Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XXXVI

[Venger]

I'd guess the decision behind kensai being an average BAB class has something to do with the fact that it gets an in-class str boosting option with no usage limit beyond a player's ability to optimize concentrate, and the ability to get what would otherwise be a weapon of epic monetary cost before level 15 essentially for free.

I honestly think it was a solid design choice, but that's just my opinion.

while your statements are all true, your BA is limited by the amount of numerical base attack points you have, regardless of strength or weapon bonus. between the fact that kensai only gives you 7 points of BA, along with the fact that you're supposed to have combat expertise somehow (passive way monk 1 seems the most straightforward, but it loses another precious point of BA) and that you have to multiclass to fighter or something for ride means you're kinda expected to lose at least 4 points of BA. you're barely getting your 4th iterative at all at that point, and that seems like it's against the intent for a melee centric class like kensai.

the str boosting thing doesn't stack with itself since stuff from the same source doesn't stack. it is nice that it's untyped, but since it takes a move action to activate and lasts for class lvl/2, I'd hardly call it game-breaking.

and I wouldn't say the weapon's "free," the way you pay for it is with 10 levels of kensai in your build, same as dread necro's "free" lich apotheosis. well, yeah, it's free if all 20 levels of your build are a 0 cost to you.

[T.G. Oskar]

Responses to the first judge:

1. I noted specifically in the table for my build (and in the backstory) that the Rag and Bone Man's skin came from a chain devil.

From this and the rest of the write-up on the rag and bone man, it seems as though there is some confusion over "kyton" and "chain devil" being two monsters instead different names for the same creature

So the suggestion of "ending up with a menacing kyton as a pal" is exactly what acolyte does for the rag and bone man, since it enables summoning a chain devil (kyton) as a SLA.

Dread necromancer's planar binding spell, which he did take notice of, also allows calling a chain devil (along with other bigger, more powerful monsters) getting him as a "pal" since he's under the spell's 12HD cap, only possessing 8HD.

For starters, I know that a chain devil IS a kyton. Otherwise, you'd have pointed out that there's no difference between a bone devil and an osyluth, which are exactly the same thing. One is a different name for the other.

The "menacing" part is as follows. You have a 8 HD creature at 15th level. That 8 HD creature is considered a CR 6 creature. Disregarding the thing with CR, in theory, that means a 6th level party of four can fight a kyton/chain devil and win, so as long as they consume at least 25% of its resources (to fulfill the 4 encounters/day thing). You are a 15th level character, am I correct? By the time you get Summon Fiend, you are.

Now, as I mentioned with other builds, I like the choice of the chain devil over the babau. Notice how I somewhat glee'd over Reykja's choice of kyton, what with its regeneration, teleportation and other tricks. In fact, this is what I said regarding the Chain Devil/Kyton:
Unlike the Babau, the Chain Devil is surprisingly resilient (Regeneration!),

plus it has a nasty set of attacks

(the chains, which act as if they were spiked chains. That said, the Chain Devil unfortunately isn’t as strong at the level you get it, so you need something to boost it…which you don’t have. Even then, you have to beat its spell resistance, which is pretty high if you come to think about it.

Note the italicized part. The problem Reykja had was that he couldn't boost the Kyton pal to be menacing, as in capable of, through buffs, contribute enough for a battle close enough to your actual HD, or at least the typical CR/encounter level you tend to face. That's what I meant with "not menacing".

Let's go with you, and with...say, the Sacred Demon. Note how I praised that his Babau was stronger than others, because as a Malconvoker and as a summon/calling specialist, that's his bread and bones. Had he chosen a Chain Devil, that Augment Summoning would have granted him a +4 to Strength and Constitution (with the concurrent +2 to attack rolls, damage rolls, and 2 HP/HD), even if only an enhancement bonus.

As for why I went for a "relative"...well, when I hear of "razor", here's what I believe it's a razor:

Spoiler

Show

The description for the Chain Devil's chains goes as follows: A chain devil’s most awesome attack is its ability to control up to four chains within 20 feet as a standard action, making the chains dance or move as it wishes. In addition, a chain devil can increase these chains’ length by up to 15 feet and cause them to sprout razor-edged barbs. IMO, a "razor-sharp barb" isn't necessarily a razor. What was exactly the Rag and Bones' offering to the Chain Devil?

A pristine box of silver razors and knives lay before him, an offer of submission to the monster that would come before him to do as he wished.

What did the fiend do?

A chain slithered down from the devil's neck and wound its way down his leg, picking up one of the razors that lay in the circle with him.

Unless I missed something (maybe it's the "these chains attack as effectively as the devil itself"), the chain isn't capable of grabbing things (aka, fine handling). So the chain devil was a mutant, or it's something I learned now.

That said, is my sister a relative? Is my cousin a relative? Last I know, both my sister and my cousin are humans. Perhaps it's the way it's worded that elicits confusion, but when I saw how the chain grabbed a few razors, I figured that it had to be a unique fiend, and not your vanilla chain devil. If it is...well, my apologies, but take for granted that I don't think a kyton and a chain devil are any different. Perhaps I was too absorbed on the Cenobite feel that a Freudian slip escaped from my mind?

That said: is the kyton menacing against a 12-HD creature? Is a kyton more menacing than an erinyes (CR 8, 9 HD, flight, more SR, ability to summon other fiends [something that can't be done if summoned, but can be done if called upon], the entangling rope, true seeing), or a bone devil (with the fear aura, poison, more SR, more HD, more CR...notice why I pointed you for osyluth instead of kyton?), or even a barbed devil? In comparison to those, aside from the regeneration effect (which I admit, it's VERY good), the kyton/chain devil is nothing more than a mook. If you had something to boost the Kyton/Chain Devil, it would have been a bit more menacing. However, you're not a buffer; you're a debuffer, and what little buffs you get you have to share with your better undead creatures (the shadows, the 10-headed fiendish hydra skeletons). The kyton doesn't feel like useful as a combatant if you think about it.

2. For Ash'okk Larr, T.G. Oskar notes that Skarn are "by definition, Lawful" when this definition does not match the wording in Magic of Incarnum, where they are noted as "usually lawful. . . Chaotic Skarns are nevertheless tolerated and even welcomed in Skarn society"(p.16). The Originality deduction here appears based on a faulty premise and on a qualm with Elegance; the Chairman asks that the score be re-evaluated on that basis.

Very well, I'll go with the crux of the problem in excruciating detail.

What makes a Skarn so extremely important to as to merit being THE choice for the build, in comparison to a different but likely original choice? Is it the boost to Strength at the expense of Dexterity? Is it the spines that can be boosted if you have the ability to bind a chakra to your arms? Is it the bonus to Intimidate and Climb? Perhaps the reptilian subtype?

Well, I see that he chose a class that went for good Strength, and no penalties to Wisdom OR Charisma, so perhaps that disregards Half-Orc. However, fluff-wise, would half-orc fit? Let's see.

Ash'okk's brief mention of Skarn is as follows:

A somewhat “loose cannon” mercenary, Ash’okk was born a Skarn amongst a village of humans. Growing up he quickly took to the sword, slaughtering three bandits when his village was attacked at the age of 18.

Let's see what happens if I change "Skarn" with "Half-Orc"

A somewhat “loose cannon” mercenary, Ash’okk was born a Half-Orc amongst a village of humans. Growing up he quickly took to the sword, slaughtering three bandits when his village was attacked at the age of 18.

Is there any difference? Thematically, there's none: the Half-Orc was raised by its human parent, but grew up to be a loose cannon, took a way to the sword, slaughtered three bandits when his village was attacked at the age of 18...nothing that makes a Half-Orc any different from a Skarn. Except, perhaps, for two things: one, you expect a Half-Orc in a human society (though they're not upstanding, but rather down-trodden), and second, it has penalties to Charisma.

Let's find a better race that has no LA, no penalties to Wisdom or Charisma, and doesn't work with humans...how about Darfellan?

A somewhat “loose cannon” mercenary, Ash’okk was born a Darfellan amongst a village of humans. Growing up he quickly took to the sword, slaughtering three bandits when his village was attacked at the age of 18.

Darfellan have the same bonus to Strength and Dexterity, and a racial hatred for the Sahuagin. What about if we spice things up a bit?

A somewhat “loose cannon” mercenary, Ash’okk was born a Darfellan amongst a village of humans. Growing up he quickly took to the sword, slaughtering Sahuagin bandits when his village was attacked at the age of 18.

Notice the trend? I could go with Neanderthal, if you want. If you don't care that much about LA, you could go Hobgoblin, or Catfolk, or...well, just about anything.

If Ash'okk went with Skarn, it had to be because of something. If he wanted to follow the Skarn lore, he should have inclined towards law and perhaps sought to find perfection (the aspiration of a typical Skarn) as destined to a descendant of the Mishtai. If he wanted to go against the flow, he could have mentioned it. As it stands, the only claim to his originality is "I'm a Skarn, and I chose to be chaotic". Anyone could have claimed that.

The reason I was so down-trodden, Mr. Chairman, by Ash'okk's entry in terms of Originality was because his claim towards originality was, IMO, too bland. I think I showed that already. It's so bland, no attempt to spice it up could remove that blandness. I don't intend for a master story, able to explain everything: however, there was nothing that really made me believe it was necessary that a Skarn was part of the build, or why, thematically, there was a need for a Fighter there (being a "loose cannon", explaining how he became a Barbarian would have made it unique). I was looking at two expertly done build in terms of originality, so maybe going from a very original build to a very bland build did it in.

Now, does the choice of Fighter, Paladin of Slaughter and Thrall of Juiblex make it stand up a bit higher in Originality? Perhaps, but IMO, any point I add feels like I'm somehow prizing the Skarn choice and a bland explanation of each choice. There IS a thematic link that's not usual by making a paladin of a demon prince and then becoming its thrall, but where does Fighter and Acolyte of the Skin fit in? Why does Ash'okk became an Acolyte? Oh yes, there is one sentence explaining that:

He was learning how to bind the skin of a demon over his own to allow him to service his Lord better.

One. Sentence. Is that fair to the other people who at least took the bother to explain a bit further why Acolyte of the Skin was necessary for their build? Perhaps this may seem as a trifle with Elegance, but I feel that this is just as much a part of Originality as it is Elegance because, if I were to remove that sentence and gave the build more levels of Paladin of Slaughter and Thrall of Juiblex, it would have given it a bit more power and fit the theme of the build better. Is this a qualm of Power then, combined with Elegance, but also with Use of Secret Ingredient, therefore having to do nothing with Originality? It is a problem with all, because for the fluff to be original and unique, it has to make sense. Can a take on Star Wars be original if it lacks the Force, the blasters, the hyperdrive and hyperspace, the rich history of the Old Republic, the Galactic Empire or the New Republic...in essence, can you do a take on Star Wars if you take EVERYTHING that could ever link it to Star Wars? On the other hand, can you make an original take on Star Wars if you take a Star Trek episode but replace all phasers with blasters and Captain Kirk (or Picard) with Han Solo, but the rest remains as Mr. Roddenberry once wrote or imagined it? That's not a claim to originality, that's missing the point, and I feel that's the second thing that led me to such an abyssal score. Oh wait, that's exactly what I said; Ash'okk missed the point of being original by making a backstory that made no sense, using elements that had no proper hold and could easily be replaced by something else.

It may sound a bit demeaning, but bear with me on this. It's probably the frustration speaking than anything else. I would have loved to see a martial-inclined build enter the class and rack up nice points in Originality, Power, Elegance and Use of Secret Ingredient. Really. One martial-inclined class that felt like it NEEDED to enter the Acolyte class would have probably reached an instant 5. I was already a bit frustrated with the Butcher (and he got a 3.5 on Originality, which is above average), and quite surprised with Wyrmbeard (I mean, he chose an invocation using class, but he went with a curve that was un-hittable; a sure strike if I may say so), then I see yours and...well...the story doesn't help you in any case.

Now, if that is enough explanation to justify why Ash'okk got a 1 on its score when it probably should have been higher, I rest my case. If it doesn't, then perhaps the Chairman may elaborate on Ash'okk's defense: perhaps he may offer a valid point, after my dissertation, that leads me to add perhaps one whole point. However, I refuse to give anything higher than a 2.25 because I feel I would be supporting bland, unoriginal entries where the shock factor matters more than making sense.

If it makes Ash happy: he got a higher score than Morrigna, whom I claimed was the one that needed the Secret Ingredient the least. You can quote me on that, even if I mentioned that the backstory didn't really justify Ash'okk entering AotS either. Ash'okk was at least a bit more devoted to Juiblex than Morrigna was devoted to Malcanthet, and she had this "wear the skins of things" story that could have easily made her meet that goal.

3. I'd like to ask judges to refrain from comments like "If I could, I'd make a better Acolyte of the Skin for you" (quoting a comment under Eshpaunsuud Zhirvaush's judgment); regardless of intent, it reads as "I could have done a better job than you did," which is contrary to the spirit the competition is trying to engender.

Is there a way I could explain this without sounding like an excuse? I'll go with what many people say, and I'll do my darndest best to explain why.

It's a misunderstanding.

Let's go bit by bit. The claim for "making a better Acolyte of the Skin for you" wasn't meant as a threat or a challenge of "I could do a better job than yours"; if that was a challenge, I would have entered the competition instead of judging.

And yes, I am well aware I mentioned something like this:

Well, since you're freely speaking of builds...as I mentioned, I didn't made a build for this one because it's not my plate, but you know what I missed seeing?

Nar Demonbinder. Really, the fluff just fits so nicely (though you'd get very late, 8th level at most, but you get 7 levels of the PrC), and the only thing you'd have lost would be the Baleful Energy capstone. Something like Binder 1/wizard or wu jen class 3/Anima Mage 4/Nar Demonbinder 2/AotS 10. That nets 8th level spells, manipulation of vestiges as a 5th level binder but using 4th level vestiges, a fiendish familiar and fiendish qualities.

How many of you guys thought of that? I'm terrible at spellcasters, but that idea dropped up recently and fits quite well: Binder 1, Improved Binding lets you bind 2nd level vestiges so one prereq is met, Intimidate and Knowledge (the planes) are class skills for the Binder, three levels in Wizard or Wu Jen nets you 2nd level spells (another prereq met), enough levels for Imp. Binding and a metamagic feat, so Anima Mage prereqs are met. From there, all you need is play with the cards so that you delay entry into Nar Demonbinder using 6th and 9th levels for Iron Will and Greater Spell Focus (conjuration), and finally dipping into Nar Demonbinder, saving all remaining levels for fulfillment of 8th level spells. I believe it could be done without using human, even.

That's a bona-fide attempt for an entry if I ever have seen one. Yet, I did mention something like this:

But again, I thought of this right now, and it wasn't my plate.

I suppose this is yet another misunderstanding of my part, but this one is a bit more obvious. This could easily be misinterpreted as "I thought of this in five minutes and I wasn't even trying". That was during judging, actually. In fact, it was two or three days before I began judging Esh.

But, what I meant with Esh was another thing entirely. Much like what happened with Morrigna: the PrC fit thematically (one was aiming to improve itself with each ritual, the other was more of a skinwalker). Of both, Esh had that problem a bit more with Morrigna (the theme fit, but the class definitely wasn't meant for her as the abilities it offered didn't fit the overarching theme, which was "midwive of aberrations").

What I really meant was "if I could 'brew a better PrC for you to use, I'd let you to". One that really made justice to the build. The reason is because the ability bonuses didn't really grant a noticeable improvement to Esh, and the abilities granted required quite a bit of effort to improve, one that Esh couldn't do because he was already limited. That's why I felt Acolyte of the Skin made no justice to Esh, because it required far more than he could deliver in order to fully take all advantages of the class. I praised his attempts (Mortalbane as an improvement to Poison, the fact that Dexterity is his main attack method) to improve the class' abilities, but he was already growing thin with his feats and spells to really do anything else. And the abilities he got really don't fit him: he was going for charms, illusions and others, and all of a sudden he gets three extremely limited abilities such as a gaze of fear, a gaze of spontaneous combustion and a poisonous touch. Every time I looked between what he had and the class, it felt that the PrC did no justice mechanically to what he wanted to get. I know that's the gist of the competition (you don't get what you want), but he made such a nice effort that I felt inclined to say "I have to make a better PrC to make you justice".

Speaking of which, I WILL. In fact, I was already working on it. If I may, I'd like to see how Esh works replacing all the levels in the Acolyte from Complete Arcane and how he'd go with the homebrewed version. I extend the same invitation to Morrigna. The chefs may attempt to do that on their own, if they wish. Is that the right olive leaf to offer, or is it still the wrong answer?

[Kelb_Panthera]

while your statements are all true, your BA is limited by the amount of numerical base attack points you have, regardless of strength or weapon bonus. between the fact that kensai only gives you 7 points of BA, along with the fact that you're supposed to have combat expertise somehow (passive way monk 1 seems the most straightforward, but it loses another precious point of BA) and that you have to multiclass to fighter or something for ride means you're kinda expected to lose at least 4 points of BA. you're barely getting your 4th iterative at all at that point, and that seems like it's against the intent for a melee centric class like kensai.

the str boosting thing doesn't stack with itself since stuff from the same source doesn't stack. it is nice that it's untyped, but since it takes a move action to activate and lasts for class lvl/2, I'd hardly call it game-breaking.

and I wouldn't say the weapon's "free," the way you pay for it is with 10 levels of kensai in your build, same as dread necro's "free" lich apotheosis. well, yeah, it's free if all 20 levels of your build are a 0 cost to you.

I was referring to monetary cost, and I thougt the same source rule only applied to spells.

[GreenSerpent]

But... essentially what you're saying is that you're judging it based on backstory, rather than actually on the build - aka if the backstory was more eloquent then it would have recieved a higher score.

That seems entirely fair and balanced. After all, this contest was made to determine who can write the best story!

[Amphetryon]

sure does. I don't really know if a bonus to the skill check qualifies as "fear stacking" though.

No, I do not consider "Has Intimidate as a Class skill, and/or a bonus to Intimidate" as "fear stacking," without an additional Class ability related to the Shaken condition or one of its derivative conditions. Otherwise, I'd have been specifying a PrC with neither Intimidate as a Class skill OR any casting levels - of which there are scant few.

But... essentially what you're saying is that you're judging it based on backstory, rather than actually on the build - aka if the backstory was more eloquent then it would have recieved a higher score.

That seems entirely fair and balanced. After all, this contest was made to determine who can write the best story!

That was, indeed, what I (thought I) indicated.

Is there a way I could explain this without sounding like an excuse? I'll go with what many people say, and I'll do my darndest best to explain why.

It's a misunderstanding.

Let's go bit by bit. The claim for "making a better Acolyte of the Skin for you" wasn't meant as a threat or a challenge of "I could do a better job than yours"; if that was a challenge, I would have entered the competition instead of judging.

Given that I specified "regardless of intent," I'm not sure what you're getting at here. I've asked that judges take a tone with less built-in confrontational baggage, regardless of whether the intent is confrontational. Responding with some variation of "you just didn't understand" - which this reads as - is contrary to the point.

[ThiagoMartell]

IMHO, discussions about a judge's work don't really help. TG did a fine, detailed judging. It took a lot of his time and nowadays judges don't even get badges anymore. Does he need to be bothered further yet because people didn't like his judging?

[RFLS]

I have to ask...did anyone else look at this PrC and think "You know, Truenamer fits right in here?"

[Amphetryon]

I have to ask...did anyone else look at this PrC and think "You know, Truenamer fits right in here?"

Yup, it's a decent fit.

[Venger]

No, I do not consider "Has Intimidate as a Class skill, and/or a bonus to Intimidate" as "fear stacking," without an additional Class ability related to the Shaken condition or one of its derivative conditions. Otherwise, I'd have been specifying a PrC with neither Intimidate as a Class skill OR any casting levels - of which there are scant few.

sounds like it's kensai next time around!

excellent.

[ThiagoMartell]

sounds like it's kensai next time around!

excellent.

Sounds like more fear stacking next time around! Not excellent.

[Kazyan]

Now that you've said it's Kensai, it won't be.

[Amphetryon]

Sounds like more fear stacking next time around! Not excellent.

I'm fascinated to know where this supposition - or the preceding one that presumes to know which PrC is selected - comes from.

[Venger]

I'm fascinated to know where this supposition - or the preceding one that presumes to know which PrC is selected - comes from.

oh, I'm far from sure. I thought it was clear from the context that I was joking, but I guess not. a 10 level prestige class with no casting and intimidate as a class skill doesn't exactly narrow it down much in my mind either. it could be anything from exemplar to twisted lord, I don't really have a way of narrowing it down.

[eggs]

Now that you've said it's Kensai, it won't be.

Is that how it works?

Then the next one is definitely Streetfighter. Calling it now.

[ThiagoMartell]

I'm fascinated to know where this supposition - or the preceding one that presumes to know which PrC is selected - comes from.

From guessing, of course. Isn't that common?

[Amphetryon]

From guessing, of course. Isn't that common?

Guessing? Common. The tone of some responses in this thread? Not so common.

[123456789blaaa]

Guessing? Common. The tone of some responses in this thread? Not so common.

Is there a problem with them? Besides a few criticisms of T.G Oskars judging, I don't really see anything that could be construed as bad.

[The Dark Fiddler]

Now, for my final bit...here's how everything ended up in Word. Sorry if I burst your bubble, Fiddler, but the results were much lower than expected...
Pages: 36
Words: 23,344
Characters (no spaces): 109,051
Characters (with spaces): 132,118
Paragraphs: 271
Lines: 1,683

No need to apologize to me, I used math! Apologize to math if you're going to apologize to anybody!

Except you totally don't need to apologize at all because the estimates were pretty spot-on.

With these new numbers you've given us, the new estimate is: 36.25 pages, nearly 24,000 words, and 111,130 characters without spaces.

So yeah, insanely close to what I estimated, especially considering the fact that I rounded a bit.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading your critiques, though I can't say I had the patience to sit through more than half of the ones that weren't for my build... that's a lot of reading, you know?

[Kelb_Panthera]

Sounds like more fear stacking next time around! Not excellent.

Where do you get the notion that kensai = fear stacking?

Kensai gets intimidate as a class skill and, IIRC, a couple of small, situational bonuses to cha related skill checks, but that doesn't really seem to me like it demands fear stacking. You could even use signature weapon to pick up a few fear effect causing/boosting enhancements onto him in-class, but I still don't see it as automatic.

[OMG PONIES]

Less than 36 hours until the judging deadline--are any others weighing in, or will this be a one-judge round?

[Venger]

Less than 36 hours until the judging deadline--are any others weighing in, or will this be a one-judge round?

looks like a one-judger from where I'm standing. it was hard enough to find someone who wanted to scrutinize one acolyte in the form of building it for a week, but looking at 10? I'm not surprised there aren't more judges. I think gbprime mentioned he was halfway through judgings last week, but I don't believe he's commented since. I can't say I blame him, I'd be a little daunted by judging all the entries this time around as well. if none of the other judges are going to have it finished by saturday, will the chairman call it early?

[Thurbane]

Hmm, judges penalising people for taking poetic license with fluff, snarky comments towards people for guessing at the next SI...kind of glad I've been away for a coupe of weeks.

[Kelb_Panthera]

Maybe it has something to do with the upcoming change of seasons?

People get irratable toward the end of winter and a little anxious toward the beggining of fall.

[Venger]

Maybe it has something to do with the upcoming change of seasons?

People get irratable toward the end of winter and a little anxious toward the beggining of fall.

he's probably right

[T.G. Oskar]

Alright, gentlemen.

After a while trying to quell that combative spirit of mine, I've made a decision, but that decision is strongly influenced by the current state of events.

I am willing to re-evaluate Ash'okk's Originality rating from the ground up, as per the Chairman's wishes. That should solve the problem. I've noticed that a part of the spectators (and the Chairman, mostly) aren't happy with my decision, so it's for the best that I solve that. I can't do it now, but I might take some time at night to solve it. I think I explained my reasons why I made my choice (and expanded upon them), but the silence and the way the Chairman agreed with a subsequent comment have led me to think he's unhappy with the answer.

However, I've seen two comments that I find a bit unsettling. I can't demand an apology. I can't help, though, to see them as anything but snark (particularly one that's outright sarcasm). I'd hope to see that was, just as my "passionate" answer ("passionate" in the sense that it was driven by the emotions at the moment), a "passionate" response, and not anything else.

Is that alright with everybody?

[OMG PONIES]

Amen. Please, let's try to keep the emotions aside. I know that, whether as contestants or judges, we pour hours of our time into these posts. However, at the end of it all, we're talking about a game. Let's still try to have some fun along the way .

[ThiagoMartell]

I think less snark would be greatly appreciated. by everyone

[Kelb_Panthera]

I don't mind snark so much, at least not until it starts to get hostile.

[Piggy Knowles]

Less than 36 hours until the judging deadline--are any others weighing in, or will this be a one-judge round?

Seems like most contests recently have all been either one or two judges... It's a shame. I wish I knew a way to encourage more judges. I will say this - barring major life/work interference, I will make it a priority to judge for the next contest I don't enter. I've entered 8 contests and only judged once, so I definitely owe it.

[Kuulvheysoon]

I'd have loved to judge, but between life and trying to see if I can drum up some trophies (going... alright. Nothing yet that I'd be willing to post, but getting there), I've been far too slammed.

As a consolation prize, I may have some trophies for y'all by the end of (next) week.