The Unofficial Top 32 Guildhall and Armory

[Jeff Heikkinen]

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you don't win but you can't enter again either.

[Jensen Toperzer]

Man it's actually kinda nice being in the no longer in the running beanbag pile

feels...

...

...stress-free

[David H]

I'm glad it's not the +2 vorpal keen red pen.

[Wren Brown]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

David Higaki wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

Besides, I'm expecting a giant shipment of Reaper Kickstarter Bones any day now, so that's something less anxious to obsess over. :-)

/jealous

Wave 1, baby!!!

Jealous! Mine aren't dropping until wave 2.

[Scott LaBarge]

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you can't enter again.

I had the same thought. But hey, it is what it is. Curious, though: why is the cut-off for eligibility the round of 8? Owen or other illuminati, what's the rationale for drawing the line there, rather than at round of 4 or even Champion?

[Kalervo Oikarinen]

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you can't enter again.

I think I'd prefer top 8 to trying to tempt fate and achieve consecutive four-peat. :)

[Wren Brown]

I would guess that it is because if you make it that far you are likely to get freelance work if you pursue it?

[Scott LaBarge]

I'd think then the issue should be the freelance work, not having made the Round of 8. They've already got eligibility rules for freelancers, regardless of previous RPGSS competitions.

[Mikko Kallio]

David Higaki wrote:

I'm glad it's not the +2 vorpal keen red pen.

That's what I'm using tomorrow. ;-)

[Scott LaBarge]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

David Higaki wrote:

I'm glad it's not the +2 vorpal keen red pen.

That's what I'm using tomorrow. ;-)

Safe to assume that Disarm maneuvers are out of the question?

[R Pickard]

Russ Brown wrote:

I would guess that it is because if you make it that far you are likely to get freelance work if you pursue it?

I believe that is indeed the case. Neil or Sean explained it in detail during a prior competition. If anything, by that point you've got a decent start to a design portfolio.

[Chris Lambertz]

Ooo, lookit all these monsters :D

[Monica Marlowe]

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

So, any guesses about how long it will take for the judges and associated Paizo characters to start dropping vague comments and hints about the incredible quality of the Round 3 competition to torment us? Me, I'm betting on Sunday.

Pishaw, my money is on 15 minutes after the close time for entries.

After the contest closes?

Oh heck no, I have strong feelings about some of these NOW.

Sure, but you don't really lay into the taunting until we're already strung out on the stress. Like now. :-)

[Monica Marlowe]

Jensen Toperzer wrote:

Oh man, it was my birthday yesterday, I totally forgot to mention.

Happy birthday to me, monsters to look at soon, can't wait :3

Happy belated Birthday Jensen!

[Monica Marlowe]

Scott LaBarge wrote:

David Higaki wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

Besides, I'm expecting a giant shipment of Reaper Kickstarter Bones any day now, so that's something less anxious to obsess over. :-)

/jealous

Wave 1, baby!!!

Yup, we're in Wave 1 as well, but given their last update it doesn't look like that's going to be as exciting as I had originally hoped since the longshoremen went on strike.

[Monica Marlowe]

Kalervo Oikarinen wrote:

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you can't enter again.

I think I'd prefer top 8 to trying to tempt fate and achieve consecutive four-peat. :)

At this point I would be thrilled with a Top 8 tag and never having the temptation of entering the contest again. I only entered because of temporary mental illness and I fear I would give into the temptation again if I didn't have something binding to prevent me from doing so.

[Wren Brown]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

David Higaki wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

Besides, I'm expecting a giant shipment of Reaper Kickstarter Bones any day now, so that's something less anxious to obsess over. :-)

/jealous

Wave 1, baby!!!

Yup, we're in Wave 1 as well, but given their last update it doesn't look like that's going to be as exciting as I had originally hoped since the longshoremen went on strike.

I doubt that will be an issue. Their latest update said everything was already at their warehouse in Texas.

[David H]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Kalervo Oikarinen wrote:

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you can't enter again.

I think I'd prefer top 8 to trying to tempt fate and achieve consecutive four-peat. :)

At this point I would be thrilled with a Top 8 tag and never having the temptation of entering the contest again. I only entered because of temporary mental illness and I fear I would give into the temptation again if I didn't have something binding to prevent me from doing so.

Agreed! While I'd love the guaranteed writing contract (especially for a PFS scenario), just making it to 8 would be great, and not just because it rhymes.

[Wren Brown]

That reminds me like 4 of the top 16 are VOs for PFS!

Brian, Charlie, David and myself.

[Scott LaBarge]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

David Higaki wrote:

Scott LaBarge wrote:

Besides, I'm expecting a giant shipment of Reaper Kickstarter Bones any day now, so that's something less anxious to obsess over. :-)

/jealous

Wave 1, baby!!!

Yup, we're in Wave 1 as well, but given their last update it doesn't look like that's going to be as exciting as I had originally hoped since the longshoremen went on strike.

As Russ said, they're sorting at the warehouse now, and when they got to this stage during their laat Kickstarter, they were kicking stuff out the door in no time. I think those of us in the early waves will be seeing our stuff within a week or two. (And I'd bet the difference between Waves 1 and 2 will be maybe a couple days.) Reaper's a tight operation.

[Monica Marlowe]

Russ Brown wrote:

I doubt that will be an issue. Their latest update said everything was already at their warehouse in Texas.

That was I what I was trying to say, being in Wave 1 no longer means anything because the strike pushed back all their deliveries until now. Originally the waves were supposed to be weeks/months apart. I know nothing in KS is set in stone, but our original date was Sept 2014.

[Wren Brown]

I am running my home game tonight where we are currently playing the Dragon's Demand. Maybe I will just drop in my monster to spice things up. A CR5 to CR7 monster is totally in the sweet spot for four 2nd level characters, right?

[Matt Morris]

Russ Brown wrote:

I am running my home game tonight where we are currently playing the Dragon's Demand. Maybe I will just drop in my monster to spice things up. A CR5 to CR7 monster is totally in the sweet spot for four 2nd level characters, right?

There could totally be a tunnel to Nar-Voth at the bottom of that

Spoiler:

kobold lair!

[R Pickard]

Happy birthday Jensen!

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Kalervo Oikarinen wrote:

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Chris Shaeffer wrote:

I really don't know how well this round is going to go for me. I'm worried! :|

But hey, let's remember: the worst case scenario for this round is that we lose now and enter again next year older and wiser. Right? :)

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you can't enter again.

I think I'd prefer top 8 to trying to tempt fate and achieve consecutive four-peat. :)

At this point I would be thrilled with a Top 8 tag and never having the temptation of entering the contest again. I only entered because of temporary mental illness and I fear I would give into the temptation again if I didn't have something binding to prevent me from doing so.

*raises hand and joins club*

=====

Russ---you could always add the young template to your monster; depending on its exact CR and abilities, that could be an okay boss for a 2nd level party. :)

[Jensen Toperzer]

Monica you are fabulous and even if it was a temporary madness that made you enter I am super glad you did. Your work thus far has been stellar. Please keep at it, and, if you don't win, consider freelancing (ENWorld is looking for both Pathfinder and 5e writers!)

[Jeff Heikkinen]

Russ Brown wrote:

That reminds me like 4 of the top 16 are VOs for PFS!

Brian, Charlie, David and myself.

While at least one other (myself) isn't even sure what that means...

[Andrew Marlowe]

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you don't win but you can't enter again either.

Jeff your first two entries were very imaginative. I think you could be a successful freelancer no matter what tag ends up behind your name. Same goes for any of the top 32 and alternates.

You need not place at any particular level to "win" RPG Superstar. If your goal is to become a designer. You can use the exposure and experiences of the competition to help achieve that goal. You may not start by writing a full module or a society adventure but there are many other opportunities.

Making Top 8 is only a worst case scenario if you give up working towards your goal.

[Jeff Heikkinen]

Not too stressed at this point, BTW. I've done everything I can do about this round and now I get a few days off from thinking about the contest. Of course, come Tuesday I'll be here hitting Refresh on my browser three times a second just like the rest of you, but for now I'm pretty calm.

[Jeff Heikkinen]

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you don't win but you can't enter again either.

Jeff your first two entries were very imaginative. I think you could be a successful freelancer no matter what tag ends up behind your name. Same goes for any of the top 32 and alternates.

You need not place at any particular level to "win" RPG Superstar. If your goal is to become a designer. You can use the exposure and experiences of the competition to help achieve that goal. You may not start by writing a full module or a society adventure but there are many other opportunities.

Making Top 8 is only a worst case scenario if you give up working towards your goal.

Well, thanks a lot, that is a different and probably better perspective on things. Honestly, I've never looked into what's even out there in terms of freelancing and perhaps I should. I really have no idea where to start!

[Eric Hindley]

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Actually, I kind of feel like the worst-case scenario is making the top 8 but not the top 4, because then you don't win but you can't enter again either.

Jeff your first two entries were very imaginative. I think you could be a successful freelancer no matter what tag ends up behind your name. Same goes for any of the top 32 and alternates.

You need not place at any particular level to "win" RPG Superstar. If your goal is to become a designer. You can use the exposure and experiences of the competition to help achieve that goal. You may not start by writing a full module or a society adventure but there are many other opportunities.

Making Top 8 is only a worst case scenario if you give up working towards your goal.

Well, thanks a lot, that is a different and probably better perspective on things. Honestly, I've never looked into what's even out there in terms of freelancing and perhaps I should. I really have no idea where to start!

I actually started a thread about this at one point. Having a Superstar credit is definitely a great foot in the door, the rest is up to you to pursue!

[Andrew Marlowe]

Wayfinder is an excellent way to get noticed. Also (like Eric's thread illustrates) many writing opportunities with 3pp are posted right here on the Paizo forums. You can also search your favorite 3pp and see if they have submission guidelines or contact information posted. Then start pitching ideas.

It also helps if you are active on the forums and on social networks. A blog can also be a great start*. If you can get out there and demonstrate you are a good communicator and have interesting ideas you may find someone will approach you either to off you work or to point you in the direction of opportunities (like open calls) you might have missed.

*edit:

I was reviewing several competitors Paizo profiles and I must have mixed you up with another contestant when I said you had a blog. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

[Monica Marlowe]

Jensen Toperzer wrote:

Monica you are fabulous and even if it was a temporary madness that made you enter I am super glad you did. Your work thus far has been stellar. Please keep at it, and, if you don't win, consider freelancing (ENWorld is looking for both Pathfinder and 5e writers!)

Thank you so much for your kind words!

One thing at a time, I'm not looking beyond RPG SS until it's over. I am working on a freelance short story at the moment (which will hopefully become a Kickstarter in the near future) and when Medusa's Guide for Gamer Girls releases, I have a non-fiction article in there as well. I've been circling the design area for a while now, it was only a matter of time before I fell in the pool.

[Eric Hindley]

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Jensen Toperzer wrote:

Monica you are fabulous and even if it was a temporary madness that made you enter I am super glad you did. Your work thus far has been stellar. Please keep at it, and, if you don't win, consider freelancing (ENWorld is looking for both Pathfinder and 5e writers!)

Thank you so much for your kind words!

One thing at a time, I'm not looking beyond RPG SS until it's over. I am working on a freelance short story at the moment (which will hopefully become a Kickstarter in the near future) and when Medusa's Guide for Gamer Girls releases, I have a non-fiction article in there as well. I've been circling the design area for a while now, it was only a matter of time before I fell in the pool.

Definitely focus on the contest first! This goes for everyone! Opportunities will be out there once you're finished with the contest, but for now you should be taking a breather, and then looking at encounters. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the only twist for the final round has been level, so brainstorming adventure ideas is always a good idea.

[Wren Brown]

Jeff Heikkinen wrote:

Russ Brown wrote:

That reminds me like 4 of the top 16 are VOs for PFS!

Brian, Charlie, David and myself.

While at least one other (myself) isn't even sure what that means...

Oh, it just means we are "Venture Officers" (regional volunteer coordinators) for the Pathfinder Society Organized play campaign. I just thought it was neat because the shared experiences. I have messaged with David before the contest and I actually played a game of PFS with Charlie (don't know if he remembers) at PaizoCon last year.

[Jeff Heikkinen]

Eric Hindley wrote:

Monica Marlowe wrote:

Jensen Toperzer wrote:

Monica you are fabulous and even if it was a temporary madness that made you enter I am super glad you did. Your work thus far has been stellar. Please keep at it, and, if you don't win, consider freelancing (ENWorld is looking for both Pathfinder and 5e writers!)

Thank you so much for your kind words!

One thing at a time, I'm not looking beyond RPG SS until it's over. I am working on a freelance short story at the moment (which will hopefully become a Kickstarter in the near future) and when Medusa's Guide for Gamer Girls releases, I have a non-fiction article in there as well. I've been circling the design area for a while now, it was only a matter of time before I fell in the pool.

Definitely focus on the contest first! This goes for everyone! Opportunities will be out there once you're finished with the contest, but for now you should be taking a breather, and then looking at encounters. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the only twist for the final round has been level, so brainstorming adventure ideas is always a good idea.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that. I'm having the same problem I had with the monster, when left entirely to myself I want to keep the ideas I come up with for another project of mine. Sometimes being given limitations actually helps you come up with something you might not have otherwise and I'm kind of hoping the module pitch is like that, should I make it that far.

I do have two cool adventure ideas that are tied to and inspired by specific places on Golarion, so I wouldn't feel right keeping them for my own project. I came up with one of them while researching my monster, actually. But the problem with those is that they both feel like the opening chapter of an epic. I guess they could be stand-alone modules but they'd be better as first chapters of Adventure Paths. So they're most likely unsuitable for this contest.

[Charlie Bell]

Russ Brown wrote:

Oh, it just means we are "Venture Officers" (regional volunteer coordinators) for the Pathfinder Society Organized play campaign. I just thought it was neat because the shared experiences. I have messaged with David before the contest and I actually played a game of PFS with Charlie (don't know if he remembers) at PaizoCon last year.

Were you at my Scars of the Third Crusade table? I'm trying to put a face to your name.

RPGSS 2012 Mike Welham is now one of my fellow NC VLs. I don't know if he's the only VO winner, but VOs are typically well-represented in RPGSS.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Eric Hindley wrote:

Definitely focus on the contest first! This goes for everyone! Opportunities will be out there once you're finished with the contest, but for now you should be taking a breather, and then looking at encounters. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the only twist for the final round has been level, so brainstorming adventure ideas is always a good idea.

I agree with Eric. I know you don't have the twists yet, but be thinking about Round 4 and especially 5 at this point. I mentioned on Mikko's blog that last year we had to put in the initial pitch for our adventure (to make sure it wasn't overlapping with anything Paizo's already planning) about a week earlier than I'd expected, so I was scrambling a little bit. However, last year did have an Adventure Round twist: the modules were supposed to be located in one of a handful of cities.

Considering you've all done maps, I'm wondering whether Round 4 will be different this year (I'd originally expected them to be in the Round 2 maps, but I'm less certain about that considering the range and breadth of those entries). Still, I'd be brainstorming other locations just in case, keeping in mind everything you all learned in Round 2.

[Wren Brown]

Charlie Bell wrote:

Russ Brown wrote:

... I actually played a game of PFS with Charlie (don't know if he remembers) at PaizoCon last year.

Were you at my Scars of the Third Crusade table? I'm trying to put a face to your name.

It was Vengence at Sundered Crag, GMed by Walter Sheppard. I played my witch, Nephrodite.

My face...book.

[Taylor Hubler]

I am really hoping to get out to PaizoCon again. It was so much fun to run games and meet people.

Anyone here planning on making it? Maybe we could do an RPGSS special meet and greet.

[Wren Brown]

I am going to be there. I think we should definitely try and meet up. If you get there early, I usually try and run a game the day before the Con actually starts.

[Owen K. C. Stephens]

If enough contestants and judges are going to be at PaizoCon, we might see about having a Guildhall and Armory get-together.

[Jeff Hazuka]

Well, if there's something similar at GenCon, count me in.

[R Pickard]

Taylor Hubler wrote:

I am really hoping to get out to PaizoCon again. It was so much fun to run games and meet people.

Anyone here planning on making it? Maybe we could do an RPGSS special meet and greet.

Unfortunately, PaizoCon is the weekend of both a major writing con in my area (where a few friends of mine present panels) AND a major anniversary sort of ceremony for a relative of mine, for which I would receive innumerable Guilt Points if I skipped, so I've sadly realized I must pass. I was hoping I could go to indeed meet some of y'all and just engage in some Paizo goodness.

(And GenCon almost always conflicts or at least is unaffordably close to a regional conference of my religious community I am obligated to attend (because of commitments I choose, mind, but still, so I'll probably never get to that either.)

Hope y'all can do it tho. Take pictures!

[Matt Morris]

Wish I could go to PaizoCon. Memorial Day weekend is the pits for me though--can't take days off to extend school holidays.

Hope to make it to GenCon this year, though, and see some folks.

[Jensen Toperzer]

Well, I AM trying to move to Seattle, so if I'm there by May you'll see me :)

[Christopher Wasko]

Matthew Morris wrote:

Wish I could go to PaizoCon. Memorial Day weekend is the pits for me though--can't take days off to extend school holidays.

Hope to make it to GenCon this year, though, and see some folks.

Same issue for me, still working on arranging something but losing hope

[Monica Marlowe]

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

If enough contestants and judges are going to be at PaizoCon, we might see about having a Guildhall and Armory get-together.

Why must you taunt us like this Owen!?

[Monica Marlowe]

R Pickard wrote:

(And GenCon almost always conflicts or at least is unaffordably close to a regional conference of my religious community I am obligated to attend (because of commitments I choose, mind, but still, so I'll probably never get to that either.)

Hope y'all can do it tho. Take pictures!

GenCon is a couple weeks earlier this year, I'm not sure that's going to make a big difference in your ability to attend, but if it does, I would love to meet you!

[Taylor Hubler]

Well, if I am able to attend I think I will run a revised Temple of Kabriri. It would be cool if other contestants used their map in a game, and I would love to be able to play with any of you guys.

[Kalervo Oikarinen]

I already bought a ticket for PaizoCon and for the hop over the pond. I'm not looking forward to the looong flight but a couple of weeks around Seattle should be fun. :)