Psionic Events For UnCon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionic Events For UnCon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Vorpal Tribble
08-21-07, 10:52 AM Ok, for the last few years I've been here we've had UnCon and its competitions, but not one time has there been one for psionics. Every other board just about has it, but not us.

I'd like to change that this year. Who's up for pestering the WizOs for a psi-based contest? If nothing else we can run our own. I'll volunteer if no one else is interested (though I'd like to be able to enter myself).

So, what kind of competition would you guys like? Over on the magic boards the contest is always to design a new spell. Suppose we could just have one to design a new power.

UnCon normally starts anywhere between the middle of September to the middle of October, so we have plenty of time.
Tempest Stormwind
08-21-07, 12:01 PM I work closely with WizO_Autumn via the CO boards news project, but that project hasn't gone on long enough for me to ask her for a favor in relaying this to Paradox.

Given how there's a lot more to psionics than just powers, though, I'd be most inclined to designing something different. Powers, feat(s), prestige classes, items.... it's rather wide-open.

The only thing I'm aware of that could encompass all of these is also the *biggest* UnCon project possible -- design a psionic-themed one-shot adventure. That's beyond several people's capacity given the timeframe, though (since they take a lot of work).
Ryuu_Tenshi
08-21-07, 12:23 PM It could be something slightly simpler, like design a psi-based encounter (a la the encounters in, say, Weapons of Legacy - you COULD build a one-shot around them, but all you have is the initial encounter)

That still might take a while, though.

... it might be fun to run that contest in some capacity outside UnCon, however. I, for one, would love to see it.
carnivore
08-21-07, 12:33 PM how about a Psi Gauntlet test(like an Iron-Man Arena... but thru a Maze) see how far they can Go

use 10th lvl Psionic Characters

for Challenges... use Monsters and Traps starting @ CR8 and increasing with each success... but action would be Continuous..no resting or Re-equiping

:D
SlanderPanic
08-21-07, 01:06 PM I'd be in favor of psionic monster design. If there's one thing we don't have enough of, it's those.
InkBlot
08-21-07, 04:32 PM Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down.
The Vorpal Tribble
08-22-07, 10:17 AM All of these sound good to me. I'm all for mixing it up and having to make a small adventure requiring a new psionic creature/race, power and item or somesuch.

In Heroes of Horror for example there are several very nice adventure modules that probably don't even take up more than a couple pages.

Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down.
I wouldn't make that a foregone conclusion. Over on the monster forums I didn't even make the top 10 in last year's monster contest.

Then again, the WizO's chose those, and some that did make it were so badly done they weren't even usable, but lets not open up THAT wound...
Tiarn
08-22-07, 10:22 AM Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down.

Boy, isn't that the truth.

Though I think this idea sounds awesome. I think the encounter idea is an interesting one. Though, as has already been stated, there's all sorts of possibilities for contests.
Lokiyn
08-22-07, 04:05 PM There is always the "Pimp my Iconic" Option.

Design a Psiconic Character of a certain level falling within a set of parameters, Designed to showcase a certain concept (foresight, mind control, etc)

Maybe thats just my reponse to seeing the poor excuses for characters that showed up at gen-cons pregens and the sheer lack of skills evidenced by many players.

People who have played this edition since it came out as well as the previous and are convinced that core monks are overpowered and are among the most powerful core classes and a convinced that core fighters are viable at high levels.

The same people who where horrified when i took an poorly built core druid (Lacking even concentration ranks) and mauled to unconciousness* the end boss of the adventure, while being 8 game hours ahead of the rest of the party.

*it was petty i know, but i felt that taking the penalty to attacks and still mauling the boss with non lethal was a perfect cocky answer to the "druids can't fight worth crap comment made earlier in the game"
MaximusRift
08-22-07, 04:46 PM Maybe a combination of events is possible?

Character Creation + Iron Man?
Tleilaxu_Ghola
08-22-07, 10:44 PM It'd probably be better to make this contest integrated with other boards; at least it worked fairly well with the d20Design-GenBoard->CO-board contest and house-rule->TO board contest last year.

Since I don't really do anything but go to the CO board, TO board, and occassionally (okay, rarely) here, my ideas in board-synergy are limited. So, within my limited scope, here are my proposals, just to give you an idea of what I mean:

Psi-board->TO board: "Fix" one of the three most popular psi-classes to fix: Soulknife, Divine Mind, and Wilder. Then watch as the TO board mercilessly breaks it.
d20design-genboard->Psi-board: The gen board generates an encounter. The psi-board must then create a character OR generate some tricks, using psionics only, which would "solve" the encounter. Solutions to the encounter must occur within some finite amount of time after it begins, and would have some minimum probability of success. The CO board has developed a very powerful tool for calculating such probabilities, at least in circumstances where an opposed roll is involved. A subjective "tilt" factor might need to be employed by a panel of judges. Either that, or it could simply be resolved with a vote.
Psi-Board->4e Board: Create a speculative psionic base class to fit into the 4e paradigm... insofar as we know it. 4e board would generate two response threads: one which whines about it, the other praising it. No inbetween responses will qualify on the 4e boards.
The Vorpal Tribble
08-26-07, 11:47 PM Keep those suggestions coming :coolcthul
Lycanthromancer
08-27-07, 01:16 AM Okay, here's my suggestion:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g111/Lycanthromancer/YSP.jpg

(Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.)
Eldritch_Lord
08-31-07, 01:24 PM I like the design-a-single-psionic-encounter idea and pimp-my-iconic ideas, but with a twist. Have both contests, and after everyone submits their encounter and everyone submits their iconic, all the encounters are strung together into an Iron Man (or would that be Ectopic Man?) competition, which the top 3 or 4 iconics must defeat as a party.

What do you think?
SlanderPanic
08-31-07, 01:39 PM I think that idea is made entirely out of gold-plated, deep-fried win.

When is Un-Con, anyway?
Eldritch_Lord
09-04-07, 06:29 PM I haven't seen any dates around the boards. Does anyone else have any idea when UnCon is?
dragoonmac
09-04-07, 07:02 PM I like the design-a-single-psionic-encounter idea and pimp-my-iconic ideas, but with a twist. Have both contests, and after everyone submits their encounter and everyone submits their iconic, all the encounters are strung together into an Iron Man (or would that be Ectopic Man?) competition, which the top 3 or 4 iconics must defeat as a party.

What do you think?

Seconding as it seems fun.

Maybe make it a cross event with RO and CO.

Aren't there already psionic iconics though?

Oh and to contribute.

I think an awesome project for the board would be to put together a psionic dominant setting (where magic is the alien thing) that can be chunked in to the stock PHB/DMG world.
Kind of Like Oriental Adventures does for the Far East, Nyambe does for Africa, etc... Maybe either a New World Continent (Patterned after Aus, or America) or to fit with Nyambe a Middle Eastern Psionic dominant Society.
It would involve adding flavor to Psionic classes and Races, their roles in society, mythology etc...
Artector
09-04-07, 07:44 PM Personally, I like the idea of a power/feat/prestige class design contest. (Any of them, not all). It would be relatively easy to participate in and would hopefully create some very cool ideas.

I'm not completely sure how the 'create-new-stuff' contests are done, but why not have one where a general idea is proposed. (Probably work best with a prestige class) So the theme might be Ectoplasm based, or crystal based, and then judge which ideas are the most balanced, and coolest.

(Lets see, Energy-base, Ecto base, Crystal, tattoo based, water-based, plant based, weapon based, or even racial based)
The Vorpal Tribble
09-06-07, 10:46 AM I haven't seen any dates around the boards. Does anyone else have any idea when UnCon is?
Last year it was October 23rd to the 30th.

Year before September 19th to the 26th.

Can't remember what it was before then. So sometime between now and Christmas is best I can tell you.

I've looked around, but not seen any mention. Tried to post and ask, but for some reason none of my posts are showing up on those boards.
Belabras
09-07-07, 10:05 PM Last year it was October 23rd to the 30th.

Year before September 19th to the 26th.

Can't remember what it was before then. So sometime between now and Christmas is best I can tell you.

I've looked around, but not seen any mention. Tried to post and ask, but for some reason none of my posts are showing up on those boards.

The page is down this year too. I've been worried they weren't going to have it.
The Vorpal Tribble
09-24-07, 10:52 AM Alright folks, apparently they aren't going to have an official UnCon this year. However, a number of us are getting the stuff together to have one done anyways by us of the forums.

If you want to get in on it see the link in my signature. I'll run the psionic contest if need be, though would rather enter. Am however officially doing the Beast-making competition on the monster board.
Lokiyn
09-24-07, 04:11 PM One possibility for a psionic contest is to create powers based on an immage chosen by the judge, for example

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/xph_gallery/tn_33543_jpg.jpg

While we all know and love metaconcert, what else could these psions be doing, prehapes they are manifesting Phase Shift: a power that lets you work in tandem to swap an area in one plane with another temporarrily, or maybe they are preparing to launch a Concussive Sphere a power that uses the combined effort of multiple manifesters to launch an area attack (Force Damage) over a long range, with multiple augments that each manifester can only add points towards a single augment, or even a Dreambound Veil an effect that renders an area void of concious thought placing its victims deep within a slumber that never ends. (Heh anti-thought field)

Or even from another source
http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/fs14/300W/i/2007/067/4/5/Psionic_Rogue_by_Razeil753.png

Such as a Deviants (http://razeil753.deviantart.com/) Character portrait. What possible powers could this green aura represent? A poisoning cloak? A photosynthetic healing, prehaps a screen of deflection generated through the form of swirling leaves that age and crumble into dust as the powers duration runs out, the only limits are in the minds of the participents.
The Vorpal Tribble
10-01-07, 01:19 PM Ok, it looks as if I'll be running this contest. Here is what I think I shall be doing.

Have a mini-adventure. Hardly more than an encounter.

You will however have to work into this adventure/encounter a new psionic...

Creature
Feat
Item
Power

This would likely be simple in that the creature itself could have the feat and power as part of it's build and either wield or protect the item.

However you'd work it would be fine though.

Yea or Nay?
Eldritch_Lord
10-01-07, 06:09 PM Do you mean you must have one or more of those or all of those? Either way, I like it.
The Vorpal Tribble
10-01-07, 07:23 PM Do you mean you must have one or more of those or all of those? Either way, I like it.
Was thinking all of the above, though thats one of the things I'll take opinions on.
hovnarr
10-02-07, 09:52 AM Cool. I might be interested in submitting. Will you provide a template/outline for the presentation of this mini-adventure, or any more guidelines than the inclusion of those items you mentioned?

I think whoever judges the thing will have an easier time if all contributions are (at least somewhat) similar in structure and presentation. I've never participated in UnCon or UnUnCon before, so anything you can give me is news.
The Vorpal Tribble
10-02-07, 07:35 PM Cool. I might be interested in submitting. Will you provide a template/outline for the presentation of this mini-adventure, or any more guidelines than the inclusion of those items you mentioned?

I think whoever judges the thing will have an easier time if all contributions are (at least somewhat) similar in structure and presentation. I've never participated in UnCon or UnUnCon before, so anything you can give me is news.
The main honcho trying to get this poster-run UnCon going, Edymnion, is currently working on the basic template that those of us doing the individual contests may tweak.

All contests will start on November 1st, take entries until the 6th, and voting will last until the 9th.
hovnarr
10-03-07, 12:10 PM Only 5 days for the actual work? Better start thinking about it before all details are posted then. Apart from that, it sounds great.
The Vorpal Tribble
10-03-07, 01:11 PM Only 5 days for the actual work? Better start thinking about it before all details are posted then. Apart from that, it sounds great.
Aye, thats the one difficulty I have with it. A lot to work on in a small time frame. I would be content however to merely have a power-making contest if it would be too much to do the other.
Lycanthromancer
10-03-07, 01:22 PM I could *easily* enter the contest if it were just for making new powers. Heck, I've been doing exactly that for the last few months... :D
Asadeseth
10-03-07, 10:45 PM new powers, new feets, new monsters, Iteams, perstege classes, heck I have them all, I look forward to this.

Thanks VT, keap us posted

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Vorpal Tribble 08-21-07, 10:52 AM	Ok, for the last few years I've been here we've had UnCon and its competitions, but not one time has there been one for psionics. Every other board just about has it, but not us. I'd like to change that this year. Who's up for pestering the WizOs for a psi-based contest? If nothing else we can run our own. I'll volunteer if no one else is interested (though I'd like to be able to enter myself). So, what kind of competition would you guys like? Over on the magic boards the contest is always to design a new spell. Suppose we could just have one to design a new power. UnCon normally starts anywhere between the middle of September to the middle of October, so we have plenty of time.
Tempest Stormwind 08-21-07, 12:01 PM	I work closely with WizO_Autumn via the CO boards news project, but that project hasn't gone on long enough for me to ask her for a favor in relaying this to Paradox. Given how there's a lot more to psionics than just powers, though, I'd be most inclined to designing something different. Powers, feat(s), prestige classes, items.... it's rather wide-open. The only thing I'm aware of that could encompass all of these is also the biggest UnCon project possible -- design a psionic-themed one-shot adventure. That's beyond several people's capacity given the timeframe, though (since they take a lot of work).
Ryuu_Tenshi 08-21-07, 12:23 PM	It could be something slightly simpler, like design a psi-based encounter (a la the encounters in, say, Weapons of Legacy - you COULD build a one-shot around them, but all you have is the initial encounter) That still might take a while, though. ... it might be fun to run that contest in some capacity outside UnCon, however. I, for one, would love to see it.
carnivore 08-21-07, 12:33 PM	how about a Psi Gauntlet test(like an Iron-Man Arena... but thru a Maze) see how far they can Go use 10th lvl Psionic Characters for Challenges... use Monsters and Traps starting @ CR8 and increasing with each success... but action would be Continuous..no resting or Re-equiping :D
SlanderPanic 08-21-07, 01:06 PM	I'd be in favor of psionic monster design. If there's one thing we don't have enough of, it's those.
InkBlot 08-21-07, 04:32 PM	Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-22-07, 10:17 AM	All of these sound good to me. I'm all for mixing it up and having to make a small adventure requiring a new psionic creature/race, power and item or somesuch. In Heroes of Horror for example there are several very nice adventure modules that probably don't even take up more than a couple pages. Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down. I wouldn't make that a foregone conclusion. Over on the monster forums I didn't even make the top 10 in last year's monster contest. Then again, the WizO's chose those, and some that did make it were so badly done they weren't even usable, but lets not open up THAT wound...
Tiarn 08-22-07, 10:22 AM	Psionic monster design sounds good to me too, but then Vorpal Tribble would win hands-down. Boy, isn't that the truth. Though I think this idea sounds awesome. I think the encounter idea is an interesting one. Though, as has already been stated, there's all sorts of possibilities for contests.
Lokiyn 08-22-07, 04:05 PM	There is always the "Pimp my Iconic" Option. Design a Psiconic Character of a certain level falling within a set of parameters, Designed to showcase a certain concept (foresight, mind control, etc) Maybe thats just my reponse to seeing the poor excuses for characters that showed up at gen-cons pregens and the sheer lack of skills evidenced by many players. People who have played this edition since it came out as well as the previous and are convinced that core monks are overpowered and are among the most powerful core classes and a convinced that core fighters are viable at high levels. The same people who where horrified when i took an poorly built core druid (Lacking even concentration ranks) and mauled to unconciousness* the end boss of the adventure, while being 8 game hours ahead of the rest of the party. *it was petty i know, but i felt that taking the penalty to attacks and still mauling the boss with non lethal was a perfect cocky answer to the "druids can't fight worth crap comment made earlier in the game"
MaximusRift 08-22-07, 04:46 PM	Maybe a combination of events is possible? Character Creation + Iron Man?
Tleilaxu_Ghola 08-22-07, 10:44 PM	It'd probably be better to make this contest integrated with other boards; at least it worked fairly well with the d20Design-GenBoard->CO-board contest and house-rule->TO board contest last year. Since I don't really do anything but go to the CO board, TO board, and occassionally (okay, rarely) here, my ideas in board-synergy are limited. So, within my limited scope, here are my proposals, just to give you an idea of what I mean: Psi-board->TO board: "Fix" one of the three most popular psi-classes to fix: Soulknife, Divine Mind, and Wilder. Then watch as the TO board mercilessly breaks it. d20design-genboard->Psi-board: The gen board generates an encounter. The psi-board must then create a character OR generate some tricks, using psionics only, which would "solve" the encounter. Solutions to the encounter must occur within some finite amount of time after it begins, and would have some minimum probability of success. The CO board has developed a very powerful tool for calculating such probabilities, at least in circumstances where an opposed roll is involved. A subjective "tilt" factor might need to be employed by a panel of judges. Either that, or it could simply be resolved with a vote. Psi-Board->4e Board: Create a speculative psionic base class to fit into the 4e paradigm... insofar as we know it. 4e board would generate two response threads: one which whines about it, the other praising it. No inbetween responses will qualify on the 4e boards.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-26-07, 11:47 PM	Keep those suggestions coming :coolcthul
Lycanthromancer 08-27-07, 01:16 AM	Okay, here's my suggestion: http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g111/Lycanthromancer/YSP.jpg (Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.)
Eldritch_Lord 08-31-07, 01:24 PM	I like the design-a-single-psionic-encounter idea and pimp-my-iconic ideas, but with a twist. Have both contests, and after everyone submits their encounter and everyone submits their iconic, all the encounters are strung together into an Iron Man (or would that be Ectopic Man?) competition, which the top 3 or 4 iconics must defeat as a party. What do you think?
SlanderPanic 08-31-07, 01:39 PM	I think that idea is made entirely out of gold-plated, deep-fried win. When is Un-Con, anyway?
Eldritch_Lord 09-04-07, 06:29 PM	I haven't seen any dates around the boards. Does anyone else have any idea when UnCon is?
dragoonmac 09-04-07, 07:02 PM	I like the design-a-single-psionic-encounter idea and pimp-my-iconic ideas, but with a twist. Have both contests, and after everyone submits their encounter and everyone submits their iconic, all the encounters are strung together into an Iron Man (or would that be Ectopic Man?) competition, which the top 3 or 4 iconics must defeat as a party. What do you think? Seconding as it seems fun. Maybe make it a cross event with RO and CO. Aren't there already psionic iconics though? Oh and to contribute. I think an awesome project for the board would be to put together a psionic dominant setting (where magic is the alien thing) that can be chunked in to the stock PHB/DMG world. Kind of Like Oriental Adventures does for the Far East, Nyambe does for Africa, etc... Maybe either a New World Continent (Patterned after Aus, or America) or to fit with Nyambe a Middle Eastern Psionic dominant Society. It would involve adding flavor to Psionic classes and Races, their roles in society, mythology etc...
Artector 09-04-07, 07:44 PM	Personally, I like the idea of a power/feat/prestige class design contest. (Any of them, not all). It would be relatively easy to participate in and would hopefully create some very cool ideas. I'm not completely sure how the 'create-new-stuff' contests are done, but why not have one where a general idea is proposed. (Probably work best with a prestige class) So the theme might be Ectoplasm based, or crystal based, and then judge which ideas are the most balanced, and coolest. (Lets see, Energy-base, Ecto base, Crystal, tattoo based, water-based, plant based, weapon based, or even racial based)
The Vorpal Tribble 09-06-07, 10:46 AM	I haven't seen any dates around the boards. Does anyone else have any idea when UnCon is? Last year it was October 23rd to the 30th. Year before September 19th to the 26th. Can't remember what it was before then. So sometime between now and Christmas is best I can tell you. I've looked around, but not seen any mention. Tried to post and ask, but for some reason none of my posts are showing up on those boards.
Belabras 09-07-07, 10:05 PM	Last year it was October 23rd to the 30th. Year before September 19th to the 26th. Can't remember what it was before then. So sometime between now and Christmas is best I can tell you. I've looked around, but not seen any mention. Tried to post and ask, but for some reason none of my posts are showing up on those boards. The page is down this year too. I've been worried they weren't going to have it.
The Vorpal Tribble 09-24-07, 10:52 AM	Alright folks, apparently they aren't going to have an official UnCon this year. However, a number of us are getting the stuff together to have one done anyways by us of the forums. If you want to get in on it see the link in my signature. I'll run the psionic contest if need be, though would rather enter. Am however officially doing the Beast-making competition on the monster board.
Lokiyn 09-24-07, 04:11 PM	One possibility for a psionic contest is to create powers based on an immage chosen by the judge, for example http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/xph_gallery/tn_33543_jpg.jpg While we all know and love metaconcert, what else could these psions be doing, prehapes they are manifesting Phase Shift: a power that lets you work in tandem to swap an area in one plane with another temporarrily, or maybe they are preparing to launch a Concussive Sphere a power that uses the combined effort of multiple manifesters to launch an area attack (Force Damage) over a long range, with multiple augments that each manifester can only add points towards a single augment, or even a Dreambound Veil an effect that renders an area void of concious thought placing its victims deep within a slumber that never ends. (Heh anti-thought field) Or even from another source http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/fs14/300W/i/2007/067/4/5/Psionic_Rogue_by_Razeil753.png Such as a Deviants (http://razeil753.deviantart.com/) Character portrait. What possible powers could this green aura represent? A poisoning cloak? A photosynthetic healing, prehaps a screen of deflection generated through the form of swirling leaves that age and crumble into dust as the powers duration runs out, the only limits are in the minds of the participents.
The Vorpal Tribble 10-01-07, 01:19 PM	Ok, it looks as if I'll be running this contest. Here is what I think I shall be doing. Have a mini-adventure. Hardly more than an encounter. You will however have to work into this adventure/encounter a new psionic... Creature Feat Item Power This would likely be simple in that the creature itself could have the feat and power as part of it's build and either wield or protect the item. However you'd work it would be fine though. Yea or Nay?
Eldritch_Lord 10-01-07, 06:09 PM	Do you mean you must have one or more of those or all of those? Either way, I like it.
The Vorpal Tribble 10-01-07, 07:23 PM	Do you mean you must have one or more of those or all of those? Either way, I like it. Was thinking all of the above, though thats one of the things I'll take opinions on.
hovnarr 10-02-07, 09:52 AM	Cool. I might be interested in submitting. Will you provide a template/outline for the presentation of this mini-adventure, or any more guidelines than the inclusion of those items you mentioned? I think whoever judges the thing will have an easier time if all contributions are (at least somewhat) similar in structure and presentation. I've never participated in UnCon or UnUnCon before, so anything you can give me is news.
The Vorpal Tribble 10-02-07, 07:35 PM	Cool. I might be interested in submitting. Will you provide a template/outline for the presentation of this mini-adventure, or any more guidelines than the inclusion of those items you mentioned? I think whoever judges the thing will have an easier time if all contributions are (at least somewhat) similar in structure and presentation. I've never participated in UnCon or UnUnCon before, so anything you can give me is news. The main honcho trying to get this poster-run UnCon going, Edymnion, is currently working on the basic template that those of us doing the individual contests may tweak. All contests will start on November 1st, take entries until the 6th, and voting will last until the 9th.
hovnarr 10-03-07, 12:10 PM	Only 5 days for the actual work? Better start thinking about it before all details are posted then. Apart from that, it sounds great.
The Vorpal Tribble 10-03-07, 01:11 PM	Only 5 days for the actual work? Better start thinking about it before all details are posted then. Apart from that, it sounds great. Aye, thats the one difficulty I have with it. A lot to work on in a small time frame. I would be content however to merely have a power-making contest if it would be too much to do the other.
Lycanthromancer 10-03-07, 01:22 PM	I could easily enter the contest if it were just for making new powers. Heck, I've been doing exactly that for the last few months... :D
Asadeseth 10-03-07, 10:45 PM	new powers, new feets, new monsters, Iteams, perstege classes, heck I have them all, I look forward to this. Thanks VT, keap us posted