Essentially, yes. The three elements we provide, from which the GMs will create their adventures, will be from the 3.5 SRD. However, players and GMs are free to include any other material that works under the OGL rules.

At conventions the Iron GM event lasts approximately 7 hours. We’re usually done in 6.5 hours, but it’s probably best to black out the full 7 hours for scheduling purposes. We will certainly need some time before the competition begins to ensure that the venue is correctly set up, that our sound system works, and that prize support is displayed.

Any level. Iron GM measures Game Master brilliance, not frequency or complexity of play. Game Masters shine when they create exciting, original adventures then give their players the game of their lives.

All GMs will receive prizes just for competing. In addition, the top three scoring GMs receive the biggest GM. Additionally, the top GM gets crowned the Regional conventions’ Iron Contender and is sent to Gen Con Indy, a trip worth approximately $1,000-$1,500. At Gen Con Indy, the winner of the World Championship is crowned THE Iron GM and receives prizes that’ll blow the mind. We wouldn’t be surprised if the next Iron GM faints when they see the pile victory brings them!

Aside from pre-published adventures, GMs are allowed to bring, and encouraged to bring, anything they want. Projectors, costumes, every book, no books, soundtracks, dancing bears – whatever a GM thinks will help them win.

GMs may also wish to bring copies of the 3.5 PHB or other rulebooks for their players. Players often find themselves short a core rulebook or two.

At the beginning of the competition, we grant the GMs the chance to offer their table a change of system. If every, single player at the table accepts the offer, GMs are free to run any system they desire. However, remember that players come prepared for 3.5 play, so GMs should bring the materials players need to create characters for every system they offer to run.

Yes. All Iron GM participants will receive at least one item of prize support. They will also all be eligible to receive additional prizes based on their participation in our half-time Gamer Olympics.

Play a 4 hour RPG with a GM competing their heart out to win. Enjoy the show. Laugh. Have fun. Really – that’s it. We give you prizes just because you’re a gamer and gamers are awesome.

Historically we’ve been able to provide an average of $125 in top-quality gaming material to each player; however, prize support varies from event to event and depends on what publishers (and the postal service!) actually deliver — something outside our control. Consequently, we cannot commit to a specific dollar value until the day of an event. We just don’t know how much we have to give away until we open the boxes. It makes each convention a bit like a birthday for us — if you throw in heart palpitations and hand wringing. We simply can’t be honest and make any guarantees; however, so far we’ve always exceeded our past prize support numbers.

Players should bring the 3.5 PHB, their dice, paper and a pen or pencil. Everything else is optional.

Including prize support from exhibitors who will be at your convention is a great way for us to highlight those exhibitors, to help drive traffic to their tables, and for them to experience the excitement of an Iron GM Regional – raising the value of your event in their eyes. Please provide us (events@irongm.com) with a list of interested exhibitors and points of contact so that we can speak with each one.

Iron GM staff will secure commitments from publishers to provide prize support for your event. We will also be responsible for setting up prize support at the Iron GM Regional event, and distributing that prize support to the participants.

However, we need an address and a responsible party to which publishers can send prize support so that we can ensure it is on hand when we get to your city. When you have an address available, please contact events@irongm.com and we’ll make sure the publishers get the information.

Iron GM, LLC – aka Lou Agresta and Rone Barton

Lou Agresta’s freelance credits include work for Paizo Publishing, 0onegames, LPJ Designs, Goodman Games, Super Genius Games, and Gaming Paper. Lou is Chief Scribbler over at the RPGAggression blog and has made numerous appearances as Cthu-Lou on the ENnie award winning Atomic Array podcast.

Rone Barton is both a gold ENnie Award winning podcaster and author, Rone Barton has written, edited or developed for RPG companies such as TSR, 0one Games, Goodman Games, Gun Metal Games, and the video game company Haemimont Games.  He co-hosts the Atomic Array and RPG Countdown podcasts.

Questions related to the logistics of an Iron GM Regional (sound systems, numbers of tables, room configuration, etc) should be sent to Rone Barton at rone@irongm.com

Questions from or related to local retail stores attending your event should be sent to Lou Agresta lou@irongm.com

Questions about marketing, sponsorships, prize support and community development should be sent to events@irongm.com

If you’re unsure about where to send something, feel free to use info@irongm.com