Any thoughts on the publication of a Mystara Specific Magazine?
There used to be one called the Tome of Mystara. Check it out here:
http://www.pandius.com/tome/index.html
Havard
For me, the Vaults of Pandius acts as a sort of Mystara e-periodical.
OTOH, a quarterly "Best of Pandius" could help spark interest in older articles...
Havard
OTOH, a quarterly "Best of Pandius" could help spark interest in older articles...
Havard
Interesting idea!
Interesting idea!
Yes, I thought so too. The phrase "Best of" might be problematic though since some may be offended that their article wasn't considered one of the best that month. The point of the fanzine wouldn't be to differentiate between good and not so good articles, but simply to highlight some of the things happening at the Vaults ofcourse.
Havard
Whatever its source and whoever its author/editor, wouldn't a Mystara fan-zine need to be distributed via the Vaults in order to fall under the 'fansite' liscense?
Well we could do it right here on the Wizards of the Coasts Boards. That probably Bypasses the "Fansite licence" on the grounds that it is posted here.
Any thoughts on Issue Layout?
How about:
1. Mini Adventure (Developed from one of those Adventure Plots from the Blue Expert Manual or Gazetteers)
2. NPC (an update of one of the NPCS in the OD&D Gazetteers)
3. Artefact (Something Unique to the Setting)
4. Mini Gazetter (A Barony, Estate, or Principality)
1. Mini Adventure (Developed from one of those Adventure Plots from the Blue Expert Manual or Gazetteers)
2. NPC (an update of one of the NPCS in the OD&D Gazetteers)
3. Artefact (Something Unique to the Setting)
4. Mini Gazetter (A Barony, Estate, or Principality)
I proposed something similar some time ago, but I did not go beyond producing three quarters of a sample issue, because there was no interest (perhaps due to the Tome having closed recently). From that experience, and from having developed most of the above items several times, I'd say the requirements are quite high for a 4 issues per year fanzine -- developing a mini gazetteer takes a lot of time: e.g., the Gazetteer of Myoshima took me almost 5 months, including August (an almost entire month of vacation since the university is closed here).
Developing an adventure may take one month or two. NPCs depend on the level of detail: last summer, I developed a dozen NPCs for the (upcoming) "Fantasy Cities #1: Specularum" fan sourcebook, but those where mostly new NPCs or one liners in canon. Tracking down more complex, pre-existing NPCs, such as Eruul Zaar, took me much more time.
However, if you can raise enough interest (and therefore contributions), the plan is definitely good. You might also want to have a recurring feature like the Voyages of the Princess Ark.
GP
However, if you can raise enough interest (and therefore contributions), the plan is definitely good. You might also want to have a recurring feature like the Voyages of the Princess Ark.
GP
What Like "The Journals of Captain Halav" - Halav's Years as a Spelljammer Captain.
Something Terrible
A great and terrible monolith in the deep of the Phlogiston loomed before their hammership. The helm crashed and the hammership soon followed.
"By the Immortals! What is that thing?" Captain Halav stared at the incredible sight as the small wooden vessel fell into its gravity well...
DM Briefing: The PC's, having ventured into Spelljammer Space encounter the Starship Warden, a fifty mile long, twenty five mile wide, 8&1/2 mile thick derelict (and potential Dungeon) adrift in the Phlogiston.
The Manticore
"Captain!"
"What is it number one?"
"Small moon aproaching off the port bow sir!"
Captain Halav looked up from his Mystaran Almanac at the approaching sphere.
"That no moon!"
DM Briefing: This spherical spelljammer consists of a large sphere with over two thousand port holes on the outer shell. Out ever port hole across this vessel is heavy ballista. For the crew moving on the deck below this sphere, they are simply firing up and out a hole from their deck position.
Below the battle deck is the crew quarters. The rooms are hexagon shaped as are the hallway sections that weave between them.
Below the Crew deck In the heart of the ship is a massive hollow occupied by a great brass gyroscope on which is mounted a large helm that powers the ship.
If you want your writing to be accepted by the majority of the community, I have found that it is better to stay fairly close to canon. YMMV.
Havard
What Like "The Journals of Captain Halav" - Halav's Years as a Spelljammer Captain.
I would say that this would fall under Spelljammer and not Mystara. In regards to Mystara I have to agree with Havard. Keep it close to canon. That being said...its your Mystara...do whatever you want. :D
GP
Havard and Multizar do have a point. Yet the idea of following the travels of an Immortal candidate of the past (incognito, obviously), would be very interesting as a way to describe Mystara as it was at that time (1000 BC in Halav's case).
GP
The Mystaran Well
Halav investigated the edge of the huge well that descened down to a dark pool of still liquid.
"You say the Ancients built this to go where?" Halav looked at Zirchev who stood near the well's edge.
"Beyond." Halav stepped back.
"What a silly idea." Halav looked back at Lady Petra.
"Are you sure we should take Zirchev's Great Flying Bowl into this well?"
"It doesnt go to the Hollow World." She gave him the 'Its not like we have something better to do' shrug.
DM BRIEFING: The PCs discover a Well a mile across that takes them all the way down to the inner Boundary of the Crystal sphere of the Mystaran Universe. It sits in a Deep Cavern near that boundary between Outer Mystara and the Hollow World and can only be reached by descending deep into the subterranean reaches of Mystara. Beyond is Spelljammer Space.
Havard and Multizar do have a point. Yet the idea of following the travels of an Immortal candidate of the past (incognito, obviously), would be very interesting as a way to describe Mystara as it was at that time (1000 BC in Halav's case).
I agree, it is a fascinating topic. However, yellowdingo's vision of Mystara differs so greatly from mine that I will respectfully stay away from this thread from now on. I would be interested in discussion non-Spelljammer takes on this era elsewhere though.
Havard
Issue #7 has an adventure with some good background data on the Estate of Dmitrov.
ACAEUM PERIODICLES LIST covers pretty much every TSR Magazine.
Has any one ever read the thirty issues of UK TSR's Imagine Magazine? Is there Mystara stuff in it?
Has any one ever read the thirty issues of UK TSR's Imagine Magazine? Is there Mystara stuff in it?
AFAIK, the most interesting stuff from a Mystara perspective in Imagine Magazine was the stuff about Pelinore.
Havard