Anyone interested in spit-balling about what the rules for round 2 could be?
Previous years have put the map and the encounter together, but this year with the rounds separate, it makes sense to me that the maps will be of a different type. I'm thinking perhaps they'll be more zoomed out so we're mapping a town instead of building, for instance. Wrap it all up with 500 words describing the region, and that sets you up for a monster round where you have to create a monster that lives in one of these new areas. Later the encounter round could also take place in a new region as well.
Of course I could have it all wrong, we could still be doing small encounter areas. But a small map without an encounter to go with it seems like such a strange exercise to me. What do you guys think?
Hmm...could be something like a region map...but I doubt they'll put Superstar onto mapping out a region previously unmapped in Golarion lore.
For zoomed out the best bet (to me) is a city, but I could easily see this as being "Here's an outline of an encounter, draw an interesting map."
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I'm calling encounter map with a LOW word count. Design a map that implies an encounter.
I would love to see a regional or city map round, but I too suspect it will be focused on an encounter map with little to no word count.
A city map proves little... encounter maps are the exciting thing.
Then if a subsequent round uses it (Round 4) they get to see how you work with another designer's work. Possibly 2 if they make you use a round 3 monster too.
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What about something a little bigger than an encounter, but smaller than a city or region? Something like "design a dungeon or wilderness area map, one that implies multiple exciting encounters."
What about something a little bigger than an encounter, but smaller than a city or region? Something like "design a dungeon or wilderness area map, one that implies multiple exciting encounters."
Sounds like a good idea. It's a possibility.
I could see a dungeon but not a city or region.
I'd be surprised by a city mainly because it's not a very flexible design for round 4.
A region would be more shocking because aren't most of Goleran's regions pretty much drawn up? Why would they need this?
Wilderness area = more specific encounter...
But prepare what you will.
My terminology was a little off in my original post. I realize that I was using the word region, but I really meant "area large enough for several encounters" or a dungeon basically (though not necessarily inside a dungeon of course). Map out a dragon's lair with several implied encounter areas, something along those lines. My second guess would be an encounter map with little in the way of description beyond a sparse legend, and I think that would be very difficult indeed.
I like Orloff's idea, but I still expect it to be an encounter map and Golarion location (in 400 words).
I think the city/region map is least likely, as that's not something you're called on to do all that often in an adventure, whereas you'll typically have several encounter maps.
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My guess is encounter location with a map. Something like 300-500 words and a map of whatever you can justify as an encounter location, just excluding the actual encounter itself.
If it's just a map, this will be a hard round to get a point across without it being an art contest...
I think a regional map with several locations for potential encounters has potential. These types of maps are common in modules and you'll notice that the adventure modules have doubled in length recently.
It will most likely be an encounter map but that is also coming up in a later round. I don't see the point in doing double duty unless they've noticed mapping is a particularly lacking skill in the freelancing community.
It will most likely be an encounter map but that is also coming up in a later round. I don't see the point in doing double duty unless they've noticed mapping is a particularly lacking skill in the freelancing community.
I think TPTB have indicated that maps are not always up to snuff in the past, but more that it's just something a freelancer's really going to have to do.
That said, I would expect Round 4 not to be double duty but rather a requirement to use a Round 2 map (probably with a Round 3 monster).
I think TPTB have indicated that maps are not always up to snuff in the past, but more that it's just something a freelancer's really going to have to do.That said, I would expect Round 4 not to be double duty but rather a requirement to use a Round 2 map (probably with a Round 3 monster).
That makes more sense. I think you've sniffed it out.
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I'm compelled to wait until the rules are presented before I start designing anything. I've made a few maps before for home games. and I'm confident I'd be able to create something new and fresh within the time limit.
I would have to make top 32 first anyway, though.
rd2. A lair for an unnamed monster that lives in a certain region
rd3. develop a monster that lives in one of the winning lair maps. cant be your own
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I'm calling encounter map with a LOW word count. Design a map that implies an encounter.
Frankly, I think there will be "no word count" beyond identification of the location and rooms/areas. Later in the contest an encounter with a map is the challenge and I'm certain we'll be seeing these maps again, so implied encounters is unlikely. My guess is a map where an encounter could occur.
A map with different levels of altitude or tidal levels would be a nice curveball, or a cutaway three quarter view of a tower or decks of a ship.
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Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I am guessing Round 2 will require no graphics. Rather you will have to describe the map is such detail that the cartographer has no questions and draws exactly what you expected (as interpreted by the judges).
But since Owen has already said what the key to round 2 is, I predict the top 32 have to give a map of their home or place of work . Then in 100 words or less, make a legend that is interpret-able. Bonus points if you grant your burned spy/comic book hero/rebel alliance a way to enter the structure every architect/security team missed.
But like I said. Just a guess.
Arrr!
With how close the voting is going to be this year, my speculation is that you are designing the new face of Golarion after magic goes boom and that I won't have to worry about it! :P
crazy curveball concept, draw a treasure map that implies an encounter where the reward is your item
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Solar system map. Gotta be.
EDIT: Or demiplane.
:D
I have seen a lot of good items and a lot of items that could use a little work for next year. I am concerned that those who didn't use bold print will be discarded because the format didn't take when it was uploaded. I hope that won't be held against anyone. A lot of players did a great job and I can only hope that my skills for creation are good enough to make into round 2.
@Shadowrun312
It is hard to say about the general voting populace. The veterans of the contest seem to be pretty much in agreement that we will at least look over the item, looking for the writer's abilities.
But it is a fair point to say that part of the contest IS about being able to follow direction. By and large, the folks who forgot to use the template don't seem to have the Superstar entries, and folks who used the template but forgot the BB Code have a mix of good writing and not as good writing.
But there seem to be enough potential Superstar entries to fill out the top X presented to the judges that both are created and made sure to template and use BB Code correctly.
It can happen that entries with mistakes make it through, but the entry has to overcome the lower pole-position it put itself in by (accidentally or not) forgetting template/BB Code.
On top of that, if one of those entries DOES make it to Round 2, the voting populace will already be scrutinizing that 2nd entry harder because we have a collective memory about R1 entries that do forget that kind of thing.
Long and short; don't give up hope but be prepared for not progressing. Heck, even templating/BB Code perfectly doesn't guarantee that your entry will be put in front of the judges.
AHA! And Tri-Marathon!
As far as the designs for the map, I think a dungeon or cave style map would be something worth looking into. I am not sure about graphics as much as concept design because they do have graphic artist to do that. Perhaps they need people with both skills in the game and artistic design. Most dungeons or maps don't have a description so I doubt that one would be required, however, you may need to have details of everything on the map such as room number, traps, DM side notes, and a title.
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AHA! And Tri-Marathon!
Welcome to the club
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AHA! And Tri-Marathon!
Amazing the amount of entries you have had to swim through...
am I doing this right? or was this in a different thread?
I'm guessing that it will be a design for the sort of flip mats Pathfinder already sells, and which they so often use in their PFS mods. In other words, it's a test of whether you can design the sort of location that will be frequently recyclable in different mods, like the current warehouse or town square maps, etc.
