d20 Fantasy/Modern Crossover Supplements Wanted

[EP]

Emerald Press PDF Publishing is looking to start a line of D&D-style campaign set in various real-world histories and need a variety of writer/designers to put it all together. These supplements will be linked together with our Treasure Hunter line of products, but will stand alone and can also be linked together to form a Black Adder-type campaign crossing a variety of timelines.

In short, we're looking to provide roughly 32-page supplements (originally for release in PDF with a POD option) on running historical or modern campaigns with magic, monsters, and magic weapons. Each supplement will rely on material from d20 Modern and the Treasure Hunter supplement from Emerald Press. For each timeline, we're looking for a list of alternate classes modeled on d20 Fantasy but adapted to fit the particular timeline, examples of magic items appropriate to the era, tips on running a campaign in this timeline, an alternate history that reflects the use of magic, planes, and dragons, and an introductory adventure.

We're looking for the following timelines for our series, but others are always welcome:

- the Dark Ages: it is here that a portal to an outer plane was discovered and "reality" was merged with the D&D mythology. The role of the Catholic church adapts to intergrate the knowledge of magic, planes, and monsters to become a forefront in the salvation of mankind against this new danger.
- the Old West: Six-shooters fire +1 bullets at orc banditos as the world has adapted and absorbed the magic. Only the rich truly practise spellcasting and magic isn't available for everybody, but the wild west is rich with quests for gold and magic items fer them's willin' ta take it.
- the Roaring 20's: Chicago gangsters have some powerful new weapons in their way against the law, but the cops have their own tricks too. Tommy guns don't just fire bullets anymore, they shoot flames, ice, or electricity and the Untouchables have detect evil on their side. As the world moves into the modern era, magic begins to take on a whole new meaning as the lighbulb is replaced by the light spell.
- the 21st Century: Taking place now, any variety of topics in the news today are ripe for alterations and technology merges with magic to create cities of incredible fantasy. Spells are commonplace and everyone knows a cantrip or two, but those who truly seek out power learn to cast spells that could level an entire building. What would our world look like if we could all use magic?

Interested writers are asked to contact Todd Crapper at warden@knight.net and submit your proposal for the timeline you wish to adapt, along with a sample of your choice - go as detailed as you like, but the more I get, the better I can tell if you're right for the job. Once all writers have been selected, we're looking for a 90-day turnaround to submit first drafts and a proposed release date of Spring 2008.

Previous experience is not a requirement, but knowledge of the d20 Modern game is. We're looking for someone with ideas and concepts that could make for a sweet twist on a historical campaign and will work with first-time writers to create a polished product. We pay 30% commission on gross sales, so the better your writing, the more sales we'll make, the more money you'll get.

If you have any other questions regarding this open call, please post them below or send them to warden@knight.net

 

[Stormborn]

Very interested in this and I am brainstorming a bit on my own. I did have a question or two and since other potential writters might have the same I thought I would post it here. It revolves around this sentence:

"For each timeline, we're looking for a list of alternate classes modeled on d20 Fantasy but adapted to fit the particular timeline, examples of magic items appropriate to the era, tips on running a campaign in this timeline, an alternate history that reflects the use of magic, planes, and dragons, and an introductory adventure."


1) Are we talking new base classes for d20 M in the same way that Etherscope created new classes using the d20M system as a model, or simply advanced classes?

2) When coming up with new timelines, will they need to fit the same "reality" or can they reflect different alternate histories? (i.e. In one book magic returns with the detonation of the first atom bomb, in another when Edward Kelly opens a gate to the Otherworld, in yet a third when the Ghost Dance unleashes the spirits on America)

Thanks

 

[Ilium]

*heavy sigh* I'd love to take a shot at that Roaring-20's, but I just don't have the time.

I'll be paying close attention, though.

 

[EP]

1) Are we talking new base classes for d20 M in the same way that Etherscope created new classes using the d20M system as a model, or simply advanced classes?

New base classes is what I'm thinking as advanced classes normally don't reflect the style of characters you get with D&D, but this is still up for discussion. Submit whatever format you feel is best.

2) When coming up with new timelines, will they need to fit the same "reality" or can they reflect different alternate histories? (i.e. In one book magic returns with the detonation of the first atom bomb, in another when Edward Kelly opens a gate to the Otherworld, in yet a third when the Ghost Dance unleashes the spirits on America)

I would like to have a similar timeline for each supplement where one particular incident brought about the introduction of magic to our real world history and everything revolves around that one episode. As I mentioned before, I'd like to have each supplement be interconnected so that players can jump ahead in time as a Black Adder-style campaign (but perhaps more serious than that). Once again, that kind of detail will depend on the team put together for this and it's not exactly written in stone, but that is what I'm aiming for at the moment.

 

[lifespeed]

Todd,

I just sent you a query with a couple of attached writing samples. Hope to hear from you soon!