Wicht
Hero
Welcome to Iron DM 2016!
This thread is the thread for signing up for the competition and, subsequently for scheduling the tournament as we go along. The actual Iron DM tournament will take place in a separate thread.
For this tournament, we need eight contestants. We will also accept up to three alternates. Sign-up is on a first come first serve basis. With one acception [MENTION=34958]Deuce Traveler[/MENTION], our reigning champion is automatically entered into the contest so as to be able to defend his title. So we need, at the outset, seven other competitors. As we get sign-ins, their names will be transcribed to this post.
[MENTION=60965]Iron Sky[/MENTION] has volunteered to help judge. Which is fantastic! But, it would really work better with three judges, so we could also use a volunteer to be the third judge. According to the rulings of the IRBIDMA, said judge must be a former contestant of standing, or a member of the RB DM’s club (you know who you are). If you want to be a judge, send me a message, and if you are qualified, we’ll loop you in.
If you are wondering what Iron DM is all about, have no fear, we have you covered…
[sblock=What is Iron DM]
The founder says it best:
That's the basic structure, but times change and the rules evolve. A more accurate and detailed set of this current tournament's rules can be found later in this post.[/sblock]
[sblock=The History of Iron DM]
Back in 2001, before the current incarnation of these boards, Nemmerle threw together the first EN World Iron DM tournament. Contestants each had one hour for each entry. By the next year, it was 24 hours, which remained the case for several years [Editor's Note: Kids today have it way too easy.]
Soon after the first EN World tourney, tournaments were being held at other sites, as well. The now defunct Nutkinland held a few. And, as Nemmerle was a founding member of the semi-secretive Rat Bastard DM's Club, it was only natural that tournaments happen there, as well. The judges for the EN World tournaments have almost all come out of that club, as well (I can think of only one exception). [Editor's Note: As noted in the first post, the rules of the IRBIDMA allow some exceptions ifthe money is good enough there is sufficient cause]
Anyway, back on topic: there were a few years (2006 through 2008) when EN World saw no tournaments, simply because the RBDM Club had a public forum for a while, and nobody ever started them up over here. But the RBDM Club moved and became private again and in 2009, IRON DM returned to EN World.
And here we are. [/sblock]
[sblock=A Gallery of our Old Tournaments!]
For your convenience, here are all the surviving IRON DM tournaments we can find...
Iron DM 2015
IRON DM 2014
IRON DM 2013
IRON DM 2012
IRON DM 2011
IRON DM 2010
IRON DM 2009
IRON DM 2005
IRON DM SPRING 2004
IRON DM WINTER 2004
IRON DM FALL 2003
IRON DM SUMMER 2003
IRON DM WINTER 2003
IRON DM WINTER (HOLIDAY) 2002
IRON DM FALL 2002
IRON DM SPRING 2002
There is also the IRON DM Anthology. This is a collection of entries from the above tournaments that are particularly usable and/or inspiring. Note that many of them did not win the matches that they appeared in and should not necessarily be used as models for a winning entry. Still worth a look, though, especially if you've got a game coming up on short notice.[/sblock]
[sblock=Rules! We’ve Got Some Rules Around Here!]
The Basics:
An Iron DM tournament is set up in a single-elimination bracket style, with each match determined based on scheduling availability among the eligible contestants. Matches will begin at a time designated by the judge and conclude according to the time allotted for the round.
Each match will consist of two contestants given a single set of ingredients with which to construct a brief adventure outline or synopsis. This adventure can be for any game system or genre of the contestant’s choosing. It is not expected that the synopsis will, or should, contain stat blocks, or other mechanical details. The contestant is responsible for making sure that the entry is written in such a way as to be as clear, concise, detailed, or simple as necessary.
[Judges Note: New contestants are well advised to read entries from previous years to see what sort of presentation style makes for a good entry. ]
These entries will be evaluated on their own merits and those evaluations will then be compared to determine the winner of a match, who will then proceed to the next round.
All matches will be given a time-frame within which to submit entries. Entries that are late may still be accepted at the discretion of the judge.
[Judges Note: Each judge has historically had their own methods of judging. If a late entry is accepted, a contestant may expect to be penalized for the late entry, and the later it is, the less likely it is to be accepted. It is preferred for an entry to be turned in on time, but incomplete than late and completed.]
All entries are expected to make good use of all of the ingredients submitted. They should be creatively applied, well-integrated, and fundamentally necessary to the adventure that they are used in. Ingredient use is the crux of the tournament.
[Judges Note: Do not assume that doing a good job with three ingredients will be enough, as long as you can craft a better adventure!
First round contestants will be given six ingredients for their matches. Second round matches will have seven ingredients each and the final round will have eight ingredients.
Formatting:
All entries are to be submitted with the list of ingredients at the top. DO NOT EDIT YOUR POST, ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED IT! Contestants are responsible for proofing their work before submission and editing a submission is grounds for disqualification from the match.
While contestants may provide web links within an entry, such links will not be considered in judging. All relevant information for the entry must be within the entry itself.
Beyond those things mentioned here, there is no set formatting style for entries, but contestants are advised that the easier an entry is to read, the easier it is to judge.
Judgement:
Each entry will be judged on its own merits. Each entry will receive a written critique from the judge according to the standard of the judge. Each judge is free to subjectively use their own judgment as to the merits of entries, and a judgment once made is final. Contestants understand that this is a subjective contest and playing to the style of a judge may be a valid part of the contest for an entrant. Each judgment will conclude by announcing the winner, in that judge’s estimation. If a contest is judged by multiple judges, such as a panel of three, then the entry that receives a majority of judgments in its favor is the winner. Winners of the first two rounds advance to the following round to compete further. The winner of the third round is deemed the Iron DM for the year.
Judges are expected to be fair and constructive in the critiques according to the tradition of Iron DM. The goal is for the contest to be fun and each judge is expected to understand that goal and their duties.
2016 Tournament Structure:
Round 1:
All matches in the first round will have a 24 hour time-limit! All matches in the first round will have six ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in these matches will have a 750 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list; however any descriptions or definitions of ingredients will count against the limit!). Contestants who win their Round 1 matches will proceed to Round 2.
Round 2:
All matches in the second round will have a 36 hour time-limit. These matches will each have seven ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in these matches will have a 1500 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list; however any descriptions or definitions of ingredients included in the ingredient list will count against the limit!). Contestants who win their Round 1 matches will proceed to Round 2.
Round 3:
The third round match will also have a 48 hour time-limit. This match will use eight ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in this match will have a 2000 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list--any descriptions or definitions of ingredients will count against the limit!). The contestant who wins this match will become the IRON DM 2016!
Addendum: By entering Iron DM, you acknoweldge that your ideas are subject to being used by others, as this is a public contest and the entries will be posted publically. This does not preclude you from making whatever use you want of the material you produce on your own website, for your own campaign, or even professionally. We do ask that following the contest, you leave your entry as is, for posterity and that your entry may be added to our growing anthology of entries.
[/sblock]
2. [MENTION=67]Rune[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=57112]Gradine[/MENTION]
4. [MENTION=976]Imhotepthewise[/MENTION]
5. [MENTION=786]GuardianLurker[/MENTION]
6. [MENTION=92511]steeldragons[/MENTION]
7. [MENTION=6857996]LongGoneWrier[/MENTION]
8. [MENTION=6762606]LucasC[/MENTION]
Declared Alternates:: [MENTION=6803713]Slit518[/MENTION]
This thread is the thread for signing up for the competition and, subsequently for scheduling the tournament as we go along. The actual Iron DM tournament will take place in a separate thread.
For this tournament, we need eight contestants. We will also accept up to three alternates. Sign-up is on a first come first serve basis. With one acception [MENTION=34958]Deuce Traveler[/MENTION], our reigning champion is automatically entered into the contest so as to be able to defend his title. So we need, at the outset, seven other competitors. As we get sign-ins, their names will be transcribed to this post.
[MENTION=60965]Iron Sky[/MENTION] has volunteered to help judge. Which is fantastic! But, it would really work better with three judges, so we could also use a volunteer to be the third judge. According to the rulings of the IRBIDMA, said judge must be a former contestant of standing, or a member of the RB DM’s club (you know who you are). If you want to be a judge, send me a message, and if you are qualified, we’ll loop you in.
If you are wondering what Iron DM is all about, have no fear, we have you covered…
[sblock=What is Iron DM]
The founder says it best:
el-remmen said:
That's the basic structure, but times change and the rules evolve. A more accurate and detailed set of this current tournament's rules can be found later in this post.[/sblock]
[sblock=The History of Iron DM]
Back in 2001, before the current incarnation of these boards, Nemmerle threw together the first EN World Iron DM tournament. Contestants each had one hour for each entry. By the next year, it was 24 hours, which remained the case for several years [Editor's Note: Kids today have it way too easy.]
Soon after the first EN World tourney, tournaments were being held at other sites, as well. The now defunct Nutkinland held a few. And, as Nemmerle was a founding member of the semi-secretive Rat Bastard DM's Club, it was only natural that tournaments happen there, as well. The judges for the EN World tournaments have almost all come out of that club, as well (I can think of only one exception). [Editor's Note: As noted in the first post, the rules of the IRBIDMA allow some exceptions if
Anyway, back on topic: there were a few years (2006 through 2008) when EN World saw no tournaments, simply because the RBDM Club had a public forum for a while, and nobody ever started them up over here. But the RBDM Club moved and became private again and in 2009, IRON DM returned to EN World.
And here we are. [/sblock]
[sblock=A Gallery of our Old Tournaments!]
For your convenience, here are all the surviving IRON DM tournaments we can find...
Iron DM 2015
IRON DM 2014
IRON DM 2013
IRON DM 2012
IRON DM 2011
IRON DM 2010
IRON DM 2009
IRON DM 2005
IRON DM SPRING 2004
IRON DM WINTER 2004
IRON DM FALL 2003
IRON DM SUMMER 2003
IRON DM WINTER 2003
IRON DM WINTER (HOLIDAY) 2002
IRON DM FALL 2002
IRON DM SPRING 2002
There is also the IRON DM Anthology. This is a collection of entries from the above tournaments that are particularly usable and/or inspiring. Note that many of them did not win the matches that they appeared in and should not necessarily be used as models for a winning entry. Still worth a look, though, especially if you've got a game coming up on short notice.[/sblock]
[sblock=Rules! We’ve Got Some Rules Around Here!]
Iron DM 2016 Contest Rules
The Basics:
An Iron DM tournament is set up in a single-elimination bracket style, with each match determined based on scheduling availability among the eligible contestants. Matches will begin at a time designated by the judge and conclude according to the time allotted for the round.
Each match will consist of two contestants given a single set of ingredients with which to construct a brief adventure outline or synopsis. This adventure can be for any game system or genre of the contestant’s choosing. It is not expected that the synopsis will, or should, contain stat blocks, or other mechanical details. The contestant is responsible for making sure that the entry is written in such a way as to be as clear, concise, detailed, or simple as necessary.
[Judges Note: New contestants are well advised to read entries from previous years to see what sort of presentation style makes for a good entry. ]
These entries will be evaluated on their own merits and those evaluations will then be compared to determine the winner of a match, who will then proceed to the next round.
All matches will be given a time-frame within which to submit entries. Entries that are late may still be accepted at the discretion of the judge.
[Judges Note: Each judge has historically had their own methods of judging. If a late entry is accepted, a contestant may expect to be penalized for the late entry, and the later it is, the less likely it is to be accepted. It is preferred for an entry to be turned in on time, but incomplete than late and completed.]
All entries are expected to make good use of all of the ingredients submitted. They should be creatively applied, well-integrated, and fundamentally necessary to the adventure that they are used in. Ingredient use is the crux of the tournament.
[Judges Note: Do not assume that doing a good job with three ingredients will be enough, as long as you can craft a better adventure!
First round contestants will be given six ingredients for their matches. Second round matches will have seven ingredients each and the final round will have eight ingredients.
Formatting:
All entries are to be submitted with the list of ingredients at the top. DO NOT EDIT YOUR POST, ONCE YOU HAVE SUBMITTED IT! Contestants are responsible for proofing their work before submission and editing a submission is grounds for disqualification from the match.
While contestants may provide web links within an entry, such links will not be considered in judging. All relevant information for the entry must be within the entry itself.
Beyond those things mentioned here, there is no set formatting style for entries, but contestants are advised that the easier an entry is to read, the easier it is to judge.
Judgement:
Each entry will be judged on its own merits. Each entry will receive a written critique from the judge according to the standard of the judge. Each judge is free to subjectively use their own judgment as to the merits of entries, and a judgment once made is final. Contestants understand that this is a subjective contest and playing to the style of a judge may be a valid part of the contest for an entrant. Each judgment will conclude by announcing the winner, in that judge’s estimation. If a contest is judged by multiple judges, such as a panel of three, then the entry that receives a majority of judgments in its favor is the winner. Winners of the first two rounds advance to the following round to compete further. The winner of the third round is deemed the Iron DM for the year.
Judges are expected to be fair and constructive in the critiques according to the tradition of Iron DM. The goal is for the contest to be fun and each judge is expected to understand that goal and their duties.
2016 Tournament Structure:
Round 1:
All matches in the first round will have a 24 hour time-limit! All matches in the first round will have six ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in these matches will have a 750 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list; however any descriptions or definitions of ingredients will count against the limit!). Contestants who win their Round 1 matches will proceed to Round 2.
Round 2:
All matches in the second round will have a 36 hour time-limit. These matches will each have seven ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in these matches will have a 1500 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list; however any descriptions or definitions of ingredients included in the ingredient list will count against the limit!). Contestants who win their Round 1 matches will proceed to Round 2.
Round 3:
The third round match will also have a 48 hour time-limit. This match will use eight ingredients, all of which are to be used in each entry. Entries in this match will have a 2000 word limit (not including the title and ingredients list--any descriptions or definitions of ingredients will count against the limit!). The contestant who wins this match will become the IRON DM 2016!
Addendum: By entering Iron DM, you acknoweldge that your ideas are subject to being used by others, as this is a public contest and the entries will be posted publically. This does not preclude you from making whatever use you want of the material you produce on your own website, for your own campaign, or even professionally. We do ask that following the contest, you leave your entry as is, for posterity and that your entry may be added to our growing anthology of entries.
[/sblock]
This Year's Competitors!
1. [MENTION=34958]Deuce Traveler[/MENTION]2. [MENTION=67]Rune[/MENTION]
3. [MENTION=57112]Gradine[/MENTION]
4. [MENTION=976]Imhotepthewise[/MENTION]
5. [MENTION=786]GuardianLurker[/MENTION]
6. [MENTION=92511]steeldragons[/MENTION]
7. [MENTION=6857996]LongGoneWrier[/MENTION]
8. [MENTION=6762606]LucasC[/MENTION]
Declared Alternates:: [MENTION=6803713]Slit518[/MENTION]
This Year's Judges!
Wicht, Iron Sky, Lwaxy
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