The Official Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall

[Tripp Elliott]

Tyler Beck wrote:

Pitch approved by JJ.

Sweet, good show!

Tyler Beck wrote:

(I also have a working title, cuz I feel like that's one of the last things you can reasonably come up with based on how the proposal ends up at the end).

For 12 of us, this will be a non issue in a week.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Oh, it can be a working title? That makes me so happy to know. I'm part of that group where that's often one of the things I come up with last. (And then there was that idea where I thought I had a good title right off the bad, only for it to turn out to be the name of a Fifty Cent song.)

Just over two hours to go...

[Mikael Sebag]

The suspense is killing me, but at least JJ approved my pitch!

I think I'm more excited to see what everyone else came up with than seeing what the judges had to say about my entry.

Also excited to hear voices put to names in the podcast!

Tl;dr: Excited!!!

[John Bennett]

Good luck, everyone! I'm looking forward to the reveal. I had the most fun doing the encounter round (which is why I probably got so thoroughly stomped!).

[Mikael Sebag]

20 minutes to go!

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Song that comes on the radio as I start up the car to drive to work today? "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" Thanks, Clash. That was what I needed.

Good luck, everyone.

[Tripp Elliott]

15 minutes! Good luck all!

[Andrew Marlowe]

Very nicely done all around! We all knew going from 16 to 4 would make for a rough round. From what I've seen so far (from a very quick first pass) even the entries with 0 judges recommendations still show a lot of creativity and potential for fun. So congrats everyone! Especially the few of you who pulled a trifecta of "do recommends." I'm quite impressed - Way to go!

[Mikael Sebag]

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

Very nicely done all around! We all knew going from 16 to 4 would make for a rough round. From what I've seen so far (from a very quick first pass) even the entries with 0 judges recommendations still show a lot of creativity and potential for fun. So congrats everyone! Especially the few of you who pulled a trifecta of "do recommends." I'm quite impressed - Way to go!

Agreed. The level of creativity brought to each and every round this year from ALL the competitors has been incredible. There are a handful of encounters that I REALLY like from this round, but I'll wait until the end of voting to sing my praises.

Again, really well done one and all!

[Christopher Wasko]

Mikael Sebag wrote:

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

Very nicely done all around! We all knew going from 16 to 4 would make for a rough round. From what I've seen so far (from a very quick first pass) even the entries with 0 judges recommendations still show a lot of creativity and potential for fun. So congrats everyone! Especially the few of you who pulled a trifecta of "do recommends." I'm quite impressed - Way to go!

Agreed. The level of creativity brought to each and every round this year from ALL the competitors has been incredible. There are a handful of encounters that I REALLY like from this round, but I'll wait until the end of voting to sing my praises.

Again, really well done one and all!

100% agreement with Andrew and Mikael! Regardless of the turnout, everyone should be extremely proud of what they have created!

Also, lots of love going out to Peter Adkison's and his friend in the hospital. Good luck to both of you.

[Mikko Kallio]

Got my "Submission approved; have fun and good luck!" and recorded the interview earlier today, I hope it's up to Ryan's standards.

And yes, lots of fun entries this round. I'm honored that a few people used my monster in their entries. :)

Christopher, is there more info about Peter and his friend? I noticed his absence but didn't hear what happened. I hope they are alright.

[Tripp Elliott]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

Got my "Submission approved; have fun and good luck!" and recorded the interview earlier today, I hope it's up to Ryan's standards.

Finnish luck!

Ryan told me they couldn't do it Wednesday afternoon.

Ahh well.

[Christopher Wasko]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

Got my "Submission approved; have fun and good luck!" and recorded the interview earlier today, I hope it's up to Ryan's standards.

And yes, lots of fun entries this round. I'm honored that a few people used my monster in their entries. :)

Christopher, is there more info about Peter and his friend? I noticed his absence but didn't hear what happened. I hope they are alright.

Congrats! Unfortunately you now know all that I know; Sean referenced that he had to resign from his judging position to care for a sick friend. I don't know what the details are, but I hope everyone makes it out okay.

[James Casey]

Well Peter if you reading this, please know that you are missed and your friend is in our prayers.

[Mikko Kallio]

Whew, I've got lots and lots and lots of ideas for my adventure proposal... and they seem to mesh very nicely together. I really hope I'll advance so I can write this adventure.

But I think I'll publish it anyway, whether I make it or not. :) Either as a freebie PDF or for $5 under the OGL with locations conspicuously similar to their Golarion counterparts. :D

Anyway, I hope we'll get an awesome top 4. Good luck everyone!

[Mikko Kallio]

By the way, anybody wonder what the heck this means: "Humanoid warriors are barely a threat, and fireball, fly, multiple attacks per round, speak with dead, and water breathing."

It makes me smile everytime I see it. :)

[Sam Harris]

I've only had a chance to scan briefly through the encounters, but I just wanted to offer my congratulations and to say that I'm really impressed. There are some excellent ideas and execution at work here, and in every single encounter there's something to love. Great job, everyone!

[Rich Malena]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

By the way, anybody wonder what the heck this means: "Humanoid warriors are barely a threat, and fireball, fly, multiple attacks per round, speak with dead, and water breathing."

It makes me smile everytime I see it. :)

I keep adding "aren't readily available" at the end of the sentence, but I also keep looking and wondering if it should say "are awesome abilities that you should definitely use against the PCs who will run in fear, look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"

[Andrew Black]

Great Stuff gang...Love seeing all these great encounters. The judges are tough because only four get to go on....GOOD LUCK

[Rich Malena]

OK, so after watching some of these interviews, it seems that a lot of the competitors here have some things published out there in the world already. Would it be weird if I thought these should be compiled somewhere? I think it's been great to see all the things we've created here as a group, but I want more!

I know we already have some of the "this is how to get started with publishing" posts on the boards, but let's also see some "this is what I HAVE published!" I'd start, but I've never done anything like this before. But I am happy to throw together a basic Google if folks want to PM me links to their published works.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

I like that idea, Rich. I've linked to products I've done in my profile, but I don't know if there's an easier way to assemble them all.

[cartmanbeck]

Yeah mine are also in my profile, but I'd be happy to contribute to a "database" of sorts. How's about I just make a Google Spreadsheet right now:

Share link for Contributor publications spreadsheet

Just post here or PM me with info on what you guys have published in the past, and I'll add it to the list (please include the name, publisher, and a link!)

[cartmanbeck]

Tyler Beck wrote:

Yeah mine are also in my profile, but I'd be happy to contribute to a "database" of sorts. How's about I just make a Google Spreadsheet right now:

Share link for Contributor publications spreadsheet

Just post here or PM me with info on what you guys have published in the past, and I'll add it to the list (please include the name, publisher, and a link!)

Actually, I just went ahead and made it editable, go ahead and add your own stuff to save time and space. :)

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Got the OK for my module pitch from James Jacobs. Now I just need it from the voters. :)

[Tripp Elliott]

Haha, see, ummm publications, well, ummm, I got a "thanks to" in a Calculus textbook some decades ago. Beyond that, well, nope, nothing.

I suppose I could lay claim to having some magic items I designed posted on birthright.net, and maybe some things on alternity.net

[Emmanuel Greene]

Hooray, my pitch is approved (with a request that I change one aspect)!

Lots of work ahead of me, though, to flesh out the ideas into a full outline.

[James Casey]

I was thinking it might be cool to have a round where the contestants have to role play an encounter as a PC, or even after the contest to have some of the finalists get together to play a session via skype or some other video chat. Could be posted on Paizo as well as youtube. Also would give people another view of the contestants.

[cartmanbeck]

James Casey wrote:

I was thinking it might be cool to have a round where the contestants have to role play an encounter as a PC, or even after the contest to have some of the finalists get together to play a session via skype or some other video chat. Could be posted on Paizo as well as youtube. Also would give people another view of the contestants.

I'd be up for that. We could play a PFS scenario written by a former finalist, or part of a module written by a former winner!

[Emmanuel Greene]

Tyler Beck wrote:

James Casey wrote:

I was thinking it might be cool to have a round where the contestants have to role play an encounter as a PC, or even after the contest to have some of the finalists get together to play a session via skype or some other video chat. Could be posted on Paizo as well as youtube. Also would give people another view of the contestants.

I'd be up for that. We could play a PFS scenario written by a former finalist, or part of a module written by a former winner!

I don't think this would be a very good idea for a voting round where contestants are eliminated. But it sure would be fun! :-D

[Mike Kimmel]

I at least want to play a PBP with some fellow RPG Superstar contestants. Definitely sounds fun. Maybe something like a roll20 game too, if we could work out some time... :)

[Jacob W. Michaels]

I know they talked about doing a PBP game last year. I've got six going, but I could probably manage another one. We could certainly play through the encounters, or perhaps a previous winner's module (Doom Comes to Dustpawn or Tears at Bitter Manor or the Black Mirror...).

[Mikko Kallio]

If it's pbp, I'll definitely join! A skype game would be fun, but.. timezones.

[Kalervo Oikarinen]

Congrats to the top 16 for making interesting locations and encounters, and good luck in the voting.

Here's the location I was working on for your entertainment.

Spirecliff Prison

It would have gotten a few more polish runs and proofreading had I made it to the top 16.

Let's see if you can guess from that what monster I would have used, pretty easy, and with what template. :)

[James Casey]

Back to those interested in a RPGSS pbp or pbem game. Is there someone interested in GMing? Also, who is interested in playing?

[Mike Kimmel]

I'm always interested in GMing. I'd also be happy to play.

[Tripp Elliott]

James Casey wrote:

Back to those interested in a RPGSS pbp or pbem game. Is there someone interested in GMing? Also, who is interested in playing?

We talking PFS legal, or something entirely different?

PBP or PBEM are fine, as long as it's not a game requiring 10 posts a day, and an hour on the weekends. I'm too busy for that!

[Victoria Jaczko]

I'd love to play. GMing would be rough. Kids wreak havoc on my availability.

Great idea, guys!

[Christopher Wasko]

I would love to do this! Time restrictions limit my GMing ability, but I think it would be a lot of fun!

[John Compton]

Hey there, present and future freelancers,

I checked out the Know Direction interviews and appreciated being able to put a face, philosophy, and personality to each of you (minus a few who I understand will be in the final, edited version). It's been a pleasure working with your submissions, and I trust I'll have an opportunity to meet some of you at a convention in the future.

If you would appreciate additional feedback or would like to bounce a few modifications (e.g. "What if I had used X instead of Y?") off of me after this round's voting is complete, feel free to contact me. Also, I may contact some of you regarding freelance opportunities in the future—even if you don't make the Top 4.

Best of luck in this round and the next.

[James Casey]

Well it looks like Mike has volunteered to GM and we several that want to play, myself included. I would rather play non-pfs legal but will accede to the will of the GM and other players. I have a character concept I want to play but PFS makes it difficult. What are others thinking?

[James Casey]

John Compton wrote:

Hey there, present and future freelancers,

I checked out the Know Direction interviews and appreciated being able to put a face, philosophy, and personality to each of you (minus a few who I understand will be in the final, edited version). It's been a pleasure working with your submissions, and I trust I'll have an opportunity to meet some of you at a convention in the future.

If you would appreciate additional feedback or would like to bounce a few modifications (e.g. "What if I had used X instead of Y?") off of me after this round's voting is complete, feel free to contact me. Also, I may contact some of you regarding freelance opportunities in the future—even if you don't make the Top 4.

Best of luck in this round and the next.

Awesome, John. I definitely would be interested in additional feedback and will be bothering... Err requesting you to assist me! ;-)

[Emmanuel Greene]

James Casey wrote:

Well it looks like Mike has volunteered to GM and we several that want to play, myself included. I would rather play non-pfs legal but will accede to the will of the GM and other players. I have a character concept I want to play but PFS makes it difficult. What are others thinking?

I've never played a play-by-post game before, but it sounds fun and I'd love to try. I have a mild preference for PFS, but I'm up for whatever.

Thanks!

[cartmanbeck]

I'm definitely in on the PbP. I've never done one, but I have a feeling the relatively slow movement will mean it can take up less of my time overall, which is good. I have no preference for PFS rules other than the scenarios generally are well-written and short-ish, but if we're allowed to play crazy races that always excites me. :)

[Mike Kimmel]

John Compton wrote:

Hey there, present and future freelancers,

awesome generous stuff

Thanks, John! Feedback from the developers (whether on my entries or others' entries) is one of my favorite aspects of the contest.

[Brian J. Fruzen]

I've never been part of a PbP before either, though I have been part of Skype run games. Color me interested.

[Robert Brookes]

Thanks for the offer of additional feedback, John, it's much appreciated! I'm sure I'll bump into you at Paizocon this year. I'll be sure to stop and say hello if I see you.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

John, thanks so much for that offer. That's fantastic. I suspect you're going to be besieged with requests, but it's too late now. :)

As for PBPs, I think they're great, though it's key to get in a good one -- you need the right flow between players and GM and far too often they disappear without notice, which is INCREDIBLY frustrating. I actually mostly play PBP now due to difficulties in my RL gaming friends' schedules.

As for this one, I prefer non-PFS, but don't feel strongly about it. If we do want to run the encounters, we could possibly do rotating GMs; I'm happy to participate in that. Alternatively, someone could run one of their module pitches that doesn't claim the big prize, though I find a full module usually takes months (to give those that haven't played an idea, the 16-page Fire Over Blackcrag adventure at the end of Mythic Adventures took from Aug. 26 to Jan. 17 with a pretty good posting rate).

[Mikael Sebag]

John, that's an incredibly generous offer and one that I'm sure more than a handful of us will take you up on!

Thank you so much!

[frank gori]

It has occurred to me that my feedback is sometimes a little rough handed. To be sure all of you have done a good job thus far. a 75% cut is really tough and only great could make it in. The 9 I gave and the two 8.5s got my vote. I also voted for one of the two 8's but I'm not specifying which.

That said a 7 really tempted me despite it's flaws and I could even see polishing any of your entries into something solid, even the one I scored under a 5 has glimmers of brilliance.

You should all be proud.

[Grumpus]

Great job everyone on 16 interesting encounters. It was tough picking just 4.

It's funny that the authors of my favorite 4 encounters did not get any of my votes in the monster round, so good job on stepping up your game

If I had made it through I was toying with an idea that utilized the Selachipoda.

-Andrew