Gen Con special play test update


PaizoCon General Discussion

Grand Lodge Global Organized Play Coordinator

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Hi all. The Gen Con special we are running at PaizoCon (and PaizoCon UK) is the play test for Gen Con. As such, we are saving some surprises for the final version at Gen Con and ever final running afterwards.

With that in mind, people playing the Gen Con special at PaizoCon will be allowed to play the special again at Gen Con or afterward once all the surprises are revealed. This will work similar to the GM replay, where you can play it at PaizoCon and then again once afterwards for credit, as long as it's a different character. This is our way to say thank you for helping us make it an awesome scenario and rewarding you for feedback helping us make it an awesome event for worldwide release.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

To clarify, just players? Because GMs will still be able to get play credit at/after GenCon without needing a special dispensation?

Shadow Lodge

Yet another way that our Paizonian masters are rock stars of extraordinary magnitude. (Follow with "Pop! Pop!" or "They have our gratitude" depending on your generation)


All Hail Mike Brock!

Grand Lodge Global Organized Play Coordinator

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TriOmegaZero wrote:
To clarify, just players? Because GMs will still be able to get play credit at/after GenCon without needing a special dispensation?

Since our PaizoCon and PaizoCon UK GMs are awesome people, you will be able to play and GM the final version again, each for credit.

Shadow Lodge

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ALL HAIL OUR GLORIOUS CAMPAIGN OVERLORD!

Lantern Lodge

Thanks Mike, that's awesome!

Grand Lodge

*loud cheers* This is great news! Thanks Mike!

Sovereign Court

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

Grand Lodge Global Organized Play Coordinator

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zylphryx wrote:

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

If we do a play test again in 2015, it will likely apply then as well. But, if I can make my fortitude and Will saves, I hope to eventually make the Grand Convocation a thing again.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps Subscriber
Michael Brock wrote:
zylphryx wrote:

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

If we do a play test again in 2015, it will likely apply then as well. But, if I can make my fortitude and Will saves, I hope to eventually make the Grand Convocation a thing again.

You have just made so many Pathfinder's lives so much better with that statement, Mike...


The grand convocation was unlike any thing I've seen elsewhere, it was really cool & hope it comes in again. :)

Is there a wait-list for the special? it filled up too fast for me to get in. Not that I expect any cancellations, but just in case.


What was the Grand Convocation?

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Makes me wish I had a ticket for the Special at Gencon. I didn't realize when event tickets went on sale, but I will be there at Paizocon.

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Michael Brock wrote:
zylphryx wrote:

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

If we do a play test again in 2015, it will likely apply then as well. But, if I can make my fortitude and Will saves, I hope to eventually make the Grand Convocation a thing again.

The Grand Convocation being a thing again might be the tipping point that brings me to Paizocon.

Grand Lodge

Yeah. Shame all the Gencon Special tickets are gone now. =\

Sovereign Court

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Michael Brock wrote:
zylphryx wrote:

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

If we do a play test again in 2015, it will likely apply then as well. But, if I can make my fortitude and Will saves, I hope to eventually make the Grand Convocation a thing again.

I would be so psyched to see the GC come back! I'll be crossing my fingers that you roll well on those saves.

<hands Mike a cloak of resistance +5, a headband of inspired wisdom +6, and a belt of mighty constitution +6 ... then sets about to find clerics with the Luck and Good domains to keep tapping his shoulders while he makes the saves>


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Sadly, I wish we could have known a little sooner. Otherwise it would have given me a reason to go to PaizoCon. I guess there's next year.

Scarab Sages

Yeah I'm actually a little disappointed by this as I'm hunting one last ticket for the special at GenCon. Now there's really no reason for anyone that is going to both PaizoCon to give up their tickets... Oh we I guess I can leave try to buy a scalped ticket ;-)


The Grand Convocation featured several special scenarios and events, and a live-action re-enactment of some serious campaign events in-character which led into the "special" for PaizoCon. We got to meet many faction leaders and Venture-Captains in character and in costume, and influence who Michellia Blakros would marry. A lot of the GC events played out in later scenarios, which continue to play out even today.

It was... awesome, and really immersive, and brought the Society to life in a way I haven't seen before or since, but a HUGE amount of work for both Paizo and the freelance team who got to work on it, either writing scenarios and quests, or writing and producing the live-action scenes. We learned a lot from doing it, and I really hope it does become a "thing" again so we can make it even better!


Here's an old post on Grand Convocation 4712 AR...

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

The GC was my first PFS GM experience. I would love to see another.


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Great summary GM Lamplighter - it also occurred in 4709 (2009), so the next one would theoretically be due in 4715... *hunts down some Law clerics to help as well - "Take 11" should do it!


GM Lamplighter wrote:

The Grand Convocation featured several special scenarios and events, and a live-action re-enactment of some serious campaign events in-character which led into the "special" for PaizoCon. We got to meet many faction leaders and Venture-Captains in character and in costume, and influence who Michellia Blakros would marry. A lot of the GC events played out in later scenarios, which continue to play out even today.

It was... awesome, and really immersive, and brought the Society to life in a way I haven't seen before or since, but a HUGE amount of work for both Paizo and the freelance team who got to work on it, either writing scenarios and quests, or writing and producing the live-action scenes. We learned a lot from doing it, and I really hope it does become a "thing" again so we can make it even better!

Nice Lamplighter.

If you have ever been to one of those murder mystery dinner shows, it might give you an idea of what to expect. The scenarios and events all awarded a chronicle too, from Ioun stone cups to having your fortune harrowed, to archery test... something for every character :)

Liberty's Edge

Starfinder Superscriber

I used to be in an improv theater group that did some murder mystery dinner theater shows. There were no chronicle sheets, and we were an independent group (not part of an organization). We'd have a story, and then the 6-8 of us would go in and stage a few scenes and talk to people in character. Somewhere along the way, one of us would get murdered, and then the people at the party had to try to figure out who did it.

Was always fun. I got killed once, and managed to break the host's glass coffee table when I fell... OOPS. That was pretty embarassing. But, people tended to enjoy it.

All the GMing I did starting as a kid was good prep for doing improv theater. and, all the GMing I did over my life, plus all the theater I've done over my life, was good prep for teaching college....


Wow, that sounds awesome! I would love to experience something like that. I thought that last year's special was something, but that sounds like another level!


We also got to see a Hellknight inducted into her order, and Michellia Blakros hit on me. (Well, maybe I dreamed that last part.)

Dark Archive

TetsujinOni wrote:
Michael Brock wrote:
zylphryx wrote:

And yet another reason I get to be bummed about not getting to Seattle this year. :(

Mike, will this possibly be a recurring thing for 2015 as well, or does this look more like a single time occurrence?

If we do a play test again in 2015, it will likely apply then as well. But, if I can make my fortitude and Will saves, I hope to eventually make the Grand Convocation a thing again.

You have just made so many Pathfinder's lives so much better with that statement, Mike...

Here, here! Thank you!

Shadow Lodge RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8

GM Lamplighter wrote:
We also got to see a Hellknight inducted into her order, and Michellia Blakros hit on me. (Well, maybe I dreamed that last part.)

I still have that Hellknight's shield. It looks good hanging on the wall ;)


You should hang it on the wall in the PFS room, & the bring Decemvirate Helm too :)

Silver Crusade

Grand Convocation? Yes please! It was the whole reason I even wanted to attend PaizoCon

Grand Lodge

WalterGM wrote:
GM Lamplighter wrote:
We also got to see a Hellknight inducted into her order, and Michellia Blakros hit on me. (Well, maybe I dreamed that last part.)
I still have that Hellknight's shield. It looks good hanging on the wall ;)

It was quite an honor to have that happen in my Lodge!

(Gods I loved playing Ambrus)

I look forward to another Grand Convo and possibly reprising my role as the GL VC. I just enjoyed working with everyone and interacting with the players who werent involved with the live action set themselves. Some even dressed and acted as their characters they were playing at PCon, which made it that much more awesome.

See some of you this year, and those who didnt make it, next!


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Grand Convocation for the win!

I had a great time role-playing the Oracle who channeled each PC's god for them at the GC.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Shivok was freakin' awesome, even if it was hard to concentrate on killing PCs in Unearthing the Vault at the next table over. Nearly got my first PC kill in my first PFS GM experience! Thankfully, the AoOs the enemy provoked trying to coup de grace the paralyzed fighter brought it down.

The Exchange

GM Lamplighter wrote:

Here's an old post on Grand Convocation 4712 AR...

And another recap.

The Exchange

The Special was great fun, but seriously dangerous for our group at the 10-11 lvl. We had to use Breath of life on our heavy hitter Ranger during one of the fights. Having a good healer is necessary!


GC does sound pretty cool. I hope to see it myself sometime!

This year's special was quite the trip! I certainly enjoyed it. I ran for a party in the 7-8 tier, though they were strong enough that they ended up fighting in the 10-11 tier and beyond for the final fight! I have no doubt they would've trounced the big bad if time hadn't run out during the first round. Archers, man... :P

Liberty's Edge

Starfinder Superscriber

Heh. I was tier 5-6. Some in our group were wusses, erm, including me, and we didn't tier up in the final fight.

The good news is, though, everybody survived. (My character was brought below 0 three times, however. As was my brain, actually, late on Saturday night after two con-days of not enough sleep.)

Sovereign Court

I gotta say that the music was a horrible addition to the Special, though. I love Syrinscape, but in a room like that with that many gamers, it just made it harder to hear each other. And I swear it got LOUDER as the night went on. My head was throbbing by the end.

Liberty's Edge

Starfinder Superscriber

Yeah, I agree that the music didn't work in that particular venue. It was too loud to actually hear the music as music; all it did was add to the din. The announcement fanfares and such were good.

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