Hey All--

With pleasure I announce that the Warhorn for Pacificon 2012 is open for sign-ups.

We have a heck of a schedule this year:

• The 2012 GenCon Special: Race for the Runecarved Key
  
• Blood Under Absalom (last year's special over two slots)
  
• 1 (if not two) sessions of Eyes of the Ten
  
• Greg Vaughn as our Celebrity Guest
  

We also have some of the best GMs in country in the Bay Area and will be offering the following for PFS play:

Located at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. You can buy Con badges and get hotel info here: Pacificon 2012.

Let the awesome continue.

-Pain

p.s. Please don't confuse this with our production thread where we are codifying our convention planning process for others. This thread here is for rocking this convention.

/me tries to roll dice from Iowa.

Dedicating 2 slots to Blood Under Absalom seems like a great idea to help make sure the players get all the cool flavor and aren't too rushed.

Best of wishes for an awesome Con etc.

The price for a weekend pass to Pacificon goes from $40 to $45 on July 1 (tomorrow), but we've decided to extend the $5 discount for the PFS and LFR communities through July 4. (It will end on midnight on July 5.)

Here is the PFS discount link.

These discounts will apply to either a Weekend Pass or a Weekend Pass w/T-shirt.

Greetings all!

Not only do we have a mega awesome game schedule, we've also got a whole bunch of other fun stuff in store for our players and GM's as well. Along with special events all weekend long with our GOH, Greg A. Vaughn!

Greg A. Vaughn Seminars: Becoming a "Uber Great" Author in The Gaming Industry", "Q&A All About Frog God Games" and the "PacifiCon Industry Roundtable"

GM 101 for PFS!: Friday morning, we're hosting GM 101 for PFS! Learn all the ins and outs about being a GM for PFS, what it takes to be a GM for our community and get new updates and tips from Venture-Lieutenants, Venture-Captains, Experienced GM's and all the fun, crazy GM's as well!

Open Character Building Advice!!: Not interested in GMing but want to get your character building on? We are going to have volunteers on site Friday morning to help you all create or update the characters you have before we start our gaming! They will also be available all weekend, but Friday morning, you will have all the time to ask all the questions you need!

There's still a lot in the works as well! Don't get left at home wondering what could have been! Sign up while our discount is still in effect, or better yet, volunteer to be a GM and get in for free!

Even more stuff for Friday? Really hoping I have that day off now.

Even more stuff for Friday? Really hoping I have that day off now.

You might just want to ask for the whole day off :D

How exactly are you guys getting to run the Gencon Special Part 2? I thought Mike said it was only at Gencon, period.

We are taking two sessions to run what we can because we know these things can go long.

If we end too early, we'll drink beers and tell ghost stories.

How exactly are you guys getting to run the Gencon Special Part 2? I thought Mike said it was only at Gencon, period.

They aren't. They are running the Gen Con Special, part 1, over two slots. gen Con Special, part 2, is still only available at Gen Con and won't be offered anywhere else.

We just don't want to rush the game. We've had specials run till 3am in the past and we didn't want to do that so having two slots fits better for us and gives us the opportuinty to cover everything without taking away from game play. This doesn't mean we may have some goodies to give away for the best of the best though.

After doing the math, and counting on all my fingers and toes, I realized that Pacificon will be the last stand of Alexander Damocles. He'll hit level 12 after the final slot of the con. So, for those of you who wish to meet the Holy Librarian of Abadar before he ages out, now is the time! Load it up, folks!

After doing the math, and counting on all my fingers and toes, I realized that PacifiCon will be the last stand of Alexander Damocles. He'll hit level 12 after the final slot of the con. So, for those of you who wish to meet the Holy Librarian of Abadar before he ages out, now is the time! Load it up, folks!

Ophelia will be 11th, after the convention. Then she will play Ruby Phoenix, and enter into the Retirement Arc. If she survives after all of that, she will go in high-tiered play. I am looking forward to playing more with the crazy high-tiered yahoos in Sacramento :D.

Farak, the Most Powerful Mage in All Absalom also awaits the Ruby Phoenix Tournament to finish up his level 11 career. If for some reason you haven't managed to play it by December please think of me in your plans.

Also good luck to everybody at Pacificon :)

Random observation:

I just noticed the other day that "S3-26: Portal of the Sacred Rune" is not being offered at all at Pacificon. Was there a reason for this, or was it simply an oversight? I figured it would be offered at least a few times, due to being the finale of Season 3 (and an incredibly good scenario to boot.)

People should absolutely get a chance to play it, but it's probably too late to add it to the schedule at this point.

Some of the reason we cut it is because no one had signed up for it. It is on our list to possibly reade but there's no demand we tried!

PacifiCon Game Expo is coming!!! Have you signed up? We have TWO specials, all the new Season 4 adventures and even a Morning-Mini Quest featuring the Beginners Box and Ambush in Absalom! It's going to be loads of fun, so don't get stuck at home!

PacifiCon PFS Warhorn

There is still time to signup and get into the game! And still time to be a GM and get a FREE badge. (That's right, FREE.) Signup now!

I have a few players coming up that don't have anything to play in the last slot of the convention. They'd really like to do Portal of the Sacred Rune though. Since there are no other Tier 7-11 scenarios being offered in that slot, I think it would have no trouble getting enough players.

I have a few players coming up that don't have anything to play in the last slot of the convention. They'd really like to do Portal of the Sacred Rune though. Since there are no other Tier 7-11 scenarios being offered in that slot, I think it would have no trouble getting enough players.

We're not against adding it, but the issue is that we have no one currently to judge it. All our judges are already on other slots or are a part of the Monday special. This means, we are not able to accommodate that request at this moment. However, if there is a judge who is willing to step up to the plate and run it, then we can make it work.

Friends, you guys have to understand that our schedule is based both on judge to player ratio, and player demand. Now we understand that we have a lot of people coming to play on either 1-2 days and can't get in until then, but the amount of tables we receive at con is based highly on our pre-signups. So we have to make adjustments according to this as well.

Going into future, we are going to discuss with the convention to have pre-sales for one-day passes as well, giving players the chance to RSVP for the one day they are going to be there. But at this time, it's not available, which is why we have had to trim down our offerings and leave a few good adventures at home. It's not personal, it is strictly Pathfinder business.

As a coordinator, I understand. However, looking at the final day's schedule, there's only one non-special PFS scenario offered, and it's an old Season Zero offering that likely has little demand since many have already played it.

I was simply giving a suggestion for something that very few people have had the chance to experience, considering none of the BAPS stores are running Portal of the Sacred Rune before Pacificon, with the exception of Sacramento.

Again, I was simply offering some input. Obviously, it doesn't mean much and you can do with it as you please.

Then at this point I am looking for a GM for this potential slot. If there is anyone who is interested, please either PM me, or email me at solanoyolopfs@yahoo.com. If we cannot get a judge, we cannot host the game at this time. Most of our society GM's are going home or already hosting other events on this day. As we are so close to convention, this is the only way we will be able to add anything else to the schedule.

I know it's not ideal, but right now this is what it is.

Thanks Lady Ophelia, we'll find a judge for the slot.

-Pain

What times are the non-game events happening, such as the GM101 and Greg's seminars?

Ah so due to the fact that GM 101 requires a little more time to organize than we had planned, we are not going to be hosting it at PacifiCon. We do hope to host it before the end of the year to all BAPS members. Instead, we are hosting a Mini-Quest's event!

What it is, we will run adventures from the Beginners Box, as well as a special quest called "Ambush In Absalom". These smaller adventures will start at 10am and go until 1pm. Signups for the event are now open and although players will not get any experience for it, there are special Pathfinder Society Boons, that we will be giving away to those who participate. So if you are looking for a chance to get some really special boons for the weekend, come on down Friday morning and check it out!

Also, we have finally set the schedule for Greg A. Vaughn's visit! He's hosting quite a few panels, autograph sessions and he is GMing both Race For The Runcarved Key, and King Xero's of Old Azlant.

Panels: (Location TBA--If you are coming, check your program!

How to be an "Uber Great" Freelance Author in the Gaming Industry--Saturday 9am to 11am and Sunday 4pm-5pm.

Q+A Session All About Frog God Games--Sunday 1pm to 2pm

PacifiCon Industry Roundtable--Sunday 8pm to 9pm

Autograph Schedule: (At the Black Diamond Games Table in the Dealers Section or at the PFS room)

Saturday: 10am to 11:30am
Satuday @ PFS room: 6pm to 7pm (TBD by Gen-Con Special timing!)
Sunday: 2pm to 3:30pm
Sunday @ PFS room: 9am-12noon by request!

Game times! (Still time to sign up and get your game on!)
Saturday-Race for The Runecarved Key starting at 2pm
Monday-King Xeros of Old Azlant-9am to 1pm.
And a few other special events we're not allowed to tell you yet. :D

Greg is an amazing guy, and I am looking forward to him getting some good old Bay Area hospitality! We hope you are too!

Is your appetite for amazing gaming at Pacificon already completely out of control?!
Hopefully this teaser will put you over the top!

By a show of hands, how many of you old-skool players remember the 'A' series of modules TSR released back in '80-'82?
A1-A4 aka the Slavers Series were filled with the iconic artwork of Jeff Dee, Erol Otus, and Jim Halloway.

I've been conspiring for years to do a conversion project for these timeless classic adventures, but never got around to it. Until NOW!

Introducing the Pacificon Exclusive Event:

"Return to the Slave Pits of the UnderCity"

A Pathfinder RPG Module for 6th Level Characters
All Dwarven Forge Maps!

Featuring adventure design and maps by Proving Ground Productions.

If you don't make it to Pacificon, you'll miss your only opportunity to experience it!

You have less than 72 hours to get your Pacificon-plans in order!
See you this weekend!

Hype get!

Though, I am a little sad that two of my tables, "We Be Goblins" and "Portal of the Sacred Rune" are having a teensy bit of hiccups filling up.

Especially when you consider they will likely be the damn best two tables offered at the entire con. ;)

[/shameless plug]

Hype get!

Though, I am a little sad that two of my tables, "We Be Goblins" and "Portal of the Sacred Rune" are having a teensy bit of hiccups filling up.

Especially when you consider they will likely be the damn best two tables offered at the entire con. ;)

[/shameless plug]

Well, look who you've got scaring away all the other potential goblins!

It probably doesn't help that you're scheduled against the first chance most of us have to play The Goblinblood Dead, either, so I wouldn't expect too many of the pre-booked attendees to sign up for that. But I'd expect you'll easily fill the table with walk-ins. My wife will be running a mini-quest table in the morning (and I may well end up doing that too) - if we get walk-ins we'll be sure to tell them about your table for the next slot.

What tier are you judging in Runecarved key? I'm considering trying to pre-muster a table (my wife and I have pretty new characters to run through this, fresh from completing "First Steps", so we're definitely aiming to play subtier 1-2). We have a bard and a sorcerer, and will be looking to team up with some muscle (and maybe a rogue).

I'll be running one of the higher tiers, likely 8-9 or 10-11.

And yeah, blaming Painlord is the appropriate response to any situation. :)

I'm running the Goblinblood Dead on Saturday night.

Best of luck all at Pacificon.

Man, the chance to play Goblins with Painlord? If there's a seat sale available, that'd be worth the trip!

Thanks, all, for making your planning and organization so transparent and for documenting it. These threads are a goldmine for those of us ramping up our con planning at home.

All the best in case I don't make it.

Lamplighter

So much left to do and so little time. Oh and grats on that third star Sloth when did you get it.

This looks like it needs a timely bump**.

(** With much respect and appreciation of Painlord's SELFLESS organizing efforts and patience, as he is plainly FAR more community conscious and patient than I would ever be were I walking in his shoes! You rock Rand.)

This looks like it needs a timely bump**.

(** With much respect and appreciation of Painlord's SELFLESS organizing efforts and patience, as he is plainly FAR more community conscious and patient than I would ever be were I walking in his shoes! You rock Rand.)

Thanks Steelwind! I'm definitely excited. We've got some great GM's signed up.

Well, look who you've got scaring away all the other potential goblins!

It probably doesn't help that you're scheduled against the first chance most of us have to play The Goblinblood Dead, either, so I wouldn't expect too many of the pre-booked attendees to sign up for that. But I'd expect you'll easily fill the table with walk-ins. My wife will be running a mini-quest table in the morning (and I may well end up doing that too) - if we get walk-ins we'll be sure to tell them about your table for the next slot.

I was wondering why my slot was looking insanely full. And here I thought everyone liked me. ;)

To continue the bumps, we do still have some room for our Friday Morning Madness!! It's going down at 10am and we're looking for those who are up for some warm-up adventures before game time at 2pm! So if you are at con on Friday morning looking for something to do, come to the PFS room and check it out!

So much left to do and so little time. Oh and grats on that third star Sloth when did you get it.

Thanks! Just a couple of weeks ago actually. I've been enjoying a few weeks off from running in celebration, but I'll be back in full force with Pacificon. :)

This looks like it needs a timely bump**.

(** With much respect and appreciation of Painlord's SELFLESS organizing efforts and patience, as he is plainly FAR more community conscious and patient than I would ever be were I walking in his shoes! You rock Rand.)

You honor me, sir. Thank you.

-Pain

GM-ing Rats 1 & 2 tomorrow, with my lucky elvish dice. Best bring your "A" game! (Or cookies. Cookies are life savers. As in yours.)

Coookies? Pizza does it for me. :)

You have :45 to make it to your first session!

Recovering from a fun-filled (but exhausting) four day weekend!

Judging Shades of Ice back-to-back-to-back on Sunday was certainly an interesting experience, especially since from the signup I'd been expecting a low-subtier group, but ended up running my first (and second, and third) high-subtier tables!

I did manage to grab one or two shots in between (or during) some of the earlier (Friday & Saturday) sessions:

• And so it begins
  An introductory slot was added to the Friday schedule, running the Beginner Box adventure

• Early Saturday play
  This is one of the rooms, with the first six tables. There are another six tables in a different room.

• The Runecarved Key
  This is what we were trying to accquire, apparently.

• Mr. TPK
  Greg Vaughan judging the high-tier table for Race For The Runecarved Key

• The Race Is On
  There were twelve tables racing for the Runecarved Key.
  

Judging Shades of Ice back-to-back-to-back on Sunday was certainly an interesting experience, especially since from the signup I'd been expecting a low-subtier group, but ended up running my first (and second, and third) high-subtier tables!

Thanks a lot John. Three tables back to back can simply shred a person. It can be very tiring. It's also stressful when you prep one tier and then have to switch at the last second. Thanks for adapting.

There were twelve tables racing for the Runecarved Key.

Slight correction: we actually had 13 tables. I'm glad you took some pics!

JohnF wrote:

Judging Shades of Ice back-to-back-to-back on Sunday was certainly an interesting experience, especially since from the signup I'd been expecting a low-subtier group, but ended up running my first (and second, and third) high-subtier tables!

Thanks a lot John. Three tables back to back can simply shred a person. It can be very tiring. It's also stressful when you prep one tier and then have to switch at the last second.

Hey, I had a great time. Sat down at the table at just after 8:30, and stayed there for the next 14+ hours. I have a tendency to run long anyway, so I try to have stat cards for the bad guys to avoid having to look at the scenario during combat. Changing those cards on the fly did slow things down a bit, and while I'd hoped to be able to catch up after the first couple of parts that didn't happen. I was able to let the players in part I go grab some lunch instead of waiting for the chronicle sheets - the table was the same players for parts I & II, and four of them stayed on for part III as well (joined by two different players).

The players seemed to have a good time too, which is the main point. Two of them must have been getting a bit tired of us by Monday, though - they had started the weekend at my wife's Beginner Box table, played on the same table as my wife and me for the Runecarved Key on Saturday, and then ended up on my table on Sunday for Shades of Ice.

I'd like to thank all the members of the cincorate for organizing such an amazing weekend. I know I had great fun and I'm sure a lot of others did. The organizers provided something for everyone, from the noobie walk-ins to the crazy high tier tables.

I appreciated being able to cut my convention judging teeth on the beginner's box adventure early on Friday and a first steps table on Sunday and think everyone at the tables enjoyed it as much as I did. We got to participate in two specials, one of which, Rune Carved Key, I thoroughly enjoyed (well apart from the chase, I've yet to enjoy a chase), the other, Blood Under Absalom, was not to my taste so much but still interesting to experience.

We will be back next year for sure and in fact just booked our hotel room for Dundracon in February.

I wanna thank those who attended our games this past weekend, especially those who took part in both our Saturday Special: Race For The Runecarved Key, and our "Last Chance Special" special run of Blood Under Absalom! Due to the great turnout we got for both specials, we may do this again next year with our "Last Chance Special" of Race For the Runecarved Key will take place!!

I do have some pictures available at the SoYo PFS Facebook which all of you can check out and enjoy!

It was loads of fun, and I am honored to be part of such a great community! Stay tuned for more news coming soon about 2013 and ConQuest Sacramento 2013!

I do have some pictures available at the SoYo PFS Facebook which all of you can check out and enjoy!

Not all of us - the pages aren't visible to those of us dinosaurs who don't have facebook accounts.

Lady Ophelia wrote:

I do have some pictures available at the SoYo PFS Facebook which all of you can check out and enjoy!

Not all of us - the pages aren't visible to those of us dinosaurs who don't have facebook accounts.

Ah okay! I'll be putting a report on our blog as well later this weekend so stay tuned!

I'll be back next year...and I'll probably take a crack at GM'ing the Race. Murder Box 2.0, coming to a party near you in 2013....

I'll be back next year...and I'll probably take a crack at GM'ing the Race. Murder Box 2.0, coming to a party near you in 2013....

Well, there certainly shouldn't be a shortage of GMs able to run a table of RRK if there is a "Last Chance Special".

I just returned from PacifiCon yesterday, what a blast. A truly incredible event that encompassed much more than PFS. Minature wargamming was incredible to see on a massive scale, along with huge rooms filled with all manner of board gaming. Personally, I enjoyed 4 solid days of either running or playing PF Society games. My character survived a Coup de gras' with a high Fortitude save. Epic! I was more than a little worried, no doubt. I was able meet and enjoy the company of many new friends, similar to my experiences in Reno since taking over the Meet-up site, just crammed into one long weekend instead of the last 3 months.

Congrats to the local group that played at Heroes on Sat, a personal thanks for supporting the Society, in my absence, at this early stage of development. I will be putting on another big 'Open Seating' event at my new favorite location the Comic Kingdom in about 10 days! Feel free to e-mail any Scenario requests or high-level needs (3 or higher).

SNAFU is coming to Reno is just over 3 weeks! This is our Convention. Make no mistake, I plan on invading this Con with every resource I can muster. That includes everybody reading this message, Society member or not, Reno locals or distant members from the bay area and Sac. This event is taking place at the Grand Sierra Resort in central Reno. Table top gaming, board gaming, LARPing and more! Sept 28 thru the 30th, make your plans now. http://www.snafucon.com/ for all the current details and registration.

Scott Yauger