Jrcmarine's page

I will change to Chelaxian. As for gear, I added a container named "storage" and placed gear in there. That container represents a room I have rented or a hide out or storage unit. Gear contained in there is not on my person. I did buy multiple kits and then sold back the items in the kit I didn't need.

I will update everything over the next couple of days. I am in the hospital for the next couple of days as our baby is finally here!

BOT me if need be. I am on military training until the 17th of May. I will check in sporadically. I am taking another level of warrior.

Given the mood of the tomato tossing troglodytes, Exxor's performance is at least a passing attempt. Although, he wonders if he has nothing more than a red faced Hippa to thank for his good fortune!

[dice=Perform (Assist)]1d20+1

Tomatoes to the face are always a good motivator!

I agree with Neil regarding comment. Last year you could tell who was doing well in each round by the number of posts to their thread. The less posts, the less likely they were to advance. I received mixed reviews on my item and was middle of the pack with hits. My monster was pretty popular, despite his flaws, and my thread saw lots of hits. My location wasn't as popular and you could see that in the number of hits. Those that did comment were great because it provided me with insight, even if the poster was merely validating what the judges said. It still was nice to see people engaged in the contest.

There was a lot of voter fatigue last year and I am closely watching this year to see if voter fatigue sets in earlier and harder than last year. Even though I haven't advanced this year, I am going to keep an eye on the contest and try to offer comments throughout. I know I appreciated ALL feedback that I received throughout. And I know it was a little disheartening the deeper I got into the competition to see less and less voters involved.

Trust Neil on this one. Comment, comment, comment. The contestants appreciate it more than you know.

I put on my Wanderer's Coat the other day and ended up in the Town of Griffin Falls. It seemed to be a happy little town with a lot going on. The panhandling should be good. I was confused by the lack of Griffons anywhere in the town but one of the locals straightened me out on that point. I usually only spend a day or two in a town before donning my Wanderer's Coat and teleporting away, but the Town of Griffin Falls captured my attention and I stayed for much longer than I normally would.

Great job, DQ. Town maps are hard and you did a very nice one. Kudos!

Christopher Wasko wrote:

I can't remember the name, but I really liked the battleaxe that stripped away targets' cold resistance. Very cool mechanic (no pun intended), one that I may very well steal for future designs!

I believe the name of that one was Rimefang. I remember because the name was similar to my own item.

You are correct- it was called Rimefang. I remember because it reminded me of an item from Dragonlance.

I don't mind the feedback and as I mentioned before, I have a thick skin. The point of this thread wasn't to have my items critiqued. The point was to see what alternatives people had thought about submitting and then to see if they made the right choice.

As for the criticism, I totally welcome it but I wouldn't create an entire thread dedicated to the critiquing of my items. That would really be arrogant and self-centered.

Anyway, mplindustries- to respond to your critiques.

Although some of that may come off as snarky, I didn't mean it in that manner at all. I really appreciate your comments and think several of them have great merit and will help me in designing items. So thank you very much.

Hmm I am going to break the rules and post my top 5.

First World Sliver (Lance)
Raven Leather
Molten Belcher
Enkindled Quarterstaff
Fury of the Mountain (Hammer)

What kills me is that none of my top 5 made top 32. I had several of my top 32 make it- Pyroclastic Spike, Rod of Exorcism, Psychopomp's Crosier, Earthcracker, Spectre's Blight and Fraud's Rod.... but not my top 5. Hell not even my top 8!

Of all the items on my list I am most surprised that the Lance didn't make Top 32. It was in my top 5.

I agree with Anthony and Laik, but the skewing and bullying only occurs if the anonymity of items is compromised, which I believe happened this year.

The voters, especially those who vote a lot, do need a forum to vent, which is what that forum was originally for. So there is a balance somewhere.

I have heard some people say contestants need to have a thick skin. What they should be saying is prospective designers need to have a thick skin, and then they need to remember that not all contestants are prospective designers.

Just because someone enters and participates in the contest doesn't mean they are interested in becoming a designer.

The Blazing Nine Thread exists throughout the year which fills the niche you are discussing, but the catalyst for that thread and the associated creativity is the competition. Without the catalyst, threads like TB9 and CMI have no food to fuel them.

For many would be designers and even those interested in only learning about design for their home game, RPGSS serves as fuel for the fire, the catalyst. From the competition threads like TB9 and CMI are created where individuals can go to receive non-threatening (usually) critique from their peers. It also provides them with validation.

I don't think the only reason Paizo has this competition is to find one new designer. In fact I don't think it is the primary reason. As I mentioned earlier, it is to foment creativity in the community. It also serves to foster incredible amounts of good will between Paizo and the players and between players and other players, which is why people get angry about the snark thread, because it is perceived as flying in the face of the good will engendered by the contest. I argue that it is merely a forum for venting one's voter fatigue which is why I got upset and stopped posting this year because I felt it singled out too many entries in a specific manner, but that is an entirely different conversation/thread.

I guess what I am saying is the contest isn't only about the Top 32, far from it. It is obvious to me that you care a great deal about the contest and all of the subsequent rounds. So let me ask you a question.

Does the CMI thread deter you from voting in the competition?

If the answer is no, then there is no need to worry about it overshadowing the Top 32.

Eric Morton wrote:

The way the contest is set up right now, for hundreds of people, the Top 32 reveal is just a speed-bump on the way to the Critique My Item thread. Everywhere I look in this forum right now, I am seeing posts that essentially say, "Looks like my item got culled. I can't wait to post it in the Critique My Item thread."

But that is not anything to do with the way the contest is set up, nor the purpose of it, and everything to do with participants own (misguided?) expectations about what the contest is for.

If all people are worried about is, "please critique my item," there are numerous places elsewhere on the forums for them to engage in such creative, communal feedback that aren't connected to the contest, and won't diminish the point of the whole competition.

It's simply a matter of putting the hardwired "risk/reward" mentality on the backburner* and refocusing on the clear, stated purpose of RPG Superstar. It's not for immediate gratification, and if that's what people need and/or crave, then I think they're looking in the wrong place.

(*Or, as noted above, finding an alternative creative outlet to engage in design and critique, and just waiting to share your item in the meanwhile.)

If the CMI thread is more popular and receives more attention than the Top 32 and all other subsequent RPGSS threads, that should tell you more about the voters and what's important to them. Trying to "prop" up RPGSS by delaying the CMI thread isn't the solution. Those people aren't truly interested in following RPGSS unless they are participating.

I argue this defines the majority of the voters and back it up by the number of posts in the RPGSS threads from past years vs. the CMI posts. I also argue that the main benefit of RPGSS to both the community and Paizo diminishes significantly after each round. The largest benefit of the competition is to motivate hundreds, maybe thousands, of people to think creatively and possibly think about designing for this wonderful game. The benefit is to introduce new designers to all of the companies that produce material for this game. It's only natural that as more people are eliminated, their interest wanes in the contest and turns toward improving themselves, which the CMI thread facilitates. How many published designers have been found through this competition, yet never made Top 32? How many published designers that don't follow the contest once they were eliminated have been found through this competition? I don't know the answers but I bet they would surprise most people.

The people who are interested in following the competition won't have their interest distracted because of the CMI thread. However, they may be distracted because they are interested in following both threads. Following Eric's suggestions, or some hybrid, is a great idea that I feel should be explored.

Post Cull List

Bravo! Bravo! Encore, encore!

It seems to me the antagonists assume a backstory indicates an individual item's history. It is possible to have a backstory that involves a type of magical weapon, rather than a specific individual item. I would also argue that one or two short descriptive sentences about that background can be helpful.

In this competition the background, if any is included, should be PF specific and not home specific. I don't have a problem with the description of the Treasure Hunter's Belt Buckle including a sentence or two describing Osirion nobles' needs to construct these items. Don't go overboard and don't beat me in the head with the obvious though.

I don't think specific NPCs should be mentioned. Items associated with named PF lore tend to be specific to that character and/or tend to be over-powered to facilitate the story. Not every magic item IS a Legacy Item (stealing idea from 3.5), but every item has the potential to possess a Legacy. Adding too much backstory from the start negates the GM/Player's ability to create that Legacy.

The best magic items from my long history of playing D&D had cool abilities that were descriptive but not overpowered. In fact some of my favorite items might not have been considered Superstar, but they were my favorites because they were useful and became associated with my favorite characters. My oldest non-retired character has a modified Gem Bow from 2nd Edition, and yes, I still play this character. A Gem Bow is a cool item but not a WHOA! item. That Gem Bow is my favorite item. This character has some other memorable and powerful items, a foreskin ring of masculinity (don't ask), twin hand axes made of Ruby that border on artifacts, a ring that does multiple things a thief would love, but my favorite item is that Gem Bow. Not only is it my favorite but it is my GM's favorite as well. At one point in our campaign the GM "cleaned house" of our too numerous magic item cache, we entered a room that continually cast Mordenkainen's Disjunction until you figured out how to get out of the room. My character had every item rendered non-magical except a +5 Stone Dagger. When the GM took an inventory of the party's remaining magic item cache and discovered the Gem Bow was among the casualties he was as distressed as I was and he used GM fiat to reverse the outcome for that item.

I guess the point of this long rambling post is to say backstories are great, but let the GM and the characters create their own backstories. If creating a backstory helps in your item creation process then by all means, use a backstory. Don't include your backstory in your item's description. Let everyone create their own stories and they will love your item even more than you do.

TealDeer wrote:

Do y'all think it would be kosher to post and share practice maps, ...

Hi TealDeer. If you were to personally ask me (but you have not)... the answer is no.

Share what you have with those you trust. Protect your IP (until you decide how and when to let it go). What you have others might not have. What you think is common and trite may be uncommon and worthy.

As collegial as this process is, part of becoming an independent business person is identifying your competitive edge and utilising it (with all good grace of course!).

The fact that you are working through the process ahead of time is sensible - why disperse the benefit of that at this time?

Keep plugging away and the rewards will come.

Touch my IP! Love it! Touch it!

Jeff, I totally agree with that example and have seen several of those in the competition. The description of the item even indicates that it is something else that can be used as a weapon. The name of the item even dubs it something else.

But what about this?

Riddick's Magic Tea Stirrer
+3 heartseeker punch dagger that allows you to screw off the jeweled hilt thrice per day and drink an invigorating tea that acts as a potion of heroism for 5 rounds?

And then another wondrous item. Sorry, but that is not a weapon just because it can be used as one and you say it is a weapon...

I wish I could talk with you about some of these wondrous items turned weapons. I am curious what criteria you are using to determine if an item was previously a wondrous item prior to the competition. Don't get me wrong, I have seen some weapons and armor that I think were wondrous items prior to the competition.

I am curious because I have a feeling some people might think my entry was a Wondrous Item prior to the competition and it most certainly was not. It was always the type of item it ended up being from the start.

So I guess my question is what makes a weapon/armor appear to be a wondrous item in a previous incarnation?

Huh- Tea for Two and Two for Tea. That Tea for you and Tea for Me...

Oh yeah, I finally found the tea.

Well..that was a lot more words than I meant to write. That will teach James Casey to ask me questions.

I enjoy your verbosity.

THK- your response surprised me a little bit. We have probably voted a similar amount of times this year and I have seen very few weapons that only had special abilities such as bashing or keen. I have seen some but not a lot. Most of the weapons I have seen have had some thematically attached ability which fits the criteria of the rules. I have found Armors have violated that rule more than weapons.

The rules don't require the weapons/armor be "one of" items. The rules state they should be specific named items. Using my interpretation of the rules, a Trident of Fish command fits that definition. No where in its description does it state there is only one Trident of Fish Command created. In fact I would argue, "one of" items tend to be artifacts, intelligent weapons, or plot devices.

If I have interpreted your point of view incorrectly please repost.

As for the rest of your observations, I tend to agree. I have liked a lot more armor than you have, although I know the measuring stick you are using so I understand your point of view there.

Another cool idea for the monster round: The torc orc, a new sub-species. They can wear torcs in any of their magic item slots. They're often encountered wearing nothing but torcs.

These already existed, Mikko. They were called Celts!

Are you aware of the following?

PRD wrote:

Physical Description: Rods weigh approximately 5 pounds. They range from 2 feet to 3 feet long and are usually made of iron or some other metal. (Many, as noted in their descriptions, can function as light maces or clubs because of their hardy construction.) These sturdy items have AC 9, 10 hit points, hardness 10, and a break DC of 27.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/rods

James, I am aware that many rods serve a dual function. I don't have a problem with that. My problem is when the rod's primary function is as a weapon. A magical Rod's primary function or ability shouldn't be a bludgeoning weapon, that should merely be incidental to the Rod. It even says in the above description that they function because of their hardy construction, not because they are crafted to be a weapon.

Why else have a Rod if you are mainly using it as a Mace or club? Why not go and get a magical mace/club that does the exact same thing in combat. What is the point of the Rod as a magical item if it is primarily serving as a light mace or club with some added on abilities?

There are exceptions of course, Rod of Lordly Might or Rod of Dwarven Might as examples. But I don't see those as Superstar as I am sure you don't either.

Azouth wrote:

How about theses two, bow of ashes or devil's key.

I appreciate the perspective. Here's mine--tell me what I'm missing:

....

Read Moik's post because I REALLY think he/she gets it. The purpose of designing a superstar item isn't to circumvent the rules, create something that makes existing spells, items, or rules obsolete or even to create something that every character wants.

The first round in particular is to figure out who can create something that catches the eye either by its uniqueness, creativity, MOJO, or an undefinable quality. The subsequent rounds of the competition require a better knowledge of the rules and mechanics and those rounds rely much more on them. I think the predominant thing that is looked for in the first round is creativity. Even if an item violates rules or seems useless, if the creativity behind its creation is inspired, that is what the judges as well as many voters are looking for.

Think about some of the iconic items from D&D's history. The Hand and Eye of Vecna for instance. No one in their right mind would use those items or pay for them. Yes they are artifacts and yes they are more GM tools, BUT they have MOJO. There is something about them that catches the interest of a player. Look at last year's monster round and see if you think any of those are superstar worthy. If so, figure out what qualities of that monster make t superstar in your mind and see if they are applicable to items/weapons/etc.

Although a lot of people didn't think my item from last year was Superstar, the judges liked it very much. It wasn't the technical aspect of my item that impressed them. In fact I screwed up some of the technical which is why one judge downvoted it.

I think the flavor and the different mechanics is what made it standout to the judges. In the end all my item did was give some skill bonuses for social encounters and allow a party to plant rumors.

It was the manner in which the power was applied, decribed and explained that made it Superstar.

Am I the odd man out in having a negative bias against evil items? I mean out and out evil items that have evil somewhere in their construction requirements or in their description?

Not that I'm holding this against anything that this qualifies for:

Please do your research on historical size before describing something. I can't tell you how many [redacted] are only [redacted] [redacted] long.

That's what she said...

Alcohol abuse.

Santa gave me an early present last night and I finally saw me item. I was able to beathe a sigh of relief and get a good night's sleep.

Alright, giving a two sentence physical description of your staff then listing 4 spells it casts is NOT superstar. It may be thematically correct. It may be a plausible and/or reasonable magic item for a character to possess. But it is NOT superstar.

I had to read that twice before I realized it wasn't an erotic body part! Stick to common words people. Fancy words don't equal superstar.

Yay! My first keep item and to my surprise, it's a staff!

I'm all for a little descriptive text, but c'mon! Get to the point! At 290 words the item better be awesome, not just a wall of unimportant backstory...

Cohort has arrived!
Savannah Michele
Level 1 Temptress (humanoid)
STR 1 DEX 1 CON 3 INT ? WIS ? CHA 99
SU: Undeniable Charm- Gaze Attack; no saving throw

Just a suggestion. I used skype for over a year with my regularly palying group of 20+ years now that we are all in different parts of the country. We switched over to roll20.net and are much happier.

I strongly suggest you look at using that application as opposed to Skype for gaming.

I am EST posting. Multiple posts per day should not be a problem for me most days, unless i have a drill weekend which is once a month.

I should be included in this AP because I am very excited to be starting one of my first PBPs. After over 20 years of gaming, it's good to get back to a text based game! I am reminded of the MUDs that got me in trouble in college!

Aroden... Is that you? Wanna spar?

I vote for a Shark. You could carry it around in a small wagon drawn aquarium!

Well Peter if you reading this, please know that you are missed and your friend is in our prayers.

Hmmm, alright, not to beat a dead horse... (i don't want to let a chwal loose in the guildhall), is everyone able to see my hometown after my name? Is everyone able to see their hometown listed after their name? The reason I ask? I hadn't considered that I am unable to see my own hometown because it is my name and of course, I already know where I live.

I didn't keep a formal list, but I think all but one of those I really liked either showed up in the top 100, in one of your lists above, or got pretty positive reviews over in the critique thread.

The missing one is "Pickled Orc's Feet". I'm hoping the owner posts it in the critique thread.

I loved the pickeled orc's feet. That and canned beating. I know they were a little jokey, but I really liked them and thought they were very very creative.

This small mottled brown and green dragon sits on a disheveled baby doll while snacking on a piece of discarded meat covered in maggots.

Filth Dragon CR 3
XP 800
NE Tiny Dragon
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Scent; Perception +8
Aura stench (10 ft., DC 14, 5 rounds)
----- Defense -----
AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +3 natural, +2 size)
hp 31 (4d12+4)
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +5
Immune disease, paralysis, sleep; SR 14
Weaknesses light sensitivity
----- Offense -----
Speed 10 ft., fly 30 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d4-1)
Space 3 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks breath weapon, distraction (Fort DC 14 negates)
Spells Known (CL 4th; concentration +6)
2nd (4/day) – detect thoughts
1st (7/day) – charm person, interrogation, ray of sickening
0 (at will) – arcane mark, mage hand, mending, message, open/close
----- Statistics -----
Str 8, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 14
Feats Cosmopolitan, Persuasive
Skills Bluff +10, Fly +7, Intimidate +12, Knowledge (local) +10, Linguistics +7, Perception +10, Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +7, Swim +15
Languages Common, Aklo, Draconic
SQ water breathing
----- Ecology -----
Environment city/urban
Organization solitary or clan (2-7)
Treasure standard
----- Special Abilities -----
Breath Weapon (Su) A 5ft. swarm of tiny maggots (1HD) is exhaled up to 10ft. away from the filth dragon. The breath weapon possesses all swarm traits, except as noted in this description. The swarm can immediately attack any creature in the space which it forms, dealing 1d3 damage. Creatures standing in the space where the swarm forms make a Ref save DC 14 to negate this attack. They must also make a Fort save DC 14 or become sickened for 1 round. A filth dragon can use this breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. The swarm continues attacking for 3 rounds before dispersing. The save DC is Constitution-based. This breath weapon may be empowered using feats.
Spells A filth dragon casts spells as a 4th-level sorcerer.

Filth dragons are cunning collectors of trash and information. Skulking in the sewers below the major cities of the Inner Sea, they accumulate the discarded detritus of people’s lives for bargaining, blackmail and trade. Those adventurers who encounter the reclusive filth dragon discover a treasure trove of local knowledge.

Filth dragons are cautious yet friendly toward potential clients seeking information. In combat filth dragons attempt to subdue an enemy relying on their breath weapon, distraction ability, and spells.

Filth dragons primarily eat the refuse found in trash, feasting on rotten vegetables, eggshells, and any other discarded food item. They will also eat rats, fish, and insects. They have a particular fondness for rotten meat which provides both sustenance and defense.

Filth dragons are eclectic hoarders, possessing everything from a gold candlestick to a dented watering can. The lair of a filth dragon is a dam, comprised of accumulated trash piled on top of collected sewer muck, usually near a stagnant pool of water in the filthiest portions of the sewers. This dam possesses the stench quality (15ft., DC 14). Filth dragons store rotten food inside these “dams” to harvest maggots for nutrition and to fuel their breath weapon. Filth dragons usually live in small clans of 2 -7 dragons consisting of a mated pair and their offspring, although larger families of filth dragons do exist in larger cities.

It is rumored the filth dragons of Cassomir often exchange information with the derro of Corgunbier and facilitate a large portion of the humanoid slave trade there.

Thank you all so very much! As I left work today and was finally able to look online and see my item in the top 32 I whooped out loud and fist-pumped. I haven't felt this giddy about a competition in a long time. I appreciate all of the feedback and plan on responding as soon as I have my monster completed. Again I am excited, overwhelmed and so very eager to share the crazy, creepy things that rattle around in my brain!

I made it past the cull! Woot! 

So my item could bring me $18.00 pre-tax?! Woo hoo!

I like the golem! I shouldn't need magic items to create a town or base of operations. Our party claimed thistletop as our base of operatios and are in the process of making it over. That being said, we don't need magic items to do said makeover, that is why we hire NPCs. I would rather hire NPCs and support the local economy than do it with a magic item.

A couple of items make me sad. The writing is good, the flavor is cool but it's an item that just wouldn't really be used by an adventurer. Ultimately Pathfinder is about heroes and their adventures. While an adventurer may have collected many magical items that assist in the mundane portion of their lives, the items that are written about in stories are the ones that help them kill monsters or overcome challenges when adventuring. A magic threshing machine that increases crop yield (not a real item, I just made this up) is not what I am looking for in RPGSS. A magical dental chair that allows me to fill people's teeth faster and without novocaine (see previous made up item note) is neat but not RPGSS worthy and imho a designer that has missed the point of the competition.

I prefer non-gonzo non-combat wondrous items that help players/parties overcome RP problems or assist them. As an actor for my entire life, RPing NPC interaction has always been a strong suit of mine; however many people are not very good at that part of the game, even if it is their favorite part! I prefer items that assist those players.

Our games usually have a lot of puzzles, traps or riddles so I also like items that assist with that aspect of the game without breaking the rules too much or creating a GM headache.

And of course we have combat as well, but that is what weapons and armor are for. The farmer, merchant, miller, tinker, barrister, etc. portions of our career take place outside of our game time and have little to no impact on the campaign. In the few instances where they do, a magic item is still irrelevant.

Pamela Elizabeth wrote:

Jrcmarine wrote:

Glowing poop for the 4th time!

Does it need to be smeared?

Yes. It requires the trowel of poop smearing.

Thanks for spoiling my next year's item, Mike!

Glowing poop for the 4th time!

Yay, I finally saw the mini-item I liked, again!