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Good times.
Just got back from the Meet & Greet & Eat at the local ClaimJumper. Twas nice...ate food and drank beer(s) with PFSer PirateRob, ThreeEyedSloth, "Wade" Nolen, BruceHiga, & Brian Darnell.
I love ClaimJumper (or, as I call it, ClamHumper) for the big portions.
W. Kristoph Nolen and I did have a disagreement about the quality of local (Seattle) beers vs. Texas beers. He literally had the audacity to claim that Texas brews were better than the plethora of WestCoast crafter breweries that run from Seattle down to my Bay Area. I pity the fool!
You can't compare the Texas pisswater to the quality of what exists in the local crafthouses around here.
Anyhoot, despite his obviously inferior beer tastebud, W. Kristoph is both a nice guy and talented artist. He made this sign for our table as means of introduction and welcome for the Meet & Greet (a PaizoCon tradition).
Also, here is a picture of the hotel lobby Thursday afternoon before the Meet&Eat. If you look carefully, you can see Baird's table of Rats 1 along with DMoon and Mr. Slanky. Not very exciting, but it's the first picture I took so far. I almost promise to think about doing better.
* * *
At the time of this post, I'm in the hotel lobby hanging out with VL John Compton (Georgia). If you're around in the next few hours, come visit.
-Pain
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I recently arrived at the hotel after traveling in with two local friends (Colin and Jen) and being picked up by the Pratts. Washington is treating us well.
At present I'm hanging out with Colin (also a fellow GM 101-er) and Painlord. It's particularly exciting to meet the latter, having had the fortune to play in the same play-by-post as he. Anywho, we're talking about PFS, discussing PbP, and attracting folks who are likely to throw rotten cabbages at me tomorrow morning. Good fun!
I'm excited for tomorrow.
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W. Kristoph Nolen and I did have a disagreement about the quality of local (Seattle) beers vs. Texas beers. He literally had the audacity to claim that Texas brews were better than the plethora of WestCoast crafter breweries that run from Seattle down to my Bay Area. I pity the fool!
You can't compare the Texas pisswater to the quality of what exists in the local crafthouses around here.
-Pain
Those are fighting words, sir.
Bob, you are missed. I won't tease you about all the fun you're missing.
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Just got back from sitting with Azymuth and another VC from Georgia. . .
A most interesting discussion taking place about something called "GM empowerment". I fall on the disempowering end of evil standardization, for now. A fascinating talk from two great minds of the hobby. I was lucky to listen in.
Of course, I'm the vile creature that TPKed two high school freshmen and my wife in first steps pt 1: But I had the characters robbed, not killed.
The dice gods were simply not with me, and I try not to fudge.
It's really cool to talk to people about organized play, and generally get to know what's going on.
Nick
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Any day where I get to talk trash to Painlord's face is a good day.
That means it's going to be one hell of a weekend.
I'm glad I got to meet so many awesome people so far. VL Kate and VL Matt are super cool, as are W. Kristoph Nolen, PirateRob, Bruce Higa, and VL Darnell. And it always makes me happy to see Ogre and Char again.
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Yeah...Robyn Nixon just threatened to break my legs. Probably not the best way to start this convention.
Apparently, I'm *not* supposed to poach LA's Venture Officers for our Bay Area conventions. Well, I apologized profusely and got let off with a stern warning.
Yeah, a while back, I invited Brian Darnell up to Pacificon to come play in our tables of Eyes of the Ten in the Bay Area. Yep...not supposed to do that.
Note to self: Don't mess with Robyn.
* * *
Three thoughts:
1) Brian does not let on that he's a VL.. (Must roll higher sense motives.;) ) When I chatted with him about PacifiCon I tried recruiting him as well. It wasn't until five or six posts in that he told me he was a VL.. So she might break my legs if she saw me too.
2) We didn't say we wouldn't return the favor later. I'm totally looking for an excuse to go to LA/San Diego Societies.. And GMing one of their conventions is a great way to do that!
3) They choose to come to our adventures on their own accord. We're Pathfinders. We like to go to places all over Golarion... The same goes for real life as well?
Bonus Thought: Yeah, perhaps not messing with fellow VC's and VL's is advised. But it can't be helped if they don't tell us they are VL's!
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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Why on earth would anyone want to discourage Venture Officers visiting conventions outside their local area? And if there's a Venture Officer at a convention, I'd hope they got a chance to judge a table or two; that provides an opportunity for players (many of whom are also GMs) to pick up ideas on how things are done in other parts of the world. That way the best practices spread across the country (and sometimes even further), which has to be good for PFS as a whole.
Sure, we've got a great bunch of DMs in the SF Bay Area. But does that mean we've got nothing to learn from other communities? I don't think so. And by far the best way to learn is to have someone come and teach us.
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Looking for a favour from someone at the CON - and no - this someone can't be Painlord - but it helps if you know who Painlord is.
I'm looking for someone buying Painlord a drink. It's your choice what you chose as I don't know what is available and what he likes.
Just tell him - Thod sends the drink.
Maybe one day I will manage to buy him one in person. But from the UK it is quite a travel.
Happy to reimburse via PayPal or Paizo Gift Voucher.
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Why on earth would anyone want to discourage Venture Officers visiting conventions outside their local area? And if there's a Venture Officer at a convention, I'd hope they got a chance to judge a table or two; that provides an opportunity for players (many of whom are also GMs) to pick up ideas on how things are done in other parts of the world. That way the best practices spread across the country (and sometimes even further), which has to be good for PFS as a whole.Sure, we've got a great bunch of DMs in the SF Bay Area. But does that mean we've got nothing to learn from other communities? I don't think so. And by far the best way to learn is to have someone come and teach us.
The issue was that we were recruiting a certain VL for PacifiCon and they have a convention in SoCal the same weekend as PacifiCon. Inviting VL and VCs is cool but doing so in away that takes away from their own area conventions om the same weekend - not so cool.
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I've heard that the ACL is being announced. The Advanced Carbuncle guide is a vast expansion of the carbuncle rules - 10 new carbuncle races, over 50 new carbuncle feats, 17 new carbuncle achetypes. Also, there are rules for building your own custom carbuncle. This is, of course, due to the incredible popularity of carbuncles within the game system.
I'm kidding, of course. I'll let you guys know what's up as soon as I hear about any new stuff.
and here I was, getting my hopes up! You evil person, getting our hopes up like that! And here I was hopeing they had taken my suggestions! I had hoped the hours spent pouring over specs and playtest reports, getting all the game balances just right would finally pay off...
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;)
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@WillJ: I'm sure I could make *lots* of points better at the Beer Fest, however, I'd probably be feeling much worse this morning.
@Everyone: The VL thing with Brian is all in good humor, please note.
@Jessica: LOL. Well played.
* * *
Last night I was able to get to bed somewhat early (midnight) despite the ample social activities in the bar area. I saw some people who might not be ready for an 8am slot this morning.
I'm up early this morning (slept fitfully), but showered and packed. I planned to be down early to register and pick up my badge, hopeful that things run smoothly and quickly. I expect chaos though...first hours of convention are always chaos.
I'm excited about the GM101&102 sessions this morning. I spoke a bit with John Compton and Colin (presenters) last night and have high hopes.
Apparently, in addition to being a beer snob (I stand them words, BDK86), I might also be a coffee snob. I love me the Peets coffee, which was started in my adopted hometown of Berkeley, CA. Peets Coffee, when done correctly, has a thick syrupy coffee goodness and strong kick that few chains can replicate.
There are two Starbucks in the mall surrounding the hotel.
There is a Peets within the hotel.
Yesterday, I had the Peets here and it wasn't very good. It was too watered down and not brewed as strongly as in the Bay Area. Hence, the sad.
I'm going to try Peets again this morning, then realize that I might be on Starbucks' home turf and go to one of them.
I'm sure all y'all are dying to know what I think. :)
* * *
Thod, you got me. Well played. And I didn't read the spoiler that wasn't for me.
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Crickey.
Line picture 1.
Line picture 2.
These were taken at 6:50am.
However, the line moved really quickly and I was in and out in 15 minutes.
Excellent.
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I'm in the lobby, posting the second entry to Lady Gabrielle's diary. The wi-fi wanted to charge me $15 last night, but today it's working all of a sudden. That's a relief!
I'm also glad to not be waiting in line for my badge. I'm pretty sure my first slot, a 3-7, won't start on time, not as long as that line is long.
7AM is way too early to function. I hope I have enough energy to put in a good performance as Lady Gabrielle at the convocation. And if so, I hope I'm not totally loopy from caffeine overdrive.
Time to check on that line...
-Matt
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Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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I'm in the lobby, posting the second entry to Lady Gabrielle's diary. The wi-fi wanted to charge me $15 last night, but today it's working all of a sudden. That's a relief!
I'm also glad to not be waiting in line for my badge. I'm pretty sure my first slot, a 3-7, won't start on time, not as long as that line is long.
7AM is way too early to function. I hope I have enough energy to put in a good performance as Lady Gabrielle at the convocation. And if so, I hope I'm not totally loopy from caffeine overdrive.
Time to check on that line...
-Matt
So, Matt, are you dressing the part for the convocation? :)
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The morning Peets was brewed appropriately...I'm enjoying it greatly. Though you guys needed to know.
@the GM101 Seminar.
Nani & Kyle Pratt, Katie (VL SD), Felwyn (Brandon from OR), Patrick O. (local Bay Areaish judge), David Woodfin (VC someTexas), Larry Wilhelm (author), WalterGM, and a slew others.
John & Preston from Phoenix came in...and had no idea what a VC is or that Phoenix even had a VC or other PFS in the area.
Just met thunderspirit from Chicago.
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Thanks for the updates Painlord. I'm lucky to even be able to make GenCon this year, so I'm glad everyone is having a good time already at PaizoCon.
Also, good job with the pictures, I'll try to put faces to names for GenCon.
Kyle's Kills = 1 after the pre-con festivities. Let's see how many more we add to the tally today.
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In the GM 101 seminar (90 minutes in) and new VC Scott Yauger and VL John Compton are busting my s#&% up.
I love this.
We're having a deep discussion about cold-running scenarios and villainous monologues.
JC has a near-rapt 9 GMs (old and new) hanging on his every word. (One yahoo types on a computer pretending to take notes while he's really posting to this 'blog'.)
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anyone tape GM101?
Nope. However, it's not perfectly conducive to taping...we have split up into 4 subgroups with different headings and covering 4 topics. It's somewhat loud.
We're going to from corner of the room to corner of the room for about 20 minute mini-talks on various topics.
Lore of Roleplaying - Nani's corner
Rules of Combat - Kyle's corner
Advanced Topics - JCompton's corner
Running the Game - Colin's corner
Learning lots and taking notes so far.
Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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anyone tape GM101?Nope. However, it's not perfectly conducive to taping...we have split up into 4 subgroups with different headings and covering 4 topics. It's somewhat loud.
Boo.
I hope you're okay with me picking your brain via a bunch of emails, then...
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Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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The issue was that [...] they have a convention in SoCal the same weekend as PacifiCon. Inviting VL and VCs is cool but doing so in away that takes away from their own area conventions om the same weekend - not so cool.
Yeah - I thought of that last night (several hours after I posted). I remember noticing that last year.
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GM102 session is about to begin.
This is pretty dang cool.
The first victim, (PFS author) Larry Wilhelm 'volunteered' to be first GM. He had two players (including Bay Area local ThreeEyedSloth/Josh). Larry left the room while the players were informed of the 'situation'.
The player, a (Chelaxian?) paladin, has a faction mission which goes directly against his beliefs (apparently murder and enslavement is against 'some' of the paladin code).
The player was annoyed that he was going to 'lose out' and 'be punished' for playing his chosen class.
Larry came back in the room and Josh explained the problem [he played it really well...it's almost as if he experience being the 'problem' player ;) ] and argued with GM Larry about the situation. The GM and Josh playfully hashed it out for a bit.
Larry handled it like a pro. Larry explained things, kept things positive and expressed a willingness to work with the player on the issue. (Btw, this is with the rest of the room watching.)
Afterwards, the coordinators (Nani, Kyle P, Baird, Colin, JC) gave some more background and discussed other solutions and similar situations they've experienced in the past.
Really well done.
I like this.
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So while most of the Society is attending the "Grand Convocation" those of us who are currently still on assignment in locations all over Golarion (A.K.A: Those of us who are stuck at home.) have been given a wonderful gift, our Pathfinder Society page has been updated and it is a marvelous sight.
It is now separated into a few different sections for those who are interested in playing, GMing or being a coordinator of a shop and/or local areas! There is also now a section for faction members to meet and stop living in the shadows. I approve of these awesome changes and hope that my friends in Absalom (PaizoCon) have a great time. I'm going to be playing around with this new site format.
Side note: Paizo, please don't release Society Modules on the same day as PaizoCon. We will have to wait till most likely Monday to get to them. You're killing me. >.<
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Argh. I have got to be there next year, even if it means sleeping under a coat propped up on sticks. WAY too much fun is being had without me!
As an added bonus if you make it up there next year you might get to see someone break Painlord's legs. I don't think a VC will do it though. It seems more like a VL job.
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Argh. I have got to be there next year, even if it means sleeping under a coat propped up on sticks. WAY too much fun is being had without me!As an added bonus if you make it up there next year you might get to see someone break Painlord's legs. I don't think a VC will do it though. It seems more like a VL job.
If they can catch the leader of the PacifiCon Cincorate.. :D Besides the Cincorate would protect Painlord from those who try to break legs.
Unless it's Master Brock. Then he's totally on his own. :D
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Argh. I have got to be there next year, even if it means sleeping under a coat propped up on sticks. WAY too much fun is being had without me!As an added bonus if you make it up there next year you might get to see someone break Painlord's legs. I don't think a VC will do it though. It seems more like a VL job.
My money is on Kyle Baird. Plausible deniability and all that jazz.
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Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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Argh. I have got to be there next year, even if it means sleeping under a coat propped up on sticks. WAY too much fun is being had without me!As an added bonus if you make it up there next year you might get to see someone break Painlord's legs. I don't think a VC will do it though. It seems more like a VL job.
Just put a duke onto it. It worked for Louis XIV/XV/XVI/XVII/whatever.
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Oh yeah! My first playing PFS slot!
I'm excited for this...crashing a table of 3-24 The Golden Serpent run by Canadian VC Scott Young.
Joining me are:
Jeremy (Portland) playing Xorb (Druid 7)
Mattastrophic (Portland) playing Gabrielle d'Apcher (you may be reading her separate blog), lvl 8
PirateRob (Iowa/BayArea) playing Soryan, a known yahoo, lvl 8
Painlord (Bay Area) playing Princess Isis. lvl 8
SeraphimPunk (Texas) playing Esper, lvl 8
Btw, Scott Young is amazingly friendly, nice, and gives an strong feeling of GM competence. I guess it fits that he's Canadian.
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Painlord (Bay Area) playing Princess Isis. lvl 8Have you played Princess Isis in the past year?
What level were you last PaizoCon?
Probably 5 last PaizoCon. I don't play her much and don't apply GM credit. I wish you were here, MillerHero.
* * *
Looking around the PFS room, I see about 30 tables, all mostly full. I saw that there were a significant number of walk-ins and people trying to get into PFS games.
I like that there is so much interest.
The downside, of course, it that's it's VERY loud within the room and we're quasi-shouting at each other across the table.
* * *
Scott Young: (actual quote) "My first attack on Painlord was a crit." Yep. Arrow to the back.
I won't if I'll live through the first fight of the first mod at PaizoCon.
Maybe I should change my random hatred from fluffygnomes to Canadians.
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Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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Scott Young: (actual quote) "My first attack on Painlord was a crit." Yep. Arrow to the back.
I won't if I'll live through the first fight of the first mod at PaizoCon.
Maybe I should change my random hatred from fluffygnomes to Canadians.
And here I thought you said he was friendly and nice... ;)
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And here I thought you said he was friendly and nice... ;)
I felt that way until he crit me. Now I see the niceness was all an act. I wonder if all Canadians are the same way...drawing you in by being nice, but only waiting to crit you in the back.
Maybe that's why they are always offering free health care and whatnot...it's a big scam to make soylent green.
Maybe I'm reaching here. Maybe.
Btw, I met VL Myron Pauls (nostrings), VC Todd Morgan, VC Sean Hanlin, VC Chris Jarvis. All really nice people. Even the Todd Morgan.
* * *
Princess Isis survived the first fight (luck)...mostly because of Soryan's pouncing rending lionguy. Just a lot of pain in such a furry body.
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Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin
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Just enjoyed being unseated at the First Ever Annual PaizoCon Jousting Tournament sponsored by The Very Last Book on Mounted Combat. Have had a blast so far gaming with THE Charlie Bell (first Paizo message board celebrity that I've met) and Holly Bell, his medieval scholar wife, as well as meeting Paizo lovers here in Redmond from Australia, the UK, the Bahamas, Peru, and Canada.
I highly recommend the Haiku lunch buffet ($12 on weekdays), but not on weekends ($18). I also highly recommend the French creperie around the corner from here.
Getting into a pick-up PFS game whilst others sweat it out in costume at the Grand Convocation. Hasta la pasta, y'all.
-Dink