A few of you have heard me mention Codex in a very general sense before, but now I’d like to sketch out some…

A few of you have heard me mention Codex in a very general sense before, but now I’d like to sketch out some…

A few of you have heard me mention Codex in a very general sense before, but now I’d like to sketch out some specifics. Near the end of this post I pose a couple of questions about the project I would appreciate feedback on.

What Is Codex?

Codex (tentative title) will be a monthly RPG zine featuring around 8 pages of original material for your gaming table. Unlike traditional gaming zines, which tend to focus exclusively on fantasy or sci-fi, Codex will feature material for a more diverse set of games, echoing the content focus of our podcasts, and the variety of games we run on Gauntlet Hangouts. The format will present three “levels” of supplemental material (more on that in a sec), and will feature 3-5 pieces of original artwork per issue. The zine will be distributed as a PDF reward to backers of our eventual (long-promised) Patreon.

A Supplement With Three Levels

Each issue will have three sections, each of which offers material at a different level (or scope?) of use.

The first section will feature a full scenario for a specific game. For example, it could be an entire original mystery for Monster of the Week or Cthulhu Dark, a starter for Dungeon World, a Fiasco playset, a full Storm for Urban Shadows, etc.

The second section will feature what I am presently calling “air-drops.” These are elements for a game that aren’t tied to any specific scenario, but that can be air-dropped into a variety of scenarios. Importantly, they are elements that incorporate the game’s mechanics. Some examples: “8 Wicked Magic Items for Dungeon World;” “5 Location-based Custom Moves for Urban Shadows;” “New Keys & Secrets for Lady Blackbird;” “6 Alien Horrors for Adventures on Dungeon Planet;” and “10 Ready-to-Go Playlists for Ribbon Drive.”

The third section is directly inspired by the Miscellany in the back of each issue of Worlds Without Master (and with Epidiah Ravachol’s blessing, I’m going to steal the format). These are evocative, non-mechanical elements, focused on a specific theme or game, that can be sprinkled-in as needed or used for inspiration. Some examples: “Three-dozen Sights & Sounds at Monsterhearts High;” “Three-dozen Supernatural Problems (for InSpectres or Field Work);” “Three-dozen Interesting Sights in the Degringolade;” “Three-dozen Chaser questions for Psi-Run;” and “Three-dozen Problems in a Post-Scarcity Dystopia.”

Community Involvement

This three-level approach to each issue should allow for maximum community participation. You may not be able to contribute a whole scenario, for example, but you may have something that will work for “8 Wicked Magic Items for Dungeon World,” or you might have some cool elements to add to “Three-dozen Sights & Sounds at Monsterhearts High.” Each issue will be mapped out pretty far in advance, and that info will be made available for community members who might have something to contribute.

People contributing an entire section for a specific issue (for example, a whole scenario, or all three dozen elements in a misceallany) will be paid on a per-word basis.

Art, Editing & Layout

I intend to commission artwork for each issue. I have a few people in mind for editing and layout, and will be contacting them soon, but if you’re reading this and know a good person who wouldn’t mind a straightforward monthly gig, let me know.

Test Issue

The first issue will be a test, and will be made available for free to all Gauntlet community members upon completion. My goal for the test issue is to see how everything works, and to make changes as needed. The full scenario for the test issue will be written by myself; I will announce the categories for the other two sections soon.

Questions

These are the items I still have questions about. Feedback is welcome.

1. Given everything I’ve written here, any thoughts on what the final title could be?

2. Should each issue focus on a single game or theme? If so, why?

50 thoughts on “A few of you have heard me mention Codex in a very general sense before, but now I’d like to sketch out some…”

  3. 1. I think calling it Codex is actually pretty great name for the zine.

    2. I think theme’s a pretty good issue container because it gives you a bit of a creative box to build out the issue within and can get the ideas rolling for people who want to contribute and can help build an expectation for the people who purchase the issue for what they’re reading. The game focus is also ok for issues but you might want to keep that one as a back pocket or special once and a while thing. That way you’re not always just hitting one main audience each issue and the people who play lots of stuff. 

    Of course if you’re getting 80% of the submissions as Dungeon World and the rest everything else you might want to pivot away from that and do specific games more often but I don’t think you’ll have that problem with the Gauntlet community.

  4. 1. I think calling it Codex is actually pretty great name for the zine.

    2. I think theme’s a pretty good issue container because it gives you a bit of a creative box to build out the issue within and can get the ideas rolling for people who want to contribute and can help build an expectation for the people who purchase the issue for what they’re reading. The game focus is also ok for issues but you might want to keep that one as a back pocket or special once and a while thing. That way you’re not always just hitting one main audience each issue and the people who play lots of stuff. 

    Of course if you’re getting 80% of the submissions as Dungeon World and the rest everything else you might want to pivot away from that and do specific games more often but I don’t think you’ll have that problem with the Gauntlet community.

  5. Honestly, I’d love to see you theme each issue around a specific game, especially considering how many you’ve played/tested.  It would also help with introducing some of the lesser played games.

    I’ll also admit it would be a cheap way for me to get introduced into new games, Storygame Sunday was my gateway drug into finding things outside the PBTA realm.

    As for a name, let’s be self-important.  The Cordova Chronicles.  Each one written as though you were doing a travel log.

  6. Honestly, I’d love to see you theme each issue around a specific game, especially considering how many you’ve played/tested.  It would also help with introducing some of the lesser played games.

    I’ll also admit it would be a cheap way for me to get introduced into new games, Storygame Sunday was my gateway drug into finding things outside the PBTA realm.

    As for a name, let’s be self-important.  The Cordova Chronicles.  Each one written as though you were doing a travel log.

  9. 1. GC for the title in imitation of GQ art. GC for gauntlet codex.

    Or Necronomicon (hail satan)

    2. I think doing a theme for each release may put you in a box, but I think doing occasional theme or game specific issues could make them feel more special or specialized. 

  10. 1. GC for the title in imitation of GQ art. GC for gauntlet codex.

    Or Necronomicon (hail satan)

    2. I think doing a theme for each release may put you in a box, but I think doing occasional theme or game specific issues could make them feel more special or specialized. 

  11. I would suggest theming each issue along an axis that is topical but NOT a specific game. E.g. Cyberpunk, Love Lost, Mind Control, Fairy Tales, etc. rather than Shadowrun, Contenders, Cheat Your Own Adventure, etc. The latter is always going to get people to immediately opt out on an issue by issue basis.

  12. I would suggest theming each issue along an axis that is topical but NOT a specific game. E.g. Cyberpunk, Love Lost, Mind Control, Fairy Tales, etc. rather than Shadowrun, Contenders, Cheat Your Own Adventure, etc. The latter is always going to get people to immediately opt out on an issue by issue basis.

  13. How about Gauntlet Codex, distinguishing it from others codices? Or Encyclopedia Cordova, if we want to aggrandize. 😉 I like the idea of focusing on a given game in an issue, although that doesn’t have to mean to exclusivity.

  14. How about Gauntlet Codex, distinguishing it from others codices? Or Encyclopedia Cordova, if we want to aggrandize. 😉 I like the idea of focusing on a given game in an issue, although that doesn’t have to mean to exclusivity.

  17. 1. Try harder,  Try another way, Have Dice, will Dungeon!

    2.  I like the distributed theme myself.  it does make things harder to refer back to but it exposes people to more.  Otherwise I may be tempted to only look at the DW ones or something like that.

  18. 1. Try harder,  Try another way, Have Dice, will Dungeon!

    2.  I like the distributed theme myself.  it does make things harder to refer back to but it exposes people to more.  Otherwise I may be tempted to only look at the DW ones or something like that.

  19. I agree with Ray Otus​. If there is a theme, it should be something out of left field and open to interpretation. I would skip issues of zines that have narrow and tired themes, just because it doesn’t have anything to offer to my game.

    I would definately not make it themed around a single game.

    I like Codex for the name, but on its own it qould be a little bland. Maybe “Codex of Narration” or “Story Codex”…something along those lines?

  20. I agree with Ray Otus​. If there is a theme, it should be something out of left field and open to interpretation. I would skip issues of zines that have narrow and tired themes, just because it doesn’t have anything to offer to my game.

    I would definately not make it themed around a single game.

    I like Codex for the name, but on its own it qould be a little bland. Maybe “Codex of Narration” or “Story Codex”…something along those lines?

  21. Mix games but keep the theme consistent among the single issue. It would give you the opportunity to write a short preface or a column to highlight how the different games deal with the chosen theme. I bet you will find the inspiration to present radically different games (and different approaches) for the same theme. That would be an interesting selling point for the codex.

  22. Mix games but keep the theme consistent among the single issue. It would give you the opportunity to write a short preface or a column to highlight how the different games deal with the chosen theme. I bet you will find the inspiration to present radically different games (and different approaches) for the same theme. That would be an interesting selling point for the codex.

  23. I think Codex is a great name. I kind of like the idea of calling it Gauntlet Codex, or GC, but I think I prefer Codex on its own. Some other suggestions: Volume, Compendium, Folio, Leaflet, Lexicon, Vade Mecum, Gauntlet Reader. (I may or may not have just picked my favorite synonyms of the word “codex.”)

    I think each issue should definitely focus on the same theme, but not necessarily the same game, mostly because it will make them easier to reference in the future. Example: I’m looking for “three-dozen sounds a zombie makes” and I know right away to check the undead issue.

    I’m excited about this project!

  24. I think Codex is a great name. I kind of like the idea of calling it Gauntlet Codex, or GC, but I think I prefer Codex on its own. Some other suggestions: Volume, Compendium, Folio, Leaflet, Lexicon, Vade Mecum, Gauntlet Reader. (I may or may not have just picked my favorite synonyms of the word “codex.”)

    I think each issue should definitely focus on the same theme, but not necessarily the same game, mostly because it will make them easier to reference in the future. Example: I’m looking for “three-dozen sounds a zombie makes” and I know right away to check the undead issue.

    I’m excited about this project!

  25. I agree with +David LaFreniere RE themed issues. ​ It would make it even harder to produce. Plus I like the miscellany/serendipity aspect. A themed quarterlyish would be cool though.

  26. I agree with +David LaFreniere RE themed issues. ​ It would make it even harder to produce. Plus I like the miscellany/serendipity aspect. A themed quarterlyish would be cool though.

  31. 1. The Cordex! (Cordova Codex) I also like just Codex or even Gauntlet Codex as others have said.

    2. Mix it, but keep a theme. Title them according to the theme, like “Dark Tidings” for example could have entries of dark or horror themed adventure ideas, cursed items, etc. “Holy Cow!” (Obviously the April Fools Day issue) would be about putting deities or divine relics into your game. Oh and also cows. Or cow gods. Cowbell of the Apo-cow-lypse?… What?

  32. 1. The Cordex! (Cordova Codex) I also like just Codex or even Gauntlet Codex as others have said.

    2. Mix it, but keep a theme. Title them according to the theme, like “Dark Tidings” for example could have entries of dark or horror themed adventure ideas, cursed items, etc. “Holy Cow!” (Obviously the April Fools Day issue) would be about putting deities or divine relics into your game. Oh and also cows. Or cow gods. Cowbell of the Apo-cow-lypse?… What?

  43. Codex is a fine title. My other suggestion would be Meta.

    I definitely agree with Ray Otus. Issues focused on specific games are a quick way to get people to skip it if they aren’t interested.

    I would prefer no theme at all. That will help highlight the breadth of what story games have to offer. Hopefully each issue could have something for everyone.

  44. Codex is a fine title. My other suggestion would be Meta.

    I definitely agree with Ray Otus. Issues focused on specific games are a quick way to get people to skip it if they aren’t interested.

    I would prefer no theme at all. That will help highlight the breadth of what story games have to offer. Hopefully each issue could have something for everyone.

  45. The Gauntlet Grimoire! I’d like to see creative constraints / themes for the issues, and agree that game focused issues would make it less appealing if you’re not into that game. Broad themes for the win! Also I’d be happy to layout and/or illustrate.

  46. The Gauntlet Grimoire! I’d like to see creative constraints / themes for the issues, and agree that game focused issues would make it less appealing if you’re not into that game. Broad themes for the win! Also I’d be happy to layout and/or illustrate.

Comments are closed.