Hmm, an interesting 'stat the monster' varient could be to 'stat your monster at x challenge rating'...
::evil grin::
"And, for your next assignment, roll a d20 using the messageboard's dice tag to determine the CR for which you must now stat your monster..."
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 8
aka Tarren Dei
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I'm guessing it's not stat YOUR monster, it's stat someone else's monster. That way you not only have to show you've got stat chops, you have to show you can bring someone else's description alive.
Watch out for those surprise rounds, they can bite you. I found myself preparing far in advance for a round that never came and then had the choice of shirking a job application or rushing my superstar entry.
Try to get other work done between rounds because you don't really know what is coming up.
I came up with what I thought was an awesome villain while waiting for the announcement, but now it seems unlikely that there will be a villain round. You never know, but it seems safe to guess that Round 3 will deal with stating monsters (in some form) and Round 4 will be the usual design-a-place-or-event-with-map semifinal.
Round 2 is so straightforward that I fully expect some sort of spin for Round 3, however.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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I'm sure changing the rounds from last year is deliberate. Part of the challenge is the time constraints.
The design a place scenario is hard to anticipate because the nature of the location can be entirely different from year to year.
Got my first rough done and I'm proofing. I'm just happy to have gotten a touch of inspiration because yesterday this time I was completely blank on what to do. Seems like every monster under the sun has been done at least twice.
I have work deadlines this weekend too but it's really hard to focus on them with a unique challenge like this in front of me.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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I'm sure changing the rounds from last year is deliberate. Part of the challenge is the time constraints.
The design a place scenario is hard to anticipate because the nature of the location can be entirely different from year to year.
Got my first rough done and I'm proofing. I'm just happy to have gotten a touch of inspiration because yesterday this time I was completely blank on what to do. Seems like every monster under the sun has been done at least twice.
I have work deadlines this weekend too but it's really hard to focus on them with a unique challenge like this in front of me.
I understand. At least I got tomorrow afternoon off to scare some doctors before I turn it in. I really wish I had a <redacted> on <redacted> to really worry them.
Okay, is there any way that the alternate entries (both first and second round) will ever see the light of day? Are you guys allowed to post in the 'post your rejected item' threads?
Heck ya Alternates are welcome! I got nothing but love and respect for the Alternates.
In other news, I'm on about my second or third editorial sweep and collecting feedback from a few trusted friends. Tomorrow my final step will be running it past my wife who was a technical writer for 15 years. I'm hoping she spot any grammar or punctuation mistakes, and help me weed out my damn passive writing voice.
(No, I didn't have her read my Round One entry, and I wished I had.)
All that aside, I've really had a lot of fun this Round. I take that as a good sign because I do my best work when I'm having fun.
And now.. now I think I'm gonna have one of those ice cold beers.
Okay, is there any way that the alternate entries (both first and second round) will ever see the light of day? Are you guys allowed to post in the 'post your rejected item' threads?
I'm sure that was a conscious decision on the part of the contest administrators. However, an awesome compromise would be to at least post those entries if that Alternate is 'activated'. That way the Alternate's whole portfolio can be viewed, as well allowing their improvement from Round to Round to be considered.
I know I'm hoping voters will be pleased with any Round-to-Round improvement I can manage, so that’s something I would wish for if I was their place.
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I suppose that once the second round starts, we might be able to post up our stuff in the 'Hey Clark' thread if none of us move on. Or do we continue posting and submitting after that point? If someone is disqualified in Round 3, does the next best from Round 2 move up, or does an alternate get a shot? What have previous years done?
Okay, is there any way that the alternate entries (both first and second round) will ever see the light of day? Are you guys allowed to post in the 'post your rejected item' threads?I'm sure that was a conscious decision on the part of the contest administrators. However, an awesome compromise would be to at least post those entries if that Alternate is 'activated'. That way the Alternate's whole portfolio can be viewed, as well allowing their improvement from Round to Round to be considered.
I know I'm hoping voters will be pleased with any Round-to-Round improvement I can manage, so that’s something I would wish for if I was their place.
I think that's exactly what happens (the wondrous items of the first year's alternates are visible; the items of those they replaced are no longer visible). It still sucks.
Yes, I can see why they do it (you don't want fans saying "But this item is way better than some of the ones that made it!"), but I can't imagine writing something badass enough to make the top 36 and never having it go public.
(edit: that's assuming that they can't post them on the forums after all is said and done, which I actually don't know, which is why I was asking. This is my first year here)
<<Tom stumbles into the hall. His tuxedo in tatters and his face and arms bloody and bruised. His eyes stare vacantly. His lips tremble. He seems to be babbling incoherently to himself. Is he asking for his mother?>>
Wow, just submitted my monster concept. After writing and word-smithing for most of the last day or so, I feel like I just went 10 melee rounds with it.
Good luck everyone!
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Seeing how many of the winners are stuff I would love in my game I would love to see the alternates entries. I wish I had time to dig through Clark's thread and check out all the items in there also... maybe once things die down a bit.
Bill you are welcome to my beer, I need something a little stronger.
My blOgre is almost ready for prime time on the third rev now!
Too bad I can't use these gloves of the shortened path to grab my drink. I guess I have to use the helm instead.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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<<Tom stumbles into the hall. His tuxedo in tatters and his face and arms bloody and bruised. His eyes stare vacantly. His lips tremble. He seems to be babbling incoherently to himself. Is he asking for his mother?>>
Wow, just submitted my monster concept. After writing and word-smithing for most of the last day or so, I feel like I just went 10 melee rounds with it.
Good luck everyone!
Congratulations, I think you are ahead of the game getting yours in today. Good luck.
I'm sure you've had a field day in mine. I've never been anything close to a professional writer and I'm sure it shows.We have chairs?!Dude. You're using a bull as an avatar. You get a stall. Or maybe the pasture out back. ;-P
Meanwhile, we silver dragons can shapechange, you know.
I'm a werebull.
I was going through the items and preparing to comment but I found the former ESL teacher in me saying more than the would-be game designer so I decided not to piss in anyone's beer by pointing them out in your threads.
:: hands Sean his milk with an evil grin ::
For all the great stuff in the Top 32, I have yet to read one that didn't have at least one syntax, spelling, or punctuation error. (I'm not done reading them all.) I'm sure most people would never notice those missing commas but, if I could give one piece of advice to all the Top 32, double your proofreading efforts before you have a long drawn out argument in your thread about something like an irregular plural.
I know what you mean, Grammar has always been my weakest point.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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Oh man. People are already submitting?
Oh, and hi everyone!
Ugh, I still have mine in notes scattered around in a text doc and WAY off on word count. He is NOT a happy monster right now.
But I'm planning on spending time tonight pulling it together. Best of luck everyone! I can't wait to see everyone's work.
For all the great stuff in the Top 32, I have yet to read one that didn't have at least one syntax, spelling, or punctuation error. (I'm not done reading them all.) I'm sure most people would never notice those missing commas but, if I could give one piece of advice to all the Top 32, double your proofreading efforts before you have a long drawn out argument in your thread about something like an irregular plural.
Yep.
Many wondrous items were rejected because of a simple spelling or grammar error, and the item wasn't interesting or innovative to make up for that sloppiness.
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Thanks for the beer! Just submitted my concept after fretting over it for days.
Anyone else having dreams about this contest? It's seeped into my subconscious. I had a really wierd one last night, mashing together the RPG Superstar contest with the video of the Penny Arcade Child's Play Auction.
Will Wheaton was there, passing out vacuum sealed packs of high-quality cold-cuts to the alternates as consolation prizes for not quite being good enough for the top 32. We were seated in the front row as the auction (contest?) went on, in the same room as shown in the video with all the tables, tuxedoed attendies, and dinners.
It was rather.. odd.
Dreams can be strange creatures.
Just crawled out of my creature's head to say congrats to the other 31 (and I hope to see the 4 alts soon!)
Wordcount is crazy, eh? I wish there was a 2 word phrase for "This-creature-is-the-best-thing-that-you've-ever-seen-so-vote-for-me!"
I think I heard someone mention something about beer?
Also, I've had trouble sleeping the last few nights, not because of dreams, but because ideas have been running through my head continuously since I saw the congrats email.
Seriously, where is that beer?
I went to bed early last night, about 9:45 local time and I woke up at 2 am with my braining whirring and whirling. It was pretty much like that Tuesday night after the Top 32 was announced.
I wouldn't describe it as nervousness, just the desire to be awesome.
(Which I have no doubt is shared by every one of my fellow contestants).
As an aside, I don't actually keep any beer or liquor in the house. Boy the thought of one before bed sounds good right now.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Star Voter Season 6
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Wordcount is crazy, eh? I wish there was a 2 word phrase for "This-creature-is-the-best-thing-that-you've-ever-seen-so-vote-for-me!"
Hint: The two words you are looking for are not father Avon.
(Hey, I have to laugh at as well as learn from my mistakes)
I'm a werebull.
Bullshift.
Just got mine submitted a few hours ago. Middle of the day deadline is pretty rough as I wont get home tomorrow till 6 EDT, better safe and get it in just in case work is crazy.
I really look forward to reading the crazies you guys come up with.
*cracks open a cold one* Ahhhh!
It sounds cheesy, but I had a dream this time last weak where the top 32 were announced early and I was one of them. That was when I realized I was probably obsessing a little too hard and should focus on other things.
Needless to say, though, find out that I actually was was a pretty great feeling.
Oh, I almost forgot! Are we still getting a free Golarion pdf?
I know what you mean, Grammar has always been my weakest point.
Huh. Not only did I pick the same forum avatar as Nick, but we both submitted gloves for our wondrous item.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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It sounds cheesy, but I had a dream this time last weak where the top 32 were announced early and I was one of them. That was when I realized I was probably obsessing a little too hard and should focus on other things.
Needless to say, though, find out that I actually was was a pretty great feeling.
I did a pretty good job of playing the pessimist this year so I wasn't thinking about it much when the result was announced.
Oh, I almost forgot! Are we still getting a free Golarion pdf?
I just got mine!
Oh, I almost forgot! Are we still getting a free Golarion pdf?I just got mine!
Same; mine just appeared in my downloads (I checked before I asked the first time).
Cool!
Personally, I believe a competitor must tell themselves to focus on the next assignment. You really don't have time for anything else.... And many other truly wise wise things beyond this.
Thanks sir for this sage (as ever) advice. It definitely helps assuage the shame I've been feeling that I haven't been able to get through all 31 of my fellow competitors' items yet... Let alone get to all that stuff in the email about re-writing my profile so I seem like a human being and not just some wiseass board lurker.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines...
(PS - Hi everybody!)
I'm sure most people would never notice those missing commas but...
Interesting - I've been having my wife proofread my stuff and she tends to go after all my extra commas with a vengeance.
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I'm sure most people would never notice those missing commas but...Interesting - I've been having my wife proofread my stuff and she tends to go after all my extra commas with a vengeance.
I am a regular abuser of commas. I too overindulge.
I think it's pretty nifty that the alternates received the Campaign Setting pdf too!
Huh. Not only did I pick the same forum avatar as Nick, but we both submitted gloves for our wondrous item.I know what you mean, Grammar has always been my weakest point.
lol wow you're right, that's pretty funny I hadn't noticed that.
Same, I think I'm looking at my final draft, but I'm going to sleep on it and see if I can nag anyone else into looking it over for me.
I coulda touched Wil Wheaton's cold cuts?!?
Also: Hmm. Submission link appears even more borked than previous reports indicated.
Edit: And now it works. :)
Who doesn't love sdjectives?
Beasts and barbarians, that's who.
I'm stepping away from mine for a bit. I like what I have, but I'll see how I feel after a little time away.