Project: Loremaster (Forgotten Realms Fan-Fiction Compilation)

[Matt James]

In the event that we have to get a compendium-like book put together through this medium, let's open a discussion about it here.

Thoughts? Pros, cons, ideas, format, etc...

[Markustay]

I think a bit more focus then the CKC, like how the dragon-themed one was done.

CKC 10 was supposed to be themed 'beyond Faerûn', so there is that as well.

Maybe 'departments' as well, like 'current clack', 'characters of note', Sites of interest', etc.

Set it up like a cross between the CKC and the old Dragon magazine, with several themed articles, depts., a short story, and maybe even a comic.

Could we possibly get a forward by Ed Greenwood for issue 1? That would sort of validate us.

[Matt James]

Great ideas. Brian and I have already talked about (and might have in the works) bringing on some fan favorites. I won't go into specifics just yet.

[Markustay]

Well, you know I'll do the maps. The overland ones, anyway. I need to develop my own style soon, so this might be a good way to do it.

We need artists desperately. I used to know some folks who did great fantasy illustrations for me, but that was years ago. Some good artwork would really take it to the next level.

[Matt James]

My brother-in-law is an artist, and I'm sure we can bring him on depending on his schedule. Erik Nowak is also a graphic designer and layout guru. He's also fairly awesome when it comes to Realmslore. I'll speak with tonight about helping out (he lives 15 minutes away!).

[Sanishiver]

Markus, you do big maps, but do you ever do interior maps of buildings or dungeons, or overhead/keyed maps of cities or ruins?

I was curious if you'd ever done something like a dungeon map with all the old school marks and notes/dungeon keys. I think an entry in the Loremaster Compendium that includes an old school dungeon map or cellar map would be pretty cool.

I'm curious to know just how wide your skill set is.

[Brian R. James]

I'm glad to see this getting kicked off. My first ever published articles were for the Candlekeep Compendium and I'd love to see that tradition carried forward. I'll second Mark in suggesting we go with themed articles instead of random submissions. Coming up with a satisfying name for the fanzine will be the hard part.

[Markustay]

Markus, you do big maps, but do you ever do interior maps of buildings or dungeons, or overhead/keyed maps of cities or ruins?

I was curious if you'd ever done something like a dungeon map with all the old school marks and notes/dungeon keys. I think an entry in the Loremaster Compendium that includes an old school dungeon map or cellar map would be pretty cool.

I'm curious to know just how wide your skill set is.

I can do smaller maps - I recently did a city map - but I much prefer doing overland maps (because I am most comfortable with them). I hope to improve at my settlement-mapping, though, so I won't turn anything down outright.

I have done a number of dungeon maps, but they are all hand-drawn. I've yet to take a crack at a computer-generated dungeon map (if I do, it will be for an article of my own first, because I'd rather not make promises I can't keep... again).

As of right now, I have an article for Thaeravel I've been wanting to do, to tie-up a few loose ends (and correct a mistake that Brian and I accidentally made together). I've just finished Crypt of the Shadowking as part of my research (an just because I never read it, and have been meaning to). In the case of a themed issues, I can either re-purpose some of it, or just put it on a back-burner. Whatever the consensus is, I will go with.

I'd love to do an article on The Fey as well, but I feel like I am stepping on Gray Richardson's toes in that regard (he did the other Creator race articles, as I am sure all of you are aware). Obviously I'd do a Hordelands piece if we went with 'beyond Faerûn'.

[Sanishiver]

Hey Mark,

Count me interested in seeing anything you do dungeon map (or any kind of map) wise.

I wouldn't worry overmuch about stepping on Gray's toes. If an article idea strikes you as interesting, I say go for it no matter what.

If anything, this might be a chance for you to write it up, then PM or email him and ask him to give it the friendly once over for any errors or omissions.

Who knows, he might just ask what the article is for and end up finding his way here to contribute something of his own/with you.

[Matt James]

Make sure you guys get others involved. Spread the word.