One of the (exceedingly rare) failed Gauntlet projects was the DW Magic Item collection. We created a ton of awesome items for the game, but some bad management decisions on my part caused the project to fall apart. The upside, however, is many of these items are finding a second life on the Discern Realities podcast, as well as in our Company of the Three Kings living campaign. So, you know, silver linings and all that.
One of the (exceedingly rare) failed Gauntlet projects was the DW Magic Item collection.
One of the (exceedingly rare) failed Gauntlet projects was the DW Magic Item collection.
Moving from great ideas to execution is very, very hard. Sometimes just expressing the ideas is what is needed. I am personally enjoying getting the magic items one-by-one (or rather 2 or 3 at a time), via the podcast. That way I can really consider each one – the conversation in my head flowing directly from the conversation you two start in the cast. Getting a whole book of them at once might actually be LESS useful because I would just take them for granted and maybe not be as inclined to work them into my games. I have already used the rat-god shrine and the purse of avarice.
Moving from great ideas to execution is very, very hard. Sometimes just expressing the ideas is what is needed. I am personally enjoying getting the magic items one-by-one (or rather 2 or 3 at a time), via the podcast. That way I can really consider each one – the conversation in my head flowing directly from the conversation you two start in the cast. Getting a whole book of them at once might actually be LESS useful because I would just take them for granted and maybe not be as inclined to work them into my games. I have already used the rat-god shrine and the purse of avarice.
There is always time to create a collection. Perhaps Discern Realities can drum up enough content and demand to get the ball rolling again…
There is always time to create a collection. Perhaps Discern Realities can drum up enough content and demand to get the ball rolling again…
Ray Otus Agreed. With the DW Magic Item thing it was mostly a problem of planning. I learned a lot of lessons from it, though, so if I ever decide to go into some sort of publishing with The Gauntlet, I will be better prepared.
Ray Otus Agreed. With the DW Magic Item thing it was mostly a problem of planning. I learned a lot of lessons from it, though, so if I ever decide to go into some sort of publishing with The Gauntlet, I will be better prepared.
Also, Ray Otus, while you’re trying stuff out, I’m really curious if that Visions of Death custom move from Episode 5 actually works in play. I’m in love with it, but I’m also a very dangerous player. Lots of people shy away from stuff like that.
Also, Ray Otus, while you’re trying stuff out, I’m really curious if that Visions of Death custom move from Episode 5 actually works in play. I’m in love with it, but I’m also a very dangerous player. Lots of people shy away from stuff like that.
People sooooooo incredibly underestimate the energy involved in editing, layout, proofing, prepping for print, setting up delivery channels, etc. Even for things destined only for electronic distributions there is a shit-ton of work to do. In art school (yes, I have a BFA in drawing. I also have my PhD, in Rhetoric) I always hated the matting and framing part of projects. It just isn’t my strength. I’m more into it these days, but to do it well (or at all) you have to build a good deal of knowledge about things like InDesign and print formats, as well as be a good project manager — or find people to fill those roles.
People sooooooo incredibly underestimate the energy involved in editing, layout, proofing, prepping for print, setting up delivery channels, etc. Even for things destined only for electronic distributions there is a shit-ton of work to do. In art school (yes, I have a BFA in drawing. I also have my PhD, in Rhetoric) I always hated the matting and framing part of projects. It just isn’t my strength. I’m more into it these days, but to do it well (or at all) you have to build a good deal of knowledge about things like InDesign and print formats, as well as be a good project manager — or find people to fill those roles.
I really wish I had the tools and space for matting – it’s so expensive to get stuff framed properly.
I really wish I had the tools and space for matting – it’s so expensive to get stuff framed properly.
I had an instructor that taught me a cool trick with a simple key (car, door, whatever). You lay a ruler down an inch or less away from the inside rim of a mat and pull a line with the dull part of the key. Repeat on the remaining three sides being careful not to over-run the corners. This creates an additional, subtle, embossed line around the inside opening that looks really sweet. I used to have all the stuff, matt cutters, corner clamps for framing, etc. That was a different me in a different lifetime. I miss that guy.
I had an instructor that taught me a cool trick with a simple key (car, door, whatever). You lay a ruler down an inch or less away from the inside rim of a mat and pull a line with the dull part of the key. Repeat on the remaining three sides being careful not to over-run the corners. This creates an additional, subtle, embossed line around the inside opening that looks really sweet. I used to have all the stuff, matt cutters, corner clamps for framing, etc. That was a different me in a different lifetime. I miss that guy.
I have used a few of the items from that project. It helped me figure out what I wanted from DW magic items…
I have used a few of the items from that project. It helped me figure out what I wanted from DW magic items…