Yep, I did indeed read the submission guidelines, which is what brings me to the forums ;)
Neeklus/Matrissa, there is another thread around here somewhere that has a list of what all the CWs were. One of the threats was a Mirror of Opposition. It was also intelligent. One may glean from this that intelligence is a requirement, but the medium is not. Intelligence allows the nemesis to thwart the PCs' plans, which would make her more epic and memorable.
But then, I suppose an passive, non-intelligent mountain could still be epic and memorable just in and of itself through the various uses of avalances, winds, darkness, choking fogs, et cetera. But that's more of an open-air dungeon than a Critical Threat. I suppose one could say that a Critical Threat should be something that can potentially pursue and ambush the PCs. If this can be done in absense of intelligence I suppose that would make the Threat more intimidating and memorable as the PCs know they can't negotiate with it, bluff it, intimidate it, and so on.
Has anybody had their heart ripped out and stomped on by the dire, fiendish, feral render recently? If so, what date was the query from?
--John, who's anxiously awaiting word on two queries from May
Hey wait! One from April 18th is still out there...separated from everything by a massive cloudkill shot down from the towers of the Renton Compound. At least I think its still out there....
Oh, and thanks again to Steve Greer for coming up with this cool way of venting...
Still got two in there myself.
Hey wait! One from April 18th is still out there...
I still have one from January 06 in "there". Working on another though. Does Dungeon reply to all queries, even those it has rejected?
Yes, and you should've heard back about a query from January by now. They're up to April as I recall.
Theres always a few that manage to slip by, I find. I still have some from August, November, October 05, that I've pretty much given up on. I do believe that the "grace" period is around six months or so. After that you might want to enquire about their status and resend if they've lost it.
I have two queries from mid-April awaiting initial yea-or-nay decision.
I think the work load over yonder at Paizo may have spiked upwards recently...James Sutter had been going through my queries at a pretty speey clip, and then there was silence (and it looks like other people are experiencing a similar phenomenon).
On another note, I was reading a preview for Dungeon #140 and noticed an adventure I wrote will appear in that issue...that is, unless someone else wrote a different adventure with the same title. It was an adventure I had submitted in November 2004.
That was a weird feeling, seeing that title pop up out of nowhere like that. Assuming a better adventure doesn't come along and knock it from its perch, it will be my second published adventure, although I submitted it first. I had expected to be asked to do some revising and rewriting before it saw print...I imagine that the DUNGEON staff polished it up properly and no doubt improved on it considerably.
Theres always a few that manage to slip by, I find. I still have some from August, November, October 05, that I've pretty much given up on. I do believe that the "grace" period is around six months or so. After that you might want to enquire about their status and resend if they've lost it.
To anyone who has a pre-April query that they haven't heard back on: please let us know, as you definitely should have been rejected/greenlit/asked for a rewrite, and it's not impossible to have our response emails eaten by the internet. Please bear in mind, however, that that's only for QUERIES - actual adventure manuscripts can take years to place, and the current CW system has you receiving a rejection or "your CW has been received" email as soon as possible (at the moment, we're several months behind), after which it can take many months for the article to finally see print/fall to the second round of cuts.
So, long story short: patience is good, but if 6 months ever go by without word, something's gone wrong, and you should feel free to write and ask us about the submission's status (please don't resubmit the same adventure unless we ask you to). Thanks!
-James
(P.S: You're all correct that the render has been laying low for the last few months - convention season, anniversary issues, and Adventure Paths will do that. He'll hopefully be coming out of hibernation shortly, at which point he'll likely be very hungry....)
To anyone who has a pre-April query that they haven't heard back on: please let us know, as you definitely should have been rejected/greenlit/asked for a rewrite
As I mentioned before, I sent in a query back in January '05 and still haven't got a reply to it. I don't really care they were pretty crummy ideas.
As I mentioned before, I sent in a query back in January '05 and still haven't got a reply to it. I don't really care they were pretty crummy ideas.
To anyone who has a pre-April query that they haven't heard back on: please let us know, as you definitely should have been rejected/greenlit/asked for a rewrite
If it's that old, I can only assume it got lost in the shuffle... go ahead and resubmit if you like. Thanks!
Excellent. Looking over them (as they were some of my tentative, unknowing and first steps into querying), all I can do is cringe.
Rework time.
My proposal from 4/18 (unfortunately titled "Skol's Cyst"...didn't catch that reference at the time, GGG ;) bit the big one this evening. The render caught it as it charged, partially blinded from the cloudkill and wounded from a volley of arrows from the battlements atop the wall. Anyway, Mr Sutter said it was a novel approach.
The render still has to deal with 5 more of my proposals to catch up to me again...including two sets of two sent on the same day. Anybody got kewl titles?
This time, I have:
"Scarlet Berries for Min" (2nd level) from 5-2
"And When She Cries" (5th level) from 6-10
"Dogs of the Dark" (4th level from 6-10
and
"Old Skull Road" (7th level) and
"The Bridge of Aethel-maere" (6th level) from Jun 25th.
My proposal from 4/18 (unfortunately titled "Skol's Cyst"...didn't catch that reference at the time, GGG ;) bit the big one this evening.
Yes, unless you're a Baseball or NASCAR fan that might have been a bit obscure. Anyhow I currently have the proven winner "The Witching Season" floating about the inner sanctum of the Paizo office and an idea for a supercool proposal that I as of yet have not had the time to put together.
Good luck,
GGG
A cooperative venture between Dryder and myself, an Eberron adventure idea for mid-level characters called "Road to Q'Barra" was rejected at the Render's door. "Who knew he had a +2 crossbow?"
A cooperative venture between Dryder and myself, an Eberron adventure idea for mid-level characters called "Road to Q'Barra" was rejected at the Render's door. "Who knew he had a +2 crossbow?"
There's always a chance that it might be made into a Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movie. "We're on the road to Q'Barra...."
Better luck next time boys ;),
GGG
A cooperative venture between Dryder and myself, an Eberron adventure idea for mid-level characters called "Road to Q'Barra" was rejected at the Render's door. "Who knew he had a +2 crossbow?"There's always a chance that it might be made into a Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movie. "We're on the road to Q'Barra...."
Better luck next time boys ;),
GGG
Damn! I'm being obscure again aren't I?
GGG
Nope! I saw all those friggin movies LOL! My parents went thru a phase of showing me those and the Ma n Pa Kettles a looooooong time ago. But, my comment on the Q'Barra was there are two food chains here one mexican type called Q'doba or something like that and I remember a pizza place back in the 80's called S'barro or something close to that.
S'barro or something close to that.
S'barro's (Itallian for "Mall Pizza" I think). I got food poisoning there once in '94.
Yum,
GGG
No luck on recent proposals (I had to resend five because they got lost in the ether), but I've got a campaign workbook article and an adventure for later this year (or so they tell me). I'm sure that when a few of my proposals get looked at they will be rended with a fervor.
Actually, I'm glad that people are attributing other attack forms to the Gatekeeper. Rending is nasty, but rather primitive. I expect that the Gatekeeper has other special abilities that are far more subtle. Of course, the Gatekeeper himself is silent on the issue, as always.
Actually, I'm glad that people are attributing other attack forms to the Gatekeeper. Rending is nasty, but rather primitive. I expect that the Gatekeeper has other special abilities that are far more subtle. Of course, the Gatekeeper himself is silent on the issue, as always.
So you think he trained at S'barro's too? An umber hulk who uses food poisoning as a weapon?
Do you think he wear's a chef's hat and a "Kiss the Gatekeeper" apron? Where was he in '94 I wonder?
GGG
Q'Barra is the road to the S'Danzo run mall pizza parlor S'barro, which services Sanctuary's seedier side of town with cheap pizza, hokey fortunetelling and faulty advice on how to bypass the Grey Render that prowls around outside the town gates.
Glad to hear from you GGG, you've been incredibly silent on the were_cabbages site. Hope your other projects are progressing well.
Where was he in '94 I wonder?
Where were you on the night of August 5th, 1994?
...and you still claim you didn't see these proposals just before their demise?Take a close look at the pictures. Maybe, they'll, y'know.. remind you of something.
Yeah, that one, with the cute kobolds. Shame about that one. Had a great career in front of it as a magazine article. Cut short, though.
Still say you don't know anything about these proposals?
I'm just hoping that this current feeding frenzy sates the render until after my proposals arrive. ;)
Do you think he wear's a chef's hat and a "Kiss the Gatekeeper" apron? Where was he in '94 I wonder?
In 1994, the Gatekeeper was in 4th grade, and was still months away from his first D&D game (though he had read plenty of associated fiction). He doesn't remember much about that time, but there was definitely tetherball. He liked tetherball.
That was also about the time they replaced the Pizza Haven (amazing!) in the local mall with a S'barro's, which the Gatekeeper hated. Coincidence?
Getting some real funny images of a grey render playing tetherball. Good times.
In 1994, the Gatekeeper was in 4th grade
God, I feel old... In 1994, I was out of college two years and got married. *shakes his cane menacingly* Whippersnapper!
In 1994, the Gatekeeper was in 4th gradeGod, I feel old... In 1994, I was out of college two years and got married. *shakes his cane menacingly* Whippersnapper!
Oh come now! Just because some of us were married and had kids old enough in 1994 to play D&D doesn't mean we can't still have the whippersnapper template! (Although I do understand you can't hold both Whippersnapper and Curmudgeon templates.)
Yep, I feel old too....in 1994 I had just bought my first house, although the marriage, minivan, kids and second house were still 6 years away....
What really makes me feel old when people are nostalgic about the 90's.
God, I feel old... In 1994, I was out of college two years and got married. *shakes his cane menacingly* Whippersnapper!
You're not the only one. Just the other day, several of the editors were aghast when it was revealed that I didn't know the "giant Slor" monologue from "Ghostbusters"... a conversation which went something like this:
Jason Bulmahn: "How can you not know that?! EVERYONE knows that!"
Me: "Dude, how old's that movie?"
JB: "It came out in 1984."
Me: "Yeah. So did I."
Rest of office: "..........."
You're not the only one. Just the other day, several of the editors were aghast when it was revealed that I didn't know the "giant Slor" monologue from "Ghostbusters"... a conversation which went something like this:
Jason Bulmahn: "How can you not know that?! EVERYONE knows that!"
Me: "Dude, how old's that movie?"
JB: "It came out in 1984."
Me: "Yeah. So did I."
Rest of office: "..........."
ROFLMAO!!!!
I get this a lot from my other half, who's older than I am. "Don't you remember that?!?! It was in 1981."
"That's nice, hon, but I was two and living in Italy."
"...Kiss my {off color self-denigration of his Southern European heritage and applying to the posterior of one's body}, honey."
"Love you too." :D
God, I feel old... In 1994, I was out of college two years and got married. *shakes his cane menacingly* Whippersnapper!You're not the only one. Just the other day, several of the editors were aghast when it was revealed that I didn't know the "giant Slor" monologue from "Ghostbusters"... a conversation which went something like this:
Jason Bulmahn: "How can you not know that?! EVERYONE knows that!"
Me: "Dude, how old's that movie?"
JB: "It came out in 1984."
Me: "Yeah. So did I."
Rest of office: "..........."
:snicker:
you know, my sister, who is two years younger than you, knows the giant slor monologue. you have no excuses!
oh, and random aside - one of my English teachers used the giant slor speech as a homework exercise - you had to identify the parts of speech used.
You're not the only one. Just the other day, several of the editors were aghast when it was revealed that I didn't know the "giant Slor" monologue from "Ghostbusters"... a conversation which went something like this: *snip*
I remember going to see Ghostbusters in the theater when I was 4... I didn't realize it was possible to feel *that* old already!
God, I feel old... In 1994, I was out of college two years and got married. *shakes his cane menacingly* Whippersnapper!You're not the only one. Just the other day, several of the editors were aghast when it was revealed that I didn't know the "giant Slor" monologue from "Ghostbusters"... a conversation which went something like this:
Jason Bulmahn: "How can you not know that?! EVERYONE knows that!"
Me: "Dude, how old's that movie?"
JB: "It came out in 1984."
Me: "Yeah. So did I."
Rest of office: "..........."
Well there goes my Gatekeeper/Keymaster joke. :/
Heh, I had similar feelings last month at a Metallica concert when they played the whole Master's album due it being 20 years old (!) this year.
Crazy.
Oh yeah, and I just picked up a copy of Monsters and Mazes. Classic Tom Hanks from 82.
Me: "Dude, how old's that movie?"
JB: "It came out in 1984."
Me: "Yeah. So did I."
Rest of office: "..........."
Wait, you're Assistant Editor already and you're younger than me? The world is topsy-turvy!
Heh, I had similar feelings last month at a Metallica concert when they played the whole Master's album due it being 20 years old (!) this year.
Crazy.
Just wanted to point out that that would be TOTALLY. FREAKING. SWEET.
I've never seen the 'Tallica live, and I've always kind of regretted that I didn't get the chance before the whole St. Anger fiasco....
Just wanted to point out that that would be TOTALLY. FREAKING. SWEET.
I've never seen the 'Tallica live, and I've always kind of regretted that I didn't get the chance before the whole St. Anger fiasco....
Now I feel REALLY old. I woulda said the same thing about "Load".
Now I feel REALLY old. I woulda said the same thing about "Load".Just wanted to point out that that would be TOTALLY. FREAKING. SWEET.
I've never seen the 'Tallica live, and I've always kind of regretted that I didn't get the chance before the whole St. Anger fiasco....
Yeah, but ya gotta give 'em credit for S&M... to me, that was when they were at their peak both in terms of personal musicianship and recording quality. Granted, the best songs were the older ones, but they just sound so much BIGGER.
...well, I suppose the symphony helped with that last part, too. : P
I recall getting in trouble in class in 1984 because I was trying to hide in the back of Chemistry II class so I could listen to my "Ride the Lightning" tape on my 1st generation walkman (Korean knockoff with no volume governor limit, it was GREAT!!!).....the teacher confiscated my walkman, but gave it back to me the next day. That walkman was solid metal and weighed like 5 lbs, it seemed.
James--tapes are an ancient form of musical recording where music was recorded on analog....oh...nevermind...it's like trying to explain blackpowder to Buck Rogers ;)
James--tapes are an ancient form of musical recording where music was recorded on analog....oh...nevermind...it's like trying to explain blackpowder to Buck Rogers ;)
So, like an 8 track right?
The hoary,
GGG
Let's not mention the Johnny Cash and Elvis 8-tracks that my wife brought to our marriage...that's some prime redneck artifacts, there, GGG....not to mention the 8 track in my first car, a 1976 Ford Granada...for which my mom gave me a Donna Summer 8 track so I would have something to listen to....."Bad Girls..." :: shudder :: okay, there are limits to even my nostalgia.....(I like Donna Summer now, actually)
(I like Donna Summer now, actually)
You know you are old when....
And on the topic of Johnny Cash I think I have at least one box set of his CDs (though I have yet to get the set where he does covers of some more "modern" songs).
GGG
PS All I had was AM in my '79 Pinto.
a 1976 Ford Granada...
I had one of those!
The only good thing about the '76 Granada was the fact that I could do most of the work on it myself (and had to, quite frequently :( GGG, I'm glad you survived your '79 Pinto--they had a tendency to explode when bumped, didn't they? Okay, no more threadjacking.
I still have a couple of queries that I haven't heard back from yet that I sent in around the same time as the rejected Eberron one, so hopefully one of them got past our youthful render. One is a Greyhawk adventure proposal and one is a FR adventure proposal. (I was going for the shotgun approach, sending in one query for each campaign world, hah!)....but, I'm actually glad that Paizo is so picky, so if and when one does get an adventure published, the sense of accomplishment is so much sweeter (at least so I'm told)
The most recent track they played was Fuel (which is a staple these days anyway). No St Anger, no Reload, just a lot of old school Talli classics.
But yeah: Grey Render. Hungry. Queries. Eaten? Digested? Pooed??
I have my own theme song on 8-track, as do all great 70s heroes...
It's funny how now days when you say 'Record' kids look at you funny, but 'Vinyl' is cool and 'hip'...'hip', hehehe, I feel dirty just saying that word...
I feel so out of touch with you guys :/ I haven't attempted an assault on this so-called grey render (I think it's just a guy in a suit ala Scooby Doo) since last year. I'm laying low right now and taking up a couple levels of Bard. Hopefully, when I make my next attack, my captivating song or fascinate ability will get my by.
Oh, and since we're talking about old age, 8-tracks, and roller skates, let me just add that my players have teased me for quite some time about being the "old guy". So, I decided to run an actual "old guy" character on the cusp of senility in my friends game. It was probably the funnest character I've run. So, Huzzah! for being old :)