Justin Sluder's page

I'm addicted to awesomeness, so I'll buy it.

Justin Sluder wrote:

Simple question: Fireball + Ravenous Crypts = TPK. Yes or no?

Please Explain how this could be a TPK?

Damage to walls draws out wraiths. I have a party who likes their fireballs.

Simple question: Fireball + Ravenous Crypts = TPK. Yes or no?

That's fine, I wasn't looking to make a major project or redesign the system from the ground up. I have a separate thread devoted to that, if anyone's interested. I certaintly wasn't attempting to coerce hours of free work out of Darkjoy or attempt a circumvention of WotC IP, just wanted some help in ratcheting together some homebrew for my game.

Justin I will compile a much more comprehensive breakdown of what I am asking and if you like I would love to hear any ideas / feedback that it sparks in you. I can post it here or in my "Cthulhu in D&D" thread.

Thanks all for the input and time!

Where ever is good for me. Btw, feel free to check out some of my work here and here.

Justin Sluder wrote:

seekerofshadowlight wrote:

I am with justin...I do 2 things use 3.0 buff times and tell the party tough...and i put more monster back...add traps... and so on.

Its not wow there is no vacuum, things can tell you have been there when bob the troll does not come back.

You know Bob too?! Awesome! How is he?

He has been doing ok, he has a limp now thanks to that flamestrike outhouse thing last summer

Damn randomly occurring outhouse flamestrikes! They always hit the good people.....

I hope I haven't been rejected, but I expect I have, or will be.

I haven't given up, though I still don't see superstar in my item. On the other hand, there are plenty of items other people rave about that I just don't see the appeal of, so maybe one of the judges will see superstar potential where I do not.

It's these little hopes that keep me submitting.

- Ashavan

Dude, at least you're a Werecabbage, take solace in your level of awesome!

Nuts.

Thanks all the same.

Another idea: Designing unique Aberration-related monsters based on the four concepts of Hunger, Deceipt, Destruction and Corruption from Hecatomb?

I need Low (1-6th) Mid (7-13th) and High (14-20+) level challenges for each.

If you would be willing to help me design Elder Evils-style (Epic) category threats to match these as unique creations, I would be very appreciative.

I am not sure whose IP Hecatomb falls under currently as it was discontinued by WotC but they can't own the terms "Aberration" or the concepts I state above ...

Would this work?
To clarify, I am looking for entirely new creations that my mix of seasoned and new gamers will be both challenged and surprised by, preferrably avoiding sci-fi or eurocentric fantasy cliche's in favor of something truly innovative...

In either case, many thanks all the same!

I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do. I'd like more info on what you'd like please.

Wolfgang Baur wrote:

Oh, sure, I'll chime in.

10. Channeling items. There were a lot of items that worked with channeling mechanics. Like the augury items last year, there's nothing *wrong* with that mechanic, but seeing it fairly often means we probably set the bar higher.

11. Spell in a Can. The perennial problem of items that really just do what a spell already does. Some were really well executed (one summon monster variant sticks in my mind). But as a whole, these are more scrolls or wands than they are wondrous items.

...and thus I am undone. <collapses>

welcome, have a tissue......

Justin Sluder wrote:

Clark Peterson wrote:

Most of the submissions we got really did a good job of following what I consider the classic template of a wondrous item: a common item that is, by magic, uncommon. It has a relatively constant effect that is lower level and then one or two additional specific effects that are more powerful. The item has a real tight theme and a real good idea behind it and it is tightly designed to that theme. It doesnt try to do too much and it doesnt try to solve all problems. That is a classic well-designed wondrous item.

Unless I'm in line for a miracle, this tells me I'm not making the top 32. damn......

Not necessarily. That is just what MOST did, which tells me that the overall competence of the audience is rising from last year. Some of the ones that are getting shuffled into the KEEP pile, though, have broken that mold. And breaking the mold can be a good thing.

Dont use this discussion to find a way to rule yourself out of the contest :)

[keanu] woah! [/keanu] The High Lord Necromancer himself spoke to me......

There were far fewer modern items disguised as wondrous items this year. Same thing with gag items. We had next to none. Also, we had very few weapons or other items that, by definition, are not wondrous items. As far as I can recall, we also only had a tiny group of psionic items, which are not wondrous items because they are universal items and do not use the Create Wondrous Item feat.

Most of the submissions we got really did a good job of following what I consider the classic template of a wondrous item: a common item that is, by magic, uncommon. It has a relatively constant effect that is lower level and then one or two additional specific effects that are more powerful. The item has a real tight theme and a real good idea behind it and it is tightly designed to that theme. It doesnt try to do too much and it doesnt try to solve all problems. That is a classic well-designed wondrous item.

Unless I'm in line for a miracle, this tells me I'm not making the top 32. damn......

OK, I'll start the list.

1. Item Formatting. A good number of submissions didn’t follow the Pathfinder wondrous item format. Not sure how people screwed this one up. We considered this a big error. I mean, this is RPG Superstar. If you cant get the format right, that is a problem.

Got it, I hope.

2. Spell names. I cant tell you how many people capitalized spell names. Don’t do that. Spell names aren’t capitalized. We didnt expect italicizing (though we liked it), but you really need to know that spell names are lower case. This wasn’t fatal, but it didn’t help.

Lower case, check.

4. Just couldn’t resist the backstory, could ya? I don’t know how many times a perfectly good item was mucked up with a two or three sentence intro about how “item X was first created by [name of NPC] who had [insert problem], and blah blah blah.” Not fatal, but it shows horrid lack of restraint as a writer. Just design a good item. Wondrous items don’t have that stuff. Artifacts do. Usually not fatal, but it’s a red flag.

Almost did this.

5. Coin items. Seriously. Actually, Wolfgang lost his mind briefly (or was kidnapped and an impostor was doing his reviews) and actually liked one. He was rescued and/or returned to his senses, luckily.

Ha! I'm insane, not stupid!

6. The Pan’s Labyrinth chalk item. Like last year, we got a bunch of chalk items that let you make doorways.

Haven't watched it. *shrug*

7. “This Year’s Migrus.” Particularly early on we got a bunch of gonzo items that wanted to be this year’s Migrus. I think all were rejected. Luckily, though, we got very few items that were trying to be gonzo on purpose. I was worried that we would see more of that. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Migrus? Wtf is that?

8. Not a wondrous item. We got a good set of items that werent wondrous items--many were simply lesser artifacts. Here's a hint: if there is only one of them, its probably an artifact. But the artifact problem isnt the only problem. We got a few that were either new substances or new spell systems disquised as wondrous items. Too bad, too, because they were cool ideas. See, there I go again with that...

Wondrous Item, check. I hope the right amount of wondrous.....

I am with justin...I do 2 things use 3.0 buff times and tell the party tough...and i put more monster back...add traps... and so on.

Its not wow there is no vacuum, things can tell you have been there when bob the troll does not come back.

You know Bob too?! Awesome! How is he?

My solution: Tell the players to grow a pair and keep going.

Yes, I can be a tough GM.

A book of magic items created solely by paizo users/fans? I'd buy 2. One for me and my group.

DITTO!

Justin Sluder wrote:

Hot Springs, Arkansas (extremely dormant volcano)

The other armpit of America.

It's cool here, only 32F. I'm constantly amazed by all the people bundled up. I spent 3 winters in my youth in North Dakota. My favorite place to have lived!

Its cool here as well. In the mid-30's at the moment. We actually had FOG a few days ago. I live in the desert. Deserts don't have fog...

I spent a few winters myself in much colder climates. Colorado, high on the western slope. Beautiful place, but very very cold.

I loved living in the desert years ago. Victorville, CA.

Hot Springs, Arkansas (extremely dormant volcano)

The other armpit of America.

It's cool here, only 32F. I'm constantly amazed by all the people bundled up. I spent 3 winters in my youth in North Dakota. My favorite place to have lived!

Once the item is submitted, is it okay to post it elsewhere, like my personal website? I understand once the item is submitted it becomes Paizo IP. I'm just curious when/if I'm allowed to put it out there what item I created.

I think it would be awesome for the recently layed-off to get together and start their own company:

Sorcerers by the Shore!

Yeah, I know it's been a joke name for years, but it'd still be an awesome thing, and we know the people can do a good job!

Say, any chance I could see a Cavalier Prestige Class?

Sword and Fist pg 12.

Now that all of the feedback and rejections are out, it's my pleasure to announce the authors for Pathfinder Society Scenario #17 Perils of the Pirate Pact and Pathfinder Society Scenario #18 The Trouble with Secrets:

#17 - Matthieu Dayon
#18 - Craig Campbell

Join me in congratulating them on their selections. Next week, we launch the next round of submissions, so keep an eye on the blog and these messageboards.

Good luck Matthieu and Craig!

W00T!! Now show yourselves in the chat!

*looks in to see if there's any news*

Nope, damn.

*goes back to doing 'other' things*

Yes!

Cpt_kirstov wrote:

I have an old character who has a collection of helms made from the heads of dragons the party had defeated... He had helms from black, blue, green and white dragons.... was always looking for a red to complete his collection.

Here you go Captain Red Dragon's Helmet

I hope you liked and that I did a close approach to your helmet's version.

Excellent work as always. Keep this up and people will start paying you without you asking for it!

back up chat here

chat room backup here

Dagnar Pallgreves For Justin Sluder (special thanks! for the support)

You Sir are most welcome.

Sadly, I don't have enough time to play either game routinely, but I do find time to play them both (and others) sporadically. They both have their merits, but right now Paizo wins hands down (in my opinion) when it comes to quality storytelling. I just wish it were easier to find Pathfinder Society games in small-town Kentucky.

Chad

I don't know where in the state you are, but seekerofshadowlight is also in Kentucky. It's at least worth checking out.

My current thing in life that sucks is really something that doesn't truly matter in the grand scheme of things:

file.......

I'm trying to download the files which make up my website and go to the fold they should be in only to find the folder DOES NOT EXIST!

.........................

Things WILL be changing once I get the files.

okie-dokie

I'll order some black on white ones instead.

How long before these lovely dice will be available?

So are current Pathfinder modules / adventure paths being run with the Pathfinder RPG rules? Or is it still 3.5?

3.5 until GenCon 2009.

Here it goes Seekerofshadowlight!

Akori of the Wastes

I hope I got your picture of your character right! I made this guy a bit "darker" in the skin than the others. The tatoos are egycian-like, I hope this was somewhat alike to what you had in mind. I put the kopesh resting in his shoulders to express how "comfortable" he is with it and as a sign of how reliable it is. I left him with litthe equipment no to make it too heavy since the skin is also dark. I lef the shoulderdress and pants in a clear tone to make a nice contrast with the surrounding elements. I hope the symbol of Pharasma is big enough... I added a few bettles to get him in good favor!

Here's the linework if someone wants to put some color on it ;) Akori in lines

I hope you like it!

Awesome work yet again!

When we started doing them, they were with a different printer. The per-unit cost for the first three or so of the Map Packs was lower. The later ones have a sturdier cardstock, and the price is consequently higher.

Cool, I was just wondering. The only map pack I have currently came from the Treasure Chest.

Set wrote:

[url=http://www.violentacres.com/archives/59/two-phrases-that-destroyed-american-culture?1[/url]

THAT........WAS..........AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes it was extremely awesome!

Quick, simple question.

What is the reasoning behind the $3 difference in price for some of the Map Packs?

Justin Sluder wrote:

thelesuit wrote:

Complete Book of Templates

I'm not familiar with this one.

I too love Advanced Bestiary as well as Book of Templates Deluxe Edition.

D'oh. My bad Justin. You have the book title correct -- as I purchased it on you or Pygon's advice. ;)

CJ

Ah, it's cool. You are far from the first person to make the same mistake. Awesome book isn't it?

Long story short, dmtools.org is caught in registrar limbo. I'm in the process of trying to get it switched over to a new registrar.

I found this after my e-mail was fired off. Consider me stupid for not checking here first.

Justin Sluder wrote:

joela wrote:

Has Paizo released any news/rumors/wild tales on whom is to take over the Society once Logue assumes his lordship...er...starts his non-rpg job in the UK? Will he also continue to co-lead Iron DM?

Frost will be heading thing up in regards to PFS, as soon as he makes enough Fort saves to shake that pesky bug he's contracted.

I assumed as much but damn! That's a lot of work for the poor guy :(

Agreed, but I figure he's up to it.

Has Paizo released any news/rumors/wild tales on whom is to take over the Society once Logue assumes his lordship...er...starts his non-rpg job in the UK? Will he also continue to co-lead Iron DM?

Frost will be heading thing up in regards to PFS, as soon as he makes enough Fort saves to shake that pesky bug he's contracted.

Complete Book of Templates

I'm not familiar with this one.

I too love Advanced Bestiary as well as Book of Templates Deluxe Edition.

There is not currently a subscription for Pathfinder RPG rule books.

I believe that is the most important word in this sentence.

Justin Sluder wrote:

I luv Paizo more than you!

Don't get me started... ;P

I won't, this isn't the place for such 'conflicts.'

I luv Paizo that much (hehehe)

I luv Paizo more than you!

I don't mind if teh WE is not "free"

I'd pay as well. I'm just saying free due to traditional WE's being free. Also, Paizo did make a free WE for the PRPG Beta which has 65 pages.

James/Erik, etc.

How about a free web enhancement with whatever creatures from the SRD which don't make it into the PPB?

Myself and I'm sure others in the community would be more than willing to help with the simple conversions needed for whatever doesn't make the cut.

I think I can agree with removing PC races from the book.

On the other hand, a "Classic Monsters Revisited" treatment of the core races sounds like a pretty interesting book to me.

Sold another one!

I have considered putting together an atrociously huge monster book by combining two or three books (and errata) into a giant alphabetized titan limited edition for gamers with more money than sense.

But first things first. :)

Justin wants!!!!

Who needs cents anyway!

Fixed it for you. ;)

I've been told I'm an awesome GM, but I know I have some much more I could do to improve and am working on such things.