Announcing the Regional Support Program!

Hey Tonya,

How do we report organized blocks for recurring store events on the form? Count up the expected tables over the course of the next year? Just give a monthly count? The Form is designed for convention support and doesn't really translate to local recurring store events.

And if we are running events at two locations for the same store (they own two storefronts), with different event numbers for each store (to make sure people checking the Paizo event lists go to the right store), is it possible to combine those into functionally the same event.

Edit: And should Core and RPG campaign tables be reported/tracked separately? Some boons don't work for Core tables.

The form isn't perfect, so feel free to include more details in your email to the RVC.

Not sure as to the benefit of combining the two events. The same package is available for both and GMs can transfer. I lean to posting them separate for record keeping, but you can promote them together. Thoughts?

I need total blocks planned, so add up what you will think you run in a year. Then report on what the year looked like.

CORE vs Norm doesn't matter in this case. The boons are set and should work for both programs.

Good to know that an estimate for number of sessions is what is expected. That's just what I put in. Hopefully I hear back from my RVC sooner than later.

It'll be interesting to see how this is applied to online play.

I almost exclusively GM and play Online Games.

Easiest way I can figure to keep track of who's participating is to drop a candle symbol next to participating locations on the map.

(Barbarian druids: Very simple solutions to complex problems)

Thank you! This sounds like a fantastic program that will energize our local player base, especially those who don't or can't travel to conventions.

Wonder news indeed, I hope this helps out local players and GMS..

So. is this a guaranteed thing for the locations or is this a "RVC Discretion" item that we'll have to jump through hoops and satisfy varying criteria from region to region?

It's RVC discretion - the original program was intended to boost locations that needed a boost, and there's still some of that idea left in the setup.

In the original setup there were a lot of criteria that needed to be met, and which made things too difficult. A lot of that has been made more flexible. So the RVC has a lot more freedom in when and where to grant it, but it's still not intended as something every venue everywhere gets automatically.

The goal is that RVCs can tie the specific distribution to the needs of their parish, instead of a one-size-fits-noone-well top-down plan like the previous iteration.

I will be honest, and cynical.

As a organizer for a local game day I am unlikely to want to take part in this for two reasons. One, our Regional VC is a problem and I honestly just don't want to interact with him if at all possible. They're very poorly received in my state, and have caused us issues before with getting things done. It's to the point where they've tried to add excessive unnecessary demands on people trying to get their 5 star ratings, and only significant saber rattling by our officer staff got it corrected.

So quite honestly, this plan isn't work whatever I'd have to do to stroke their ego. And I doubt this person is going away, so...

Second, I don't want more paperwork that is likely going to disappear into the void of above person's junk mail folder.

And as a GM, I'm also unlikely to want to participate, because it's more tracking and paperwork for a hobby where I don't need it. I'd much prefer it if you just handed out standard boons to be awarded at maybe once a game day for the location.

If you've got a VC who is that much of a problem, I recommend talking to Tonya. You mentioned other officers - are there VLs and/or VAs in your area who have also had problems with that person? If the VC is a roadblock to getting things done, then that's a problem that needs to be dealt with.

If you've got a VC who is that much of a problem, I recommend talking to Tonya. You mentioned other officers - are there VLs and/or VAs in your area who have also had problems with that person? If the VC is a roadblock to getting things done, then that's a problem that needs to be dealt with.

One thing that I like about PFS Organized Play is that there is always someone to turn to higher in the organization. I would suggest, Suede, that you and others in your area document your concerns and address them. The rules of PFS should be the same everywhere, so I see additional requirements to earn 5 GM stars as wrong. PM Tonya and ask others to do so if they have concerns. (Documentation is key to handling any complaint.)

Thanks Tonya for putting this together!

One thing that has always been difficult is supervision of a volunteer core - especially when they are scattered around the globe. Keeping in mind that there are (at least) two sides to any given story, I echo Fromper's suggestion that Suede, you document your concerns and send them in - not just you, but others in the area, V-O and non-V-O alike. Having been involved in this type of situation before, I can say with assurance that discretion gets a lot more accomplished than public complaints.

And as a GM, I'm also unlikely to want to participate, because it's more tracking and paperwork for a hobby where I don't need it. I'd much prefer it if you just handed out standard boons to be awarded at maybe once a game day for the location.

To touch on this;

It's two pieces of paper. The first is a GM boon that scales and ends up unlocking into a race boon. The other is a punchcard that you get, so you can track how many times you've GM'd at an RSP location.

I think that having the scaling boon will better serve the growth of PFS than having flat GM boons will. It encourages people to keep volunteering for rewards, rather than do it a single time. And while we don't want to have to bribe people to participate, it does help draw people toward GMing.

If you report the games you can just look at that and punch out the cards when you get near the reward you want.

I will be honest, and cynical.

Sounds like you have more issues with your RVC than this new shiny program. Recommend you follow up that avenue and notify the org play leadership than simply complain in a post that may or may not be read by them and may or may not get a resolution - further, it probably WILL be read by your kindly RVC (as these things often are) and that's going to lead to a harder situation to untangle.

There isn't really a lot of paperwork, and the good news is that if you don't want free stuff you don't have to do it.

I wanted to add that I really like the idea that GMs can get credit at any RSP-sanctioned venue. I think this will strongly encourage GMs to see out volunteer opportunities at other locations in their area and that should significantly help promote PFS Organized Play. The new program looks to be a significant improvement and I look forward to its implementation.

Phoenix is launching our RSP today! EXCITE!

Portland just had its first RSP game tonight, and had two of the six players roll nat 20s for the boons! It was super easy to implement and execute and the players were excited about it.

I'm having trouble finding RVC email addresses for the purpose of submitting the support request. Can someone help me out here?

Hey! I found it! it is the email icon beside the link to their profile!

Hey! I found it! it is the email icon beside the link to their profile!

You know you can delete your own posts within 60 minutes and look smarter? ;-)

DM Livgin wrote:

Hey! I found it! it is the email icon beside the link to their profile!

You know you can delete your own posts within 60 minutes and look smarter? ;-)

Appealing, but no gain comes from misrepresenting my smarts in this community ;) It is almost cathartic to embrace my errors and to have a space where they do not need to hid and masked.

Postcount is far more important than assumed intelligence. (My life in a nutshell.)

Postcount is far more important than assumed intelligence. (My life in a nutshell.)

Sez the guy who dumped the mental stats to buff Charisma. ;-)

Let me ask you something.

My Charisma...is AWESOME.

Let me ask you something.

My Charisma...is AWESOME.

It is better to look good, than to be... uh, something something.

Postcount is far more important than assumed intelligence. (My life in a nutshell.)

Is it? Gee, I'm getting more important every day!

I did not dump int for charisma. Just wisdom. That's how I became a Venture Flunkie!

Hmm

Meh cannot get my VL or VC on board with setting this up.

Hey! I found it! it is the email icon beside the link to their profile!

I'm your RVC, email meeeee!

Meh cannot get my VL or VC on board with setting this up.

Are they organizing the events that you participate in? If you're doing the organizing for a location, you can always submit an application to become a Venture Agent and then request the RSP yourself!

I assume how exactly this works is still rattling around at some of the higher levels.

Started a brain storm post in GM discussion on how to hand these out with maximum enthusiasm and minimum time loss.

TOZ wrote:

Postcount is far more important than assumed intelligence. (My life in a nutshell.)

Is it? Gee, I'm getting more important every day!

I did not dump int for charisma. Just wisdom. That's how I became a Venture Flunkie!

Hmm

Yup, Wisdom is for suckers... Charisma is where it's at!

Charisma is way better than Wisdom. I have a bunch of Charisma and no Wisdom and look how far it's gotten me. You can tell that I don't have any Wisdom because I just said that I don't have any Wisdom and that's not a very wise thing to say. (Or so I'm told.)

Charisma is way better than Wisdom. I have a bunch of Charisma and no Wisdom and look how far it's gotten me. You can tell that I don't have any Wisdom because I just said that I don't have any Wisdom and that's not a very wise thing to say. (Or so I'm told.)

...go on.

I just got cleared to use the RSP for my lodge but I need some clarification, when the GM boons are issued am I to cross off each tier they are not receiving at the time?

I plan on initialing the tiers as they unlock them.

Whatever way you decide is fine Graham. Just as long as it's clear to your folks that they only have T3 or whatever to begin.

How many games do sanctioned module chapters and APs sections count as for the GM boon? Most take at least two sessions but a fair amount (like Emerald Spire or the Free RPG Day adventures) can be done in one.

I received the packet from my RVC today and will be implementing the program at our game night next week! I'm looking forward to sharing it with all my players and GMs. Thank you, Tonya!

How many games do sanctioned module chapters and APs sections count as for the GM boon? Most take at least two sessions but a fair amount (like Emerald Spire or the Free RPG Day adventures) can be done in one.

This is detailed on the boon itself:

Each time you run an adventure at a participating location, you may have the venture-officer stamp, punch, initial, or otherwise mark the applicable number of boxes from the list below, regardless of how many sessions it takes to complete the adventure.

• 1 box for 4 hours of quests, a scenario, or a 16-page module
• 2 boxes for a 32-page module
• 3 boxes for a sanctioned Adventure Path volume (run in any mode)
• 4 boxes for an entire 64-page module

Thanks, Walter!

Thanks, Walter!

No probs!

Hmm, do Thornkeep/Emerald Spire floors count as a 16 page or a 32 page module...

Pretty sure they should be treated as a 16 pager.

Emerald spire is an adventure path

Emerald spire is an adventure path

Nope, it's a module - says so right in the product description. I plan on treating each level as a 16 page module, as for the most part you can finish them in a single session.

Further to the discussion of Emerald Spire and Thornkeep, I am hearing hard-to-believe rumors about GMs being denied RSP credit for ES/TK levels because they are "not 16 pages." :-/ That should never happen.

I hope that in these isolated cases, common sense will prevail over punitive literalism (and also that Paizo will comment) and that those supervising the program at local game stores will give +1 GM credit for modules shorter than 16 pages, as Alanya and others note. That's what I'm doing.

Does the DM get a roll along with the players or is punching their ticket the only reward they get?

We have been having GMs roll as well. The player boons are for all players participating, not just the ones playing their characters.

We have been having GMs roll as well. The player boons are for all players participating, not just the ones playing their characters.

Yes I have everyone at the table Roll for boons except me since I'm doing the coordination of the RSP.

Now my emerald spire question personally I think the GM should get 1 punch per level. While my VC said something since it counts as two tables the GM running it should get 2 punches. Since I'm the one running Emerald spire I could Care less about the count since I run enough tables as is but would like a good answering case someone else decides to run it later