Announcing Play-by-Post Gameday VIII!

[GM supervillan]

There appears to be a problem with the signup spreadsheet - I am getting a handshake error when I click on the link. Don't know if this is a temporary issue or not.

[GM supervillan]

GM supervillan wrote:

There appears to be a problem with the signup spreadsheet - I am getting a handshake error when I click on the link. Don't know if this is a temporary issue or not.

Is working normally now. Might've been something at my end.

[GM Choptop]

Quick advice post, while I'm GMing Dead Man's Debt, I had to sign up for scenario support, meaning I haven't actually had a chance to read it yet (fingers crossed we get our copies fairly early).

Instead of multiple tiers, it has a single broad tier of 1-5. Does this mean that it only has encounters with a single preset CR? Would a party of all Level 5s steamroll it and a party of all Level 1s be overwhelmed? Are there options for GMs to adjust for higher or lower APLs?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide. I don't want to sign off on recruiting a party of 1s and 2s only to find out later I'm getting them in too deep.

[DrParty06]

GM Choptop wrote:

Quick advice post, while I'm GMing Dead Man's Debt, I had to sign up for scenario support, meaning I haven't actually had a chance to read it yet (fingers crossed we get our copies fairly early).

Instead of multiple tiers, it has a single broad tier of 1-5. Does this mean that it only has encounters with a single preset CR? Would a party of all Level 5s steamroll it and a party of all Level 1s be overwhelmed? Are there options for GMs to adjust for higher or lower APLs?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide. I don't want to sign off on recruiting a party of 1s and 2s only to find out later I'm getting them in too deep.

It has 1-2 and 4-5 sub tiers like all other level 1-5 PFS scenarios.

[GM Hmm]

Dr. Party has it correct. My assumption is that you've only GMed Tier 1-2 scenarios and modules like the Confirmation, so this is your first Tier 1-5. Basically, all PFS scenarios are written for two different tiers, a low and a high. The one that the party faces is based on average party level. Your low level players will face appropriate challenges, as would a party that was slightly higher level.

Hmm

[GM Nine-Tuiles]

Looking forward to my first PFS GMing! Mayhaps it will lead to many more~

[GM Choptop]

Oof, thanks for the quick responses. Good thing PFS planned for these things! It is indeed my first time GMing a 1-5 and I took that 1-5 at face value.

[GM Hmm]

Welcome to GMing, Nine-Tuiles!

And GM Choptop, don't fret. PFS has a learning curve. We've all been there. I'm just glad that you ask questions!

By the way, it's already July 12th in much of the world.

We're open for PBP Gameday VIII open signups!

Hmm

[Gerald]

Yay!

[GM Rhetorical Action]

Signed-up, and waiting for sign-ups. Much kudos to coordination team!

[Wolffauer]

After July 22, can someone sign up to play in two different tiers of the Starfinder special?

[GM Hmm]

Wolffauer wrote:

After July 22, can someone sign up to play in two different tiers of the Starfinder special?

Great question! For now, let's assume that the answer to this question is 'no.'

Specials are fast and confusing enough without having to remember what happened on two different tables of the same scenario. Also, I want to make sure there are a few open seats for new people when the start of the Gameday comes around, and that we aren't using up our entire player pool for future runs of this special.

We will be totally be doing this special again in Play-by-Post. We'll run it in Outpost 3, and probably again without a convention after it becomes generally available (which is around June 2020.)

[Wolffauer]

Sounds great. Thanks!

[Wicked Brew]

Hey folks, quick question on recruiting. I am running 2 games, one first come first serve and the other is a lottery. I have had some interest in both but tables are not full. Should we be throwing recruiting posts over on Flaxseed? If so, should I for both or just the FCFS game?

[GM Roxxie]

I also have a question. On the reporting page, it appears we need the players' e-mail addresses. I've had someone say that it's only needed if a boon is won. What's the procedure for these kinds of game's reporting?

[GM Numbat]

@Widked Brew - You are welcome to make a recruitment post for either or both games. You should make it clear how each game is recruiting and where a player should go to signup. Of note though, today is the first day that player signup limits are lifted plus the team has recently made posts in facebook groups to spread the word so you may see a little more movement soon.

@GM Roxxie - I am currently using a google form to gather information from players at the beginning of the game. I do ask for their email address. In the discussion thread where I post the link I make sure to tell them that the email is optional but useful for the team that issues boons and that I will only look for the address if communication via the forums is interrupted and I want to contact the players to establish an alternative, or they are unresponsive to PMs. If a player does not wish to provide their email, that is their choice and a valid one at that.

[Ietsuna]

Just asking so I avoid breaking the rules. The 3 game limit has been lifted now, right?

[Grandmaster TOZ]

Correct!

[GM Hmm]

ANNOUNCEMENT

Hey GMs and Players --

We regret to tell you that we have to cancel SFS 2-00 for PBP Gameday. We are rescheduling it for Outpost III in March 2020.

HILARY, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

We had some unhappy news regarding the SFS 2-00 special today. The OPF leadership team told me today that they want to reserve new specials to the face-to-face conventions for the first six months. This is to help local conventions fill their tables for specials.

Although this is profoundly disappointing, I know that we will have a great run of SFS 2-00 at Outpost III. Also, we online GMs want the local conventions to have their chance to be great too.

HILARY, I PLANNED ON RUNNING 2-00! WHAT DO I RUN NOW?

The good news is that I negotiated with Tonya to allow us to resubmit our scenario support request. If you were running 2-00, please resubmit for something else on the GM form. Here is the link to that GM form:
https://forms.gle/8hGUxNbEFJfewfdDA

Please fill out the request for your new tables by July 31st. Please only add your replacements for 2-00. For my sanity, don’t submit unless you were involved with the SFS special. Thanks!

HILARY, HOW DO I NOTIFY MY PLAYERS?

Go ahead and post the news to your tables. Feel free to copy this email if you wish. We will be posting notices in all the PBP lodges as well.

I know this is not what we hoped to do, and I’m sorry. Thank you for understanding that we’re scrambling to fix this.

Hugs,
Hmm

[Shifty]

Reserving a repeatable/replayable Scenario.

Yeah ok.

[Xain]

This is extremely disappointing. This will do absolutely nothing to increase the likelihood of myself or many others playing at a convention. I would love to given the opportunity, regardless of the exclusivity of any offerings, but for many of us playing at a meatspace convention is simply not feasible, whether due to financial reasons, location, or real world obligations. I've been playing RPGs for decades but I only just started playing SFS this year and I really like the online community I have found on Discord. This decision I think will only serve to anger many fans, not fill seats at conventions.

[DebugAMP]

And here I was beginning to think we were a real region...

[Gerald]

Paizo sure is yucky to its online player base a great deal of the time.

[Farol]

Hey there folks,

Given the lack of special on the upcoming gameday is one of the GMs interested in running 2-03 The Withering World on Paizo? My friend and I would like to join that game and the existing two 2-03 games are happening on discord which we are not the great fans of.

We can offer a great deal of RP and regular posting from our end ;)

Regards
Farol

[Gabbers "Gab" McTalkington]

Just as an observation: You *could* run Scoured Stars Invasion, couldn't you? Between people who didn't make it previously and people willing to spend a Jadnura boon to play it again (like me!), I bet you could get enough full tables.

[Peff]

That's painful about the special...if in person were an option for me I would :(

[Xathos of Varisia]

DebugAMP wrote:

And here I was beginning to think we were a real region...

No, we are a second class region. Some people have the ability to be heard while others are ignored. Obviously, we have to fight to get the scraps.

[Xain]

Gabbers "Gab" McTalkington wrote:

Just as an observation: You *could* run Scoured Stars Invasion, couldn't you? Between people who didn't make it previously and people willing to spend a Jadnura boon to play it again (like me!), I bet you could get enough full tables.

I'm personally looking for a 1-99 and was disappointed not to see it for gameday.

[Hmm]

We can inquire to find out if we have enough players who can fill three tables of 1-99. I'll ask in Castamir's.

Meanwhile... Please let's not say disparaging things about our Campaign Leadership. This was likely my fault for not checking in with Tonya sooner about my special plans. The six month rule was in effect a few years ago, but it got suspended for the 8-99 series. I should have realized that they would reinstate it again, or have at least checked with Tonya first before scheduling a special so soon after release.

So in a way, this is my fault. Blame me. This is my bad, not Tonya's.

Hmm

[The Masked Ferret]

Heads up - For PbP Gameday VII, there is now an interest sheet for players and GMs, If there is enough interest, we will do a run of 1-99 for PbP Gameday VII!
Show your interest here

[GM Hmm]

If you are interested in 1-99, sign up on the Player Waitlist now.

You can find it as the third tab in our Scenario Signups Spreadsheet.

Hmm

[Kate Baker]

Well, I am really looking forward to the OutPost run, as I should have a 12th level PC by then and can play it in 11-12!

[Charli Poshkettle]

Yay, that's the ticket!

[Unit BB-L5]

Perhaps we can get BB and Charli together again!

[Shifty]

The Multis have been limited release for the first 6 months for a while, the general idea was that you apply through the RVC and have the game at a con, as opposed to some flgs gathering some of them were reserved for the larger cons with significant table space.

By making the Online region con ‘wait’ it suggests we are roughly comparable to a game shop event, and for a 3x repeatable scenario it is twice as jarring.

[GM Nowruz]

Hello, I used the online form to offer another game (4-12 Refuge if Time) for Gameday.

That was the correct path, right?

Thanks

[John Woodford]

GM Hmm wrote:

If you are interested in 1-99, sign up on the Player Waitlist now.

You can find it as the third tab in our Scenario Signups Spreadsheet.

Hmm

Does it look like there's enough interest?

[GM Nowruz]

GM Nowruz wrote:

Hello, I used the online form to offer another game (4-12 Refuge if Time) for Gameday.

That was the correct path, right?

Thanks

Uups, I also noticed a mistake of mine. I wanted to offer 4-12 as other recruitment but I believe I left it at fcfs.

Sorry! Can you please include it in the other recruitment tab if Gameday? Thanks

[Hmm]

John Woodford wrote:

GM Hmm wrote:

If you are interested in 1-99, sign up on the Player Waitlist now.

You can find it as the third tab in our Scenario Signups Spreadsheet.

Hmm

Does it look like there's enough interest?

Yep, I plan to select GMs and put together tables pronto. I was just waiting until people got back from GenCon to make communication for this easier.

Hmm

[John Woodford]

Hilary Moon Murphy wrote:

John Woodford wrote:

GM Hmm wrote:

If you are interested in 1-99, sign up on the Player Waitlist now.

You can find it as the third tab in our Scenario Signups Spreadsheet.

Hmm

Does it look like there's enough interest?

Yep, I plan to select GMs and put together tables pronto. I was just waiting until people got back from GenCon to make communication for this easier.

Hmm

Excellent, thanks!

[GM Abraham]

Now that GenCon has come and gone, do we have any idea when scenario support for Gameday will be fulfilled? I'd like to get started on prepping the module that I'm running.

[Lady Ladile]

Hopefully soon...but in my personal experience it usually doesn't start happening until a week or two out from the convention start date.

[GM Aarvid]

Ok, thanks. I was wondering the same thing. :)

[Lady Ladile]

***Announcement***

As of today (Tuesday, August 20th) we are no longer accepting table submissions for PbP Gameday VIII unless you have already mustered a legal table on your own. As long as you have a legal table you may still submit your game using the submission form under the Other Recruitment heading. You may also continue to recruit for a table that is not full even after submitting your table to the table listing (i.e. a GM finds 4 players & submits the game - you may still look for 2 more players to fill the table.)

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Less than a week to go, woo!

Cheers,
Lady Ladile
Venture-Agent, Online (PbP)

[GM Hmm]

Hello Awesome GMs!

PBP Gameday starts in less than a week. So let's get you prepping!

BUT HILARY, OUR SCENARIOS HAVEN'T DROPPED YET.

Tonya has assured me they will start dropping today. If any of you have not received them by Wednesday, please let me know.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PREPPING?

On forum-based PBPs, start mustering your tables and gathering your players. For those of you on Discord, we have started working with the admins to get your tables started, especially for the specials.

If you are GMing the specials 1-99 or Hao Jin Tapestry, watch your GM campaign thread for announcements. Check in, see if anyone has put together a slide show, work together on prep if you need to do so.

Prep your maps on Google Slides (preferred) or Roll 20 or wherever. I know this will have to wait until your scenario drops, but getting some of your maps and minis picked out now will make things easier if you if you experience a real life crunch.

CAN MY PARTY START SOCIALIZING & BANTERING IN GAMEPLAY NOW?

Yes they can! Please do not post any official box text until Midnight UTC on August 26th (that's 7:00pm Central Standard Time on August 25th) but before that you can give your party a brief time to chat amongst themselves in their lodge or on the shuttle before the briefing. Set down some props and scenery, and let them get to know each other.

This is especially true for those of you in the specials. A little roleplay now will get your parties primed and ready to roll in earnest when they start.

I'M IN A SPECIAL. WHAT IF I NEED A BREAK, GET SICK, OR HAVE A BUSY TIME AT WORK?

Please ask for a backup in the GM threads, or contact your overseers Dennis and Tyranius (Derek) right away. We don't want downtime on any table. Let us know in advance about conventions and weddings so that we can get you a backup in advance, and tell us immediately if you discover you need help otherwise.

I'M NOT IN A SPECIAL. WHAT IF I NEED A BREAK, GET SICK, OR HAVE A BUSY TIME AT WORK?

Communicate with your table. Let them know what is going on, and when you'll be back.

SOMETHING BIG JUST HAPPENED AND I NEED TO DROP AS A GM.

If you cannot finish your table, let us and your players know. We will figure things out and help find a replacement GM. There are a number of disappointed Starfinder GMs whose tables did not make or who were in the cancelled special who have promised to help pick up orphans.

WHO CAN I ASK FOR HELP?

Feel free to ask your local VAs or our Venture Lieutenents Derek Larsen, Christine Bussman and Michael Hallet. By the way, congratulate Mike on his promotion. He's our newest Venture Lieutenant and our main spreadsheet guru, so yay!

CAN I REGISTER NEW GAMES FOR THE GAMEDAY?

Only submit games for which you already have four players.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME GMING PBP. WILL I BE GOOD?

You will be great. Just have fun and your party will too.

BUT HILARY, WHAT ABOUT BOONS?

There will be boons. Have I seen them yet? No, but I promise to let you all know when I do!

Your Venture Captain,
Hmm

[EM±GM]

Question: I submitted a game yesterday (table already full, so still permitted I believe).

But can not find where to tell if it registered or not. I didn't receive an email acknowledgement, nor is it showing up on the signup spreadsheet.

Is there a time delay on this stuff, or did I enter something wrong?

Scenario was 5.09 The Traitor's Lodge

[Lady Ladile]

Yes, submitting a pre-mustered table is still permitted. However you won't receive an email notification when you submit a table - some things behind the scenes are automated but that particular bit isn't one of them.

Once submitted, the tables have to be manually added to the spreadsheet by one of the VO team, which happens whenever one of us can get to it. We did receive your table submission though (so you didn't do anything wrong) and I will try to get it added to the spreadsheet shortly :)

*edit* Okay! Your table should now be visible on the Other Recruitment tab :D

[Tyranius]

Hey Everyone,

I have some unfortunate news. I regret to inform you all that we will have to postpone Gameday VIII by 2 weeks.

This would place our new dates for Gameday at: 09 Sept 2019 - 17 Nov 2019

WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

As most of you are aware, the majority of the GM’s have not received their scenario support for the Convention to include a good portion of the Specials. With Tonya occupied by other duties this weekend, we realized as a team that we are very unlikely to see the remainder of scenario support drop by Monday the 26th. Multiple avenues were discussed and what seems to be the best solution is to push Gameday back by two weeks. This will allow enough time for the GM’s to receive their scenarios and prep them.

BUT WHAT IF WE ALREADY HAVE OUR SCENARIOS, CAN WE START THEM?

Please hold off until the new start date to be able to eligible for your boon rewards. I understand this is a large inconvenience, we are doing everything we can to make this work. Part of that is to have everyone one the same start / end times rather than scattered.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause, but we want all our GMs to have a chance to shine.

HOW DO I NOTIFY MY PLAYERS?

Go ahead and post the news to your tables. Feel free to copy this email if you wish. We will be posting notices in all the PBP lodges as well as the Gameday VIII Announcement page.

I know this is not what we hoped to do, and I’m sorry. Thank you for understanding that we’re scrambling to fix this.

If you have any other questions please don’t be afraid to ask.

-Tyranius

[GM Wise Fox]

So a question for the organizers:

One of the faction boons in the PFS2 organized play handbook for some faction reference Paizo Organized Play events designated "Premium or Premium Plus". Does Gameday VIII count as such?

[Lady Ladile]

^PbP Gameday VIII and other regular conventions, both online and F2F, are designated as 'Premium' events. 'Premium Plus' is reserved for the big Paizo-sponsored cons such as Paizo Con, Gen Con, etc. Hope that helps!