[Event] Fantasy Grounds Con 8: April 8th – 10th, 2016

[IronHelixx]

Fantasy Grounds Con 8
April 8th – 10th, 2016

FG-Con 8 is quickly coming up and is looking for GMs and Players.

For those who missed playing the Special Siege of Serpents during the last gameday – you have another chance to play it here.

As well as a chance to play some of the new scenarios from Season 7, and some old favorites from previous PFS seasons.

GM registration is already open, and the support deadline is March 8th, 2016. (You can still submit sessions after that, but scenario support will be limited after that point.)

Player registration opens March 17th, 2016.

Fantasy Grounds is a full featured Virtual Table-Top and if you have never tried it, give it a whirl. I think you will like what you see.

If you have any questions drop us a line HERE

Hope to see you there.

Details and Sign-Ups here: http://www.fg-con.com/events

Jesse R. Davis [IronHelixx]
PFS Venture-Captain, Online Play
[e-mail]
http://PathfinderSocietyOnline.com

Our Mission: To Champion, Serve, Support, and Build the PFS Online Community.

[andreww]

GM'ing via fantasy grounds seems to require a paid subscription. Is access to the 30 day free trial sufficient or not?

Also, as far as the specials go, how is volunteering to run these working?

[IronHelixx]

In the past if you GMed during FG Con they would upgrade your account, just for the weekend, to an Ultimate license for free.

They chose not to do that this time for some reason.

You can get a "Standard" license just for April for $4 USD. That will allow you to play in any game, and run for anyone who has a standard license or better. Or for $10 USD you can get a one month "Ultimate" license and run or play for anyone.

It kind of sucks that they chose to stop doing the free temporary upgrade for GMs - but it is what it is.

If you are interested in GMing I will see if I can get you a standard license for a month. Just let me know.

As far as the Special goes - let us know which table you are interested in and we'll get you in touch with the local FG community member who's helping organize things over there and he'll work with you to get registered for the right table.

andreww wrote:

GM'ing via fantasy grounds seems to require a paid subscription. Is access to the 30 day free trial sufficient or not?

Also, as far as the specials go, how is volunteering to run these working?

[HoloGnome]

Jesse - thanks for posting the event info!

Welcome to FGCON 8!

As Jesse mentioned, I will be compiling and submitting the GM and scenario list for support to Jesse this coming Monday and would be happy to help with any questions for prospective GMs and players (see below).

I will be hosting an open TeamSpeak session this coming Saturday from 11:00AM-1:00PM Pacific time to answer any questions. The server address is ts.fg-con.com and the password is "Dungeoneers". Please drop in and look for the FGCON8 chat room. I will be running demos on the 1/2 hour. If you are not familiar with the TeamSpeak client, you can find it at: TeamSpeak

Also, prior to FGCON8, I can help set up some additional training sessions for interested players and GMs if you're curious about how Fantasy Grounds works and want to feel more comfortable with the software before the CON arrives.

Fantasy Grounds is the premier virtual tabletop (VTT) gaming application that fully supports Pathfinder and Pathfinder Society play, as well as various other gaming systems. Players and GMs can connect virtually anywhere in the world, or you can also use it at live table sessions. It works great in both contexts!

Those who are new to Fantasy Grounds and/or do not have a license are eligible to use the free 30-day trial for either the Standard or Ultimate license. Either license will allow you to host games as a GM. (re: andreww’s question above)

If you have already used a 30-day free trial, then you will still be able to get a very inexpensive 30-day Standard subscription ($4/month), including the CON weekend. Alternately, you can pay the one-time fees of $39 for a Standard license or $149 for an Ultimate License to own the software outright. The Ultimate license allows you to host games for any unlicensed clients.

Further, after you register and as you sign up for games at fg-con.com, you will notice that the GM license type is shown for each event. So, you can still actually play for free (with an unlicensed client), because a number of GMs hosting PFS have Ultimate licenses that allow anyone to play.

With the cost for 30-day access at the same price as a PFS scenario, the option to play for free with GMs who have Ultimate licenses, and the 30-day free trial options, FGCON8 should be very accessible and open to everyone!

Table sign-ups for FGCON8 players open on March 17th, 2016 at Midnight (http://fg-con.com)! However, you can register in advance and be ready when the day arrives. Once you register for the CON, you should also receive any announcements and other helpful information that we send out.

As Jesse mentioned, we will be running Siege of Serpents on Saturday 4/9/16. If you are interested in playing the special, you should sign up soon after the opening, since space will be limited. We're also happy to include other GMs, providing you are capable of hosting and using Fantasy Grounds, of course.

If you have questions about FGCON8 or the FG software, you may also post them at
fantasygrounds.com.

Thanks for your interest in Fantasy Grounds and FGCON8 - it's a great opportunity to get your feet wet with the Fantasy Grounds VTT and should be a very fun weekend of PFS! So - don't be shy - take the plunge! :-)

I look forward to seeing you there!

HoloGnome/Davey
Venture Agent
FGCON8 Organizer
http://www.fantasygrounds.com
planetinanimate at gmail

[MartinB]

Jesse Davis wrote:

In the past if you GMed during FG Con they would upgrade your account, just for the weekend, to an Ultimate license for free.

...

It kind of sucks that they chose to stop doing the free temporary upgrade for GMs - but it is what it is.

GMs or players can use the free 30 day trial to get full use of Fantasy Grounds. Smiteworks decided because they now have the 30 day free trial in place that they would prefer people took up the trial rather than just play for free (but not GM for free).

This approach has issues for the odd GM/Player who has used up the trial already, but it actually gives more options on the GM side - previously a GM had to have paid for the full (standard) license to run a game at FG Con. Now they can run a complete game with the 30 day free trial of the Ultimate license.

[HoloGnome]

Good point, Martin!

Also, for those who are interested in Fantasy Grounds, you should also follow FG on facebook here:

Fantasy Grounds' Facebook Page

In the past there have been short-term promotions, seasonal or otherwise, and if there are any in the future, following on facebook is a good way to spot them and find out the latest news relating to FG and virtual tabletop gaming!

[HoloGnome]

Hi All -

Last call for FGCON8 GMs!

I am submitting the list of GMs to Jesse for Paizo support. If you're interested, please get in touch and I will help you through the rest of the process on the Fantasy Grounds/FGCON side.

More info here:
FGCON8 Discussion at fantasygrounds.com

and here:
FGCON8 Website

You may certainly throw your name in to GM after tomorrow, however, I may not be able to help get support from Paizo to supply the scenario and you would have to get them on your own.

Also, as above, we will be running PFS6-97 Siege of Serpents, a multi-table special.

Look forward to your participation!

HoloGnome/Davey
Venture Agent
FGCON8 Organizer
http://www.fantasygrounds.com
planetinanimate at gmail

[HoloGnome]

Hi All -

PFS bookings are now open at the FGCON8 site!

Here is an index to the PFS events:

Friday, April 8th:
PFS#7-14: Faithless and Forgotten 1: Let Bygones Be (1-5, CORE)
PFS#3-07: Echoes of the Overwatched (1-5, NORMAL)
PFS#7-07: Trouble in Tamran (1-5, NORMAL)
PFS#4-10: Feast of Sigils (7-11, NORMAL)

Saturday, April 9th:
PFS#4-05: The Sanos Abduction (3-7, NORMAL)
PFS#7-10: The Consortium Compact (1-2, NORMAL)
PFS#7-16: Faithless and Forgotten 2: Lost Colony of Taldor (1-5, CORE)
PFS#4-20: Words of the Ancients (7-11, NORMAL)

Multi-Table Special:
PFS#6-97: Siege of Serpents (1-2, NORMAL, *SPECIAL*)
PFS#6-97: Siege of Serpents (3-4, NORMAL, *SPECIAL*)
PFS#6-97: Siege of Serpents (5-6, NORMAL, *SPECIAL*)
PFS#6-97: Siege of Serpents (7-8, NORMAL, *SPECIAL*)
PFS#6-97: Siege of Serpents (10-11, NORMAL, *SPECIAL*)

Sunday:
PFS#7-15: The Deepmarket Deception (3-7, NORMAL)
PFS#7-18: Faithless and Forgotten 3: The Infernal Inheritance (1-5, CORE)
PFS#5-09: The Traitor's Lodge (3-7, NORMAL)

There should be something fun and interesting for everyone! Hope to see you there! Remember - space is limited! :)

HoloGnome/Davey
Venture Agent
FGCON8 Organizer
http://www.fantasygrounds.com
planetinanimate at gmail

[CorvusMask]

Ah :'D I tested out fantasy grounds month ago so my free trial has already expired.(I ended up not subscribing because I found software to be confusing)

Seems like a good excuse to give it another go, but I'm not sure about timezones since I live in GMT +2 timezone.

[GreySector]

Nothing I can play except Consortium Compact, and I don't particularly want to start a new character at the moment. Oh well, it saves me the trouble of having to learn Fantasy Grounds...

[IronHelixx]

When you go the FG-Con Event List site and setup your account it will ask for your timezone and display the games in your timezone while you are logged in, so that should make it clearer what runs when. (By default it shows games in UTC)

CorvusMask wrote:

Ah :'D I tested out fantasy grounds month ago so my free trial has already expired.(I ended up not subscribing because I found software to be confusing)

Seems like a good excuse to give it another go, but I'm not sure about timezone since I live in GMT +2 timezone.

[CorvusMask]

Huh, thats useful :O Ok gonna check that out

[pauljathome]

Interesting. Most of tbe PFS games filled very quickly but the Special seems to have no takers. Wonder why that is.

[aside]I've always wondered why FG makes being an alternate so cumbersone. Yes, I know that one can add a message, but that is an inobvious manual process.[/aside]

[CorvusMask]

Ah. All games I'm interested have gms with only full license, which means I couldn't play anyway as my trial ended already .-.

[Xazil]

CorvusMask wrote:

Ah. All games I'm interested have gms with only full license, which means I couldn't play anyway as my trial ended already .-.

As mentioned above a $4 payment gets you FG for a month to connect to one of the Full License GMs. Although most of us offering PFS games do have an Ultimate license.

[CorvusMask]

Well, there is also that it appears all games I'm interested in also have full groups by now ^_^;

[Blackfoot]

The games filled up pretty fast. I do still have 3 slots left for the 3-4 tier of the special on Saturday Afternoon (eastern time)... I think there are a couple of other slots left here and there as well.

[Blackfoot]

My tables are all full now, but there are still a few spaces available for the Con. This is a great opportunity to try out this terrific software and meet players & GMs all around the world.

NOTE: I am not an employee of the folks who make FG (Smiteworks) but I've been using it for years now and have gotten so much play time out of it that it's pretty much insane. When you play 4 or 5 games a week for over 5 years... well... it racks up fast.

[briank2112]

Still looking for players for our multi-table event, Siege of Serpents. There are spots open in tiers 1-2, 5-6 & 7-8. The event is running from 3:00pm EST till 8:00pm EST. See above posts for links to the site and the various events.

[pauljathome]

I played at the last FG Con when they were allowing people to play for free.

I haven't a clue if that means that I have already used up my free demo license or not. Anybody have any idea how I can find out (other than waiting for the game and seeing if it lets me connect, which seems a little antisocial :-))

[pauljathome]

Just a warning to people that apparently Hero Lab output files (the ones specifically outputted using what Hero Lab thinks is the Fantasy Grounds format) aren't actually compatible with Fantasy Grounds.

Or so two GMs have told me. Although one managed it after some thought/work.

The instructions to be found http://www.fg-con.com/information/pathfinder-society-organized-play/prepari ng-your-pc-for-fantasy-grounds/ (this link was sent by the GMs and I think is provided above) are apparently incorrect.

I sincerely hope that Fantasy Grounds realizes how negative this experience has become for me.

[Blackfoot]

Paul Jackson wrote:

I played at the last FG Con when they were allowing people to play for free.

I haven't a clue if that means that I have already used up my free demo license or not. Anybody have any idea how I can find out (other than waiting for the game and seeing if it lets me connect, which seems a little antisocial :-))

The simple way to tell is in the game listing. If it says 'Ultimate' then that is free for all players to join. If it says 'Full' then you need your own actual copy of FG in order to join. Considering that you can get a monthly subscription for less than $5 .. that's no big deal... actually.. a full license is like $40 bucks.. less than taking the little woman out for a nice dinner... and when you play 4-5 games a week.. that cost filters down to.. I dunno.. pennies and less a game in no time at all. Of course everyone doesn't get to play as often as I do maybe. :)

Anyway.. look for the type of License in the game listing... it'll give you the answer you are looking for.

[Blackfoot]

Paul Jackson wrote:

Just a warning to people that apparently Hero Lab output files (the ones specifically outputted using what Hero Lab thinks is the Fantasy Grounds format) aren't actually compatible with Fantasy Grounds.

Or so two GMs have told me. Although one managed it after some thought/work.

The instructions to be found http://www.fg-con.com/information/pathfinder-society-organized-play/prepari ng-your-pc-for-fantasy-grounds/ (this link was sent by the GMs and I think is provided above) are apparently incorrect.

I sincerely hope that Fantasy Grounds realizes how negative this experience has become for me.

The output file that HL creates for FG is an output file.. it's not a character file. When you Download FG it comes with a converter that processes the HL output file and turns it into a FG character file or imports it into a FG campaign.

[勝20100]

Just wanted to thanks all the GMs and the event organiser as I had fun.

Concerning the special, it was nice to be able to switch to a channel to hear the overseer, but I missed the announcements I had on other online multitable event. I liked the fact that we had information on particular event on other tables. I remember hearing about a paladin charging and killing a dragon, or when Amaya was killed in a boss fight.

[Blackfoot]

I think people may have been trying to avoid being too disruptive while in the big room like that... but I definitely see your point.

[Iammars]

勝20100 wrote:

Concerning the special, it was nice to be able to switch to a channel to hear the overseer, but I missed the announcements I had on other online multitable event. I liked the fact that we had information on particular event on other tables. I remember hearing about a paladin charging and killing a dragon, or when Amaya was killed in a boss fight.

So this is a tough balance. On one hand, I agree that announcements like this are cool, but on the other hand they break immersion pretty badly for some people. ("Why did that guy get credit for something I did?") On top of that, it puts more work on the Table GMs, especially in online events where I can't see the exact stuff that's happening at your table.

It's something to keep in mind, and when it benefits the special I'll make a note of it, but it's a delicate balance.

[勝20100]

In past multi-table online PFS event, the overseer chanel was on Youtube and made some annoucement like the one I mentioned. I liked it, it helped me feel having several tables going for the same goal, with various deed happening at one table or the other.