News about Gen Con 2014 and Official Call for Gen Con 2014 Volunteers

I pieced this together from people posting their GenCon schedules:
#5-18 (5-9)
#5-19 (1-5)
#5-20 ?
#5-21 (1-5)
#5-22 (1-5)
#5-23 (5-9)
#5-24 ?
#5-25 (7-11)

#6-1 (1-5)
#6-2 (3-7)
#6-3 (5-9)

Well I'm ready to take the fight to these Numerian monstrosities before they destroy us!

waltero wrote:

Has there been any official word on the Tier ranges for the remainder of Season 5 and those new Season 6 scenarios? Just trying to get my characters set up for them. I tried a search and couldn't find anything.

This is what I've put together based on GMs posting their schedules:

5-18: The Stranger Within (5–9)
5-19: The Horn of Aroden (1–5)
5-20: The Sealed Gate (unknown)
5-21: The Merchant's Wake (1–5)
5-22: Scars of the Third Crusade (1–5)
5-23: Cairn of Shadows (5–9)
5-24: Assault on the Wound (3–7)
5-25: Vengeance at Sundered Crag (7–11)

Season 6

6-01: Trial by Machine (1–5)
6-02: The Silver Mount Collection (3–7)
6-03: The Technic Siege (5–9)

Combined with this The Sealed Gate should be 7-11.

I can now take over the title of World's Greatest Detective from Batman.

Swiftbrook wrote:

waltero wrote:

Has there been any official word on the Tier ranges for the remainder of Season 5 and those new Season 6 scenarios? Just trying to get my characters set up for them. I tried a search and couldn't find anything.

This is what I've put together based on GMs posting their schedules:

5-18: The Stranger Within (5–9)
5-19: The Horn of Aroden (1–5)
5-20: The Sealed Gate (unknown)
5-21: The Merchant's Wake (1–5)
5-22: Scars of the Third Crusade (1–5)
5-23: Cairn of Shadows (5–9)
5-24: Assault on the Wound (3–7)
5-25: Vengeance at Sundered Crag (7–11)

Season 6

6-01: Trial by Machine (1–5)
6-02: The Silver Mount Collection (3–7)
6-03: The Technic Siege (5–9)

Combined with this The Sealed Gate should be 7-11.

I can now take over the title of World's Greatest Detective from Batman.

*whispers*

*Cough* *cough*
Ahem...Nothing to see here folks!

Looks like sczarni's getting shorted a bit

Looks like sczarni's getting shorted a bit

They shouldn't have tried to shake Mike and Jon down for boons.

Looks like sczarni's getting shorted a bit

For someone who has two Sczarni characters in the low end of levels, it seems strange to say this... but good. They don't fit the Society narrative well.

thistledown wrote:

Looks like sczarni's getting shorted a bit

For someone who has two Sczarni characters in the low end of levels, it seems strange to say this... but good. They don't fit the Society narrative well.

We use them to smuggle items across borders. They serve a vital need.

Partizanski wrote:

Why would they release 2 12+ scenarios when it takes 3 to level up :'(

Mostly because supporting the Seeker tiers was more work than they expected.

I'm just as sad to see them go myself, mind you.

What do you mean?

Are they dropping the higher (Seeker) levels?

Are they dropping the higher (Seeker) levels?

For the multi-table specials, yes, it seems so.

Oh, for the specials. Yes, I’ve noticed that, which is a shame.

I thought you meant at first PFS was being capped at 12 again.

Development for encounters for a 12-13 subtier should take at least as much time as development for 7-8 and 10-11. Development for 14-15 will take as much time again, at least, based on the increased complexity of interactions to make GOOD story.

The other problem is that the appropriate framework of story to put those adventurers into are fundamentally different than the framework of story in which you put a subtier 1-2 table. They face different challenges with different mechanisms of resolution because of their vastly different capabilities.

Trying to fit both into the same event's wordcount can be very narrative-bending. Some of the better-received Living Greyhawk BIs were hundreds of pages to accommodate the need to have encounters that made sense across different APL bands - APLs 2 through 16, by even numbers, in their case. The writing and development time when doing this in a professional manner as Paizo is doing is just not feasible.

Hell, I was concerned we might not see ANY GenCon special this year due to time budgeting issues. Knowing that we traded 5-Ex being new content for 5-Conclusion and 6-00 both being things is great, and I can't wait to see what the factions have turned their attention to this year.

Question for you vets: How do you get your badge from volunteering?

Question for you vets: How do you get your badge from volunteering?

Easiest way is to go to the volunteer meeting on Wednesday night. It will be handed out there, and there will be a briefing from PFS staff.

Hi. I sent an email as well, but I haven't gotten my schedule yet. Last year there was an oddity where my schedule showed up in an email that I didn't use (for GenCon or Paizo.com). This year, that email address no longer exists, so I want to check if the oddity happened again.

I have slots that I owe (more than are available in 2014, in fact)! I want to start paying them off!

Not sure this has been answered yet. Do we know what the sub-tier breakdown will be for the Friday night special of the tier 1-11 adventure? OR can we at least hazard a good guess at what the breakdown would be, based on past years?

Thanks all.

Not sure this has been answered yet. Do we know what the sub-tier breakdown will be for the Friday night special of the tier 1-11 adventure? OR can we at least hazard a good guess at what the breakdown would be, based on past years?

Thanks all.

So far 100% of PFS things that go from 1-11 use the following subtiers:

1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
10-11

In theory this year could be different, but it doesn't seem likely.

Akeela Valerian, the Wolf wrote:

Not sure this has been answered yet. Do we know what the sub-tier breakdown will be for the Friday night special of the tier 1-11 adventure? OR can we at least hazard a good guess at what the breakdown would be, based on past years?

Thanks all.

So far 100% of PFS things that go from 1-11 use the following subtiers:

1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
10-11

In theory this year could be different, but it doesn't seem likely.

Year of the Shadow Lodge was (1–2)(3–4)(5–6)(8–9)(10–11) — so was Blood Under Absolom.

Question for you vets: How do you get your badge from volunteering?

We'll have the badges and t-shirts at the Volunteer's meeting on Wednesday night. After that, we'll have them at HQ.

A couple of quick questions (I am guessing I know the answers).

1) Are we expected to wear the volunteer t-shirts while GMing (and only while GMing?)

2) Do we need to print out chronicles and/or session tracking sheets?

3) How much time on either end of running the scenario should we budget for? i.e., should we figure on only have 4 hours real time to run?

1) Wear your volunteer T-shirts when you are volunteering. When not - wear what you like, including your volunteer shirt.
2) You do not need to print out chronicle sheets or session tracking sheets.
3) If marshalling is good, you should be able to get started within 5-10 minutes of the scheduled start time - assuming you have prompt players. At the end of the scenario, you've got paperwork to do. Never takes me more than 15 minutes.

1) Are we expected to wear the volunteer t-shirts while GMing (and only while GMing?)

Probably expected to wear them, but I don't believe it is required. I for one liked wearing them, and its fun to see the purple shirts all over GenCon.

2) Do we need to print out chronicles and/or session tracking sheets?

Nope, chronicle sheets and tracking sheets are all provided by HQ (unless this changes, since I think I heard their printing costs were in the tens of thousands last year)

3) How much time on either end of running the scenario should we budget for? i.e., should we figure on only have 4 hours real time to run?

Well, slots are 5 hours, usually you'd want to have everything wrapped up and chronicles at least started being filled out by 4.5 hours, so yeah, probably close to 4 hours of real playing, unfortunately.

A couple of quick questions (I am guessing I know the answers).

1) Are we expected to wear the volunteer t-shirts while GMing (and only while GMing?)

2) Do we need to print out chronicles and/or session tracking sheets?

3) How much time on either end of running the scenario should we budget for? i.e., should we figure on only have 4 hours real time to run?

1. We do expect volunteers to wear the shirts, so you'll be visible to staff and players as a volunteer. VOs, of course, can wear their respective shirts instead.

2. HQ will provide Chronicles and reporting sheets.

3. Slots are 5 hours and I'm hoping we'll have 30 minutes between slots*. We start mustering 15 minutes or so before the slot starts, so we'll expect GMs to be checked in by then.

*In past years we've had the first two slots back-to-back and a 1-hour gap between the 2nd & 3rd slot of the day. I haven't verified with Mike that we're changing that this year, but I'd like to.

*In past years we've had the first two slots back-to-back and a 1-hour gap between the 2nd & 3rd slot of the day. I haven't verified with Mike that we're changing that this year, but I'd like to.

Jon, in the slot listings in the call for volunteers it still shows the morning and afternoon slot back-to-back.

And about the shirts... Years ago, when volunteering for a different gaming company, some other volunteers wore their shirts out while going drinking and were not very good representatives of the company whose shirts they were wearing. I'm sure that Paizo would appreciate that if you were wearing your volunteer shirts with their name on them that you would not cause any negativity to their brand.

Angus

For the GMs that don't qualify for shirts, would it be helpful if we wore a particular color?

Well, the Paizo shirts are a bright purple, so if you really want to fit in... ;)

Done!

All good stuff to know. Thank you, everyone who answered. Pretty much what I expected.

I may still print out chronicles... Have some nicely parchment paper I was going to use for Con of the North, but never got around to. Would be a nice thing to have the
Gen Con chronicles stand out in a character's stack. It will all depend on weight.

Say, does anyone know a good battery backup for an iPad? Since this will be my primary means of carrying books, I think it would be good to have a buffer. Of course, my scenarios will be printed (looking into ways to reduce space and weight here as well, such as getting them spiral bound instead of using notebooks).

Pagans from a rookie Gen Con GM

Say, does anyone know a good battery backup for an iPad? Since this will be my primary means of carrying books, I think it would be good to have a buffer. Of course, my scenarios will be printed (looking into ways to reduce space and weight here as well, such as getting them spiral bound instead of using notebooks).

Pagans from a rookie Gen Con GM

Maybe look into something like a portable electronics charger. My husband has one and seems to like it.

Speaking of shirts: this year can some stress be put on wearing the volunteer shirts? Last year a large number of marshals were wearing shirts advertising their local gaming group. It's great to see that kind of enthusiasm but it really didn't help identify them as the contact when trying to get the tables formed.

Speaking of shirts: this year can some stress be put on wearing the volunteer shirts? Last year a large number of marshals were wearing shirts advertising their local gaming group. It's great to see that kind of enthusiasm but it really didn't help identify them as the contact when trying to get the tables formed.

That shouldn't be a problem this year. Del and the rest of the SCARAB crew have been very helpful and understand that, as a Paizo event, we need everyone representing Paizo to be identifiable.

Say, does anyone know a good battery backup for an iPad? Since this will be my primary means of carrying books, I think it would be good to have a buffer. Of course, my scenarios will be printed (looking into ways to reduce space and weight here as well, such as getting them spiral bound instead of using notebooks).

That's a point I can't reiterate enough. There are not enough power outlets in the Sagamore to accommodate even 10% of the GMs with electronic devices. I love my iPad and the space and weight savings it offers over hardcopy, but if you're planning on using electronic devices you need to be responsible for keeping them charged and running. Extra batteries, external batteries, whatever it takes.

Also keep in mind that the number of outlets in your hotel room will be limited, so if you're sharing (as most of our Tier 1/2 GMs are), you may need a power strip in the hotel room to plug in all the devices everyone brings with them.

One thing we CANNOT do is string power cords across the floor as it presents a safety hazard to players, GMs, and Marshals in a crowded room where the cord may be invisible under chairs, players, bags and cases.

Silbeg wrote:

Say, does anyone know a good battery backup for an iPad? Since this will be my primary means of carrying books, I think it would be good to have a buffer. Of course, my scenarios will be printed (looking into ways to reduce space and weight here as well, such as getting them spiral bound instead of using notebooks).

Pagans from a rookie Gen Con GM

Maybe look into something like a portable electronics charger. My husband has one and seems to like it.

To be fair, the one I have is for my iPhone, not an iPad. No idea how it would work out for the larger device since it, presumably, has a larger battery capacity.

As far as it goes for my phone, though, its awesome. Its just a tad bigger than a roll of nickels and it can be charged off the same charager plug the phone can. Just not at the same time.

Kristen Gipson wrote:

Silbeg wrote:

Say, does anyone know a good battery backup for an iPad? Since this will be my primary means of carrying books, I think it would be good to have a buffer. Of course, my scenarios will be printed (looking into ways to reduce space and weight here as well, such as getting them spiral bound instead of using notebooks).

Pagans from a rookie Gen Con GM

Maybe look into something like a portable electronics charger. My husband has one and seems to like it.

To be fair, the one I have is for my iPhone, not an iPad. No idea how it would work out for the larger device since it, presumably, has a larger battery capacity.

As far as it goes for my phone, though, its awesome. Its just a tad bigger than a roll of nickels and it can be charged off the same charager plug the phone can. Just not at the same time.

To extend your battery life for tablet and laptop users:

- Turn off your wi-fi and bluetooth (or just put it in airplane mode)
- Manually adjust your screen brightness to the darkest level you're comfortable reading
- Lock it when you're not using it

Do these three things and your battery life will be MUCH greater. I can GM 3 slots in a row from a fully charged iPad 2 using this method.

If you're burning through battery power faster than you expect, then find a plug to set next to during meal breaks. The portable chargers are also quite nice when you're in a pinch.

Your best bet is to print the scenarios and only use your tablet to reference things.

Your best bet is to print the scenarios and only use your tablet to reference things.

This. And then its a lot easier to make tabs, highlight different things, and take notes easily.

Yeah, I agree with Kyle and Andrew. Even my generic tablet can last me all day. But printing the stats/scenario is a must for long cons

Your best bet is to print the scenarios and only use your tablet to reference things.

That's definitely my plan, for sure.

I have it only for a reference... scenarios, stat blocks, etc... will all be printed out.

Your best bet is to print the scenarios and only use your tablet to reference things.

Wholeheartedly agreed. Even with a tablet, I printed everything out last year, and even though I didn't have to, I printed and pre-filled out chronicle sheets as well (sans pp and gp). I used my tablet as a backup reference source, and mainly for prepared full-color images of things from the scenario (monsters mainly).

scenarios, stat blocks, etc... will all be printed out.

This reminds me of something I wanted to note in case it hasn't been said already...

The GM Prep threads on the boards and the shared GM resources are amazing tools for prep-help as well as innovations for some scenarios... BUT ...before you use a stat-block that comes from anywhere but the scenario itself, double-check it in advance.

At Who's Yer Con, a GM had some monsters with 150% more hp than they should have had, almost resulting in PC deaths, during Siege of the Diamond City. Afterward, we discovered that the "GM help packet" for that tier had wrong hp values for at least two encounters. I'm sure 95% of those things are fine, but you don't want to have a PC die at your table and then later find out that something was wrong on your end even if it was without your knowledge.

I'll be in a similar situation. My partner shares his books with me, and I have a couple that get shared with him. This isn't a problem for local game nights; it will be at Gen Con. Neither of us possess computers with any semblance of battery lives.

I already planned on printing out all relevant material in advance; should this be sufficient for running encounters at the convention? You've [all] made it my understanding that space there is limited, so having 10 hardcovers with me isn't exactly efficient, either. I don't have a problem with it, and am very acclimated to carrying around all those books, but I'm led to believe the table real estate isn't there.

I already planned on printing out all relevant material in advance; should this be sufficient for running encounters at the convention?

I pretty much have done this, and it works fine. I print out bestiary pages of all the monsters for a scenario and keep it in one of those cheap cardboard style folders with the scenario. If there's a new ability, feat, spell, etc. that they reference that I may have a hard time remembering from prep, I'll print that out too.

I only use my iPad to try and adjudicate the odd corner case in reaction to what players bring up, or verify a rule if a question arises.

At Who's Yer Con, a GM had some monsters with 150% more hp than they should have had, almost resulting in PC deaths, during Siege of the Diamond City. Afterward, we discovered that the "GM help packet" for that tier had wrong hp values for at least two encounters.

As an avid contributor to the GM prep folder, if you or your friend remember the name of the scenario please PM me. We can try to get that fixed.

CanisDirus wrote:

At Who's Yer Con, a GM had some monsters with 150% more hp than they should have had, almost resulting in PC deaths, during Siege of the Diamond City. Afterward, we discovered that the "GM help packet" for that tier had wrong hp values for at least two encounters.

As an avid contributor to the GM prep folder, if you or your friend remember the name of the scenario please PM me. We can try to get that fixed.

:)

CanisDirus wrote:

At Who's Yer Con, a GM had some monsters with 150% more hp than they should have had, almost resulting in PC deaths, during Siege of the Diamond City. Afterward, we discovered that the "GM help packet" for that tier had wrong hp values for at least two encounters.

As an avid contributor to the GM prep folder, if you or your friend remember the name of the scenario please PM me. We can try to get that fixed.

I'll shoot you a message when I get home from the lab today.

Another question for you Gencon Volunteer Veterans or GVV's for short. Besides preparing the scenarios and wearing our purple shirts what are some tips or some of your experiences with how everything works? Anything to watch out for or things not to do? This is all as far volunteering goes that is.

Another question for you Gencon Volunteer Veterans or GVV's for short. Besides preparing the scenarios and wearing our purple shirts what are some tips or some of your experiences with how everything works? Anything to watch out for or things not to do? This is all as far volunteering goes that is.

1) Get sleep

Another question for you Gencon Volunteer Veterans or GVV's for short. Besides preparing the scenarios and wearing our purple shirts what are some tips or some of your experiences with how everything works? Anything to watch out for or things not to do? This is all as far volunteering goes that is.

There are some non-gaming items you should have with you at the table and other things you should do:

2. Snacks. Keep healthy snacks with you at the table. They'll be good for an energy boost, and if you are running slots back to back, you may not have time to get up and grab food. Now, people bring all kinds of stuff, and while the occasional candy is okay, you don't want to consume tons of sugar when you are just going to be sitting there. Now, as a diabetic, a healthy snack for me is different for others. But, make sure you have good stuff on hand.

3. Medicine. We tend to take it for granted, but if you have meds that you need to take during a game or something, make sure you have it on hand.

4. Hand sanitizer. You have no idea the amount of con crud that goes around. Using hand sanitizer can be really helpful in preparing a strong defense.

5. Hygeine. It can't be said too much - shower, bathe, wear clean clothes, use deodorant, brush your teeth, etc. You would be amazed at the amount of gamer funk you'll be subjected to. It's not only a matter of courtesy, but sometimes it can be so bad as to distract people from the game. People will remember.

6. Tissues, etc. You never know when you may need one to blow your nose, or to wipe up something off the table, etc.

7. Get plenty of rest. Again, it cannot be said too much. I know it's tempting to want to run or play all day and night, and then rinse and repeat the next day. As GMs, we owe it to our players to try to give them the best experience possible, and being well-rested is key to that. Plus, it will help your voice.

On the gaming materials side:
1. Scenario. have your printed scenario and all resrouces that go with it: maps (if you can make them in advance, you will do your table a tremendous favor), stat blocks, rules you don't know off the top of your head, etc. You don't need to bring a scenario reporting sheet or chronicles (HQ will have them for you) (I always bring my own, and some GMs print chronicles on special paper to reflect that it was recieved at a major convention.)

2. Boooks. Have your gaming books handy (either hard copy or on a tablet or laptop, but make sure you e-device is completely charged because you will not be able to do so while running.)

3. Dice. Have your sets, and bring extras for new players or people who forget.

4. Miniatures, pawns, etc.: Have minis or similar items for your encouanters, and bring extras for the players who forget theirs.

5. Pencils, etc. Bring whatever writing instruments work best for you, and bring a few extra for those who forget.

6. GM screen. Completely optional - some use them, some don't.

Keep in mind you don't have a lot of real estate at the table, so you don't want to bring too much stuff.

I hope that's helpful

Mark

Also, do not underestimate the power of baby/body powder- it absorbs moisture, smells good, and keeps you from chaffing after being in the rooms all day with hundreds of other people.

Those of you using an electronic device to GM or play may wish to consider a purchase from here: http://www.woot.com/plus/gorilla-gadgets-power-banks-1

Note that a number of them are good to fully recharge a tablet. Don't buy them last minute, as you want to try it out before you actually head to the con.