Roundtable Discussion: CBGuide, Issue Five (or, What's the Dilly-yo?)

[Ishmayl-Retired]

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?

[Ishmayl-Retired]

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.

[Elven Doritos]

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.

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

-ElDo

[Raelifin]

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.

[Raelifin]

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.

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! ^_^

[Elven Doritos]

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

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

[Poseptune]

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

[Epic Meepo]

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.

[Raelifin]

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.

[Jharviss]

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.  

[Poseptune]

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.

[Ishmayl-Retired]

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.

[Poseptune]

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

[Túrin]

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.

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)

[Poseptune]

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)

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.