Your Spoiler Alert's X's of DEATH!!! jacked it up. Fixed.
You have the idea on the timeline thing right too. The outcome for the village will be something like this:
For the purpose of establishing the boundaries of any "extra credit" work, vote for one option by completing the following sentence.
The village was...
0 ...lightly affected by the GH Wars.
0 ...moderately affected by the GH Wars.
0 ...severely affected by the Greyhawk Wars.
Then we will go from there. Also, as this is not such a stand-alone topic/endeavor, cross-pollination of ideas/topics/locations among authors will be encouraged, and the submissions will be open for some revision once everyone's submissions have been posted and everyone can read them. You are fully free, and encouraged, to conspire with other authors to share info, such that one author's article may have references to another author's article built into it. If that doesn't get done during the writing process, allowances for such will be made after the fact.
For example, say I write an article about Farmer Bubba who is a retired mercenary. Not knowing beforehand what the local tavern will be called, let alone what it will be like (because somebody else is writing up that location), rather than just put "Farmer Bubba likes to hang out at the local tavern." in my article, I can save that bit for later on. Once I have read the local tavern article, such that I now know that it is called The Rusty Blade and who the owner is (MacGruber, who also just so happens to be an ex-mercenary), I can then amend my own offering to be more specifically tied to the community, and write it in as "Farmer Bubba often hangs out at The Rusty Blade, swapping tales with MacGruber about their mercenary pasts. He can be found there most evenings."
Finally, we may even choose to open thing up a bit further and allow people to include more than one location in their submissions, but probably limit things to one main location and two minor locations per submission (ex: blacksmith and two farmsteads).
There you have it. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Last edited by Cebrion on Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
You Spoiler Alert X's of DEATH!!! jacked it up. Fixed...
-Huh. Who knew?
Cebrion wrote:
...You have the idea on the timeline thing right too. The outcome for the village will be something like this:
For the purpose of establishing the boundaries of any "extra credit" work, vote for one option by completing the following sentence.
The village was...
0 ...lightly affected by the GH Wars.
0 ...moderately affected by the GH Wars.
0 ...severely affected by the Greyhawk Wars...
-Hmmm... I'm not sure it's easily amenable to vote. Where it's located would largely determine its fate.
Depending on where it's located, there might be other incidents which affects it, too.
Cebrion wrote:
...For example, say I write an article about Farmer Bubba who is a retired mercenary. Not knowing beforehand what the local tavern will be called, let alone what it will be like (because somebody else is writing up that location), rather than just put "Farmer Bubba likes to hang out at the local tavern." in my article, I can save that bit for later on. Once I have read the local tavern article, such that I now know that it is called The Rusty Blade and who the owner is (MacGruber, who also just so happens to be an ex-mercenary), I can then amend my own offering to be more specifically tied to the community, and write it in as "Farmer Bubba often hangs out at The Rusty Blade, swapping tales with MacGruber about their mercenary pasts. He can be found there most evenings..."
-Or, MacGruber's author might decide that MacGruber can't stand Bubba, turning the description into "Farmer Bubba often hangs out at The Rusty Blade, trying to swap tales with MacGruber about their mercenary pasts. MacGruber doesn't feel like talking about his mercenary past with a loser like Bubba. Unfortunately, Bubba is a tough individual, and MacGruber has discovered that slipping him Mikkies just doesn't work..."
The give and take could be have some interesting dynamics.
Generally, I agree with all that's being said above.
*IF* authors put in "extra" information to move the timeline of their article along, it's a cool thing to be able to be *all inclusive*.
the only problem I see is relying on the magnanimity of real-life people. We all have our own preferences, and we have our own likes and dislikes. If we couch it in terms that the "official" time is 578, and allow authors to put in "extra" work, chances are most likely that we are going to be human, and write only what we want to write, and everyone else can either like it or throw it out the window.
If it's required to be 578, and anything above and beyond that isn't necessary, then it leaves a window for people to be selfish. Now, I prefer to look at the world and believe that (all else being equal) people will do what is right, and best, and good.
Unfortunately all else is not often always equal.
I think that we should shoot for an edition-less PostFest. And if others want to do additional work to set it in any particular timeline, or all other timelines, then they can. But, it's my personal opinion that this type of PostFest doesn't really need to have edition/era specific material in it, unless the author is goign to do the research to add to the article rather than make the article dependant upon it.
...*IF* authors put in "extra" information to move the timeline of their article along, it's a cool thing to be able to be *all inclusive*... If we couch it in terms that the "official" time is 578, and allow authors to put in "extra" work, chances are most likely that we are going to be human, and write only what we want to write, and everyone else can either like it or throw it out the window...
-No matter what time the village is set for, I'd just convert to the time period I need. But that might be a personal idiosyncracy.
Icarus wrote:
...If it's required to be 578, and anything above and beyond that isn't necessary, then it leaves a window for people to be selfish...
-I was one of those who originally advocated a year. I later rethought that, thinking that we could create a village which would fit in anywhere in the Flaneass, anytime. But after re-re-thinking it (after Cebrion made his plans for a specific place clear), it occurred to me that we'd end up with a place filled with people had no specific background connected to the campaign, living and working in places with no history.
Maybe the expected "future history" should be a mandatory part of the description? I think anyone dedicated enough to contribute a place and NPCs to the village would be happy to tell "the rest of the story."
Of course, any DM could modify or ignore the "future history" for their campaign, too. Like anything else, the contribution is a suggestion that the DM could change to conform to his campaign.
But suggestions are always nice.
Icarus wrote:
...I think that we should shoot for an edition-less PostFest. And if others want to do additional work to set it in any particular timeline, or all other timelines, then they can. But, it's my personal opinion that this type of PostFest doesn't really need to have edition/era specific material in it, unless the author is goign to do the research to add to the article rather than make the article dependant upon it...
-My plan is to stick to descriptive terms in the main body, then add suggested details translating that into D&D 3.5 and AD&D1 stats in my notes. From there, that would give others what they need to translate things as they please. Again, I suspect that things like stats and possessions are suggestions anyway.
Example of NPC Description for CY 578: Siggit Yellowmeadow the Glassblower cares enough for his family [described elsewhere...], but all others can pay cash. He was never a very compelling sort personally, but seems friendly enough, with a stereotypical gnomish mischievous streak blunted by encroaching common sense and an awareness that humans don't neccessarily see things the way he does. He is assisted by his two sons. The elder is an apt pupil of journeyman status, while the other dreams of other things...
When he came of age, Siggit was originally a member of his clan's fighting force [details TBD later], but drifted toward the family trade of glassblower on his off time. He proved a bright pupil, and after working as his older brother's apprentice and journeyman, he moved to The Village, where, after several years, his skills matured to the point where he was rated as a master during one of his frequent trips back home. After that, his trips were dedicated to finding a bride...
He still maintains an interest in military service. He has slown down a lot, buty still strong (for a gnome) and tough despite his fairly advanced years, and belongs to the militia [rank?], claiming that trouble is on the way [if The Village does not have a militia, is trying to form one]...
Example of Description for future: [If there's a militia, he'll stay in, if allowed. If not, he'll try to form one. If war comes, he try to get into the fight in whatever capacity possible. If he does, I haven't decided how he'll fare. Meanwhile, he's one of the few glassblowers in a hundred miles, outside of his family. The older son will stay with the business regardless. I will leave the younger son largely undefined: One of the DM's players might use him as an adventurer.]
Example of Notes for D&D 3.5: Siggit Yellowmeadow Ftr2/Exp2 gnome, 9 STR, 7 DEX, 11 CON, 17 INT, 11 WIS, 10 CHA, 5 COM, Craft (Glassblowing) +7, not including inc. Skill Focus (Glassblowing) or INT bonus... Age 197 years... Neutral in alignment, but will tilt slightly toward teh common village alighnment. He did choose a place amenable to his views...
Example of Notes for AD&D1: Siggit Yellowmeadow 2nd level Gnomish Fighter/Master Craftsman (see Dungeoneer Survival Guide)... Age within 3 years of Venerable [I have to look it up]...
I was one of those who originally advocated a year. I later rethought that, thinking that we could create a village which would fit in anywhere in the Flaneass, anytime. But after re-re-thinking it (after Cebrion made his plans for a specific place clear), it occurred to me that we'd end up with a place filled with people had no specific background connected to the campaign, living and working in places with no history.
That is my concern as well. If we make the village that generic, it won't even be Greyhawk! It could be placed into the Forgotten Realms just as easily. I want specific Greyhawk references and those will be difficult without a time frame to use as a base.
jamesdglick wrote:
...maybe those gnomes live near a natural silica deposit...
If we make the village that generic, it . . . could be placed into the Forgotten Realms just as easily. I want specific Greyhawk references.
That's easily accomplished by giving the NPCs in our write-ups "history." Examples:
1. The family could have originated in a named Greyhawk location:
"His grandfather started the Brewery after migrating to (the village) from Mitrik, in Veluna."
2.He/she could have been the apprentice of known Greyhawk "masters" from one of the Flanaess' major cities:
"He credits the quality of his Mead to the fact that he received his training from no less a personage than Dougal McBain, Guildmaster of the Ostler's and Brewer's Guild and owner of the Brazzen Hippogriff in Greyhawk City." (CoG boxed set, Folks, Fueds and Factions page 36)
3. The glassblower (gaffer) could receive his/her supplies from a known Greyhawk location:
"He is able to make such colorfully diverse chalices because of the various sands he imports from the Blemu Hills."
So there's no need for great concern in this matter. See? And all this time you thought it was going to be . . . hard! Naw!
the only problem I see is relying on the magnanimity of real-life people. We all have our own preferences, and we have our own likes and dislikes. If we couch it in terms that the "official" time is 578, and allow authors to put in "extra" work, chances are most likely that we are going to be human, and write only what we want to write, and everyone else can either like it or throw it out the window.
If it's required to be 578, and anything above and beyond that isn't necessary, then it leaves a window for people to be selfish. Now, I prefer to look at the world and believe that (all else being equal) people will do what is right, and best, and good.
Unfortunately all else is not often always equal.
The whole point is to allow for people to be selfish, and not force people to write what they do not want to write/have no interest in writing. We also want people who are interested in using any of it to feel free to be selfish too- it is their campaign after all. People's offerings are very much encouraged to be examples of, "If you were to be playing in my campaign, this is what this location would be like, based on which campaign material I have chosen to use." The only imposition is that material beyond 578 C.Y. should be amended to the submission as an update to the base material, which will usually be rather easy to tack on as a few additional paragraphs at most. With that caveat, more people are likely to want to do something, because they know that they can do exactly as much as they want to and not feel pressured to do something that they would rather not. People can even include rules, of whatever edition, or for multiple editions, or none at all. Other than for at least agreeing to write to a certain base timeline, that being 578 C.Y. (just so that there is at least one level of universal utility to the offerings), everyone has a full range of choice in what they want, or do not want, to do beyond that. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Last edited by Cebrion on Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
I can't decide on a location, but I'm pretty excited about this. It's similar to the unofficial postfest we had for Seaton and I thought that one went really well.
...Other...I think a great place for a village full of ecclectic individuals would be hex T2-62 on the Darlene WoG map. This hex is mostly part of the Flinty Hills, but it is nestled right in against the Gamboge Forest and the Rakers (mountains). It is also on the borderlands between the Bone March, the Theocracy of the Pale, and Nyrond.
In such a location, we have three very different geographical features very close together which offer a basis for not just humanity, but all the demi-human races and many of the humanoid races to be present. We also have it easy explaining many different merchantile pursuits, from logging to mining to shepparding, etc. Being located on a wilderness border between three nations so different in their political and religious views, not to mention the likeliness of nearby elven, dwarven, gnomish, and halfling communities, allows for a very interesting collection of NPCs to be roaming the streets of our potential village day and night...
...I like the reasoning, since it's likely to end up being "ecclectic", but are there other places which meet the same criteria?
I also like Icarus' idea of picking a place which hasn't gotten any attention (Barrens, in his case). Maybe the Great Kingdom?
I'd still like a place which could be plopped down next to module B1 (Search of the Unknown), which would be Tehn or the Pale (or ratik, if you're willing to take it out of area).
So I'm still withholding my vote.
When do the polls close?
Last edited by jamesdglick on Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:50 pm; edited 1 time in total
...I like the reasoning, since it's likley to end up being "ecclectic", but are there other places which meet the same criteria?
I also like Icarus' idea of picking a place which hasn't gotten any attention (Barrens, in his case). Maybe the Great Kingdom?
Agree with the general sentiment... versitility.... and places lacking in exposure..
That is why I went with the Stonehold/Stonefist bunch... other than the Vatun element... not alot generated there either.
It would also provide oppurtunity for weather related treks ( frozen expanse of the Griff and Rakers Mountains) or Forlorn & Hraak Forests... though could also flesh out the Walled City at Velkstaad on White fang Bay... which at the timeline lie would also provide actions with the Rovers.. and later with Iuz, should a DM wish it.... or Kelton if more remote area is prefered.
Edit:
Lastly there is also the legend of Skrellingshald too... (see GH Adventures by James Ward 1988) if we need a city/ dungeon to explore.
http://www.canonfire.com/wiki/index.php?title=Skrellingshald
...Agree with the general sentiment... versitility.... and places lacking in exposure..
That is why I went with the Stonehold/Stonefist bunch... other than the Vatun element... not alot generated there either...
-There was that village in Howl from the North (WGS2?). Not very detailed, tho'.
Dark_Lord_Galen wrote:
...It would also provide oppurtunity for weather related treks ( frozen expanse of the Griff and Rakers Mountains) or Forlorn & Hraak Forests... though could also flesh out the Walled City at Velkstaad on White fang Bay...
-hard core, all around adventuring, not just hack & slash.
Just guess what I voted for. My reason besides it being the place of Argon's birth. Is that I feel it will present a challenge that will add to the postfest. Not against any of the choices. Just prefer one over the other good luck.
We have 16 votes now, but there might be few more lurking out there, so I am going to let this poll ride for few more days before ending it. If there is a tie, we will have a tie breaker. If not, we'll go on to another poll to further break down the area of the winning region the village will be located in. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
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