Marathon Voter Season 6
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The "create a new organisation" round seems a great way of getting the top 32 to flex their writing chops. It should really highlight those who are serious about making top 4 and give them a good opportunity to build some momentum at the start of the competition. I'm not too sure all of last year's top 32 made the most out of the "archetype" round; this year's top 32 round seems to give a little more creative room.
What do you think?
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
Already trying to wrap my head around what I'm going with if i make it that far.
I'm intrigued.
Last year, with archetypes, my reaction was: this is the round to play it safe. Archetype design, and with such limited wordcount, is really tough; people will be going through 32 different entries; it'll be more a round of elimination than of promotion, so do something sweet and simple with a bit of flavor and let other people trip up on intricate mechanics balance.
Not the case here. This is pure 100% idea and writing, so this is your chance to demonstrate something incredible and unconstrained. If you don't take advantage of that, rest assured other contestants will.
The real trick will be to keep away from familiar stereotypes - the religious zealots, the shadowy conspirators who are way too shadowy to have a concrete compelling part to play, anything directly mappable to a Paranoia secret society, etc. etc. Some of these might be rewarded if done well, but something cool and new is a far better goal.
And the other big issue I expect is good presentation - to stand out among 32 entries, you've got to be strong and clear and hook people right from the start.
I love concept contests, and I'm looking forward to it :)
I looked at it and the monster round and couldn't stop smiling. Those who know me will probably figure out why. First though I have to focus and getting through the meatgrinding first round.
It'll be fun to see what people do with the organization as it'll certainly be a flavor filled fiesta of horror and forbidden delights to excite the senses regardless of whether i get that far or not.
Organization solitary
I'm intrigued.
I'm very interested in this round. I often make use of organisations in my games - plot hooks, reasons for PCs to team up, character concepts (PCs, allies, rivals, enemies), non-monetary rewards.
The rules for the round haven't been released yet, but that doesn't mean entrants shouldn't start planning some concepts, looking at published sources etc. There's only 3 days between the announcement of the top 32 and the round 2 submission deadline.
Orginizations are always fun to play with, and I find they naturally spring up through adventure writing. Unique orginizations, however, are going to be much more interesting...
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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I'm very curious about the "stat block" for this round. Will it be pure creative text, or will there be more defined sections, or even unique prestige rewards like those in the Faction Guide? (I'm guessing no on the rewards, due to word count and having to explain the system so everyone's on a level playing field).
RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I'm psyched about the organization and monster rounds. I do believe most published organizations in PFRPG/3.5 were a little dry, but I think they can be dynamic, and exciting, and make people say 'oohh...I want to play when THAT circus comes to town.'
I think I know what my organization will be already, god Lord willin'.
To be honest, I was looking forward to doing another Archetype (to redeem myself after the poor showing last year!). I've been practicing for the last 9 months!!! Ah well.
Anyone have any thoughts on which source material is likely to be used as a guideline for this round?
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Marathon Voter Season 6
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Anyone have any thoughts on which source material is likely to be used as a guideline for this round?
I think the inspiration is maybe from the Faction Guide but it is how they cut down that two page spread into x-hundred words that will be interesting.
The faction guide had:
- Blurb
- Goal
- Alignment
- Leader
- Good/Challenging Class Choices
- Headquarters
- Joining
- Gaining Prestige
- Resources
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
Thinking on it, I'm most curious about the monster/statblock round. Historically, it has something to do with the previous round's submissions (ie, create a statblock for a monster from a previous round) so with an orginization followed by a monster... that'd have to be one heck of a twist.
Thinking on it, I'm most curious about the monster/statblock round. Historically, it has something to do with the previous round's submissions (ie, create a statblock for a monster from a previous round) so with an orginization followed by a monster... that'd have to be one heck of a twist.
NOTE: Entries deemed insufficiently related to a Round 2 organization will be summarily disqualified.
I love the idea of the organization challenge! I think it will be a lot less restrictive than an archetype (though I was looking forward to a twist on a corporate lawyer...maybe with necromantic powers... but that would be redundant.)
Lots of ideas for organizations that would fit in anywhere in Golarion... Oh... the possibilities...
I have a pretty good organization idea. Its a bit light hearted- but I feel like it could fit very well as something that isn't super serious and protecting the world from near destruction.
This is my first time hearing of RPG Superstar and im pretty excited.
I think the inspiration is maybe from the Faction Guide but it is how they cut down that two page spread into x-hundred words that will be interesting.
Interesting thought.
I also noticed that the Inner Sea World Guide has several organizations that are only a paragraph long (Chapter 5, Factions). Creating something like that could be another possibility as it's well within the typical word count restrictions.
I think it very unlikely they'll ask competitors to expand upon an existing orginization - that's way too different than anything done previously. I think it'll be an orginization, from scratch - though they might give a restriction like "good-aligned", "use one of these symbols as a logo" or "only material plane"
+1
I also am interested in the twist/link if there is one...
I have an organization in mind (from scratch, not something from the Inner Sea World Guide that would require expanding upon), and now we will just have to see what the particulars of Round 2 are.
I'm excited, as a "hopeful" Top 32... but even as a spectator. I enjoy this time of year. :)
Dean
I've been working on an organization worksheet to go with my Notsonoble's Gaming sheets. I'm pretty sure since starting the company (which right now is just me) I'm no longer a valid competitor for the contest. However, I wonder now what I should do about the sheet. Delay until after the contest is done? Rush it out now?
An interesting bit paizo has thrown out there indeed.
Notso, I wouldn't be so quick to assume you're ineligible. The Rules say:
1. The contest is open to the general public, with the following exceptions: Employees of Paizo Publishing, their immediate family members, and persons with whom such employees are domiciled are ineligible. Anyone who has been employed full-time as a designer for a game company is ineligible. Anyone with a cover credit on a hardcover RPG book is ineligible. Designers who have cover credits on print editions of Paizo's Pathfinder or GameMastery products are ineligible. The top 8 finalists of all previous RPG Superstar contests are ineligible. Contestants must provide their real names on their paizo.com account. Legal identification must be produced on request.
So, unless designing for/running your game company is a full-time job, it doesn't mean you're ineligible.
So, unless designing for/running your game company is a full-time job, it doesn't mean you're ineligible.
That's a rather generous interpretation. I probably blow 20 hours/week doing research and thinking about it, but it definitely isn't my "day job". Thank you.
I want to give the contest a try, but Round 2 seems very difficult for someone who haven't read a lot about Golarion. I only know some facts thanks to the Rise of the Runelords AP I´m running, but I think I will be in a serious disadvantage. Is basic knowledge of Golarion enough to win Round 2?
Developer
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
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I want to give the contest a try, but Round 2 seems very difficult for someone who haven't read a lot about Golarion. I only know some facts thanks to the Rise of the Runelords AP I´m running, but I think I will be in a serious disadvantage. Is basic knowledge of Golarion enough to win Round 2?
Hi Matias, last year the Top 32 contestants (and alternates) all received a free PDF copy of the Inner Sea World Guide so that they would all have information about the Golarion setting at their disposal for later rounds. It's likely that Paizo will offer the same "prize" this year, but of course I cannot speak for them! It is their way of putting the contestants on more equal footing in terms of setting material and also rewarding the Top 32 for a job well done.
I want to give the contest a try, but Round 2 seems very difficult for someone who haven't read a lot about Golarion. I only know some facts thanks to the Rise of the Runelords AP I´m running, but I think I will be in a serious disadvantage. Is basic knowledge of Golarion enough to win Round 2?
I would say take the opportunity to read as much as possible once you put in your round 1 submission.
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I want to give the contest a try, but Round 2 seems very difficult for someone who haven't read a lot about Golarion. I only know some facts thanks to the Rise of the Runelords AP I´m running, but I think I will be in a serious disadvantage. Is basic knowledge of Golarion enough to win Round 2?Hi Matias, last year the Top 32 contestants (and alternates) all received a free PDF copy of the Inner Sea World Guide so that they would all have information about the Golarion setting at their disposal for later rounds. It's likely that Paizo will offer the same "prize" this year, but of course I cannot speak for them! It is their way of putting the contestants on more equal footing in terms of setting material and also rewarding the Top 32 for a job well done.
Mind you, you don't get that until after the contest is underway, which likely wouldn't help someone towards creating a Golarion-centric round 2 entry.
So, to give a different answer to Matias' question: you can probably get by on basic knowledge for a while,, especially if you were to center a round 2 entry around what Golarion backstory you already know. But... here's the thing. In addition to round 2, there's the 'Golarion location & encounter' round later, which obviously also involves campaign setting knowledge. If you then make it to the finals, you need to make an adventure pitch set in Golarion, and even if you don't win you'll be eventually writing a PFS scenario, likewise set in Golarion. The question shouldn't be,'can I make it by in this contest with minimal knowledge of the Pathfinder campaign setting?' but rather, 'if I'm really serious about being a potential contestant, how much can I learn about Golarion before the contest starts?'
There's more than a month before the contestants are selected. I'm not saying you need to rush out and buy your local game store's entire stock of Golarion-centric books, but there's plenty of time between now and then to build on what you already know. For starters, head to the Pathfinder Wiki which contains TONS of information on pretty much all aspects of Golarion. Not as in depth as you'll get from emptying your bank account on the various books, but it's an excellent free resource.
Because, trust me from personal experience: making it to the finals and then getting called out for sup-par regional campaign setting knowledge is deeply embarrassing. Try and avoid that fate if at all possible. :-)
I'll miss the Archetype round. Some of my favorites came out of it (Hound Master, anyone?)
@Sean McGowan @TarkXT @Mike Kimmel: Thanks for the advice. It will be difficult but I'll try to learn everything I can about Golarion in the coming weeks! I think I'll start by reading about that dark elf with the scimitars... What was his name? Tyler Do'Urden? :P
Because, trust me from personal experience: making it to the finals and then getting called out for sup-par regional campaign setting knowledge is deeply embarrassing. Try and avoid that fate if at all possible. :-)
Sean brings up a good point here. When trying to create something for the contest, remember, you are writing for the official, published version of Golarion and not your home campaign. Not only is a basic knowledge of Golarion critical in the later rounds, but an awareness of the themes that each of the different countries explores. For example, I was nailed hard (among other mistakes!) for setting my round 4 entry, a giant robot head, in Rahadoum. Not that it couldn't happen, but the country of Numeria, which has a theme of robots from outerspace, would have been a more appropriate location for my encounter. So maybe you might think it's cool to have a dinosaur riding organization in Andoran, but that's kinda' breaking the established canon for that area. It's one thing to push the boundaries, which I think good design does, but another to completely ignore them.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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Maybe they will do something like last year and get a book early to create an organization that would be appropriate for the book.
Top picks by looking at the Product Scheldule:
Dragon Empires Primer
Pirates of the Inner Sea
Distant Worlds
Cool Pick:
Plot Twist Cards: Flashbacks
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Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 9
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I want to give the contest a try, but Round 2 seems very difficult for someone who haven't read a lot about Golarion. I only know some facts thanks to the Rise of the Runelords AP I´m running, but I think I will be in a serious disadvantage. Is basic knowledge of Golarion enough to win Round 2?
I've just submitted my round 1 entry - so now turn myself to the next challenge. Last year there was a bit of an heads-up for round 2, if I recall correctly, perhaps this could be possible again this year? It would help keep us hopefuls at bay if Paizo gives us the form/function of the requirements of round 2, perhaps with an example.
Pretty please? :)
Organizations have been around for a while, whereas the Archetypes were pretty new. Not just to PathFinder, but to the d20 system as a whole. If any advanced notice is given, I would expect it to be limited to formatting. That said knowing what categories you need would be a help to make sure you miss nothing simple :)
Also the I have been reading the wiki on all the organizations listed (one letter a day :) and using that to determine where to spend any stocking money.
I've been musing on this for a while now, and I really do think the toughest part of this challenge is to come up with something truly original. Items are one thing; you can tweak physical and magical effects to make a pretty much infinite number of viable objects...
But social dynamics? Whether through conventions made throughout history, or hard logical restraints, there doesn't seem to be as much wiggle room. That's why in media we see the same sorts of characters and organizations again and again.
I'm thinking that the contestants who win through this round will be the ones who find one very unique aspect to use for their organization, and who exploit that aspect mercilessly. :p
When writing up my organization, is it OK to reference previously published factions or their leaders? For example, can I say my faction is a longtime enemy of the Hellknights, or that my organization is attempting to assassinate Korran Goss of Galt?
I'm most curious as to whether the organization ought to be geared towards PCs. I think that what makes a bad player character organization is very different from what makes a bad NPC/villain organization.
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RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I think a great organization is something you can base a campaign on from either direction. If your players want to ransack a pirate cove in the name of justice, or if they want to ransack (as pirates) the shoreline for fun and profit, the pirate fleet is the organization of focus, and gets in many ways the same development.
For me, Golarian has a lot of great NPCs, but not many I feel I can use during the contest. I missed the villain rounds, so I'm looking to build some bad guys and insert them into a plot that people will want to play, though a good campaign might be played on either side of the organization.
I agree that a lot of what makes an organization good crosses over; indeed, if you can use it on either side of the screen, that itself should tell you your idea has a certain depth (example: every single Pathfinder Society faction).
Intended use dictates presentation, though, and with so few words to work with presentation is a huge deal. For a protagonists' organization, you'll want to focus on adventure hooks and campaign models within the organization, while an antagonists' organization should focus more on hooks and opportunities created by the organization's behavior.
Plus they're just used differently. I think it's a lot like the distinction between monster design and class/race design; a PC organization is likely to be a constant for the whole campaign, while a non-PC one might feature prominently in only a single adventure. And what is good for one adventure is not necessarily good for an entire campaign.
It will be interesting to see what they want out of this. It makes one hesitant to start work on any kind of organization outside a list of ideas before round 2 officially begins. After all you might do several thousand words worth of work on organizations but have to toss them all out when the "twist" messes with the core of all your ideas. Seems a better strategy to keep a generic list of organizations off to the side and mark them off until you get to the one that can best be fitted into the frame of the round.
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Developer
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8
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It will be interesting to see what they want out of this. It makes one hesitant to start work on any kind of organization outside a list of ideas before round 2 officially begins. After all you might do several thousand words worth of work on organizations but have to toss them all out when the "twist" messes with the core of all your ideas. Seems a better strategy to keep a generic list of organizations off to the side and mark them off until you get to the one that can best be fitted into the frame of the round.
On the other hand, if you write a lot and don't end up using it, you have a lot of material for your own games or future RPG work!
The Red mantis (Pathfinder-wiki) or the Council of Thieves (Pathfinder-wiki) are some fair examples of Orgs.. However the exactness of details for our contest I am sure will be different then the format used by the Wiki. I would only reference the concepts presented by those organizations for designing ahead of time your concepts. Then you can trim or add information as the contest rules might dictate.
I hope that Scott Fernandez (aka King of Vrock) makes it, just so we can see a Vrock/rock-n-roll themed organization. Hard Vrock Cafe, perhaps? Vrock Hall of Fame?
I hope that Scott Fernandez (aka King of Vrock) makes it, just so we can see a Vrock/rock-n-roll themed organization. Hard Vrock Cafe, perhaps? Vrock Hall of Fame?
Stuck between a vrock and a bard place?
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Ah... the puns have begun...
Everyone should have a look at the wiki on organizations. Some great examples here, though many are quite sketchy. Gives good ideas what types of organizations are already described in Golarion, what the judges might want, or not want, formatting, and what has already been done, or way overdone...
I think this will be more of an imagination challenge than a technical one, and I'm really looking forward to it! Bring it on!