IRON DM 2025 Tournament Thread

[AustinHolm]

My first thought when I read Root of All Evil was "I should have used fewer exclamation points" lol. I figured my entry would be the high-intensity one; it never occurred to me I could be out-exclaimed. @Whizbang Dustyboots, thanks for the match. I'm stoked to check out your Appendix N Jam entry. I love that Marvel-style writing. !, ?, or ..., that's the punctuation for me!

@Gradine, thanks so much for judging. I'll avoid using the ingredients as names in the next match. I'll try for a cleaner, more central hook as well. I've been reading old entries for insight, but nothing's more helpful than good feedback, so thanks for the detailed write-up.

This is an interesting contest. Very complex. Stoked for the next match!

 

[Rune]

I'll avoid using the ingredients as names in the next match. I'll try for a cleaner, more central hook as well. I've been reading old entries for insight, but nothing's more helpful than good feedback, so thanks for the detailed write-up.

This is an interesting contest. Very complex. Stoked for the next match!

About the ingredient=a name thing: it’s about how essential it is. An ingredient that could be easily replaced with some other thing isn’t essential to the adventure. Generally, when an entry uses the ingredient as the name of a thing, the judges tend to view that as an indication that the author may not have been able to come up with something that fit (because usually, that’s exactly the case).

Calling attention to that fact is probably not the greatest strategic play. Let the piece speak for itself. There may be an interpretation that the author did not even intend (I’ve certainly judged a few of such). The red flags make it harder to look past.

As for hooks, I’d agree that one strong one is better than several weak ones, but a few strong ones are even better. I personally try to aim for the three main adventuring motivations (as I see it): curiosity, greed, and altruism. One could argue that revenge is a strong fourth, but that’s one the players generally create for themselves.

 

[Gradine]

IRON DM 2025: Round 2, Match 1, humble minion vs AustinHolm

@humble minion and @AustinHolm, you have 48 hours to post your entries to this thread. Please limit your entry to a title, a list of the ingredients used and 1500 additional words. Please include your list of ingredients at the beginning of the entry and please do not edit your post once it is submitted. Please refrain from reading your opponent's entry until after you have posted your own. You are on your honor to do so.

Entries that are between 1 and 59 minutes late will have their word-limits reduced to 1350. Later entries that are at less than 1 day late will have their word-limits reduced to 1050. Entries that are at least 1 day late will have their word-limits reduced to 750. In addition, entries that are at least 2 days late may be disqualified at the discretion of the judge with consent from the match's opposing competitor. Entries that exceed their word-limits will be considered to end once they reach that limit; we will ignore everything after.

Your ingredients are:

• Flaming Spirits
• Harsh Reality
• Gelatinous Pyramid
• Dead to the World
• Ancient Satelite
• Knowledge Hoarder
• Rampaging Gnomes

Good luck!