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Fair Winds and Following Seas

Monday, June 29, 2015




Illustration by Eva Widermann

Last October the Venture-Officers became aware of some family health issues that caused a change in my employment status at Paizo and I was allowed to telecommute. This change led my family and I to make the move from Seattle to the New Orleans area. This has worked fairly well for almost a year as I traveled to Paizo from New Orleans regularly but, as with most situations, things continue to evolve and my work status is changing yet again.

It is with a sad heart I announce today that my tenure with Paizo will end on August 7. This should allow me to say personal goodbyes at both PaizoCon UK and Gen Con. The day after I leave my position, I will be closing my public Campaign Coordinator Facebook page as well.

It has been a pleasure working with, and for, all of you. I was always taught to leave a situation better than I entered it. I hope I have done that. Some changes I take pride in being heavily involved with are:

  • Updating the Guide with a more professional appearance and outline
  • Implementing GM 101, GM 201 and Kid's Track (with the help of some awesome VOs)
  • Expanding our volunteer base from 13 VOs to more than 470
  • Growing the playerbase from around 12,000 to more than 60,000
  • Expanding Pathfinder Society's presence from 5 countries with an active PFS presence to 29 (including regions that had little or no prior Organized Play)
  • I have also taken a great deal of pride in watching PFS expand from one small room of 30 tables at Gen Con, to taking over the entire Sagamore Ballroom (with 180 tables of PFS gaming this year!), as well as numerous other activities planned for the space
  • Additionally, I've been working with our Tech Team over the past few months on an array of improvements to the Pathfinder Society section of paizo.com, and think you will approve of the changes that are coming

There are many other changes that I have initiated and been a part of, and I think have improved the overall quality of Pathfinder Society, but are too numerous to list here.

I wish you all well. Again, thanks for the opportunity of letting me be the Global Organized Play Coordinator for almost 4 full years.

Mike Brock
Global Organized Play Coordinator

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Dark Archive 4/5 5/55/5 **** Regional Venture-Coordinator, Massachusetts—North Shore
1 person marked this as a favorite.

It is hard to not repeat what others have said in this thread. Mike you will be missed. I meet you at my First Con as a VL at PAX East 2012 and I will get to buy you a drink at my First Con as a VC and say Thank you.

Lucas
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber

Thanks for all you've done for our favorite hobby. It's been great with you and under you these last few years. Good luck with everything in your future!
Scarab Sages Venture-Captain, Montana—Kalispell

The work you've done has been a huge inspiration for me, Mike. Thanks for helping me follow my dreams & goals! You'll be missed.

o7
5/5 5/5 Venture-Captain, New Hampshire

The 7th chair at my tables will always be reserved for Mike Brock just in case he shows up. :)
Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/55/5 **
4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Mark Moreland wrote:
(I was at home playing Half-Life 3 when Erik called me)

Mark, I want your Job if you got to play a game everyone hopes is coming out, and you got to play it 4 years ago!!!! ;)

Sovereign Court 5/5 * Venture-Captain, Texas—Houston

Mike,

Thank you for all you have given to help us and expand PFS! We will continue to work hard and continue promoting Pathfinder Society while you are "on break" we will see you again soon! :D
Shadow Lodge 4/5

We didn't get along, that much is obvious. Despite that, I'm not happy to see you go, and I'm very much unhappy to hear the reason. My thoughts are with you and your family. I do not envy your successor, they will have a lot to live up to.

If you find yourself in Birmingham, the first round's on me.
Sczarni 5/5 * Venture-Lieutenant, Washington—Pullman

Pie...
Scarab Sages

/salute!

We lose a great coordinator and a great person overall in august.

Fare thee well!
2/5
Blog wrote:
Expanding Pathfinder Society's presence from 5 countries with an active PFS presence to 29 (including regions that had little or no prior Organized Play)

This means that you will have 29 possible countries and multiple destinations for couchsurfing ;). Your motivational skills and finding the right people to help the Society grow will be hard to replace. Thank you for your hard work and service, especially helping our hobby grow worldwide.

Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/5

Thank you Mike for guiding the PFS community to great success over the past few years, and also thanks for GMing two memorable experiences for me at recent PaizoCon UK events: Cyphermage Dilemma (including an overly amorous dwarf and an officious gnome receptionist) and the Sealed Gate fiasco!

Sorry to see you go, and best of luck for the future.
Scarab Sages

Mike,

The Pathfinder Society Organized Gaming Community has seen the success it has had over the past year for no small part due to your exceptional leadership, your inspiring vision of where to take the game, and the energy you bring to both the hobby and those around you.

Thank you for your service as the PFS "Generalissimo" for the past several years, and my personal best wishes for you and your family in the years to come.

Tarrintino
Shadow Lodge 3/5
2 people marked this as a favorite.

Thanks for all the fish. Take care Mike!
4/5 5/55/55/55/5 **** Regional Venture-Coordinator, Central Europe

Thanks for all the hard work and dedication.

Whenever you'll come to Germany there will be a chair and a cold beer reserved for you at our gaming table.
Silver Crusade 4/5

Thanks for your leadership and best wishes for the future!
Sovereign Court 5/5 Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
19 people marked this as a favorite.

Son: "Who was that man, Pa?"

Father: "Someone who knew he could help, son."

Son: "Do you think we'll ever see him again, Pa?"

Father: "I hope so, son. Men like that don't come along very often, and when they're gone you know it's just because they're going to help someone else. I imagine that, when you really need him, he'll be back."

Son: sniffle "Then I hope I don't, Pa. I hope he keeps helping everyone else who needs it and doesn't have to worry about us again. I hope we can get along without him because he left us better than he found us..."
Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne

Mike,

Thank you for everything you have done for PFS. You will be missed.
Silver Crusade 4/5 5/5

Mike,

Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Scarab Sages 5/5

Mike, where you have taken PFS in the last 4 years is astounding. The leadership you have given us has been extraordinary. Your ability to get new things implemented has been amazing. The manner in which you have handled yourself in all manners has been professional. You will be missed by all. Thoughts and prayers to your family and I hope to see you soon.
You will always have may respect and admiration.

Chris Hays
Grand Lodge 4/5
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps Subscriber

Sigh, now who is going to throw books at me?

It was an honor to work with you and thank you for making PFS what it is today.
Grand Lodge 1/5

mike? MIKE? MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE!!!!!
Silver Crusade 5/5

Mike,
Thank you for all you have done for the PFS community. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a VO of Vermont for 3 years. Good luck with everything,

Myles Crocker
4/5 *

Thanks Mike, for everything you've done for our hobby and PFS. As others have said, you are leaving some big shoes to fill.

Good luck in your future endeavors.
Senior Editor

We'll be very sorry to see you go, Mike—you've done amazing work building up Pathfinder Society! Good luck in your future ventures, and all good wishes for you and your family!
Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5 *** Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville

Mike?

Oh, gawds, what have I done wrong. I have only been a VL for a short time and already caused the big man to step down...

Oh, woe is me!!!
Dark Archive 4/5

Thank you Mike, for all you've done. I've never known PFS without you - it's hard to imagine one without other. The announcement still feels a little surreal to me, but I wish you and your family the best!
Silver Crusade 4/5
4 people marked this as a favorite.

Wow, take a few days off the boards for surgery and the unthinkable ensues. Now who do I tease about being a Falcons fans? Gamers who are football fans seem to be in short supply. Especially Falcons fans since there are so few to begin with... :-)

Seriously, I can only echo the sentiments that everyone has expressed thusfar, and marvel at the growth of PFS under Mike's watch.

Mike, best wishes to you and your family, and if you're in BR, give me a call and we'll hit On the Border!

My Mike Story:
I first met Mike at Coastcon 2014 in Biloxi. He was scheduled to host a Q&A on Pathfinder and PFS on the first day, and being a newer Venture Lt., I went to introduce myself before it started. He smiled and said, "Good! You go answer all the PFS questions." He sat me up front with him and had me (and the other Venture Officers foolish enough to wander in) answer the crowd's questions about Pathfinder and Society. (Admittedly he stepped in on the questions we would have no way of knowing the answer to, despite my best attempts to make up a plausible one). Quite a fun surprise on our first meeting!

Dark Archive 1/5

“Old soldiers never die,
Never die, never die,
Old soldiers never die —
They simply fade away.

Old soldiers never die,
Never die, never die,
Old soldiers never die —
Young ones wish they would.”

--

May the road ever rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Scarab Sages 4/5

I didn't get to know you personally as some of the other VOs and only got to attend one GenCon during your tenure (will miss this year due to new baby son), but I have seen what has been done through your efforts with Pathfinder Society and I AM AMAZED. PFS has expanded to places and people all over the world thanks to your hard work. I wish you all the best as you take this new step in life!
Grand Lodge 4/5 Global Organized Play Coordinator
13 people marked this as a favorite.

Thanks to almost all of you for the well wishes. It is appreciated. If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.
Community & Digital Content Director
8 people marked this as a favorite.

Removed some posts and the replies to them. Do not post just for the purpose of starting an argument.
Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne
Michael Brock wrote:
Thanks to almost all of you for the well wishes. It is appreciated. If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

Will you still be participating in the local PFS scene or are you trying to take a break?

5/5 **
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

Everyone is saying good-bye, but I'll say hello.

Welcome! Bienvenue!

Mike, feel free to join us in the city for some PFS or other games.

Just hold your breath (or curse under your breath) as you drive past the Superdome.
Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Walter Helgason wrote:
Just hold your breath (or curse under your breath) as you drive past the Superdome.

Maybe you could hold a convention there featuring all the PFS adventures that take place in the sewers.

Grand Lodge 4/5 Venture-Agent, Texas—Houston
Michael Brock wrote:
Thanks to almost all of you for the well wishes. It is appreciated. If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

A bit far for me, but do swing by Owlcon or Comicpalooza if you feel like a bit of a drive.

Dark Archive 4/5 5/5 ****

Mike,
thanks for all the love you have given our little endeavor! I know that if it wasn't for the quality of Pathfinder Society, I would not have stayed around past my first couple of games. I have always been amazed by the effort you've put into this game, and the patience you've always given the "internet experts". You have always looked out for your volunteers and GMs!

Good luck and good health to you and yours, and know that your voice will always be welcome here. If you ever make your way up the the Twin Cities, know that there is a large contingent of friends that would love you at our table... or our tavern (why can't they be the same place?)
Liberty's Edge 2/5

Thanks for all of your effort, Mike. And especially for leading by example and demonstrating the wisdom and patience needed to apply just the right amount of touch in every situation.
The Exchange 5/5 RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16

Wait ... Mike can't go yet; we haven't yet found out what kind of beer he likes.

Thanks, Mike. Your friendship and encouragement have kept me going in Pathfinder Society.
3/5
Michael Brock wrote:
If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

This makes me want to move to New Orleans.

This, and the food.
Grand Lodge 4/5 Global Organized Play Coordinator
4 people marked this as a favorite.
Apocryphile wrote:
Michael Brock wrote:
If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

This makes me want to move to New Orleans.

This, and the food.

It involves mythic monsters trapped in celestial prisons and why the constellations have the shapes they do. The PCs have to capture each and then figure out how to place them back in their prisons. Until they do so, births, deaths, tides, and other time related stuff is wonky and messed up. And it starts in Thuvia. Come on down. I will reserve a seat (and yes, I know Auckland is a bit far) :-)

Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/55/5 **
Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
Michael Brock wrote:
Apocryphile wrote:
Michael Brock wrote:
If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

This makes me want to move to New Orleans.

This, and the food.

It involves mythic monsters trapped in celestial prisons and why the constellations have the shape they do. Come on down. I will reserve a seat :-)

That sounds amazing.

Grand Lodge 4/5 Global Organized Play Coordinator
Rigby Bendele wrote:
Michael Brock wrote:
Apocryphile wrote:
Michael Brock wrote:
If anyone is looking for a home game in the New Orleans area, feel free to PM me. I would love to start recruiting for a home game I am GMing that will start in mid-August.

This makes me want to move to New Orleans.

This, and the food.

It involves mythic monsters trapped in celestial prisons and why the constellations have the shape they do. Come on down. I will reserve a seat :-)
That sounds amazing.

Edited with a bit more description :-)

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