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2nd Edition to 3rd Edition Conversion Guidelines &
Templates for Submissions:
- Why have guidelines?
Basically, I'm just looking to create a uniform look and uniform
contents. Here are a few of the submission guidelines that I
suggest:
- Stick to a standard format: While each
conversion is unique, every file should include the name and e-mail
address of the creator, a list of what work or works are being
converted, and a brief summary of what you accomplished or choices you
had to make along the way. I have provided a template below that you
may use if you desire (if for nothing more than to see what kinds of
info are really helpful in a conversion document).
- Convert "by the book": Don't extrapolate
more than necessary or add to what is there, just convert from 2E to
3E. For instance, there are no Sorcerers in 2E, so none of the
wizards in the converted products should be Sorcerers. On the other
hand, it is looking more and more like conversion will be as much an
art as a science. If you do something wacky, you'll save yourself some
trouble if you explain your decisions in the text of your conversion.
- Convert only what needs converting: If it
turns out that a potion of healing is the same in 3E as it was
in 2E, then don't mention it in the conversion.
- Quote only what needs quoting: This goes
for the product being converted as well as the 3E rulebooks. The
less we quote, the less we risk violating copyright. Examples:
- If the product being converted mentions the spell magic
missile, there's no need to include the entire spell description in
your conversion. Simply point the reader to the spell description
in the 3E PHB.
- If the product being converted mentions a monster
that is in the 3E Monster Manual, again, point the reader to
the monster description. However, for adventures that provide a
standard stat block, please provide a stat block for the converted
monsters, even ones that appear in the Monster Manual.
- Only certain game-mechanic aspects of the work need
to be converted. There is no need to include details about plot,
conversations, descriptive text, etc. Remember that the goal of
the conversion document isn't to replace the original product -- it is
to serve as a supplement. No one should be able to print out a
conversion document and run an entire adventure without having the
original in hand.
- Use a cross-platform file format: Create your
conversions in .txt, .rtf, .html, or .pdf format. Or send them to me in
.doc (Word) format and I'll .rtf the document for you. Be aware that
fancy formatting such as two-column layout may be destroyed in the
process.
- Use the Message Board: I've set up a Conversions
message board. You can use it to announce your intention to start
working on a project, see if others have already started a project, and
get advice on conversion matters.
- Be prepared to revise: You'll get e-mail about
your work, and if someone has a good idea or an important correction,
please feel free to submit to me a corrected file. It will make my life
easier if you just send the entire file (please keep the same file
name). Please don't ask me to make corrections for you -- I won't touch
your files, sorry! :)
- Update: I've created a
preliminary conversion template for those interested in submitting
conversion documents to the library. Download it and take a look
-- let me know if there are things that are unclear, if I've missed any
obvious things, or if you're unable to view this document in a standard
word processor. If you have trouble downloading it, try holding
down SHIFT while clicking the link -- you should get the option to save
this file to your hard drive.
Dungeons & Dragons, D&D
3E and AD&D are all property of Wizards of the Coast. |
