This is probably nit-picky but do I understand correctly that we are NOT to use italics ([i][/i)] when referring to spells and magic items as the Core Rulebook does? I know it doesn't appear in the provided item format template but I figured it might not hurt to ask?
This is probably nit-picky but do I understand correctly that we are NOT to use italics ([i][/i)] when referring to spells and magic items as the Core Rulebook does? I know it doesn't appear in the provided item format template but I figured it might not hurt to ask?
From last year's experience, use italics, make note of what Paizo does and does not capitalize, every little trick you can get :) Read a LOT of the magical items, check, recheck and have someone else check it again.
It wouldn't be in the template we were shown, because that's the basic stuff ... follow the style of the template AND what you see in the PFRPG and it is hard to go wrong :)
Ditto.
I just posted a full walk-through the template in the advice thread I started. With regards to spell names, they always need to be lower-case and italicized. And feat names need to be regular case and capitalized.
For your submission, correct bold/ital formatting isn't *required*, it just makes the final item look cleaner and is easier for the judges to read. If you submitted your entry in plain text, that would be okay. I don't think we disqualified anyone last year for using improper italics and such. I know getting the format INCREDIBLY wrong got someone disqualified (they didn't have a Price or Requirements listed, for example), but forgetting to make something italic isn't critical at this stage.
For your submission, correct bold/ital formatting isn't *required*, it just makes the final item look cleaner and is easier for the judges to read.
I have a question about formatting and italics when referencing the item's name in the description. From what I can tell you use lower case and italics when using the name of the item in the description. My question is do you use lower case if there is a proper name in the name of the item? (I am guessing only the proper name is capitalized?)
It also seems that you only use italics when the whole name is used, not just part of it ("when you open the bag of holding to put something in it" vs "when you open the bag to put something in it") Am I correct in thinking this?
I've noticed it hasn't always been consistent in the past and I have wondered, so now seems like a good time to ask!
I have a question about formatting and italics when referencing the item's name in the description. From what I can tell you use lower case and italics when using the name of the item in the description. My question is do you use lower case if there is a proper name in the name of the item? (I am guessing only the proper name is capitalized?)
Follow normal capitalization rules for proper nouns, whether in italics or otherwise. :)
It also seems that you only use italics when the whole name is used, not just part of it ("when you open the bag of holding to put something in it" vs "when you open the bag to put something in it") Am I correct in thinking this?
That's generally the case, yes. However, while I am a nitpicker for final manuscripts, that level of nitpicking isn't really relevant to R1 of RPG Superstar--we wouldn't downgrade you for submitting your entire item in plain text (no bold, no italic). Why? Because R1 is about spotting talent early; I can train someone to use proper itals and bold, it's much harder to train someone to have talent. :)
In other words, if you're worried about whether you should italicize "bag" when you say "when you open the bag to put something in it," stop worrying. :)
In other words, if you're worried about whether you should italicize "bag" when you say "when you open the bag to put something in it," stop worrying. :)
Consider myself relieved....WHEW! :)
On this note, is the form for submission identical to messageboards in the formatting style? I'm going to be copying from a word document and want to make sure that I use the proper code for formatting.
Thanks in advance!
Mikhaila
I actually do it in a two step process, I use word for the spellcheek (hehe) and the actual zoom function to make sure spaces, caps and all that stuff is the way it should be, then I copy it to good ole notepad so as to not get any "extras" that word sometimes like to "help" you with your writing. Notepad is simple and thats a good thing because it is about as plain text as you can get. From notepad I drop it into the web browser and preview. Just my own silly little thing but it seems to help especially if you have written a 300 page word doc and the formatting goes all to heck!