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The FAQ looks like it has a holdover from last year's contest:
"Yes. The "twist" to the Round 3 (monster) design task is the monster must be CR 2, 3, 4, or 5, and 7 and its environment must be forest, river, or swamp (or more than one of these).""
And there was much rejoicing!
Hmm... I wonder what region they were thinking of when they made these criteria... ;)
The FAQ looks like it has a holdover from last year's contest:
"Yes. The "twist" to the Round 3 (monster) design task is the monster must be CR 2, 3, 4, or 5, and 7 and its environment must be forest, river, or swamp (or more than one of these).""
Ninja'd...or rather, badger'd.
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All those z's in the template are making me sleepy... zzzz...
Hmm, so those people who wanted the low CR monster got their wish.
And dang, the one I was banging away on would've been perfect for this round.
Well.... that could have been much worse. Thanks Sean!
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Contemplating making one with these rules for practice...
This reason for disqualification is interesting:
Submission is a science fiction, steampunk, or some other genre monster that could not reasonably be a part of a standard fantasy roleplaying game.
Since when is Pahfinder "standard". Have a bit more respect for yourselves, Paizo! ;p
Seriously though, I guess it makes sense - although we have Numeria, Alkenstar and Mana Wastes mutants, we haven't seen that much sci-fi in Round 1; saw one Gunslinger in Round 2 (well done that contestant!) and the environment of forest, swamp or river probably isn't that conducive to spine-droids, astro-steamers or the like.
Also, let's stick to one genre so the entries aren't all over the shop!!!
I must say, I like these restrictions.
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I was hoping for something like the villain round in 2011 - create your monster based on the artwork. It was one of the best assignments this competition has ever had IMHO.
But this will work, too. :)
I was hoping for something like the villain round in 2011 - create your monster based on the artwork. It was one of the best assignments this competition has ever had IMHO.
But this will work, too. :)
Then get to work, instead of dawdling here... :-)
I'd like to ask for a clarification --
The rules page lists as a limitation that the entry can't be world-neutral -- that it has to be Golarion-specific -- but under the disqualification guidelines, which basically list the inverse of every limitation, that particular limitation is not rehashed. Is it or is it not a rule for this year's monster challenge? I only ask because apparently there was another typo somewhere on the page that someone else caught, and "CR 7 Golarion monster" was, if I recall correctly, last year's twist.
In brief -- do we need a Golarion tie-in?
Thanks in advance!
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I'd like to ask for a clarification --
The rules page lists as a limitation that the entry can't be world-neutral -- that it has to be Golarion-specific -- but under the disqualification guidelines, which basically list the inverse of every limitation, that particular limitation is not rehashed. Is it or is it not a rule for this year's monster challenge? I only ask because apparently there was another typo somewhere on the page that someone else caught, and "CR 7 Golarion monster" was, if I recall correctly, last year's twist.
In brief -- do we need a Golarion tie-in?
Thanks in advance!
IANSKR, but I'm guessing the reason that 'the monster does not have a Golarion tie-in' isn't in the disqualification rules is that it's quite subjective. You can definatively tell if any of the other conditions have been broken, you can't really tell with the flavour.
I can't recall a round of RPGSS that hasn't had a Golarion tie, so I'd work under the presumption that it did.
Six hundred words? My Wayfinder monster submission memories tell me that 750 tended to be a bit short to fit monster. Maybe my personal template I used was longer than the Paizo's?
I've discussed this with other people at Paizo, and we definitely want it to be a Golarion monster. I'll get the rules updated (as nobody can submit their monster yet, nobody has submitted a monster yet, so altering the rules at this point doesn't affect any existing entries.
As for the word count: Yes, 600 words is your limit. You're forgetting that a standard 1-page monster also has to have room for a full-body illustration. As an example, the hobgoblin (Bestiary 175) is a text-heavy monster entry... which weighs in at about 590 words.
There is obvious overlap with the RK, but there's nothing in the R3 rules limiting the monsters to the RK.
I think if every round required you to write specifically for the RK, we'd get (1) author burnout, (2) voter burnout, and (3) less useful submissions overall. So we tighten or loosen the guidelines for each round to keep the competition fresh.
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I'd be willing to be right now that at least a couple of the top 8 are going to be designers who set themselves apart by doing something other than a must-be-in-RK monster.
As for the word count: Yes, 600 words is your limit. You're forgetting that a standard 1-page monster also has to have room for a full-body illustration. As an example, the hobgoblin (Bestiary 175) is a text-heavy monster entry... which weighs in at about 590 words.
One copy-paste into my regular google docs later, word count shows 567.
Hmm.
Ok, I see. Hobgoblins save a lot of words by lacking any defensive abilities, special attacks, spell-like abilities. Especially anything with numbers pushes word-count up disproportionately to increase of space occupied.
Thanks for the clarification, Sean!
As for the word count: Yes, 600 words is your limit. You're forgetting that a standard 1-page monster also has to have room for a full-body illustration. As an example, the hobgoblin (Bestiary 175) is a text-heavy monster entry... which weighs in at about 590 words.One copy-paste into my regular google docs later, word count shows 567.
I assure you that according to the Microsoft Word program, it is about 587 words. :)
Our layout averages about 900 words per page. We usually allocate about 400 words for a standard body shot illo, but because stat blocks have a lot of empty air and the air can me malleable WRT that sort of thing we instead count it as about 300 words, which means we have room for about 600 words per page.
One copy-paste into my regular google docs later, word count shows 567.I assure you that according to the Microsoft Word program, it is about 587 words. :)
And the LibreOffice word count says 562...
Well, it's judge's/editor's/publisher's word counter which, ahem, counts in case of submissions anyway.(I copy-pasted the PRD version. Maybe there are some minor differences due to Open/Closed Content perhaps?)
I copy-pasted the PRD version, too. :)
I copy-pasted the PRD version, too. :)
So it probably boils down to differences between various word count algorithms.
I've discussed this with other people at Paizo, and we definitely want it to be a Golarion monster. I'll get the rules updated (as nobody can submit their monster yet, nobody has submitted a monster yet, so altering the rules at this point doesn't affect any existing entries.
As mentioned above, this might be considered a bit subjective. After all, most monsters can be used in different worlds even if there's significant allusions to Golarion. For example, even though the Sandpoint Devil is heavily tied to Golarion there would be nothing to stop anyone using it in a homebrew campaign.
Any chance of an example of a monster that would be considered Golarion-specific?
I've discussed this with other people at Paizo, and we definitely want it to be a Golarion monster. I'll get the rules updated (as nobody can submit their monster yet, nobody has submitted a monster yet, so altering the rules at this point doesn't affect any existing entries.As mentioned above, this might be considered a bit subjective. After all, most monsters can be used in different worlds even if there's significant allusions to Golarion. For example, even though the Sandpoint Devil is heavily tied to Golarion there would be nothing to stop anyone using it in a homebrew campaign.
Any chance of an example of a monster that would be considered Golarion-specific?
Almost every monster can be adapted to another setting. I think it takes an interesting story twist to monster description to make it "Golarion-specific". Sandpoint Devil is one good example. I think that those Sin-spawns or what they were called would be another.
EDIT: I am still waiting for information if my Wayfinder #8 submission was accepted because one of my submitted monsters had Golarion-specific background and could be good (or bad, depending upon judge's view) example.
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I am still waiting for information if my Wayfinder #8 submission was accepted because one of my submitted monsters had Golarion-specific background and could be good (or bad, depending upon judge's view) example.
Did you ask Tim? The issue should be coming out soonish. They posted on the 14th it was in layout.
I am still waiting for information if my Wayfinder #8 submission was accepted because one of my submitted monsters had Golarion-specific background and could be good (or bad, depending upon judge's view) example.Did you ask Tim? The issue should be coming out soonish. They posted on the 14th it was in layout.
Didn't wanted to bother him. If I am in, I am in, if I am not, asking won't change it anyway. If it was paid work I'd be harrying him about that but he isn't paid for his hard work either and I'll learn soon enough anyway (hopefully).
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{Any chance of an example of a monster that would be considered Golarion-specific?}
Fiendblood Salmon: This green-scaled salmon is tainted by demonic energies seeping into its spawning grounds. It can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
Storastan Death Salmon: This green-scaled salmon spawns in the waters near Storasta. Tainted by generations of eggs steeped in Abyss-tainted water from the Worldwound, these fish have enlarged and mutated. The death salmon can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
FYI, re: Wayfinder, I'd ask Tim, but Tim just came down with the flu, so may be delayed in responding (and in getting the issue done, I dunno).
{Any chance of an example of a monster that would be considered Golarion-specific?}
Fiendblood Salmon: This green-scaled salmon is tainted by demonic energies seeping into its spawning grounds. It can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
Storastan Death Salmon: This green-scaled salmon spawns in the waters near Storasta. Tainted by generations of eggs steeped in Abyss-tainted water from the Worldwound, these fish have enlarged and mutated. The death salmon can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
This is exactly what I had in mind.
EIDT: Ok, maybe not exactly fiendish salmon... I'd rather think of fiendish catfish before fiendish salmon ;)
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Sean's in the Pacific Northwest. The fiendish salmon run rampant up here.
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Again with the low CR...stuff.
It almost - not quite, but almost - makes me glad i didn't make it again this year as i abhor low level play.
On the other hand 'tho, it would definitely force me to think outside of my normal comfort zone, which might be the point.
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Remember, folks. The contest is to find a designer. Iprefer sweet spot and high level play, but if Paizo, Frog God or Open Design asked me for a low-CR monster or encounter, that's what I gotta do. The contest tests our ability to follow directions, not design what we're best st. Otherwise, good Lord willing, you'd be seeing my epic adventure path proposal in the final round.
{Any chance of an example of a monster that would be considered Golarion-specific?}
Fiendblood Salmon: This green-scaled salmon is tainted by demonic energies seeping into its spawning grounds. It can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
Storastan Death Salmon: This green-scaled salmon spawns in the waters near Storasta. Tainted by generations of eggs steeped in Abyss-tainted water from the Worldwound, these fish have enlarged and mutated. The death salmon can create a poisonous froth to repel predators, and is inedible to any creature that isn't immune to poison.
FYI, re: Wayfinder, I'd ask Tim, but Tim just came down with the flu, so may be delayed in responding (and in getting the issue done, I dunno).
Fictional Fish Metal band Salmon Hater may have something to say about all the evil Salmon.
Salmon Hater - 6.66 (1/100 of The Number Of The Beast).
or
Salmon Hater - You Are What I Eat .
The followup single from the 'lost' Salmon Hater album, "A Brief History of Salmon"
Filmed back in 2003, this has only recently been rediscovered, four years after Torv's mysterious disappearance at the height of the Australian 'Godfathers of Fishcore's' breakthrough.
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I have some Round 3 rules questions not covered in the FAQ.
Golarion monster inspired by a real-world mythological, legendary, or folklore monster: kosher?
Examples: the skvader, the goblin.
What if it's been described in a non-RPG, published source?
Examples: the rusalka, the wendigo.
Unique creatures OK?
Example: the Sandpoint Devil.
Filmed back in 2003, this has only recently been rediscovered, four years after Torv's mysterious disappearance at the height of the Australian 'Godfathers of Fishcore's' breakthrough.
Is fishcore anything like crabcore?
Clark
Allowed.
Allowed (assuming doing so isn't a copyright violation).
I wouldn't present it as a unique monster. Just because it's unique in real-world lore (frex, jabberwock) doesn't mean it has to be unique in a fantasy world.
Or better yet, for crabcore:
The word count thingy in the submissions form doesn't count BBCode tags, does it? I can't confirm this at the moment (when I try to go to the submission form, it says the round is closed).
I have some 80 or so BBCode tags in my draft at the moment, and that's easily the difference between being under and over word count >_>
I'm concerned not about the BBCode tags, but the "----" that we're required to include in the Defense, Offense, Statistics, Ecology and Special Abilities headers. Since there's a space between them and their header, they count as words. So is our word count actually 590, or do they not count?