BLUEHOLME™ Project

[Vile Traveller]

I'll be starting on the BLUEHOLME™ Compleat Rules pretty soon. The first thing to do will be to compile a list of the new things to include, based on Homes's other writings - character races, classes, monsters, magic items and the like.

Half-elves and half-orcs will probably be the only new character races.

I want to include a witch class, but I'm not sure about the others (paladin, ranger, illusionist, monk and druid). I quite like desertscrb's approach to making those classes in the wandering monster tables actual monsters. As player character options I personally don't think they add much to the game in return for their complexity.

In terms of monsters, I will restrict myself to those explicitly mentioned in one of the Holmes Blue Book printings or encountered in his other writings.

I am still planning to top out at level 14.

[Mike]

Awesome! Can't wait. I'm loving the Prentice rules.

[The Fiendish Dr. Samsara]

Dec 22, 2012 5:01:07 GMT -6 Vile Traveller said:

The file has been uploaded to DTRPG, but because it's my first as a publisher it will take them a few days to clear it. I am now trying to finish off the Maze of Numenor so people have something to try out the rules with.

I don't find it yet.

[Vile Traveller]

Yeah, I don't know what's happening. Scott told me he's approved it, but I guess that means it still needs to be activated by one of the minions. Oh, well, lesson learned - upload stuff on Mondays, and avoid public holidays!

[stevemitchell]

BLUEHOLME Prentice Edition is now available at RPGNow. I downloaded my copy, and hope to print and begin reading it tonight.

[Vile Traveller]

D**n, you guys are quick! I just got confirmation from DTRPG that it's gone live, apparently when they approved it someone forgot to click the "activate" button! Lesson learned, if you want something out in time for Christmas, upload it at the beginning of December.

Here is the link (on my website): dreamscapedesign.net/2013/01/10/blueholme-prentice-rules-go-live/

[The Fiendish Dr. Samsara]

Just a quick look, but some font - unfortunately the one used for all section headings and monster names - didn't make the transition the pdf.

[Vile Traveller]

Which PDF reader are you using? I've tried it on Foxit, Sumatra and PDF XChange and it looks fine, but not yet on the dreaded Adobe Reader bloatware (does anyone still use that?).

EDIT: Just tried it on Adobe Reader 9.something and it works, too.

[The Fiendish Dr. Samsara]

You know, I thought of that after posting. Turns out I was using Preview; I wonder why that had the trouble? Anyway, it's all good.

[Vile Traveller]

Apparently it's also a problem with older Mac operating systems. The fonts should have been embedded in the PDF, but the symptoms sound like they were not. If all else fails I'll change the header fonts. I'll try and sort it out over the weekend.

[grognardgamer]

I downloaded this yesterday and will read it over the weekend - great cover art!

[idrahil]

Hey Vile, let me just first say how much I have enjoyed Blueholme! I haven't read through it all yet but I had a question:

In the Cleric vs. Undead section (page 8), the rule there states that "If the player rolls the given number or less on 2d6, the turning attempt succeeds."

The table states that a Level 1 Cleric's target number for Skeletons as 7, 9 for Zombies and 11 for Wights.

That would mean it is easier to turn Wights than Skeletons....is this intentional or is it a mistake either in the "less" word or the numbers in the table?

I'm fairly certain I understand the intent but, just checking.

[Zenopus]

In Holmes, your 2d6 roll must be equal to or greater to the number on the table to succeed in turning - see page 12.

[idrahil]

Jan 11, 2013 11:59:56 GMT -6 Zenopus said:

In Holmes, your 2d6 roll must be equal to or greater to the number on the table to succeed in turning - see page 12.

Right I figured as much. ;D

[Vile Traveller]

Oh, dear, major boo-boo. I'll fix that a.s.a.p. and re-upload the file.

EDIT: Try it now. ;D

[derv]

Very nice job Vile.

I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but your updated version changed the font on all the headings in the document- they turn up more of a grey scale instead of bold like the previous version.

[Vile Traveller]

Does it look nice in grey? If so, erm, yes it was all planned!

I must try looking at these when I get to work. I suspect it depends on whether you have Soutane Black and Souvenir on your machine. If I bitmap the font, the old Macs get the blacked-out headers.

Last resort will be to change the font to something more common, like the body text (Palatino Linotype). I've already converted the Compleat Rules manuscript, but I don't really want to mess with the Prentice Rules that way if I can avoid it.

[derv]

Well, if you're asking my opinion, I think the font on your original was much more Holmesy

The font in the updated document is a little small and harder to read, but it may be just a matter of bolding the headings (starting on the content page- your cover and title page seem unaffected).

If I was going to print out the document, I'd probably choose to print the original with the misprint for Clerics because it's more pleasing to the eye.

I only point this out if it is a help to you and not a cause for more work. I'm not trying to nickpick your efforts, so I hope it's the prior.

[Mike]

Any news on the Complete Blueholme?

[Vile Traveller]

Jan 15, 2013 4:46:53 GMT -6 Mike said:

Any news on the Complete Blueholme?

Come on, give me a second! I'm still tidying up the maps for the Maze of Nuromen!

[idrahil]

Hey Vile,

I found a section with a few missing words I think:

Page 49, Staff of Healing entry, " This does not require any here is no limit to the number of times the staff maybe used,"

[Vile Traveller]

Thanks, idrahil, I'll check it out.

[blackbarn]

Got it, and it looks great. Though some of the header fonts seem to be replacements when I load it. Is it not possible to embed the required fonts in the document?

[Vile Traveller]

It is, but apparently it causes problems with older versions of Macs. When I eventually get around to the 2nd printing, I'll use a more common font to sidestep these issues.

[Vile Traveller]

Well, now, reception seems to be pretty up-beat about Blueholme. Check out this post for some links to blogs reviews:

dreamscapedesign.net/2013/01/27/blueholme-reviews/

[stevemitchell]

And I will echo the repeated comments in the reviews by saying that I'm good for a print copy when you are ready with this.

[Vile Traveller]

PoD is definitely on the cards once I'm sure errata has been eliminated as much as possible.

[Mike]

Vile,

Whatever happened to the file recently is horrible. As mentioned above, the title fonts (including spell names etc.) have been replaced by one or two completely different fonts. Not only do the new fonts look terrible but in many cases, I struggle to read them.

Please fix so I can download again. I'd love PoD but not with those fonts....

Many thanks

PS - the result is the same whether I view on my old home Mac or new work PC.

[Vile Traveller]

hogscape, what reader software are you using?

[Vile Traveller]

There have been a few problems with fonts either not rendering right or just not being preferred by readers. The font is Palatino Linotype, a basic serif font quite similar to Times New Roman. The problem with serif fonts, of course, is that they look better in print while sans serif fonts (like Arial) look better on screen. Now I'm not sure how many people print their PDFs and how many read them on their desktop or mobile devices.

Should I change the font again, this time to a simple sans serif type? I would not want to have different fonts for the PDF and the upcoming PoD versions, so this would apply to both. Personally, I find serif much easier on the eye, but I'm not the customer.

What do you think?