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It's my pleasure to announce West Virginia's first 5 star GM. This time it was for Andrew Shumate who is know on the forums as Netopalis. I had the pleasure of GMing his first RPG table ever at Charcon in October 2012. He has since become a stalwart part of the Pathfinder Society community and one of the pillars that keep the West Virginia lodge standing. He has run more than 250 tables in that time. He was in this year's top 32 in RPG superstar. Andrew as become a master GM whose skill has far surpassed my own. He pays attention to the game's pacing and ensures there is time for combat and role-play for each player, yet still ends on time. He has great rules mastery, not only handling obscure combinations with little effort, but also using the flexibility built into them to provide a fun and balanced game for the unique characters that come to the table. I could go on for awhile, but I also have some comments from others who have played with Andrew. "I had the privilege of being a part of Andrew’s fifth-star table, though I have at least twenty other sessions over the course of the past two years, with Andrew at the helm, to draw my opinions from. Andrew’s rules mastery is outstanding, and his preparedness at the table, even during game days he is not scheduled to run, is reflected by the high-caliber sessions he performs for his players. Andrew relishes the opportunities for role-play in scenarios, gives combat-minded players ample opportunity to shine, and is able to balance the two so expertly that it is rare that his slots go over the suggested duration. Away from the table, Andrew makes himself open to questions and constructive criticisms, and is always requesting from his players ways to improve. Andrew’s “capstone” session, Encounter at the Drowning Stones, is a scenario I have run before, and proved to be another quality session that I have come to expect and enjoy from his tables." "I have played at Andrew Shumate's table and he does an excellent job running the Pathfinder Society scenarios. His knowledge of the rules is at a very high level and this provides for a very smooth flow to the game. He doesn't stray from the parameters set fourth by the scenario. However, when the G.M. is given the chance to use his discretion, he handled things in a very creative, fair, and fun manner. Even when the scenario is challenging, it is a great experience. He is an excellent G.M. and deserves his fifth star." It's an honor to make this announcement, and to have Andrew as a friend. Congratulations!
It is a privilege and an honor for me to announce the certification of a new 5 star GM for Virginia. Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to present to you, Venture-Captain Adam Swinder of Blacksburg! I recently had the pleasure of sitting at a table run by Adam to judge if he qualifies for his fifth star. He ran The Hellknight’s Feast which featured heavy role play, challenging combats and opportunity for creative solutions. I was able to see the broad range of his abilities. I am happy to report that he absolutely qualifies. Adam’s rules knowledge is excellent. His players research every nook and cranny of the rules and he handles them with aplomb. He is able to improvise very well, adjusting the dialog of important NPCs with the mere mention of a player character’s backstory and previous interaction with the NPCs. His preparation was good. He was able to handle all the curves our group threw at him and knew exactly how to interpret them using the tools proved in the scenario. I’ve known Adam for a few years, and sat with him at a number of tables. None of this was a surprise to me. His enthusiasm for Pathfinder and PFS is contagious, and he provides a fun, fair game to all who come to him. He is one of the best of us. We cannot judge him on just one or even a few tables to determine consistency so I also asked his players. Those people who sit with him week after week. The praise was similarly glowing: "Because he's very dedicated to his players, and about running an enjoyable experience for all involved. He's willing to give his time, effort, and money to make Pathfinder better for all involved. He's never too busy to make time to help you out, and he's always interested in what you want to do." "Adam selflessly puts the fun of the community of game players, and the growth of that community above his own playing constantly. He spends hours of his own time helping the players who need help, especially new players who don't know what they're doing and struggling. He sits down with first timers to build characters so that they don't have to settle on pregens, nudges inexperienced players towards character choices that will work better for them, and gradually nudges everyone with the aptitude towards trying GMing so that the community keeps growing. Adam's not just a guy with a pile of PFS GMing credits, he's someone who deeply cares for the community of PFS. He should be a 5 star GM because if all that's not what makes you one, I don't know what would." "Without Adam I wouldn't be in Pathfinder Society today, as my first ever experience with PFS was at Mysticon 2013, which he organized. He was also one of the first GMs I played under in PFS regularly, as I joined his Shattered Star AP group soon after I joined PFS in general. And it was his encouragement to start running games that resulted in me becoming a 4 Star GM within about a year of starting to run games. Beyond that he's always willing to talk with new people and help them with whatever problems they have, even when he probably should be paying more attention to his own problems." Congratulations, Adam! This is a well earned accomplishment.
In 2011, on the heels of a successful Charcon, a group of interested parties gathered and put together a plan. On January 15, 2012 we held the first open Pathfinder Society game at the Rifleman in South Charleston, WV. It’s hard to believe that we are almost at the second anniversary of Pathfinder Society at the Rifleman. I have met so many amazing people and we've grown much more that I ever could have imagined. We’re not just a bunch of people who play the same game, but a real family of life long friends. I think this calls for a celebration! On Saturday, January 11th, 2014 we are renting the American Legion Hall in St. Albans, WV and we will be running games starting at 10:00 AM and going all day and night. We will be offering full length modules and scenario series that cannot be easily finished in the normal 5 hour limit at the store. We will have at least six tables but we will expand as we need to. If you want to reserve a spot, use the Event Registration link on WVGeo.com. There is no admission fee, but we do ask that you bring a donation to help pay for the site and snacks, drinks or a dish to share with everyone else. The site has a kitchen that we can use. Due to the generous donations from your fellow players a few unused convention boons are up for grabs and a few prizes available. So far we have the following events lined up:
If you would like to play or run, you can contact me by IM here, email at pathfinder@wvgeo.com or through our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WVPathfinder/.
CharCon is THE West Virginia Gaming Convention Charleston Civic Center
Charcon is growing and expanding and offering 50 tables of Pathfinder play. Join us for the convention interactive Blood Under Absalom and the only chance to play the Ruins of Bonekeep in the state this year. Registration and lodging information can be found at CharCon.org. Charleston is conveniently located within easy driving distance of several major metropolitan areas: Columbus, OH 3 hours
I hope to see you there!
I'd like to congratulate Netopalis for reaching his 100th game this last weekend during our Year of the Shadow Lodge game day in Princeton, WV. This impressive feat is made even more so in that he accomplished this 10 months. His first role playing game ever was at Charcon last year on October 19th. Well done! Thank you for all your hard work and enthusiasm.
Jewel City Game Con was created to bring a european style board game tournament to the Huntington, WV area. In its second year it has expanded to include miniature and role-playing games and Pathfinder Society will be a big part of that. We are looking for players and GMs. We will post scenarios in this thread once the schedule is finalized. Location:
Friday, April 19 Noon-7pm--registration/check-in (ballroom) Pathfinder: 1-6pm (ballroom) and 7pm-12am (upstairs) 7pm: Ballroom closes...escape to the upstairs gaming areas (or face the VFW band at your own peril) Saturday, April 20 9am-7pm--registration/check-in (ballroom)
7pm: Ballroom closes...escape to the upstairs gaming areas (or face the VFW band at your own peril) Sunday, April 21 Noon-6pm--registration/check-in (ballroom)
Prices Everyone 10 and up:
I'd like to officially announce the appointment of the first two Venture-Lieutenants for West Virginia. David McBrayer has been with us from the early beginnings of our group at Charcon in October 2011. What we have accomplished would not have been possible without him. He is the rock that we built this group on. David will continue helping in the Charleston area as we look to add additional games and venues to handle our growth. Congratulations! Matthew Chambers has been making a weekly road trip to our games for some time now and has become a valuable part of our group. He and a core of other players will be starting regular games in Huntington, WV. There is a lot of demand from that part of West Virginia as well as southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. I am certain he is up to the task. Thank you both! I don't have words to express my gratitude.
CharCon is THE West Virginia Gaming Convention Charleston Civic Center
This is the second year for PFS at CharCon and we are expanding. Look for 25 tables featuring many scenarios including The Cyphermage Dilemma and full length module Realm of the Fellknight Queen. Registration and lodging information can be found at CharCon.org. Charleston is conveniently located within easy driving distance of several major metropolitan areas: Columbus, OH 3 hours
I hope to see you there! |
Pathfinder Society GM. Starfinder Society GM. 105 posts (106 including aliases). No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 25 Organized Play characters. 2 aliases. 