How an Adventure is Made

[Deimodius]

Dear Dungeon,

I was looking through some of my older issues of Dungeon today, and noticed that in the background of the editorial for issue 121 (Apr 2005) can be seen scans of graph paper with working rough notes for The Whispering Cairn. I squinted my eyes and looked very closely to see what was written and it was amazing to me that I could see what the writers had planned, and that I knew what it actually became.
Is it possible you might be able to publish, perhaps on the web site, some examples of the working process for a Dungeon adventure from beginning to end? For those of us aspiring to be published in the pages of Dungeon, it would be very cool to see.

Regards,
Michael

[HELLFINGER]

Wow, that'd be awesome, but doesn't think would happen.

[Rezdave]

Deimodius wrote:

Is it possible you might be able to publish, perhaps on the web site, some examples of the working process for a Dungeon adventure from beginning to end? For those of us aspiring to be published in the pages of Dungeon, it would be very cool to see.

I'll certainly be looking in Prison Mail for the answer to this one. I don't see it happening, but it would make an interesting Editorial or perhaps a column in the Campaign Workbook if James ever finds himself short of material one month.

However, know that Steve Greer is an active and frequent contributor to these boards. He often comments about the evolution of his published adventures. Granted, I've not read an account of the entire process, but you can glean a lot from his off-hand remarks.

To Steve's great credit, he's also very willing to admit his mistakes (and actively seeks constructive criticism), whether published or removed by the editors before anyone knew about them. It's also interesting when he fills in some details or backstory edited out of the final version, but knowing it allows you to say, "oh ... now it makes sense."

FWIW,

Rez

[Jonathan Drain]

Sounds interesting. I've written up adventures before, but I usually only write basic notes and run the rest on-the-fly, rather than fully detailing it like a Dungeon adventure.

[Richard Pett]

Aha!

perhaps this will help:

http://paizo.com/dungeon/messageboards/generalDiscussion/archives/sUCCESSFU LQUERIES

I wish I could get the hang of all these dazzling shortcuts - perhaps someone more eperienced can help?

This has the original synopsis of the Styes, have a look on the thread and this may help, essentially the flavour of the adventure remained unchanged, but the content was latered to meet Paizo's needs.

If not, get back to me here and I'll see if I can help any more.

Rich

[Richard Pett]

Damn, not my day to day it doesn't seem to be linking - ok search under sahaugin in messageboards, and look for general discussion archives - successful queries - has the thread, but again some kind poster will I'm sure put a beter short cut than this.

Rich

[Fake Healer]

Richard Pett wrote:

Aha!

perhaps this will help:

Linkity-link-link

I wish I could get the hang of all these dazzling shortcuts - perhaps someone more eperienced can help?

Fixed

[Richard Pett]

It must just be my mad comupter, it just goes to the messageboard threads...

Ho hum ,it's probably pennance for all the death and mayhem I've wrought today on the computer:)

[Heathansson]

It's called Successful Queries; I cast raise deadthread on it and it's up here in the list now.

[Heathansson]

Richard Pett wrote:

It must just be my mad comupter, it just goes to the messageboard threads...

Ho hum ,it's probably pennance for all the death and mayhem I've wrought today on the computer:)

It's those dang Yuan ti, I'd wager. Or that Little Goule.

Huzzah!!!

[Richard Pett]

thinks...that could be it you know, what cunning revenge is the vile brat planning next I wonder?

Actually know, its got sequel and chimes in it curse him and I know everyone's going to go barmy over it - blast!

[Deimodius]

Cool. Thanks, Richard, et al. It was interesting and instructive to read the Query for The Styes, and to compare it to the finished result.

I still think it would cool to see the whole process though, maybe even an "adventure workshop".

Thanks again.