantasy Grounds Unity) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 9:30 PM – 12:00 AM | The Beasts of Bo: Part Two (SFS2 1-16) | SFS2 | AtlantaPFS – Virtual (Fantasy Grounds Unity) | Warhorn |
| Thu, Sep 4 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | The Beasts of Bo: Part One (SFS2 1-14) | SFS2 | Raleigh – Virtual (Raleigh) | Warhorn |
| Fri, Sep 5 | 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM | The Swordlord’s Challenge (PFS2 Quest S2-14) | PFS2 | Knoxville – Paragon Gaming (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Sep 5 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Ukuja, The First Wall (PFS2 5-06) | PFS2 | Memphis – The Cellar (Memphis, TN) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Sep 5 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Intro: Year of Clockwork Mystery (PFS2 8-01) | PFS2 | Upstate SC – Boardwalk (Greenville, SC) | Warhorn |
| Sat, Sep 5 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Final Gambit: Part Two (SFS2 1-26) | SFS2 | Knoxville – The Game Piece (Knoxville, TN) | Warhorn |
All times Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Virtual games hosted on each lodge’s platform — check the Warhorn listing for access details. Garden River Lodge (Augusta) uses its own scheduling site rather than Warhorn — visit gardenriverlodge.com for details. Game listings reflect the regional calendar as of publication; always verify with your lodge’s page for the latest. The schedule is subject to change and new sessions can be added at any time — check the Regional Calendar regularly.
🎯 Looking Ahead
DragonCon is HERE! Join us at AmericasMart Building 3 starting Thursday for the biggest Pathfinder and Starfinder Society event of the year. Right after that, the Raleigh lodge will be at Game and Geek Expo September 5–6. Officer coverage remains the biggest challenge facing the region — Chattanooga and Charleston, WV both remain critical opportunities, and Atlanta has its own gaps at Titan Games & Comics, Battle & Brew, and Johns Creek. If you’re looking for a way to make a real, visible difference in this region, any one of these is a great place to start.
Lodge leadership and VOs: If your lodge has news, milestones, or events to share in a future regional update, email rvcapparegionop@gmail.com. The more you share, the better we can spotlight what is happening across the region.
Roll well, Pathfinders and Starfinders. See you at the tables. ⚔️🎲