The Alternate Foyer

[Pirate Rob]

Rather than take any glory away from the top 32, I thought I'd start my own thread.

Hi everybody, my name is Robert Hetherington and I'm one of the alternates for this year's RPGSS.

I recently completed my BS in Business Economics from Iowa state and at the end of January will be returning to my true home of Berkeley, CA to seek gainful employment.

I got into Pathfinder through Pathfinder Society which accounts for almost all of my experience with the Pathfinder RPG. I've also run the first 3 books of Kingmaker and am in a couple AP pbps, but other than that it's all PFS all the time.

I don't have the text handy (I'm on the wrong computer) but my item was the Wardstone Bracers. In retrospect I feel like I could have done a better job with the description and am redoubling my monster efforts.

(If somebody has the text of the item handy, feel free to post)

Thank you all and special congratulations to Robert Brookes for already finding a table at the guildhall.

[verdigris]

Oh man! Congrats, Pirate Rob!

[Mike Kimmel]

Just wanted to stop by, as a former alternate, to say "good luck" to you, whether in this year's contest or future years! It's a tough position to be in, but you can still learn a lot and get in some good practice (and feedback!) even if you don't get the opportunity to advance.

[Rich Malena]

Hi Rob! I'll join you here in patiently waiting to see what happens...

My name is Rich Malena, and I'm a math teacher in Portland, Oregon.

I've been role-playing since being introduced to 2E in high school. I've GMed Birthright (2E and 3E), Planescape, Deadlands, Shadowrun, d20 Modern, Eberron, Forgotten Realms 4E, Numenera, Everway... even Rifts. And I've played plenty more. I'm kind of a system junkie. I also play far too many board games to count.

I got into Pathfinder pretty early on, and my home group switched over as fast as we could. But it took a while for me to discover PFS during Season 3, and that's really what turned me into the Pathfinder geek I am today. I've GMed PFS at my FLGS in Portland, at Gamestorm in Vancouver, WA, and PAX in Seattle. Last year, I finally made my way to PaizoCon for even more fun.

Most of my Pathfinder gaming has been with pre-written material, so I entered RPGSS last year as a way to test my design chops from earlier years of homebrew campaigns. One year later, and here I am. In the foyer. I'm pretty happy with that outcome.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get to see some of this gang at PaizoCon this year! This is lots of fun!

[Rich Malena]

Also, I believe that Farak and Kotyk may have a certain Lady Gabrielle d'Apcher as a common co-conspirator in the Pathfinder Society!

[Tripp Elliott]

Another Birthright person! Boy I loved that setting!

Congrats guys!

[Farak, the Most Powerful Mage]

I'm glad that people are starting to realize that I am the real Most Powerful Mage in All Absalom, unlike that pretender Thorne.

[Jeff Lee]

You guys got a foyer this year? All we had was a shack out behind the pavilion.

Be sure to have your monsters ready to go. One alternate is already in the game and you never know if you might be the next one to get a shot. It's not the best way to get in, but any opportunity could be your ticket to Superstardom.

[Mikko Kallio]

Just dropping by to wish the alts good luck! I was an alt back in 2011 and I second Mike's notion, it's a tough position to be in. Make sure your monster entries are top notch - if someone in the top 32 drops out or gets DQ'd during the voting, your entry will really have to shine because the voting public has already seen the other R1 and R2 entries. Even if you don't advance, you'll probably get a lot of useful feedback and experience which will be a great advantage next year. :)

[Chris Shaeffer]

A foyer? Who approved of the funding for this?
*Glares at Anthony*

[Pirate Rob]

Arkos: Do you have access to the submit tool yet? I still don't and am starting to get worried as I'm leaving for a convention at 6am tomorrow morning.

[Rich Malena]

Pirate Rob wrote:

Arkos: Do you have access to the submit tool yet? I still don't and am starting to get worried as I'm leaving for a convention at 6am tomorrow morning.

I don't see anything on the Round 2 Rules page, which is where I think it should be...

Good catch! Whew, I was going to submit tonight, so this is going to save me from a post-Paizo-working-day FREAKOUT.

EDIT: I sent in an email and I'll let you know what I find out!

[Tripp Elliott]

The submit button was right on the main page! I think it was below the 32 round 1 winners, and above the schedule for the overall competition. I now have a "your submission was received" note there, so I suspect that replaced the submission link.

If you don't see it, maybe send SKR a PM?

[Pirate Rob]

I sent an email and a PM to SKR. He said he'd mention it to Chris but that she probably already knew about it since she gets the emails. Wanted to make sure it wasn't just me.

Thanks.

[Rich Malena]

Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan wrote:

The submit button was right on the main page! I think it was below the 32 round 1 winners, and above the schedule for the overall competition.

On the main page?! Now I'll have that looming feeling of dread when I check the forums again until I finally hit submit. Yay, pressure!

[Tripp Elliott]

On the main RPGSS 2014 page that is!

Did you look for it?

The process is: press that link, it brings up a big legal document thingy, click agree, then you get the submission tool, where I used "preview" a LOT, and was petrified every time that I would submit by accident!

[Pirate Rob]

No link for us. Just the come back and vote.
Screen Shot

Thanks for your help though.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Zahir, welcome to a grand Superstar tradition. Hitting preview is terrifying every single time!

[Pirate Rob]

Alright, I got a hold of Chris and her robot clamps have fixed the problem.

[Rich Malena]

Fantastic! Let the added stress of submission begin!

[Rich Malena]

I DID IT. Submission complete! Now the BIG question is how much work I should spend on building my encounter on the off chance that: 1) my alternate beastie is needed for the top 32 and 2) my beastie somehow makes the top 16?

The odds of this seem so low that I'M GOING TO START RIGHT NOW.

[Pirate Rob]

I have submitted as well. I am leaving tomorrow morning to drive to Winterwar in Champagne, Illinois so I will not be able to put any work into my encounter until Monday. Of course Wednesday I'm putting everything I own into boxes and driving back out est to California. So time is going to be crunched no matter which way I go.

[Rich Malena]

Pirate Rob wrote:

I have submitted as well. I am leaving tomorrow morning to drive to Winterwar in Champagne, Illinois so I will not be able to put any work into my encounter until Monday. Of course Wednesday I'm putting everything I own into boxes and driving back out est to California. So time is going to be crunched no matter which way I go.

I'm jealous of all these cons in the midwest! I hope heading back to CA doesn't mess with your convention schedule too much.

[Tripp Elliott]

A number of alternates have gotten in prior years, so there are decent odds.

[Rich Malena]

Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan wrote:

A number of alternates have gotten in prior years, so there are decent odds.

And this is why I'm re-reading past encounters and completely ignoring all this ungraded homework on my desk.

[Iain Reid]

In terms of hitting preview, I've been "composing" a private message to my wife's forum login and hitting preview on that screen. That way, if I accidentally hit send (which I haven't), the worse that happens is I go upstairs and ask her to delete a random message.

[Jacob Trier]

Pirate Rob wrote:

Rather than take any glory away from the top 32, I thought I'd start my own thread.

Hi everybody, my name is Robert Hetherington and I'm one of the alternates for this year's RPGSS.

I recently completed my BS in Business Economics from Iowa state and at the end of January will be returning to my true home of Berkeley, CA to seek gainful employment.

I got into Pathfinder through Pathfinder Society which accounts for almost all of my experience with the Pathfinder RPG. I've also run the first 3 books of Kingmaker and am in a couple AP pbps, but other than that it's all PFS all the time.

I don't have the text handy (I'm on the wrong computer) but my item was the Wardstone Bracers. In retrospect I feel like I could have done a better job with the description and am redoubling my monster efforts.

(If somebody has the text of the item handy, feel free to post)

Thank you all and special congratulations to Robert Brookes for already finding a table at the guildhall.

Hey Rob and everyone else, congrats on making it as alternates, and good on you for all getting your monsters in.

@Rob - your Wardstone Bracers made my personal keep folder. They touch on the same theme as my own Bracer of Forceful Restraint, and I actually think you did a better job with how you handled of the dimensional anchor effect. Looks like the judges agree. Well done.

Edit: Oh, and I dug the Wardstone Bracers out of my keep folder. The BB-code didn't make it, but it looks like your template use was flawless.

Wardstone Bracers:

Wardstone Bracers
Aura moderate or strong abjuration; CL 10th (lesser), 15th (greater)
Slot wrist; Price 13,000 gp (lesser), 39,000gp (greater) Weight 1 lb.
Description
These cold iron bracers are engraved with symbols repersenting the Mendevian fortresses.
Whenever a creature attempts to use a teleportation effect or summon a creature within 30 feet of you, you may attempt to block the effect. Make an opposed caster level check (1d20 + caster level) using the bracers' caster level as an immediate action. If the check succeeds, the spell or effect fails and is wasted; otherwise, it is unaffected.
Lesser wardstone bracers may be used once per day. Greater wardstone bracers may be used twice per day.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, dimensional anchor, creator must posses the steward of the great beyond arcane discovery; Cost 6,500 gp (lesser), 19,500gp (greater)

[Pirate Rob]

Thanks for the kind words Jacob. I hope to make it in and do you proud. I'm way more excited about my monster than I was about my item.

[Pirate Rob]

Arkos RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32!

Congratulations on finding a table in the guildhall.

[Rich Malena]

Pirate Rob wrote:

Arkos RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32!

Congratulations on finding a table in the guildhall.

Thanks Rob! I didn't think we'd get another alternate in, and I wasn't at all certain that I was next in line. I'm jumping right back on the stress train!

[Pirate Rob]

In case anybody is interested, here is my monster entry.

Living Husk:

Empty black eyes stare out from behind the iron mask of this burly robed cultist.
Living Husk CR 3
XP 800
LE Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft; Perception -2
----- Defense -----
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 31 (4d10+9)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +2;
Defensive Abilities blessing of Razmir, mind wipe; Immune illusions, mind-affecting effects
----- Offense -----
Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 slams +7 (1d6+3 plus malaise)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th)
1/day—vampiric touch

----- Statistics -----
Str 17, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 6,Cha 7
Base Atk +4; CMB +7; CMD 19
Feats Power Attack, Skill Focus (Disguise)
Skills Disguise +9, Stealth +9 (+13 in crowds) Racial Modifiers +4 Disguise, +4 Stealth (in crowds)
Languages Common, Hallit
----- Ecology -----
Environment any urban
Organization solitary, pair or gang (3–6 plus 1 Razmiran Priest)
Treasure NPC Gear (disguise kit, masterwork leather armor, iron holy symbol, other treasure)
----- Special Abilities -----
Blessing of Razmir (Su) While a living husk has temporary hit points they gain spell resistance 14.
Mind Wipe (Ex) These living husks have undergone a procedure that has left their minds nearly empty of thought and resilient to mental magic. This makes them immune to mind-affecting effects and illusions.
Malaise (Su) A living husk’s slams sap charisma from those he strikes. Each time a living husk hits a foe with his slam attack, the victim takes 2 points of Charisma damage unless he resists the malaise with a DC 14 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Not all of Razmir’s new recruits survive their indoctrination, some merely have their spirits broken, while their bodies live on as empty vessels for Razmir’s power. These living husks are hideously deformed, extremely loyal and unnaturally strong. They remember nothing of their former lives and are fanatically devoted to Razmir and his priests.
Despite their hideous scarring and numerous deformities, living husks are experts at blending in. Normally they disguise themselves as ordinary followers of Razmir, using iron masks and robes to hide their grotesque appearance and blend in with the faithful. Razmiran acolytes use living husks as hidden bodyguards as they can hide among the lay members and be ready to step forward at a moment’s notice to protect their masters.
Sometimes Razmiran acolytes will use living husks as more than just bodyguards, disguising them as local thugs and having them mug critics of the Razmiran faith. In addition to scaring off the faint of heart, these attacks can sap the personalities of their victims, reducing their ability to publicly oppose the Razmiran faith.
In combat, living husks are ruthless and show no fear. They follow the orders of their superiors without regard to their own safety or wellbeing. Their preferred method of attack is to blend in with a crowd before ambushing their foes with their vampiric touch ability, relying on their temporary hit points and the blessing of Razmir to buy them enough time to pummel the personality out of their enemies.

[Robert Brookes]

Holy hopping Hecatoncheires from Buenos Aires! Rob! Your monster was almost identical to one of the few I designed and considered before going with the disir! I mean like-- mind wipe and all!

[Anthony Adam]

Well, as you shared, it's only fair to see what Template Fu was thinking of doing...

Assuming round 2 has two entry boxes, entry box one would have produced

Nightmare Child - 585 Words

The second entry box containing all those wonderful(?) words would result in this...

The crimson skin of this misshapen, hairless humanoid is mottled with purple blotches. It flexes sickled claws as lipless flesh curls back revealing a wide maw of broken, jagged, blackened canines.

Nightmare Child CR 1
XP 400
CE Small outsider (native)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., dream scent; Perception +6

----- Defense -----
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 size)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Immune sleep

----- Offense -----
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d3+1), 2 claws +4 (1d4+1)
Special Attacks born of dreams, dream maker, sandman touch
----- Statistics -----
Str 13, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +6, Disable Device +7, Escape Artist +7, Perception +6, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +11
Languages Common

----- Ecology -----
Environment any urban (Ustalav)
Organization solitary, pair, or trance (3–6)
Treasure none

----- Special Abilities -----
Born of Dreams (Su) Once per night, as a free action, a nightmare child can draw life energy from a sleeping creature. It must remain within 10 feet of the sleeper for six rounds during which it gains 5 temporary hit points and a +1 profane bonus to attack rolls. A sleeper awakening any time after these six rounds gains the fatigued condition.
Dream Maker (Sp) As a swift action, a nightmare child within 10 feet of a sleeping humanoid twists the sleepers dreams into a nightmare unless the sleeper succeeds at a DC 12 Will save. The nightmare prevents restful sleep leaving the sleeper fatigued and unable to regain arcane spells for the next 24 hours. A sleeper can only be affected once per day. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Dream Scent (Ex) A nightmare child prowling the streets on which it was spawned can scent sleepers in the throes of a nightmare-plagued sleep within a 120-foot radius.
Sandman Touch (Sp) A nightmare child’s first touch attack on a creature with 4 HD or less induces the target to make a DC 12 Will save or sleep (as the spell). The save DC is Charisma-based.

Most commonly found in gothic Ustalav and any other urban settlement where tensions and fears of the population are high. A nightmare child is pulled into existence when a group of humanoids in close proximity experience simultaneous nightmares, the nightmare child coalescing from their fears. Normally a single creature stalks the streets, but under conditions of extreme trepidation a greater population of sleepers will create a number of these creatures, referred to as a trance. When cornered, it ululates with the chilling sound of overlapping voices of the dreamers who gave it life, and fights to the death.

Once created, the nightmare child seeks to make its existence permanent as initially it lives only at night. It desires the life energies of the dreams and nightmares of sleeping creatures, using its skills to induce deep nightmare filled sleep against a whole family, and then draining life giving vitality from the most vulnerable of the house - the children. A nightmare child needs to perform this act uninterrupted for seven consecutive nights to gain permanent existence. Until this is achieved, it fades like memory of a dream with the coming dawn, only to coalesce again at nightfall. Banishment merely causes it to fade as it would at dawn requiring the nightmare child to start its hunting cycle anew.