Wolfgang Baur is happy to announce Open Design's 7th project: Halls of the Mountain King!
Open Design has gone to cities, deserts, the underdark, castles, and more, but we've never done a traditional dungeon. (And we're never going to!)
Instead, Halls of the Mountain King will be a very untraditional dungeon, an homage to Moria and Undermountain that does add a few twists. The maps will be done in the Ruins of Undermountain style (that is, maps drawn in close collaboration with the cartographer).
Plot and story will be worked out collaboratively, though I have a core concept. The dwarves are a hard-working group, whose mining of adamantine lured them ever-deeper and whose pursuit of liftgas ore led them likewise into dangerous territory. The vertical dungeon goes from the depths of the earth through the great halls and works of a vanished clan, up to a snowy mountaintop spire. Possibly topped off by an airship dock, as suggested by Kobold Quarterly magazine's recent article on airships. Much more detail to come in the Forums and as the result of patron discussion.
Despite the emphasis on dwarven halls, I'll be riding herd on the design to avoid cliches. No crypts loaded with undead, no orcs or goblins who rule the halls. Something else has led to the dwarven collapse.
Maps: This dungeon will include roughly 20 tactical maps and a massive overview/cutaway of the vertical dungeon. With a little luck, it may also include a 3D/isometric map, like the ones in I6 Ravenloft. The adventure itself will have 40 encounters total. About half of them will be combat, a quarter traps/hazards, and a quarter skill challenges and roleplaying.
Bonus For 3rd Edition: If Halls is commissioned for 3rd Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Zobeck Gazetteer focused on the dwarves and gearforged of Zobeck, rituals for how to become a gearforged PC, the cults and devil worshippers of the city, and a section on Kariv life and culture, plus special rules for gypsy PCs and urban kobolds as PCs. And whatever else senior patrons request.
Bonus For 4th Edition: If commissioned for 4th Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Delver's and Flyer's Gazetteer. We'll create new dwarven rituals, dwarven magical items, and clan lore and PC clan feats, and a LOT of new gear usable by non-dwarves as well. Plus a section of DM hazards for the delvers, adventure seeds for the DM, and a small horde of monsters appropriate to the setting. And whatever else senior patrons request.
Designers
I'll be writing the Gazetteer (whichever one it is), possibly with direct contributions from senior patrons. I'll definitely be writing at least one level of the Halls, possibly two or three, but I won't be the only author.
Professional freelancers and senior patrons will be able to pitch their work for the other levels. All patrons can vote on whose pitches are accepted.
For the professional designers, I'll stick my neck out and say that the Tim Connors, Nicolas Logue, and Richard Pett will all be invited to submit a professional pitch for a level of the Halls. Probably also Jeff Grubb, Ed Greenwood, and Jonathan Tweet, though I expect they may say no. Then again, Grubb said yes to Six Arabian Nights and Ed Greenwood contributed to the recent Tales of Zobeck.
Senior patrons and major donors may also throw their hats in, and traditionally their pitches have done well and have been included in prior projects. We'll have three rounds of pitches, as we did in Six Arabian Nights and Tales of Zobeck. Requested length will be at least 8,000 words, possibly more.
Signing Up as a Patron
It's easy to sign up. For $25 basic membership for OGL/3rd Edition or 4th Edition, you get access to the design essays, design discussion, a copy of the PDF when it ship in late spring (June, at a guess), and the option to pick up a print-on-demand copy at your discretion.
For $50 basic membership for OGL/3rd Edition or 4th Edition you get access to the essays, design discussion, a PDF copy and may contribute complete design material for direct consideration (spells, items, rituals). You'll have access to the playtest draft of the manuscript when it's ready. At your option, you may also pick up a print-on-demand copy of the completed book.
As a $75 senior patron for OGL or 4th Edition, you gain access to the senior patron discussion and the pitching process (you may pitch one idea per round). You also get access to the playtest draft and other drafts, art, maps, and so forth.
For $150 major donors for OGL or 4th Edition, you have access to all the other patron perks, and you will receive a signed, autographed copy of the final book. You may pitch two ideas in any given round.
To sign up, come to: the livejournal page
or visit us at: Kobold Quarterly
Even Monte Cook says Open Design projects are "Awesome!" What are you waiting for? Become a patron today!
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Small But Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
EDIT: I can't count. This is #7.
I'm in. The level of quality these Open Design projects attain is incredible. I wish I had the extra cash to procure the senior patronage. I highly recommend these to anyone, they would be cheap at twice the price.
How does this work if ya go in and it goes 4e or 3e and you have no interest in that system?
I don't get it. Seeing how they clearly state that it's a WIP as a 3rd or 4th edition product, why would anyone contribute 1e/2e material only to be rejected and get a refund? o-O
I'm in! I'm so looking foward for these big dwarven halls! and I hope it ends up in 3e... :S
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I don't get it. Seeing how they clearly state that it's a WIP as a 3rd or 4th edition product, why would anyone contribute 1e/2e material only to be rejected and get a refund? o-O
No one will be submitting 1e/2e material.
Right now it's a contest to see which edition will be made for the project. When you sign up you pick an edition and you support that choice with your money/contirbution.(I think 3.5e is the way to go for sure...)
I was in for Tales of Zobeck and I also have Six Arabiam Nights. All 3 books rock!
How does this work if ya go in and it goes 4e or 3e and you have no interest in that system?You get a refund.
Not sure how you meet the needed amount if a 3rd leave after meeting it
edit this has been explained to me never mind.
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C'mon 4e fans!
If your on this board I know your a fan of quality adventures and with the sudden surge in 4e patrons your membership might just be the one that turns this project towards that 4e light.
Join now whilst your vote counts and get some great insight into the design process for the latest incarnation of the worlds 1st RPG. 8-)
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Bonus For 3rd Edition: If Halls is commissioned for 3rd Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Zobeck Gazetteer ...
Bonus For 4th Edition: If commissioned for 4th Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Delver's and Flyer's Gazetteer...
Why do the different editions get different Gazetteers?
From the sound of it most of the content of the Gazes will be fluff (so edition agnostic), and where there is crunch presumably it can be designed for either edition.
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Bonus For 3rd Edition: If Halls is commissioned for 3rd Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Zobeck Gazetteer ...
Bonus For 4th Edition: If commissioned for 4th Edition play, this project will also include a 48-page Delver's and Flyer's Gazetteer...
Why do the different editions get different Gazetteers?
From the sound of it most of the content of the Gazes will be fluff (so edition agnostic), and where there is crunch presumably it can be designed for either edition.
Zobeck has been published using 3e rules, using 4e (GSL) would mean that Wolfgang could no longer produce Zobeck that way. Since the majority of the product and the fans for it are 3e that would be counterproductive. Or so I believe.
Kobold Press
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Yes, Zobeck is a 3E/Pathfinder setting. I'm not trying to convert it to 4E as part of an adventure about dwarven halls. Maybe someday, but certainly not in the context of this project.
The 3E book contains about 25% crunch, at a guess. Prestige class, some spells (a whole school), and divine items.
And most of the content of the 4E book is crunch, maybe 80%. That's rituals, magic items, clan-specific backgrounds, and a ton of monster stats.
So, they're really different things. For different editions at different stages in their development.
This project is just about ready to get the green light!
OGL is in the lead, but there has been serious talk of a conversion for 4E and maintaining a 4E Gazetteer with paragon paths, rituals, items, powers and more.
Once the project begins, the price for patronage will go up about $5, from $25 to $30.
Now's the time to get in and get brainstorming!
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
This project is go!
It has met commission and will begin development as an OGL project!
There will be a 4E conversion and if there is sufficient support, a 4E Gazetteer featuring new rituals, clan lore and rules, new equipment and magic items, and much more. Details will go to 4E patrons by email.
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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This project is go!
It has met commission and will begin development as an OGL project!
There will be a 4E conversion and if there is sufficient support, a 4E Gazetteer featuring new rituals, clan lore and rules, new equipment and magic items, and much more. Details will go to 4E patrons by email.
Hmm. Wonder if my signup was the noodge over the edge :)
I am glad that I didn't sign up then because I would have hated for my money to go to a 4e project that is now only going to be a conversion from the OGL project.
Hmm. Wonder if my signup was the noodge over the edge :)
*gives Russ a beer*
Yay!
I am glad that I didn't sign up then because I would have hated for my money to go to a 4e project that is now only going to be a conversion from the OGL project.
Huh? If I read right the project is going OGL and then a 4e conversion, right?
I am glad that I didn't sign up then because I would have hated for my money to go to a 4e project that is now only going to be a conversion from the OGL project.
You would have gotten a refund.
I am glad that I didn't sign up then because I would have hated for my money to go to a 4e project that is now only going to be a conversion from the OGL project.
If you didn't want the conversion, you would have received a refund.
HOWEVER, with sufficient support, there will be a 4E gazetteer, covering rituals, feats, items, -- all good crunch for a 4E game.
It's certainly still worthwhile to get in and give it a go.
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
Fifty 4E patrons remained with the project, sufficient to confirm that there will not only be a conversion of the OGL adventure to 4E, but also the 4E Iron Gazetteer, with rituals, clan lore and rules, new equipment and magic items, and much more.
If you were on the fence about becoming a patron for a 4E Open Design, now you've got a guarantee!
Come join the fun!
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
Hi there,
I already mentioned it on the livejournal site: koboldquarterly.com seems to be down. I tried to apply for basic membership, but the site didn't manage to load...
Kr,
Günther
It appears to be up now, give it another go...
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
We've entered the playtest period, so if you're looking to check it out first hand and still make a direct impact, now's the time!
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
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Fifty 4E patrons remained with the project, sufficient to confirm that there will not only be a conversion of the OGL adventure to 4E, but also the 4E Iron Gazetteer, with rituals, clan lore and rules, new equipment and magic items, and much more.
If you were on the fence about becoming a patron for a 4E Open Design, now you've got a guarantee!
Come join the fun!
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce...
Kobold Quarterly's Public Relations Minion.
Neato.
The 4E conversion of Halls of the Mountain King is now underway.
Now's the time to join Open Design and contribute your opinion! Members will get the adventure and the Iron Gazetteer, a 64-page book of 4E material for Dwarves and their allies will feature magic items, paragon paths, rituals, equipment, new monsters, and clans and customs of the bearded folk.
You can sign up here
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce.
Kobold Quarterly's News Minion.
Four of the five sections of this adventure have been converted for 4E but we need playtesters!
Now is the time to sign up and still make sure that your input makes a direct impact on the design. Join as a patron here, and then get in on discussion and the preview materials--like the spear ranger or the stone pact warlock, maybe one of the many paragon paths being discussed. Shoot Wolfgang an email about playtesting and you'll be able to start the adventure early!
Oh, and did I mention that patrons have access to purchase a copy of _Wrath of the River King?_ According to LevelUp! magazine, _Wrath_ is "the best 3PP adventure written for 4E...a must have for any DM who ever plans to bring his players to the Feywild."
What are you waiting for? Pick up your ax, fill your tankard and join us in The Halls of the Mountain King!
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce.
Kobold Quarterly's News Minion
Four of the five sections of this adventure have been converted for 4E but we need playtesters!
We've gotten it all coverted but there is still room of another group or two of playtesters! Interested? Have a group handy? Shoot me a mail at: bmcfarland@koboldquarterly.com
and I'll get you set up.
-Ben.
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Small but Fierce.
Kobold Quarterly's News Minion.
OK, I'm sold, if a bit late. Hopefully I'll get in earlier next time....