|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 21, 2009 13:53:03 GMT -6
Sounds good.
I will get to work on it. I will send you an email tonight or tommorrow
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 21, 2009 8:04:15 GMT -6
Cafe Press does 22 by 35 posters at $17.95.
And 16" by 20" poster for $13.99. Still probably be a glossy finish. But it is better than lulu.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 21, 2009 7:33:52 GMT -6
1) it was glossy, not very thick paper - nothing like the old maps Bummer I was afraid that it would be too poster like. What we need is a place to print (and sell) large posters in a matte finish not glossy.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 18, 2009 22:13:40 GMT -6
I just finished the article last evening and you did a terrific job, both on the map and the descriptions of the Wild North. I now find myself greatly in need of tracking down a decent book on Russian Folklore after reading "The Wild North". I used GURPS Russia as a guide as to what to look up in Wikipedia. From Wikipedia links I got a few more details. GURPS Russia has a bibliography so you can use that to find more books. For example I found a lot more detail on Grandfather Frost than what GURPS had. e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=SJG30-6082www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1556342586/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232338184&sr=8-1Thanks for the compliment Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 2, 2009 21:36:59 GMT -6
I have shown your maps to several of my friends, and we all want to be able to do what you do. Mapmaking is HARD! Unless you take a "real map" and "fantasize it", trying to get geologic features, distances between population centers, and trade routes can be a nightmare. I find your maps to look believable. That is a big plus. The format is very easy for me to work with, and my vision isn't what it was when the LBB came out. Bluntly, I think yours are the best I've seen. My basic trick is that I was a geography minor with a computer science major in college. I also have read many geography texts for fun. I am working on notes in the hopes of creating a product to help GMs and players do what I do. Appreciate the compliments.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Jan 1, 2009 18:38:51 GMT -6
I am interested how useful everybody found Map 19 the Wild North. Particularly the format.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Nov 28, 2008 11:25:51 GMT -6
Rob, that's awesome. Is it a stand-alone map or is there an adventure to go with it? Stand-Alone although I used it for the "village" in several adventures. I was playing with a toolkit for Campaign Cartographer and this was my best result. When you are ready to use it let me know and I will send you the 300 dpi version.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Nov 27, 2008 14:29:49 GMT -6
Could you use this for the color map on the back cover?
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Nov 20, 2008 9:41:50 GMT -6
I'm pretty sure the fading came from the postscript conversion. I upgraded from Acrobat 5-6 to Acrobat 9 and it's the 9 that's giving me problems. I need to change the default distiller settings on Word is actually what it is - I think that will allow me to eliminate the postscript step that's producing the slight fading. I'm glad it looks good but it would be cool to get this fixed. I'll go back to work on the Word file ASAP and see if I can make it a little better. Again, I think it's good now or I wouldn't have released the issue, but it would be nice if we could brighten it up a little. If you have Acrobat 9 don't rely on the distiller use Acrobat to import full page graphics in direct replacing blank pages. I learned this the hard way on the three Judges Guild Modules I laid out for Goodman. Plus you can use TIFF files directly which gives the best results for color/greyscale control. In Acrobat 8 replace page is under the Documents menu.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Nov 20, 2008 8:40:01 GMT -6
I also got my copy. The issues great! Good job all around.
But I noticed not just my maps but other pages to be faded as well while others are not.
It should be a simple matter of leaving blank pages in the original document and replace them with the TIFF or PDF I sent. You shouldn't have to convert to Postscript.
What PDF software are you using?
If you are not using Acrobat I recommend using any profits to buy a copy as it will make your job infinitely easier.
If you can't get Acrobat then I have it. For future issues I will be glad to take the file and insert any full page maps,graphics in it using Acrobat. It is very simple for me to do. You don't even have to stop putting the full page stuff. It would be better to have it as there would makes I put the right graphic in the right location.
Rob
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Nov 6, 2008 8:53:45 GMT -6
Sorry Calienta for poking a little fun at you I noticed the exchange in the comments to Grognardia White Dwarf Post. Just want to let you know if you need help or just someone to bounce ideas off of. I had some experience with Layout and Desktop Top Publishing. I did the layout for Fortress Badabaskor, Citadel of Fire, and Dark Tower the JG Modules published by Goodman Games. I don't have a real jazzy style but people seemed to like what I did. Rob Conley P.S. Also I realize at this point any help would be for FO! #4 and onwards.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Oct 5, 2008 11:50:01 GMT -6
I am starting a new blog called Bat In the Attic. It is about Mapping, Sandbox Fantasy setting, old school gaming, and other RPG topics. It will be updated about three times a week. batintheattic.blogspot.com/Enjoy Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Oct 1, 2008 11:27:06 GMT -6
For you fans of hand drawn maps. I have a scan I did of one of the 17" by 22" maps I did during the late 80's and early 90's. This one of Central Flanass of the World of Greyhawk. It is drawn in Harn style. Unfortunally part of it got nailed by water at some point. home.earthlink.net/~wilderlands/Greyhawk_Map.jpgEnjoy Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 28, 2008 8:32:42 GMT -6
I was thinking that it would be nice to already have sent $$$ to Iggy, so that when FO!#3 is done that it'll automagically wing its way to my mailbox. I also thought it might be a way to get some up-front capital into Iggy's hands, to help with production costs for the magazine, or the Adventures Compilation, or whatever. Sounds like that's not really an issue, so... Until James' comments your proposal was a reasonable point to make. However James point about being obligated to send out issues once people sent money is very true and could turn the project from a labor of love to a ball and chain. Frankly I never considered that point of view. Thanks James for sharing your experience) My suggestions would be to raise the price by a buck or so and use that to establish a 'art' or 'capital' fund. Boot strap your way into having more resources. Yes this process will not be as immediately gratifying however it may be more sustainable in the long run. I rather be able to buy issues of Fight On! two years from now than have three Pazio quality issues then nothing.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 28, 2008 8:24:48 GMT -6
Thanks for that great list Calithena. I would add
-Avalonian, blue skinned ice wizard, in a ice castle setting (interior or exterior) They are a lawful aligned race.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 25, 2008 13:29:51 GMT -6
For me it is hard to do art maps. Not where my abilities are.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 23, 2008 11:46:07 GMT -6
Anyone actually use it for OD&D as indicated in M&M? What's the deal? How does it work, and do you do anything with it besides use whatever generic outdoor game board it comes with? Makes a nifty campaign map home.earthlink.net/~wilderlands/southlandsm.jpgNote that the scale should be 5 miles per hex not 3. Enjoy Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 22, 2008 12:26:32 GMT -6
The rules say that 2nd level PCs on the 1st level, for example, gain 1/2 XP. That should be easy to handle for monster XP, what about treasure? What about mixed level parties? Like the Prime Requisite bonus just divide up the XP as normal and apply and modifier based on the individual character. So say a 2nd Level Fighter on the 1st level gets 100 XP as his share. He has his Prime Requite so gets 10% XP for 110 XP but only half for being on the 1st level for 55 XP.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 22, 2008 12:15:42 GMT -6
D&D to me is weird looking dice, friends, fighting over the last slice of pizza, failing saving throws, 50' rope, waiting for my DM to look up some archaic rule (looks at Rob), killing monsters and taking their stuff, killing NPCs and taking their stuff, and cola stains on my character sheet. And lots of good times. The edition or rules doesn't matter. You forgot to tell them about Wimpy. Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 15, 2008 13:47:33 GMT -6
I prefer a well designed subsystem that dovetails with the main rules of the RPG and don't really like attempts at universal resolution.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 15, 2008 10:33:15 GMT -6
Depends on your definition of definition is. Are we looking at rule system, spirit, philosophy, brand, etc?
As a rule system The editions of 74, Holmes Basic, AD&D 1st, BECMI, and 2nd are a closely related family of rules.
3.X edition is related but not as close as the previous edition were to each other. It more like a heavily houseruled version of standard D&D. Much in the spirit of Power & Option of late 2nd edition. There was a lot of times when reading 3.0 for the first time where I went "Oh I could saying having that back in the day."
4.0 in contrast is a completely different campaign related somewhat to 3.X (but not to other editions of D&D). As a rule system the only thing that it share with edition older than 3.X are a few names, and that it is a class and level system.
Not this doesn't have any bearing on whether 4.0 is a good game or not. (I think it is) Whatever its quality as a rules system it is only D&D because of the brand.
In contrast if you are talking about the D&D as being the game infused with the spirit of Gary Gygax then that game ended shortly after Unearthed Arcana.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 11, 2008 0:22:11 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 5, 2008 11:01:28 GMT -6
Don't you have a digital camera? I would use one of the ones I still have but I don't have a big enough space on a wall to hang. I suppose I could use the Apartment for that. Rob P.S. The map he is talking about is this one. If I ever get a chance to publish my Majestic Wilderlands this will be Map 1. Eastgate in hex 3318 serves the same role as City-State in this version. www.ibiblio.org/mscorbit/beta/Campaign%20Map%201.jpg
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 4, 2008 18:38:36 GMT -6
It was meant to be used in conjunction with the wilderland maps to figure the EXACT details of that hill or other terrain. Not really designed to randomly roll up a campaign map.
How you would use it today is that you start with a broad overview map (hex based or not) and when the pass through certain terrain you roll periodically on the charts.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 3, 2008 10:27:15 GMT -6
Sorry about the belated reply. I will let goodman games know. I don't have a lot of control over the layout process.
I know that when I do cartography I export it as a tif at a high dpi from CorelDRAW before turning it into a PDF. If I export it directly it retains a lot of the vector drawing info which can print screwy from certain printers.
Again thanks for the heads up
Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Sept 1, 2008 7:12:00 GMT -6
I did both and it looks great. I didn't even know I could "Poster Print", but there you go - turned the map into 4 separate sheets with cutting guides. The detail is good, nice and clear. The heavy black border is a bit too big for my liking, very ink-heavy. A smaller border or a light grey instead of black would be better. Apart from that, it's a great looking map. Appreciate the compliment. So you know if you can put it on a USB Flash Drive chance are you can get it printed for cheap at a local copy center like Kinkos, staples, etc. This assuming that you live in the US. I made a tiled version to fit on four 11 by 8.5 sheets. I reduced the border since that will be meant for home printing. I sent it to Calithena. Enjoy Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Aug 28, 2008 16:16:22 GMT -6
Cal and I are working on that. Stay tuned for further developments. I will say we have all kinds of options.
Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Aug 28, 2008 13:57:34 GMT -6
Looks pretty good to me. I see three hexes (0934, 4734, and 5134) that look blank on the PDF of Map 5 (from RPGNow). But the scan looks a little shaky at the top so they might not be blank on the original. They also all are areas in the middle of ranges of hills and mountains, so it may make sense to make them hill hexes now. I'll try and remember to look at my original map tonight. Frank I know about those and yes I filled them them when I continued the hills and mountains northward.
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Aug 27, 2008 18:00:38 GMT -6
Ok folks I went over the bottom edge of Map 19 and checked again and I found a few missing elements. I am posting the bottom edge for a double check. Thanks Rob Conley
|
|
|
Post by robertsconley on Aug 26, 2008 12:38:24 GMT -6
This is a response to a post on Grognardia. I thought it would be of general interest here. A listing of some of the maxims I use to run my campaigns.
An important rule of the games I like to GM and play is that you accept the consequences of the premise of the game you are playing for good or ill.
This is important because without consequences the challenges are meaningless. For there to be a challenge there must exist the possibility of failure.
However like any maxim when you apply it to the real world you run into the gray areas. In this case the gray area is your limited time as a GM. (See the end of the post for a detailed explanation)
Now what does has to do with "story". My definition of story in RPG is "Description of what the player DID while interacting with the campaign's plot".
Plot, I define, as a series of future events extrapolated from the descriptions of the locales, geography, and NPCs of the campaign. These events are described as if the player were never "on stage".
Like the plan for a battle, plot do not survive contact with the players. The player actions modify the course of the future events. So after each session the DM will have to decide how his future events are going to be modified or not.
Now given this how can a DM prepare for anything? Players just don't act randomly. If they are roleplaying a specific personality then character motivations and goals will provide a clue. Finally as the sandbox campaign continues players will develop goals beyond those of the initial sessions. Of these can narrow the possibilities that you have to prepare for.
Events, Player choices and GM reactions all combine into a rich narrative that describes the "story" of that campaign. But again the story emerges from the play not the other way around.
Where story gamers get confused is calling plot, story. The worst examples abuse their authority as GMs to railroad their players along the preplanned events.
MANY PATHS ONE DESTINATION I learned this while running NERO Boffer LARP. I have only so many people and so much time to setup. But yet I still have to make the event interesting and for the 40 to 100 attendees feel like they are making a difference.
For old school the closest parallel would be a massive dungeon, locale, or city in the midst of a sandbox campaign.
You could argue that it would be foolish to invest so much time in a locale in a sandbox campaign. But in real-life it happens.
The solution I come up with is many paths and one destination. One hand it sounds like railroading as no matter what the players do they will arrive at the same endpoint.
However in practice is works out for two reasons. First the players don't know what behind your screen so have no idea that the endpoint locale is fixed. Second in RPGs the journey is just as adventured filled as the endpoint. The player get the freedom of choosing their path and DM's prep time isn't wasted.
For my tabletop game as a GM I rarely use many paths one destination. I spent many years accumulating what I call "bits".
Bits can be combined in near infinite variety of locales and dungeons. In my early days it manifested itself in the props I use for miniatures (I use miniatures a LOT).
Over the years as the number of books on history and the fantasy genre. I learned the different forms a peasant hovel could take. A tavern, and yes dungeons.
What drove it home for me is the 12+ years I spent playing NERO Boffer LARP. Despite compromises on rules and realism there still nothing like using actual experience to describe things at the table.
I been in the brush when a half dozen orcs are searching for me in the dark. I crawled through slime covered rock chutes in a cavern in ground.
I know this sound like an extreme activity to people haven't tried it. But in reality it share a lot with outdoor sports (particularly the emphasis on safety) and most people stay because they like hanging out with their friends.
I think I rambled enough and hope this helps everybody
|
|