The Kobold King Says Get Your Superstar Entry In!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Illustration by Warren Mahy

Tomorrow at 2pm PST the first round of RPG Superstar™ 2010 will end. The judges will go over the entries and pick the best 32, and the winners will move on to Round 2. Ultimately, we'll get down to the Top 4, who will all receive a contract to write for us. The ultimate winner will get to write a Pathfinder Module, while the remaining members of the Top 4 will get to write Pathfinder Society Scenarios.

Last week, Sean told you we'd give you a sneak peek of the Round 2 rules, and here they are: In no more than 450 words, design an archetype for one of the 11 core classes in the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook or the 6 base classes in the Advanced Player's Guide. Note that we mean actual archetypes, not new domains, subdomains, alternate classes or subclasses (such as the antipaladin), sorcerer bloodlines, or wizard schools.

Don't know what an archetype is? Check out page 72 of the Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide, or start reading here in the free online Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PRD).

There is no twist in Round 2! We'll reveal the full rules next week, but first things first—you can't compete unless you pass Round 1!

If you've ever wanted to be published in the RPG industry, this is your chance. Three hundred words isn't a lot, and if your dream is to write for Paizo, you owe it to yourself to get that idea in before time runs out. And really, what do you have to lose?

Besides, you don't want to make the Kobold King angrier than he already is...

Hyrum Savage
Marketing and Organized Play Manager

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Kobolds Monsters Pathfinder Modules Pathfinder Society Scenarios RPG Superstar Undead Warren Mahy
The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6 , Dedicated Voter Season 6

Wow. I am *so* ready for round 2. If I could enter round 1. And pass into the top 32.


Man, that kobold King is creepy, thanks god he's prolly CR 1/2, this's the only thing that helped me to stay put.


Don't underestimate the power of the will o' the wisp wielding Kobold King!

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

::bravely stands before the floodgates::

Bring it on, people!


Could we maybe get some kind of tantalizing update on the state of the judging and the keeper piles and what not?

If you're feeling like poking the bear that is numerous entrants with a metaphorical stick, of course.


Oringal Entry wrote:
Top 4 will get to write Pathfinder Society Scenarios

Can't anyone already write and submit a PFS scenario? It seems like there is always an open door on PFS scenario submissions. Are the top four guaranteed that their scenarios will be published? If so, that seems a little risky to me.

Sczarni RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32 , Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9

Dire Mongoose wrote:

Could we maybe get some kind of tantalizing update on the state of the judging and the keeper piles and what not?

If you're feeling like poking the bear that is numerous entrants with a metaphorical stick, of course.

That sir, would be a horribly atrocious action to perform! I would rather find out at the end, than get numerous updates daily. Its like politics, I profess to hate it, but secretly watch and read the news for the next tantalizing story...

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Dire Mongoose wrote:
Could we maybe get some kind of tantalizing update on the state of the judging and the keeper piles and what not?

Maybe:

Spoiler:

Was that tantalizing enough? ;-)

Okay, okay:

Spoiler:

EXPLOSIVE RUNES!

Better?
--Neil


Neil Spicer wrote:

Better?

--Neil

*Shakes fist at Spicer while brushing ash from his face.*


Umm, it's been too late to enter since Christmas Day. The judges need at least a week to get properly nostalgic about an entry comments from previous years have shown...
;)


I knew I should of taken a level of rogue...


Neil Spicer wrote:

Maybe:

** spoiler omitted **

*fistshake*

This metaphorical stick isn't just for poking metaphorical bears, buddy! It can get you, and your little dog, too!

Hmm... there's a 2012 entry in there somewhere.

Liberty's Edge Dedicated Voter Season 6

Dire Mongoose wrote:
Neil Spicer wrote:

Maybe:

** spoiler omitted **

*fistshake*

This metaphorical stick isn't just for poking metaphorical bears, buddy! It can get you, and your little dog, too!

Hmm... there's a 2012 entry in there somewhere.

What are you talking about? I finally got my idea for this year's contest...

Spoiler:
not really, I already submitted my entry at some point during the submission window.

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Dire Mongoose wrote:
This metaphorical stick isn't just for poking metaphorical bears, buddy! It can get you, and your little dog, too!

Sadly, I'm metaphorically incapable of fearing your metaphors...metaphorically-speaking, of course.


cibet44 wrote:
Oringal Entry wrote:
Top 4 will get to write Pathfinder Society Scenarios
Can't anyone already write and submit a PFS scenario? It seems like there is always an open door on PFS scenario submissions. Are the top four guaranteed that their scenarios will be published? If so, that seems a little risky to me.

People can submit ideas, but that doesn't guarantee they'll be published. The winner of RPG SUperstar gets to write a Pathfinder Module that they'll be paid for (see Matt Goodall's Cult of the Ebon Destroyer (2009 winner) or Neil Spicer's Realm of the Fellnight Queen (2008 winner)), while the remaining top 3 will be contracted (and paid) to write PFS scenarios.

Hope that helps!

Hyrum.

Liberty's Edge Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Hyrum Savage wrote:
cibet44 wrote:
Can't anyone already write and submit a PFS scenario?

People can submit ideas, but that doesn't quarantee they'll be published. The winner of RPG SUperstar gets to write a Pathfinder Module that they'll be paid for (see Matt Goodall's Cult of the Ebon Destroyer (2009 winner) or Neil Spicer's Realm of the Fellnight Queen (2008 winner)), while the remaining top 3 will be contracted (and paid) to write PFS scenarios.

Hope that helps!

I had the same question as cibet44 and yes, that answer does help. Thanks Hyrum!


Hyrum Savage wrote:

People can submit ideas, but that doesn't quarantee they'll be published. The winner of RPG SUperstar gets to write a Pathfinder Module that they'll be paid for (see Matt Goodall's Cult of the Ebon Destroyer (2009 winner) or Neil Spicer's Realm of the Fellnight Queen (2008 winner)), while the remaining top 3 will be contracted (and paid) to write PFS scenarios.

In case anyone is reading Hyrum's comments but missed Vic's caveat on this same subject, quoting here for you...

Spoiler:
Vic Wertz wrote:
zynmaster wrote:
also the clause that says something about " no misspelling....must meet all criteria" is that an out for paizo to renig and not pay for the work if one word is misspelled.

The appropriate section is "The final adventure must be written in the English language, following the Pathfinder RPG rules set, and must be written with proper spelling and grammar. The Winner must fulfill their obligations to write an adventure acceptable to Paizo Publishing before getting paid for their work. Winning the RPG Superstar contest does not guarantee the Winner payment if they don't fulfill their obligation to write the adventure or can't deliver an adventure that meets Paizo Publishing's quality standards."

Imagine this: a creative person who can't actually write bluffs his way through the contest by having his best friend with an English degree rewrite every word. Then, when it comes time for him to write his module, his friend says he can't commit to rewriting his work on that scale, so we get a manuscript that's not to the standard we expected.

That section is in the rules to ensure that if the winner can't really write after all, we don't have a problem.

Contributor

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Umm, it's been too late to enter since Christmas Day. The judges need at least a week to get properly nostalgic about an entry comments from previous years have shown...

;)

...? Deadline is tomorrow at 2pm Pacific Time.


Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens Subscriber

I haven't submitted anything yet. I keep brainstorming, but every good idea I have seems to have already been written and included in the APG. Curses!


Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Umm, it's been too late to enter since Christmas Day. The judges need at least a week to get properly nostalgic about an entry comments from previous years have shown...

;)

Even if you submit today, the judges will have nearly 3 weeks to get really nostalgic about your entry. Submitting today is totally fine in my book, in every case better than not submitting at all.

In fact I'm still trying to convince some of my gaming pals to enter, even if it's just a far shot, coming up with an item just now.


Azmahel wrote:
Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Umm, it's been too late to enter since Christmas Day. The judges need at least a week to get properly nostalgic about an entry comments from previous years have shown...

;)

Even if you submit today, the judges will have nearly 3 weeks to get really nostalgic about your entry. Submitting today is totally fine in my book, in every case better than not submitting at all.

In fact I'm still trying to convince some of my gaming pals to enter, even if it's just a far shot, coming up with an item just now.

Except that week just past included Christmas Day and Boxing Day, times when judges full of christmas pud, good wine, and surrounded by their adoring families could get really mellow thinking about the items they'd seen thus far...

...Well that or hide with their computer pleading 'work' to get away from aforementioned things if a judge of a more scroogely disposition... Either way, that was the time to get the item in by to get the judges really looking over it and feeling good.
:)

I would wish your gaming pals good luck, but that would be overkill given that they've already got you to look over their items and tell them what they need to do to get into the top 32. :D

Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9

Charles Evans 25 wrote:

Umm, it's been too late to enter since Christmas Day. The judges need at least a week to get properly nostalgic about an entry comments from previous years have shown...

;)

Studios release their Oscar contenders at the end of the year so they will still be fresh in people's minds come voting in February. You may have a point there, and I was actually wondering when 'oscar' submission time would be. However I think we can make sure the judges gets lots of turkey, sugar and 'nog all next week :)

Azmahel wrote:

In fact I'm still trying to convince some of my gaming pals to enter, even if it's just a far shot, coming up with an item just now.

I pushed a couple my group as well. One has a really good idea and just needs polishing, which I was more than happy to provide. However he has no desire (nursing student, parent of 3, army reserves, etc.) to win the contest. I think SS is worth doing, even if you do not expect to win, but I did not push him to enter that hard. Should I have pushed him harder? I did not want to waste the judges time.

ps the other one did submit :)

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Neil Spicer wrote:
Bring it on, people!

Wow! They're really pouring in today. Keep bringing the awesome, people! I'm gonna ride this wave to the submission deadline!

Legendary Games, Necromancer Games

This is where you guys miss me. I would have posted at least 3 or 4 tantalizingly teasing threads about the submissions. Of course I can't do that this year.... he he he. I know, you miss me tormenting you. But you love it.


Lurker....

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

I'm kind of glad I don't have to face the torments of Orcus anymore. :-)

But go ahead and tease them, Clark. Should be fun...


Quote:
Note that we mean actual archetypes, not new domains, subdomains, alternate classes or subclasses (such as the antipaladin), sorcerer bloodlines, or wizard schools. Don't know what an archetype is?

Aren't the archtypes for cleric, sorcerer, and wizard in the APG domains/subdomains, bloodlines, and schools/sub-schools respectively?

Star Voter Season 6

ntin wrote:
Quote:
Note that we mean actual archetypes, not new domains, subdomains, alternate classes or subclasses (such as the antipaladin), sorcerer bloodlines, or wizard schools. Don't know what an archetype is?
Aren't the archtypes for cleric, sorcerer, and wizard in the APG domains/subdomains, bloodlines, and schools/sub-schools respectively?

That's how they're done in the APG, now your task is to find a way of doing it differently. ;-)

Shadow Lodge

I hear and obey, mighty Kobold King!


Will the teasing begin after 5pm, EST?

Contributor, RPG Superstar 2009, RPG Superstar Judgernaut

Nope.

Spoiler:

Nyah, nyah. How was that?

Dedicated Voter Season 6

Clark Peterson wrote:
This is where you guys miss me. I would have posted at least 3 or 4 tantalizingly teasing threads about the submissions. Of course I can't do that this year.... he he he. I know, you miss me tormenting you. But you love it.

But didn't you get the key to the submission vault from your "Save me; I'm jonesing" thread? So you could torment us, you just won't. You've grown compassionate in your judge-so-not-allowed-to-be-a-judge days.

RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 7

ntin wrote:
Aren't the archtypes for cleric, sorcerer, and wizard in the APG domains/subdomains, bloodlines, and schools/sub-schools respectively?

Nope.

Those classes didn't get any proper archetypes in the APG, which is why that chapter is entitled "Core Classes", not "Archetypes"


Well that's just freakin' great. I didn't catch the bit about it being at 2:00 PM
why 2:00 PM?! that's such a random time.

gawh.

Paizo Employee Director of Brand Strategy

The official rules have said specifically 2pm PST since day one. We didn't spring it on anyone. And no matter what time the clock ran out someone would feel it was arbitrary. By setting the time during the middle of the day, it means that it's easier for our tech team to deal with any problems with the site at last minute, even if it is a holiday.


Demonskunk wrote:

Well that's just freakin' great. I didn't catch the bit about it being at 2:00 PM

why 2:00 PM?! that's such a random time.

gawh.

Sorry if that means you missed the deadline, but on the positive side, so long as you keep your item to yourself, you now get another eleven months to polish your item for next time around...

Plus Neil Spicer's indicated that the competition is pretty tight this year - but the best few of this year's crop are about to self-eliminate themselves from future contests by making the top 8 a few rounds down the road (assuming Paizo keep to the 'no previous top 8 contestants may enter pattern) so you won't have to compete against them next time, too... ;)

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