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This is an open call for pitches for plant monsters to be used in our Deadly Gardens pdf series. Which you can see on our publisher page
What we want is to have you send us a short pitch (less than 200 words) to describe your idea for a new plant monster. The CR of the monster should be CR 12 or lower. We will pick the best ideas for development. If your pitch is selected we will commission you to write the full monster entry as detailed below. There is a limit of two pitches per person. Send the pitches to rusty@rustedirongames.com.
Pitches are due by Midnight September 18th.
We will select the pitches for development by September 25th.
If your pitch is not selected you retain all rights to the idea.
Publisher Name is looking for freelance writers.
Project Length: An individual monster entry of approximately 600 words.
Pay Rate: Flat $9.00 per monster entry, approximately 1.5¢ per word. Payable via Paypal upon receipt of finished monster entry.
Additional details: This should be a monster write up including stat block and description using the format in the Pathfinder Bestiaries.
Due by: Finished monster entries due by midnight October 9th.
Contact: rusty@rustedirongames.com
I like plant critters. :) I will have to juggle my schedule some....
Thanks!
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Just got home from dinner and I am glad to see there is some interest.
Just to give a bit more information when you are making your pitches here is what we have already done in the Deadly Gardens series and what a few of the upcoming monsters will be.
Already Published:
Phoenix Lily - Fire Shooting Flower
Blood Rose Swarm - Roving Carnivorous Roses
Scorpion Cactus - Cactus with Whiplike Tentacle
Upcoming Monsters:
Ophidian Vine: Is it a vine or a snake?
Brain Pumpkin: Halloween themed Menace
Swarmhive (template): A plant that is also home to a swarm.
Catchweed: Grappling Tumbleweed
Stinging Kelp: Paralytic Seaweed
So hopefully that will help avoid pitching something close to what we already have planned.
I'm working on a few now. It's harder than I expected to make a plant item, actually. But I have some ideas now that I definitely like.
I have started to get some pitches in my email today and there are some interesting ideas so far. Looking forward to seeing more.
Russ
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I'm working on a few now. It's harder than I expected to make a plant item, actually. But I have some ideas now that I definitely like.You meant plant monster, right?
Maybe he's working on Shimmer, both a plant monster and a plant-based wondrous floor wax? :)
To clarify:
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What we want is to have you send us a short pitch (less than 200 words) to describe your idea for a new plant monster....
Additional details: This should be a monster write up including stat block and description using the format in the Pathfinder Bestiaries.
...
The stat black is in the final product, but did you want that in the 200 word pitch as well?
Thanks!
To clarify:...
What we want is to have you send us a short pitch (less than 200 words) to describe your idea for a new plant monster....
Additional details: This should be a monster write up including stat block and description using the format in the Pathfinder Bestiaries.
...The stat black is in the final product, but did you want that in the 200 word pitch as well?
Thanks!
Hi Curaigh,
No, you don't need a stat block in the 200 words, that would be pretty tight. Just the general concept of the monster and perhaps describing any special/unique abilities. Also including the CR of the monster would be a good idea though.Russ
Just bumping this to say that we are halfway through the submission period and there is just over a week left to send me your plant monster pitches.
Working on some ideas for this.
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How minimalist are we supposed to go for pitches? I'm trying hard to not do the entire stat block, but I'm not sure how much or little you'd prefer. At current, I'm at 245 words.
Read the rules again, they want less than 200 words for the pitch.
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Did you want our entries as an attachment or in the body of the email?
Was there a particular subject line desired for the email?
Should pitches be submitted in separate emails?
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How minimalist are we supposed to go for pitches? I'm trying hard to not do the entire stat block, but I'm not sure how much or little you'd prefer. At current, I'm at 245 words.Read the rules again, they want less than 200 words for the pitch.
Yes, I read that. My question was pertaining to how I could lower that word count. I know I don't do the full stat block, but I haven't done a pitch before so I don't know how detailed it has to be besides the "do it under 200 words". There's still a minimal requirement of how involved it has to be.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2012
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This is just my opinion on what you should send as a pitch:
Try to hit the high points of your monster to sell it. What are its abilities? What sets it apart from other plant monsters? What are its environmental niche and primary sources of food within that niche? Can knowledgeable characters harvest something from the plant? You'll just want to identify all the cool things about your plant, and you don't need stat blocks to do that. You can certainly illustrate abilities with some game-related information ("it shoots rays of cold, dealing 4d6 points of cold damage with a touch attack," "it is difficult to see in tall grass, thus gaining a +8 bonus to Stealth there," etc.), but you don't need to include ability scores or BAB or other relatively mundane stats.
You'll also want to give the publisher an idea of the intended CR for your monster, since that is something they put a ceiling on.
I hope that helps.
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This is just my opinion on what you should send as a pitch:
Try to hit the high points of your monster to sell it. What are its abilities? What sets it apart from other plant monsters? What are its environmental niche and primary sources of food within that niche? Can knowledgeable characters harvest something from the plant? You'll just want to identify all the cool things about your plant, and you don't need stat blocks to do that. You can certainly illustrate abilities with some game-related information ("it shoots rays of cold, dealing 4d6 points of cold damage with a touch attack," "it is difficult to see in tall grass, thus gaining a +8 bonus to Stealth there," etc.), but you don't need to include ability scores or BAB or other relatively mundane stats.
You'll also want to give the publisher an idea of the intended CR for your monster, since that is something they put a ceiling on.
I hope that helps.
It does. Essentially, short hand the initial version then expand for the actual one.
How minimalist are we supposed to go for pitches? I'm trying hard to not do the entire stat block, but I'm not sure how much or little you'd prefer. At current, I'm at 245 words.Read the rules again, they want less than 200 words for the pitch.
Yes, 200 words or less. At this point I am not interested in the stat block as much as the concept. Next important thing is the approximate CR. Then tell me why I should want this monster in a RIG product.
What makes this monster cool?
What makes this monster different?
What are its special abilities/powers?
Did you want our entries as an attachment or in the body of the email?
Was there a particular subject line desired for the email?
Should pitches be submitted in separate emails?
This stuff I am less worried about. I am relatively competent around computers – at least that what my degree in Computer Science says. :P Just sent it to me and try and make your intentions clear. I will figure it out.
This is just my opinion on what you should send as a pitch:
Try to hit the high points of your monster to sell it. What are its abilities? What sets it apart from other plant monsters? What are its environmental niche and primary sources of food within that niche? Can knowledgeable characters harvest something from the plant? You'll just want to identify all the cool things about your plant, and you don't need stat blocks to do that. You can certainly illustrate abilities with some game-related information ("it shoots rays of cold, dealing 4d6 points of cold damage with a touch attack," "it is difficult to see in tall grass, thus gaining a +8 bonus to Stealth there," etc.), but you don't need to include ability scores or BAB or other relatively mundane stats.
You'll also want to give the publisher an idea of the intended CR for your monster, since that is something they put a ceiling on.
I hope that helps.
This is good advice. Thanks Mike.
I want to expand a bit on the part of Mike's post I bolded. I don't know if Mike is pyschic, but we actually have rules for harvesting "natural items" that we introduced in previous volumes of Deadly Gardens. So I will be looking for exactly this kind of thing. I am not saying you should add something like this just to add it, but if your already super cool monster has something like this it will be a bonus that we can add into the volume where the monster appears.
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Yes, 200 words or less. At this point I am not interested in the stat block as much as the concept. Next important thing is the approximate CR. Then tell me why I should want this monster in a RIG product.
What makes this monster cool?
What makes this monster different?
What are its special abilities/powers?I want to expand a bit on the part of Mike's post I bolded. I don't know if Mike is pyschic, but we actually have rules for harvesting "natural items" that we introduced in previous volumes of Deadly Gardens. So I will be looking for exactly this kind of thing. I am not saying you should add something like this just to add it, but if your already super cool monster has something like this it will be a bonus that we can add into the volume where the monster appears.
I already sent mine in. I don't think mine specified the "cool" aspect or pointed out specifically what makes the monster different, nor is there a harvest item. If I somehow get picked, I'll make sure to add it in for the final version.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2012
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This is just my opinion on what you should send as a pitch:
Try to hit the high points of your monster to sell it. What are its abilities? What sets it apart from other plant monsters? What are its environmental niche and primary sources of food within that niche? Can knowledgeable characters harvest something from the plant? You'll just want to identify all the cool things about your plant, and you don't need stat blocks to do that. You can certainly illustrate abilities with some game-related information ("it shoots rays of cold, dealing 4d6 points of cold damage with a touch attack," "it is difficult to see in tall grass, thus gaining a +8 bonus to Stealth there," etc.), but you don't need to include ability scores or BAB or other relatively mundane stats.
You'll also want to give the publisher an idea of the intended CR for your monster, since that is something they put a ceiling on.
I hope that helps.
This is good advice. Thanks Mike.
I want to expand a bit on the part of Mike's post I bolded. I don't know if Mike is pyschic, but we actually have rules for harvesting "natural items" that we introduced in previous volumes of Deadly Gardens. So I will be looking for exactly this kind of thing. I am not saying you should add something like this just to add it, but if your already super cool monster has something like this it will be a bonus that we can add into the volume where the monster appears.
I may have done a little homework, which I should have included in my earlier advice.
"If you can, look at previous products (or at least product descriptions) from the publisher to get an idea of what they're looking for."
And submitted... Hope you like them, Russ!
I submitted a pitch.
Please feel free to send me feedback.
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I have recieved a lot of very interesting pitches! If you are considering submitting something, but have not yet done so - please do!
Tothric, I will send everyone who submitted my feedback on their pitches whether I select them for development or not. However I am going to wait until after I announce which pitches have been selected.
One thing I will say now is to avoid using Golarion lore in your submission. That is Paizo IP and cannot be used by Third Party Publishers.
Hey everyone,
I thought I would provide some fun facts.
1. There are about 55 hours remaining to send me your plant monster ideas.
2. So far I have recieved 26 monster pitches from 15 different individuals.
3. Right now I think I am going to select about 10 pitches for development – but I have not decided which ones yet!
Looking forward to seeing some more pitches.
Just about to send my pitchers plant plant pitches over!
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Just about to send mypitchers plantplant pitches over!
He he. I was tinkering on an underground "pitcher plant" that fills its pitcher with a beer-y tasting alcoholic liquid to attract vermin prey (including snails & slugs). Dwarves would cultivate it throughout their subterranean cities and mines as biological pest control. But, that's a plant hazard (at best) and not a plant monster.
I assumed it would be a plant specializing in capturing dwarves.
Okay it is almost 2:00 am here in the Mile High City and I just got home from my Iron Gods home game. I was happy to discover there is a pile of new plant monster pitches in my email. So the deadline is past and any more I recieve will not be considered.
Thanks to everyone who submitted their ideas.
Tomorrow morning after a few hours of sleep I will begin the process of selecting which pitches will be developed into full monsters.
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Just about to send myHe he. I was tinkering on an underground "pitcher plant" that fills its pitcher with a beer-y tasting alcoholic liquid to attract vermin prey (including snails & slugs). Dwarves would cultivate it throughout their subterranean cities and mines as biological pest control. But, that's a plant hazard (at best) and not a plant monster.pitchers plantplant pitches over!
I actually have a giant pitcher plant (10 feet acrosss) where the pitcher is buried in the ground on the short list for Deadly Gardens monsters. The working title is "Hungry Pit".
I assumed it would be a plant specializing in capturing dwarves.
...
Why didn't I think of that?! (This lack of mental follow-through may be a clue why my webwarden's claw wasn't SupahStah!ish either.)
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Good luck to everyone who submitted, and I look forward to seeing the finished plant monsters. :)
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I did love that claw, though. One of my favorites. Incorporating the trogloraptor was a nice touch. :P
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I have gone through all of the plant monster pitches that I have recieved – 45 in total. From that list I have selected 12 pitches to be developed into full monsters. I have sent out notification emails to everyone who had their pitches selected for development. Here is the list of monsters in alphabetical order.
Assault Pine (CR 12) Jan Willem van den Brink
Cankerwort (CR 5) "Dieben"
Faerie Circle Stalker (CR 12 14) Jacob W. Michaels
Greenscream Trumpet (CR 4) Sam Kaplan
Grovemaker (CR 7 10) Mike Welham
Mulch Stalker (CR 3) Stephen Stack
Razorleaf Swarm (CR 5) Chris Hunt
Sanguine Mangue (CR 6) Matt Roth
Shade Tree (CR 12) JJ Jordan
Shivervine (CR 6) Jesse Winter
Skeleton Tree (CR 8) Jacob W. Michaels
Stilleto Palm (CR 8 9) Joe Kondrak
On entries where the CR is changed I asked the author change the CR either to better fit the concept or to provide more variety with other monsters planned in the Deadly Gardens series.
I will be sending out emails with feedback on all the pitches that I have recieved, but it will likely take about a week to get through them all.
Thank you to everyone who submitted your ideas. There were many more good ideas then my budget allowed me to select for development. I encourage everyone who submitted to continue pursuing freelance game design opportunities if that is your goal.
Russ Brown
Rusted Iron Games
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Thanks, Russ! Looking forward to getting down to writing.
Looks like I made a good decision not to submit my Perfect Game Pitcher, with the ability to prevent foes from getting any hits. :)
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Excited to see my little Greenscream made the cut - equally excited to see what all the others look like in the printing.
Thanks for the opportunity!
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I am now going to start working on integrating these 12 new monsters into the product schedule along with the monsters I previously had on the list.
In fact, I can say that the first one to be published will be the Skeleton Tree by Jacob W. Michaels, along with a selection of haunts related to the tree. It will be included in our Deadly Spooky Gardens Halloween Special that will be released in early Oct.
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So I have a bit more news.
There were two pitches that I liked, but I felt the concept described worked better as a hazard rather than a monster. I have sent the authors a notification email with an offer to write up the concept as a 200 word hazard. They are:
Frost Wheat Patch - Alvarez Ismael
Lightswallow Blooms - Nikolai Geier
So hopefully we will see a couple more of the ideas from the open call in print as hazards.
I want to take a moment and point out this new offer here in this thread, just in case you all have any friends that can draw!
Also, I am still going to be sending out feedback on all the pitches I recieved. However there is a big Pathfinder Society event being held locally this weekend. Since I am one of the Venture Officers I will be spending my free time for the next 3 days preparing for and participating in that event. So I won't have a chance to start sending out the feedback emails until Sunday at the earliest. I just wanted to let you all know.