Rejected Query

[Robert Sullivan]

Ola,

This message is from Robert Sullivan. I understand it is acceptable to post queries here, if they have been rejected. I was rejected via a form letter. I do not take it personally, but the lack of information on why the proposal failed doesn’t help me do better next time.

So, I am posting here to get some comments.

Asgard magazine #7 published my article on orcs, “Gristle and Blood.” Dragon Magazine, in March 2001, published my article “Faces of Madness.” The second issue of E.N. World Player’s Journal carried my article “Name Magic.” “Extraordinary Cavalry” was published by Almanack of Transfinite Publications and the last issue of Ethos Magazine published my article “Bone Runes.”

E.N. World Publishing also published my books “Banking Guild,” “Thieves’ Guild,” “Mechamancy” and “Mechamancy II.” Dark Quest Game will soon be publishing “Lord of Sorrow,” my book on lichs.

I proposed three articles; a Divine Inspiration article based on the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke; an Ecology of the Griffin article; and an Ecology of the Goblin.

The Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell novel is set in Georgian England during from 1807 to 1817 and is about the reappearance of magic. In the world of the novel, magic is known to have existed but by the time of the story it has been lost for centuries. The novel is about the first two magicians in England in centuries, the titular Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Of the pair, Stranger is younger and more willing to experiment and explore with magic. Norrell is older, more hidebound and yet more prone to making mistakes. Further complicating matters are malign fairies and the magical legacy of a powerful and legendary wizard-king of England, the Raven King. By the end of the novel magic is making a profound return to England.

The first part of the article would describe the story of the novel. The second part of the article would discuss the game opportunities the novel presents, including adventuring in a unique setting during some of the most pivotal events of Western History (the Napoleonic Wars). The final part of the article would use rules from the d20 Modern system to suggest ways the novel’s magic system could be mechanically represented.

The Ecology of the Griffin would cover the history of the animals, both in-game and the story of the fictional animal in the real world. It would also present common in-game laws governing ownership of the animals (such as it being illegal to fly over government buildings and owners are responsible for any damage the griffin causes), as well as their unique physiology and their function in the “natural” environment of a fantasy world. The additional information sidebar would provide a description of a group of tradesmen who capture, train and breed griffins professionally, in the same way some people do that for horses. The article would, of course, include a knowledge sidebar and suggesting tactics for fighting and capturing the creatures.

Griffin’s were last covered by an Ecology article in issue 161 (or almost 200 issues back), which was fairly early in the history of 2nd Edition. Also, unlike most monsters, griffins are creatures that have more uses than simply being present for the PCs to fight, kill and then rob whatever is left of the corpse. Griffins can be powerful mounts and animal allies because they can fly and possess claws. They need to be covered in an Ecology article.

Lastly, the Ecology of the Goblin would be a somewhat tongue-in-cheek article for the April issue. It would provide useful information about goblins. It would also be humorous, like suggesting an issue goblins deals is the fact they are allergic to humans, elves, dwarves and gnomes - that is why goblins are always so cranky around these races.

Less flippantly, the article would cover goblins tribal structure, combat styles and physiology. The sidebar would provide rules for a mineral goblins can eat that makes them smarter and more dangerous. This article would also discuss the real world folk roots of goblins. Goblins do not appear to have ever been the subject of an Ecology article, so it is past time.

Thank you.

[MatthewJHanson]

Robert Sullivan wrote:

Lastly, the Ecology of the Goblin would be a somewhat tongue-in-cheek article for the April issue. It would provide useful information about goblins. It would also be humorous, like suggesting an issue goblins deals is the fact they are allergic to humans, elves, dwarves and gnomes - that is why goblins are always so cranky around these races.

Not too long ago there was an "Ecology of the Kobold" article that was also an April tongue and cheek look at a small humanoid. I think the goblin idea might have been too similar to that.

[Kirth Gersen]

Robert Sullivan wrote:

I proposed three articles; a Divine Inspiration article based on the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke; an Ecology of the Griffin article; and an Ecology of the Goblin.

I'd guess the first was rejected due to copyright issues (Paizo was probably too busy to ask Ms. Clarke's agents for permission, hash out royalties, etc., etc.). A stand-alone article, or one based on OGC, is much simpler.

For the second, if you pitched the ecology the same way you did here, Paizo elected not to include an Ecology of the Griffon as an "animal" when the said critter has been classed as a Magical Beast in 3.5e. Splitting hairs? Perhaps, but when one wishes to publish in what is arguably the best trade journal in the industry, one must cross t's, dot i's, and otherwise get even small details in line.

[Neeklus]

I sent in maybe 5 Divine Inspiration queries last year to which I got the response that they weren't planning on doing any more for a while.

[Mike McArtor]

Neeklus wrote:

I sent in maybe 5 Divine Inspiration queries last year to which I got the response that they weren't planning on doing any more for a while.

Also, in those rare occasions when we do actually run them, they are commissioned pieces.

Yes, I know, we desperately need to update the submission guidelines.

[Robert Sullivan]

Mike McArtor wrote:

Also, in those rare occasions when we do actually run them, they are commissioned pieces...

Pity. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a fun book with gaming possibilities.

I think I will rework the griffin proposal and try it again in a few months.

[Jonathan Drain]

Dragon doesn't accept much in the way of Divine Inspirations lately, and it's possible that someone has already done Ecologies on Goblins and Griffons. Either that or they didn't consider goblins and griffons interesting enough.