You've been given the Greyhawk license...

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

gadodel

Jul 05, 2003 15:27:50
What would you do?

Which company would you turn to for support?

What storylines could we expect to see from you?

Would ditch or keep the RPGA?

Yes, this is a WHAT IF?





:D
#2

gadodel

Jul 05, 2003 15:31:34
Me?

Start up my own company.

Hire Erik Mona and bring on board folks like Charles Ryan, Eric Cagle, Rich Redman.

The main storyline would be a focus upon new material. I mean truly new material.

In the wake of the corruption and wars, there would be an Immigration to other lands storyline added. New people would be introduced etc.

I would focus on giving the Greyhawk attitude of minimalism and personality to new places near the Flanaess.

:D
#3

zombiegleemax

Jul 05, 2003 17:47:38
Rather than force feed mostly useless and/or inhibiting information down a players throats like in FR...

1) Focus on what has happened in the past. A detailed history in a product.

2) Crunchy bits: PrCs, Feats, Spells, Monsters- unique to Greyhawk and that add to the setting

Keep the RPGA around, to continue Living Greyhawk. Treat it as just another campaign which happens to have a large amount of players.

Hire the writers from quality products who truly like the setting. Caring about a setting tends to induce a certain degree of inherent quality in their work.

Keep storylines fairly stable. Release adventures which present new storyline elements (Die Vecna Die!), but do not keep churning out a huge mass of storylines, most of which will never be expanded upon (FR).

Have an Epic adventure against Iuz. At least force him into the Abyss or something. The region would still be dangerous, but his direct control would be disrupted, and lead to a new resurgence of hope in the world.

Keep releases to a minimum. Core Setting Book, Adventures
We don't need Furyondy: The Sourcebook- detailing every fricking thing in the country down to how many leaves on each of the trees, and the blades of grass on the ground.

Unfortunately one wouldn't make much money with it.
#4

zombiegleemax

Jul 05, 2003 19:18:15
I am with Crypto for the most part on this one.
Some ideas of what to do with undetailed areas of Oerth would be nice(rather than an official product of what they are). This would maintain the ability to personalize the setting.
Some of Owain Abjurer's updated spells would make an excellent addition to the setting ( I plan on using them).
If more material were added, the more amorphus and adaptable it is, the better. That's the major problem with FR in my opinion.
#5

ranger_reg

Jul 06, 2003 14:54:49
Hmm. Why not get Gygax back?
#6

zombiegleemax

Jul 06, 2003 18:03:40
The question is... would he?
#7

zombiegleemax

Jul 06, 2003 23:15:49
Since we're dreaming (and I assume that comes with a large bankroll), I would shower with money all the writers for Greyhawk over the past thirty years (except that Reynolds guy), and put Gygax at the helm, calling the shots.

The issue of canon would probably irk Gary somewhat, but I'm sure he'd have more than his share of ideas to contribute to what was built upon the brilliant foundation he created long ago.

It would be great; sourcebooks all over the place. Magic, geography, NPCs, epic stuff, history/pre-history/alternate timelines, and region-city specific stuff. There would be a reprint of all the classics (updated for 3.5), and a slew of new adventures written by Gygax, Metzer, Monte Cook, Sargent, Willliams, and Cordell (one of the all time geniuses when it comes to writing modules).

In short, Greyhawk would make FR look underdeveloped, if such a thing could ever be imagined.

That's what I would do.
#8

taliesin52

Jul 07, 2003 0:01:16
What would you do?

Dance for joy.


Which company would you turn to for support?

If any specific company, probably Necromancer Games. When I think Greyhawk I think 1st edition type adventures. They seem to like that genre of fantasy rpg and would IMHO be the most receptive of my ideas. Besides, they're one of the larger d20 publishers, especially since they favour printing on paper and not pdf for major releases.


What storylines could we expect to see from you?

Dual weilding drow (pronounced in this case like the word "OH!") rangerbarbarianwarriors who're good aligned surface dwellers and powerful perverted old wizardfighterclericroguepaladinbarbarianmonkbardsorcererarchmages who're ultra powerful and invincible taking over the world...... Ok, maybe not.

I'd keep a backdrop similar to that of the Battletech universe which always has war in the background as an everpresent danger and storyline. It would occasionally take the forefront, but not in the world encompasing type of war we have seen before or elsewhere.

Product wise people'd see few products focusing on "fluff" text. There would be a GH Campaign Book (or boxed set if I could convince a publisher its worth the cost). A real Gazetter which would include maps and a sizable bit of history and other events. Consider the two to be a player's book and a dm's reference more than two overlapping books. Perhaps a consolidated book on the dieties. After a time, I'd consider a book on ancient history which would be mostly consolidated material (look at canonfire's articles which use info pieced together from various modules and halfbooks) and some new information.

Other than those few books I'd focus almost entierely on modules. The first release would be the GHCS book and a module, either a new one or a complete rework or return to one of the classics. This would make current GH fans happy and give newcommers who've never played the old editions an idea of how things are typically and why people love the setting. This would then be followed by modules, preferably in series although not necessarily with the old lettter-number series codes. Honestly, the modules were the reason I fell for Greyhawk in the first place.

As for the RPGA I'd keep them, they have their place. I'd either limit their control over timeline (it would not be advanced because of what goes on in the LG) or consider a shift in timeline giving the RPGA control over a 15-20 year span of the world and publish my books with a set date. The history described in the GHCS would be absolute, so the RPGA would not be able to make world altering changes but could still flourish within the guildlines of "history."
#9

zombiegleemax

Jul 07, 2003 4:51:08
I'd tie the RPGA to a chair and make them answer this question ad nauseum:

"What's the first rule of Living Greyhawk!!??"




You know the rest.
#10

zombiegleemax

Jul 07, 2003 4:58:22
There is no Living Greyhawk. :D


Yeah, we should be so lucky.
#11

zombiegleemax

Jul 07, 2003 7:18:20
I would keep the license locked up in my vault and never let the world look on it again.

Oh, wait, Wizard's is already doing that.
#12

Halberkill

Jul 07, 2003 12:46:42
I'd also hire Frank Mentzer, and put Aquaria back on the Oerth map where it belongs.

Halber
#13

samwise

Jul 07, 2003 13:53:05
What would you do?

Change everything, even if I like it the way it is. Then I would wait for everyone to start to complain about it, particularly those who had demanded it, and remind them of the story of King Log and King Stork.

Which company would you turn to for support?

None. I need no help from anyone else to turn Greyhawk on its head. But I might contact some individuals I know and see if they wanted to help me warp everything for our own amusement.
(Besides, I've always wanted cronies.)

What storylines could we expect to see from you?

Something completely different, totally derivative, and utterly bizarre.

Would ditch or keep the RPGA?

I wasn't aware I was being given the RPGA as well.
If I was, then I would reform and revise the structure of the LG campaign to create at least 10, preferably over 50, different Greyhawk based campaigns. Some would complement each other, while others would utterly contradict everything else.
If I wasn't, then I would let them do whatever they liked, provided they didn't get in my way, or attempt to contradict me in public in any way.
#14

zombiegleemax

Jul 08, 2003 3:14:36
I would get all the BEST Greyhawk writers out there, shove them in a room together, and feed them loads of caffiene until they come up with THE magnum opus of GH lit.

Let's see, I'd get Sean K. Reynolds, Roger Moore, Rose Estes, David Cook and Gene Weigel.

Yeah, that'd truly kill GH for good... err... I mean... that'd be GREAT.

Ok, seriously now, what I'd do is give Greyhawk to the world. I would finally release IP to everybody. It'd be like OpenGH, where anyone and everyone could do whatever the hell they wanted to do with it and nobody could claim any copyright.

Screw this whole revival crap. None of you would do it right. Especially considering that there are two billion and then some versions of what 'right' is, when it comes to Greyhawk.

Let the masses create a bunch of stuff and then I can pick and choose what I want from the morass.
#15

mr._vandermeer

Jul 09, 2003 9:35:50
I would sell the license to someone who would actually start publishing Greyhawk material.

That way, I can make a lot of money. And all of us could enjoy Greyhawk!
#16

artspawn

Jul 31, 2008 19:53:59
What would I do?
1.) I would get everyone of the 2-30yr old guys in the business, then say,"WHATTHE HELL HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN DOING IN THE LAST 20YRS"?
2.) Then I would have a meeting with all the directors and managers schedule a meeting for the company as a banquet with food every employees is invited $10 fee (got pay for the food and games).
3.) I would have a session set aside where I explain to them we are going to make some changes in the "Living Greyhawk World", an these changes will include.
a.) Art
b.) Stories and continuation of old stories,
c.) An last but not least the fans.:D
Which company I would turn to for support?
1.) I wouldn't necessarily turn to a company but, i would turn to the pros in the business and solicited there asses. R L salvatore (drow), Lockwood (art), and I would find the best history buff in the business and make him my personal friend and get to know him and his ideas.
Storyline... What storyline you can expect?
Now we are barking up the right tree.
!.) Would get together a few writers together, and explain to them this is the story we start with the gods, we give them a existence Origin.
2.) You would see books about the magic pool depleting, and how it must be restored.
3.) Why Tharezindune has something to do with it, and why he hates the Uncaring one so much.
4.) Who where the first wizard, why they are appearing in Greyhawk and what is there Origin ( bits and pieces to live on for the next couple years century)
5.) What happens when the Garrot really exists in the GreyHawk world, and what connection they have with Guilds in the major cities.
6.) Where is the magic going?,"If its leaving where the hell is it going to".
Who is absorbing its power.
7.) What will it take to stop Him or them.

Will I ditch RPGA naw I would let the fans chose it they deserve to make that decision.
If you want to know more email me [email]apollossunkan@yahoo.com[/email]
#17

ranger_reg

Aug 01, 2008 1:35:40
I would sell the license to someone who would actually start publishing Greyhawk material.

If WotC give you the license, you can't sell it. You can contract someone to develop the material (unless forbidden in the licensing agreement), but you foot the bill to publish it (i.e., edit, print, and distribute).
#18

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 01, 2008 8:27:40
What would I do?

By what unholy necromancy have you resurrected this thread?!


BTW, how many of the people who originally posted in this thread in 2003 are still around these boards? I see that a couple of the profiles are now retired, and as for the rest (with the lone exception of Ranger REG), if they're still on the WotC boards at all, I haven't seen them post in this forum.


As for the actual topic of the thread, I think the question has taken on a whole new dimension with the advent of 4E and the end of Living Greyhawk. Personally, whatever I ended up doing, I'd make it rules-light, to make it accessible to the widest selection of players possible. Being a licensee, and not WotC, I wouldn't really care about encouraging people to play 4E. I'd want to make something that would be useful to any Greyhawk fan, regardless of edition. I'd make sure that I brought in people who knew and loved the setting.
#19

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 01, 2008 8:30:07
Hmm. Why not get Gygax back?

A good suggestion when made. Sadly, no longer an option....
#20

lord_karsus

Aug 03, 2008 16:36:25
A good suggestion when made. Sadly, no longer an option....

-Heh, I was going to bring that up. That's what made me realize the age of this thread.
#21

ranger_reg

Aug 04, 2008 22:58:07
A good suggestion when made. Sadly, no longer an option....

Yeah, it is a moot point, considering I made that suggestion on 2003.
#22

AtomicPope

Aug 05, 2008 2:03:02
I remember this thread. Now, like then, I don't want to speculate. For me, it's hits too close to home.
#23

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 05, 2008 13:00:29
Yeah, it is a moot point, considering I made that suggestion on 2003.

Yeah, I'm still a little surprised that the thread resurfaced after such a long time.
#24

artspawn

Aug 05, 2008 15:51:47
Yeah, I'm still a little surprised that the thread resurfaced after such a long time.

Hey i brought it back I still play, and started adding some of my own stuff and thought what the hell lets bring it back. Now if i really had the oppritunity to remake it all, i can promise all of you it would start a revolution. Old gamers will come back. yeah people will be upset, "at first" but, they'll love the storylines. I started playing this game in the 90's so I'm not as lold at theses games as you guys. However I have a feel for art ,and for dynamic storys now here is a story i'm working on for Greyhawy based on my game models. If you are interested in more give me a hit i'll let you test its grounds and feel the excitement of a revision of a lost world.
By: Apollos Sun Kan
Birth: May 12 1980-
Home: Houston Texas

One of the most gifted writers of this century, born in a city called Houston. Apollos begin his writing career as a hobby something just to do, inspired by his mother, and many others such as friends. A few to name his brother Billy, sister Nichole, his Mother Brenda, his wife who inspired him a great deal, and among his friends Paul, Sean and many others. Apollos has held his place among many of the top writers such as R.L. Salvatore, Cunningham, and many other writers among the Forgotten Realms, and Greyhawk Titles.

In His own Words: I think everyone for helping to do this. I give praise and honor to God the establisher of my faith, and Arthur of my life. I would not have come this far without his support, and guidance with the many people he used. I thank everyone especially my love my wife thank you for being you, and never giving up. Mom you are the best.





[CENTER] Living GreyHawk


Dead Magic[/CENTER

]
"The Gathering"


Preface or Prologue


Wizard’s mages damn another gathering in the last 1,000 centuries; I wonder will they get it this time.
Maximus glanced at the passing wizards with hate, and sorrow at the same time with joy as he crept through the streets, avoiding the guards that looked in every corner, “they have changed over the years", he thought to himself but, still to no avail.
As he made his way around the eastern corner he admired the shadowed figure that had followed him thus far, it had managed to cross the City of Skulls perhaps he would have a challenge.
Maximus made his way down the Alleys watching for any more prowlers as he led his assassin deep into the darker places of the City of Greyhawk. However, the shadow turned into three shadows a smile crept across Maximus face as he heard the unsheathing of swords and daggers among that he heard the draw of a bowstring.
He entered the last ally, which had only one way out unless they could climb buildings as a spider they would have to fight to the death. Maximus clenched his jeweled dagger Bar’rakka that meant “life taker of many shapes” it had the head of a skull of flames, dressed with rubies.
As the archer made his aim, the other assassins came at him one at his back while the other to his front. Maximus stood his ground keeping his same pace; he shifted his weight to his right foot while crossing his left, pivoting on his right foot to face in the opposite direction missing the arrow by a fraction.
Maximus launched into a roll missing the assassin coming from his rear with a long sword in dagger in hand and in the same motion missing the dagger that came from the third assassin that now faced him. As he cam to his feet he new he did not have much time so he quickly reached into his pocket of many daggers. With a flick of his wrist a flurry of daggers unleashed at the two assassins to only by him time as he ran toward the left wall to throw off the archer his deadliest opponent at the moment. Maximus pulled Bar'rakka from her sheath with only a mental thought. He transformed Bar’rakka into a long bow as he reached back to pull out an arrow from his quiver, he heard the footsteps of his other two assailants’. He glanced up to release the arrow from his shaft darkness enveloped him "DROW"! "Dark elves what luck do I have" Maximus sighed to himself unable to see.
Maximus continued increasing his speed; he planted his feet on the wall running up its side breaking into a backwards summersault to land behind one of the assassins. Bar'rakka shifted into a fine blood red ruby long sword, listening to the footsteps, remembering where he last seen them, Maximus sprang forward with Bar’rakka catching the first drow somewhere in the mid section.
The drow quickly stepped aside as the other drow cam in low at Maximus. With only moments to think he slammed Bar’rakka downward shifting her into a large tower shield, the drow skilled at his task came over the tower shield as though he anticipated such a move.
At this moment Maximus dropped back into a roll to guard himself not from the coming drow but the one he had stabbed moments ago, the injured drow stepped forward immediately pushing at him on his right side forcing Maximus to go left. However, Maximus engaged in the same motion went into a low spin that would have put him on the side of Bar’rakka.
However, the accompanying drow cut his path meeting Maximus with a flurry of dagger and sword, high and low, short, and long. Maximus managed to hold them both for a few second, before it dawned on him he could see. At that moment, he spun to his right putting the wounded drow between him and the archer. The arrow came crashing into the drow's chest. The other drow came in as Maximus finished his spin, leaping back into the shadows unwilling to be nailed by an onslaught of arrows, “That would surely come”. The other drow meet him yet again swords, daggers flashing as though both of them could see.
#25

lord_karsus

Aug 05, 2008 15:59:56
-Well, not to be mean, but if you want to indeed make it as a "star" writer (and most with such aspirations don't), you're going to have to clean up the grammar and such.

-I'd also advise you against posting original material (ie, fiction) on these forums because, as per the ToS when you signed up, anything that you post, Wizards is given the rights to use freely, however they wish.
#26

artspawn

Aug 06, 2008 11:01:01
Grammar thanks I'm not an editor just the idea bank i write how i feel someone else makes it right never even finished high school, just managed this on my own just started writing. An made a few books. comics r me and i own my work
#27

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 06, 2008 11:31:35
-Well, not to be mean, but if you want to indeed make it as a "star" writer (and most with such aspirations don't), you're going to have to clean up the grammar and such.

Just to clarify, included in that "and such" would be punctuation. For the generation that has grown up texting, punctuation might seem unnecessary, but believe me, that's not the case.

If you'd like an illustration of why you should care about punctuation, ask me to tell you the one about the panda that walked into the restaurant, ordered some bamboo, ate it, and then fired a gun at the waiter and lumbered out the door.... :D
#28

lord_karsus

Aug 06, 2008 13:13:17
If you'd like an illustration of why you should care about punctuation, ask me to tell you the one about the panda that walked into the restaurant, ordered some bamboo, ate it, and then fired a gun at the waiter and lumbered out the door.... :D

-Ah, the infamous Panda who ate shoots and leaves.
#29

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 06, 2008 13:29:22
-Ah, the infamous Panda who ate shoots and leaves.

Or was it ate, shoots, and leaves? ;)
#30

artspawn

Aug 06, 2008 14:39:05
Ok oKokok. I will I have signed up for journalism classes at Houston Community College. An what did you think of my work everyone always seems to give neg stuff never reflecting on the story or idea. An go ahead an tell me the story about the panda bear@ [email]apollossunkan@yhaoo.com[/email] :D
#31

lord_karsus

Aug 06, 2008 14:44:41
Or was it ate, shoots, and leaves? ;)

-The world may never know...
#32

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 06, 2008 16:26:36
An what did you think of my work everyone always seems to give neg stuff never reflecting on the story or idea.

That's because the first thing that people notice is spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other formatting issues. If these are bad enough, they can become roadblocks for readers.

As I said, I'm not an editor, but I suspect they're the first things an editor looks like, and they could cause an editor to reject a submission without even fully reading it.
#33

cuchulainkevin

Aug 06, 2008 19:42:45
I would create a fluff-only Greyhawk book with minimal stat-blocks that could be utilyzed by any edition of D&D. Similar to Necromancers Wilderlands material.
#34

artspawn

Aug 07, 2008 9:31:39
Ok I thank you guys for the constructive critism but, can one of you give me an answer for my question? Is the read any good at all? I'm not looking for cheers I never have because I never get them but, a answer would be great. I know you guys wont take it easy and i dont expect you to just give me an answer.
Thanks guys
#35

artspawn

Aug 07, 2008 9:36:09
That's because the first thing that people notice is spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other formatting issues. If these are bad enough, they can become roadblocks for readers.

As I said, I'm not an editor, but I suspect they're the first things an editor looks like, and they could cause an editor to reject a submission without even fully reading it.

An would you like for me to add to your story, I can do great action and mystery if not its cool. The story is pretty good i havent read the new stuff.:D
#36

Brom_Blackforge

Aug 07, 2008 11:04:34
Ok I thank you guys for the constructive critism but, can one of you give me an answer for my question? Is the read any good at all? I'm not looking for cheers I never have because I never get them but, a answer would be great. I know you guys wont take it easy and i dont expect you to just give me an answer.
Thanks guys

The reason that the first comments you got had to do with grammar and punctuation is that those are the first things a reader will notice, and they can get in the way of the reader being able to appreciate (or even understand) what you've written.

What you wrote gives us a little bit of an introduction to your central character, but we really don't learn much about him or have much reason yet to care what happens to him. We are left to wonder why he's being attacked, and I'm assuming that we'd learn that as the story unfolded; at least, answering that question would give us a reason to keep reading.

An would you like for me to add to your story, I can do great action and mystery if not its cool. The story is pretty good i havent read the new stuff.:D

I'm assuming you're talking about the link in my sig. You're as free to add to it as everyone else is. The only thing I ask is that people who add to it try to keep a Greyhawk flavor to it.
#37

artspawn

Aug 07, 2008 16:17:35
The reason that the first comments you got had to do with grammar and punctuation is that those are the first things a reader will notice, and they can get in the way of the reader being able to appreciate (or even understand) what you've written.

What you wrote gives us a little bit of an introduction to your central character, but we really don't learn much about him or have much reason yet to care what happens to him. We are left to wonder why he's being attacked, and I'm assuming that we'd learn that as the story unfolded; at least, answering that question would give us a reason to keep reading.



I'm assuming you're talking about the link in my sig. You're as free to add to it as everyone else is. The only thing I ask is that people who add to it try to keep a Greyhawk flavor to it.

Well I can give you an idea of what its all about. its a story about Greyhawk of course but its my version of how the world begin.
Maximus was apart of the garrote a guild as we know it anyway he had a client. A servant of Wee jas he was to kill a scorceress named Claudia a chosen in a sence of Wee jas.
She was a high cleric/scorceress, and he feel in love with her. On the day he should have killed her instead of killing her, he abandoned his client.An became the enemy of the garrotes which he belonged to.
Maximus is one of the Three Dark Suns which is the three most skilled and powerfull assasians of ther guild (garrote) Maximus, Julius, and Cornelious. An he is also th best of the three.
However his failure was also his death which is why he was being attacked.
To learn about Claudia and Maximus adventures and how that ties in with the Gods and the lose of magic has a lot to do with the gathering that maximus mentioned in the begining. If you want maybe we can u know talk he who leads the threads of Wil.