Evan Draughon's page

Are these still available? I know it said there were only 50 so I wasnt sure.

** spoiler omitted **

Thanks for the feedback Bryan. How I initially wrote the item is that it would auto happen whenever the user rolled a one. I then thought about giving people the choice which is why I chose my wording with this sentence. "...allows the wearer to immediately treat this roll..." I probably should of used a "may" variation of the words instead to make sure it was clear that it was the users choice of whether or not they wanted the success and the penalty or if they wanted to wait for another opportunity where it could be more useful to the player/group.

I do see the "meta-game" effects that this item offers and I plan on trying to work around my future designs differently to avoid this.

Thanks for the feedback on my item!

Evan Draughon wrote:

Lucky Golden Tooth
Aura moderate divination; CL 6th
Slot none; Price 30,000 gp; Weight –
Description
This brightly polished golden...

I saw this one frequently and upvoted it often. It's simple and cool.

Thanks Ben. Glad it was something you enjoyed!

Sean McGowan wrote:

Honorable Mention

Cyclone Flags

Thankee kindly, sir, thankee kindly.

I do have to say that your Cyclone Flags were one of my favorite items! Great work Prizrak!

11 Lucky Golden Tooth

Thanks for the confidence in my item Sean!

Here was my first time entry into the contest. I would like to start off saying thanks to everyone who gave me feedback during the weeks leading up to the submission and the few reviews I received the past few weeks.

The biggest complaint I heard and I sure it hurt me is that it is a golden tooth and people naturally thought of it as "bling". I honestly did not see it like that until I saw people saying that. I had the thought of pirates, traveling salesmen from lands much like Osirion, shady bandit leaders, etc. I am sure people discounted it as a joke item though which was an unfortunate oversight on my part.

I also knew I was taking a risk with the mechanics of the item but I personally feel they were well thought out. Biased opinion of course :D Instead of thinking of a cool spell and how I could add it into something that isn't a pair of gloves with similar spell like abilities or just controlling effects with an item I tried to analyze the game and what takes the fun away for people. I know it is gut wrenching when you just HAVE to make that roll and you roll a natural 1. I have seen it ruin the whole night in certain situations and I felt like this would be the ultimate turn around for what could be an unfortunate outcome for the group. Maybe I over thought it though :D

I did get some critiques that the item did not have enough flavor and I completely agree. I was more focused on delivering mechanics in a solid way with something that I could not find any information or rules on. Next year though I plan on using all that creativity I shoved aside.

Thanks for the input and advice if you give any! I hope to learn from everything I hear and apply it to future projects I have already planned out. Looking forward to practicing this year with the Paizo community and hopefully getting my opportunity next year.

Lucky Golden Tooth
Aura moderate divination; CL 6th
Slot none; Price 30,000 gp; Weight –
Description
This brightly polished golden tooth can turn an unfortunate event into a favorable one for its wearer. This golden cap may be placed over the tooth of any Medium or smaller sized humanoid creature to bestow a blessing of luck to him.
When the wearer of lucky golden tooth rolls a natural 1 on any single attack roll, opposed ability or skill check, combat maneuver check, or saving throw; the lucky golden tooth flashes brightly and allows the wearer to immediately treat this roll as if he’d rolled a natural 20 instead. Once this ability has been used, the tooth’s normally bright golden surface fades to a dull copper.
While the tooth is golden, the wearer receives a +1 luck bonus to all saving throws. Once the tooth becomes copper, the wearer suffers a -1 penalty to all saving throws. This penalty still applies even if the tooth is removed. After resting for eight hours, the tooth regains its golden color and can be used once more. At any time, a character may only wear one lucky golden tooth.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, timely inspiration, divine favor; Cost 15,000 gp

Sorry I posted in the wrong one >.< Thats what I get for having 15 tabs open at a time lol

Good luck guys and girls :)

I was happy with my entry though it got some hate, and I look forward to seeing what the people liked as well the judges thoughts on everything. Even if I don't make top 32, this competition has inspired me to really focus on writing and I look forward to maybe trying out some freelance submissions during the upcoming year. I think I am more excited for feedback and discussing my item more so than seeing if I made top 32 or not.

Hats off to the folks who spent numerous weeks and months getting their material in order for this, I hope the hard work pays off for everyone.

Covent wrote:

Papasteve08 wrote:

Alright everyone: If you decide you want to trade lists, please reply to this and add your name to the list so we can keep it up to date. Then have fun going back through and finding these guys to PM your list to!

I can't say this enough, thanks to everyone who is participating!

People who want to trade lists with you:

Papasteve08
Acre
Jrcmarine
Chris Shaeffer aka Hodge Podge
Shadders
Eric Morton aka Epic Meepo
James Risner
Kalervo Oikarinen aka lumiapina
Samuel Stone
Wicht
Giorgios Abate aka Gio
Tokoz
Joseph Kellogg aka RainyDayNinja
michaeljpatrick
Anthony Adam
Zi'on Darkbane
James Raine aka FaxCelestis
Netopalis
Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan
Donald Robinson
Andrew Marlowe aka Locke1520
Mikko Kallio aka Serpent
Devilfluff
Azouth
Reckless
Garrick Williams aka Cyrad
Aeris Fallstar
Matthew Dillon aka Covent

People who just want to see your list, but don't have a list to trade:
Thunderbuckets
Wolfboy
Nickolas Floyd
Nikou
DLandonCole
*New* Evan Draughon

Nah, I know my item is awesome and being upvoted 80% of the time. I am just here to share the love. :)

(I stopped reading the rambling thread some 4k posts ago :)

It can be disheartening at times.

Still haven't seen mine post cull :(

Well back to voting in search of my thing-a-majiger!

Garrick Williams wrote:

The only reason the rulebooks list items as "Item, Magic" is for easy reference since items have variants and rulebooks alphabetize magic items. The actual names of the items are still "Magic Item."

True, but it's still legit, I'd say. IIRC, two or three years ago, the judges praised someone for using that format. Maybe Mike Welham's raptor gloves? (Nope, wasn't them. Can't find the comment now, though Gloves, Charlatan did make it in in 2012.)

Yeah I remember seeing that when I was doing my homework. Wasn't sure how and when to use it properly though at the time.

Still seeing new items!

Been a slow day for it. Everyone is busy or they have run out of new frustrations!

It's hard for me to talk too much in detail about how and why I did what I did without spoiling it. =/

Evan Draughon wrote:

I would be very interested to hear the different approaches to the contest. These few weeks are going to drive me mad lol

Voice Of Reason wrote:

Evan,

I'll chime in here (without being specific about my item).

Since you asked I'll chime in too.

This year I changed my approach from previous years. Following advice that can be found throughout the Superstar threads but was reiterated to me in person during Gencon, I began my design with a cinematic visual which I jotted down immediately. Then I imagined what sort of item could give me that visual and wrote down a brief description of the item. Then I tried to imagine what effect in game terms that visual would have and wrote that down.

Each of these bits was clunky and messy but I had something I could refine. So over a couple of days I slashed words, cut more words, eliminated some passive voice, cut a few more words, rearranged the order, added some words which were summarily cut and or moved, worried at the pricing, shared it with a couple friends (thanks guys!) listened to some advice ignored other advice, read it aloud, ran it through Sean's advice thread made sure it didn't have any of the "don't"s, reviewed the grammar, repeated some of those steps, changed the name a half dozen times and finally submitted.

Mostly it looks like it did even in those first moments just shinier. I'm very happy with the results even if I don't make The top 32. In fact I've never been calmer about releasing an item into the wild than I am this year.

Yeah I took to reading as much as I could in the advice forums as well. I went the opposite approach though and decided to work on mechanics first, then tried to add in the visuals around it. I wasn't nervous about the release of the item, I am more anxious about the reveals though. (First year entering btw)

Evan Draughon wrote:

I would be very interested to hear the different approaches to the contest. These few weeks are going to drive me mad lol

Evan,

I'll chime in here (without being specific about my item).

I tried to submit an item that did NOT affect combat. I feel there's enough of that. I tried to go more for a utility item used in general adventuring. I think I've erred in NOT putting a sentence about possible uses, and voters will be quick to overlook it as too bland. I also think I've priced the item a bit low, but I was trying to use the approach of comparing the value of the item vs. others in the games. When I found an amount that made me think I'd take either item, I considered that the sweet spot.

When I submitted my item, I felt good about it. Now, after seeing many submissions, I'm not so sure. I'd like to post my item afterwards to hear where I could improve.

As for voting, my friend put it this way (& I tend to agree): I try to vote for the item that I'd like to see in my home game. When I see two good items, then which item would I like to see in a hardcover Paizo book. I prefer items that I can understand in 1 read, add flavor, and are consistant with game blance.

Good luck with your item. I hope you do well!

Thanks for the response Voice. Yeah I find myself enjoying the items that are not combat orientated. I still rather enjoy my item after looking at some of the others and I'm still hoping others do as well! One of the first things I look at is formatting. If it was completely disregarded then I have a hard time taking it seriously. After that though, the body of the idea is what I look at. Pricing and CL can be taught but creativity is something that is harder for people to teach someone. Best of luck to you this year!

I think you broke it Jacob :P

I would be very interested to hear the different approaches to the contest. These few weeks are going to drive me mad lol

I don't have an issue with the longer items. What I do not like though are the ones that do not have any formatting in the regards of starting new paragraphs. The giant wall of text makes it hard for me to keep my attention fully on critiquing the item.

First solid item that I really like. Awesome visuals, enjoyed the writing style, solid ability. A keep in my book!

Well I saw my item 3 times yesterday but not once today. Bummer :(

Funny how many items I see of ideas that I threw out earlier on. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing though.

Rules are meant to be broken of course!

Garrick Williams wrote:

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:

My first frog item after lots of Wondrous Magic Ninja Turtles.

what's a magic ninja turtle?

They're much less famous than their Teenage Mutant Muggle cousins.:)

AKA New X-Men

Okay, thanks Covent. I do want some feedback since this is my first year! I am super excited for that part lol

So at the end of this thing do they post all of the items so you can see the critiques on them and critique for others?

Wondering if its the one I am on now Jacob lol

A lot of marbles as well.

I think I should go get some lunch before encountering more soups!

*stretch* back to the grind! morning everybody :D

Done for the night! See everyone tomorrow!

I have seen mine 3 times at the moment. Seen a few others numerous times as well. I do though see a new item every 2-3 pairings at least.

I haven't seen as many weapons as I thought I would at least.

Yeah, my original/innovative idea was used as well. Though not in the same way at least.

Is it a bad thing when I think of spousal abuse when reading the item? Next item please

Cathara/Robich is correct!

50 word count! New personal best!

Yeah I noticed the LoL powers as well. I understand taking inspiration but mix it up some!

Is there a method as to how the two items are paired together?

Yeah I like the items that are around 200 and get the point across!

Yeah I have seen about 4-5 items so far that I really like. Faith restored!

Yeah I saw a few tough ones that I wouldn't want to see as a GM.

We dont need any stinking party members!

Even if something isnt formatted properly, the item itself can be better than a properly formatted item correct?

Seeing a good number of decks and a few weapons as well.

Yeah I am noticing a lot of that as well Adam.

I am not. However, it gives me an error when I submit my vote (assuming it's caused by the mass amount of people trying to vote)

First time entry! Super excited to see how I do and to get some critique! Good luck everybody. I know that we will get to see some awesome designs this year.