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So the six day voting period is half over and we have now seen the entries. This round is quite possibly the most wide open and creative round that has ever been done in RPG Superstar history. How so? The only creative instructions they had were to make a map of somewhere on Golarion and that the map should be of an area that would be necessary to map for an adventure module. They were given an entire planet and no specific scale on which to create. They could decide for themselves what they should do.
Some mapped areas that had been mentioned in the Campaign Setting material, but never mapped. Others chose to create brand new locations, never before dreamed of for Golarion. They made regional maps, city maps, dungeon maps, and encounter scale maps. They used colour, symbols, numbers and letters to mark out and make usable their maps. The differences were as large as could be imagined.
There was some speculation that the fourth round encounter would use maps from this round as part of the encounter design. While I wouldn’t rule out using the areas described as the basis for maps in the encounters, the fact that no one was required to create encounter level maps and only a few of the contestants did strongly suggests that brand new maps will be in the offering when round four arrives.
The creativity on display was quite remarkable. The areas ranged from dozens of miles to under 100 feet across. We had ruins, drowned cities, dramatic cliffs with waterfalls (LOTS of waterfalls), working towns, and dungeons. The Top 32 were allowed to let their imagination soar and it took quite a few of them to great places.
It also demonstrated map making abilities. Some were able to work their software and artistry to produce maps that could fit in a finished module. Others produced hand drawn work that was astonishingly good. Others concentrated on making clear, easy to read maps.
One thing that struck me as I was looking through the entries was how well some of the contestants were able to tantalize me with a story told almost entirely with visual images. That is in my opinion a hallmark of a Superstar. Not all the drawings that did this were works of art either. They just had to include elements that told the story and keep the map easy to read. Bravo to all who accomplished this feat!
As expected, a number of map makers were far more skilled at producing aesthetically pleasing maps than others. What I am finding interesting has been the response from the posters: pretty hasn’t been a guarantee at all of high praise. The comments have indicated (at least among the posters) that they want maps they can easily use in a game. Some of the higher praised maps have not necessarily been the most artistically well done. They have been the ones that were most clear and conveyed the space mapped the best.
We still have three days to consider the entries and lock in our votes. Everyone should make sure they get their votes in (and any changes to their selections they want to make) before 2 PM PST on Monday.
After that point, the gags come off. No longer able to influence the vote, the contestants can defend and further explain their entries at that time. So we could see a flurry of activity in the 24 hours from vote lock to the results reveal. We may also get a peek at the twist for the Round Three: the monster round! We won’t know when this twist will be revealed, but obviously no later than Tuesday with the announcement of the Top 16.
As Round Two winds down and we get ready for Round Three, I encourage everyone who hasn’t commented in the entry threads to try and find time to do so. Even if it is just an encouraging post to bolster spirits, the Top 32 really need to hear that they have our support.
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As we get ready to vote once more, let’s take a closer look at Round Three—the adversary/monster round. This round has been in the contest every year but has had very different parameters given over time. Initially there were two adversary rounds and included a statted out villain followed by not one but three monsters that had to be linked together in some fashion. That first year had a top 6 round making 6 rounds in total. With the reduction to 5 rounds the following year, the adversary design round became a single event and has remained so since.
The adversary round alternated at first between a villain and a new monster entries though has remained just monsters over the last 3 contests. Last year the removal of the catch-all round meant that the bestiary entry was in the second round and we had 32 monsters to review. That was a lot as monsters are hard to get a handle on easily and it took a large effort on the voters to really decide between the Top 16. This year it is back to its traditional Round Three placement with the Top 16 and a much more manageable number of foes.
Tomorrow we will get 16 new monsters that have been designed to fit into Nar-Voth, the upper section of the Darklands—the great underground regions of Golarion. You might think that what effectively is a dungeon setting would be an easy twist for the designers, but there is more there if you think about it. Nar-Voth has a very specific set of residents that differ from the lower underground regions of Sekamina and Orv. It also differs somewhat from regular surface dungeons and caverns. It is a through point from the surface world to the deeper regions and has interconnected kingdoms and races who are rather hostile as a whole. A monster will have to recognize this thoroughfare aspect, have a connection to some of the common denizens of Nar-Voth, or have some other trait beyond being just a dungeon monster to fit in properly. If it doesn’t it may not garner enough votes to make it through to the Top 8.
We will be given all 16 monsters to review with judges’ comments. Like Round Two, we will be able to vote for more than one entry, usually 8 again like Round Two. Also we will see the 16 go silent again. We had a withdrawal at the start of Round Three that happened early enough that Owen and the rest of the staff running the contest felt they could advance #17 up. They may not happen again, so with a DQ and a withdrawal the remaining contestants have had some lessons in what happens if they are not careful or life interferes.
Please try and comment on each monster thread if you feel you have an opinion to contribute, even if it is just a simple congratulatory note. The contestants really can use all the moral support they can get.
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So now we have a Top 8. This is a very special distinction and they deserve our congratulations and praise. They have demonstrated the ability to design the components of adventures very well and to popular response with very little time to accomplish each task. Well done all!
And this is the last year they will be in the competition.
That’s right: seven of those lucky eight will never get the title RPG Superstar. Why are these designers barred from entering in the future? It goes back to the reason this contest was started in the first place: discovering new freelance talent. With all the attention that these eight have gotten from both the voting public, Paizo staff, and the third party publishers who watch this contest closely it can be argued that these eight have most definitely been “discovered”. But for four of them the immediate opportunity to write something for Paizo will vanish at the end of this round. With no work guaranteed, what exactly do the Top 8 gain?
Well for a start they are about to complete what amounts to a publicly accessible portfolio of their work. Think about it: when approaching a publisher who is curious as to what the would-be-author can do—especially on a tight deadline—any of the Top 8 can reference this contest, where they will find a magic item, a map turn-over, a monster, and a fully designed encounter with map ready for perusal. Past work is used by publishers as a quick gauge of the quality they can expect from a writer and here it all is in one convenient spot.
They have also had the very publishers who want new blood watching them closely, seeing what they can do as well as how they behave and post. Does this person seem like someone I want to work with? The impressions they have that were established over the course of the contest can go far into being given a shot.
Finally they have the experience and critiques that this contest has given them which will improve their technical design skills and hone their art to a much better degree than if they had not participated at all. All the feedback from the public and professionals is invaluable to becoming a successful freelancer and making some money at this game.
To sum up if you are fortunate and skilled enough to make it to the Top 8, you have proved yourself capable of being a professional freelancer and have been given the tools with which that career can proceed. It is up to the four who don’t move on to the fifth and final round to pursue their goals with what they have gained on their own but with a leg up most designers would love to have.
So good luck to all eight and good work! You are all capable designers and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future!
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Voting for the Fourth Round begins tomorrow with the reveal of the Top 8 encounter designs. The Location/Encounter round has always been the second to last round of RPG Superstar, and it has evolved slowly over time. Usually it is reserved for the Top 8 with only two exceptions: the first year in which location round was reserved for a Top 6 (the only year this round existed) and last year, where due to a shortened schedule there were only four rounds and the second-to-last was a Top 16.
The first year it was an encounter alone, set somewhere in Golarion. The location on the map had to be unmapped before, but did not need to be all that remarkable in and of itself. The following year the location was more important—it had to be a villain’s lair—with multiple encounter areas being sketched out but not overly detailed. For the next two years of the contest, the created location was far more important than the encounter. It was detailed out heavily with a rough sketch of an encounter tagged on at the end to make the location usable in game.
RPG Superstar 2012 was the first of the contests to use the current form: create a new location on Golarion and place an encounter there. The encounter is now the center piece of the work, with the new location being a flavourful addition. The first two years of this method we were given extra time before voting to playtest each encounter and post the results. With few people actually doing this and the excessive number of 16 entries last year, the practice was discontinued and we now judge the entries like all the others.
This has always been an interesting round as it shows for the first time in the contest a complete encounter, the basic unit of adventure design. Before now, the contestants only deal with the elements of encounters: maps, characters, monsters, magic items. Here we get all those elements sewn together into a cohesive whole. Not only that, but they have to include certain elements that can only be chosen from a short list: it has to be set in Nar Voth, it has to have a trap, and it has to use a monster from Round Three that is not of their personal design.
Within those parameters they have to create an encounter that is internally consistent and creative, set in a new location that they dreamt up themselves. All within three days. In many ways, this has always been the most difficult of the rounds. But if they succeed here we can be assured that they have the skill necessary to write the adventures they are given in an entertaining and challenging manner.
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Welcome to what I refer to as the Long Interval. With the Top 4 now selected, they have not three but a full ten days to prepare and enter their submissions for an adventure module. As such, we’ll be a full two weeks waiting for the next development in the contest.
Now in the past Paizo has attempted a few things to keep up interest over this long dead period to limited success. You have probably noticed the recent dramatic drop off in posts here on the website in some long established and previously very active threads. It usually gets worse through the Interval. Call it “voter fatigue”: people have now been involved in the contest for such a long time that interest has waned at the same time the amount of effort to review each entry has increased. With each passing round, the detail and complexity of each submission has increased even though the number of entries has been halved each time.
It takes effort to read all the way through an encounter to figure out what works and doesn’t within it. It takes time to compose commentary on the submission that articulates your feelings, both good and bad. This effort and time commitment from a group of people who have no real stake in who wins or doesn’t must seem like a waste. There could be so many more things that they could be doing.
This of course does not diminish the efforts from the people still in the contest, obviously. They are still putting all their efforts into hopefully coming out on top. But let us not ignore the efforts of everyone who still cares enough to be involved and show enthusiasm after three months of this contest, even if they aren’t competitors any longer or ever were.
For me, half the fun of this contest is the give and take on the boards. We come together as a community and celebrate this incredible hobby of ours in a contest unlike anything else in the industry. For three months we get to cheer on some of our own, fans of role-playing games in general—and Pathfinder specifically—as they attempt to have their work published by the leading company in the business. These people are no different from the rest of us in their passion and enjoyment of the hobby. And we get to celebrate with their victories and commiserate with their defeats. It is a unique experience that I look forward to every year.
You only get out of this contest what you put into it. Being involved even through the Long Interval can be just as enjoyable as when we started back in December. Speculation, further analysis of the entries, talking to the contestants in the contest and those who have fallen, and making an effort to spread the word of this contest and what it means are such rewarding activities in and of themselves. So let’s all have a great Long Interval and enjoy each other’s company here on the boards a little longer.
I find that it is always worth it. :D
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Let’s talk about Round 5—the Module Round. This is it, what the entire contest is builds up to: the opportunity to design a module for publication by Paizo. For the first six years this final round allowed the Top 4 to dream big and go wherever they pleased and develop adventures of any sort. Last year this changed and all entries had to be built on a similar theme; last year this was an urban based adventure and this year all the entries will be set in Nar-Voth. Voting in the final round is a bit different in its effects and implications than the others, however.
First, no one is actually eliminated here. All four are going to be given the opportunity to write an adventure for Paizo. Only one will gain the title of RPG Superstar, but the other three will be able to write a Pathfinder Society Scenario each over the coming year. So no matter what happens with the vote, we will most likely see adventures from all four!
I say we may see adventures from all four because it is not unheard of for some Top 4 contestants to not come through with the writing opportunity they have been granted. Whether they were unable to complete the scenario they were given or whatever, we don’t see the follow up. Sad, but there it is. It could be any number of reasons and Paizo keeps those to themselves. Still, I remain hopeful that all three runners-up will provide us with exemplary adventures in the coming months.
Second, unlike other rounds what we vote for here will actually become a published adventure. There will be changes and improvements, but sometime over the next year we will see this vision actually made into a real product that can be held in the hand. I remember when I actually held a copy of Tarin’s Crown in my hand after it was published and saw my name on the cover. It’s a unique feeling that I can’t describe other than pure joy. To have a vision in your head, with characters and locations that you designed done up in a professional manner and made into a real thing is a heady experience.
That is what the RPG Superstar winner will get and then some. They have the added benefits of the notoriety and accomplishment in having their adventure spoken of and anticipated for months in advance. They will always have the title that goes with winning this contest and the ability to build on future projects from it. If they want it, this is just the beginning of what could be a great career.
Third and finally, we each only get one vote and when the voting is over the other module ideas die. While no one should ever say “never”, the odds of seeing any of the other module submissions developed are beyond remote. Sad as it sounds they really shouldn’t be developed: if they were then winning the contest would mean a lot less. The winning proposal is only published because it won. If the others are published that distinction would be lost. So even if the other entries are really good, it is better for the long term health of the contest that they be left behind. And there have been some amazing adventure ideas that have fallen by the side, let me tell you…
Now the core idea of the adventure could be used by the author in a third party publication so long as characters, locations, the title, and any connection to Golarion are changed. There are only so many plotlines in existence, after all, and some reuse is possible. But Paizo owns the adventure proposals and all the characters and locations therein; these will most likely never appear in print.
What should you vote for? That depends entirely on you. As a player, ask yourself if this sounds like an adventure you would like to play through. As a GM, ask yourself if this looks like a great module to run. Your opinion on this is as good as anyone’s so take the time to consider all four entries and make your final decision.
Here we go, once more into voting for the last time this contest. Good luck to all four! Make us proud!
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The voting has closed and now the results are being tabulated. They will be announced tomorrow. At that time I encourage everyone who has been following and enjoying this contest to give their congratulations to the winner and to the runners-up. This year has given us a great group of candidates from the Top 32 all the way to the Top 4 and they deserve praise for all they have accomplished. Good job to all and a special congratulations to the Top 4! Brilliant!
After the celebrations tomorrow, we’ll have roughly 9 months before it all begins again. But the contest is not abandoned even then. Check out the Nine Blazing Months Thread when it starts up again for a writing and design challenge that lasts until the next contest begins. Hosted/run by Curaigh, it is a group learning session with the goal of helping to develop people who can challenge in this contest. It makes for a great read even if you don’t take part.
I hope that everyone who has read this thread, from mamaursula’s first post through to this entry has found it useful or entertaining (hopefully something of both). I want to thank Monica for coming up with this idea and for endorsing my taking it over after she entered the Top 32. Talking with you has been one of the best things about this contest every year and I’m glad that I can call you my friend!
I’ve enjoyed relating some of the traditions and history that has evolved out of this still relatively young contest. If I’ve managed to improve anyone's understanding or just made them somewhat more interested in each of the rounds than I am content. I hope I can be of assistance in this sort of thing for RPG Superstar 2016, when it all begins again.
This has been great fun and I will see you all tomorrow for the big reveal and the announcement of the RPG Superstar 2015!
:D
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 4
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Feros, thank you so very much. You have run this thread so much better than I could have ever hoped to! I learned a lot and I appreciate your offer to take it over. You're the best!
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Great job Feros.
I hope Monica or you or both do this again next year. Very entertaining and informative. I hope this becomes a tradition :)
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 4
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Great job Feros.
I hope Monica or you or both do this again next year. Very entertaining and informative. I hope this becomes a tradition :)
It could be a lot of fun. I think I'll be over my sleep deprivation enough to come by again next year ;-)
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It could be a lot of fun. I think I'll be over my sleep deprivation enough to come by again next year ;-)Great job Feros.
I hope Monica or you or both do this again next year. Very entertaining and informative. I hope this becomes a tradition :)
You had better do missy - this place wouldn't be the same without you!
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I want to thank everyone who has complimented me or thanked me for continuing this thread. It makes feel good that I created something that you enjoyed.
Especial thanks to Anthony Adam, Brigg, Curaigh, Garrett Guillotte, Jacob Kellogg, Jacob W. Michaels, Lady Firedove, and everyone else for the comments, support, and encouragement. You guys were great! Also thanks to Adam Daigle and Neil Spicer for their comments. Having a judge and an RPG Superstar add in their views really helped.
Once more thank you to mamaursula for coming up with this idea. You really are a Superstar!
Thank you all so much, and I hope we'll see everyone in December!
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Every year RPGSS brings new people to the forum and it can be a little daunting to get up to speed on the lingo. I am not the person who knows all the answers, but I have never shied away from being willing to give something a go. Hopefully this thread will pick up some steam and people will add more to it.
Coding instructions for italics, bold and other fun things can be found under the "Show" button below the comment box. You can include spoiler buttons, make your text , smaller and put in links.
Here are some of the abbreviations you see and wonder about:
SAK - Swiss Army Knife; the item that has everything and the kitchen sink. Usually this item lacks a cohesive theme to tie everything together.
SIAC - Spell in a Can; just what it sounds like, spell on demand without a special something something to make it SuperStar.
Never be afraid to ask a question, this is one of the few troll free spaces in the internet and someone will be kind enough to help you out. Also, be kind to one another, we love this troll free space and Paizo doesn't allow nonsense around here.
If you think of something else that perplexed you the first time you saw it, add it in the comments. Good Luck everyone!
Well...let's just dust this bad boy off a little. Does anyone else feel a little under prepared for this? If so, welcome to the club. It's going to be a rocket ride! I hope to give some personal insights as to what the contestants are going through as the contest proceeds and I'm crossing my fingers that Feros will poke his head in and lend a hand as I am still finishing up "Down the Blighted Path."
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Hand lending is my speciality! :)
So count me in as co-host! I will cover what I have observed about the contest and hopefully mamaursula (that's Monica Marlowe to the new folk) will be able to provide an insider's viewpoint.
OK, let's have some fun! :D
Whoop Whoop
[or whatever kids these days use for whoop :]
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An important change to note from last time is that the selection of the top 32 this year will be strictly by the popular vote.
I do feel at ease reading Monica's explanation on the voting process. I know in other threads that people said this won't be a problem, but since I'm new to this contest and to the forum for the most part, I couldn't help but think in the back of my mind that something just odd or bad in general could end up in the Top 32 just because think it's funny and the judges couldn't cull them out.
An important change to note from last time is that the selection of the top 32 this year will be strictly by the popular vote.I do feel at ease reading Monica's explanation on the voting process. I know in other threads that people said this won't be a problem, but since I'm new to this contest and to the forum for the most part, I couldn't help but think in the back of my mind that something just odd or bad in general could end up in the Top 32 just because think it's funny and the judges couldn't cull them out.
On a related note, there's nothing wrong with an item that has a sense of humor about itself. The Bag of Tricks has remained a pretty iconic low-to-mid level magic item throughout 3 and half editions of d&d and Pathfinder.
I'd love to see more silly-yet-practical magic items being put into the source-books. We can't forget that gnome wizards exist, and probably create the wackiest things.
Any advice from the more experienced among us how such items should be presented? For those that want to give it a go.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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@Logan Ehntholt: I have somewhat the same concern regarding overpowered items. I think there could be items that get a lot of upvotes on the basis of "I would love that for my character!" without consideration on how such an item might break the game.
@Flanwaw: I think you can have an item that doesn't take itself too seriously without it being a "joke item". I would avoid any kind of pun in the item's title and make sure the silliness isn't the predominant feature of the item. Items with a sense of humor should still be useful items that a character would want. Even gnome wizards have to watch how the spend their gold. And, of course, if it is a rpgss entry it should still show ground breaking and innovative use of the rules, i.e. it should have good mojo!
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Guys, the Top32 being vote only means that the best info has to be taken from previous voters' thread such as last year's "So far I have seen" and, even better, "Armory of Awesome", rather than rely exclusively of judges' advice threads.
Thankfully, the most salient points are the same ;-)
I am wondering though if there will be automatic DQ based, for example, on referencing items out of the PRD. Because I am not sure most voters will check on this.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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While I have no confirmation on this, I am sure that the behind the scenes people at Paizo will be checking the Top 32 for disqualifying issues before making their announcement, and if something slips through, then that's why we have 4 alternates.
I believe the reason for going with straight Top 32 +4 this year was a direct result of voter feedback. I am also curious as to what kind of things we'll be seeing, since in years past it has been noted that not all the Top 32 were actually *in* the Top 32 for whatever reason. With the frequent culling, that may also shape the final contestant landscape, where we're comparing more apples to apples. I don't know what my voting time is going to look like, but I am looking forward to seeing what this year's field and knowing that no one from Marlowe House will be among the potentially victorious or wounded. This is going to be a new experience for us.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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Monica, I agree that having the top 32 selected by popular vote is something the voters asked for.
Unfortunately, people don't always know what is good for them. Or in this case good for the contest. Previously, the judges kept an eye on the situation, like parents looking after an errant toddler. I am interested in the outcome of the open call.
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Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9
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I am wondering though if there will be automatic DQ based, for example, on referencing items out of the PRD. Because I am not sure most voters will check on this.
I'm actually expecting there will be quite a few DQs due to this change. I almost submitted an item that was an illegal weapon, and almost used two different illegal spells -- and I'm being *very* careful. (Which is why I caught them.) PRD/Non-PRD just isn't a way that I have things categorized in my brain.
That said, I can see why this is a vitally important distinction for freelancers, since I believe only things in the PRD are available for 3PP use. So I definitely support the rule change.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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That said, I can see why this is a vitally important distinction for freelancers, since I believe only things in the PRD are available for 3PP use. So I definitely support the rule change.
This is not actually true. Anything published under the OGL can be used by any 3PP as long as it is not reserved as IP. If that 3PP also uses the Pathfinder Roleplaying compatiblity license for a product, there is a limited list of Paizo products they can reference by title. This list is in Exhibit B of the compatibility license and is mostly the same as the products included in the PRD - I would have to double check if they are exactly the same. However a 3PP using the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatibility license can still use OGC not covered in the Exhibit B list, they just can't explicity tell their readers to go look at product x that is not in that list.
I am wondering though if there will be automatic DQ based, for example, on referencing items out of the PRD. Because I am not sure most voters will check on this.I'm actually expecting there will be quite a few DQs due to this change. I almost submitted an item that was an illegal weapon, and almost used two different illegal spells -- and I'm being *very* careful. (Which is why I caught them.) PRD/Non-PRD just isn't a way that I have things categorized in my brain.
That said, I can see why this is a vitally important distinction for freelancers, since I believe only things in the PRD are available for 3PP use. So I definitely support the rule change.
I actually linked my linkable things in my entry this year, normally I don't but this year I did - just as an added check that everything I used (apart from lore/setting) was on the PRD - it proved to be a great sanity check.
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Developer
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What is and isn't in the PRD can impact freelance writing. For example, we have to reference anything not in the core rulebook (as an internal rule), and at the front of products mention what books we reference by abbreviation within that book. Since it's important that this list not look ominously long, and the PRD is made up of hardback rulebooks we often have to reference for a product, things outside that need to be kept to just a few references per product.
Similar, as mentioned able, 3pp can't (generally) use the name of any Paizo product that has material not in the PRD (since that's the list of products allowed by the Pathfinder compatibility license).
It's a useful thing to be aware of as a freelance writer, and obviously very easy to check.
Developer
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Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
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To add to what Owen said, restricting yourself to a certain set of material isn't necessarily a bad thing. I feel that it promotes more creative thinking and less "rules shopping." I first started freelancing in the tail end of the the 3.5 days, and then when doing things for 3rd party publishers you had a much smaller number of open products than we provide these days, so my brain shifted from thinking about designing rules with all the things I used as a GM to focusing on the core and building new ideas from there. It was frustrating at first, but I like what it did to my perspective both in my daily work and at the table.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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And last but not least - NOTHING (with the exception of mobats in my final pitch and they were mostly a nod to that round's judge, James Jacobs) came from any source that was not the Core Rulebook or the Bestiaries (because we had to make monster concepts twice). So, if someone tells you that only using the PRD is limiting and not Superstar, I am here to tell you that person is quite incorrect.
While I cannot tell you what *will* be in my final product, because it will go through development and editing, I can tell you that nothing I have written stretches far beyond the PRD because that's the space where I feel most comfortable writing and it's plenty big.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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I had a post that came off as too preachy, so here's it all in the nutshell. The community is in charge this year of deciding who's in the Top 32. Entrants, please be responsible in your design, design good, clean items that don't make the voting public sad because it's over powered and under priced.
Voters, do us proud, don't vote for the thing that you want to play with even if it is game unbalancing. Vote responsibly.
Basically, follow Wheaton's Law and don't make Paizo regret giving us this power.
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Read the rules.
Read the rules.
Read the rules.
Seriously, read the rules. Every year there are people who make it apparent that their entry is going to be disqualified before the contest even starts. They submit the wrong type of item. They go over the word count. They post details on the forum about their item and break anonymity. Whatever the case, they do something that the rules explicitly state will disqualify their entries.
Anyone entering any sort of contest should at least take the time to read the rules. You can't win if you break the rules, intentionally or otherwise. The winner of this contest gets a contract to write for Paizo. It's a job. If you can't pay attention to what your employer wants from you, then you're not going to be able to do the job to their satisfaction except in the exceedingly unlikely event that you write what they want through sheer chance.
Even if you don't want the job, and just want to show everyone how cool your new magic item is, you won't be able to if you can't follow the round 1 rules, because your item won't make it to voting.
Every year this happens, and every year I post something to this effect. I'm really not sure why, since if you're the person that is going to disqualify yourself this way, you probably aren't reading this post.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Read the rules.
Read the rules.
Read the rules.
...
Every year this happens, and every year I post something to this effect. I'm really not sure why, since if you're the person that is going to disqualify yourself this way, you probably aren't reading this post.
It's okay Jeff. I know the words to Soft Kitty if that will help at all.
It's okay Jeff. I know the words to Soft Kitty if that will help at all.Read the rules.
Read the rules.
Read the rules.
...
Every year this happens, and every year I post something to this effect. I'm really not sure why, since if you're the person that is going to disqualify yourself this way, you probably aren't reading this post.
Nah, I'm fine. I post this because at least it has the potential to be helpful. My knee-jerk reaction when someone doesn't read the rules and totally blows it is to say "Wow. You're not very bright, are you?"
Nah, I'm fine. I post this because at least it has the potential to be helpful. My knee-jerk reaction when someone doesn't read the rules and totally blows it is to say "Wow. You're not very bright, are you?"Read the rules.
It's okay Jeff. I know the words to Soft Kitty if that will help at all.
That's well and good for *you*, but maybe *I* want to hear Soft Kitty! Go right ahead, Monica.
Contributor
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Marathon Voter Season 9
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I'm pretty sure my item won't be DQed, as I was very careful about the contest rules.
I do have a question, though. I've not seen any announcement of what the future rounds will ask for - intentionally, I assume. So I don't know if maps will come up this year. If they do, though...
What is required of contestants, map-wise? Do I need to draw out and scan an image? Is that even allowed, or is map-generating software mandatory? Is there anything else I should know, map-wise?
Thank you in advance.
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What I've hard about maps so far is that round 2 will be a map, and this year it will need to be something that would fit on a flip-mat. If it's like last year, they'll be fine with either hand-drawn and scanned or something made with a map-making program. I'd be surprised if they changed that, especially since I doubt very much that all their existing contributors use map-making software. (There's an old thread where SKR shows the difference between horrible-to-good map submissions that's eye-opening, though I'm too lazy to find it now :-p )
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The second RPGSS Blog mentioned maps, Top 32 will create them, Top 16 will get a few to choose from.
Look at last year's round 2, and any previous contest's Round 4 for guidelines. In the past (who knows about this year) software was not required, many people scanned.
One thing I do remember on the scanning bit though, most blue lined graph paper requires a higher resolution to get the grid to show up.
Isn't it top 8 (encounter round) who will get a choice of maps for their encounter?
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I put together a few pieces of basic advice regarding the technical side of hand-drawn maps. People seem to have enjoyed my maps last year, despite the fact that I lack any real artistic training (my players still mercilessly mock me when I start to draw something on a battle mat). I'm sure anyone with real skill and training can give more insights, but the following seems to have worked well for me:
- Cultivate a sketch-book to try out any ideas that come to your mind. Be observant of your environment. Scribble down simple sketches of objects you find interesting. Play around with basic organic or geometric structures, forms and patterns. If you return to the same object or pattern again and again, find out why. Try to explain to yourself what you like and/or hate about it. Bend it, twist it, subvert it. Try to increase or reduce its complexity. Combine it with other forms. This procedure is somewhat similar to certain creative writing techniques and can help you to come up with interesting ideas.
- Make sure you have a spaceous, free, well-lit, and clean workspace.
- Make sure you have the right paper for the job. Before you start working on your map, test any inks, pencils, and especially colors you plan to use. Draw something (including a color pattern, if you use colors) and scan it. That way, you know how things turn out in the submission format. (This is something where I failed with my round 2 submission. The crayon colors I used didn't cling to the paper as expected and the hatching turned out really ugly in the scan.)
- Before you start drawing, plan out in detail the partitioning of your map. You can fill out an excel-table of appropiate grid-size to get an impression how much space each part of your map should fill. Make sure to leave enough space for the map key. Try to use as much space as possible. It might take a while to get this right, but it's worth it.
- If you find your motor skills lacking, you can use a soft pencil to draw sketches on your map. Start with general outlines and refine them step by step. Anything you don't like can be erased. Once you are happy with your sketch, finalise it with ink (you can use the pencil sketches as a drawing pattern and erase the pencil lines afterwards).
- Use high quality markers/pens with different line width for inking. You can see the difference with the naked eye and it will reflect in the scan you submit. (Check out the websites of professional cartographers for recommendations. I enjoyed working with those nifty micron ink pens.) Use thick lines for terrain outlines, medium lines for terrain features, and thin lines for terrain texture.
- If you use colors, create a color pattern. Choose colors that are distinctive, but mesh well. For maximum clarity, avoid colors bleeding into each other.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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That's well and good for *you*, but maybe *I* want to hear Soft Kitty! Go right ahead, Monica.Nah, I'm fine. I post this because at least it has the potential to be helpful. My knee-jerk reaction when someone doesn't read the rules and totally blows it is to say "Wow. You're not very bright, are you?"Read the rules.
It's okay Jeff. I know the words to Soft Kitty if that will help at all.
I will be performing it next week on T, W, Sa, and Su at my place of work, one of my coworkers frequently requests it after the breakfast med pass. :-)
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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Isn't it top 8 (encounter round) who will get a choice of maps for their encounter?
Yes, this year's contestants will only draw one map, in Round 2 and then write an encounter for one of X number of premade maps. That way they will be judged on their writing abilities rather than their mapping abilities a second time.
Isn't it top 8 (encounter round) who will get a choice of maps for their encounter?
Aye. I got the number wrong, sorry all of you Top 16 hopefuls :)
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Go for it and may the odds be ever in your favor! Oh wait, wrong game.
Actually Monica, that reference is probably right for this particular competition. We winnow things down until there are 32. They are then placed in the arena where a struggle occurs until only one remains. RPG Hunger Games Season 9 begins in less than 4 hours... :-D
Does the voting period start early for some countries? I'm in an Eastern Standard Time zone so I'm genuinely curious if your time zone affects these things.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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Does the voting period start early for some countries? I'm in an Eastern Standard Time zone so I'm genuinely curious if your time zone affects these things.Go for it and may the odds be ever in your favor! Oh wait, wrong game.Actually Monica, that reference is probably right for this particular competition. We winnow things down until there are 32. They are then placed in the arena where a struggle occurs until only one remains. RPG Hunger Games Season 9 begins in less than 4 hours... :-D
No. Someone probably forgot to read the fine print under the schedule that says, "All times indicated above are Pacific standard time".
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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I will be performing it next week on T, W, Sa, and Su at my place of work, one of my coworkers frequently requests it after the breakfast med pass. :-)That's well and good for *you*, but maybe *I* want to hear Soft Kitty! Go right ahead, Monica.Nah, I'm fine. I post this because at least it has the potential to be helpful. My knee-jerk reaction when someone doesn't read the rules and totally blows it is to say "Wow. You're not very bright, are you?"Read the rules.
It's okay Jeff. I know the words to Soft Kitty if that will help at all.
YouTube or it never happened!
This is the internet after all... :)
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Contributor
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Marathon Voter Season 9
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I put together a few pieces of basic advice regarding the technical side of hand-drawn maps. People seem to have enjoyed my maps last year, despite the fact that I lack any real artistic training (my players still mercilessly mock me when I start to draw something on a battle mat). I'm sure anyone with real skill and training can give more insights, but the following seems to have worked well for me:
** spoiler omitted **...
My equipment thus far includes:
-store-bought graph paper
-a mechanical pencil
-a printer/scanner
with the option of:
-a loose box of old Crayola colored pencils
Best of luck to the Top 16. ^_^
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Rusty Ironpants
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I did my map last time with graph paper, a straight edge, pencil, fine point sharpie pens and some crayola markers.
You can see it here: Lost Water Gardens of Jalmeray
Fancy mapping software is not required. This is from an IT guy.