Colonial Gothic RPG

This is the start of bringing it all together.
4 months ago – Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 04:31:04 AM

It’s update time.

James just sent me the latest batch of art. He’s really captured the mood of Colonial Gothic perfectly. For now, he’s on standby until the official layout begins. I know there will be more pieces needed, but until I see the full layout, I won’t know the exact size or look. Another artist I’m working with is Freddy Lopez Jr., who is creating a separate image batch. I’ve worked with Freddy before and am glad to collaborate with him again.

One of my main goals for this edition was to work with people I’ve teamed up with, and James and Freddy were at the top of my list. They’ve contributed to most Rogue Games books, so it feels right to have them involved in this new edition.

Alongside the "old guard," I also sought out new artists for a fresh perspective. One of the artists is illustrating small pieces for each profession in the book.

The other artist I’m working with is Emily Entner. She’s handling graphic elements for the game, and out of everyone I’ve worked with, she’s one of the few who can take my rough sketches and turn them into something amazing. Here's an example of the chapter openings she's done.

Emily also created the spreads for the game and the character sheet. Her work really ties the book together, and I’m thrilled with it.

If you want to see more of her designs and how she approaches graphic elements for tabletop games, you should check out her TTRPG Digital Notebook Pages.

So, there we are. A lot has happened since the last update, and as you can see, things are moving along nicely.

The ink is slinging, and the art is rolling in.
4 months ago – Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 03:27:27 AM

Here we are again—another week, another update. This time, I actually have things to share instead of just rambling.

• The graphic designer working on the page elements and character sheet has sent me her first sketches. Seeing them makes me happy because we've hit a major milestone. Sure, there's still work to be done, but this step is crucial as it helps frame all the effort going into the book.
• James is working on his art assignments, and the latest piece he sent in is fantastic. I like it because it illustrates one threat that has been part of the game since Colonial Gothic Revised: the Apotamkin.
• The artist contracted to create 25 individual character portraits is now hard at work. These portraits will illustrate the 25 professions you can choose to play. His style is different, but I wanted to break away from this new edition's previously used art style.
• The layout is in progress. It might seem like I'm jumping the gun, but I'm considering the art and the space it will occupy. The artists know the sizes I need, allowing me to set up the frames the art will fill. It's a neat trick, and it's a huge help to know what goes where and how much space it will take.
• Proofreading is chugging along. Many eyes have gone over this manuscript, which I'm pleased about. Still, after all the editing and proofing, I fear that something might be missed. However, nothing is perfect, and I must remind myself to stay calm.

So, that's the current state of things. Looking over all my updates, I'm really surprised to see the progress we're making. Enough rambling—it's time for some art.

Pretty neat, huh?

Remember, always wear a helmet
4 months ago – Wed, Sep 04, 2024 at 02:41:31 AM

I mentioned in yesterday's update that the art is coming in at a steady pace. It is, and each piece gets better and better. Case in point: the latest from James Olley.

What else is there to say about the above?

A question for the group.
4 months ago – Tue, Sep 03, 2024 at 03:36:19 AM

Moving right along

Here’s the latest update:

The art is coming in steadily and matches the game’s tone perfectly.

Proofreading is progressing smoothly. What’s really helping is that we’re laying out the chapters while earlier ones are being proofread. The plan is to circle back and make any necessary fixes during the final layout step, which includes placing the art and handling all the small details.

The timetable is holding up as planned. I’ve built in plenty of wiggle room, so if anything unexpected comes up—which I don’t foresee—it’s reassuring to know there’s room to breathe.

Skirting the edges

Now, here’s a question that’s been plaguing me: when is too much, too much?

One of the ideas I’ve been working on in the layout involves language, specifically the writing style from the 1770s. All the headers in the book are crafted to reflect that period, with spelling and wording that carry a distinct flavor. Here’s an example:

Daylie Neceſſaries

I like the look and feel of this. The long S works and gives the right touch. Note there were always plans to include an appendix on the writing style of the period. I like the idea and feeling it gives, but I am also considering what the reader/gamer considered a bridge too far.

Speaking of a bridge too far

Regarding the Alchemy “Spellbook,” another thought struck me: what if I brought a little color to the fluff of each entry? The game-specific information would be in modern English, but the color text would be written as if it came from the 1590s. Here is an example:

The Alchemicall Revenaunt

This secrete arte originateth in the declining yeares of the greate Empyres of auncient Egypt. Pressed on all sides by their enimies, the Egiptian Generalls found their troupes spred farre too thinne. Howbeit, one Alcumist, who had spent the moste parte of her lyfe in the studye of the wayes of lyfe and death, discovered a meanes to encrease the number of soldiours by the animating of the dead. Perfecting her methodes, she created “newe” soldiours, or “zombies,” for the Generalls to sende into battayle under her commaunde, executing her will as shee directed them. To create a zombie, the Alcumist needeth a corpse, mostlie intaccte.

**

It takes 24 hours to create the means to raise a zombie to life. Once the preparation is done, a Successful Alchemy (Alchemical Zombie) Test results in you creating zombies (see page XXXX) under your, and only yours, command. Failure creates zombies, but they immediately attack you and anyone else nearby.

I plan to use a typographical element to separate the two distinct voices, making them easier to distinguish.

That’s where my thoughts are right now. Everything is still in the idea stage, not set in stone. But how often do I get to use my other degree, a BA in Old and Middle English Language?

Update: A rock and a hard place
4 months ago – Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 01:56:14 AM

Here we are, another week, and another update. 

Since the holiday weekend (Labor Day here in the US) is almost upon some of us, I am stuck on what to tell you. A lot of my weekly updates have been me rambling. What is there to say when things are still moving along nicely?

Hell, I might as well share this.

Nice, huh?

The above is by James Olley. He has been doing art for me for a long time. From Shadow, Sword & Spell to the D&D Fifth Adventures I have put out, I have ensured I have his work in my books. I love his style. When I was planning Colonial Gothic 4E, it was a no-brainer that his work would appear in the book.

This piece is the first of the descriptions I sent him.

"Ok, vertical image, 3"x6". Depicts a man crawling through a confined cave tunnel. He can be any race, but he looks at the reader desperately, almost like he knows he should not have done this. I picture this as the tunnel framing the man, which looks cave-like, but this is framed in black."

He nailed it. He would have hit it even if I sent him my first description.

What was my first description before I cleaned it up?

"Vertical, 3x6. Cramped tunnel. Man is scared $#!tless. He knows he f'ed up. Have fun."

I liked this one, but I am trying to be more mature.