
Joseph Kellogg RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka RainyDayNinja |

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So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
Well, the Hobbit is about to come out (or is it out already?), so there might be a few items based on stuff from there.
...Pinecone grenade is almost something I want now.

Chris Shaeffer RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka Hodge Podge |

So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
I think the community as a whole learned a lot from taking part in last year's competition. I do think the general quality and creativity of items will shoot up dramatically.
Cliche-wise... yeah, something Hobbity. For some reason, I'm also thinking lots of ice-themed items will be around. Gut feeling.

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |

Joseph Kellogg RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka RainyDayNinja |

I think the community as a whole learned a lot from taking part in last year's competition. I do think the general quality and creativity of items will shoot up dramatically.
I'd like to think so, but considering how much freely available advice there was out there, which many people just ignored, I don't have high hopes for them learning much more this year.
I agree with the ice items. With Frozen just coming out, and all the Reign of Winter games people are playing, it'll be on their brains.
I think we might also see a rash of items designed to make the new Advanced Class Guide classes work how the author thought they should have worked from the beginning.

Joseph Kellogg RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka RainyDayNinja |

Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |

So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
Don't forget blood. Lots and lots of blood.
I wonder whether we'll see more Egyptian or even Numerian/tech (though that's less likely) to coincide with the upcoming Adventure Path. I thought a lot of the winter-themed items last year -- whether they were done with Reign of Winter in mind or not -- were some of the strongest in the competition, and I'll be interested to see if there's a similar situation this year. (Of course, JBE's open call for Egyptian-style items may have stolen some of the mojo from that niche.)

TwoDee Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 |

So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
In addition to all the "Ice" stuff that everyone's been echoing, I expect that this isn't the last we'll see of cell phones and other tech-as-magic-item shenanigans. With the announcement of Iron Gods and the success of last year's Numeria-themed submissions (albeit in the encounter section rather than the items section), I'm thinking that space tech is going to be a common theme.
EDIT: Well, just go and beat me to it, then, Jacob. Here I was thinking I'd wow everyone with my unique and individual opinion on the internet!

Kiel Howell RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka theheadkase |

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |
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Jacob Trier wrote:Chris Shaeffer wrote:I'm expecting some Jacobs this year, Jacob. Don't you disappoint me!Yessir!I'll try to get my other brother to submit something good.
Dy-na-sty! Dy-na-sty!
Just make sure he listens to his wife this time - remind him of the Raging Swan Open Call if he refuses.

Joseph Kellogg RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka RainyDayNinja |
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Joseph Kellogg wrote:Just make sure he listens to his wife this time - remind him of the Raging Swan Open Call if he refuses.Jacob Trier wrote:Chris Shaeffer wrote:I'm expecting some Jacobs this year, Jacob. Don't you disappoint me!Yessir!I'll try to get my other brother to submit something good.
Dy-na-sty! Dy-na-sty!
No, not Jacob. My other brother. Then, after he makes the Top 32 this year, I have a year and a half to get my oldest brother into the game and whip him into shape for the 2015 contest, for the hat trick.

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |

What was the cellphone thing last year? I didn't even know about RPG Superstar until after it had ended, so I missed out last year.
"Cellphone" generally refers to any item that lets people communicate over distances. There are usually multiple every year It is one of the most common examples of Items that are modern technology disguised as magic.
I recommend you take the time to read through all of Sean K Reynolds advice threads. They sum up the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Curaigh Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 |

So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
The problem is they are not barrel cliche until you've seenbarrel them for the Nth time. If you knew barrel what they might be barrel you could avoid them entirely. If everyone could do that barrel, they would stop being a cliche. Of course the judges barrel seem to choose the best of a meme barrel item and promote it so barrel making the BEST barrel could let an author barrelride right in.

Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |

Maurice de Mare RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka Darkjoy |

Feros Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9 |

Feros Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9 |

Maurice de Mare RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka Darkjoy |

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |

Maurice de Mare RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka Darkjoy |

Jacob Trier RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8 |

Curaigh Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 |

Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |

Maurice de Mare RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka Darkjoy |

I wonder if there are enough of us just waiting for the Superstar announcement to knock the website offline, like on reveal days...
Five minutes or so to go (of course, we're assuming it will indeed be 2 p.m. PST).
Well, the website and crew do need to be tested so.......... 2 PM is a very good guess

Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |
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Hmm. Different judges for each round this year, including one woman in each round.
Looks like no twist on Round 1 (though I only skimmed the rules so far).
And, whoa, just realized only four rounds this year. No clue what they are, but I'll guess monster, encounter, module, based on the judges. Which could make for some BIG culls in each round.

Paul Brown RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 aka Isaac Duplechain |

Curaigh Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 |

Sean K Reynolds Designer, RPG Superstar Judge |
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We cut the archetype round because archetypes don't really show us game design chops relevant about writing a cool adventure module. And I'd hate to see someone who'd be great at writing adventures wash out of the competition because they weren't good at writing archetypes (because archetypes aren't easy).

PathlessBeth Dedicated Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 |
We cut the archetype round because archetypes don't really show us game design chops relevant about writing a cool adventure module. And I'd hate to see someone who'd be great at writing adventures wash out of the competition because they weren't good at writing archetypes (because archetypes aren't easy).
I have to say, this both surprises and intrigues me.
In most games I run, almost every PC gets a homebrewed alternate class/archetype (whatever you want to call it, I don't always stick to your 1-for-1 trade, though), usually co-written by the player and I. The main reason I do this is because it allows people to play the character they enjoy the most without pouring through 200+ books to find something.However, frequently I've found that well-written archetypes (along with prestige classes, and to a lesser extent base classes) are useful in designing organizations, which in turn are useful for world-building and adventure-building. I agree with your assessment that archetypes aren't easy to make (in fact, there are many features of monsters that I have an easier time with than archetypes).
What I'm curious about is this: what about a contestant's archetype-design do you find less informative than, say, wondrous item design? Or monster design?

Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion , Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 |
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What I'm curious about is this: what about a contestant's archetype-design do you find less informative than, say, wondrous item design? Or monster design?
An adventure writer is *far* more likely to use a new magic item (or new creature, or a new map) in their adventure than archetypes or classes. Those are the strengths that are needed for adventure writers, not class creation, or archetype creation, or new rules subsystems. We're looking for somebody to write an adventure first and foremost—the rest can come later. :)

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Jacob W. Michaels wrote:Kerney wrote:Thus the Glittering Dust of Giggling Girlishness died....saying something as innocuous as your item was better than in years past shouldn't have been a problem.I could be way off, but I am pretty sure the pun intended here was that he was shocked that the Glittering Dust of Giggling Girlishness MUST have been disqualified because of his innocuous comment. Because there is NO WAY an item as awesome sounding as the Glittering Dust of Giggling Girlishness could EVER be eliminated, other than the judges MUST have removed it from the competition. It is, in fact, the only explanation.
LIKE, FOR SURE.
First off I took the post down about 5 seconds after I posted it.
If you did see my item, I'm glad to hear it. If you didn't that's cool too. The hard drive it was on was literally crushed, so I don't have it.
It was a dust that gave you the young template, but it was invented and named by a fey sorceress with a penchant for reliving her childhood.
137ben wrote:What I'm curious about is this: what about a contestant's archetype-design do you find less informative than, say, wondrous item design? Or monster design?An adventure writer is *far* more likely to use a new magic item (or new creature, or a new map) in their adventure than archetypes or classes. Those are the strengths that are needed for adventure writers, not class creation, or archetype creation, or new rules subsystems. We're looking for somebody to write an adventure first and foremost—the rest can come later. :)
Makes sense.
A good idea for the future might be to make an archetype appropriate that was particularly useful for an NPC. Like the Geisha and the Cloistered Cleric seem to be more common as NPC options, an archetype that made NPC's significantly different might be cool.
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It was a dust that gave you the young template, but it was invented and named by a fey sorceress with a penchant for reliving her childhood.
The internet doesn't always cooperate with me when it comes to tone so please take this as gently offered kind advice Kerney (and anyone else):
Don't include the sort of back story mentioned above. If it helps your process to know where it came from then fine create away just make sure your item can stand without that text and remove it before entering your item in the contest.
Sean explains it better than I could here. Hope this helps.

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There's still a couple hours to go in the Pacific Time Zone, but it's November here in the East, which means (assuming it's at the same time as usual), Superstar's almost here.
Looking back at last year, Clark's first post in the General Discussion forum exhorting people to enter was Nov. 15, which is just over two weeks away! (Though it looks like the contest actually started Dec. 4; the previous year it was Dec. 5.)
Pompoms, check.
Tissues, check.Tea, check.
Soft pillows, check.
Glitter, check.
Champagne, check.
Alright gang, I'm back for another year. Let's make this happen!

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So does anyone have any predictions about what the cliche items and elements will be this year? Last year we had cell phones, filigree, and attunement periods, among others. Do you think we'll see the same ones? Will we see anything new?
Thank you for asking Joseph! I just returned from Jalmeray Fashion Week and I have big news for you!
Gilded will be the new Black this year Joseph. Gilded fittings. Gilded rings. Gilded gloves. Gilded gilding gold! Everything will sparkle and shine this RPG Season!
And this year's MUST HAVE accessory is the Belt! Wrap yourself in a Gilded Belt and you have just won Superstar!
Have a great RPG Superstar season everyone and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Anthony Adam Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 |

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:There's still a couple hours to go in the Pacific Time Zone, but it's November here in the East, which means (assuming it's at the same time as usual), Superstar's almost here.
Looking back at last year, Clark's first post in the General Discussion forum exhorting people to enter was Nov. 15, which is just over two weeks away! (Though it looks like the contest actually started Dec. 4; the previous year it was Dec. 5.)
Pompoms, check.
Tissues, check.Tea, check.
Soft pillows, check.
Glitter, check.
Champagne, check.
Alright gang, I'm back for another year. Let's make this happen!
Come on, I know you better than that, where's
chocolates check. ?

Sean McGowan RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32, 2011 Top 4 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka DankeSean |

I don't know what overused descriptions will enter the collective hivemind this year, but I do have a prediction about item themes. Seeing as last year there were a number of winter/witchy/Slavic themed items (just as the Reign of Winter AP loomed on the horizon), I'm interested to see if this year brings a number of desert/archaeologist/Egyptian themed items because people's minds are racing ahead to Mummy's Mask. (Not that this is a bad thing; I really liked most of the Irrisen-feeling items last year, and a number of them made my personal top 32 list. I just think it would be interesting if the trend repeated itself.)

Anthony Adam Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 |

I don't know what overused descriptions will enter the collective hivemind this year, but I do have a prediction about item themes. Seeing as last year there were a number of winter/witchy/Slavic themed items (just as the Reign of Winter AP loomed on the horizon), I'm interested to see if this year brings a number of desert/archaeologist/Egyptian themed items because people's minds are racing ahead to Mummy's Mask. (Not that this is a bad thing; I really liked most of the Irrisen-feeling items last year, and a number of them made my personal top 32 list. I just think it would be interesting if the trend repeated itself.)
Wow, if you are right, this could be the first year I have bucked the meme trends O-o o-O O-o...

Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |

I don't know what overused descriptions will enter the collective hivemind this year, but I do have a prediction about item themes. Seeing as last year there were a number of winter/witchy/Slavic themed items (just as the Reign of Winter AP loomed on the horizon), I'm interested to see if this year brings a number of desert/archaeologist/Egyptian themed items because people's minds are racing ahead to Mummy's Mask. (Not that this is a bad thing; I really liked most of the Irrisen-feeling items last year, and a number of them made my personal top 32 list. I just think it would be interesting if the trend repeated itself.)
I've had the exact same thoughts, Sean. I am wondering, though, if some of those potential entries instead went to JBE's open call for such items.

Feros Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9 |

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:There's still a couple hours to go in the Pacific Time Zone, but it's November here in the East, which means (assuming it's at the same time as usual), Superstar's almost here.
Looking back at last year, Clark's first post in the General Discussion forum exhorting people to enter was Nov. 15, which is just over two weeks away! (Though it looks like the contest actually started Dec. 4; the previous year it was Dec. 5.)
Pompoms, check.
Tissues, check.Tea, check.
Soft pillows, check.
Glitter, check.
Champagne, check.
Alright gang, I'm back for another year. Let's make this happen!
Hi mamaursula! How have you been?
Oh, and one other question:
Glitter. Seriously?

Papasteve08 Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 |

Kerney wrote:It was a dust that gave you the young template, but it was invented and named by a fey sorceress with a penchant for reliving her childhood.
The internet doesn't always cooperate with me when it comes to tone so please take this as gently offered kind advice Kerney (and anyone else):
Don't include the sort of back story mentioned above. If it helps your process to know where it came from then fine create away just make sure your item can stand without that text and remove it before entering your item in the contest.
Sean explains it better than I could here. Hope this helps.
Just like tone, it appears the sarcasm from a joke doesn't translate either... Maybe thats why my posts keep failing...

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mamaursula wrote:Jacob W. Michaels wrote:There's still a couple hours to go in the Pacific Time Zone, but it's November here in the East, which means (assuming it's at the same time as usual), Superstar's almost here.
Looking back at last year, Clark's first post in the General Discussion forum exhorting people to enter was Nov. 15, which is just over two weeks away! (Though it looks like the contest actually started Dec. 4; the previous year it was Dec. 5.)
Pompoms, check.
Tissues, check.Tea, check.
Soft pillows, check.
Glitter, check.
Champagne, check.
Alright gang, I'm back for another year. Let's make this happen!
Come on, I know you better than that, where's
chocolates check. ?
You know me so well you know I do not share my chocolate. Even when commiserating with friends. We all have limits Anthony, but fear not, I have secret Godiva stash ready to go ;-)

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mamaursula wrote:Jacob W. Michaels wrote:There's still a couple hours to go in the Pacific Time Zone, but it's November here in the East, which means (assuming it's at the same time as usual), Superstar's almost here.
Looking back at last year, Clark's first post in the General Discussion forum exhorting people to enter was Nov. 15, which is just over two weeks away! (Though it looks like the contest actually started Dec. 4; the previous year it was Dec. 5.)
Pompoms, check.
Tissues, check.Tea, check.
Soft pillows, check.
Glitter, check.
Champagne, check.
Alright gang, I'm back for another year. Let's make this happen!
Hi mamaursula! How have you been?
Oh, and one other question:
Glitter. Seriously?
I have been very well! How have you been?
As for the glitter, confetti just seemed so last year. Glitter is the Gilded version of confetti and if you read my report from the Jalmeray Fashion Week, you would know all about Gilding! Besides glitter makes me dizzy! :-)