Watcher's page

Fixed!

I spent my karma point, relected on my profile character sheet.

You've told me that my wound chart is wrong, but I must be dense because I don't get it. Could you just tell me what it should be, and maybe I'll be able to reverse engineer from the rules why it is what it is?

I'm sorry if I came off as insincere. <shrug>

I do however stand by what I said. Please note that I didn't attack your point of view, or you personally. I just suggested that there might be more to this particular situation than you might otherwise know.

In return you took a big ol' dump on me and Daigle. :D

That's okay. Consider it a welcome to the boards gift. Sincerely, I hope you find a better experience in another thread.

This response from the publisher btw is kinda prickish and mean-spirited.. if that's the way they are going to talk to us then I think we should not support their company.

It just really rubs me the wrong way that the publisher would respond in such a fashion.. the "No." from him earlier was more than sufficient and should have been the last thing he added. As customers and players we then have the right to discuss and criticize their decisions and should not have to take derisive replies from the people we support with our $s.

I'm not trying to be an apologist, really, but hear me out.

This isn't a new issue, and it's been talked out a lot. Honest.

I grant you, new people come to these boards all the time and maybe we regulars forget that, and we shouldn't. We should be patient that sometimes folks just don't realize that the topic has been exhausted.

I don't know Mr. Mona personally, but I do know he appreciates his customers and he and his staff care deeply about giving people a quality product. I met him once at Gencon while he was supervising an author signing and he really didn't have any time to talk. I just mentioned I was a super subscriber and thanked him for the products his company put out. I intended to let him go, but he made the time to at least shake my hand and thank me for my business and apologized that he didn't have more time.

These people care about their customers. Honest.

Maybe he was terse, but there's been a lot of bickering about this topic. The decision is made, and it's so easy to correct in one's own private home game. We're really not tied to what they put in the rule book.

I'm curious!

What's your FAVORITE prestige class that we've published in a Pathfinder product for Golarion. The prestige classes in the Core Rulebook don't count! And you can only pick one!

Living Monolith - note this is based on concept, and not necessarily mechanics. If I was going strictly by mechanics I might go with another one instead.. but the Living Monolith made me go, "Oooh.. that's kinda cool!"

I'm afraid I can't figure out where this is supposed to be. It doesn't look to me like the Sins of the Saviors finale.

That is for the finale of chapter 4, Fortress of the Stone Giants. Mokmurian's lair.

I actually used them in one my campaigns! I put pennies inside them and it really helped them stand on end properly.

Now I use a VTT, but it was awesome when my game was FtF.

I am usually the GM, which puts me in an odd position. I mean, my job is to play both male and female characters. Without boasting, I try to do so with some sensitivity and without objectifying women.

I also involve some romantic elements in the game, because players like that frankly. Part of doing that well means building a little trust between players and GMs. When I play a female NPC I don't play her for laughs. I never use a player’s desire for a romantic subplot to make fun of the player or their NPC (though if they're crass or crude in character, the NPC reacts accordingly). I also sense when the player might start to feel uncomfortable and then we fade to black. No one has to feel icky or embarrassed. It’s worked really well, and all my straight male players like it.

And it doesn't matter, but I'm a straight married male too. I only offer that for context.

However, as a GM, playing a female character is part of my job.

Now, let me tie that into the actual topic of discussion.

Recently I joined a game as a player with a female PC. People I don't know really well. They were a little uncomfortable with it, and I was getting a lot of lewd jokes. I told them if they were uncomfortable with it, which made them want to make T&A jokes in order to cope with that discomfort, I'd was willing to re-roll another character for their benefit. I was quite pleasant, but I was also honest; I wouldn't be doing it for my benefit- it would be for them. After a few seconds consideration, they said they were cool with it, and the topic has never come up again.

My point is, to the OP, is that the rest of the group should be asked, without humor or sarcasm, to just explain what the problem is. If you want to avoid a confrontation, ask them without the other player present, but don't let them slough it off, or make a joke of it. Just straight up, "Why don't you like it?" And if they can't explain why, then ask how you can be expected to ask the other player not to play their character.

Why should it be the GM's problem? If the other players are uncomfortable they have a responsibility to speak up and take ownership of their feelings. I mean they're all adults right?

The only pitfall to this is that they might actually express their feelings, and then you're stuck with it. Heh. Then you could end up having some decisions to make. On the other hand, you haven't really created a problem, because you already had one. All you've done is gotten your other players to admit to it.

In any case, don't feel you have to be the spokesperson for your players just because you're the GM. If they don't want the other guy to play a female, then don't let them hide behind you.

I wish I could offer an easy solution.

One solution might be some trust building. If the other players can explain that why they're uncomfortable with it, maybe their fears can be relieved. Like, "No one is going to hit on you or infect you with cooties. It's cool."

Finally, like many others have said, "I don't know why this is a problem for them." However, I'm also experienced enough to know that sometimes it is a problem, even when we don't know why.

Hope this helped.

PS: I'm lordelwin on LJ, which is only relevant in that I'm a patron on OD projects. I don't contribute commentary that much, but I've certainly read your posts often enough. BTW, you have my vote this round (and last) for RPG superstar. Keep up the good work!

Thank you!

Good to be playing with you. I've admired Earthdawn for a long time, and it's fun to be finally playing it.

Thanks Jason, I've been waiting for your review. :)

Much appreciated!

I guess he's doing okay. He's had vistors and is reported to be in fine spirits.

By the way, Watcher, sort of off-topic and as a humorous observation (hence the ooc colouration of this) you missed an '=' sign out of your little row beneath your Ecology heading. ;)

slams head on desk

Thanks for your support Charles! ;) I hope to earn your vote, and if not, hopefully next round!

Thank you French Wolf and Gbonehead! Gratefully received!

Actually, that's a demotivator!

::blush::

Well at least now we know you'r secretly possessed by the ghost of Sigmund Freud.

I'm my own adventure!

Think he means the word just before perception. :P

And now it's too late... :P on me.

In future rounds if you post into other people's work before the voting ends I may just decide not to vote for you no matter how loyal or supportive I'd like to be for your work.

Thanks for telling us French Wolf.

Please don't put it in spoiler tags. If that becomes a policy that is adapted by many voters, we need to know.

So again, thank you for being candid. I'd rather have the opportunity to change what is perceived as a negative behavior than losing a vote after the fact when I have no ability to change what was done out of the best of intentions.

Note: I'm not sure I agree with you, as I think a short positive comment is only the gentlemanly thing to do, but I respect what you're saying.

You offered the caveat that we're free to ignore you, but we simply can not. Not at all. Respectfully, you must understand that as well. We can't ignore your warning if we hope to receive positive comments and your vote. The best possible outcome (for us) is that you would be in the minority, but there's not a lot to be gained in that particular gamble.

To quote song writer Jackson Browne in his classic 'Load Out'...

People you've got the power over what we do

You can sit there and wait
Or you can pull us through

Err, Watcher, you might want to proof-read and edit that post. You have a typo.

Hopefully fixed.

In regards to the latest developments, ouch. You have my sympathies and I salute your excellent creations, Lief.

Yes, let's raise a glass to Lief Clennon!

May he return better than ever next year!

My sincere regrets Lief.

I hope to see you come back strong next year!

Nothing in the rules says you can't elaborate on another contestant's submission. In fact, I think it shows good sportsmanship.

Indeed. I think so too.

However, I also think one should be a little cautious. I've done a lot of thinking about this, especially in the light of Vic Wertz and Neil Spicer's advice not to comment..

What I've come away thinking is that it is good sportmanship, just as Tom says. However, I'd make it short and positive. I wouldn't do a lot of analysis. We're also dealing with pubic perception of us, and people *can* (but not always) read all kinds of motives into anything.

Short, sincere, and positive.

For what it's worth.. and I'm not blowing sunshine up anybody's backside.. I have really enjoyed the company of all my competitors. You guys are awesome... and professional people.

This totally brought to my mind the scene from Terminator 2 where the T1000 rises up from the floor... Now I'm picturing a T1000 caltrop golem... [shivers]

That occured to me too.

This was a quality entry, you did good Matthew!

Thank you for running the tally! (Plus, you know, voting for me, that was pretty cool of you as well)

Ditto! +1 Thank you Illessa!

Sidetrack:
Hey Ben, since I'm less than an hour away from where you live, we should meet up for lunch sometime... I can drive to Boise in under an hour. I promise no poison! ;-)

razzer frackin' message board ate my pst! Ack!

I'm posting right now! The contest really is a poor excuse, so I really offer my apologies. I becme discouraged too, when no one else was getting into it.

I'm writing my post so anyone can slide right in with the action. That is, Garrett will assume player posting was always there.

Thanks for your continued efforts Txoro!

Thanks Mr. Sutter! Thanks Mr. Mona!

Listen, Woodsy, Sebastian was trying to move in on one of my underlings. Wh- I mean, did anybody ask you to stick your beak in?

Point well taken.

Shhhh.. come here.

Intelligent insights

Thank you sir! You brought up a few new points for me to consider I'd not heard before. Much obliged.

If at all possible, if you find yourself with an additional vote remaining I'd like to ask for it. Just so I can put everything I'm learning in this round into practice.

I'm quite honest in saying I am a work in progress, but I pledge to improve in every round I'm so fortunate enough to make it to.

I find your distorted sense of power amusing.

I dunno.. I can't help but think of that old saying, "Speak of the Devil and he will appear."

And here Jason is, but oddly I can't recall anyone bringing *you* up in conversation. ;-)

I think I could honestly compliment Lief on a very difficult job, well done.

Hear hear.

These gentlemen are already winners in my book, whether they win the grand prize or not.

I couldn't say it better myself, so I won't even try.

Thoughts?

Awesome?

I need to hurry up and get a day job so I can be a patron?

I thought this was a bug, not a wolf?

I don't know about the ardorwesp but my mother always complained I ate like a starving wolf!

Thanks James!

Its always nice to hear such gracious words from one of my extremely worthy competitors.

However, I don't think me winning the contest is any sort of foregone conclusion. Heh. I take it one Round at a time.

Like everbody, it just kills me not to reply.. but that's the rules. Come back after the voting and I'll talk about stuff, specifically for some remarks about mechanics and the choices I made.

*************
@ Death_Jester: Much appreciated! You guys keep me going!

@ Charles Evans 25: I appreciate your thoughtful analysis as always. Thanks for taking the time to go over it.

@ Craig Johnston: Sorry it wasn't spot on, but I am delighted and grateful for your continued support. Please come back after the voting is done!

@Jared Goodwin and Terraleon!! Fascinating discussion gentlemen! I am pleased to be the source of such thoughtful exchange.

Thanks to Jared for your frank critique. I hope I can do better for you in a future round.

Thank you to Terraleon! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Please vote for me!

Likewise (to add to James Martin's wise words).. I seriously wish every one of you the best of luck. If I don't comment, it isn't intended as a sleight or that I didn't love your creature as much or more than one I did comment on.

Last round I debated about stepping back a little, and now I think it's time (with the exception of thanking people in my thread.. which I'm always going to do).

I think things are going to get a little bit more intense.

Thanks Dennis and Sean!

After the voting is closed I'll have some comments and design notes.

And I'm kicking myself over a few things, but hey.. it's a learning process. :D

Edit: Heck, this time I actually have questions I'd like to ask the judges.. but that obviously has to wait. Plus I don't want to seem like I am in any way challenging their evaluations.

Good Job Matthew!

I think you're going to be unable to compete next year. ;) You've broken your own self-proclaimed curse.

Of course I hope to join you!

This was a good pick and you did great job with it. Congrats.

I just want to point out one of the non-obvious but cool things about this entry. The auras overlap so a team of 4 different thralls each have 4 boons. This is a critter that gets tougher when it's next to his buddies.

Oops... probably not a good idea to point out the cool things about the competitors :o

Don't worry Dennis, I'm gonna join you. :D

It is cool and it was in the original write-up. Lief did a good job in not short changing the original entry just because it was complicated.

"A for Effort" Tom!

It was a tough creature. Maybe too tough to be written up for Round Two. I have mixed feelings about that aspect of Round Two, because the rules did not forbid describing a high level CR creature, but nevertheless they strongly hinted to use caution in doing it. It worked for Mr. McGee.. but...

This was a gamble, and had you or anyone pulled this off it would have been an instant home run.

And I admire the bold.

I think you need to be uplifted and encouraged. This is more of a testament to the difficulty of statting up this creature, under CR 6, than your specific ability. Yeah, maybe a less ambitious choice was out there.. but you wanted to pull ahead. Nothing wrong with that desire.

Hang in there and good luck!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words!
Mul!
Mothman!
cwslygh!
Matthew Morris! Very much appreciated!
Demiurge 1138! Glad I could do better by you this round!
Jesse! I have no doubt this is not the last I'll see of you!
Le Femme Nikita! Thank you!

RedShiftNo5! Thanks and I'm taking you off the roster so you don't get shot!

JasonSchimmel! Thank you too Sir!

And of course all the Judges (especially Clark, thanks for the vote of confidence!)

Jason Nelson!

Is it too late to change the name of this thread to, "I DEMAND THAT JASON NELSON APPEAR HERE AND ANSWER THE CHARGES TO WHICH HE IS GUILTY"?

"You should open your mouth a little wider when you speak."

Willy Wonka.

Also from Through the Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There
Chapter II: The Garden of Live Flowers
by Lewis Carroll [1832-1898]

I was hoping for more lahamu, so I feel your pain.

It would have been my second choice after the ardorwesp, really. In fact, it was close to a tie, but I thought there would have been more of them too.

Thank you to all the Judges!

I will take your sage advice learn from it for the next round, should I be so fortunate!

Please vote for me!

Interesting. Not one skintaker. I don't mind, but I wonder if everyone thought somebody else was going to do one too.

I hope Alex is pleased with my version of the ardorwesp.

I happen to know for a fact that Jason Nelson is really Mr. Wilkenson (not to be confused with Arthur Slugworth).

And he is allied with Willy Wonka.

I understand it's a lot of work for you to read and post thoughtful responses for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know, I personally really appreciated the time you took commenting on my entry.

If you bow out, that's obviously your choice to make, and I won't fault you for it (especially considering how busy real life can be), but you will certainly be missed!

+1

I know I made an aberrant horror, but your time and effort was appreciated Charles! :D

... I hope it'll last. :)

Jason Nelson FTW!

You know..? My proofreaders are on the edge of their seats. Its killing them almost as much or more than it is me!

I guess I'm just hoping I did well

I'm excited to see what you guys think of the creatures people statted out for Round 3. There were some interesting choices, some got re-concepted to good effect and some not so good. We had a few multiple versions of the same creatures (yes, that means more than one creature had multiples, but I can't say how many or which ones, you will see soon enough)

I just can't wait to see the discussion. This should be fun.

As always.. "the suspense is terrible.."

I think what gets lost in these discussions of "greater good" is what one can actually live with after the fact.

Stephen King's Storm of the Century plays with this theme quite nicely.

What I loved about Storm of the Century is that it opened the question up beyond just the "greater good" to include "What can you live with AFTER the decision is made?"

How do you look yourself in the mirror, the day after. Was it the right thing to do, or was it just the easiest thing to do?

That, my friends, is something that is difficult to translate in a RPG game. The personal emotional consequences are not always felt, but are very real... here in the 'real world'.

Kudos to the designer who can get that across.

I have no complaints about any existing product. I've enjoyed them all, and so have my players. In fact many of my players have become subscribers in their own right. I'm talking about 12 people in two different groups, most of whom either subscribed to a product linne or at least bought a Core Book.

Having said that, I think Captain Marsh had an interesting idea: an AP where "good" wasn't necessarily strictly on the defense. There's places where you could turn the existing paradigm around, i.e. the WorldWound.