Big Kyle's page

Daniel Simons wrote:

Congrats, Lee! Welcome to the ranks.

Sheesh, another VC from Florida?? Do you guys like to game down there?

Lee is only the third VC in the state. (Me n' James are the other two).

If you've never been to the Sunshine State, it takes more than 8 hours to drive it top to bottom, never mind the panhandle. We are the 22nd largest state by area and the 4th largest by population. We are first in crazy per capita. :)

We need at LEAST two more VCs (Orlando and Ft Laud/Miami) to have the major population centers covered...

Crazy per capita? Claiming to be first!?!??!?!?!

I smell a challenge!

Your fleet may grow...(BTW, congrats on the position and welcome to the club)...but you will rue the day you claimed their lunacy be more inspired then ours!

Armiger Lord Oognay, Owner of island Impossible off the coast of Cheliax, Agent of the Society. 14th level seperatist cleric of Pharsma AND Asmodian Enthusiast

Broktar the barbarian, loyal bodyguard and structure demolishing expert. 14th level straight up Barbarian.

Verrat, halfing slip, producing of vast quantities of elemental explosive materials, and all around floating blob of hatred. 14th level sorcerer/bloatmage

That's my crew of local friends...I'll see if I can get the rest of my region to post theirs.

You are going to want to be very oriented then towards our seafood, our asian cuisine, and probably find some good east African food.

The official start time will be 5 pm.

However, the location will be available for people to show up at and hang out far earlier then that.

The last "bus" back to the hotel will probably be around midnight.

I have all the information for the events that I need...and now I am in the process of getting the permits.

The event will be happening, it will be happening in Kent, and there will be transportation to and from the hotel to the event in the form of a shuttle bus of some type.

There will be a catered meal (which will be determined here shortly...but it will be grilled BBQ style with an assortment of meats, fish, and dietary differences for those who are gluten/vegan/vegetarian imbibers).

There will be alcohol, it will be kid friendly, and fireworks are a maybe (depends upon final location and fire marshal approval).

All said and done...I am trying to make plans for 150 people.

What I need from people...and please get everyone you know to come and post here and let me know if they are attending...is a rough estimate of people who would like to make it.

If there are more then 150...the caterer will have some extra food on hand...but unlike a restaurant, they don't carry a huge stock with them...so the number of attendees is going to make a HUGE impact on that portion of the event.

Kyle Elliott wrote:

So...just off the topic on the top of the thread.

Are wizards worth it?

YES!

The most difficult thing I have to deal with among all my players...are them dern wizards.

I've heard that whenever someone says emergency force field at your table you start sobbing now; is this the case?

Or is that only with control winds?

=P

...how many trees did you kill with your druid? HOW DOES IT FEEL!?!?!??! HUNH!!!! HUNH!!!!!

...I hate wizards too. Unless I'm playing them. Then their awesome.

So...just off the topic on the top of the thread.

Are wizards worth it?

YES!

The most difficult thing I have to deal with among all my players...are them dern wizards.

They can do things...powerfully painful things...things! THINGS!

Let me say...animal growthed, dire tiger, smiting demons.

Wall in the way? No problem. Enemy fled to where? Teleport...no problem.

They can solve almost everything with a few well placed spells. They are the lex luthors of the adventuring world. Give them enough time, and they can take down superman.

Call 'em, if you are going to see the troll...you can call them from there.

More importantly...you either want the most popular option, which they will know what it is, or the press. They are both....om nom nom nom.

They are closed on mondays however...so...meh!

If you go there after 2 pm you should be okay, otherwise call for a pre-order. Also...if you order 6 or more sandwhiches...they have a 10% extra charge for "large groups". It's......silly, but avoidable.

Tacoma, while scary as it may sound from a google search, has some marvelous buildings and fabulous restaurants.

Hey Zantumal

We could take the route of beg forgiveness later...but the big give-away that we are an organized group was that I was going to setup 2 to 3 20 by 30 tents for protection from the elements and chairs and tables so people had a place to put themselves. ;p

As someone who has worked in events and marketing for a couple of years now...I totally understand the importance of this business expense. I'll be donating money to this cause.

As for the previous poster...please understand the difference between assisting in promotion of products and encouraging different views in a demographically dominated industry instead of "vacation".

I will say that my largest contract I ever landed was because I ordered 8 beers when the line was 40 people deep...walked to the back of it, noticed a potential customer and his friends and handed them beers and told 'em to come join me. One thing led to another and now he and I do a significant amount of business each year...because it started at a convention "party".

The movie "The Aviator" has a good sense how these conventions lead to business.

So ya...Amanda and friends, lets get you out here.

I wouldn't call it a full time job...I'd call it self employment. There's a massive difference.

ANYWAY

So...

First draft rejected by the city. Just got the email back today.

This is where I need feedback from everyone.

I was trying to avoid moving a majority of the event onto my property...this way it wasn't a party at someones house and that stigma would be negated.

The options we have now is to:

1. Resubmit with more of the "event" located on my property. The park would still be involved in some fashion, but most of the tents and seating/tables would be on my private property versus the public park. We might also just get a permit to close off the last half of the street for a "block party" feel instead/as well.

2. The parks department recommended another park "nearby". A park named Van Doren's Landing. It is located at 21901 Russell Road, Kent, WA . It is 5 minutes closer to the hotel then my location, but would still require private transportation (which is already in the plan). This would also LIKELY exclude any fireworks display. I say likely because...there's a permit for everything.

So...honest feedback is needed on how to proceed. I will be pursuing both avenues until feedback drives it one way or the other.

Update posted.

As for all the offers of help and donations...ohhhh trust me, y'all will be involved the moment this dance with the permitting is handled. Then we can begin on how the community can build this event up themselves and make it a true meet and greet.

I think a good thing to note is that Paizocon has usually been the "end" of the season arc, while GenCon kicks it off for the next year.

New rules coming into play for GenCon is the best way to introduce it to everyone and begin on the right foot.

Just a polite counterpoint :)

I wish I could commit to being your guide...but as it is paizocon cuts into the middle of my busiest season all year long, as I wholesale fireworks for a living.

The days afterwards are all about logistics and clean up...so I'll be the VC on the phone between tables telling folks where to move what when ;p

I might be able to roll around with you folks for a day...but I can't commit to anything right now until I see how the fireworks season is shaping up.

any of the cause wounds, dispel magic is always a solid one, hold person, sometimes if you want to be mean...reduce person ;p

Theres a couple others that can be great for the right situation.

I still recommend building towards spell perfection and other "nuke" style spells.

Vital strike wouldn't help you all that much compared to other classes damage out put at the same level, and vital strike doesn't work with a full attack.

I recommend you look at going the spell storing route with your melee weapon and storing spells in it from there for a strong hit that way.

More then that I'd consider self buffs for melee damage and output...but as you get higher in level don't look at yourself as a damage dealer as a high wisdom cleric.

IMHO you could probably do ok spell damage, but have a great debuffing effect with your spells on the enemy. I would aim towards that end and start looking at improving the DC's of your evocation spells or even aiming for spell perfection by getting some meta magic feats.

Honestly...I see most puzzles in scenarios as something the players solve as a group, more so then their characters.

The stats on the character sheet may be utilized to help them solve it...by giving them clues and hints on how to consider what is in front of them.

I've always found it far more engaging to watch the players stumble through the actual puzzle vs. the few dice rolls it takes to understand the mystery put in front of them.

I think the opinion of new GM's to the campaign, and GM's with little GMing experience, is absolutely vital.

Why?

Because if they become discouraged then our growth as a community is stunted.

Now sure they are gonna have some points and ideas we have heard before and addressed previously, but that should be handled with responding via logic and reason, and hopefully a link to a prior discussion with a kind reminder to search for a forum topic before posting ;p

Just like any bell curve the folks on either end of it need to be observed. Those ahead of it for what worked in keeping them going and those on the beginning of it for what we can do to help them grow through the rest of the curve.

New GM's are the lifeblood of PFS, more so then new players. I don't ever hear "Oh I wish I had less people wanting to GM in my area and more players!"

Hey Howie

First off congrats.

Second...we should always try to elevate our peers to a level of respect and conduct with our expectations. More so, with our own actions.

Third...don't ever let the trolls get to you. They will only drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

And finally...

Remember, a constellation is made not by numbers alone, but by how the pattern inspire the gazer as well.

Hey folks

Just dropping in to mention that I am going to see what I can do to setup any tables at the meet and eat for games to be played at, including a covered tent with sidewalls.

Nothing is certain yet, but when it is I will drop back by and mention it.

The park has a covered barn, with fully functional and operating his and her bathrooms.

On top of that..."overflow" can be handled at my location. The permit may require additional honey buckets...but I rent so many of those each year for setting up my fireworks stands I get a discount.

I am planning on the event size being between 100-150, and if more appear...there are back up plans in place to provide more food.

Hey Monk Player

A couple of cool things in Seattle.

1. Ride the ducks. I know...it's a bit gimmicky, but these guys know their stuff about the city. Tickets are solid and if it's a nice day you get to see and learn about some pretty cool Seattle history.

2. The underground tour is cool and again, another good stop for the Seattle history. Here you will learn a ton about the origins of Seattle and the very gamer-esque story of the founding fathers.

3. The smith tower Wishing Chair. One of the many cool quirks about Seattle.

4. The pike place market isn't about a guide. It's about getting lost for no reason other then to explore. DO NOT GET SUCKED INTO ANY OF THE FOOD OPTIONS IN THE MARKET! At least not for a meal. Trust me...I'll explain below.

5. Ballard/Fremont/Capitol Hill/Queen Anne. These are your four districts of buzz and what makes Seattle iconic. Sure there are a few other cool places...but...heh, these are the night life spots.

6. Jazz alley, if that's your grove. This guy is a rollin' touch of trigger on a tremble of trouble. http://www.jazzalley.com/artist.asp?artistid=1224 AKA the old guy has pedigree.

7. Food! Let's consider a couple of things. A Paseo sandwhich is heaven and worth the wait. Northwest pizza joints...I recommend pegasus on Alki beach...but thats "across" the bay. Next you have Salumi's. Some of the best butchery around. Great meats...great meats. And for a solid dive bar...all you have to do is duck. I...I should stop here, there are so many great places. Just don't settle for whats nearby...plan your meals in this city and you will be thankful for it.

8. Between the EMP, Space Needle, Museum of Flight, and anything else...pick the EMP and attached Sci-fi museum. They are always cool and can take up a great part of the day...tie in back to number 1, ride the ducks is across the street from this place in the heart of the Seattle City Center.

9. So many more things for later...but those are a couple of ideas.

Race for the runecarved key is available for 12-15th levels, if I remember correctly.

A sense of humor, a mentor mentality, and the willingness to be, and admit, wrong.

...that and total loyalty to your commanding overlord, however neutral he might be.

There are dozens of local fireworks shows.

I'll be putting one on at the meet and greet location.

If that isn't enough, the big shows are the ruston way waterfront show in Tacoma, the gasworks park fireworks show in Seattle, and a spattering of smaller events.

The smaller events are at angel lake park and Kent Lake park.

All fireworks start about 10 minutes AFTER dusk.

Kyle-

Thsnk you ever so much for putting the time and effort in attempting to make this event happen. I know for me I greatly appreiate it as this will be my first PaizoCon ever. I would be more than happy to contribute to this event in any way I can.

One question I do have is that my plane arrives at 4:25pm and so most likely I will be arriveing to the Meet and Greet by 5:30pm. Is this too late for the event?

Hey Jester

The event I am planning shall start from whenever people want to arrive...till about 11-11:30 pm, as that is when I plan the fireworks will end.

ALLLLLLL Right

More new updates:

Permit from the city is pending.

Caterer is lined up, bot not yet booked. Mobile grill masters who do rub bbq. Menu is not exact, but will include vegan, veggie, and gluten free options.

Sound system is good to go.

Tents, tables, chairs. Lined up, waiting to book.

Fireworks...check.

Private shuttle bus between the hotel and the park 10 minutes away...lined up, but not yet booked.

Ice sculpture...is a possibility?

What the event is waiting on is two things.

1. The permit from the local city. The park has a size limit I estimated to them might be exceeded. They may grant the permit regardless of this.

2. A majority of the above services are being handled for me on a barter basis...where I trade fireworks for services. Finese and haggle take time. I should know more on the finality of everything by the middle of May. Actually...no latter then May 11th.

IF the event ends up being hosted at this park, known as Chestnut Ridge in Kent, WA, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. I own one of the houses adjacent to the park. To get the caterer there, they will be on my property instead of the parks property. This has to do with health inspection regulations required for caterers at public location vs. a privately catered event. Food will be, literally, right next to the park.

2. The event will be a BYOB. Coolers with ice will be made available. Keep in mind it will be a family atmosphere.

3. Food service will begin sometime between 4 and 6 pm, and last 2 hours. To finagle the caterer to come on the 4th...he would like to be out of there in time to make it home for his own party. Hence a possible start time of 4 - 6 diner service.

4. I am pondering on how the shuttle bus will work exactly...all I know is I can get one and it will make it a ton easier on folks to get to and from the event from the hotel. HOWEVER...when we get this all figured out, the more people that can shuttle themselves+1 the better. There is a decent amount of parking at the park and on the road behind it. Directions to that parking will be provided.

This is all pending thoughts...based upon the city of Kent granting the permit.

The reason I have gone to the lengths described above...is because this event is on the 4th of July and I haven't thrown my own 4th of July party yet...and I work in the fireworks industry.

I expect that this event, being on the 4th of July, will be a one time thing...afterwards it will be far easier to find a suitable location because we won't have the meet and greet on the 4th of July again for quite some time.

ANYWAY...

Long post...

Any feedback, comments, questions, requests, guidance, assistance, and/or additional etc's I didn't think to ask for...is all welcome. I'll do my best to stay appraised of this thread.

-Kyle Elliott
VC of Seattle

Hey fellow pathfinders!

My good friends, and Grand Convocation 2012 volunteers of awesomeness, have launched their kickstarter campaign for season 3 of their web series.

If you haven't checked it out...do so. Standard Action Season 3!

Here is a link reminding some folks of who they are and what they dressed up as for the grand convocation: http://www.flickr.com/photos/82384986@N06/7547184532/in/photostream

Here is a link to the thread to explore the other cool costumes they helped create and participate in for that event. http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2oeh7&page=5?PaizoCon-2012-The-PFS-Bloggery -Thread#241

We are asking that if they have ever made you laugh, or even crack a smile, help 'em out. Every little bit counts.

Let your gamer folks know and spread the word about this project. I'll throw up a public post here soon with much similar information.

Also...if you know anyone with a blog, podcast, vidcast, CAST CAST...anything...I can setup interviews etc. with the cast and crew.

Help these folks get the word out and get this awesome web series funded!

Thanks everyone.

Hey Ashton!

Good to finally have a neighbor to the north!

Get in touch with me anytime you'd like, as I have a few games that are on your border closer to you then they are to me ;p

In addition to that...I have contact info for you for the Gottacon folks!

Don't be a stranger!

Grats Mr Riggs! Good to have another in the club!

I'll be seeing you soon I expect!

Oh sure...it's all fun and games until you get your first set of envelopes from your players!

*Stares at the pile in the corner of his office* ...well only one thing to do...

Grats Stephen!

When I first became involved in the PFS VO program I had the chance to chat with Stephen and pick his brain over Gchat regarding some cool recruiting posters he made for PFS!

I still use those things to this day.

Good on you sir, and welcome to the club!

SO a quick update for everyone following this thread:

I am in the process of checking into getting an event permit for a park about 10-15 minutes away from the hotel.

Depending on how that goes...I will have more information in a week or so.

If this park permit idea doesn't work out...then I think Tim mentioned we would look for someplace in the southcenter area that would be open.

Hey Baronjett

Where this stone really comes in is it resonance effect...which when slotted into a wayfinder the item gives you +1 to caster level, and an additional 1d4-2 bonus to caster level.

THREADOMANCY!!!!!

Where are we with this folks? Check in and be honest with it!

For me...

Season 0: The many fortunes of grand master torch.

Ran it once to great raves...but I need to run it more, I don't feel I made enough of an impact to make this a stellar remember when moment. I know I can do better on it.

Season 1: Echoes of the Everwar: Part IV (I have run many in my region through echoes 1 through 3 thus far...so this is a bit of cheating, but I want to make this scenario a proud and shinning cap to a very awesome set of scenarios!)

Haven't gotten the groups together, but I prepped the @*^! out of it.

Season 2: Shadows Fall on Absalom (I'd pick shadows last stand, but I already have that one memorized)

I WANT TO RUN THIS SO BAD! JUST NEED TIME! NEED MORE TIME!

Season 3: The Goblin blood dead

Haven't even looked at it...as everyone in my region has played through it but me :(

Season 4: In Wrath's Shadow

I have run this 3 times now, and I love it every single time. This is such a beautiful...beautiful...thing :) I don't know if I would call it mastered, but I feel I'm super close on this one.

My report card would be...a little disturbing, but hey...I haven't given up yet!

Where are the rest of ya?

Grats Kristie!

Good to have you rocking the second coin. :)

Keep on make believing!

Grats Nuku. :)

Remember, a constellation is made not by numbers alone, but by how the pattern inspire the gazer as well.

Don't forget to also put your gameday up on the Geek and Sundry game locater for the 30th of this month for International Tabletop Day!

http://www.tabletopday.com/

Create an event and get it up there. Let's put a ton of awesome PFS games around the world on this thing as possible!

ZOMGERMAHGAWD I FERGET WALTER!

Walter, the now VC of Pullman, the eastern half of Washington state...rallies troops to travel 6 hours jammed packed in a car to run games at some of our biggest conventions.

This guy is the best example of how to literally reach out and grab what you need for your community. He literally walked up to me and said "Hey...I'm from the middle of no where, we rock 15+ games a week of PFS, we want some love. Make it happen."

A year later...he rolled through being a VL, traveled to different conventions, and now stands in his own red shirt as my first example of how dedication to your community can reward itself.

Walter...you're a bro, bro.

My heartfelt thanks go out to Seattle Venture-Captain, Kyle Elliott, for being awarded the PFS Campaign Service Award coin.

Kyle has served a a Paizo representative at numerous local, high profile conventions and shows, including several PAX Primes, Norwescon, Dragonflight. Emerald City Comic Con, Geek Girl Con, initial Begnner Box Bash, ALA, Gamestorm, RadCon, GottaCon, PaizoCon, and numerous other special events over the past year.

Not only does the coin award him a free reroll each session, he also has elected to take the new PFS number stamped on the coin. He is now PFS number 701.

Great work and congratulations, Kyle. Your efforts are appreciated and noted.

Thanks Mike...

I felt this would be better served if I posted a video thanking everyone...as a few lines of text on here just isn't enough.

LINK

Thanks to everyone for your support and appreciation.

Keep make believing!

Hey Edward

I played through this adventure path and loved every minute of it.

While the system can become cumbersome and can be broken easily...I recommend finding a way to restrict two things.

1. The amount of magic item sales that they can do. This is by far the biggest economic multiplier.

2. Have the NPC's they select for the other positions request that they build certain buildings. If they refuse or don't negotiate on duration...have that NPC act up more, maybe slack in his duties...find interesting ways to use this as a guiding star for your group as to how you want to see the city develop.

3. Also...don't be afraid to mess with their city or run off the page adventures. Party building too many dumps? Goblins love dumps! Too many graveyards? Aspiring necromancers love graveyards! Too many marketplaces? Sczarni love marketplaces! If they build the city too heavy in one direction...they attract too many of a "thing" in one direction as well.

Always remember that a city is never static, there should always be a problem in the city...big or small...always a problem someone is complaining about. Getting them to view leadership as a choice of where to put out fires by their size is important. If they focus on the knucklehead issues like "The water tastes funny from the well" vs. "ZOMG TATZLEWYRMS ARE DESTROYING THE CROP FIELDS!" ...I think they'll make the right choices ;p

Turns out we know each other ;p

We've been in contact over emails shooting some ideas back and forth regarding the logistics and location of this whole thing.

BYOPD (Bring Your Own Picnic Dinner) and meet in a nearby park?

*note, I've never been to parks down in SeaTac, but Valley Ridge Park is 1.6 miles from the hotel and Normandy Beach park is 4.5 but on the water.

The three nearest parks to the hotel all have events occuring in them for the 4th of july...

Those are fairly...actually...abosolutly packed.

Who is the organizer of this thing in general? Could whoever it is contact me via PM please? I have an option that might be valid and would like to run it past them first before I throw it out to the public. Thanks!

Ahhh...RadCon...where the gamers glow.

The Seattle area PFS is planning on attending ECCC, however the particulars have not been made formal.

Last year was the first time they included gaming and PFS was a huge part of that push.

We ran 15-20 tables of PFS, on top of countless tables of demo's and character building workshops.

It depends on the size of the VC. The bigger the VC, the more players we can fit under them.

Little Kyle is right. :)

Grats bro

Welcome to the team!

There was a game that was running at a gamestore with Wizards in its name in the gig harbor area.

Besides that our closest PFS game to those places is either in Redmond or Pullman.

I could also recommend the PFS online collective google group.

Well let me start off by saying the gunslinger pregen is hard to use without an ultimate combat on hand by a new player, as the pre gen references abilities not listed on the sheet in the book.

The overall feel of the pregens as they stand...I like, for new players.

For recruiting experienced tabletop gamers...they are not so great.

For recruiting DnD players of other editions...they are ok.

For recruiting people who have never seen a role playing table top game...they're great.

When we view the pre gens through the "generalized" eyes of those experience levels we can better provide feedback as to how to improve them.