Well I got my #142 and am reading through it and I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to play Masque of Dreams yet? It is great to be back to the Lost City, be it ever so found.
In particular, the adventure looks like an interesting way to bring a new party together to kick things off: "Oh, us? We all met at an oasis party, with most of the guests under a drug-induced haze, while being raided by goblinoids for sacrificial slaves. You know how it is. I recollect the crab-cakes were terrific."
I think I will give XP awards for players who come up with particularly interesting masks for their PCs. I also suspect one of my players in particular will be disappointed if his PC doesn't manage to consume some elixir of fantasy of his own and get to ham up his own delusions. Chapter One may call for some Mountain Dew (Yes, we're wild and crazy).
Finally, Durakka just rocks. Beware getting pummeled by bugbear women. Yikes! Just say'in is all.
Good stuff GGG! Keep bringing it.
Hey home-skillet, G-money!
A couple questions.
Can you post yer original proposal on the 'Crit the Query' thread?
How many words did you say you would produce in the proposal versus how many got turned in at the end?
How many edits did you go thru?
What was the biggest change from yer 'final edit' and what got published?
SPOILERS AHOY!
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Some of what you want to know is answered on this link.
I think I queried it at 6,000 words, and it ended up being over 12,000, which then got shaved back to 8,000+ by the editorial team, mostly through some excellent reoganization, and by leaving out some of the unimportant oasis details (which basically could have been it's own mini-Backdrop) and focusing mainly on the party and the events thereafter. I only wrote the one (over long) draft though I did agonize over it for a while, especially after Prince of Redhand showed up in my mail box.
Biggest change is probably that in the original Neheshru (who was a "Temple of Doom" "Mola Ram" sorta GUY by the way) actually is one of the captured Cynidicean servants, and he basically does all the things ascribed to Policrates (who was pretty much the delusional fool he was in the original B4: The Lost City module, pg 26) in this final cut. The proof of this remains behind in the manor map where "Neheshru's Room" is still labelled as such. I imagine the change was made to ensure his/her survivability for the last encounter, which in mine was lacking. Basically in the manuscript if the characters couldn't derail the goblin caravan by the time they got to the valley that holds the Lost City, the goblins and their victims disappear and the module ends with a few options on what to do next (basically the same ending if the characters are really late).
As to the query, I'll have to see. I was going to post it elsewhere, but have since realized it was a pre-crash computer file so.... As I remember it wasn't particularly well-done. I recall the acceptance mentioning my discription of the masquerade party scene as a key factor. As a side note I had three "party" adventures in that batch of proposals. "Masque of Dreams" was the only one selected for follow up. Of the others, one was inspired by Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," and the other by the fairy tale "The Dancing Princesses." They where titled "The Feast" and "Dance with the Devil" repectively, and both were horror themed.
GGG
That's cool. Love this kind of 'behind the scenes' type stuff. I had a 'party' scenario get chomped by the render last go around...and I have another one pending...and it's first level...grrrr. ;)
Love the wiki link too. I'm on there! w00t! I should actually login and add whatever I can to my entry.
I caught the mislabeled room, but not much of the other stuff you mentioned...just thought it was a typo at the time.
Anyway, congrats on the great show and catching the cover and getting Kaluta to do yer bidding on the art! You dog.
In particular, the adventure looks like an interesting way to bring a new party together to kick things off: "Oh, us? We all met at an oasis party, with most of the guests under a drug-induced haze, while being raided by goblinoids for sacrificial slaves. You know how it is. I recollect the crab-cakes were terrific."
Bringing the party together was actually something that I had in mind as well as I wrote it. Also like B4: the Lost City I tried to liberally sprinkle the adventure with plot hooks so that after saving the captives your party can: Help Kella Woodwain get her company rolling once more, find out what happened to her mother, help Degalla put an end to that blue dragon Jazkooli, aid Delvis in reclaiming his clan home, hang out with those folks at the party who got bitten by the adventuring bug, deal with the political machinations of the devious Lady Vestang, or help Ilsinan and her allies overcome the Zargonites in the Lost City.
Just a side note, but Ilsinan was meant to be a nod to the female cleric in the Red Box's "Intro to Role-Playing" adventure, while Delvis' home was supposed to harken back to XS2: Tunderdelve Mountain.
I think I will give XP awards for players who come up with particularly interesting masks for their PCs.
I made folks make Knowledge checks to figure out what they got.
Finally, Durakka just rocks. Beware getting pummeled by bugbear women. Yikes! Just say'in is all.
I really wanted to give her a bigger part (in the original there is a chance that she's the end big bad gal), but could never wedge it in. That and I just dug the name "Durakka." ::shivers::
Good stuff GGG! Keep bringing it.
Thanks. Coming from Michael "Beast of Burden," "Final Resting Place," "Home Under the Range" Kortes that means a lot.
More to follow and relatively soon I hope.
GGG
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SPOILERS
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"Hey! Getcher freakin' antennae off my breastplate, buddy! I don't care how hungry you are!"
"Just throw some silverware on the ground and he'll leave you alone."
"Oh."
"Hey, what's that idjit doing over there gropin' that lady?"
"Oh, he thinks he's an impish rogue. He's pick-pocketing her. He wants to know if you, like, need him to join up with your adventuring crew and open chests and backstab people."
"Oh. Okay.
Great Party."
lol ;)
Love the wiki link too. I'm on there! w00t! I should actually login and add whatever I can to my entry.
Was it "Blind Man's Bluff"?
The login password is the name of everyone's favorite magazine.
Anyway, congrats on the great show and catching the cover and getting Kaluta to do yer bidding on the art! You dog.
Thanks.
G3
I like chortling when I read an adventure.
Good stuff, man.
Yeah, apparently I'm going to go down in Dungeon history as "that wacky adventure guy," especially if my really hugely overwritten adventure ever sees print (sort of an homage to "Dungeonland" and "Land beyond the Magic Mirror"). Course there's some serious Lovecrafty stuff coming up in just little while so maybe not.
It all begins in like 80 days.... beware the Cabbages of March.
GGG
I'd just like to say that I loved this adventure and Michael Kaluta's artwork was stunning. The elixir of fantasy, the masks and the deranged party-goers all make for a surreal Midsummer Night's Dream kind of adventure. Unfortunately it got cut a bit too much, IMO, and the ending falls a little flat after a great first half. I don't own the original X1-whatever, but I'd really like to see a whimsical non-dungeon conclusion to this excellent piece.
More wacky - I prefer to call it faery-tale - adventures like this would make my day.
Also, I think Kaluta's artwork would fit a Third Edition version of Planescape to a 't'. His watercolours have exactly the kind of dreamy, otherworldly feel required for the planes.
I'd just like to say that I loved this adventure and Michael Kaluta's artwork was stunning. The elixir of fantasy, the masks and the deranged party-goers all make for a surreal Midsummer Night's Dream kind of adventure. Unfortunately it got cut a bit too much, IMO, and the ending falls a little flat after a great first half. I don't own the original X1-whatever, but I'd really like to see a whimsical non-dungeon conclusion to this excellent piece.
More wacky - I prefer to call it faery-tale - adventures like this would make my day. I agree with you about the dreaminess of the artwork. It really does fit the adventure well. Just like Tony Mosely's spoon eating rust monster in my previous foray.... Note to the Powers that Be: Sean Glenn needs a raise!
Also, I think Kaluta's artwork would fit a Third Edition version of Planescape to a 't'. His watercolours have exactly the kind of dreamy, otherworldly feel required for the planes.
Thanks for the comments Krypter. Don't blame the cutting process too much though, I left the end pretty open, figuring it would happen out in the desert somewhere rather than at the base of the pyramid as it did. That might be cool for a campaign, but magazine articles demand closure.
Mr Kaluta's work and James Ryman's cover were pretty awe inspiring, and I was very happy to see them attached to some of my work.
If you are looking for more whimsey check our Goodman Game's/Steve Greer's "Escape from the Forest of Lanterns" which should be out now. Also I have something clogging the pipe at Dungeon that might fit the bill as well but, that's probably a ways off. In the meantime I should be breaking my wacky stereotypical form in about four months time....hehehe.
GGG
'Course there's some serious Lovecrafty stuff coming up in just little while so maybe not.
It all begins in like 80 days.... beware the Cabbages of March.
GGG
The stars are right!! The stars are right!!
Well I got my #142 and am reading through it and I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to play Masque of Dreams yet? It is great to be back to the Lost City, be it ever so found.
In particular, the adventure looks like an interesting way to bring a new party together to kick things off: "Oh, us? We all met at an oasis party, with most of the guests under a drug-induced haze, while being raided by goblinoids for sacrificial slaves. You know how it is. I recollect the crab-cakes were terrific."
I think I will give XP awards for players who come up with particularly interesting masks for their PCs. I also suspect one of my players in particular will be disappointed if his PC doesn't manage to consume some elixir of fantasy of his own and get to ham up his own delusions. Chapter One may call for some Mountain Dew (Yes, we're wild and crazy).
Finally, Durakka just rocks. Beware getting pummeled by bugbear women. Yikes! Just say'in is all.
Good stuff GGG! Keep bringing it.
I am about to add this into my Savage Tide Game, I will let people know how it goes. In a side adventure the group rescued a certain half-elf who in return invited the whole group to her ball--so it should be interesting to see what happens, I fear some of my PC's might wind up having some of the elixir as well---with there magical luck!
I am plotting masks for the NPC's, I will allow the party to choose there own, just in case.It should turn into an interesting adventure over all :)
Thanks for including "Masque" in your AP (I'm sure my official notice was lost in the mail or something). Anyhow consider this link your official web enhancement. I'll be curious to hear how it goes.
GGG
Awesome link, GGG. That's really cool.
To the other fans of Matt's Masque of Dreams, this section concerning Delvis Stone after getting dosed with Elixir of Dreams has got to be my fav and a great example of Matt's sense of humor:
He won't leave without his fallen companions Dolem and Kija (an upside-down bucket on a spade and barrel full of apples, respectively). If the party befriends him, he begs any obvious cleric to heal his "comrades," turning violent if they don't comply.
If you read the adventure, you get it. If not, you should be scratching your head right about now.
Masque of Dreams, though I was forced to read it in ten seperate sittings (Sorry GGG!), was just an incredible adventure. I truly adore a first level adventure that has a uncommon signature light and sound and lends itself easily to roleplay. Masque was the full package. I'd run a party of newbies through it any day.
Masque of Dreams, though I was forced to read it in ten seperate sittings (Sorry GGG!), was just an incredible adventure. I truly adore a first level adventure that has a uncommon signature light and sound and lends itself easily to roleplay. Masque was the full package. I'd run a party of newbies through it any day.
I agree! This is a very tasty way to kick off a campaign!
Thanks for including "Masque" in your AP (I'm sure my official notice was lost in the mail or something). Anyhow consider this link your official web enhancement. I'll be curious to hear how it goes.
GGG
OOoo, a Web Enhancment thats lovely thank you, I will be sure to write a synop of how things go :) And Let you know, just how well it went. So far I have the group shopping for masks, so when we meet they will have choosen masks, just in case. :)
CC
I agree! This is a very tasty way to kick off a campaign!
Awww, guys you shouldn't have. Thanks. :)
Good luck Double C.
-Triple G
I agree! This is a very tasty way to kick off a campaign!Awww, guys you shouldn't have. Thanks. :)
Good luck Double C.
-Triple G
Thanks :)
*LOL* And I see we have become a gamer rap song :D GO us.
So far I have the group shopping for masks, so when we meet they will have choosen masks, just in case. :)
CC
Awesome! Why can't I get my players to do this kind of stuff! I had to provide all the mead, bread, nog, and music for our Yule Viking D&D adventure. Sometimes its the extra trimmings that really make an adventure super-fun!
So far I have the group shopping for masks, so when we meet they will have choosen masks, just in case. :)
CC
Awesome! Why can't I get my players to do this kind of stuff! I had to provide all the mead, bread, nog, and music for our Yule Viking D&D adventure. Sometimes its the extra trimmings that really make an adventure super-fun!
*loL*
If you were closer---Our group is largely from the drama club, and the fantasy club, back when we were in school, so people understand the joy of props. So masks are something every one likes.I read your adventure it was really wonderful, must have been a blast of a game. I didn't have a chance to comment on that before. I would have at least brought nog, heh.
I've had players offer to bring rum, I don't think that would be good for the continued adventure path, if everyone was acting funny because the gm who rarely drinks, was drunk. -lol-
Ah yes, drinking and gaming...it takes a measure of self-control. I used to ban alcohol around the gaming table...now I've loosened that ruling quite a bit (hence the mead), but too much and the game takes a turn for the surreal that seems fun for the first half-hour or so, but then just isn't. :-)
Oh and: Huzzah! We need more thespians in gaming! Great! Wish I could throw the bones with you all!
Oh and: Huzzah! We need more thespians in gaming! Great! Wish I could throw the bones with you all!
That's sexual harrassment and they don't have to take it.
Oh and: Huzzah! We need more thespians in gaming! Great! Wish I could throw the bones with you all!
Well if your ever in the VA area *lol*
Oh and: Huzzah! We need more thespians in gaming! Great! Wish I could throw the bones with you all!Well if your ever in the VA area *lol*
I am about to run this adventure as a intro for my players,so thanks for the extended information on it! Great Green God!
I am about to run this adventure as a intro for my players,so thanks for the extended information on it! Great Green God!Oh and: Huzzah! We need more thespians in gaming! Great! Wish I could throw the bones with you all!Well if your ever in the VA area *lol*
No problem LH. I'll be curious to hear how it goes.
I should have another web enhancement up in about three issues for the finale of The Seeds of Sehan trilogy. My fellow collaborators made me cut a couple of thousand words before we sent our drafts, that once again would have completely blown my word count, but would have been really cool nontheless - the meanies! Anyhow I'll post it once it's released in print assuming Paizo is cool with that.
GGG