IRON DM General Discussion

[el-remmen]

Yes, absolutely. The idea and emphasis will be on broad strokes. As an example, we want to read that the monster can breathe fire, not that it does 4d6 fire damage in a 30' cone. The idea is to be clear we are not looking for specific mechanics at all. All entries should, in theory, be system (if not genre) neutral.

And these are being built around a list of specific ingredients? Or else comparing is going to be very difficult, I think.

So like?

Design a Monster Ingredients
Dead Volcano
Planar Gate
Sub-Species
Mane of Ash
Prehensile Tail

 

[Rune]

And these are being built around a list of specific ingredients? Or else comparing is going to be very difficult, I think.

So like?

Design a Monster Ingredients
Dead Volcano
Planar Gate
Sub-Species
Mane of Ash
Prehensile Tail

Great list!

 

[Wicht]

This brings to mind that the kind of ingredients appropriate for a monster might be a bit different than the kind of ingredients appropriate for an adventure.

 

[Rune]

I like the theming.

In drafting the rules, I was trying to leave it open to individual judges as to how to choose the categories for each round.

Also, a consideration: do you want to broadcast ahead of time what each week will hold, or have the general topics known but not the order they will appear in.

I would have to think some important part of it would have to remain unknown. Otherwise, what’s the point of time-limits?

 

[el-remmen]

I would have to think some important part of it would have to remain unknown. Otherwise, what’s the point of time-limits?

The ingredients would remain unknown!

 

[Wicht]

Also instead of "design a monster,"... create a "monster, creature or monstrous villain." might open up more scope for contestants to take it in different directions.

 

[Rune]

Re: Nemm

Good enough.

 

[Gradine]

This brings to mind that the kind of ingredients appropriate for a monster might be a bit different than the kind of ingredients appropriate for an adventure.

This is true. With the theming, we might want to supply ingredient lists for each week. Contestants would then need to figure out how to best distribute them across the two entries. If each category is being judged separately, which I think they should be. Do they go all-in on one of the two? Maybe they like their villain idea better than their patron, so they place a large emphasis on that (4 ingredients there, 2 on the patron).

 

[Rune]

Starting to seem like an IRON DM Sandbox competition. Especially if multiple contestants’ entries fit together.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I would have to think some important part of it would have to remain unknown. Otherwise, what’s the point of time-limits?

Surely that's what the ingredients are for.

This is shaping up!