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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32. RPG Superstar 9 Season Star Voter. Organized Play Member. 332 posts. 5 reviews. 1 list. 3 wishlists. 1 alias.


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Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

I want to offer my compliments to Alex Moore for his wonderful cartography work on "Voyage of the Naughty Lass". It's beautiful!

Alex, please contact me!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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Big THANK YOU to Alex Moore for his wonderful cartography! Where are you Alex?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Huzzah!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

So how's this going?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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nightflier wrote:
To be perfectly honest, that depends on the theme. Something East European or Central European would be great.

I'm very interested in that too (since Margreve). Love to write an adventure for it.

Have a couple ideas... :^ )

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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More Midgard adventures?

I've got a couple Midgard-themed adventures in my pocket I could slam out. There's also one kicking around the Kobold Press slushpile.

I have some ideas for a mega-dungeon under Zobeck too!

I'd love to contribute!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

How exciting! Can't wait.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

How's it coming?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Good to hear OSW. Let me know if I can help out in some way.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Time for an update. :^ )

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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Knowing the Chelaxian penchant for legalism and infernal bureaucracy, I think there would be a Bureau of Cadaver Animation overseeing such activity.

You must get a waiver signed by one of their officials including the numbers and nature of your undead flock and pay for a permit (KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!). This is important because animate dead spells prevent the use of a simple raise dead spell. If someone can prove they had the money and intent to raise their loved one and you cast animate dead they could file suit against you. They must be tagged to identify them as your property. You may be liable for any damage they inflict (assuming anyone remains to file a complaint).

You get the idea.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Tell us more about the templates. Will they be more than you get from the Bestiaries?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

I'm please to see the success of GoFundMe to help Chuck out. Layout seems to be a big problem for publishers. My perception is there's not enough people with the skills. Perhaps I'm mistaken.

Does FGG have someone to cover for Chuck pending his recovery?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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"Just how do trolls regenerate?"

I've asked myself that question for years. So for my home game I developed a story and built it into a mechanic that makes great sense: it's all in their biology. If you learn the secret, you gain an advantage over the troll. And much more...

In this little booklet you get some great crunch including feats, equipment and a troll king! All for what you'd pay for a premium cup of coffee.

Please check it out and if you like it let me know here. Would you like to see some adventures based on this?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Its loose and dangerous!

Thanks for the review End!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Marc Radle wrote:

Thank you good sir!

I'd love to see a few more reviews should you be so inclined :)

Actually I've promoted it to the players in my Tuesday night game. We're starting a new chapter in an ongoing AP of mine and they need to design some new 5th level characters. I'll get some feedback from them to see how it plays. Should be interesting!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Marc Radle wrote:

Hey! I've been sick as a dog, but I just saw that the Trickster remains on Paizo's Top Ten from Other Companies List!

I think that makes something like 6 weeks as the top ten list! I really can't thank everyone enough!

Yew old trickster you!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Marc Radle wrote:

Just saw that The Trickster is #1 on Paizo's list of Top Downloads From Other Companies for the second week in a row!!

I'm absolutely thrilled, honored, and, frankly, more than a little humbled!

That's AWESOME Marc!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Yay Monica!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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On March 1, 2005 Greg Vaughan wrote on the Paizo messageboards:

"As to "The Styes", maybe a Backdrop article with lots of descriptions, NPCs, and adventure hooks. There's a whole lot to be developed about just exactly what is lurking down among the pilings?"

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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MUST... HAVE... 2016 PREVIEWS!!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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Will we encounter Mr. Dory in The Blight?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

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Gotta check it out. Been waiting for this.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

News?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

How can I get through 2015 without more FGG previews?!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Jarrett Sigler wrote:
James Thomas wrote:

Blade of The Ice Stalker

Would I publish had I power

Yes. But you made top 32! So Congrats!

Thanks for your feedback Jarrett! I appreciate you taking the time.

PM me if I can be of service. :^ )

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Well met Jarrett! I'd be interested in your kind of feedback for my item as well: Blade of the Ice Stalker
Thanks!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32

Mike!
This sounds like a great adventure. Congratulations!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

I've "Made Monsters for Daigle" before and I can tell you... it's fun.

Hope they let me stick around for Round 3. I've got a great monster idea to share!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Sigfried Trent wrote:

Super cool sword. :) I really like items that can become a characters signature weapon and given them some great visual role playing hooks.

Overall it's a nice balance of mechanics and fluff which is always a tricky thing.

Thanks very much for your considered feedback Sigfried! The more I get the more I can improve.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Jason Rice wrote:

I feel for you. The computer-fu side of this round terrified me, as I had NO IDEA how to convert from PDF to JPEG (Short answer: I create my maps in PDF, since I have no access to a scanner), much less size it at the appropriate DPI size.

I eventually figured out how to convert from PDF to JPEG, after a mass-email to everyone I knew, but I can imagine that you might have been in a similar situation, and not known how to scale the map size.

Unfortunately, the map IS hard to read. From what I can see, I feel that the "Ice Fort" should be more than just a wall. Give us rooms, furniture, whatever.

Tough luck.

Thanks for the encouraging words Jason.

And good luck to you!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

I like your entry. I hadn't seen it in the voting but its got great mojo and deserves to be top 32.
It's an honor to be competing with you in the coming rounds.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

You know I never saw this in the voting. But I like it very much!
This gives rogues more love, much like my own entry. Sorta glad we're both helping out there.

Well met, and good luck in the competition Mark!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

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@John Leclaire - Thanks for the kind remarks! Its an honor to compete with you as well.

@Jim Groves - Thanks for clarifying the meaning of 'word frugality' and 'tight mechanics'. I understand it better now. And thanks for the encouraging words!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

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Amanda Hamon Kunz wrote:
Hello, James, and welcome to the Top 32!

Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughtful feedback Amanda. I'll think more on these things as I design my monster. :^ )

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

meloriel wrote:
Congrats on making the top 32! Great job, and best of luck in the next round!

Thanks Meloriel for thoughtful comments. Kind words lighten the heart and are most needed when we're striving. :^ )

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Neil Spicer wrote:
James! Welcome..to the Top 32!

Thanks very much Neil! I've been awaiting your feedback post. Its a dream come true being in this contest. I'll take all you've written to heart.

Regarding the reforming of the blade that so many have commented on. I deliberately left that part slightly deconstructed. Why? I like when GMs and players to use their imaginations.
Not everything needs a mechanic explaining everything that happens. Giving people a dilemma to solve is a core essence of game design. It creates drama and its part of what makes tabletop RPGs fun(!).

So in most cases for this weapon a piece snaps off and the blade re-forms by next round. In the meantime the wielder is still armed, albeit with a broken weapon, which he or she can still use for extra attacks or attacks of opportunity. Penalties apply yes, but we’re still in the fight.

So let’s say the blade is broken off in a monster's belly and now he's got some problems to deal with. But there’s other threats buzzing around and the PC wants to be totally blade ready with no time to waste.

What’s the PC going to do?

That’s a dilemma to solve.

I gave a couple suggestions (container of water, spill on the floor) just to get the imagination going, but there are so many situations we couldn’t name them all. How about a potion? How about a puddle of blood? Could a party member fling holy water at you to reform the blade? What would any of these ideas look like? How would they play out? These kind of gameplay solutions make this kind of gaming like no other. Its not just about dice roles, character design and game mechanics. Its about using our creativity to tell an exciting story we make up together in this shared imagination game called Pathfinder.

This is what we must keep in mind designing not just interesting magic items but maps, encounters and story lines too.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Garrett Guillotte wrote:
Congratulations to everyone! Lots and lots of familiar names and faces this year.

Good grief Sir! How do you keep track of all that?

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Okay. I'm on it.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Mark this weapon is so cool I'm recommending it to a player of mine who loves hammers. Great work here!

Also, since I'm in the market for a new car if I end up getting one in black I will call it Ebon Fury!!

I look forward to competing with you in future rounds.

JWT

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Well met Frank. I am interested in seeing your map in Round 2. :^ )

Brigg, your haikus are making you famous!
Thanks for the kind attention. :^ )

Ben, thanks man.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

I think this is one of the best RPGSS wondrous items I've ever seen Kalyna. Great imaginative mojo and very astute design. Well done!
I'm honored to compete with you in future rounds.

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Victoria Jaczko wrote:
Welcome to the Top 32, James!

Thank you very much Victoria for your asute and erudite observations. This blade is one of my proudest achievements and I am very excited to be in this competition!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

Brian J. Fruzen wrote:
  • Are creatures immune to cold immune to the staggered inflicted by the item?
  • Nice job incorporating skill use and fire damage as a way to remove the shard. Does removing or melting the shard end the effect of the cold though? “…five rounds before the shard melts” seems to indicate this, but rewording could make it clearer.
  • Thank you for your helpful comments Brian!

    Yes I agree having cold resistance or immunity would cause such a creature to laugh the critical hit effect to scorn. And yes, once the rounds or over or the shard eliminated the damage and staggard condition ends. Should make that more clear.

    Thanks again! Its great to be aboard!

    Back to the maps!

    Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

    Jester David wrote:
    Simple but different. And creepy. Bonus points for the creep factor.

    Yes. Creepy items are great. They can be done well or badly, but I like them. Some have commented in the past that they are reason for disqualification. Total nonsense.

    Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

    Oceanshieldwolf wrote:

    Well done James.

    Simple yet evocative item with a little extra spice to help you with thematically linked foes.

    I'm a little unsure just what constitutes a "spill" on the floor, nor why it has to be on the floor and not say a wall (waterfall? showerstall? available cool geyser?), and I'm a little concerned that you should have "available" rather than "ambient" moisture in the air - what if you are on an elemental plane of fire or similarly dry environment? But other than that, other folks seems to have picked up any real issues...

    Just watch the polish on entries moving forward. ;P

    Thanks OSW. Guess I should have included the words "such as" when describing ways to instantly reform the blade. That was the intent.

    Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

    Daron I really like this shield. If I had seen it in the voting I would have given it an up. Designing an interesting bit of "armor" without it being dull or over the top is not an easy thing. You totally killed this one!

    Congratulations! It will be an honor competing with you in Round 2.

    Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

    Russ Brown wrote:

    Congrats on making the Top 32!

    I never saw this item during voting but I really like it and it would probably have gotten mostly upvotes from me. Hmm, maybe I am just baised and have a fondess for ice swords! J/K, good job.

    Ah Russ, thanks for the kind words.

    It may interest you to know I actually came up with this weapon idea several years ago, giving it to my nephew in an adventure I was running. When this year's contest came around I asked him and my other gamer friends to give me examples of cool items I gave out in the past and he showed me this one. I really like it so I jazzed it up a bit to make it more "Superstar!" and there you have it.

    I did a quick search of the messageboards for "ice" and "sword" to see if anyone else had a similar idea. I was concerned when I saw your entry from last year that some might think I captured your mojo. From the look of it Russ your mojo is fully intact. :^ )

    Dark Archive RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 9

    You know I really like this item. I look forward to competing with you. :^ )

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