Appalachian Region Weekly Update
Week of January 4-10, 2026
🎉 Welcome to 2026! New Year, New Adventures! 🌟
Happy New Year, Pathfinders and Starfinders! Welcome to 2026! As we put the holiday season behind us and dive into a fresh new year, our region is buzzing with excitement and ready to make this our best year yet.
The holidays were wonderful—time with family, celebrating together, and enjoying some well-deserved rest. But now it’s time to return to what we love: rolling dice, exploring new worlds, and building amazing stories together at tables across our six-state region!
This week marks the return of regular gaming schedules, the beginning of new campaigns and character arcs, and the start of an incredible year for organized play in the Appalachian Region. Whether you took a break during the holidays or kept playing through, we’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to the tables!
🎯 2026: A Year of Growth and Community
Building Momentum Together
As we kick off 2026, the Appalachian Region is stronger than ever. Our lodges across Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia are ready to welcome both returning players and newcomers to amazing gaming experiences.
What makes this year special?
- Active Lodges: Dozens of active lodges across six states running regular games
- Diverse Systems: Both Pathfinder Society (1st and 2nd Edition) and Starfinder Society (1st and 2nd Edition) thriving region-wide
- Amazing Conventions: A packed convention calendar featuring organized play throughout the year
- Dedicated Volunteers: Passionate GMs and Venture-Officers committed to building great gaming communities
- Growing Community: New players discovering organized play and veteran players exploring new systems
This year, we’re focusing on three key areas: welcoming new players, supporting our volunteer GMs and coordinators, and building connections between lodges across the region. Whether you’re a veteran player or brand new to organized play, there’s a place for you at our tables!
🎲 This Week: Gaming Resumes Across the Region
After the holiday break, lodges throughout the Appalachian Region are firing up their regular schedules again. From the mountains of Tennessee to the coast of Virginia, from the Piedmont of North Carolina to the heart of Georgia, tables are being set and dice are ready to roll!
Check the Regional and National Calendar to find games happening near you this week. Whether you’re looking for your home lodge’s regular game night or exploring a new venue while traveling, the calendar has you covered.
New to the area or trying organized play for the first time? This is a perfect week to jump in! Many lodges are starting fresh scenarios and welcoming new faces. Browse the Lodge Directory to find contact information for lodges near you, and don’t hesitate to reach out—our community is friendly and welcoming!
📅 Upcoming Regional Conventions
2026 is packed with fantastic conventions featuring Pathfinder and Starfinder Society organized play! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
🎮 ShadowCon
January 9-10, 2026 (THIS WEEKEND!)
Website: shadowcon.info
Kicking off the convention year is ShadowCon this weekend! If you’re in the area, this is a fantastic opportunity to start 2026 with some great gaming. Check their website for details on Pathfinder and Starfinder Society games and registration information.
🎌 MarsCon
January 16-18, 2026
Holiday Inn Virginia Beach – Norfolk
5655 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Website: marscon.net
Next up is MarsCon in Virginia Beach! Join us for a weekend of sci-fi and gaming featuring Pathfinder and Starfinder Society organized play throughout the convention.
🎲 SCARAB
January 16-18, 2026
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Website: tabletop.events/conventions/scarab-2026
Also running January 16-18 is SCARAB in Columbia! This popular South Carolina convention will feature Pathfinder and Starfinder Society games throughout the weekend.
🎲 Dice & Diversions
January 23-25, 2026
Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria
200 Interstate North Parkway SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30339
Website: diceanddiversions.com
Round out January with Dice & Diversions in Atlanta! This fantastic gaming convention features extensive Pathfinder and Starfinder Society organized play. Volunteer opportunities may still be available—contact atlantapfs@gmail.com for details!
🤝 Volunteer Opportunities: Help Shape 2026!
🌟 We Need You! Volunteer for Organized Play
The Appalachian Region thrives because of dedicated volunteers who GM games, coordinate venues, organize conventions, and support their local communities. As we start 2026, we’re looking for passionate individuals who want to help shape the future of organized play across our six-state region.
Ways to Get Involved:
🎲 Become a GM
Game Masters are the backbone of organized play. Whether you’re interested in running Pathfinder Society, Starfinder Society, or both, your local lodge would love to have you at the table. Many lodges offer mentorship programs and resources to help new GMs get started.
🏢 Lodge Leadership
Multiple lodges across the Appalachian Region are actively seeking new Venture-Officers to help coordinate games, support GMs, welcome new players, and build thriving local communities. This is an excellent time to step into leadership!
🎪 Convention Support
With a busy convention calendar ahead, we need volunteers to help coordinate organized play at regional conventions. Whether you want to GM, help with table coordination, or assist with logistics, convention volunteering is rewarding and often comes with perks like free admission!
The Path to Leadership
Most Venture-Officers started as dedicated GMs who built strong relationships within their communities. The typical path includes:
- Volunteering as a GM in your local lodge
- Building experience and relationships within the community
- Demonstrating reliability and dedication to organized play
- Working alongside current Venture-Officers to learn the role
Ready to Get Involved?
For GM opportunities: Contact your local lodge directly through the Lodge Directory.
For leadership roles: Reach out to your local Venture-Captain or contact the Regional Venture-Coordinator at rvcapparegionop@gmail.com.
For convention volunteering: Check individual convention websites or contact the organizing lodge.
2026 is going to be an amazing year for organized play, and we want you to be part of it! Whether you’re ready to take on a leadership role or just want to run a few games, every contribution makes a difference in building our regional community.
🆕 New to Pathfinder or Starfinder Society?
The new year is a perfect time to try organized play! Whether you’re brand new to tabletop RPGs or a veteran player exploring Pathfinder or Starfinder Society for the first time, we’re here to help you get started.
Getting Started Resources:
- Browse the Lodge Directory to find a lodge near you
- Check the Regional Calendar for upcoming game days
- Create a free Organized Play account at paizo.com
- Connect with your local lodge through their Discord, Facebook, or Warhorn links
- Visit individual lodge websites for detailed getting-started guides and local resources
Don’t have a character yet? No problem! You can use an iconic pregenerated character to try out the game before committing to building your own. GMs will have pregens available at the table. If you’d prefer to create your own character, your local lodge’s GMs and volunteers are happy to help—just arrive a little early and let them know you’re new.
What to expect at your first game: Organized play sessions typically run 4-5 hours and feature self-contained adventures called scenarios. You’ll join a table with other players (usually 4-6 total), guided by a volunteer GM. The atmosphere is welcoming, the stories are engaging, and you’ll earn rewards you can use to develop your character for future adventures!
🤝 Safe, Welcoming Tables for All
As we start a new year, we want to reaffirm our commitment: 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.
Whether you’re a veteran player, a first-time gamer, young or old, regardless of background, identity, or experience level—there’s a seat at our table for you. This commitment isn’t just words; it’s the foundation of everything we do in organized play.
All Pathfinder and Starfinder Society games operate under the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct and Community Standards. We expect all participants—players and GMs alike—to treat each other with respect and work together to create positive, memorable gaming experiences.
We do not tolerate: harassment, discrimination, intimidation, unwelcome contact, or behavior that makes anyone feel excluded or threatened. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to, harassment or discrimination based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender or gender expression/identity, race, religion, sexuality, or any other reason.
If you experience or witness problematic behavior: Please bring it to the attention of the GM, Event Organizer, or any Venture-Officer. You can also contact your local lodge leadership, the Regional Venture-Coordinator, or report directly to Paizo at organizedplay@paizo.com. Your concerns will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.
These standards apply at every organized play table worldwide. Gaming should be fun and welcoming for everyone—that’s the foundation of organized play, and it’s non-negotiable.
💬 Connect With the Region
- Regional Hub Website: appaopregion.org
- Regional Calendar: Regional and National Calendar
- Lodge Directory: Find Your Lodge
- Regional Venture-Coordinator: rvcapparegionop@gmail.com
For individual lodge social media, Discord servers, and Warhorn event pages, visit the Lodge Directory to find contact information for your local community.
🎲 Here’s to an Amazing 2026!
What an exciting time to be part of organized play in the Appalachian Region! As we kick off 2026, we’re filled with optimism and enthusiasm for what this year will bring. From regular game nights returning to full swing to an incredible lineup of conventions throughout the year, there’s so much to look forward to.
This week, as lodges across our six-state region resume their regular schedules, we invite you to join us at the tables. Whether you’re returning after a holiday break or trying organized play for the first time, there’s a seat waiting for you. Our volunteer GMs have amazing adventures prepared, our communities are welcoming and supportive, and the stories we’ll create together this year will be unforgettable.
Don’t forget about ShadowCon this weekend if you’re in the area—it’s a great way to start the convention year! And if you’re interested in volunteering, whether as a GM, a lodge coordinator, or a convention helper, now is the perfect time to reach out. The Appalachian Region grows stronger with every volunteer who steps up to help, and we’d love to have you as part of the team.
As always, check the Regional Calendar for games happening near you, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local lodge with questions or to get connected. Our community is here to support you, welcome you, and game with you!
Lodge leaders: Have news, achievements, or special events to share? Submit your updates for inclusion in future weekly posts. Let’s celebrate our regional community together throughout 2026!
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead filled with epic adventures, critical successes, and unforgettable moments at tables across the Appalachian Region. Welcome back, welcome home, and welcome to 2026!
Roll well, friends, and we’ll see you at the tables! ⚔️🌟