Map Time! Comparisons

A while back I wrote a couple of projects around shops.  I developed shops, populated them and then added adventure hooks.  A direct rip off of the CityBooks.  Those were always one of my favorite gaming series.  Anyway, the first one in the series is called Hugo's Healing Potions.  I'll give you three guesses what he sells.  Anyway I created a map then had Rob redo it.  I did mine in Paint again.  Just the simple draw a line and spray can modes.  And Rob did his in Corel Draw something.

This one is mine.  The color pallet was limited so that's why all the weird hospital green.  I only see that color in hospital scrubs.  All that pinkish stuff is the work room with the alchemist in a rush there is not much time for cleaning.

Here's the one Rob did.  Nice lines, but the scale is a bit wonky I just noticed.  It would make those bets 7.5' long.

Hugo will be in the 2nd issue of The Manor.  Yes, I am already working on the second issue. I just saw them side by side in my folder and thought is would be cool to post them together.  Cheers.

Issue #1 of the Manor at the Proof Readers

Despite having a stupid ass head cold, again, I managed to get through my last go through with the text and layout last night.  Game night was cancelled due to lack of players so it worked out for me and gave me the extra time I needed. 

One of the weird problems I ran into was I had an invisible page two.  It was there, but didn't show up.  It was screwing up my page count.  I wanted to get to 24 pages and it kept saying I had 25.  If I had any hair I would have pulled and pulled, but instead when I am about to recycle my computer I give Rob a call and he figured it out quick enough.  Whew.  I have no idea how to find an invisible page.  I think that was my first encounter with one.  So I earned some much needed Word experience points.  I don't think I leveled, but I'm close.  I could use some extra hit points.

I tweaked the text for rural PA.  I wrestled with that piece more than the others.  But I've got it now I think.   Overall, I am very happy with the result.  Now I have to be patient and wait for proofreaders to tell me my screw ups.  I would tell them to forgo any family time, skip doctor appointments and even hold it for bathroom time so they can get through it quicker, but I can't.  Can't I?  Okay maybe just skip Aunt Regina's funeral.  You didn't much like her any way.

As soon as they finish with the proof and I fix my screw ups I'll be figuring out how to sell this thing.  Here's my plan again.  I plan to sell the print copy directly from my blog and PDFs from RPGNow and Lulu.  My prices will be as follows:
Print: $3.50 in USA
         $4 Canada
         $4.50 for the rest of the world
PDFs will be $2.50. 

I thought about doing a delayed PDF, but I really don't see the point right now.  If I can get everything to work (and that is the key) they will be released at the same day.  I encourage people to buy the print copy.  If for no other reason to justify me buying a beautiful new printer I call Hugo.  Plus I'm looking forward to using my long stapler and playing with the envelopes and card stock and...  Sorry, just geek out for a moment. 

Timeline for the release you ask.  I am hoping this weekend.  Saturday is what I'm shooting for.  I'm stoked.

Gaming History in a Campaign

I've run a couple of handfuls of campaigns in my time.  Most of the them were short runs.  Only once did I have a long run.  But in all of them there was never a true 'gaming' history to my worlds.  I'd make up something new each time I ran a game.  So that sense of history isn't there.

Rob Conley over at Bat in the Attic has been running his Majestic Wilderlands campaign over thirty years now.  When you start playing in City-State you know you are walking into a place neck deep in history and he knows it all.  Rob doesn't hit you with exposition of info dumps, he lets you experience it.  When you go into the tavern it bears the scars from the previous adventurers that have come through.  When you are dealing with a guild master you know their is a organization behind him based on guild laws pasted on for ages.  Walking across the landscape you can feel the ghosts of the soldiers who fought on this land.  This is not hyperbole.  This is what I experience when I game with Rob. 

Many campaigns, including my own, lack this depth, lack the character only age can bring.  Only playing it year after year with different people at different times can it be developed.  I know my Monday night campaign will be coming to a close soon and Rob will start a new Majestic Wilderlands game.  I'm looking forward to skulking through the streets again.  I'm probably one of the people who has played through it the most and each time I play I still find something new.  I still find things that surprise me.  How many campaigns can say that after 30 years?

That Was Close

My computer crashed.  Blue screen.  Fatal error.  And me thinking of how many files I lost.  I didn't panic though.  Called Rob (Bat in Attic) up and asked him what I should do.  I used my rarely exercise computer jedi mind meld thing and asked him if it could have been the video card.  I was suspicious of that card since I plugged it in.  It was no good from the beginning.  He told me it could be that, but also the other things it could be.  Each one more terrifying than the other.  At least to my wallet. 

So I untangled the mass of cords under my desk and was appalled by the amount of dust that had already accumulated since the last time I cleaned it.  Looked like the moon's surface.  Anyway, unplugged the video card and reattached minimal stuff and started it up and wa la, it worked.  I am no computer guru, but once in a while my mojo is in tune and I can use the force to do a home brewed computer analysis. 

I'm done wasting your time.  Please go back to what you were doing. 

Batstak Sunday

The sleestak have just upgraded their ride.  Although it looks like their diet has gone to hell.

Issue #1 Contents

Here is a list of the contents in issue #1 of The Manor.

It will start off with a brilliant introduction by me.  Whisk asked, "Why are you doing an introduction?  Does anyone read those things?"  I have no idea.  Then there is a micro adventure than can be run quickly to fill in time.  This adventure could actually be run if one part of the party is dicking around shopping while another party member is standing around holding the bags.  Next part is a d12 table by Jason Sholtis which ties into the micro adventure.  A piece call Rural PA.  This entry focuses on the horrid Ghoul House.  The a table of twenty random forest encounters.  Poetry slam by none other than Rusty Battle Axe accompanied by brilliant artwork by Johnathan Bingham.  A random map which may or may not be included depending on space allowance.  The last section is a write of of a Street Vendor with adventure hooks.  So I squeezed a lot of stuff into 24 pages.

The other things included will be three 'advertisements' for the current products I like.  I have two on a page inside the zine and one on the back cover.  I did not get paid to do this or asked I'm doing to to just share some obvious knowledge that these are great products.

Artwork is done by Jason Sholtis who did the cover which I absolutely love.  And Johnathan Bingham added two fantastic pieces for the inside.  I gotta say the artists in the OSR are great guys to work with and very helpful.  During this process I had a couple of other say they would help also.  Thanks to Johnathan and Jason.  And the others who I'll probably be contacting soon. 

I'll finish edits today.  I may even take a half day from work and get something done.  One last detail is, PDF pricing will be $2.50.  So those across the seas will get a nice price break, nearly half, while those in the US would be getting a small break.  Not a big enough one so you should order the print version.  And as Matt Jackson requested, signed.  Not by me, but by Whisk.  Thanks Matt.  :P

Welp, I Choosed My Choice

After throwing PDF or Not to PDF out there I got a lot of impassioned responses.  It's interesting how such a small decision can incite this degree of different opinions.  After some consideration I decided on releasing The Manor in both formats.  The print copy will come directly from the manor printed and stapled by me or Whisk.  The PDF will be offered at RPGNow and at Lulu.  Although I have to set up a store at Lulu.  I'm not going to do a delay for the PDF.  If there is a delay its because I screwed something up.

I'm not doing this for money.  If I were I would be the worst business person in the world.  I'm just doing it because a lot of people were interesting in an electronic version.  And I don't think it takes away from the print version at all.  I can't tell you how many times I've bought both versions of a product.

With every project I start there is always an expectation hung on it.  Like how many would I like to sell.  With Knowledge Illuminates I wasn't sure what the response would be so I kept my expectations low at selling 25.  I've sold 129 now I think which is great.  With the first issue of the Manor I have a number of 100 in my head.  I'd like to reach that goal with sales.  If I don't reach my goal will I pout and piss my pants?  Nah.  I'll keep it in mind when I do issue #2 and hope to do better.

I want to thank everyone for their comments (even the ones who deleted theirs lol).  I didn't expect such a big response.  I'm in my final read over with my copy tonight.  Tomorrow or Saturday I'll send it out to proofreaders and in the beginning of May is should be ready to roll out.  It's a lot of work and a lot of fun.  

To PDF or Not to PDF

I’m a huge fan of Lovitiar (and just got the 9th issue yesterday and the damn thing gets better with each issue) and Christian’s philosophy on only providing it in print. I was going gung-ho with this philosophy. Print or death. But after talking to a few people there seems to be an interest in a PDF version. Now here comes me waffling without the syrup or bacon.

I’m still edging towards a just print version, but there is a part of me that says, offer it as a PDF, give as many options as possible. Then there is that original thought of how print is what I originally intended, I should stick with that. Then of course there is the third side that tries to compromise between my embattled voices. Offer the PDF on a delay.

I’ll make a decision by the end of the week. But if anyone wants to chime in please do. Or maybe just tell me this is something I should worry about. Just get the damn thing done.

The Manor, an Update

I spent this weekend finishing up the different sections. 

My work schedule has increased lately and I wasn't able to set aside the time I needed to do it.  And to tell the truth I was trying to figure out a direction I wanted to go.  So I just stood still for a couple weeks, but found which way I wanted to head and went back to work.  I took a lot of time to rework one of the pieces I wasn't happy. with.  It was a bit too skeletal.  And I added a new piece.

Whisk will look over it today and do some proof reading, minor edits and point out layout issues.  I hope to send copies to my proof readers mid week.  So by next week I should have everything done and ready to shove it out the door.  After doing this I have a lot more respect for Christian and how much work goes into one of these zines.  They are deceivingly small and he makes it look easy.

The good part though is I already have half or three quarters of issue #2 written.  When I finally get #1 out the door I'll hit the ground running with the next issue.

Pricing and subscriptions.  I'm going to use the same price point as Christian, $3.50 US, $4 Canada and $4.75 Overseas.  As far as subscriptions, there won't be a subscription offer yet.  It depends on how well #2 goes.

When I wrote short stories there was nothing more satisfying than having that final crisp copy in your hands.  And I'm getting that excitement again.  Just holding the second draft in my hands I can see the end product now.   

If I could only get the page numbers to stop being such a huge pain in my ass.

Sleestak Sunday

I know.  I'm sure you had to do a double take on this one.  It sorta looks like a fetish dildo for extremely dedicated Land of the Lost fans.  But stay your mind pervs.  It is a sculpture from Aaron from Aberrant Ceramics.

After going through his blog he makes a ton of fantastic stuff.  I love the purple worm he made.  Please check out his site and all hail Sleestak Sunday.  What would a Sunday be would a 7' reptilian?  

Map Time Fashion Show

I've been playing around today with making maps on the computer.  Just using the simple Paint program because that is my skill level with mapping programs.  I did it in the old style TSR module format, but played with the different colors.  So here is the same map four ways.  I'm titling this one "The Taps Six Dungeon" because back in Jr. High this was one of my first homemade jobs and a lot of the gamers wanted to go through it.  While that is long gone, I thought it would be fun to bring it back and see if I can put some life back into it.

Here is Tap Six in what I call OSR black.  It is modern yet classic with an elegance that will never go out of style.

Here is Tap Six in a calming blue for casual times.  This look is good for dinner parties at home or luncheons with friends.  

Tap Six never looked so sexy.  The red incites passion and excitement.  A flare in the night for everyone to see.  Tap Six cannot be ignored in red.

And lastly, the classic.  Light blue of eternity.  While the other colors come and go this chartreuse blue that brings back memories of yesteryear.

Have a great weekend.  Throw some dice.

The Winners Are...

I want to thank everyone who commented.  The cool thing was seeing people who I've never heard from commenting saying they read my blog.  And really, that was the main part of doing this just so see who was out there I may not of known about.  And of course the regulars who can always be counted on for support. 

Now onto the drawing.  I had 57 individual commentors.  So I'll be giving away 6, $10 RPGNow gift certificates.  And like a good OSRian I have made a random table and will let the dice chose. 

And the winners are....
1. Jimmy Simpson
2. Anthony Hunter
3. David
4. Pat
5. Drance
6. Boric G

Winners please contact me a elder_sensa(at)yahoo(dot)com and let me know where to send your $10 gift card.

Thanks everyone.

A Few Hours Left

Sign in here to be entered in the drawing tonight.  So far I'll be giving away 5 $10 gift cards to RPGNow.  It ends 9pm EST.  So if you ever stopped by just take a moment to say hello to be entered.

3 Years at the Manor Giveaway

Today is my 3rd year doing this.  I was going to have some sort of contest but will just do a giveaway instead.  To all those who comment on this post will enter you into a drawing.  I'll give away a $10 gift card to RPGNow for every 10 individual people who comment.  If you stop by and just glance at the blog once in a while, just say to get entered.  I'd like to see who all still stops by these days.  And I would love to give away a lot of gift cards.  I'll be keeping this post up until 9pm Friday.  Good luck to everyone and thanks for stopping by.