"Herald Level GM" requirement for administrator positions... [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Herald Level GM" requirement for administrator positions... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Simbul
09-08-07, 12:55 AM I just saw the announcement on openings for Living Forgotten Realms administrator positions. After reviewing the application details, I see that I meet/easily surpass all the requirements (primarily Forgotten Realms knowledge/familiarity) save for one:-Must be Herald Level RPGA judgeAs I have never joined the RPGA, I have no status--herald level or otherwise. So, after a bit of research, I find that in order to become a Herald Level GM one must score 95% or better on an open-book 20-question test regarding the 3.5 D&D rules. Fair enough, and--unless the test somehow requires a word for word recitation of the exact text of a nymph's unearthy grace special quality-- then I imagine I would not even need my books at all.

However, in order to actually take the test, you must first be an existing RPGA member. In order to apply to become an RPGA member you must attend local event and obtain application materials on site, and then wait a few weeks for your application to be processed. Thus, if "nearest" RPGA event to you does not occur until AFTER the deadline for administrator applications, you essentially cannot even become an RPGA member in time, let alone take and pass the DM Herald level test.

Therefore it seems to me that a significant quantity of both Forgotten Realms fans and DMs who specialize in the setting, but who otherwise never sought to take part in the RPGA before, would be excluded from taking a greater role in Living Forgotten Realms. Which seems a little tragic, by way of one being effectively punished for not having the prescience to have joined the RPGA a few months before the Living Forgotten Realms was even announced.
Borris
09-08-07, 01:32 AM Most gaming stores carry membership cards you can fill and send to the RPGA through the mail. You'll have to wait for the card to reach Seatle and for your number to get registered in the database, but if you're living in North America and there's no RPGA event near you anytime soon, it's probably the quickest way.
WotC_Tulach
09-08-07, 01:52 AM For administrator positions, we need people that are familiar with the RPGA and how it works. This is considered a basic competency for a higher-level administrative position in the RPGA, just like being familiar with the D&D game. You can always apply without meeting that competency, but make certain you note that on your application.

If you just have a desire to help out, I suggest going to an RPGA event, trying it out, and then taking the Herald-level test when you're ready. After that, you could certainly volunteer to help the campaign staff. I'm sure if you're a Forgotten Realms expert, your regional admins would be glad to have you available as a resource.
RedKnightofKet
09-08-07, 11:17 AM Although Chris didn't mention it, wouldn't be fair to assume that at some point, positions may open up? There's no guarantee about that, but if you're not an RPGA member, you probably should get a better handle on how it works before taking a leadership role within the RPGA.

That being said, I think I have sufficient RPGA and judge experience, but I'm not at all confident in my Realms lore, and I want to play a lot before I would go for a leadership role. I'll pass on applying now, trusting that we should have a wealth of fantastic Canucks to run our region, and certainly enough quality folks to run the campaign as a whole.
mmockus
09-10-07, 01:31 AM This is fairly common in other DCI programs. Must participate in a MtG tournament priorty to testing to be a tournament organizer, etc. Simply having played Magic, D&D Minis or in the Realms does not necessarily translate into ability to manage a campaign. Some degree of understanding and participation is important.
Franco Un-American
09-10-07, 04:36 AM Wait, wah? When did this change happen? Needing to be RPGA to take the test? It's been a few years, yes, but I literally joined by accident. I took the herald level test for S&G and a few weeks later, found a membership card in my mail. It wasn't until I found out about Living Greyhawk a few months later that I found out what the thing was for? Was this system found to be lacking in some way?
WolfStar76
09-10-07, 07:56 AM The testing process has undergone a couple changes in the last couple years.

First it stopped being open to RPGA members, because many people were taking the test, getting a number (and Herald Status) and then never using those RPGA accounts/numbers. Added lots of clutter to the database and made people who administer such things unhappy (note: this is all hearsay).

So the first change was to require an RPGA# to test, though you could take a "practice" test without an account.

More recently, the D&D test has been moved into the DCI testing center (but via an RPGA portal with your RPGA# - no DCI # required). I tested before this change, so I'm not 100% certain what's different, but in reading about the test, apparently the new system has a doubling-timer on it for retakes. Fail once, wait 24 hours, fail twice, wait 48, then 96 hours (4 days) and so on. There doesn't appear to be an upper-limit on this timer, which seems a little silly, but I could actually argue both sides of that.

One change I *do* (happily) note is that you now only need a 95% to pass - the previous test required 100% to pass - and what's worse, each question only popped up if you passed the previous question. It wasn't uncommon to fail on your 5th question (some of us had concerns over the test quality too), and be told you had to re-take the entire thing.

So, yes, there's been a few changes.

Word on the street is there will be further revamping as 4E is introduced as well. :)
Ryngard
09-10-07, 02:13 PM If you want to join the RPGA, and can't get to a local event to get an RPGA membership application card, send an e-mail to rpgasanctioning@wizards.com, and request a card.

In that e-mail, you will need to give them your name and full snail-mail address. They'll then send you the application form (via snail-mail), which includes your new number.

When you get the form, fill it out, detach the part of the card that is now your membership card, and mail the rest of the card back to the RPGA.

Now a friend of mine was trying to find his old number and if I understood his email correctly, the kind gentleman couldn't find it (it was from 1999) but went ahead and emailed him his number and is snail mailing the card itself.

Maybe explain that you'd like the number so that you can sign up for the Herald level test so you can apply for a LFR Coordinator slot.

That said you really should attend a few events and see how the RPGA works first. Just my advice.

Also, at least have the SRD handy when you take your test. Some of the rules questions are a little tricky and you may need to read some of the "situational" modifiers and take those into account.

I passed both the Herald and Master levels using www.d20srd.org to answer all questions (except the RPGA specific ones, and I used the RPGA material for that).

Good luck and welcome to the RPGA!
jhorred
09-10-07, 05:22 PM Also, if you explain to them what you are trying to do they may expedite the process for you by emailing your number to you when they snail mail your card. They did some outside normal channels stuff for one of the guys in my home group so he could take the test earlier to GM for us.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Simbul 09-08-07, 12:55 AM	I just saw the announcement on openings for Living Forgotten Realms administrator positions. After reviewing the application details, I see that I meet/easily surpass all the requirements (primarily Forgotten Realms knowledge/familiarity) save for one:-Must be Herald Level RPGA judgeAs I have never joined the RPGA, I have no status--herald level or otherwise. So, after a bit of research, I find that in order to become a Herald Level GM one must score 95% or better on an open-book 20-question test regarding the 3.5 D&D rules. Fair enough, and--unless the test somehow requires a word for word recitation of the exact text of a nymph's unearthy grace special quality-- then I imagine I would not even need my books at all. However, in order to actually take the test, you must first be an existing RPGA member. In order to apply to become an RPGA member you must attend local event and obtain application materials on site, and then wait a few weeks for your application to be processed. Thus, if "nearest" RPGA event to you does not occur until AFTER the deadline for administrator applications, you essentially cannot even become an RPGA member in time, let alone take and pass the DM Herald level test. Therefore it seems to me that a significant quantity of both Forgotten Realms fans and DMs who specialize in the setting, but who otherwise never sought to take part in the RPGA before, would be excluded from taking a greater role in Living Forgotten Realms. Which seems a little tragic, by way of one being effectively punished for not having the prescience to have joined the RPGA a few months before the Living Forgotten Realms was even announced.
Borris 09-08-07, 01:32 AM	Most gaming stores carry membership cards you can fill and send to the RPGA through the mail. You'll have to wait for the card to reach Seatle and for your number to get registered in the database, but if you're living in North America and there's no RPGA event near you anytime soon, it's probably the quickest way.
WotC_Tulach 09-08-07, 01:52 AM	For administrator positions, we need people that are familiar with the RPGA and how it works. This is considered a basic competency for a higher-level administrative position in the RPGA, just like being familiar with the D&D game. You can always apply without meeting that competency, but make certain you note that on your application. If you just have a desire to help out, I suggest going to an RPGA event, trying it out, and then taking the Herald-level test when you're ready. After that, you could certainly volunteer to help the campaign staff. I'm sure if you're a Forgotten Realms expert, your regional admins would be glad to have you available as a resource.
RedKnightofKet 09-08-07, 11:17 AM	Although Chris didn't mention it, wouldn't be fair to assume that at some point, positions may open up? There's no guarantee about that, but if you're not an RPGA member, you probably should get a better handle on how it works before taking a leadership role within the RPGA. That being said, I think I have sufficient RPGA and judge experience, but I'm not at all confident in my Realms lore, and I want to play a lot before I would go for a leadership role. I'll pass on applying now, trusting that we should have a wealth of fantastic Canucks to run our region, and certainly enough quality folks to run the campaign as a whole.
mmockus 09-10-07, 01:31 AM	This is fairly common in other DCI programs. Must participate in a MtG tournament priorty to testing to be a tournament organizer, etc. Simply having played Magic, D&D Minis or in the Realms does not necessarily translate into ability to manage a campaign. Some degree of understanding and participation is important.
Franco Un-American 09-10-07, 04:36 AM	Wait, wah? When did this change happen? Needing to be RPGA to take the test? It's been a few years, yes, but I literally joined by accident. I took the herald level test for S&G and a few weeks later, found a membership card in my mail. It wasn't until I found out about Living Greyhawk a few months later that I found out what the thing was for? Was this system found to be lacking in some way?
WolfStar76 09-10-07, 07:56 AM	The testing process has undergone a couple changes in the last couple years. First it stopped being open to RPGA members, because many people were taking the test, getting a number (and Herald Status) and then never using those RPGA accounts/numbers. Added lots of clutter to the database and made people who administer such things unhappy (note: this is all hearsay). So the first change was to require an RPGA# to test, though you could take a "practice" test without an account. More recently, the D&D test has been moved into the DCI testing center (but via an RPGA portal with your RPGA# - no DCI # required). I tested before this change, so I'm not 100% certain what's different, but in reading about the test, apparently the new system has a doubling-timer on it for retakes. Fail once, wait 24 hours, fail twice, wait 48, then 96 hours (4 days) and so on. There doesn't appear to be an upper-limit on this timer, which seems a little silly, but I could actually argue both sides of that. One change I do (happily) note is that you now only need a 95% to pass - the previous test required 100% to pass - and what's worse, each question only popped up if you passed the previous question. It wasn't uncommon to fail on your 5th question (some of us had concerns over the test quality too), and be told you had to re-take the entire thing. So, yes, there's been a few changes. Word on the street is there will be further revamping as 4E is introduced as well. :)
Ryngard 09-10-07, 02:13 PM	If you want to join the RPGA, and can't get to a local event to get an RPGA membership application card, send an e-mail to rpgasanctioning@wizards.com, and request a card. In that e-mail, you will need to give them your name and full snail-mail address. They'll then send you the application form (via snail-mail), which includes your new number. When you get the form, fill it out, detach the part of the card that is now your membership card, and mail the rest of the card back to the RPGA. Now a friend of mine was trying to find his old number and if I understood his email correctly, the kind gentleman couldn't find it (it was from 1999) but went ahead and emailed him his number and is snail mailing the card itself. Maybe explain that you'd like the number so that you can sign up for the Herald level test so you can apply for a LFR Coordinator slot. That said you really should attend a few events and see how the RPGA works first. Just my advice. Also, at least have the SRD handy when you take your test. Some of the rules questions are a little tricky and you may need to read some of the "situational" modifiers and take those into account. I passed both the Herald and Master levels using www.d20srd.org to answer all questions (except the RPGA specific ones, and I used the RPGA material for that). Good luck and welcome to the RPGA!
jhorred 09-10-07, 05:22 PM	Also, if you explain to them what you are trying to do they may expedite the process for you by emailing your number to you when they snail mail your card. They did some outside normal channels stuff for one of the guys in my home group so he could take the test earlier to GM for us.