Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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Dedicated Voter Season 6
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Moth, funny you would say that. I was just rereading the threads from last year and saying to myself "holy $%8&, I put a ton of time into this last year." :) It was a total blast though and I look forward to the crazy amount of work again this year.
Well, I know this contestant really appreciated the effort you and the other judges put in :) In fact, I'm going to be reviewing those comments as I move into the tune-up phase of a project I'm working on.
Happy to see you back, and Wolfgang too. Hoping Erik Mona is released from observation soon, and will be able to comment from the sidelines.
Moth, funny you would say that. I was just rereading the threads from last year and saying to myself "holy $%8&, I put a ton of time into this last year." :) It was a total blast though and I look forward to the crazy amount of work again this year.
Hee, even though I just submitted the item on first round and after that just voted, I felt like I spent loads of time to the contest...and it was a blast.
Incidentally, after a bit of thinking at least one fun item idea popped to my mind, so I guess I will be joining the contest too...not to win, but give some challenge to others.
If I'll go with the idea I think I will, I'll be submitting more of a DM item than player item which was not a good tactic last year...but anyway. I obviously DM too much, my player item ideas tend to be gloriously unspectacular utility items.
I learned from last year! (Don't submit items that sound like children's toys) Yes, if you want to enter, read all the threads. Lots of good tips in there.
Google if your name is original, found out today that WoW stole my name. I don't even play it ;>
Last year I know I was excited to have a "bad guy item" for the DM's characters. As I recall, we even commented about that in one of the item threads. I think it was Leash of the Shadowhound.
I know that for me the fact it is for the DM/monsters wont disqualify it. But neither will it be an advantage for you. Last year we focused on just plain old good items--cool idea, great design.
Believe me, this isnt about finding a niche that gets you an advantage. It is about designing a great item. And, if you want proof, that doesnt mean a gonzo, word-limit-pushing entry either. Check out the lantern from last year, for instance. In fact, I think I even commented in the thread for that item that it is a great example of that fact that a cool item with great design doesnt have to push the word count limit.
Clark
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Happy to see you back, and Wolfgang too. Hoping Erik Mona is released from observation soon, and will be able to comment from the sidelines.
I'll definitely be making comments just like the rest of the voters, but this winter I'm going to be writing Pathfinder stuff and focusing my efforts on the Pathfinder RPG launch, leaving Sean to represent Paizo on the judges' rolls. I'm sure he'll do a great job, and I can't wait to see what the contestants offer this year!
--Erik
I was reading through my round 2 entry from last year, and it kind of makes me sad that there is no "country" round this year. I've got a great idea that features all of the following (and lots more adventure than last year's entry)...
*island-nation-continent, not unlike Australia
*A shattered wasteland of an interior which was initially home to a dwarven kingdom, but is now ruled by a lich (who consequently was responsible for tricking the dwarves into building a doomsday machine- to win a war against more numerous humanoids- that caused the environmental desolation in the first place)
*Dwarves organized into great guilds controlling the city-shipyards on the east coast, maybe even with steam-powered navies
*Indentured adventurers imported from the other nations of the world to contend with the humanoids (whose numbers are again outstripping those of the dwarves)
*Dark dwarves/Duergar living on the west coast with wretched smoking cities. Bald, tattooed slaves toiling in their factories.
Exile
If you are inspired, why dont you take last year's instructions for a country and post a country submission. I'll let you know how I think it stacks up against last year's winners if you want. :) Of course, its probably best to wait to post it until after the first round is over. You dont want people claiming some unfair advantage. But that doesnt mean you cant write it for yourself.
No need to stifle those creative juices!!!
Of course, dont let writing a country distract you from your item. But hey, maybe it will inspire you to greater heights of creation. Who knows. All I can speak for is myself, and I know when that voice is calling me to write, I listen to it. If something wants to come out, let it out. It may inspire you on other things too.
Clark
Good advice Clark. The item is actually already written and self-edited a couple of times. I'm just waiting for the Pathfinder item creation rules at this point to tidy up stuff like cost.
Chad
Last year I know I was excited to have a "bad guy item" for the DM's characters. As I recall, we even commented about that in one of the item threads. I think it was Leash of the Shadowhound.
I hope that my entry for this year fares as well! I'll try to make it less "controversial", but no promises...
Good advice Clark. The item is actually already written and self-edited a couple of times. I'm just waiting for the Pathfinder item creation rules at this point to tidy up stuff like cost.
Chad
When/where will these be posted? I haven't been able to find any announcement...
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Director of Narrative
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Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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Good advice Clark. The item is actually already written and self-edited a couple of times. I'm just waiting for the Pathfinder item creation rules at this point to tidy up stuff like cost.
Chad
When/where will these be posted? I haven't been able to find any announcement...
Design a compelling wondrous item for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Beta Release, using the Item Creation guidelines that will be released December 2, 2009.
Ignore the 2009 part. That's a mistake. :)
Hope that helps.
yeah I'll participate in this, several people have told me I should.
Design a compelling wondrous item for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Beta Release, using the Item Creation guidelines that will be released December 2, 2009.
Ignore the 2009 part. That's a mistake. :)
Hope that helps.
I must have totally skimmed over that part. Go me.
Many thanks!
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Is this what it feels like to be manic depressive?? I am so excited about my idea that I can't even sleep until I get it finished! And then I'm just sure it's a terrible idea and I should be more rational in my approach, maybe create a few items and then pick the best. But my first creative spark just won't let go, so I'm sticking with it for better or worse!
I think I need to go take a cold shower...lol.
Anyway, I just finished several hours of reading over last year's top 32 items as well as the "losing items" threads. I have to say, after reading the submissions and then glancing through the DMG Wondrous Items, I caught myself thinking that a lot of the DMG items wouldn't have made the top 32 -- or even the 71 "kept" items! I'm so impressed by the talent that surfaced last year, and can't wait to see what happens in Superstar 2009. Good luck everyone!
I am SO going to triple-check my word count this year!!!
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I am SO going to triple-check my word count this year!!!
Do. Absolutely do. I think 2 or 3 people who originally got into the final 32 got bounced in round 1 on word count, to say nothing of how many might have gotten sifted out of the original 850+.
If you're gonna go down, go down fighting, not on a technicality.
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I already have my idea planned out:
It's an undead monkey that comes in a coffin wherein hang numerous coin belts that produce different charm effects when draped upon the monkey. The coffin lid itself is inscribed with magical runes that form themselves into sea charts of whatever waters you happen to be sailing in. The coffin box can be inverted and, if a magic item is placed upon it and struck with an oragami hammer, the magic in the item is transferred to the coffin box to be used in the enchanting of new items!
Whaddya think!?
I already have my idea planned out:
It's an undead monkey that comes in a coffin wherein hang numerous coin belts that produce different charm effects when draped upon the monkey. The coffin lid itself is inscribed with magical runes that form themselves into sea charts of whatever waters you happen to be sailing in. The coffin box can be inverted and, if a magic item is placed upon it and struck with an oragami hammer, the magic in the item is transferred to the coffin box to be used in the enchanting of new items!
Whaddya think!?
Truly wonderous, Lich-Loved! If Cappadocius isn't ready for the genius of your creation, it's his loss.
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RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I'm coming and bring the hammer down this year! Missed last year because of the video game production. This year though I'll make time even if I have to steal someones.
Ancient Sensei if you are in this time consider it a warm up for Iron DM.
You know I'm in. Still clawing at the bottom rung of that ladder. But I'm in and if I can make top 32, I look forward to giving my best in every round and seeing some great work from everyone else.
That should be our motto, Evil..."Iron sharpens Iron."
Speaking of which..how are you people going to beat me if I am actually going to be awake for my entire adventure this time?
Hey - I'll always have the pleasure of knowing your table was my last total party kill in the DnD Open. Very special.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
aka flash_cxxi
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I am in, I already have an idea but want to wait for the create rules tomorrow before I get into it to much.
My item is made. I wrote the concept last week and then wrote the description at my Sister's Wedding on the weekend. ;)
Now I just have to wait for the Item Creation Rules to check the math and she's ready and rockin' to go!|
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I have some items.. but they all seem too simple, and not unique in any way.. i hope i can get something going before the 5th...
Check out some of the items from last year. Simple can go a long ways with the judges, as long as it's not boring. Actually, simple mechanics also leaves you some word count to give some interesting flavor text.
Resist the urge to make your item do too many things!
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CEO
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I have some items.. but they all seem too simple, and not unique in any way.. i hope i can get something going before the 5th...
Just remember that the items aren't actually due until January 2nd. December 5th is just the first day that you will be able to actually submit your items. So don't jump in and submit early if you aren't 100% sold on your idea...you have more time!
-Lisa
Lisa is very wise in the ways of the force.
You do not get bonus points for submitting early. Seriously, I can say from last year there is no benefit to being in on the first day. Take your time.
So here I sit, champing at the bit, waiting for the release of the Official Rules to be used for item creation... Anyone know when/where those rules will be posted? 1:07 pm Dec 2nd, I have checked the site every 15 minutes all morning. I blame the coffee and the spinning madness of creation.
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Chief Technical Officer
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So here I sit, champing at the bit, waiting for the release of the Official Rules to be used for item creation... Anyone know when/where those rules will be posted? 1:07 pm Dec 2nd, I have checked the site every 15 minutes all morning. I blame the coffee and the spinning madness of creation.
All major RPG Superstar events will happen at 2PM Pacific Time, including this one. The document will be linked from the Round 1 Rules page, and a few other places.
Ahh, that is good to know. I was starting to wonder if maybe finding the criteria was part of the contest! ;) Thanks Vic
I am SO going to triple-check my word count this year!!!
Do. Absolutely do. I think 2 or 3 people who originally got into the final 32 got bounced in round 1 on word count, to say nothing of how many might have gotten sifted out of the original 850+.
If you're gonna go down, go down fighting, not on a technicality.
Yeah, that's what happened to me. I was in the top 32, then got DQed when a reader told the judges I had 208 words or something. At least I was able to use it in the game I DM.
I've got an item brewing in the pot. Once I've got my students' final papers graded and out of the way, I can sit down and start composing.
Yeah, that's what happened to me. I was in the top 32, then got DQed when a reader told the judges I had 208 words or something. At least I was able to use it in the game I DM.
SD,
Yours was the maw, right? I loved that item.
Clark
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RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I don't remember anyone being cranky for entries that were near 200 words, but I know there was one that was almost 300. That's the only one I know of that anyone complained about.
I don't remember which one it was, though. Too busy crying that the world's only magic pillow was rejected. : }
Yeah, that's what happened to me. I was in the top 32, then got DQed when a reader told the judges I had 208 words or something. At least I was able to use it in the game I DM.
SD,
Yours was the maw, right? I loved that item.
Clark
Nope, the Kraken Crown.
Nope, the Kraken Crown.
Ooooh... I liked the crown too. :) Sorry about that.
You saw our comments already when the comments went live since this was a winner at first. There isnt really anything else.
This was a great item. I loved it. I mean, I really loved it. This is an example of a great wondrous item. BUT it was over word count. I didnt catch that, and neither did the other judges. But it wasnt fair to keep it.
I was less concerned about the "evard" issue, since the spell is allowed, it just has a different SRD name. That, to us, is an editing issue and it happens all the time with freelancers.
Clark
I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like what else I have brewing.
Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
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There was a round 2 wannabes thread several of us posted countrys on last year: *link*I was reading through my round 2 entry from last year, and it kind of makes me sad that there is no "country" round this year. I've got a great idea that features all of the following (and lots more adventure than last year's entry)...
*island-nation-continent, not unlike Australia
*A shattered wasteland of an interior which was initially home to a dwarven kingdom, but is now ruled by a lich (who consequently was responsible for tricking the dwarves into building a doomsday machine- to win a war against more numerous humanoids- that caused the environmental desolation in the first place)
*Dwarves organized into great guilds controlling the city-shipyards on the east coast, maybe even with steam-powered navies
*Indentured adventurers imported from the other nations of the world to contend with the humanoids (whose numbers are again outstripping those of the dwarves)
*Dark dwarves/Duergar living on the west coast with wretched smoking cities. Bald, tattooed slaves toiling in their factories.
Are the rules for Round 2 last year still up anywhere? The "Rules for this round" link from Round 2 redirects to the main RPG Superstar page.
I think you can find them here (If that link works)