OPC Log—3 Lamashan 4716

Monday, September 26, 2016

Happy Monday! As I contemplated this week's blog and what to write, my head jumbled with thoughts, I realized a year passed since I started a Paizo. The realization prompted me into analysis of Pathfinder Society. The end conclusion what that, while some of the initiatives didn't quite work as intended, the overall health of the program remained well. PFS membership grew, convention support reached an all time high, we released many backlog items such as Advance Player's Guide pregenerated characters, sanctioned much of the available Pathfinder content for use in Pathfinder Society, produced one and a half seasons of the Adventure Card Guild, created new Seeker content, and released convention content with enough time for GM preparation.

The items that didn't work the first time out, such as the Regional Support Package (Game Day support), are back on the drawing board for version 2.0. The team also started a revision of Roleplaying Guild Guide with the intent to clean up ambiguous wording and address questions raised on the forums. At this time, the exact release date is unknown, but the goal is as quickly as possible given our production schedule.

Hats off to John, Linda, Mark, for being an awesome while working with me to make a memorable year of Pathfinder for you, our players. Thanks also to the Paizo staffers in other departments that support Pathfinder Society. Without all of us pulling together, we could not make PFS happen.

While the staffers supported Pathfinder Society from inside Paizo, the network of Venture-Officers provided support to all the local games. We currently have over 760 Venture-Officers in 49 of the United States and 35 countries spread over 6 continents. This number grows every week, as more people join the Pathfinder Society family. Unfortunately, there is not enough room to list them all here, but check out the Coordinator List for an up to date roster of our Venture-Officers. Huge thanks to all of them for making a global Pathfinder Society!

There is another pool of volunteers integral to the Pathfinder Society. Without the throngs of GMs, no games could run. While GMs spend large amounts of time preparing and running games, some dedicate hundreds of hours to the hobby. In recognition of the large amount of time spent providing games to others, we recognize GMs with stars. They earn the first star after running 10 games, which equates to approximately 50 hours of game time and another 10-20 preparing for the games. From there, we award two stars for 30 games, three stars for 60 games, and four stars for 100 games. Some GMs dedicate over 600 hours to running games, run at least 50 different games from the various PFS seasons, and run a game for a Venture-Captain, who verifies the GMs knowledge of the Pathfinder Society and the Pathfinder RPG system. To these GMs, the most dedicated of our bunch, we award five stars.

The following GMs achieved their fifth star over the past few months. Please join me in congratulating:

• Nils Janson
• Morten Fredricksen
• Atte Kiljunen
• Joe Kirner
• Ryan Bolduan
• Colin Webster
• Mark Cohen
• Þórarinn Sigurðsson
• Rigby Bedele
• Eric de Vries
• Tom Coolbaugh
• Hillis "Al" Mallory III
• Sebastian Mullins

Last year involved great change and upheaval. Currently, it is planning time. We are reviewing data, looking for trends, and setting out our ideas. Going forward, I'm focused on refining programs, tweaking operations, and streamlining processes. Oh, and working on the upcoming Season of the Adventure Card Guild. But more on that later, as I don't want to give any spoilers! At least, not yet. Perhaps next week!

Until then—Explore, Report, Cooperate!

Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Coordinator