Public offer for those still in the contest

[The Raven Black]

Stephen Stack wrote:

Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Stephen Stack wrote:

Do contestants really have to reference page numbers for monsters? What if they don't own a particular bestiary, even though the monster is on the PRD?

Then they should do whatever they would do to solve that same problem if it came up when writing a project for Paizo.

We only have two rounds left to see the quality of a Superstar's work. The winner of this contest gets a contract to write an adventure for us, and that adventure must meet the Paizo style in how things are done.

Requiring contestants to show they can do that doesn't feel at all unreasonable to me.

It's certainly a reasonable request, but I do still have some concerns about accessibility. I do appreciate what resources are available. In any case, I think a larger discussion about this is important, but I don't think this is the right thread for it. Thank you for your response.

I do not think that this thread is what Stephen had in mind. Still, I have all the Bestiaries and if I can help by providing any page numbers that would be needed, I am quite willing to do so. Just PM me and I will give you the info.

Be aware though that I am in France, so my answers might arrive at strange hours rather than at once ;-)

I do not think this is against the rules, but if it is, please tell us at once as I am most likely not the only one who wishes to provide this service ;-)

[Rose Stack]

This is not the discussion thread I had in mind, but this is something I was thinking about! If this is within the rules, I heartily approve. :)

[Anthony Adam]

I suspect that if someone PM's privately saying "what page is the roaring hulk of doom on?" and they get back a private "Bestiary 27, Page 4,564", that would be no different to them borrowing a book, scanning a book in their game shop, etc.

So long as all you are doing is asking for a page reference, I wouldn't think it was a problem, just keep it private (both query and answers) so no one knows what beasties you are thinking of using.

Also ask for more beasties than you are actually using to hide which ones are actually being used if it worries you.

[The Raven Black]

Anthony Adam wrote:

I suspect that if someone PM's privately saying "what page is the roaring hulk of doom on?" and they get back a private "Bestiary 27, Page 4,564", that would be no different to them borrowing a book, scanning a book in their game shop, etc.

So long as all you are doing is asking for a page reference, I wouldn't think it was a problem, just keep it private (both query and answers) so no one knows what beasties you are thinking of using.

Also ask for more beasties than you are actually using to hide which ones are actually being used if it worries you.

Excellent idea there, AA.

The last bit especially shows that you are a worthy son of the Perfide Albion ;-)

Note : this last sentence is my poor attempt at humor based on the infamously stressed relations between our two neighbouring countries :-)

[Garrick Williams]

Make sure you guys actually do this in PM. Don't post the requests in this thread!

[Neil Spicer]

Folks, I'm going to chime in here. Not because I wish to be overly critical or harsh, but, if you're in this competition to potentially write for Paizo (or any other Pathfinder-compatible third-party publisher down the road) as a freelancer (and, in my opinion, you really should be, as that's certainly the purpose behind why Paizo runs this competition), then you really need to start investing in the tools and knowledge which will allow you to do it in a professional, responsible, and prepared manner.

So, if you don't own the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary (or any other book you might need to eventually reference), why not purchase it? Even if you can't afford (or wait for) the hardcover version, go buy the much less expensive PDF. You'll have it in your hands virtually right away, and you'll be able to easily reference it for your work both now and later.

In fact, if you're going to give this a serious go (whether in the RPGSS competition, working for Paizo, or as a freelancer for any Pathfinder-compatible third-party publisher), you really need to make sure that you spend the time both acquiring and immersing yourself in their rulebooks and their campaign setting. It's always important to know your audience, but it's even more important to know your publisher. And, in my opinion, relying on others to provide that insight and knowledge for you, is an unnecessary and ill-advised crutch.

But that's just my two cents,
--Neil

[Charlie Bell]

Archives of Nethys lists the page numbers as well.

[Adam Daigle]

Charlie Bell wrote:

Archives of Nethys lists the page numbers as well.

That's true, but they're not entirely accurate all the time.

[Taylor Hubler]

Adam Daigle wrote:

Charlie Bell wrote:

Archives of Nethys lists the page numbers as well.

That's true, but they're not entirely accurate all the time.

Which goes along with the advice I was going to give:

Confirming in a primary source should be your first priority in research. Using a secondary source should be next as long as they properly and completely cite the primary source. Never use sources that don't cite their source or leave out important information in their citation.

[Liz Courts]

I'll also point out that for third-party Pathfinder Roleplaying Game publishing, you are expressly prohibited from mentioning page numbers.

[Captain Phoenix]

Neil Spicer wrote:

...you really need to start investing in the tools and knowledge which will allow you to do it in a professional, responsible, and prepared manner.

If I hadn't bought my hardcover copy of the Inner Sea Guide I'd be quite lost. And yes, there are some great wikis, but the Guide is the guide that guides! (It also has maps!)

[The Raven Black]

Want to know who took me up on my offer ?

Here there be revelations aplenty:

Nobody ;-P

That's just how Superstar this season's crew is :-)

EXPLOSIVE RUNES FTW BTW