Hey All!(Well look at that! Muh 2nd post! Still...this is a bit intimidating!)
Anywho, I've read the various sections of the Core RuleBook, Designing Encounters (pp 397 – 399), Beyond 20th Level (pp 406-407), the GameMastery Guide, Creating Adventures (pp 36-39), Encounter Archetypes (176-177), The Inner Sea World Guide (Chapter 4, pg 253, 2nd Col., last paragraph:Power Levels) and various post especially a few from Mr. James Jacobs and Mr. Joshua J. Frost...
Mr. Jacobs posted (somewhere here on said messageboards) that they would like to support 20+ level gaming material or "it'll turn into a ghetto" and that they are not ready to "take the plunge into the deep end of the high-level pool yet."
Mr. Frost posted in the Pathfinder Society:Open Call scenario submission section: "Encounter = puzzle, RP, investigation, trap, AND combat.”
So, once you've refreshed your memory with said references...and if it pleases the court...I'd like to posit these questions to the community:
a) What does "epic" (16+ level) gameplay really mean???
b) What should be added/omitted in these high level scenarios/campaigns??? (This may be the question of questions here! ;p)
c) If I recall correctly even Mr. Jacobs mentions if "epic" gameplay [could/should] be a different campaign setting..sooo..Should high level adventures be a different setting/situation/circumstance???
REFERENCE: The Inner Sea Guide mentions (pg 253) that "legendary" refers to 16+ level characters
If using Mr. Frost's criteria:
Puzzles, investigation and traps: These are solved depending on the group's Real World(RW) problem solving skills. If stumped the DM/GM can give them a "hint" via their character's INT/WIS attributes;
Combat: Usually the "boss fight" of a scenario/campaign is suppose to be "epic" at least based on the Average Party Level(APL) game mechanics;
Role Playing VS Roll Playing (SIGH) Unfortuantely too many folks don't like the "pretending bits" and just let their dice rolls do all the talking;
d) If we use this "Encounter Criteria" as the standard for creating scenarios/campaigns then is the term "epic" moot? By this I'm asking...because of CR are not all the encounters (boss fights) of our beloved PF characters "epic"? Ergo see question a)
e) Should this equation: Encounter = puzzle, RP, investigation, trap, and combat be changed/evolved for "epic" gameplay???
FRAME OF REFERENCE
We have a plethora of literature and shows on the tele that invoke images of "epicness". For those of you who don't watch Naruto (mods please forgive me if trespass here) he starts as a snot-nosed, pain in the tukus (DOH! Is this word legal???), takes several "test" to show his worth, goes into a competition with competitors from other villages (as well as his own), goes on missions that are "higher level" for his and his team's "rating", he leaves his village with a mentor to learn new skills, saves the village from the BBEGs and still there's more.
What I'm trying to convey about the show is that the character, Naruto, goes through "encounters" that seem epic at the time but his next encounter tops that of the last one! I'm always guessing how the creators can "one up" the next situation/tangent!
So, in paraphrasing question a) is "epic" a perception? The difficulty, success and/or failure of level advancement or is it really just elements of story telling? The journey (a day in the life) of our Pathfinder characters and not the destination (the outcome of the journey)????
THE TRUE PURPOSE
Thusly, I'm asking "the community" to come together, debate the questions then arrive to constructive suggestions (as opposed to constructive criticism) in order to inspire Mr. Jacobs and friends so that they can create and develop "epic level" material (Adventure Paths, Modules, Player Companion etc) for our gaming pleasure.
(Time and current work load permitting, of course, Mr. Jacobs & friends ;p)
At the very least we can inspire each other with this thread in regards to creating "epic" gameplay scenarios/campaigns!
REMINDER
After hours and hours of reading the community's numerous and informative post I know how...shall I say..."passionate" or "enthusiastic" posters can be! So I'm reminding the community of Paizo's messageboard policies in other words(IOW) standard caveat applies!
Hmmm...I thought i saw a spell check button here somewhere...
Have at it folks,
Rom