Okay, first off, no blame is going to be thrown around to anyone. We've got some material for the CBGuide, 5 articles to be exact, and we can probably publish the first edition with that.
With Ishy's blessing, I'm taking full control of this project in the absence of Xathan. The first step I'd like to take is to get any further input on the Guide, its format, and the management of the project.
I'll also be taking volunteers, for the following positions:
Acting Assistant Editor: Position taken by Natural 20
-This job will basically to do the odd jobs related to editing the Guide- I'll need somebody who's around a lot and can deal with me on a regular basis
Cover Designer
-Real easy gig here. Just make a fantasy-related cover, preferably in Photoshop
Graphic Designer: Position taken by Epic Meepo
-We need someone to create the "interior" stuff, basically a page layout. The Graphic Designer will be responisble for putting the information into page form. Someone who could then publish this all into PDF form or HTML would be highly appreciated.
Also, we're going ahead with the content we have now, but we can use *all the help we can get* with this. I'll be adding an article on the History of the CBG, as well as an editorial, to the current content.
After I have a crew, I'll also set a deadline.
I'll do assistant editor, seeing as I have no life. I'll be online every day barring alien attack or the success of the serpent invasion.
EDIT: I can't really do much with programs until school starts, but I'm fine otherwise.
Seeing as the name of the zine is "Campaign Builders' Guide," maybe we should have some campaign building tips in each issue. Even if it's just small articles about flora and fauna, or military rankings in a fantasy world, or just good ol'fashioned "What's in a Name?" articles. In fact, I'll nominate myself to take care of that as soon as I get back from my vacation :)
"Things to make your world come alive" <-- shorten that and we have a good set of articles. I'll also be doing some articles on Creative Worlds (worlds that revolve around artistic creation and beauty). I could also do some alternative races and classes for various things you guys have ideas about.
EDIT: Oh yeah, if I could have an official postion name, it'd help with my self-confidence.
Just an idea here. We should develop classes, races, specific mechanics in the meta forum, and after they're deemed balance by the community, the final version can go in the newsletter. This way, it's truly part of the CBG and we all take part.
Note: The utter cheesiness of the last staement was not intended
Lol, I totally agree crit.
If you want the final form to be a PDF, I could do some page layout work for the time being. (For an example of a PDF page layout I've already done, see the link to the Open Game Bazaar magazine in my sig.)
And I'd be particularly happy doing that work if I were allowed to approach CBG contributors about reprinting their CBG material in the Open Game Bazaar, if and when material that would be right for my magazine comes along.
That sounds like a good idea Meeps
I think that would work wonderfully! As some of the material submitted to us is Open Gaming Content, as per the author's designation, you are free to reprint certain articles.
Author approval is always anice touch, too.
I was working on something like that with Xathan, but... well, that plan doesn't work so well with no Xathan!
So yes, as long as it doesn't get too involved and PDF is okay, I should be able to put some page layouts together once we've got articles and graphics to be laid out.
Excellent.
Wow. This is the most productive 40-or-so minute old thread I've ever seen. Now if we can just find someone who wants to Photoshop some illustrations. Anyone. Anyone...
LC has some mad skillz with Photoshop, even if he thinks otherwise. The problem is getting pictures that are applicable to the topic and that aren't copyright.
I might offer up a few Red Valor images here (http://www.freewebs.com/red_valor), as a last -ditch effort.
In the course of starting up my magazine, I collected a library of 6,000 or so public domain images. Of course, despite having that many images to work with, it is still nearly impossible finding pictures that are applicable to fantasy-related topics.
I'd say for the first issue, a simple picture of a world other than earth would do.
or a parchment map, with little pictures and a nifty compass rose...
[spoiler=Potential cover of the first issue](http://webzoom.freewebs.com/red_valor/CBGuide%20Cover%2001%20copy.jpg)[/spoiler]
That definitely works.
And now... I am writing an article on cannibalism.
If you want other cover art, I am willing and ready.
Mmm... reviews... I could write a few on some new supplements :)
Eldo, I think that's nice cover, unles someone comes along with a nicer one, I say we go with it :)
WitchHunt, reviews would be a great idea. Do you have Tome of Battle or MM4 yet? Those are 2 reviews I would particularly be interested in, and I'm sure there are plenty others.
I have some alternate classes... I have loads on my computer, but I gave up posting them due to lack of feedback :P
My in-development magic system could do with an airing, too... ;)
I'm working on a review of ToB, but I think two people's reviews would be useful. How good are you with crunch WitchHunt? Because I'm not much good at it.
Cymro, I'm willing to see anything you come up with, so feel free to post it. It's not like my pride is on the line or anything, that cover's really just our last resort. ;)
If both WitchHunt and Natural 20 could do reviews for Tome of Battle, that would be awesome. I think it would be best to have those by Tuesday.
Ishmayl, you spoke of a small article when you get back, but I think we can push ahead and get more work done in the time you're gone. My proposal, then, is to include the article in the next Guide and try to get some hard deadlines by the end of the week.
-ElDo
Yay for ElDo! He gets things done! ;)
EDIT: I'm just wondering, since I've been rebuilding the society of races, would you like an article on any particular race for the next newsletter?
Hey Golem101, post those alternate classes up (even if they aren't done) in the Meta forum (like we discussed). I have a look at them and we can put in some submissions.
*nods*
They're in 'Campaign Elements and Design' at the moment in downloadable word documents, I'm working on turning them into CBG format.
I probably shouldn't have said new products, because I haven't purchased any of the newest ones (though I likely will soon). I can, however, provide reviews on a "how does this material benefit your campaign and how does it not" basis instead of a "totally RAD because it has THIS and THIS!" basis. :)
I seem to be alright with bashing and/or blessing crunch, but ToB is not in my possession at the moment :(
The Tome of Bologna?!
Battle, mate. Battle. ;)
Why wouldn't there be a Tome of Meaty-Goodness?
EDIT: And hence therefore, I'll Never STOP Eating Animals.
Quote from: IshmaylSeeing as the name of the zine is "Campaign Builders' Guide," maybe we should have some campaign building tips in each issue. Even if it's just small articles about flora and fauna, or military rankings in a fantasy world, or just good ol'fashioned "What's in a Name?" articles. In fact, I'll nominate myself to take care of that as soon as I get back from my vacation :)
There's already some generally usable material in this issue: I submitted a few random NPCs and a few short lists of random names. Feel free to write something about whatever you want, but I'm just noting so we won't accidentally submit two near-identical pieces.
THEME WARS FTW!!!111oneoneonetwo
I mean, seriously, is there a theme wars-based submission for this Newsletter? If there isn't, there totally should be one. I mean, like, dude! Teh theme wars was (is?), like, the awesomest discussion here evah!
If Critical Threat hadn't been so fast, I may or may not have asked for the position he now took, but regardless, I have this week off and offer my help on any content-related work that needs to be done on the Campaign Builders' Guide. This includes, but is not limited to, an offer to compile the Theme Wars discussion into an article (though any tips on how to go about that would be welcome).
Túrin
Turin, please please compile Theme Wars into a coherent whole. I think it would make for a really good article and I trust you not to just copy/paste it in a messy blob.
Quote from: Natural 20Turin, please please compile Theme Wars into a coherent whole. I think it would make for a really good article and I trust you not to just copy/paste it in a messy blob.
Wow. I don't.
But thanks for the kind words!
Edit: to ask a more constructive question, do you guys want me to make clear who said what (i.e. point out when I'm quoting/paraphrasing CYMRO, when I'm quoting/paraphrasing Raelifin, etc.) or should I make a more continuous text broken down by topic. Either way I'll have to have permission from all involved to paraphrase them and possibly (but not deliberately) put words in their mouth.
I'd prefer a more generalized version, without the direct points of view of the two involved parties (we may have them do follow-up articles in a later issue ;) ). As long as you credit them at the beginning or end of the article for their contributions, that should be fine-- and there might be a problem getting a hold of Rael, as he's on vacation.
Hell, I'd be glad to participate/get quoted! If not in the original (unbiased) edition, then in any kind of follow-up.
Quote from: ElDo, Grand Cabbagemaster of the Ninth CircleI'd prefer a more generalized version, without the direct points of view of the two involved parties (we may have them do follow-up articles in a later issue ;) ). As long as you credit them at the beginning or end of the article for their contributions, that should be fine-- and there might be a problem getting a hold of Rael, as he's on vacation.
Then you neuter the whole thing.
If the article is put together, without the direct input of both unfiltered points of view, then it is biased one way or another, and it lacks the stength of a real point/counterpoint.
Perhaps I could still preserve the strength of the original discussion by emphasizing throughout the article that there are two (or more) views to the topic being discussed, and constantly try to provide pro's and cons, arguments and counterarguments. Would that satisfy everyone? Also, do you guys think I should hold on submitting anything before all involved have given permission (thus delaying until Raelifin's return)?
Túrin
Yeah, we'll go ahead and sit on that one for a future issue.
I'm placing Turin in charge of how to write the article, so feel free to direct all your suggestions to him, Cymro. (And any other interested parties).
Quote from: ElDo, Grand Cabbagemaster of the Ninth CircleYeah, we'll go ahead and sit on that one for a future issue.
I'm placing Turin in charge of how to write the article, so feel free to direct all your suggestions to him, Cymro. (And any other interested parties).
Actually, I have the perfect format and have been paring the original into it for the past half hour.
It is the discussion itself, as well as the opposing points of view that made THEME WARS a good read. I would not presume to try to encapsulate or edit Raef's arguments, nor any of the supporting comments.
There is a simple, fun way...
Fine with me. If you're getting it done, I'd be the last to stop you and do work someone else would do for me. ;)
Still, I'm game for "paring into format", bouncing suggestions, proofreading, or whatever else to make the Theme Wars article a good read. PM, e-mail or post at your leisure.
Túrin
All right, I've got another request for a staffer.
The Guide needs a dedicated Mechanics Editor.
This position will entail reading over ALL the mechanics-based articles we received. You will need to have a competency with d20 and OGL mechanics and the time to spare to look over the crunch.
Thanks in advance to any applicants!