I really hope a serious monster wins the competition and not a hilaric one! Funny and overused (kaiju & lords) seem to win most competitions already.
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List updated some more, now includes all requests from the start of the thread through to end of Feb 2014 (about 30 ish thread pages), so I have passed the half way mark.
I wonder if I manage to find something for me and design it in time...
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I wonder if I manage to find something for me and design it in time...
Less wondering, more doing. Chop-chop!
Ulgu -- it's slightly easier for me if you just paste the monster into the email itself, but you can also send it as an attachment (or do both).
Same with your name (if you want to include a word count and/or pointer to which monster in the thread you're basing your monster on that's also nice, but neither is mandatory).
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Less than one week left until the deadline! Some thoughts about the contest so far.
Okay, so I thought about this a lot and decided:
-As for the butterfly familiar, I want to follow James' hints. It should be Tiny, like the other vermin familiars.
-On the other hand, I really want a giant butterfly animal companion that you can RIDE IN THE SKY. But these are two different monsters.
So:
Would it still be okay if I created the stats for the Tiny familiar (CR 1/2 at best) and follow them with the stats for the Medium-Large animal companion as a "variant monster"? If not, I'll submit only the familiar and post the animal companion stats here as a bonus after the contest's done. ^_^
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Okay, so I thought about this a lot and decided:
-As for the butterfly familiar, I want to follow James' hints. It should be Tiny, like the other vermin familiars.
-On the other hand, I really want a giant butterfly animal companion that you can RIDE IN THE SKY. But these are two different monsters.So:
Would it still be okay if I created the stats for the Tiny familiar (CR 1/2 at best) and follow them with the stats for the Medium-Large animal companion as a "variant monster"? If not, I'll submit only the familiar and post the animal companion stats here as a bonus after the contest's done. ^_^
The main focus of your entry should be the actual monster stat block. As stated before it's ok to include small sub-entries like an animal companion stat block if you can do that within the word count limit, but it's good to consider what you'd expect to see in Paizo's bestiaries. If the animal companion stat block is based on a variant monster that doesn't exist, it's definitely a risk. It should conform to the same expectations as existing monsters and their animal companion counterparts.
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Ok then, I'll stick with the familiar butterfly since that is the version that was requested in the thread. I'll work out the giant ridable butterfly as a separate monster that won't be submitted. Thank you. ^_^
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Does the entry have to use the description in the Bestiary 5 wish list? If someone names a specific mythological entity but describes it in a way counter to the myth, do I have to follow the B5 wish list description, or can I use a primary source's description?
You can use the original myth.
Does the entry have to use the description in the Bestiary 5 wish list? If someone names a specific mythological entity but describes it in a way counter to the myth, do I have to follow the B5 wish list description, or can I use a primary source's description?You can use the original myth.
If you go with the actual request though, link it so that if the judges compare your creation to the myths, they will be able to understand your deviation from the myths ;)
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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If you go with the actual request though, link it so that if the judges compare your creation to the myths, they will be able to understand your deviation from the myths ;)Does the entry have to use the description in the Bestiary 5 wish list? If someone names a specific mythological entity but describes it in a way counter to the myth, do I have to follow the B5 wish list description, or can I use a primary source's description?You can use the original myth.
Yes, that would be advisable. Thanks Anthony! :)
I hope I can squeak in this question under the wire:
If I were to create an elemental of some kind, should I try to fit in all categories (small, large, elder, etc.) or should I just pick one of those categories and run with it?
Thanks!
Ok then, I'll stick with the familiar butterfly since that is the version that was requested in the thread. I'll work out the giant ridable butterfly as a separate monster that won't be submitted. Thank you. ^_^
They FAQ says a critter should be between CR 1 and 20. Most familiars are outside of this (1/8), so make sure to follow those that are inside :) (or get clarification from the judges this is alright. ??)
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Ok then, I'll stick with the familiar butterfly since that is the version that was requested in the thread. I'll work out the giant ridable butterfly as a separate monster that won't be submitted. Thank you. ^_^They FAQ says a critter should be between CR 1 and 20. Most familiars are outside of this (1/8), so make sure to follow those that are inside :) (or get clarification from the judges this is alright. ??)
Curaigh's right -- the CR limit still applies. I'm sorry I didn't catch that earlier. Statting it up as a CR 1 creature won't be a problem -- the Improved Familiar feat makes it possible to acquire many CR 1 and CR 2 creatures as familiars.
Hmmm, I forgot that. I'll go with the giant animal companion then, since I was going to make a 1/2 CR familiar at best. i'll write it later. ^_^
Aaaand sent. A Large CR 2 vermin + animal companion stats = 336 words. It probably isn't original enough to win, but what the stick. This is something I wanted to do for a long time. I checked the bestiary thread and there WAS a request for "monstrous butterflies/moths", so I think I'm within the rules.
Maybe tomorrow I'll post the familiar version for my own and your pleasure only. ^_^
*obfuscated entry details*
Be careful you don't identify your entry - they are supposed to be anonymous during the pre-selection process and when they go up in front of Sean!
Ops. But I told what I wanted to do continuously these days. Maybe this could get me disqualified?
Oh, well. What is done is done...
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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*obfuscated entry details*Be careful you don't identify your entry - they are supposed to be anonymous during the pre-selection process and when they go up in front of Sean!
Anonymity is recommended as it helps the judges stay objective. However, this is not RPG Superstar and we don't want to be super strict about it. In other words, you won't be DQ'd for breaking anonymity. I can't speak for the other judges, but personally I'd say that if a friend or acquaintance of mine revealed which entry was his or hers, I'd be inclined to be slightly more critical about it so no-one could accuse me of favoritism. But since I don't know Bardess, there's no need to worry too much about it.
That's good to know, Bardess posts submissions every Wayfinder call, so I wouldn't want that reveal to have been a problem!
So how are you doing on entries - need a month to choose the top 5 yet? :P
There's just 2 full days left now! As Clark would say, "ENTER, if you do, you have already won!"
Seriously, entering is a big and brave step, but it is worth doing, stretch yourself, take the plunge!
I promise you will enjoy the experience of nail biting tension, second guessing, cringing at the typo you have only now spotted, crying because you forgot to change the spell checker to US English (Hey it happened! Once! I never forgot again... so far).
It's a roller coaster of a ride and we all know how much fun those are :D
I have a few more we've received in the last couple days that I need to read, but even if they were all to stink and be rejected, I have more than five keeps and weak keeps on my own list.
It's really been interesting reading them all and definitely makes me think about how I design my own monsters.
It's really been interesting reading them all and definitely makes me think about how I design my own monsters.
J_E_A_L_O_U_S! :P
I do hope people post to a thread after the competition, I too am still learning loads - even working through compiling the wish list has been very enlightening.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I also have enough keeps and weak keeps on my list to be able to give five upvotes. But it's still possible to beat my current favorites, especially the weak keeps! (It doesn't really matter whether you submit very early or just before the deadline.)
Like Jacob, I've learned a lot. It's so much easier to notice certain things (both good and bad) in other people's entries than your own. :)
Thanks for making all these awesome monsters!
Organizers, sponsors and judges, thank you for this fun contest.
Here's how I'm approaching it (just sharing):
It seems to me there are 4 factors that could make or break an entry:
1) Monster Selection: This is subjective and hard to measure, but it's important.
2) Flavor: This both an art and (social) science. Creativity, research, and familiarity with the audience are key.
3) Crunch: This is less subjective. Balance and accuracy are key, but there is room for creativity.
4) Formatting: Very objective. Diligence pays off here.
I browsed that massive wishlist on and off before finally choosing a monster on Saturday (T–minus–1 week). Then after working on some crunch and flavor on Sunday and Monday evening, I decided to choose a better monster in observance of #1 above. It was back to crunch and flavor on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I just finished tweaking and formatting tonight.
I'll submit or revise it tomorrow (Friday) after letting it simmer overnight. That gives me about a day in case it sours and needs help.
I have made also the smaller variant, But I'll wait the announcement of the finalists before posting it. ^^
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Does the 700 words include the pathfinder format and the stats, or is it just the descriptions and special abilities. I would be disappointed to be disqualified for the template pushing me way over the limit. Besides I think I am a little over the limit already, but every sentence is needed to fully describe the volatile nature and hellish ability of my most precious beast.
I think it's the same word count rules as RPG Superstar, i.e. the word count including the template - this would be how any freelancing work word count would be assessed, so it mirrors that.
I had to cut one small special ability from mine too once I had that first draft, it was only a circle of verdant growth, so didn't matter too much. :)
So look at your abilities, is any of them kind of one its own and not contributing so much to the whole theme? Then it's a word saving candidate :D
Anthony's right. The stat block and formatting are included in the 700 words.
And we must be getting close to deadline -- we got 3 more entries in while I was asleep.
1 day - give or take some time zone hours - so yeah, deadline is looming :)
*Sits all pleased with himself knowing he's already in.* ;)
I'm spending the morning/early afternoon going through the last half-dozen we've received, which I've not yet looked at. Will any dethrone my current Top 5? Only one way to find out...
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Hmmm, I forgot that. I'll go with the giant animal companion then, since I was going to make a 1/2 CR familiar at best. i'll write it later. ^_^
Glad I could help. :)
My submission is cooling right now, with a final check-over in the morning and then off to ether (Though I am seriously rethinking the name of Penta-throne Topler (Su) ability after Jacob's comment... :)
✔
I was just popping in to say the same thing, Mikko! They're coming fast and furious now.
Some nice description on the one I'm reading at the moment.
Huh. Entry sent. Benefits of organizers being on the wrong side of the world. Extra time before deadline.
It's really been interesting reading them all and definitely makes me think about how I design my own monsters.J_E_A_L_O_U_S! :P
I do hope people post to a thread after the competition, I too am still learning loads - even working through compiling the wish list has been very enlightening.
If I don't win, I have no problem posting here.