I've gotten this question a LOT over the last few months, with various gamers asking what condition my edition is in. All I've been able to say is that I don't know until I hear more from WotC. Well, we've heard...
Once, the ettin Arbrid had but a single purpose, his complete and groveling servitude to the Cabal Lord Jhar. No task was too menial; the ettin served as a cook, guard, carrier, and slave-of-all-work.
Arbrid the ettin had good reason to offer loyal and compliant service; his lord had freed from him a hideous life in the slave souks of H'skad. Indeed, his master was kind to him, and in time, the dim-witted ettin grew to love the master he served.
This lich's tale expands on the material of the "Ecology of the Lich," published in Kobold Quarterly #3.
When an editor writes back and tells you that your storyline is terrible, it's usually a good sign that your writing is progressing well. Seem strange? Well, it could be worse. That editor...
Could be telling you that you have problems not with something as advanced as storyline, but with a lot more basic issues of craft and design. Critique at a high level is a compliment to a game designer or writer. An editor who sees more basic errors is unlikely to comment on your writing much, if at all.
Unlike some publications, though, Kobold Quarterly does respond to most submissions. Here's a quick guide to what magazine and web site editors mean when they respond to a query.
Blood of the Gorgon is a 50,000+ word dark urban adventure in which the heroes brave terrors without and within. Written by Nicolas Logue and developed by Wolfgang Baur, this patron-driven project will be commissioned between now and February 29th.
The project includes daily posts and discussion, five design essays discussing horror, mystery adventures, storytelling, and other topic. It also offers playtest opportunities and up-close Q&A of the design choices made for the adventure. The final design will ship to patrons on or around May 1st, as a full-color PDF with a print option available.
The D&D Monster Manual states that the organisation of liches is solitary or a troupe (assisted by vampires). But what happens if love truly conquers all? Could two evil spellcasters decide that life without each other is simply impossible?
Here are two scenarios between entangled lovers in the mortal world, Kith and his lover Leptonia. Both are accomplished spellcasters who wish for the immortality of lichdom. Kith has already attained his undeath, and his lover wishes only one act to precede joining him – their marriage. Shortly thereafter, Leptonia becomes a willing participant in the ceremony to become a lich.
This lich's tale expands on the material of the "Ecology of the Lich," published in Kobold Quarterly #3.
One of the adventures in Six Arabian Nights, the current Open Design project, is called "The Sand Pirates," and it features a fantastic half-efreet pirate captain and his crew, cursed monstrosities beneath the dunes, and a few other twists and turns. As a preview, check out the free download of Captain Asad Al Nar, the Lion of Fire, containing stats, tactics, and stunning art!
Kobold-in-Chief, Wolfgang Baur, has been invited to be the guest of honor at Wordsmith Hall. Don't be alarmed, loyal minions, thinking you won't be able to attend. Wordsmith Hall is not located in a real-life town; it's a location in Second Life.
Learn more about The Thing at the Soul of the Mire, from Issue #3 of Kobold Quarterly.
The fourth Open Design commission, Six Arabian Nights, has been completed and has shipped to its more than 101 patrons. This project recaptures the atmosphere and action of Dark Arabia and Al-Qadim in 94 pages of adventures with full color art and maps throughout. Completing the commission means that the Six Arabian Nights are now no longer available to the public directly. It will be available to patrons of Blood of the Gorgon for a couple months yet, though with the usual late fee.
This collection of 15 essays includes material by Ed Greenwood, Nicolas Logue, and Keith Baker, and it's a good start for anyone who's looking to design and write professionally, or who wants to bring some new tricks to the screenjockey position at the next weekly game.
