I have read none of them yet.
But Rob wins the Best Title award, hands down.
:-)
I have read none of them yet.But Rob wins the Best Title award, hands down.
:-)
Two things surprised me: How easy it was to pick my top two and how fresh blood seemed to out perform experience this round after experience really seemed to be pulling ahead the last couple.
I thought professional background would be the key factor in this round, but it wasn't.
Two things surprised me: How easy it was to pick my top two and how fresh blood seemed to out perform experience this round after experience really seemed to be pulling ahead the last couple.
It was pretty easy for me to pick, only two there I would consider running. Those two though were quite delightful. Too bad only 6, I went through them pretty quick. This is one part of the contest that should have been run earlier with more people writing for it.
Interesting that there were no urban encounters.
Hmmm. After an initial read, there are three I like a lot, and I only have two votes!
I'm going to vote for whoever fedexes me some chocolate cookies.
My votes are well spent, sled chase and goblin monkeys rule.
The sad part is that once again I voted for people who had not received my vote in previous rounds. Am I alone in this?
When I read the rules would require a map inwardly I sighed in relief that I was not in this round because in my estimatation I suck at drawing maps. Seeing some of the maps that were in the top six however I don't feel as bad about my map drawing skills. (That is NOT a shot at ANY of the maps entered).
I had a tough time this round voting. Every entry was solid and it took a bit of hair splitting to come down to a final two.
For me, this was one of the most difficult rounds to vote in. With villains and monsters, you can vote for 'which would I use?', for countries you can at least vote for 'which I would I find the most inspiring in the unlikely event I wanted a new campaign world?' But this time, well, a really good encounter, in my opinion, is one that meshes beautifully with the scenario its a part of. So, ideally, I wouldn't expect to want to run any of them, because, as the middle of a scenario you haven't seen, a top class encounter won't *be* runnable on its own.
Still, that doesn't mean I can't look for which is the most generally fun; but it was trickier than previous rounds. I ignored the quality of the maps - I only cared about whether they were clear enough to produce a decent map from from, and they all were, so there was no point deciding between entries that way.
I'm surprised so many people liked the title 'Monkey Goblins Attack!', as I thought it was truly awful, and was a major reason why I picked Boomer's entry over Rob's.
I can tell you this: I am looking for someone to help me with an adventure I am writing and I can guarantee that I will offer that chance to one of these six--and it might not even be one of the 6 that moves on. There is some good, good stuff here. If this was anything other than the final 6 of RPG Superstar we would be raving about all 6 of these. The bar just keeps getting higher and higher.
If this was anything other than the final 6 of RPG Superstar we would be raving about all 6 of these. The bar just keeps getting higher and higher.
This is very true; if some of the encounters don't look as good as the others, it's only because the standard is so high now. They're already in the top 1% of entrants to the contest (IIRC), and I doubt any of them will have much difficulty getting some sort of RPG writing gig on the strength of what they've done so far.
While I wont reveal my votes, I will say that as a general matter I go with my grade so it should be pretty clear which ones I will vote for.
While I wont reveal my votes, I will say that as a general matter I go with my grade so it should be pretty clear which ones I will vote for.
Huh.
It hadn't occurred to me until this very moment that you, Erik and Wolfgang would be voting as well. But of course, why not?
Two things surprised me: How easy it was to pick my top two and how fresh blood seemed to out perform experience this round after experience really seemed to be pulling ahead the last couple.
I thought professional background would be the key factor in this round, but it wasn't.
Exactly. Instead inspiration won the day.
Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
|
This is one part of the contest that should have been run earlier with more people writing for it.
Good point, but maybe the idea was that as contestants get fewer in number, the entries get lengthier.
Mr. Kisko, I think I speak for everyone on these boards when I say that I'd love to know what kind of encounter you were contemplating. Would you please share?
This is one part of the contest that should have been run earlier with more people writing for it.Good point, but maybe the idea was that as contestants get fewer in number, the entries get lengthier.
Mr. Kisko, I think I speak for everyone on these boards when I say that I'd love to know what kind of encounter you were contemplating. Would you please share?
I had nothing particular in mind since I was voted out long before this round. I did watch my kid play 'Marco Polo' with her friend today so here is a 30 minute write up of Stone Giant marco polo (spoilered so I don't clutter up the thread):
Little is said about the hidden canyons beyond the Jungles of Thoog. Few, even in legend, have traveled through its unnamed ravines and rivers. The most famous to travel within its high walls was Prince Lucor, with his fabled Mechanical Crossbowmen. His journey is told in a well-known song, in which he battles many strange demons and weird creatures on the deadfall cliffs, losing several of his Mechanical Crossbowmen to the chilling grasp of the river waters below.
This was long ago however and the river has changed course in recent years. It is now ideally situated to travel from the great city of Ilim to the reclusive wizard-school of Zeydius far to the south. Zeydius beckons you with the promise of wealth, magic and high adventure. A few cautious and well equipped tradesmen have recently traveled the new river waters and spoke of the journey being uneventful, but eerily forbidding. With a small boat, an overpaid guide, and a pack full of audacity you begin your journey down the river.
On the third day of your travel the wind has died and the river’s current moves at a snails pace. You move forward only by the sweat of your brow and the ore in your hand. A stagnant pool lay ahead filled with murky water, strange mollusks, and a green layer of algae on the surface. Echoing off of the walls of the canyon is a strange singing, bereft of harmony, and oddly melancholy in its tone.
Upon closer inspection.
Sitting waste deep in the large stagnant pool sits a huge humanoid figure with dusty gray skin waste deep in the murk. Taller than three men she bathes in the pool using the femur of a large animal to scrub her back. She sings a forlorn tune and at the moment her song ends she quickly turns and makes eye contact.
The large humanoid is the Hag-Giant Beacahn. Her clan of Stone Giants watches over this area of the canyon in relative safety and prosperity. They are curious about their new visitors and Beacahn will parlay with the PCs since outside news is rare and new playmates rarer. She speaks an ancient dialect of common that is strangely eloquent.
After the PCs explain their actions Beacahn will allow the PCs to continue down the river if they agree to play a friendly game of ‘Prince Lucor’. If the players agree, and the consequences will be most dire if they do not, they will escorted to the stagnant pool and the rules explained to them as best as a Hag-Giant with an ancient dialect can.
The giants play ‘Prince Lucor’ in the stagnant pool where one distinguished contestant is "It", who must wait a certain number of seconds before swimming around the pool with his or her eyes closed, attempting to tag the other players (and giants) with a very large club. The "It" player can only sense where the other players are by sound, but may call out "Prince!", at which point all the other players are required to yell "Lucor!". When the "It" player succeeds in tagging another player with a very large club, the latter becomes "It", and the old "It" player leaves the pool to wait on the sidelines. The last non-"It" contestant left is the winner.
Before the Game: All of the players are required to play, as well as 5 Stone Giants and Beacahn. Beacahn will spin the ‘dead alligator’ to determine the first "It" contestant (roll randomly between all players and giants). That contestant must go into middle of the pool and close their eyes while the other contestants stealthily try to move silently. The Giants take the quite seriously and try their hardest to not be heard. Once the "It" contestant hears the deathknell of a mountain goat being torn asunder by the giants on the cliffs above they may start the game.
During the game: The very large club weighs over 75 pounds and is six feet long. It will be incredibly unwieldy incurring a -7 to all hit rolls and will cause 2d10 damage plus strength. Movement in the pool will reduce speed by half, and the water is between four and six feet deep in most places. The "It" contestant may yell at any time “Prince!� and the giant and other players must yell “Lucor!�. This will allow the "It" contestant to make a Listen test (DC 15) to detect which tile(s) the yelling contestant is standing on witch will negate the 50% miss chance of blindness.
Giants who are playing the game and who are out of immediate striking range will holler, howl and taunt the "It" contestant. They will throw insults, mud, and occasionally a very surprised Giant Frog. The Giants will also scream out false directions, insults, in any attempt to avert an incoming strike.
All giant will be using total defense (+4 AC) every round or attempt to Move Silently (+0) and clever players are recommended to do the same. When the "It" player succeeds in tagging another contestant with the very large club, the latter becomes "It" and the old "It" contestant leaves the pool to wait on the sidelines.
Winning the game: If a PC manages to be the last contestant who is not "It", they win the game. Regardless the PCs will be allowed to leave, albeit likely bloody and bruised. If a PC wins they will be granted a prize by Breacahn, her nose ring (Girdle of Giant Strength +4). The Giants will also warn the PCs of the Roc-Harpies further up the canyon with a casual note.
Cheating: Many Stone Giants watch the contest on the cliffs above cheering in delight. They will quickly point out cheaters. First time offenders are held underwater for a long period of time taking 1d10 Con damage. Second time offender are held under water with a 2000 pound bolder for an hour. The PCs can attempt to battle their way out of the canyon but it would be a very difficult fight in murky water with 7 Stone Giants raining boulders upon them from the cliffs above. This should be pointed out should before the PCs do anything too rash.
Lore: In ages passed Prince Lucor did indeed travel through these canyons and defeated many of the plagues of the Stone Giants. They grew to be his friend over time and he had taught them the game. Generations later the Giants still play it with an almost religious overtone.
Creatures:
Beacahn, Annis-Stone Giant CL 10
Stone Giants, 12, five of which play in the game CR 9
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/giant.htm#stoneGiant
Ah, I love making my party sweat by casually throwing in references to Roc-Harpies and other made up horrors.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 8
|
I'm surprised so many people liked the title 'Monkey Goblins Attack!', as I thought it was truly awful, and was a major reason why I picked Boomer's entry over Rob's.
I must agree personally. Whats up with monkey goblins? It just seems quite silly to me and is something I'd never even consider using. If I saw that as a title or even theme for an adventure I would surely pass it by.
Frankly, I've noticed a lot of people who love monkeys for one reason or another, eh. Don't really care that much. It is rare that I will run adventure modules, but I voted for the 2 scenarios which I'd have fun playing in.
One thought is that this is the Semi-final. To go out at this stage would be hard.
So well done all six. Top 6 out of 858 is pretty decent work.
Exactly. All of these top 6 are good encounters.
That sort makes me wonder that if Paizo chooses to do this again, they might want to make the encounter challenge a little more specific. "An EL 5 encounter with gnolls", for example. While I enjoy reading the diverse encounters presented, I'm wondering what we'd have seen if the format was more strict.
Also, writing to spec is the rule, not the exception. The RPG Superstar won't typically be able to enjoy the creative freedom that's been given so far.
|
Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
|
Mr. Kisko, I think I speak for everyone on these boards when I say that I'd love to know what kind of encounter you were contemplating. Would you please share?I had nothing particular in mind since I was voted out long before this round. I did watch my kid play 'Marco Polo' with her friend today so here is a 30 minute write up of Stone Giant marco polo (spoilered so I don't clutter up the thread):
I totally dug your Marco Polo encounter. I've always been a big fan of the "game within a game" encounters, like your encounter, gambling, athletic competitions, etc.