So here it goes:
I, as a Ravenloft follower for the last seven years, am thrilled that it is still being published, with most of the products released appealling to my vision of the setting.
But, from reading various forums over the net (most noticeable, this one and the Fraternity of Shadows') it has come to my attention that, mainly due to space constraints, some amount of material has been left out of a number of products (the Gazetteer series being the most denounced ones). I got the impression from reading said forums, that the missing material could be quite useful in gameplay terms. So, what I would be grateful to know is if there is a possibility for said material to be released as a kind of web enhancement, or if there is any current plans to include it in future products.
Maybe you are not able to answer this, as I think I recall reading that this kind of suggestions should be addressed by mail to ArtHaus itself, so I apologize again if it is so.
Thanks in advance.
I realize that my inquire has probably been asked several times in the past, so I apologize beforehand for the inconvinience.
So here it goes:
I, as a Ravenloft follower for the last seven years, am thrilled that it is still being published, with most of the products released appealling to my vision of the setting.
But, from reading various forums over the net (most noticeable, this one and the Fraternity of Shadows') it has come to my attention that, mainly due to space constraints, some amount of material has been left out of a number of products (the Gazetteer series being the most denounced ones). I got the impression from reading said forums, that the missing material could be quite useful in gameplay terms. So, what I would be grateful to know is if there is a possibility for said material to be released as a kind of web enhancement, or if there is any current plans to include it in future products.
Maybe you are not able to answer this, as I think I recall reading that this kind of suggestions should be addressed by mail to ArtHaus itself, so I apologize again if it is so.
Thanks in advance.
It always helps to write a letter to Arthaus expressing what you'd like to see. We are hopeful that we'll be able to publish some web enhancements, but the mechanism for doing that officially lies with the webmaster at Arthaus. We do not work in-house (we are telecommuting freelancers) nor do we have access to the website in terms of being able to upload material (other than through the forums).
We're sorry we can't give you a fuller answer.
Jackie & Nicky
Will we ever see the Burning Peaks again in a 3rd ed product?
Would be glad...
Rafael
May I post a personal question here, too?
Will we ever see the Burning Peaks again in a 3rd ed product?
Would be glad...
Rafael
We can't say you'll never see them in a 3d ed form, but we can't promise anything for certain.
Wish we could give you a better answer at this time.
Jackie & Nicky
Please, please, please do not bring them back.
Kaz, on the other hand.....nah, leave them in the garbage pile.
Good grief, just when I thought we'd finally gotten rid of that idiot Vecna and his stupid domain of ash.
Please, please, please do not bring them back.
Kaz, on the other hand.....nah, leave them in the garbage pile.
At this point, we are primarily interested in exploring aspects of Ravenloft that have not already been done to undeath.
J&N
Good grief, just when I thought we'd finally gotten rid of that idiot Vecna and his stupid domain of ash.
Please, please, please do not bring them back.
Kaz, on the other hand.....nah, leave them in the garbage pile.
As a fellow Greyhawker who is always searching possible expansions for his setting, I'd welcome any product has a connection to my game.;) As a Ravenlofter, I have to agree with you; that Vecna story never really fitted into the setting - the Burning Peaks themselves didn't.
The Cavitius Realm has indeed more potential: I played a campaign based on *Vecna Reborn* focusing on Kas, and we spent a HELL of a time...
------------------------------------------------------------
J&N:
Thank you! It's better to hear that there is nothing decided yet than that it was cancelled/dumped for good!
It always helps to write a letter to Arthaus expressing what you'd like to see. We are hopeful that we'll be able to publish some web enhancements, but the mechanism for doing that officially lies with the webmaster at Arthaus. We do not work in-house (we are telecommuting freelancers) nor do we have access to the website in terms of being able to upload material (other than through the forums).
We're sorry we can't give you a fuller answer.
Jackie & Nicky
In light of Rucht Lilavivat's announcement (the OK he got to release his unpublished material as an unofficial web enhancement, is there any chance that the same can apply to other products?
I think I realize that it could happen to whatever material the authors didn't include in their final manuscript, but can it be done with the material left out of the final cut? Even with a really, really big, red UNOFFICIAL stamp over it? ;)
My sense is that it's up to the individual authors to release previously unpublished material to the public. After all, if it hasn't been published, those authors still have intellectual property of said material.
If it hasn't been submitted, the authors definitely have intellectual property of the material.
If it was submitted as part of a manuscript but was cut before publication, I believe that's still considered work for hire and I'd advise any author to get permission before making any such material publically available.
At this point, we are primarily interested in exploring aspects of Ravenloft that have not already been done to undeath.
J&N
In this case I have 3 greta ideas for some ravenloft books:
1-Demihumans of ravenloft, this book would discuss the place the demihuman occupie in the demiplane of dread and maybe include a couple of demihuman domain(dwarven domain would own!) . I think a book like this would be good because in most place where there is a couple of gnome or halfling they dont really discuss about where they live, what they do ect...
2-Deitys and dmeigod of ravenloft, this book would include informaiton about all the important faith of the demiplane and maybe about a couple of small cult...
3-A book that help you create a campaign that take place in early ravenloft, like precunjonction or when the core was only a couple of domain big.
If it hasn't been submitted, the authors definitely have intellectual property of the material.
If it was submitted as part of a manuscript but was cut before publication, I believe that's still considered work for hire and I'd advise any author to get permission before making any such material publically available.
That seems correct to me also, although I always check such things out with Arthaus legal department (just email the company and ask them to run it by the legal department) before giving the go-ahead.
In any case, material should not be submitted or posted until the book it was cut from sees publication and is on the shelves. A book's appearance on the shelves should act as a greenlight for posting cut material provided you get the okay from the execs at Arthaus/White Wolf.
Jackie
In this case I have 3 greta ideas for some ravenloft books:
1-Demihumans of ravenloft, this book would discuss the place the demihuman occupie in the demiplane of dread and maybe include a couple of demihuman domain(dwarven domain would own!) . I think a book like this would be good because in most place where there is a couple of gnome or halfling they dont really discuss about where they live, what they do ect...
2-Deitys and dmeigod of ravenloft, this book would include informaiton about all the important faith of the demiplane and maybe about a couple of small cult...
3-A book that help you create a campaign that take place in early ravenloft, like precunjonction or when the core was only a couple of domain big.
Those are all really good ideas and we'll consider them if we can. I particularly like the book on religions of Ravenloft, which should expand on current major religions and also introduce some that are implied but not actually described fully...
Book #3 is intriguing! We gave some information on putting together campaigns in the Ravenloft DMG, Champions of Darkness and Heroes of Light, but those dealt with specific focuses (general campaigns, dark campaigns and holy campaigns or heroic ones). Historic campaigns are also interesting -- and would give people something to do with their old Ravenloft material to boot!
Thanks,
Jackie
Book #3 is intriguing! We gave some information on putting together campaigns in the Ravenloft DMG, Champions of Darkness and Heroes of Light, but those dealt with specific focuses (general campaigns, dark campaigns and holy campaigns or heroic ones). Historic campaigns are also interesting -- and would give people something to do with their old Ravenloft material to boot!
I've always thought a book on the past would be great for the line. Whenever topics like this occur I always add my thoughts.
Think of it... a book on the past and histories. Fallen darklords and what domains were like during their reign. People have been waiting for fourteen years for stats for Duke Gundar. Possible equipment lists and more information on all the Culture Levels, what good is playing in the past if all the equipment is the same.
Of course by making a book on alternate times it could focus on possible future events of the land and bring in such things as full gunpowder rules and firearm guidelines.
A really detailed timeline would fit in excellent with the book and it could fill in the more mysterious and unexplaned events in the setting's past.
In any case, material should not be submitted or posted until the book it was cut from sees publication and is on the shelves. A book's appearance on the shelves should act as a greenlight for posting cut material provided you get the okay from the execs at Arthaus/White Wolf.
According to this from Ken Cliff (the latest head of SSS:
I don't see why not, as long as you stipulate that it's unofficial.
It appears that Web Enhancements can be published online so long as they carry a statement placing them as unofficial.
Also, a book (or series of books) on Ravenloft Ravenlofe deities, demigods and religions was a popular idea among the fans on the Fraternity of Shadows forums and one many people would like to see from my contact on Live Journal communities and other message boards. Ezra has received alot of attention, but smaller local religions across clusters, islands of terror and other core domain-based religions could do with alot more attention, especially the Church of Hala.
Jackie, you beat me to it, I was going to say that the RLDMG covered alot of material for designing RL adventures and campaigns, but you got there first ;)
According to this from Ken Cliff (the latest head of SSS:
I don't see why not, as long as you stipulate that it's unofficial.
It appears that Web Enhancements can be published online so long as they carry a statement placing them as unofficial.
That statement was in regards to material that Rucht Lilavivat hadn't turned over, so it could be applied to material other authors kept from the final manuscript.
The material that was left out after the original author turned it over seems to be a bit more of a dark question...
That statement was in regards to material that Rucht Lilavivat hadn't turned over, so it could be applied to material other authors kept from the final manuscript.
The material that was left out after the original author turned it over seems to be a bit more of a dark question...
Rucht never stated from what I saw whether the material was cut out by him or SSS, so you never know. All he said from what I have seen is that he had some extra material, but I may be wrong, you never know.
Rucht never stated from what I saw whether the material was cut out by him or SSS, so you never know. All he said from what I have seen is that he had some extra material, but I may be wrong, you never know.
I haven't had time to check to see what Rucht posted, but it sounded to me as if it were stuff that he cut before sending files to us. Maybe Rucht will clarify at some point.
And it does seem that material that was cut after the file was submitted is more problematic, since it can theoretically be used in a later project. (That's happened to some of our own material we wrote for White Wolf; it was cut by our developer and then appeared in a later work (for which we got credit).
Jackie
I would like to see some of the marterial cut from the Gazetteers appear as web enhancements, though if it is material cut by the developers, it may seem we have little chance of seeing it
If it appears that we won't be using material cut from the Gazetteers, we'll see if we can't get it up on the web somehow!
Give us a little time, though, to do that. This hectic time of year is not the best season to squeeze another block of "spare" time out of the day!
Jackie
If it appears that we won't be using material cut from the Gazetteers, we'll see if we can't get it up on the web somehow!
Give us a little time, though, to do that. This hectic time of year is not the best season to squeeze another block of "spare" time out of the day!
Jackie
Yaaaayyy!!! Sure is good to hear that! Seems that the holidays arrived at the Land of the Mists... ;)If it hasn't been submitted, the authors definitely have intellectual property of the material.
If it was submitted as part of a manuscript but was cut before publication, I believe that's still considered work for hire and I'd advise any author to get permission before making any such material publically available.
Originally Posted by JackieandNicky
I haven't had time to check to see what Rucht posted, but it sounded to me as if it were stuff that he cut before sending files to us. Maybe Rucht will clarify at some point.
LOL. Alright, alright. The material I have and am preparing to release was cut by me because it could not fit my original word count. So, it was, in effect, never submitted.
In any case, I did get permission. That was what the intent of my getting into touch with Ken Cliffe was about. Man. What a can of worms. I would similarly invite any other authors out there who have self-cut material to submit it to the public in the form of a web enhancement.
---
Well, I will be asking him in the near future about the WE the Kargatane put out. I think some of these great enhancements should also be available online.
If one wants me to add new materials to the batch I will send him for approval, please communicate with me.
Joël
It will be more like the "post holidays," since we probably won't be able to do anything until after the first of the year!
J&N
It will be more like the "post holidays," since we probably won't be able to do anything until after the first of the year!
J&N
Anything's good right now ;)
us fans are screaming for them ;)There have been many hands in ravenloft, tracy and laura hickman, the kargatane, yourselves (meaning JackieandNicky) and many more. In the world of "Greyhawk" Gary Gygax was the creator and it went thru many hands as well, but in the end he made it, he knows all its secrets and what is going to happen. So in ravenloft who is the Gary Gygax of it? I mean who made the mists? who knows the true secrets? Why is ravenloft so secret? Who is the one behind the darkpowers?
Like i said this will come out wrong but this seems to be the most secret filled world ever. Can anyone ever reveal the true secrets or are all thoes people gone and taken their knowledge with them?
Sorry just this world drives me mad with wonder so many times, there are too many small secrets in every aspect of it and i dont like to make my own assumptions i wish we could know more....
There have been many hands in ravenloft, tracy and laura hickman, the kargatane, yourselves (meaning JackieandNicky) and many more. In the world of "Greyhawk" Gary Gygax was the creator and it went thru many hands as well, but in the end he made it, he knows all its secrets and what is going to happen. So in ravenloft who is the Gary Gygax of it? I mean who made the mists? who knows the true secrets? Why is ravenloft so secret? Who is the one behind the darkpowers?
If what you want to know is who wrote the original Ravenloft campaign setting, those would be Bruce Nesmith and Andria Hayday in 1990 (the Black Box), unless you take into account the original 1983 1st Ed. Ravenloft adventure by Tracy and Laura Hickman...
There have been many hands in ravenloft, tracy and laura hickman, the kargatane, yourselves (meaning JackieandNicky) and many more. In the world of "Greyhawk" Gary Gygax was the creator and it went thru many hands as well, but in the end he made it, he knows all its secrets and what is going to happen. So in ravenloft who is the Gary Gygax of it? I mean who made the mists? who knows the true secrets? Why is ravenloft so secret? Who is the one behind the darkpowers?
There is no "Gary Gygax," as you put it, for Ravenloft. The original adventure was written by Tracy & Laura Hickman, then expanded on as an entire realm/world by Nesmith and Hayday. After the line was dropped by TSR, the Kargatane took over on their website and kept the world alive. When Arthaus picked up the license from Wizards of the Coast, we were asked to develop Ravenloft.
That's a barebones chronology of people. As to who knows all the secrets? That's more difficult to answer. Nesmith and Hayday probably had a lot of the secret info under their hats/belts while they were involved with the line. The Kargatane developed more behind the scenes info and, in our turn, Nicky & I have also added to the mythos.
Some things will probably always be mysterious about Ravenloft. We don't know everything about our own world and have to interpolate a purpose or a higher goal from obscure clues, legends and "scientific facts."
Like i said this will come out wrong but this seems to be the most secret filled world ever. Can anyone ever reveal the true secrets or are all thoes people gone and taken their knowledge with them?
Some things must remain secret -- that's part of what keeps the world viable.
Sorry just this world drives me mad with wonder so many times, there are too many small secrets in every aspect of it and i dont like to make my own assumptions i wish we could know more....
While I share your feelings (and have felt that way myself about games where I had to plunge into unknown territory, releasing the secrets about a world a book at a time is part of the whole process.
Hope this clears up some things, though,
Jackie & NIcky
Some things must remain secret -- that's part of what keeps the world viable.
This i especially like, i agree that the most enjoyable aspect of ravenloft is its ability to keep its dark secrets, and well i am a little sad that we may never know the secrets that Nesmith and Heyday knew im glad to know thoes working on the world today are making goals for thoes writings of old.
Thank you and keep up the great work, it is VERY much appriciated.
I am just reading through your *Guide to Transylvania*, and it's definitely the best 2nd ed. D&D book I ever read!
Merry Christmas!