RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32. RPG Superstar 6 Season Star Voter, 7 Season Marathon Voter, 8 Season Dedicated Voter, 9 Season Marathon Voter. Organized Play Member. 395 posts (1,446 including aliases). 2 reviews. No lists. 1 wishlist. 11 aliases.
I know I'm not exactly a publisher, but figured this would be the best place to post.
The DM Doctor looking for an Artist Project Length: 1-2 Monsters (plus possible future projects)
Pay Rate: Negotiable
Additional details: Adding the finishing touches to a self-published adventure. I am looking to have one or more creature concept drawings professionally made (as I am a terrible artist). Though I am looking for a classic, old-school RPG sketch-style drawings, I am open to other concepts. There is the possibility of being my exclusive artist for future projects.
Respond by: June 9th.
Contact: dmdradventures@gmail.com (Links to galleries and portfolios appreciated but not required).
I would like to apologize for the major delay in this project. I will be getting back to all the submissions soon. Thank you to everyone that responded.
What other ways do you guys handle really troublesome players? Not just little issues, but really problematic, often leads to violent argument-type players.
Sad in that I couldn't offer a direct spell, feat, class feature, etc. that would directly solve the situation. I didn't mean to say that it is sad that a solution will most likely need to be self-made. Sorry for the confusion in my post >.<
Started up this morning. I found out that because GPS is pretty spotty near my work (thanks to Homeland Security), finding pokemon on lunch breaks is a no go. Especially with the servers dropping frequently.
Hopefully, I'll be able to share some great stories later.
First, I featured a dice/board game on my blog today as an unusual game took for GMs and players alike. Some of you out there probably came across similar suggestions for Rory's Story Cubes before. For those that haven't, please give my review of the Story Cubes a read. If anyone would like to see more unusual game aides featured, let me know and I'll dig up some others.
The second reason I am starting this thread is because I am in the midst of redesigning the skill system for That Pathfinder Roleplaying game (the system grandfathered to us from D&D 3.X). I am looking to make it something more akin to AC and hitpoints, but for skill checks.
I am working on this project because I feel it becomes meaningless to roll a skill check for certain skills at different levels. I mean, with current options you can make a character that almost never can fail an Intimidate at level 1. I do understand that in a game where you have magic that covers almost everything, skills can become irrelevant anyways.
I am not looking to make skill DCs more difficult, but rather, to create a range of success as well as a system where multiple checks might be required.
I have browsed the forums for different approaches others have taken as well as concerns that had been presented. If there are any concerns anyone has (especially about an AC/HP system for skills), I would love to read them. I know that such as system will slow down the game at different stages due to the extra die rolls.
I will post a link to the new system when I am finished (hoping around mid-July). If anyone would like to playtest the new system before they are posted, please notify me.
You may also try one of the two newer ones "Hell's Rebels" and "Hell's Vengeance." With few having played them (Vengeance is not finished yet), that could bring in some extra excitement all on their own.
Thank you tons for your thoughts, Grue! You are absolutely right in the fact that there are very few adventures that delve into the underdark/darklands. I have thought of doing an adventure path in the future, but a large-scale project such as that is not quite feasible on my time-constraints.
However, I'll definitely consider Darklands-type adventure. Keeping up with protocols though, it cannot take place in Golarion specifically, but I'll make it so GMs can easily drop it into Golarion if they so choose.
Working on a new adventure. It will be Pathfinder compatible and free for everyone to use (Currently have one available right now, "The Call of Adventure"). A quick note on my free adventures, because they are free and I don't hire anyone out, illustrations are rare and only appear when necessary (like maps).
I am outlining at the moment, but in my brainstorming, I thought that perhaps I'd poll the masses and find out what things people would like to see in an adventure.
I am not looking for the basics here, but rather, things you wish you would find in an adventure or challenges/monsters you would really like to face. Perhaps there is a certain genre or story-line you wish you could see come into fruition.
So the real question is, what would you really wish to see in an adventure?
Great read. I will recommend it to the player in my group who is about to DM for the first time.
In my first DM session...
... My mind went blank, and couldn't think of a way out ... I had just ruined the entire premise of the adventure by revealing that the coachmen (which is what I had intended to say) were really cultists abducting travellers.
... I started a new adventure. Lol
Thanks. And oh man I hate when I slip and give away a secret like that. Best of luck to your player prepping to DM and I hope you find yourself in a very enjoyable game because of it.
I remember my first DMing session in PF. I brought a module that basically outlined a million details for a massive city, with tons of factions and rules for city building, as well as countless hooks for different adventures. I was overwhelmed. Both my players and I found ourselves bogged down by countless mini-plots going on at once.
The next session, I focused on a single plot from an idea offered in that book. I had them take on a simple task to investigate a village that may have stolen a cornucopia, which in addition to producing delicious fruit, also guaranteed a seat on the city's High Council. Were they doing it for the food, for a third party, to secure the recognition of the council? It was a great opener to introduce some of the mechanics of politics in the city as well as provide some clout to bring their names to those in power. I needed to learn focus, and if they showed interest in another aspect of the world, be it a mercenary company or a convent of healers, I could bring it up organically.
I must say, very, VERY great job! You learned a lesson some GMs/DMs take years to learn (and at times forget, including myself). Focus is a very important skill to have as a GM.
Amazing work! I am glad your players showed interest in other aspects allowing you all to branch out slowly.
Stuck teaching classes this week for licensing. Will be a slow week (at least Tuesday, Wednesday. and Thursday). Just giving a heads up so you don't think I abandon you guys.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Promise I didn't leave you guys. I've just been half-dead, sick at home (along with sick with and sick toddler...). Now I need to go read some monsters!
Tincorva's ray misses the wolf. Jordi comes in (too close to charge) swinging and catches the wolf with a heavy blow. The wolf looks badly injured, but is still up and alive.
I don't think you get to ask questions based on the result, but rather, the GM reveals so many qualities/special abilities about the creature. So, yes you would get 2 pieces of info, and Almon would get 3 (granted two would have overlapped with what Nuala knew).
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Monica Marlowe wrote:
As I told one of the people who asked me to review their maps for this round - Do not rely on those 50 words. They are a crutch for a weak map, not a bonus over last season's introductory run. I personally feel that the 50 words are not necessary and potentially distracting and detrimental to the round.
With only the results of last season's run and not this seaons's votes to further support my opinion, I feel that there were several maps that lack polish or even attractive aesthetic that were engaging and presented excellent gaming locations that carried/will carry their contestant through to Round 3.
The mapping round is crucial, speaking as a person who just had to come up with 4 pages of maps for a 32 page adventure. This round should not go away and it would be a disservice to future RPG Superstars to not test their abilities to convey in images what they are able to craft in words. Fortunately in my case, two of my maps for my adventure were already "done" because of the way the contest limited things to a theme. That may not be the case for this season's contestants and they will need to be ready and able to provide what is likely a full page map of a location, 4-6 flip maps, and possibly another full page map. That's a lot of real estate in a 32 page adventure that has previously gone unvetted.
Definitely know what I need to spend my time on before next season.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Since the voting period is over, thought I would come and chime on the one, big thing many people brought up.
When I created this map, I did have an intent for the large Spirograph, what that intent was matters little. I took out the purpose because I felt that it was going over the line of inserting tactics and making it into the encounter round. I think that was a bad judgement on my part.
I am glad that many people wanted the design to serve a purpose. I am glad that it got people inspired to want something to happen. I am not an artist, but I am pleased to have had that effect on people. Thank you again to everyone that dropped by to comment. :)
I think whether I submitted my original map (was told it was too dungeon-like and not very original of an idea) or the original description to this map (fine, the spirograph traps souls) there would have been little change in the line-up that will soon be announced, except for comments focusing on something different. There were many great maps and descriptions from great designers. A perfect execution of my idea(s) would still have been hard-pressed against the talents displayed this year.
I want to take this opportunity to tell the 16 moving on, great job on your work! Have confidence in your abilities and don't sell yourself short.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Good luck to the 16 advancing. I have a pretty good idea of which 16 move on. Think I'll be getting to relax and work on some projects that have been back-logged now.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
As voting is almost over, I just wanted to drop in and thank everyone that posted comments, critiques, and feedback. I really appreciate you all taking the time to look at my map, read the description, and voice your insightful views. Every comment was helpful and useful.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Though I'm not a first timer, but wanted to tell you and all the other first-timers congratulations for entering and welcome! I know others have said it before, but keep following the contest.
The judges and community post advice every round. Get it while it is new and fresh. Put it to use right away. Practice now and we might be seeing your adventure proposal next year.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Don’t have a template so, be prepared for me to ramble and go off topic.
Page 1
Atavar’s Soulrazor:
Soulrazor
1. I tend to dislike seeing a bunch of ability/special property stacking. If you REALLY need an ability or special material, go for it, but avoid adding extras for the sake of making your item “better”.
2. A +1 weapon with a price tag over 100K. I got into a similar issue last year when I designed an end-game armor at 150K with only a +2 enhancement (though intentional, it was a poor choice on my part). The advice I was giving: try to design the item within the price range of similarly enhanced weapons and armor. You can get away with lagging behind +1, but do not stray too far.
3. I am part of the group that just glaze over “favored by, used by, wielded by, created by” phrases. Though it is a place to add some flavor, I feel that it brings me out of imagining the item, and more imagining some PC or NPC. Use your flavor and word count to make it all about the item. GMs and players can decide in their game the creators/wielders/favored users.
4. Common abilities and common special materials can easily be looked up (or already known). Save the word count. Let the players/GMs use their knowledge of threat ranges and special material properties if you are not straying from normal rules.
5. Does the person wielding the blade know the names of the souls trapped within? What if the creature doesn’t have a name? I love the idea of whispering into the blade, very villainous and awesome idea. Gives me a great image here.
6. Effects from spells should generally use the caster level you created with item with. In this case, your heal spell effect should work off the maximum 150 from heal (since you have an 18th caster level).
7. I think there is quite a bit going on and the powers seem to be stacking things together (like your abilities and special materials). This is probably just a personal opinion, but it just feels like too much. I would like to have seen a tighter theme.
8. Lastly, do not divide the cost of the weapon (or armor) from the price when doing magic weapons and armor. Think of it as you do the cost for a magic item as normal, then you add the cost of the masterwork version (plus the special material costs) to both the price and construction cost.
Covent’s Lion’s Roar:
Lion’s Roar
1. “Seeming”, “Appearing”, “Looks like”, and similar phrases are passive and weak writing. To be honest, things either are or are not when you look at it. Yes, there might be an illusion, but if an object reflects soft fire light, then it reflects soft fire light (maybe reflect might be a bad word, thinking I need more coffee right now). If you take a more active voice in your writing, then the reflection will be less downplayed and seem more exciting. You will also shave off some word count which you may need for mechanics.
2. As someone pointed out to me in my first draft of the Daylight Diadem, you can say words and similar meanings a bit too much. I used “light” and various light-themed words, and it came out as way too much and over the top. You might wish to do a similar thing with the lion theme. I am glad you kept the theme tight, but you do not have to keep reminding us that it is lion based.
3. Before I went with my choices for possible items this year, I had made a lion-themed, courage based cloak. It had a very similar feel and theme (even had a “roar” effect when making a charge).
4. I think the second paragraph used to give more description to your sword might have done this item in. I am glad you had visuals and sound AND later you give us touch, more sound, and more visuals. It helps the reader visualize the awesomeness of your weapon. The issue is, try to blatantly show only what is required. Bury the rest in the mechanics (like you did for some of it at the end). That will keep the imagery going without over-loading the reader looking for that one line they need for mechanics.
5. As people told me on my item, I think your item needed a bit of tighter writing. Though, I think you did a better job than I in that regard.
Jerry Keyes’s Glove of the Severed Servant:
Glove of the Severed Servant
1. First off, I would have made this as a +1 spiked gauntlet rather than having it function as one. Yes, it would cost more, but it is a pet-peeve of mine to see someone BE something, but only functions as it. Take charge and go with it from the start.
2. Great work on citing the crawling hand because it isn’t super common imo. This allows the GM and/or player to reference the stats quickly and easily.
3. What kind of action does some of these effects take? A free action? A move action?
4. I feel that if the hand takes damage, then the wearer should ultimately take the damage. Just a personal preference.
5. Nice tight theme, and I think everything stays very cohesive in terms of the glove’s abilities.
faxmachineanthem’s Green Flash:
1. First off, congrats on your First Entry to RPGSS! That is the first big step in this contest. Definitely follow the rest of the season. I want to see your name and other new names in the top 32 for season 10.
2. The idea to this longbow was a favorite of mine. I think the abilities needed a little work.
3. Price and cost. Make sure you include the cost of a masterwork longbow to both values (+375 gp).
4. Personally, I might have gone with the composite longbow (with or without strength rating) since it inherently has a longer range. Just would fit the idea, imo.
5. I feel like giving the wielder (improved) low-light vision is too much. I understand why you would do that, but it just feels like too much of a stretch.
6. The seeking ability on the bow already has a similar effect to your once per day I would just cut that and have the faerie fire ability on there (maybe steal from the Oathbow and whisper into it to get the bonus would be cool). I almost did a ranged weapon with a faerie fire effect this year as well. So, you got upvotes from me based on that.
Joel Flank’s Soul Shackle Bolt:
Soul Shackle Bolt
1. Interesting concept. Useful against enemies and for keeping allies “alive”.
2. There were a couple places where an extra round of line editing would have been useful missing space, two words with similar meaning where one should have been cut, etc.
3. I would have liked to see this sticking strictly to being a dimensional anchor effect, but keeping the part of preventing an ally’s soul from departing the body.
4. Like myself, you suffer from clearly saying what you mean. It can be tough, especially after edits. I know I regret not sending my final draft to at least SOMEONE before submitting. The muddled language can throw people off.
5. A similar design idea that might have worked would have been to start with an “Anchoring Dart”, but then that gets close to stacking too much by also having ghost touch. So, maybe that could have been a bad direction. >.> ramble ramble… My idea is worse >.<
Nickolas Floyd’s Sarkorian Sunderjaw:
Sarkorian Sunderjaw
1. Personally, I don’t like something that has an effect that activates upon a critical hit AND has an expanded threat range on top of that. Just personal preference to stick with one of the other (in this case, drop the threat range).
2. Unless the demon was bigger than just large, I envision this being more club sized rather than a great club.
3. This weapon has the potential to take away the most important attack for some very powerful creatures making them fairly useless. Yes, you might not see this until level 11 or 12 (unless the party pools funds for you), but at those levels you can have Improved Critical. Top that off with the Crit-debuff feats and this thing gets out of hand fast. Consider making it give bite attacks the broken condition as if it were a manufactured weapon.
4. The “on three attacks” part is kind of weird. Maybe just make it a “free action three times per day” things instead.
5. I could really see a demon getting ticked off at a character using this. I know a paladin of mine and a “bard” that would have picked one of these up JUST for that fact.
Kingvan’s Gorgon Sinew Lariat:
Gorgon Sinew Lariat
1. I would leave off the HP, AC, and break DC. Those can be figured out and don’t need to be adjusted just to make it stronger.
2. I am thinking you didn’t need the extra bit about the lasso tightly wrapping anything it entangles.
3. I should have probably noted that stuff when you first showed it to me. Not sure where my brain was, but there was probably too much blood in my caffeine system at the time.
4. The idea was really cool, and gorgons are a classic. Glad you ran with it.
Nazard’s Phase Strike Lenses:
Phase Strike Lenses
1. There are many large creatures that weigh more than 250 pounds. This isn’t a problem, but I do feel a disconnection with the 250 pound limit on an object. But I guess a limit had to be set somewhere.
2. Based on the name, I would have like to have seen these lenses allow the wearer to attack an astral or ethereal creature as if it was corporeal. Maybe I was just reading into the name poorly though.
3. The name and abilities beyond the first just throw me off. Not entirely sure why it affects(ed) me so.
4. I think sticking with the seeing astral and ethereal creatures and being able to do something to them rather than turning a creature or object ethereal would have been the route I would have preferred.
5. There are almost always ethereal/astral interacting items in the contest (in the 4 years I have been voting). This one was one of the better ideas.
pH unbalanced’s Locket of Love's Lure:
Locket of Love's Lure
1. Phrasing like “originally designed by” throws me off. I am sure people are tired of hearing comments like that, but unless your item is an artifact, I, as the GM (or the PC crafting the item), want to drop in my own lore.
2. I can see why you would take the route of adding bleed and the stuff about the skill checks, but I feel it is straying from the fact. I would stick to the charm effect. Maybe continue with abilities meant to “lure” the target of one’s affections.
3. I think drawbacks for decreasing an item’s power is a bad misstep. I assume it was meant to follow lore, but not all voters keep up with Golarion lore. Might have been good to leave that out as well.
4. I loved the name, and really hoped it would do love justice. Love IS a battlefield.
Brigg’s Cyclonic Darkleaf:
Cyclonic Darkleaf
1. I am sure you know I am going to say it already, so I will just come out and say it. Aura strengths. They match the caster level. OF the ITEM. I know we covered that before, and I think that edit might have been lost or forgotten. I saw your item once, and voted it up. THEN I saw it again and realized I had looked the aura over because I thought it had been fixed. Then I continued to see this over and over (I think a total of 9-10 times) and it hurt every time. I didn’t go so far as to down-vote your item because of the error. But it did weigh heavily on my soul.
2. I think the auto-blind ability might have hurt. I tend to dislike “auto-hit” effects.
3. Great cinematics and I was counting on seeing this one go the distance. I don’t think it was the aura that did you in, but perhaps leaf-cinematic items in the past. Not sure, but I hope it was neither of those reasons.
4. The raging cyclone made me think of one of my favorite characters of mine (the same bard I mentioned above in the Sarkorian Sunderjaw critique). Miss playing that character. Actually, I just miss playing in general (PbPs only provide so much enjoyment).
5. Great use of rules and references.
Belabras’s Auric Hush:
Auric hush
1. I really preferred your OTHER item. I think that idea could have gone the distance with some polishing.
2. I am pretty sure I mentioned something about just rounding the price. 1 gp isn’t going to make or break your item (unless it was the cost of a weapon or armor, which this wasn’t).
3. I think you forgot the spaces between paragraphs like I did. Luckily, your item wasn’t almost 300 words.
4. After coming back to this, I realize that the DC is too low for the cost at which you could purchase this (and only marginally useful when you can craft it). A cheaper version with a similar, but lesser effect, would have been much more desirable. Stupid blood in my caffeine system probably made me miss that previously.
5. Oddly enough, I didn’t see this come up much. Maybe 3 times? Twice it appeared next to an item that eventually became top 32 (or an alternate). Not sure if that was good or bad, but just stating a fact.
1. First item of business. This came off as a Swiss Army Knife (SAK). I know it was going for a shark-theme, but some of those abilities don’t match up with in-game shark abilities. I would have made it stick to a bite attack, swim speed, and occasional blindsense/keen scent in water power.
2. With all the powers, I think 10K is way too little for this item. I haven’t priced it, but it just feels powerful. I mean, at a minimum duration, you get up to 1800 HP healed every day (if that is the only tooth you use).
3. I am sure someone has mentioned it already, but magic items with a caster level of 5 or lower have a faint strength.
4. Next year, definitely go with a theme and stick through it, again. Try not to spread too far or give your item too many things. Sometimes 3 powers can be too much, sometimes 4. One or 2 signature affects are best.
Nostrix’s Hell’s Restraints:
Hell’s Restraints
1. Unless I am looking at it incorrectly, remember that magic weapons and armor are priced as price of abilities + amount to purchase MW version of the item. Cost is half the price of the abilities + amount to purchase MW version of item. Add the item cost to each after you have your powers priced (and halved).
2. Beyond the mismatched price/cost, I liked this item. I think you went a tad overboard with adding the climb and moving objects with the chains part (not very “restraining” if you ask me).
3. I think we might be seeing you in the top 32 in the next season or two.
the Haunted Jester ‘s Lookouts Lucky Buckler:
Lookouts Lucky Buckler
1. Magic weapons and armor are priced as price of abilities + amount to purchase MW version of the item. Cost is half the price of the abilities + amount to purchase MW version of item. Add the item cost to each after you have your powers priced (and halved).
2. “Crafted in the memory of” and stuff like that is always a put off to me. I think letting the GMs or PCs add their own flavor works best.
3. Your buckler doesn’t function as a +1 steel buckler. That is too passive. Impart some power and MAKE your buckler a +1 steal buckler. It is like sterilizing equipment. It is either sterilized or not. A doctor doesn’t use a dirty scalpel that functions as a sterilized one.
4. Love the connection between the spell used for crafting and your alias name. Fun little joke you trickster you!
5. I think since you are going with a “lucky” thing, I would have giving it a luck effect to protect the wielder from a trap.
2. If the character cannot carry weapons with it, how do you expect to use the tentacles for grappling and repositioning? I think a bonus to grapple, or something like that would have been better.
3. Now they can also breathe underwater? I think this item was starting to bite off more than it could chew.
That is all for now. I’ll come back soon with more.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
I knew I was going to struggle this round. There are really, really good maps up. There are 17 of them that I think should take the 16 spots. I wonder which of those will be the odd-man out.
The rest did very well too. Great job to all of you!
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Liz, Neil, thank you both for your expert insights and critiques. You both showed me areas where improvement is needed. I will make sure to carry that advice on to future submissions and projects.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Going to slowly make my way through this thread now that I'm back from vacation and mapping. Brain needs rest from 20-ish hours of driving and thinking of monsters over the long weekend.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Lorathorn wrote:
David Higaki wrote:
Lorathorn wrote:
For what it's worth, I am happy to see Hordebreaker on there.
Full disclosure: it was not mine (I only survived 3 culls) but it was among my favorite items.
Muchas gracias! I only wish I had more time to refine it (submitted only 10 minutes before the deadline and I'm aware of at least two things I should have corrected). I'm glad you liked the item, and plenty of others that did, too.
Good luck to you next year!
We were in the same boat, time-wise. Sadly, my entry was not so much a formatting error (that I know of) but just plain old vanilla blandness.
My first entry two years ago was a bust due to blandness as well. I can sympathize.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Template Fu wrote:
I will be starting my reviews soon, and they can be bumpy at times, so here's a starter for 10 on Template ...
You nailed it - ack! no, you didnt, I spotted it - you almost got away with it...
lbs. is plural but you have only one. There can be only 1 lb. when this weight is used. Oh, and the dot was missing too!
*perking up, Fu snatches a victorius snack from this entrant's plate*
*munch*
Full review to follow in due course.
Doh >.< I knew I forgot something(s) when I dropped it from 2 lbs.
Thank you everyone for your comments and encouragement. I can't remember if it is bad form to answer questions on these. So, in order to prevent hurting my chances of progressing, I will be refraining from giving answers about the design (flaws, plans, etc). Again, thank you all for dropping in with critiques and comments. All of them are appreciated. :)
Hope you guys enjoy my map and vote for me in the next round! Thank you!
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Joseph Kellogg wrote:
Well, I've got my map all drawn up, which leaves me the whole evening after work to get it scanned and fiddle with the digital end of things to get it submitted.
How's everyone else doing?
Going to finish some lab works, scan, put on the finishing touches, and type up the description I wrote on last night. Hopefully. Going on vacation later today, so need to submit it a bit early.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Mike Hill wrote:
I'm still unclear on whether or not this map needs to serve as the basis for a single encounter or not. Or if the main focus is that it just be someplace in Golarion that can serve as a location that could hold one or more encounters.
Because in previous entries I see several good examples of maps with multiple levels. But I doubt that would work for a single encounter. I'm not really grasping a solid answer one way or the other.
I think (and this is the way I'm doing my map) is that it is just one single location that serves as the scene/backdrop for an encounter. Perhaps you envision a forest clearing, or a tavern brawl, or a fort. Something along those lines. If you need a better idea, I'd just running by a game shop (or downloading a pdf from online) of one of the flip-mats available from Paizo.
Again, this is just my interpretation and so if I'm wrong, well, hopefully I learn what is correct before I submit tomorrow.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Falling Isaac and going to make a quick intro before I get back to correcting my "cheetos fiasco".
I am a Texan (grew up and continue to live in West Texas). No don't do the cowboy thing. Well, when I was a young kid I did, but I lived in a farm town at that time.
I have my Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry and currently work as a chemist (trace metals and minerals) and microbiologist (water microbiology) for my city's drinking water laboratory. Due to house projects and become a father last year, I actually have stopped playing Pathfinder (and pretty much everything else) other than a couple of play-by-post games.
In order to feed my need for gaming, I recently started blogging about RPGs (mostly Pathfinder and D&D). Of course, just as I started to get in the groove of writing posts, season 9 was announced early. So that project has taken a backseat.
This was my third year to enter, and I blame my best friend Mark. He entered 4 years ago, and got me hooked on the voting. I entered the following year.
This is getting long and so I'll just leave that as it is for now.
Going out of town tomorrow, so I should probably hurry up on this map since I will not be able to submit it during my 11 hour drive.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
Not sure if you can see it now, but in case you and others cannot see the R2 rules here is a quick copy+paste:
Round 2 Rules wrote:
Round 2: Create an Encounter Map Rules
Create an encounter map for a previously unmapped location in Golarion.
Entry title and descriptive text must be submitted through the submission tool at paizo.com/rpgsuperstar. The map image for your entry must be submitted to contest@paizo.com with the subject line "RPG Superstar Round 2 Submission." Both parts of your entry must be submitted by 11:59 PM Pacific time on September 3, or you will be disqualified.
Submissions will be revealed and voting begins on September 8, 2015, and voting ends at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 13, 2015. We'll announce the Top 16 entries on September 14, 2014.
Entry Requirements
Entry must be a map of a fantasy-themed location on Golarion appropriate for an encounter. You may create a map for an encounter set in a city, wilderness, dungeon, or any other fantasy Golarion location appropriate for an encounter map. You may present a map designed for a specific encounter, or one useful for a variety of encounters.
Each entry should have a name for the map. This can be generic (such as "Haunted Alchemy Shop") or specific (such as "The Flooded Cauldron").
The entry should include any notes about what various symbols, lines, shaded areas, each area on the map represents. The map need not be ready-to-publish, but a cartographer given nothing but the map should be able to create an accurate, useful, interesting publishable final map without any other information.
The entry may include up to 50 words of explanation not presented on the map itself. This may be used to explain symbols and shading (to increase map clarity by not presenting that information on the map), to describe background about the location presented, or suggest a specific encounter that may take place at the location. This should not be used to present a full encounter (including things such as tactics and monster statistics), so don't attempt to do so. This challenge is about presenting an interesting and clear map, not about designing a specific game encounter.
Entry must be on a 24 x 30 grid, with a 1 square = 5 feet scale. We've provided a sample grid here.
Your map must be submitted as a 72 ppi .jpg (if you're scaling down a scan of your image, a 24 x 30 inch area translates to 1728 px x 2160 px). A preview of your maps will be shown at a maximum 500 px width, with a link to the full size image you've provided.
Your map may be color, grayscale, or black and white.
Your map may be in either vertical or horizontal orientation.
Your map may be hand-drawn or computer-generated (maps generated in Photoshop, MS Paint, or similar are acceptable).
Your map must have a compass rose indicating north, and a scale ("one square = 5 feet").
Artistic merit of the map is not a factor, but your maps should be a place you would want to adventure. Make sure your map is clear, detailed, and imaginative.
Submitted maps should be legible, neat, and contain all of the necessary information from which a cartographer could create a professional map illustration for a published adventure. If your handwriting is hard to read, consider using the text tool on an image-manipulating program to create the text on your map; alternatively, print out the text on a separate page, cut out the text into small sections, tape it to the map, and create a scan of the tagged map.
If your map has features that aren't immediately recognizable, consider adding a map key (• = pillar, o = barrel, and so on). All this information must either fit within the 24 x 30 area of the map or be included in the 50-word descriptive text. NO other material may be presented beyond the map's name, what is on the map itself, and the 50-word descriptive text. If you add too much information, you map will be cluttered and part of the space not used well. Be judicious.
Maps must be emailed to contest@paizo.com with the subject line "RPG Superstar Round 2 Submission" no later than 11:59 PM Pacific time on September 3.
Donald Robinson
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
,
Star Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9
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While preparing for bed, i forgot some important thank yous.
Would like to thank my friends and wife for their encouragement. Also, big thank you for the people like Brigg and others that pointed out all the flaws with my design and asked that I submit one of my other ideas. The tough critiques really set me straight on how to make this item shine. Pun some what intended.
(I'll send personal thank you emails/pms once time permits).
