The Campaign Builder's Guild

What's the good word from the editorial staff on this?

We have an editorial staff?

Yes, what is the theme and such?

I'll get in touch with Meeps and Crit and see what's up.

What month is it? April? What are good spring themes?

Plants? Fey? Something Easter-ish? Something involving mass migration of youth southward (generally to Florida or somesuch) for beaches and hedonistic celebration? Deathless(lol... Jesus took levels in "risen martyr")?

Quote from: Elven DoritosWhat's the good word from the editorial staff on this?

good[/i], but I have plenty of words for everyone.

As anyone who read the last issue of the Guide, hopefully everyone here, knows by now, I have taken the position as Editor in Chief.  So, here is my official statement on the state of Issue 5 of the Campaign Builder's Guide.

Theme: As of this issue, we are disbanding themes, in a way.  In the past, they have had the appearance of limiting creativity, rather than inspiring as was the original intent.  Instead, this Issue's theme is World-Building, as it should have been in the past, and hopefully will remain in the future.

Goals: This issue is to be the most useful and entertaining of the Guide yet to see print.  I would appreciate any article ideas to be submitted in this thread, and I can perhaps clarify what the staff is looking for.  I want to make this Guide something to be proud of, and something members can use in their campaign-building escapades.

Columns: There has been talk of regular columns for the Guide in the past, and I am open to suggestions.  Anyone who believes they have enough material for a column can contact me on this thread, via PM, or at Rose.Of.Montague(at)gmail(dot)com (my e-mail).

Content: The Campaign Builder's Guide is your magazine, fellow Guilders, and I heartily anticipate any content you submit.  Help me by giving me material, and I'll work to make the return on your efforts worth all the time you could ever spend.


On a more personal note, I want to make you all proud.  So please, help me out, give me criticism, and I will do my best to keep everyone informed and involved in the process of making this, the best resource for world-building and the accompanying arts, on the internet.

Well... The offer still stands that if someone else is willing to write for it, I'll do a couple of pages of comic. Could be serious, semi-serious, humorous...whatever. Anyone willing to give me some characters, a setting, and (most absolutely important) a script... I do rather suck at dialogue.

On an unrelated note, I just picked up Ex-Machina, a Tri-Stat cyberpunk game. It kicks so many flavors of ass that I might just have to give it a review.

Quote from: Natural 20Goals: This issue is to be the most useful and entertaining of the Guide yet to see print.  I would appreciate any article ideas to be submitted in this thread, and I can perhaps clarify what the staff is looking for.  I want to make this Guide something to be proud of, and something members can use in their campaign-building escapades.

You make it sound like the previous Guide's were unuseable garbage that anyone would be ashamed to be associated with. I do not believe this to be the case. There are plenty of informative articles in the previous Guides.

What are you looking for that is more useful than someone explaining Alignments, or Languages? Someone talking about borders and protecting them? I've always thought that alignments (if you are using them) are used in world building. When is a nation as a whole more evil than nuetral? How a nation would protect its borders is also a part of world building. It was one of the things I needed to think about for one the nations in my setting and it lead me to create an organization with gate keepers that give their up the rest of their lives so they can control the gates in the walls that surround the city. In my opion it added a little extra flavor to the nation. But articles like those, plus reviews of source books and any of the other articles in the previous Guides are unuseable and shameful.

You will need to quantify your meaning of "a Guide to be proud of" and "something members can use in their campaign-building escapades". This way we can submit articles that move it from the shameful unuseful stuff that has preceeded this Guide.


@Crit: I know you are just trying to say you want to do a good job, just watch the word choices. :P

Quote from: PoseidonBut articles like those, plus reviews of source books and any of the other articles in the previous Guides are unuseable and shameful. I should be ashamed I had even read them.

You will need to quantify your meaning of "a Guide to be proud of" and "something members can use in their campaign-building escapades". This way we can submit articles that move it from the shameful unuseful stuff that has preceeded this Guide.

I see your point, and I agree. Natural20's statement about his Goals came out a bit weird and I'd advise him to rephrase it.

But Crit was on the Guild staff before he became Editor-in-Chief and even if he hadn't been, it's clear from the context he didn't mean to speak ill of the earlier issues of the Guide. While you're obviously being sarcastic, I'd still like to ask you not to sound so harsh and cynical.

Túrin

Did it come off as harsh? :( Didn't mean it to, hmm. It is hard to present sarcasm in text form. :(

I know he's been on the Guide since it began.

Was it the use of the word garbage? I tend to use it synomously with stuff.

That's alright, then. As a non-native English speaker, I know how hard it is to not only express yourself correctly, but to also convey the right tone. :)

As for what exactly rubbed me in the wrong way, I think it was the repetition. At least for me, when people repeat "sarcastic" statements, I begin to wonder if perhaps they actually mean what they say. None of the things you said would have caused me any stress, but the whole post together did.

Túrin

I apologize if I came off wrong, and I understand what you all mean with my word choices, and I can try to do better in the future..  Maybe I should use Poseidon's words in this case.

I want to do a good job.

So, semantics aside, does anyone besides Beejazz have any ideas for articles?

With a theme, I would have suggested a book to be reviewed.

I was half expecting Cityscape to be reviewed in the last Guide.

Maybe CityScape, or Dungeonscape since they are the newest, but any of the environmental series would work. I don't think any of them have been reviewed yet, or maybe not even a review but a broadening. The books are written more for making adventures and an article on suggesting ways of making areas of your world that are part of these environmental extremes might be useful to some.

You guys should also have an article that I co-wrote with another member. Unless he never passed it on. He said this Guide was getting full and it may make it into the next.

Quote from: PoseidonYou guys should also have an article that I co-wrote with another member. Unless he never passed it on. He said this Guide was getting full and it may make it into the next.

School also prevented that other member from getting around to tweaking it. I recommend sending it to Crit and letting him do the necessary edits on it, my bad.

Quote from: Elven Doritos

Quote from: PoseidonYou guys should also have an article that I co-wrote with another member. Unless he never passed it on. He said this Guide was getting full and it may make it into the next.

School also prevented that other member from getting around to tweaking it. I recommend sending it to Crit and letting him do the necessary edits on it, my bad.

I have always hated that phrase "my bad". It sends chills down my back everytime I hear it :P

OK I will send it to Crit then.

One article submission coming your way Crit.

Edit: Partially Sent.

Excellent.  Now, does anyone have any of the new books out to review?  I've heard these new superadventures for Forgotten Realms (Shadowdale, Cormyr, etc) are supposed to be really good.  Or for that matter, is anyone getting into the "Burning War" campaign that enWorld is producing?

By the way, I've been thinking about a possible series that I would like to work on for the Guide.  Basically, it would be about taking real-life history and anthropology and finding ways of putting them into games in unique and creative ways.  I have a huge stack of National Geographic magazines, as well as a few anthropology books that I occasionally get ideas from, and I'm thinking about publishing some of these idea tips.  Is there anyone that would be interested in helping me with something like this?  All that I require would be for you to have an interest in history and anthropology so that it's not just me doing all the research.  Also, Crit, is this something you and Meeps would be interested in?

On another note, I'm curious about the size of the Guide.  Are we trying to limit the size to something like 20-ish pages, or is longer okay?  I would like to think that we could expand a bit and make them a little longer as we get more useful material.

And on another note, while I'm thinking about it.  The whole "no themes" thing.. what if we did have a general theme for the zine, but articles don't have to follow said theme?  Meaning, for instance, you could say, "The theme of the next issue is plants and growth (or whatever)", and that way, that gives people something to write about if they're trying to think of something, but it doesn't mean everyone has to write about plants.  So, if you get three good articles about plants, and two about other things, then the zine has an overall theme without forcing everyone to write about it.  Just a thought.

Quote from: IshmaylAnd on another note, while I'm thinking about it.  The whole "no themes" thing.. what if we did have a general theme for the zine, but articles don't have to follow said theme?  Meaning, for instance, you could say, "The theme of the next issue is plants and growth (or whatever)", and that way, that gives people something to write about if they're trying to think of something, but it doesn't mean everyone has to write about plants.  So, if you get three good articles about plants, and two about other things, then the zine has an overall theme without forcing everyone to write about it.  Just a thought.

This is exactly how themes were previously implemented in the Guide.

-ElDo

Indeed, and I'd like to state that this isn't out of the question. The main problem is that themes have been seen as prohibitive (even when they aren't) and that some themes haven't been followed very well. What I'd like to see is a shoutout of "The CBGuide staff would love to see some demonic articles" (example) and then issue themes will arise if writers submit material sharing a certain theme.

Just as inspiration, I say why not go vegetable? Writers of the CBGuide, let's write articles on plant-related monsters, locales, races, cultures, magics and whatever else! Personally, I'd love a good optional d20 system for herbology or alchemy.

Quote from: IshmaylOn another note, I'm curious about the size of the Guide.  Are we trying to limit the size to something like 20-ish pages, or is longer okay?  I would like to think that we could expand a bit and make them a little longer as we get more useful material.

The size of the guide has, as far as I know, been the result of the number and length of articles submitted. Longer guides would be great, but we'll need more articles. ;)

In other words: Guildies, please write as much as you want! This is your guide! ^_^

Quote from: RaelifinIn other words: Guildies, please write as much as you want! This is your guide! ^_^

Did the term "Guildonians" never catch on? :huh:

Guildies sounds more like an award than a people. :P

I move that the ceremony at which Silver Dorito awards are handed out be named the Guildies.

And an on topic note: I make the Guide as long as possible with the articles the editors get for me; there's no upper limit on page count.

Also, don't wait to see what the next topic is going to be to write articles. If everyone inundates the editors with tons of articles, the editors will be able to pick themes based on submissions instead of having to solicit submissions based on themes.

Exactly. In fact, please don't pay attention to what state the guide is currently in when deciding to write an article. If the guide is almost out, we can use your article in the issue after that.

The theme would only work if there were more articles.  If there are four articles, it only works if every article adheres to the theme or there is no theme.  If there are more articles, there can be a theme with some articles not adhering to it.  I support a theme, but it won't work right now.  

Article Ideas: (not to be written by me, as Crit can see by what I sent him earlier I'm not that good :) )

Creating new races for your world - An article about what to consider when introducing a new race. Explaining when it is good just to tweak an old race and give it a new name or build a new one from scratch(not availibles in stores). Explanations on how to make a race balanced and playable (low LA and ECL). As well as other things that I am failing to think of right now.

A series of articles that describes and provides an example of how to build a world - The author would start building a new world while describing the process by which he is designing it, offering tidbits of other methods of world building, but sticking to one method. For example, the author picks a top down method of world building. He starts buidling the world and as he is describing the process offers small pieces of how to design using bottom-up to contrast what he is doing. That may be a lot of rambling, but I believe their is an idea in there somewhere. Maybe even expand on the methods provided in the Theme Wars thread.

Fill your world with NPC's - An article .... uh I don't know, but the title sounded cool. Well it did, even if it doesn't now. :(

Building your world with the right level in mind - This could be high-mid-low level characters, high-mid-low-no magic, -- technology, etc...

and of course book reviews.

More suggestions to come if I think of any.

Poseidon, the world-building series sounds fun, and possibly up the alley of the articles I proposed a few posts up.  I could definitely be interested in that.

Ish, if you need help with research I'd be willing to help. I enjoy history and such and I don't mind reading. ;)

Quote from: PoseidonA series of articles that describes and provides an example of how to build a world - The author would start building a new world while describing the process by which he is designing it, offering tidbits of other methods of world building, but sticking to one method. For example, the author picks a top down method of world building. He starts buidling the world and as he is describing the process offers small pieces of how to design using bottom-up to contrast what he is doing. That may be a lot of rambling, but I believe their is an idea in there somewhere. Maybe even expand on the methods provided in the Theme Wars thread.

Someone has beaten you to it: http://www.giantitp.com/articles/YPgbz2j3PckGjjviJU5.html

Which is not to say it wouldn't be cool if someone pulled this off in our Guide. Thematically it fits perfectly, of course.

Túrin (isn't volunteering :P)

Quote from: TúrinSomeone has beaten you to it: http://www.giantitp.com/articles/YPgbz2j3PckGjjviJU5.html

Which is not to say it wouldn't be cool if someone pulled this off in our Guide. Thematically it fits perfectly, of course.

Túrin (isn't volunteering :P)

I am aware that it has been done before. Oakspare on the WotC boards is doing something similar, but a little more chaotic in a thread. The when I rememberd the thread, that is what gave me the idea to suggest something similar. It is more about designing a game than a world. I had forgotten that Giant had started a similar project (I had read the first page a long time ago, but nothing else).

Because there are soo many different method to approach designing a world this article is still very viable. The author just has to pick a different method than Senoir Burlow, or others that have come before and after him.

I think someone has already started to brainstorm about this idea. Actually someones.

At least 2 someones that I know of ;)  Turin, I know Giant has already done it.  But I'm going to be doing it differently (hopefully, differently enough to justify more), plus, I'm not going to quit when I'm halfway done*! ;)





*(I kid the Giant, I'm sure he's too busy to worry about  these things right now)

Good, good. I was just making sure you guys new this wasn't a brilliant, original idea (now it's just brilliant :)).

I hope it turns into something great. I for one will read it with great interest.

Túrin

I hope so as well; I plan on having a good bit of help so that if it is terrible, then I can say, "Hey, it wasn't just me!" :)

I pity the poor sap you suckered into helping you then.

Yeah, must suck ;)

Wow, those are all great ideas! And more specifically, they are ideas that could translate easily into ongoing articles/columns. The guide could really use some of these (imo) and I am particularly intrigued by the race idea. Who knows, maybe I'll find the time to do a monthly discussion of fantasy races. ^_^

Do you have experience with races? I don't think Phaedoras had that many races did it? :P


I would like to see your take on making races. Phaedoras had its share of interesting specimens

Yeah, and just fyi, I can make mundane races. Phaedoras was intentionally crazy.

For anyone not familiar, the world in question has 26+ all-new races, each of them fairly present in the world (unlike say, LeShay)... oh, and no humans or other core races. Yeah, it was crazy. I really need to revamp it.

It's not much, but I made a rough "status page" on the wiki for the current guide. Here's the link: http://thecbg.org/wiki/index.php?title=CBGuide

As a sidenote, regular columns are generally shorter then featured articles; Where the article in most magazines might be about 3-4 pages, the columns tend to be about half-to-full page things. That said, it doesn't neccessarily have to be a convention that we need to follow.

Very nice... I'll hope to see it being updated regularly as the masses submit their articles! :)

Wha!  People have been posting, who'da thunk it?  Kudos to Raelifin for managing this thread while I've been busy with life.

Anyway, an announcement for all of you writers.  As of now, May 15th is the submission deadline for issue #5.  That's about a month to write, and not bad at all, imo.  

However, if you don't make the date, don't worry!  We'll be accepting any articles received after the deadline as well, we're just going to put them towards Issue #6 instead.

Good luck and good time, folks,

~ Crit

After reading Mustard's (is that you, oh lord of the sea?) suggestions, I think I'll polish up my racial balance calculator and write a companion article on designing races.

OH, and Ish, if you're looking for assistance on writing an article series on world building, I can think of no other appropriate duo than the founder of the guild and the one who did all the work getting the guild to be what it is today. I'd love to help you out. IM me at JAGXeviat, or email me at JKrohenbuel@gmail.com and we can hammer out some ideas. I've been wanting to create such an outline before, and now would be the perfect opportunity to start it.

Another idea I've been milling around would be to create several templates for quick NPC generation. The idea is to cover the archetypes that the NPC classes should be able to cover; for instance, the Warrior class could cover Foot Soldiers, Archers, Mounted Combatants ... The templates would cover levels 1 through 20, provide ability score arrays (for standard 25 point buy), skill choices, feat choices, and basic equipment. If 10 warrior archetypes were decided upon, then there would be 200 simple entries that would only require a DM to add racial abilities to and be done with them. I started crafting such a system for a game that was going to feature primarily NPC opponents, but I never was able to finalize it. If I can get someone to bounce ideas off of, I might be able to complete it in time.

Quote from: XeviatAfter reading Mustard's (is that you, oh lord of the sea?) suggestions, I think I'll polish up my racial balance calculator and write a companion article on designing races.

What was the due date going to be on these?

May 15th for this issue, but don't be afraid to start, as we need material for other Guides too.

Quote from: XeviatAfter reading Mustard's (is that you, oh lord of the sea?) suggestions, I think I'll polish up my racial balance calculator and write a companion article on designing races.

Yes, it is me. I figured with the ranking system I needed a new name. If I make it above the rank of Colonel before the rankings change again, I will change it back.

Quote from: Mustard

Quote from: XeviatAfter reading Mustard's (is that you, oh lord of the sea?) suggestions, I think I'll polish up my racial balance calculator and write a companion article on designing races.

Yes, it is me. I figured with the ranking system I needed a new name. If I make it above the rank of Colonel before the rankings change again, I will change it back.

Brilliant idea!

For an article Idea, I thought we could use some sort of question-and-answer article similar to an advice column, but for worldbuilding.

I've no ideas what kind of questions would be asked, but... it's an idea.

Also, I should have the next in my series coming soon.

Just so you guys know, I'm working on an article that's essentially going to be a diary on building a campaign from scratch.  The first draft is written, been edited twice, and now Xeviat and I are chatting about some additions.  Just a heads up, since a lot of the suggestions for articles seem to be along those lines.  Cheers!

A couple ideas for articles I had.  However, I'm not writing them, due to limited time, and some of you guys may (or may not) find them interesting:

"Adding Texture to Your Setting" - an article on how to include flavor devices such as flora, fauna, weather patterns, tectonics, and even cosmology in a setting.

"Designing a Setting with Friends" - Read and review the "Dawn of Worlds" game for creating a world, interject your own ideas, possibly talk to the creators and see how they would update the game (if at all).

"How to End and Epic Campaign" - it happens; a campaign reaches a suitable ending point, but the GM just isn't sure what method to use to end it.  Kill all the PCs (hah)? Turn them into Gods?  Have them wake up to find it's all been a dream (meh)?  An article on different methods may be very useful.

"Time to GO!" - a lot of times, it's hard to make the PCs move!  They seem to be bent on hanging around, doing things that aren't really necessary.  Jerks!  Maybe an article with different tips on how to introduce urgency and time-related events in a campaign/adventure.

That's it for now, they're just some things I wrote down a few weeks ago for upcoming articles.  You guys should make suggestions, too.  Maybe you have a good idea for an article, but don't know where to begin.  You could collaborate with someone else.

Quote from: IshmaylJust so you guys know, I'm working on an article that's essentially going to be a diary on building a campaign from scratch.  The first draft is written, been edited twice, and now Xeviat and I are chatting about some additions.  Just a heads up, since a lot of the suggestions for articles seem to be along those lines.  Cheers!

:cry: That means I'm out? :( ok. :cry:

Quote from: Ishmayl"Time to GO!" - a lot of times, it's hard to make the PCs move!  They seem to be bent on hanging around, doing things that aren't really necessary.  Jerks!  Maybe an article with different tips on how to introduce urgency and time-related events in a campaign/adventure.

I like all the other article ideas you posted, but I have to object to this one. If all of the players are having fun hanging around, let them. A GM whose heart is set on specific plot points that he considers to be "necessary" should be writing a novel, not running a game.

Quote from: Mustard:cry: That means I'm out? :( ok. :cry:

No, no, no (Check your PMs)!  Silly god of the sea. :)

Also Meeps, I understand what you mean; those were more brainstorms than anything else, and that is probably my least favorite as well.  However, as fun as it is for the players, the game also has to be fun for the GM, and a lot of "socializing in-character, relaxing in the bar, and ignoring the clues the GM's throwing out" can be boring to some GMs... especially when it goes on for hours.

Quote from: Ishmayl[T]he game also has to be fun for the GM, and a lot of "socializing in-character, relaxing in the bar, and ignoring the clues the GM's throwing out" can be boring to some GMs... especially when it goes on for hours.

Good point.

(But I also bet there's a chatty NPC within earshot of all those relaxing PC's: :blah:) :D

A couple more article/series suggestions:

To tweak or create anew? - Guidlines for tweaking or creating rules, and classes to fit your campaign without making the game too complex or unfun.

Now before I mention this one, I know it would be a lot of work, but if someone can pull it off it would be great on so many levels. It would probably have to be an ever other issue series.

Adventures in the Multiverse: Adventures written for the campaign settings hosted here. The author would read over a setting and then write an adventure for that setting (with the setting author's permission.)

I know that there is a group or two that is working on some articles about world building. If you need any help I will be more than glad to add what I can. Or if anyone just needs some help in proofreading I am up for that too.

I am wracking my brain to come up with an article to add to the general pile, but at the moment I am drawing a blank.

So how many people definitely have articles in the making?  Poseidon and I are working on one, and I'm relatively sure Xeviat is going to be working on one as well; anything else?

My next border patrol.

Woot!

Has Crit been informed of our little project, Ish?

Túrin

Actually yes, I just PMed him about an hour ago or so; I wanted to make sure it could actually happen before we got too involved with the zine details.

Attention potential authors!

It is currently the first of May, and this means the deadline for this issue of the CBGuide is about two weeks away.  I'd like to remind everyone to start working on whatever projects they've been toying with, soi that the Guide can be large and useful this month.

Also, the stated them, courtesy of Raelifin, are "articles on plant-related monsters, locales, races, cultures, magics and whatever else!"  I've been in touch with a possible cover artist lately, and if we could get possible articles relating to the theme, that would be great as well!

Also, if you're working on a piece, post here and let me know so that the staff can plan accordingly!

Thank you, that is all!

Can we get an exact date please? I've got my article finished, I'm just waiting for Jharviss to finish critiquing it so I can re-write it and send it in.

Thanks for the article, Stargate.

In other news:
Issue #5 is no longer taking submissions

Thanks for all the articles! We'll have a nice, fat guide waiting.
The deadline for release of Issue #5 is the 20th of June. If it's done ahead of time, this will be moved back to the 15th of June.

If you didn't get your article in:
 Don't sweat it! Issue #6 is now looking for articles and columns (see Roundtable #6 thread), so when you finish your article you can expect to see it in July. If you have a plant themed article or you just really want to see material published a month early, send in your article in the next couple days and we could probably squeeze it in.

Information about the content of the Guide can be found on the wiki: http://thecbg.org/wiki/index.php?title=CBGuide

I like how we can see what's coming. I'm very excited to read Ishmayl's Campaign Builder's Diary, especially.

:) Túrin

Thanks Turin, I hope I live up to expectations.  This first article is definitely mostly an introduction to the series, and a get-the-ball-moving sort of thing.  I have a lot of things in store for the series, including some neat little sister-articles with Xeviat.  Cheers!

W00t! :D