The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall, Local #2010

[Chris Mortika]

(nods) I'm going to see if I can make it to PaizoCon. I had an amazing time at PaizoCon I, and I am wistful about missing it last year.

[La Femme Nikita]

I'm trying to "surprise" the hubbster with attendance this year (and by surprise I mean not so much, since he's going to be reading this thread)... I want Jesse to get to meet his fellow RPG Superstars! All of the West Coast costs are reasonable, but airfare from Philadelphia to Seattle is ridiculous! I'm very glad our "monstrous humanoid" son will only be 14months old, and we can carry him on our laps. If anyone has cheap airfare suggestions, we'd love to hear them...

PS - am I the only one who cannot say "Superstar" without making jazz hands?

[Eric Morton]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Can't afford Paizo con, unfortunately.

Well, then, you'll just have to win it all so Paizo can have you there as a special guest. :)

[Richard A. Hunt]

Ack! Mere moments from being silenced for a whole week! Good luck, guys! :)

P.S. Oh and "something profound." :)

[Chris Mortika]

Very mch looking forward to what you guys have whipped up.

Do you have any requests on what kind of opinions / comments / analysis you'd like us to provide, in general? What would be most helpful?

[Jim Groves]

Richard A. Hunt wrote:

P.S. Oh and "something profound." :)

Lol. Yeah, but watch it backfire when I suck.

[Jim Groves]

Chris Mortika wrote:

Do you have any requests on what kind of opinions / comments / analysis you'd like us to provide, in general? What would be most helpful?

That is much appreciated Chris. I can't think of anything specific.

There will probably be something that I'll only think of later. Thanks anyway.

Oh heck.. it's time! Excuse me.

[Charles Evans 25]

I've heard of 'not being able to see the wood for the trees', but one contestant apparently missed seeing half the Verduran Forest... I'm curious what responses to Round 4 comments might be forthcoming, once voting closes and the top eight are permitted to respond. :D

I have for now completed my 'canon' once over. Further posts by me on the Round 4 entries will hopefully be forthcoming later in the week.

I will say in mitigation that a lot seems to have been asked of the Top 8 for this Round, even given that it probably would have been reasonable to guess that some variant of 'design an encounter that features a monster from an earlier Round' would be coming.

[Matthew Morris]

Jim Groves wrote:

Richard A. Hunt wrote:

P.S. Oh and "something profound." :)

Lol. Yeah, but watch it backfire when I suck.

Race you to the bottom!

[James Martin]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:

Richard A. Hunt wrote:

P.S. Oh and "something profound." :)

Lol. Yeah, but watch it backfire when I suck.

Race you to the bottom!

It is indeed an odd race where you wait for a week after it's over to see who won... I wonder if NASCAR has investigated this technique?

[Matthew Morris]

James Martin wrote:

Matthew Morris wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:

Richard A. Hunt wrote:

P.S. Oh and "something profound." :)

Lol. Yeah, but watch it backfire when I suck.

Race you to the bottom!

It is indeed an odd race where you wait for a week after it's over to see who won... I wonder if NASCAR has investigated this technique?

Yes, they've introduced their version

[Matthew Morris]

Just wanted to let folks know...

I am going to put up my 'How we got here' post for the Lost Winery once results are announced. I just hope people have been reading them and finding them educational.

[Jim Groves]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Just wanted to let folks know...

I am going to put up my 'How we got here' post for the Lost Winery once results are announced. I just hope people have been reading them and finding them educational.

Same here. I'll have no excuses, but we can kick some thoughts around.

[Chris Mortika]

Those would be appreciated!

For what it's worth, there's a little bit of relief mixed in with the regret of not submitting for this round. I had two tentative, reasonable ideas pretty well fleshed out, but neither would have worked with the restrictions on this round. I'd either have had to start over from scratch, or shoehorn in elements that wouldn't have fit quite right.

Nice job, all of you.

[Richard A. Hunt]

Chris Mortika wrote:

I'd either have had to start over from scratch, or shoehorn in elements that wouldn't have fit quite right.

Nice job, all of you.

Thanks for the validation and your vote too, Chris! ;)

[Erik Randall]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Just wanted to let folks know...

I am going to put up my 'How we got here' post for the Lost Winery once results are announced. I just hope people have been reading them and finding them educational.

Yup. They've all been fun and useful to read.

[Matthew Morris]

Erik Randall wrote:

Matthew Morris wrote:

Just wanted to let folks know...

I am going to put up my 'How we got here' post for the Lost Winery once results are announced. I just hope people have been reading them and finding them educational.

Yup. They've all been fun and useful to read.

Thanks, the fact that they weren't getting any comments was hurting me ego.

Hmm, I've an ego to be hurt now... this is not good.

[Jim Groves]

Round 4 voting is closed.

Are we cool to post any Post Round Comments now?

[Sean K Reynolds]

Yep, I'll make a new thread with an announcement so everyone can see it.

[Matt Goodall]

Finally, I feel like I can write something about the previous rounds without worrying about influencing things in the current round.

[Jason Nelson]

Neil Spicer wrote:

I'm nervous for you guys! This round last year was the most nerve-wracking of all for me, too. It's the break point that determines if you get a shot at the brass ring or not. And much like Jason Nelson has described before, when I made the Top 32, I just wanted a chance to compete in every round. The contest is so cool that you just want to stick around and keep producing stuff round after round.

Best of luck,
--Neil

Tru dat - you just want puncher's chance every time out, the chance to show what you can do in any challenge. It's a skills challenge and a popularity contest and a reading the audience challenge and a "don't try reading the audience so much that you forget your own voice" challenge and even more.

You can't control how well people will like what you do. You just gotta make sure you do it the best you can and that you are happy with it, and if things come together, you advance again, and again, til you get that final shot. Maybe you win the title and maybe you don't, but you know you did your best and showed your stuff and you see where it leads.

And by all means, toot your own horn at least a little. Rule 0, don't be a jerk, but realize that this IS a big shot, and you should be a little proud to have made it this far. When I first met Neil last year at PaizoCon, I told him, "Dude, you ARE the champ! No need to be too modest; you DID it! You earned it, don't be afraid to claim it and accept it and enjoy it a little." It needn't be false modesty at all, but don't be afraid of excellence, guys. Best of luck to all of you!

[Tom Phillips]

I thought I'd offer up one last heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to the Top 8. You guys are an amazing and creative bunch, and I'm looking forward to seeing your names in print in the near future. It was an honor hanging with you guys.

Now, a little cheer for the soon-to-be-unveiled Top 4:
Go get 'em! This is your 15 minutes. Use them wisely.

[Matthew Morris]

If anyone's curious, my latest 'how we got here' is up.

[Joshua Kitchens]

Almost time for the big show, Round 5.

Good luck guys.

In the immortal words of Micheal Buffer:

"LET'S GET RRRREADY TO RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBLE!"

[Jim Groves]

I posted some thoughts and wishes to the Top 8 that didn't advance.

To Alex, Matt, and Matthew, I'm going to keep this simple.. Congratulations! I hope to do well, but I certainly and sincerely don't begrudge the same for you. :D

[Matthew Morris]

Good luck you guys.

May your concepts rock and your power stay on!

[Richard A. Hunt]

Hey, Top 4! I just wanted to say that it was both an honor and privilege to have competed with each of you, gentlemen! I wish you all the best of luck in winning the grand prize. And see ya around! :)

- Rich

[Jesse Benner]

While of course I would have loved to have seen my name in the top 4, my first thought when I saw who was there was: "Yup, that's about right."
You 4 have distinguished yourselves each and every round and I couldn't be happier for you.
Well done!
It really HAS been a pleasure to compete with you. Your work really forced me, and I'd only assume others as well, to do our best and I really look forward to your entries this round.
QGJ

[Jason Schimmel]

Congratulations and good luck to all of you. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us.

[Erik Randall]

It feels a little weird to have to wait so long this time to see the next submissions. I just know I'm going to be logging on next Tuesday and then remember "one more week..."

It'll be worth the wait though. Good luck guys!

[Jason Nelson]

Congrats to all of the top 4! I won't wish you good luck; at this point I'll just say bring it hard, aim high, and blow us away! Give us your best, and may the best Superstar win!

[Nicolas Quimby]

Hey guys,

While we've got a week or two to wait, why not play with some of the R2 entries that haven't gotten stats yet? I'm working on a second writeup for my own Liesinger now, and I know that there were several others who said they had rough ideas for their own creature's stats.

There are two stat blocks up in the Sploruda thread now (one by Hunt himself), FYI.

[Erik Randall]

Nicolas Quimby wrote:

Hey guys,

While we've got a week or two to wait, why not play with some of the R2 entries that haven't gotten stats yet? I'm working on a second writeup for my own Liesinger now, and I know that there were several others who said they had rough ideas for their own creature's stats.

Finally got around to doing mine:

Nakuru (Sin-Fallen Angel of Gluttony)

Now, to finish my encounter...

[Benjamin Bruck]

So my internet is down again, but I wanted to let the Top 4 know that I've saved their entries to my laptop and will be perusing them offline. I'll probably post some commentary in the next couple days.

[Joshua Kitchens]

Less than an hour to go. Good luck guys! Can't wait to find out if we are getting an Indian-themed adventure or one across dimensions. Maybe we'll have a comeback from a time-riddled sunken ruin or a fancy undead dinner party! Whatever the case, you've each done great work throughout this competition and I salute you all.

[Jim Groves]

Joshua Kitchens wrote:

Less than an hour to go. Good luck guys! Can't wait to find out if we are getting an Indian-themed adventure or one across dimensions. Maybe we'll have a comeback from a time-riddled sunken ruin or a fancy undead dinner party! Whatever the case, you've each done great work throughout this competition and I salute you all.

Thanks Joshua! You were awesome in your own right, and hope to see you in the ranks next year!

[Seth White]

Congrats Matt for winning RPG Superstar 2010!

Great work to all of the Top 4. You all turned out really cool adventure proposals that I want to run.

And best of luck to everyone who competed. I hope to see several of you published within the next year. Actually, I EXPECT some of you to be published (I won't say who), so don't disappoint.

This contest was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot from all of you. Seeing your work and reading your comments has helped me sharpen my game, and I wish all of you the best.

Now just 283 days til Superstar 2011!

[Matt Goodall]

Thank you to the Top 32. It was an honor and privilege to compete against you. I certainly learnt a lot from all of you.

[Erik Randall]

Great work everyone and congratulations to Matt! This has been a great contest to both enter and watch.

[Jason Nelson]

HAIL TO THE CHAMPION - Congrats to Matt Goodall! Way to go, Superstar!

[Lief Clennon]

I'll get you next time, Gadget! NEXT TIME!

[Nicolas Quimby]

gg, guys. gg. :)

[Nicolas Quimby]

My stats for the liesinger are up, if anyone is still hanging around.

[Chris Mortika]

To any of my colleagues who entered something new and wondrous this year, best of luck. I'll be rooting for all of you.

[Seth White]

Chris Mortika wrote:

To any of my colleagues who entered something new and wondrous this year, best of luck. I'll be rooting for all of you.

I hope someone from the class of '10 makes it this year, just so Matthew isn't so smug about his back-to-back champ status. ;)

Seriously though, good luck to everyone. I also will be rooting for anyone who makes it this year.

Spoiler:

Especially if it's me.

[Joe Wells]

Good luck to all of the past Superstar participants. I hope to see several repeat appearances.

If I don't make it in this time, I'm sure I'll be conscripted into being a busboy in the 2011 Guildhall or something.

"Hey, you there. The one that came up with the flying meat monster. Go clear table 3."

[Eric Hindley]

I've tossed my hat into the ring once more. Good luck all

[Benjamin Bruck]

You guys have my support as well, I'm anxious to see what you've been cooking up this year!

[James Martin]

I have no hope of making it again this year, but if any of you lot do, I'll be cheering for you! Good luck and it was a helluva lot of fun just being in the running last year. Thanks!