PotRP Design Diary #38 - Structure

 Way back in December of 2022 was the last numbered PotRP Design Diary entry. I knew writing a Weird West RPG would be a (necessary) distraction, but wow did things go off course. This is the start of getting back on track with this project and wrapping it up.

When I started Princess of the Red Planet I thought writing it chapter by chapter in sync with the novel would be a good approach. It wasn't. But it was good for doing research and collecting the notes needed to make the adventure. A location by location approach, like all adventures, is the right way to structure this module.

With that obvious observation out of the way, here is the current breakdown of the location chapters of the adventure:

ARIZONA SECTION 

• Arizona Hills
• Claim Site
• Apache Camp
• Mysterious Cave

BARSOOM SECTION

• Dead Sea Bottom
• Thark
• Warhoon
• Korad 
• Zodanga
• Helium
• Atmosphere Factory

These locations will still be presented as sandboxes, so each is an adventure area, not a railroad. 

Arizona Hills

The location of the Arizona portion of the story is somewhat vague in the novel. 

John Carter mentions:

“We were camped near the old gold mine in the Arizona hills not far from the Rio Colorado...”

— A Princess of Mars, Chapter 1

The Rio Colorado has two major tributaries—one on the western side of the state and one on the northern side. However, the Apache were located in the central and south eastern region of Arizona. Some commentators have suggested the White Mountains as the setting, but this doesn’t quite align with the story’s geography.

I prefer to place the events in Aravaipa Valley, where all the features mentioned in the novel are present. It’s also the location of Fort Grant, where Edgar Rice Burroughs was stationed during his brief military service.

Ultimately, the GM can place the western portion of the adventure wherever they choose within the Southwest.

Next week I'll talk about the Claim Site.

Gunslinger: Referee Screens and Ready Reference Sheets

I wrapped up laying out Ready Reference Sheets, horizontal Referee Screens, and form-fillable Character Sheet PDF's for Gunslinger. They have handy tables and charts for running the game, with the information at your fingertips for an exciting Wild West (and Weird West) campaign. I've tried to make them universally useful for any Western roleplaying game that is generally compatible with ODD/BX and related OSR systems. Many of the random charts could be used with any system, as they are not system dependant. 

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/445855/gunslinger-player-s-survival-pack

Gunslinger Flip Through

 I made a video with a flip through of the entire Gunslinger RPG book. You can check it out here:

Gunslinger Core Rulebooks in the Mail

 Gunslinger Role Playing Game books have shipped.

Each person who purchased one, and provided a shipping address, have their copy on the way. So, what was the last little delay? Funny you should ask.

We had one final hurdle to jump. When the books arrived we processed them. Each copy was personalized with a sketch. They were packed and ready to go when we noticed a little detail. The "M" in the strange science gadget "Microset" was clipped on page 87. On closer examination the art was overlapping the text. We reviewed the proof and it was fine, but it seems the clipping mask broke in the final PDF (image on the right). It was a very small detail, but we just couldn't allow it. We had the entire run reprinted, they were fixed and the corrected copies personalized and we repacked them.

Thank you all so much. We've come so far and have arrived at our destination. All books have been shipped and are on their way.

Now that the backer copies are on the way, print copies are available on DriveThruRPG:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/435804/gunslinger-roleplaying-game

Gunslinger Books Arrived

 The Gunslinger books have arrived to the warehouse (aka my garage). I am signing them and preparing to ship them out. Aiming to have it all done this week!

What a long strange trip it's been. Should be a fun post mortem.

Gunslinger - Proof Approved

Last month we sent the final file to the printers. After a few typical pre-press issues such as fonts licensing, validation, and correcting printer specifications we were all good to go and ordered proof copies.

When the proofs arrived we poured over them with a fine tooth comb and they looked good, we found some minor issues to polish that required another proof. We'd come this far and didn't want to rush things at this point. Those revised proofs just arrived and the results are great.

The order has been put in to print the full run to fulfill the Kickstarter. If all goes smoothly they should be arriving mid-September. From there they'll get boxed up and shipped out.

This is my first crowdfunding and I learned a lot! I'm considering writing up a post-mortem to help others avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into.

The Dark Tower Series

 Like many (most) of the Gen-X generation, I've read almost everything Stephen King wrote up until around the early 2000's. And that includes the Dark Tower series. Which may have killed some of my enthusiasm for his books.

But it isn't all bad. And there are some great ideas in it. A tiny bit of the Gunslinger roleplaying game may have even gotten some inspiration from it.

On the ODD74 forum Finarvyn (of Swords & Wizardry White Box fame) asked what people thought about The Dark Tower series, if it was worth reading. It got me to thinking, and I wrote up my opinion. Which fairly reflects many reader's views of the story with some of my own idiosyncrasies. Here is what I had to say.

The Dark Tower has the best, and worst, of King's writings.

1. The Gunslinger: ok start, but not great. Establishes the bleak world setting which I kind of like.

2. The Drawing of the Three: pretty good, but still kind of meh. The characters assembled here are interesting and make the book worth reading.

3. The Wastelands: Getting better. Overall this book is quite a ride (figuratively, and literally in the story), what a cliffhanger.

4. Wizard and Glass: one of the best books King has ever written, high point of the series.

4s. The Wind Through the Keyhole: optional, he wrote this after completing the series. It is ok. It is sort of 3 short story ideas King had that he wrapped into one novel.

5. Wolves of the Calla: I might have liked this better if he hadn't given the story away in the forward. It is a storyline that has been done to death by others, and better, so I really didn't care for this book at all.

6. Song of Susannah: Holy Guacamole is this book terrible.

7. The Dark Tower: I didn't think he could write a worse book than Song of Susannah, but this just might be. He uses a device no author should ever use (no spoiler). What a disappointing end to the series. A real shame because there are a handful of great ideas amid a lot of drek.

While I can recommend about 3 books in the series, you kinda have to read the whole series if you're going to commit. I suspect you could read Wizard and Glass on its own and just enjoy this weird western.

If I was to read this series again I'd just stop after Wizard and Glass. I mean you'd want to know about the Dark Tower, but that's probably best left as a JJ Abram's mystery box than what King did with it.

If you loved the Dark Tower, and many do, that is great. I wish I could have loved it, I really wanted to. And there was much in it I did really like. And if I was to run a Dark Tower campaign, to plug my own RPG, I do think Gunslinger would be perfect for it.

On a side note, there have been several graphic novel adaptations of The Dark Tower, all of which I think are fantastic. I'd even recommend them over the novels!

Monstrous Gray Giant

 

Gunslinger RPG - Now Available

 It is official. The final full version of Gunslinger RPG core rules are now available on DriveThruRPG.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/435804/Gunslinger-Roleplaying-Game

It was a wild ride, and it is a relief to finally have it out there. I hope you all enjoy it.

Gunslinger Week - Final Preview

 Gunslinger goes to press today.

In this final installment of Gunslinger Preview Week here are a couple of the never before shown full page illustrations for the book. This will give you some kind of idea of the kinds of adventures you will go on in the game. This first one is "Bug Hunt" where a couple of daring gunslingers abscond with some giant wasp eggs to sell to the Smithsonian, hopefully for a good sum.

The second illustration, a native overlooks some gunslingers exploring mysterious ruins found in a hidden canyon. Could this lead to the fabled Arizona Underworld?

And in the last one a gang does a fast getaway after robbing a bank, will you go after them for the reward money? Or is your party of outlaws one of the gang members?!

Gunslinger - Apache Wars

 You need to read about the history of the Apache Wars.

Truly, one of the most fascinating chapters in American history. Like many Americans I was vaguely aware of it. Of course I'd heard of Geronimo, but didn't know much else. Even though I'd grown up in Arizona, I think I slept through much of Arizona History class.

We think the Afghanistan war went on a long time, well the Apache Wars went on longer, and were a much tougher fight. The Chiricahua Apache had mastered guerilla warfare, they'd strike, and melt into the Arizona hills. They gave the US Cavalry hell for decades. And for the Apache this was after years of war with the Mexicans before US purchased the Arizona territory.

One of the most legendary fighters was Lozen. She was part of Geronimo's elite inner circle of warriors, and fought as hard as any man.

Generating NPC's is one of the more time consuming tasks for the game Referee, so pages of NPC's based on historical figures are included.

Gunslinger is an "open world" campaign, in terms of the Arizona Territory being presented as is, but there are many adventuring locations spelled out: abandoned mines, ghost towns, caves, and then some more "pulpy" locations added such as ancient ruins and a vast underworld. With the Apache wars as part of the backdrop.

And I've posted the Brave class before, but this is the final art and text:

Gunslinger - Strange Science

 One of the features of Gunslinger is Strange Science. To those familiar with Gamma World (or the classic Expedition to the Barrier Peaks) you'll recall how exciting it was to find some weird unknown piece of technology and trying to figure out how it works. Sometimes to great effect, and other times to disaster!

And since Gunslinger doesn't have magic* this is the closest thing to it. As Arthur C. Clarke famously said "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." That is certainly true in the Arizona Territory in the 1800's where strange science is involved.

For those fans of the genre, there are a lot of Easter Eggs in here I'm sure you'll appreciate.

Closing in on those last little details to send Gunslinger to press this week.

*There is a "Mythic West" appendix in the back for those who want a little supernatural in their campaign.

Gunslinger Week: Critters

 Another preview of the final text and art from the Gunslinger RPG.

I mentioned previously how much art went into the making of this game, well a huge amount of that went into the critters section. During research for the setting of the 1800's Arizona Territory I came across quite a few interesting legends. Many of these made it into the book, with some modification to make them useful for your own wild west (with a bit of strange science!) campaign milieu. 

Gunslinger Week

 This week Gunslinger goes to press!

So, I'll post a little preview of final art and text each day this week. Let's start with our main character, the Gunslinger. I like to think of him as the "Paladin" of the game.

This will be your last chance to get the Gunslinger RPG (PDF) at the "Beta Edition" rate, once the full final version is posted it will go up to regular price. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/435804/gunslinger-roleplaying-game

Gunslinger - Lots and Lots and Lots and Lots of Art

 June is the month Gunslinger goes to press. Come hell or high water it is getting finished. So I imagine I'll have to do a postmortem at some point to pinpoint why it took so long and how to make future projects more efficient. 

Looking at the art folder there are over 200 art assets.

Over...two...hundred...art...assets.

This is a one man operation, I did have some help editing and playtesting, but the writing, design, graphics, layout, and art are all my responsibility. Just back of the envelope math if each art asset took 4-6 hours to make (some took a lot more, a few took less). That is 1200 hours of work.  I have a full time job, and I'm a dad, so that had to be done between life responsibilities. And that doesn't include the writing, editing, playtesting, research, and design where the bulk of my time was spent. This project got to be a little ridiculous. I thought it was going to be a quick little OSR western. If I had been smart about it that is what Gunslinger would have been, but nope.

The book itself is clocking in at 134 pages. The kickstarter version is a little longer because it includes a prelude chapter to the Princess of the Red Planet adventure. By RPG standards 134 pages isn't huge, but note that it is the cream of the research and playtest efforts. Not a lot of drivel in it, like most RPG's have.

In the end nobody cares how long something took to make. The product stands or falls on its own. All I can say is I did my best on it. This month, June, the book goes to press. Fin.

For some reason I thought illustrating every critter was a good idea.

Gunslinger Update #18

Incredible progress! We're well on our way to wrapping Gunslinger up.

Here is where everything stands:

Writing and editing are complete. Much thanks to those who participated in the review and gave us feedback and caught some typos. The core rulebook has been complete for sometime now. Though I reread it everyday and always find some little phrasing to tighten up. This is normal and happens all the way up till the moment I hit send to the printers. You can never reread it too many times.

Maps are done (whew)! 

Horse colors! So I added a page in the back that describes colors for your basic mounts with full color illos. This is unique to the Kickstarter edition.

Still working on the art. I peg it at 90% complete. I tried to create a blend of action, adventure, and spontaneity. Those who backed the Artist Edition Tier will be getting a well crafted original pen and ink drawing.

The full  rulebook is up on DriveThru and has been given to all backers, it will be updated with final art when that's done. Physical books will be shipped then. 

What's left? The included adventure: On The Arizona Hills is nearly done, it got a little bigger than expected, it is chock full of locations, NPC's, and opportunities for adventure, enough to keep your player's entertained for quite some time.

The question you all want to know; when will it be shipped? I keep blowing past the dates as the project kept getting more ambitious than intended, and I kept wanting to make it better (a friend once told me "better is the enemy of done!" its true). I've worked on this game virtually everyday but Sundays since the Kickstarter closed, it has been a great lesson in what to do and not do! If I do another KS I'll be sure the project is 100% done first so I can hit send to printers the moment the crowdfunding finishes.

Ok, that date? June. It will be done, shipped, in June this year.

Happy trails pardner.

Gunslinger - Bonita Subterrane

 The boomtown of Bonita is the hub of the On The Arizona Hills adventure. It seems only right to include a mysterious underworld below the town.

Gunslinger KS Edition Pre-Orders

A limited number of pre-orders of the Kickstarter edition of Gunslinger are now available.

Gunslinger RPG Pre-Order

This edition includes color inside covers and the introductory adventure On The Arizona Hills inspired by the classic Sword & Planet novel by ERB. (features any future POD version will not have)

Gunslinger PDF (Beta) Available

 Hello Pardners!

The Gunslinger RPG writing and design is complete. I'm still polishing the art and layout, but didn't want to make you wait any longer. So I've posted a BETA editions of the PDF. The only thing missing is final art which will be completed quite soon.

This gives you an opportunity to comment on any typos you might catch before we make the print edition (hopefully we got them all, but those nasty buggers always seem to make their way in). If you're so inclined you can head over to the Night Owl forums and give your feedback.

Pile of sketches on my drawing table

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/435804/Gunslinger-Roleplaying-Game

Kublacon 2023

 Kublacon 2023 is coming up soon. One of the best gaming conventions in California that I try to attend each year. Night Owl Workshop has a booth I'll be working. This year has a few new things like the recent adventures that I posted last week: Treasure Island (Freebooters), Haunted Ruins of Koris Nesh (WotRP), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (for OD&D or compatible systems). Also the Beasties book of Loathsome Horrors full color book. Each of these are print copies at the show, only PDF's are currently available online.

Also I have some prototype box sets coming out for Warriors of the Red Planet, Freebooters, Colonial Troopers, and Guardians. These are meticulous replicas of the original woodgrain ODD box. They include the game, adventure, and character sheet pads (dice not included, but will have a pencil). I'm working on making these available widely in print-on-demand editions through TheGamecrafter.com soon.

If you happen to be in the San Francisco bay area on the weekend of May 27th swing on by.

What about Gunslinger? Well, as mentioned in a previous post the writing is done. It is all about the art now. I will print a copy for display at the show. But the rulebook is this --> <-- close to being finished.