Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Drogon, if your numbers are that high then you can request "con" support for your game days of 15 sessions or more.
This is true. And I have. And I have been given it. (-:
But I'm not asking for con support, as I know how to work that system, and regularly encourage others to do so, as well. I am asking for the (ideally) simple acknowledgement of the company for which I toil so much. What John just did in the post above has made me beam with pride, and is a little feather to tuck in my cap that I will happily show off to anyone who will pay attention.
I want a method in place for every GM in this great campaign to get the same feeling, on occasion. It will make them toil all the more, and happily.
Edit: Katie, I see I made the grievous error of skimming your post after reading certain key words. I apologize. And, yes, you are correct: on an hour for hour basis, conventions will garner a better rate of "return on investment" than a game day program. But I will say that my own game days will give you a good run for your money.
As you mentioned, more tools are good things. I'm happy to have you in my corner.
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I also think there is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between this idea of 'GMs wanting a reward' and 'saying thanks to our GMs by giving a token of appreciation' i.e. a Boon or the like.
I don't think many/any GM's are on here asking for their payment, I think the only conversations are on 'Should we say thanks in some kind of material way' and 'in what way would they like this done', and in turn some of the GM's are offering their guidance on the matter.
As to all the 'But I do it for the love of the game', well that's awesome but so does everyone else here...
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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How about giving GMs with stars a reward that actually reinforces and encourages their selflessness?
This is - a boon that GMs can't use on themselves, but can give out to others. This continues to foster the "GM giving to players" relationship, and honestly, there's nothing more rewarding that doing something for someone else
What I would like to see is GMs receiving a boon that entitles Someone Else to a full (or partial) rebuild. This would give much-needed tools to assist newer players with weak characters before or after a session.
(As an aside, after my last session, I went over a 4th level ranger's sheet, who was doing 1d6 damage per round with a shortbow. 'Luckily', he had an incorrect statline, so we were able to 'legally' fix it.)
That's an interesting idea. I'd also go for a boon that lets GMs raise characters they kill X number of times.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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That's an interesting idea. I'd also go for a boon that lets GMs raise characters they kill X number of times.How about giving GMs with stars a reward that actually reinforces and encourages their selflessness?
This is - a boon that GMs can't use on themselves, but can give out to others. This continues to foster the "GM giving to players" relationship, and honestly, there's nothing more rewarding that doing something for someone else
What I would like to see is GMs receiving a boon that entitles Someone Else to a full (or partial) rebuild. This would give much-needed tools to assist newer players with weak characters before or after a session.
(As an aside, after my last session, I went over a 4th level ranger's sheet, who was doing 1d6 damage per round with a shortbow. 'Luckily', he had an incorrect statline, so we were able to 'legally' fix it.)
It is an interesting idea, no doubt.
However, it has the problem of being perceived as a "playing favorites" type of boon. Anyone who plays with me most likely knows I have four stars. If I kill them and don't give them a raise dead, they will be wondering why. If they don't simply wonder why and wander on home disappointed, they'll outright ask me to do it. How do I say "no" without sounding like I'm telling them they don't deserve it?
This needs to be kept simple for all involved.
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That's an interesting idea. I'd also go for a boon that lets GMs raise characters they kill X number of times.How about giving GMs with stars a reward that actually reinforces and encourages their selflessness?
This is - a boon that GMs can't use on themselves, but can give out to others. This continues to foster the "GM giving to players" relationship, and honestly, there's nothing more rewarding that doing something for someone else
What I would like to see is GMs receiving a boon that entitles Someone Else to a full (or partial) rebuild. This would give much-needed tools to assist newer players with weak characters before or after a session.
(As an aside, after my last session, I went over a 4th level ranger's sheet, who was doing 1d6 damage per round with a shortbow. 'Luckily', he had an incorrect statline, so we were able to 'legally' fix it.)
It is an interesting idea, no doubt.
However, it has the problem of being perceived as a "playing favorites" type of boon. Anyone who plays with me most likely knows I have four stars. If I kill them and don't give them a raise dead, they will be wondering why. If they don't simply wonder why and wander on home disappointed, they'll outright ask me to do it. How do I say "no" without sounding like I'm telling them they don't deserve it?
This needs to be kept simple for all involved.
Maybe a Die of Resurrection. A physical die sent to you by Paizo, that has a one in six chance of rezzing a character for free. It could only be rolled at the end of the scenario. If you were playing, you could roll it for yourself, or if you were GMing all you dead players could roll. Maybe even different sided for different stars ( 20 sided for 2 stars, 12 sided for 3 stars, etc.). Bonus would be a cool set of dice to use during the game it you made it through all the stars.
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That die thing is too convuluted. Netopalis just hates the idea of losing some character in a game.
I would hate to have a boone to raise people. Because I would not use it and people would hold that against me. I already know someone that still holds a grudge against me because I enjoy 4e too. Sometimes people do not need a legitamte reason to dislike someone.
Again I say have a VL or VC give the DM a boone for aiding PFS and let that DM decide to give it away or keep it.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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That die thing is too convuluted. Netopalis just hates the idea of losing some character in a game.
I would hate to have a boone to raise people. Because I would not use it and people would hold that against me. I already know someone that still holds a grudge against me because I enjoy 4e too. Sometimes people do not need a legitamte reason to dislike someone.
Again I say have a VL or VC give the DM a boone for aiding PFS and let that DM decide to give it away or keep it.
Because it drives new players away and, unlike in a home game, there is not a sufficient mechanism to provide for raises at low levels. If it weren't for the lack of ability to raise at low levels, my life would be a lot easier.
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It dies not drive them away if you prepare them for it. If a player knows they can die and knows you are following a script. Them dieing should not drive them away.
It is when they played a level or two are made to believe they can not die and are killed do you really scare them off.
I have seen GMs try to kill people, brag about it before they did it. Those kind of impartial killings scare off players.
When a new player starts you should prep them for the possibility of death. Tell them it is ok to run away. They can not win everything and sometimes they will lose.
First steps spoiler
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I actually have something similar to this on my list handed over to IT. When a GM earns a new star, they receive a thank you email and a special boon.
(From here.)
Freakin'. SWEET. Also, kind of makes this entire thread pointless.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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I actually have something similar to this on my list handed over to IT. When a GM earns a new star, they receive a thank you email and a special boon.(From here.)
Freakin'. SWEET. Also, kind of makes this entire thread pointless.
Not true. This thread serves at least two purposes:
1 - Gives Mike insight into what kind of boon he may want to give out.
2 - Lets everyone know that I'm about to win a bet. (-;
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Not true. This thread serves at least two purposes:
1 - Gives Mike insight into what kind of boon he may want to give out.
2 - Lets everyone know that I'm about to win a bet. (-;
Ha! We'll see, my friend--implementation takes a while. ;p
Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville
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I would say that race boons would be nice, but the higher stars may benefit having a boon that is given only to GM's, or is rare (like You Be Goblin).
So, what type of boons?
Additional Reroll? Reroll as if you had the shirt/portfolio? Perm bonus to a skill (Trait bonus) of choice, or Craft skill of choice?
Perhaps the chance to play an option that is restricted otherwise? Like some Archtypes for the summoner?
Maybe gain an additional feat (specified or out of a new product)? Resurrect a dead character? Perhaps have a character become an important part of the society? (Reserved for the highest level character that is active at the time)
I have Ideas.
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One thing that always bugged me is when I GM at cons I get a race boon. That is cool and all, but the organizers typically tell me I don't qualify for any of the other boons they are handing out because I am GMing the table and not playing the table. It's annoying to say the least when I am gming virtually every slot and all I get is the same boon I would have gotten for 1 slot.
Can I at least roll for the chance of the boon like the players? Or after x tables, pick a boon being given out?
Developer
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In my experience at conventions, a convention staff member (often the regional coordinator or another volunteer) hands out a token to every participant at a table that allows them to roll a die, pick a card, or any other little game of chance. I have never seen a GM passed over in this regard, and sometimes the GM even gets two tokens. Combined with the general GM boon, I can remember one slot in which I earned two boons: one for GMing and one for just participating.
What you bring up is more of Mike's specialty, but I would recommend speaking with the coordinator of Pathfinder Society at the convention to see if he or she would consider changing the local policy.
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In my experience at conventions, a convention staff member (often the regional coordinator or another volunteer) hands out a token to every participant at a table that allows them to roll a die, pick a card, or any other little game of chance. I have never seen a GM passed over in this regard, and sometimes the GM even gets two tokens. Combined with the general GM boon, I can remember one slot in which I earned two boons: one for GMing and one for just participating.
What you bring up is more of Mike's specialty, but I would recommend speaking with the coordinator of Pathfinder Society at the convention to see if he or she would consider changing the local policy.
This happened even at a con that Mike and Jason were at. Mike wasn't organizing it, but there was around 4 VCs from different regions there. If this isn't the policy, then it needs to be clarified because I've seen it in several regions with numerous different VOs.
With that said, I did have maybe two different VOs give a token to me when I ran. At least 1 said something like "I shouldn't be doing this, but...".
It's just annoying to be denied something given to the players at my tables with 0 actual cost on Paizo's part.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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John, it seems to be regional. Some areas host conventions with a pretty tight policy on player boons: a 5% or 10% chance each session. For those environments, a single, guaranteed reward is pretty sweet; most people will go home without any.
Other conventions are looser with that. Either "every table gets one boon per slot" or even "every player wins a boon every slot". In those environments, a single triple-race boon isn't much.
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Ha! We'll see, my friend--implementation takes a while. ;pNot true. This thread serves at least two purposes:
1 - Gives Mike insight into what kind of boon he may want to give out.
2 - Lets everyone know that I'm about to win a bet. (-;
Regarding your bet...
*Redacted*
Isn't that exciting?!
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Officially, player boon distribution should be at 10%.
In addition to the GM boon, I have given GMs a chance at con boons, just like players. I have mentioned this to Mike and he has not told me to stop doing this.
It is only fair that GMs get a chance at player/con boons too. The more they GM the more chances they have.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Is there a difference between GM boons and player boons? How big does a con have to be to get them?
Not really. Both are on chronicle sheets, and both will grant the same feature. The only time I've ever seen a "GM Boon" that was different than the "Player Boon" offered for an event was with the Beginner Box Bash.
I think people are using the distinction only to differentiate under which circumstances a boon is handed out. For instance, locally, we will give out boons at conventions. Anyone who GMs WILL get one of those boons at the end of the convention (or during). But, as Don mentioned, anyone at a table is allowed to go for the random chance to get the boon offered at that point (including the GM). Technically, the boon handed to the GM is a "GM Boon" and the boons awarded at the tables are "Player Boons." Mechanically, they are the same.
An event can get boons by submitting to Mike for them. You will need to have 15 tables scheduled over the course of no more than 4 days (?) to qualify. It might be 3 days. At any rate, I've seen them given to stores who run "mini" cons by running 4 tables Friday night, 4 each Saturday morning and afternoon, then 4 on Sunday. Of course, the larger the event, the more boons you'll get. Although your region will be considered. If you're in an area with a 10,000 person population and no major event within driving distance, your 15 table "mini" con will be the biggest event in the area, and likely get better support than the 15 table event in the middle of San Francisco, where a 190 table convention was just run.
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As far as GM rewards go for varying star counts and related achievements, I can say that Mike and I have bandied about a few ideas over the past few months, and there are some promising prospects in the works. Reading through the roughly 250 posts here gives us some other ideas to work with. Actually getting those into a format that will be ready for widespread distribution will require some time, and there are some other...
Thanks for the input John. Hearing from you guys and knowing the community feelings are considered is one of the things that continues to make Pazio a great company.
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Discounts would be nice--I don't mind paying $4 per scenario, but sometimes when I'm running without playing because nobody else wants to, it's a little bit of salt in the wound.
I put out a "scenario" jar when ever we are doing PFS, some guys will throw in pocket change, others will put in 5 bucks every few months. I use that money to pay for the scenarios, I don't break even, but it helps remind our group that the 4-5 hours of entertainment they are getting is coming at someones expense.
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As someone who is closing in on their fourth star and works in customer service(which is a lot like GMing in some ways), I would like to say the following. It does not really matter to me what I get for running a game. I get the satisfaction of running it, the joy of the absolute looks of horror, and joy on the faces of the players at the table as well as a thank you at the end of it. I do not even know what I am entitled to if I get my fourth star, and quite frankly do not care about because of the following.I have had fun doing this for years, I have helped others have fun playing the game, moved approximately 1400 km and made so many good friends out it. I continue to make good friends out of it and last time I checked, buying a mod and prepping it, running and snacks for a session, even if I provide them myself, is cheaper than a movie ticket. Con's are even better, not for the boons, but to play with and run games for new people, with different play styles and character ideas that I would never think of.
And that's an awesome attitude (and similar to my own I might add). However, speaking as someone who also coordinates game days, some of the judges I use have this attitude and some don't. Some really do do it only for the rewards. Some needed the enticement of the rewards to get started but now do it for the fun of it.
If I had to rely only on the judges with the "I do it for fun and don't care about rewards", the local judges would be completely burned out as there would be less judges to go around. There's room for both kinds of judges in PFS. And, frankly, both are needed.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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I agree with all of that, just annoying when you are scrambling for GM's to run games. I have no idea how some of the larger regions do it, we have enough trouble being a low to mid level playr base.And that's an awesome attitude (and similar to my own I might add). However, speaking as someone who also coordinates game days, some of the judges I use have this attitude and some don't. Some really do do it only for the rewards. Some needed the enticement of the rewards to get started but now do it for the fun of it.
If I had to rely only on the judges with the "I do it for fun and don't care about rewards", the local judges would be completely burned out as there would be less judges to go around. There's room for both kinds of judges in PFS. And, frankly, both are needed.
Considering your previous post, I hope this doesn't offend you, but I have a solution to your problem: offer them some incentive.
Under the spoiler tag is the announcement I make at the end of every month.
Hello, all,
It is that time, again. I’m looking for GMs for next month’s games at Enchanted Grounds in Highlands Ranch. This is not the open call for those games; that will happen next week after I have all the GM spots full. Watch for it then, if you are not going to GM. If you are interested in GMing for me, read on.
First, I would like to outline the benefits of GMing for Enchanted Grounds:
1. I can get you the module for free. If requested, I will provide a physical copy of it, along with faction missions and chronicle sheets. In certain cases, I can get you an electronic copy, but those cases are necessarily rare and must be discussed.
2. You will earn a $10 gift certificate to the store for each game you GM. This helps offset any cost you incur purchasing the scenario or the supplies to run that scenario.
3. You will be given access to the schedule ahead of the general announcement. For each table you GM I will allow you to take a player seat at another table. This seat is guaranteed, as you will be signing up ahead of the open call.
4. If you GM ten games at the store I will give you a Pathfinder RPG t-shirt (currently the Core Rule Book t-shirt). This shirt, when worn at an PFS event, gets you one re-roll of a D20 during a game session.
5. As Phil McMahon once said so well, you "get to play an ass-hat that everyone can't stand for the entire night; one that everyone gets the satisfaction of killing at the end of the game." Don't sell that short. It's an invaluable benefit, and one everyone appreciates.
6. All of the inherent benefits of GMing PFS scenarios (character credit, advancement on the GM "star" tier, access to GM boons when made available, etc.).
So, with all that in mind, I would like to ask for GM volunteers for the following dates and scenarios:
At which point I list all the scenarios, dates, times and tiers of play.
To earn the money for the gift certificates, we charge $2 per player per game (a paltry sum for 4-5 hours of entertainment). Any excess money earned over the $10 required for the gift certificate goes into the "kitty" that pays for the t-shirts.
I announce games for general sign-ups as soon as I have all my GM slots filled (about 20 games per month). I usually fill my GM slots within 24 hours.
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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Glad I could help. If you ever need any advice about coordination or GM recruiting (or in-store PFS of any sort) please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
Kyle, Shifty, someday, when I can afford such luxuries, I will happily take you both up on your offers. In the meantime, if you ever make your way to Denver be sure to stop by - a tall order for you, Shifty, I realize, but one of your countrymen recently did just that. (-: