OPC Log—2 Desnus 4716

Monday, May 2, 2016

Photos courtesy of Venture-Captain James Martin

Today I'm traveling back to Seattle from Quad Cities, Iowa, where we just wrapped the inaugural Quad Cities Game Fest. The convention hosted board games, RPGs, card games, vendors, bingo, and kid's activities—and this isn't even the whole list! Pathfinder took up about a fifth of the space, with a full roster of Pathfinder Society games. I ran Hands of the Muted God twice this weekend, and the seats for these games were raffle prizes benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. I enjoyed GMing these tables, and while I don't often get to utilize my license to kill, but two more characters (and an animal companion) did briefly visit Pharasma's Boneyard. You can call me Bond, Tonya Bond. Thanks to Dave, Barrett, VC James Martin, and all fantastic new friends for a blockbuster weekend!

On the subject of fantastic people, several dedicated GMs reached their fifth star over the past few weeks. Please join me in congratulating the following for their achievement. Huzzah!

• Marc Daoust
• Richard deMorris
• Michel Lepage
• Chris Manning
• Jeremy Mayr
• Andrew Porter
• Andrew Watson
• Pete Winz

Shifting gears, I have a few pieces of news on the topic of conventions. A few weeks ago, I unveiled a new Event Support Policy on the blog. It generated quite a bit of discussion, and I put a note in the comments that the team had read the commentary and was reassessing the program. I intended to post the revised policy today, but unfortunately technical difficulties while on the road meant I couldn't access my notes. I ask for your patience for just a bit longer while I return to Seattle, retrieve my notes, and pull the edges together. In the meantime, no convention is being denied support, whether it is in a retail location or not, the packages just vary according to location.

In a previous blog, John introduced the Pathfinder Society PaizoCon events, including some one of a kind adventures, out of retirement scenarios, and panels. Last week, our Customer Service team posted the Event Schedulde, and I urge everyone who is going to PaizoCon to take a look and sign up quickly with your lottery preferences. Don't procrastinate—lottery selections end on May 9th!

Official Pathfinder Society events in the Grand Ballroom are being run in the morning and evening slots at PaizoCon (with the exception of Saturday night, when we host the annual PaizoCon Preview Banquet. However, you may play in or run pickup games during the afternoon slots. Venture-Lieutenant Louis Manko-Levite has taken up the coordinator mantle for organizing afternoon games. If you'd like to run an afternoon PFS game, email Louis with the scenario you'd like to run and desired slot (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). These games will then be added to the overall PaizoCon schedule, and will have a reserved table in the Grand Ballroom. You may also opt to bring a physical sign-up sheet to PFS Headquarters, where we'll post your game onsite. For attendees looking to play in these games, you may sign up during Open Registration on the Event Schedule page ahead of time, or stop by PFS Headquarters at the convention.

Volunteers are what make our conventions go! At this time, I have a full schedule of volunteers for PaizoCon 2016. However, I see need a handful of volunteers for Gen Con 2016, specifically Roleplaying Guild, Pathfinder Society Academy: Kid's Track GMs, and I'm looking for volunteers willing to accept Tier 1, 5, or 6 status. I could also use a few people for my waitlist, in the event that there are cancellations between now and Gen Con. If you're interested, please read over the Gen Con 2016 Call for Volunteers and follow the instructions found there.

During convention season, we get quite a few questions from PaizoCon and Gen Con volunteers regarding how and when they'll get scenarios they've volunteered to run. Our Community & Digital Content Director, Chris Lambertz, has provided all that you need to know about that process below:

If you've volunteered to run an existing scenario, they will be assigned to your account as scheduling information is confirmed. You will receive an email notifying you that these are available, and you will be able to download them from your My Downloads page immediately.

If you've volunteered to run a special or yet-to-be-released scenario, they will be benchmarked as assigned to your account as scheduling information is confirmed. An email is automatically generated from our system that these have been added to your account at this stage. However, your My Downloads page may indicate that these are not immediately available for download, but don't panic! Once the Pathfinder Society team completes these scenarios, and they are uploaded to our system, an update email will be sent to all volunteers indicating that they are now downloadable. If for any reason you have not received a second email, be sure to double check your My Downloads page before posting, or emailing Tonya or Customer Service.

If you are a volunteer for PaizoCon or Gen Con, and you have not received your downloads for scenarios you are scheduled to run by the week prior to the convention you're volunteering at, please email customer.service@paizo.com and CC tonya.woldridge@paizo.com.

Gen Con is previewing the 2016 event catalog on their website starting at noon this Friday, May 6. Next Monday's blog will provide more information about Paizo's lineup, as well as an introduction to this years team leading the volunteer crew at Gen Con. Tune in to get the inside scoop!

Until next time—Explore, Report, Cooperate!

Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Coordinator