planescape conversion...
- Thread starter vorpan
- Start date
Psychotic Dreamer
First Post
There is http://www.ps3e.com/ which might be what you are looking for.
Yes and no.
There is an offical WOtC blessed project... most of the PS community lined up behind it months (a year?) ago. From what I understand most of the key design decisions and rules were finished a while ago.
However the people organized the project have been caught up in real life issues and paid RPG writing work (notably Oathbound). while its possible the private list for the upper echlon remains active all the sublists for the various products are either dead or have a handful of people jawboneing about their favorite rules interpretation and proper design style.
Eventually you should seesome totally free PDFs crammed full of some erally amazing work from some very talented contributers (the monster art, in particular, is quite impressive). There will be lots of optional rules to accomidate different playing styles, some great maps of sigil, etc.
Honestly though it seems to be a pretty low priority for the WotC appointed folks. Various posts over the last year or so have always asked what the status of the project is and people are always volunteering to help but the answers are always the same sort of we're-busy-just-wait type stuff.
There is an offical WOtC blessed project... most of the PS community lined up behind it months (a year?) ago. From what I understand most of the key design decisions and rules were finished a while ago.
However the people organized the project have been caught up in real life issues and paid RPG writing work (notably Oathbound). while its possible the private list for the upper echlon remains active all the sublists for the various products are either dead or have a handful of people jawboneing about their favorite rules interpretation and proper design style.
Eventually you should seesome totally free PDFs crammed full of some erally amazing work from some very talented contributers (the monster art, in particular, is quite impressive). There will be lots of optional rules to accomidate different playing styles, some great maps of sigil, etc.
Honestly though it seems to be a pretty low priority for the WotC appointed folks. Various posts over the last year or so have always asked what the status of the project is and people are always volunteering to help but the answers are always the same sort of we're-busy-just-wait type stuff.
Well, I have to personally apologize for that. The official fan-based Planescape has been languishing and Oathbound was a big factor in that (as well as cancer in a very close family member, but thank god that's gone now).
Now that Oathbound is out the door, Brannon and myself have some other paid projects in the works, but most everything is in the proposal/negotiating stage. So we have a slight break and I'm using it to get the Planescape conversion rolling again. I'm also focusing on trying to get the projects running more on their own, so that if I do drift away the projects don't go on hold because of one person.
Right now we have a conversion of the races that I think are pretty solid (also, on a side note, they will be used in the City of Doors Initiative for NWN, so we're trying to keep everything between our groups consistent.) Artwork for them by Claudio Pozas has been done for a very long time. We also have the basics of the faction mechanics complete, so we are now working on filling in the details of each faction.
Separate from that we have our monster conversions are a ways along (though that's stalled at the moment, I should jump start that before the week is over). And I have a huge list of people willing to help out and I have to find a place to assign them all. Once we get the setting book and monster book rolling pretty much independant of me, I'm thinking of getting a third project moving since we have so many volunteers. But my current focus is on the monsters and setting.
Also, Brannon and I are looking into some possible contests, but no promises.
Anyone who is a Planewalker or PS3e.com member should be seeing playtesting material before the end of this month. I made that promise and will stick to it. About a month after that (so that they can have time to give us feedback) we should be previewing some stuff to the rest of the public.
So I am sorry that it has taken so phenomenally long to get here. But we are getting pretty close. I have made a committment that members will get the first set of playtesting materials by the end of August, and preview material will appear on the site by the end of September. If I can't do that, I'll quit and let someone else take over.
Now that Oathbound is out the door, Brannon and myself have some other paid projects in the works, but most everything is in the proposal/negotiating stage. So we have a slight break and I'm using it to get the Planescape conversion rolling again. I'm also focusing on trying to get the projects running more on their own, so that if I do drift away the projects don't go on hold because of one person.
Right now we have a conversion of the races that I think are pretty solid (also, on a side note, they will be used in the City of Doors Initiative for NWN, so we're trying to keep everything between our groups consistent.) Artwork for them by Claudio Pozas has been done for a very long time. We also have the basics of the faction mechanics complete, so we are now working on filling in the details of each faction.
Separate from that we have our monster conversions are a ways along (though that's stalled at the moment, I should jump start that before the week is over). And I have a huge list of people willing to help out and I have to find a place to assign them all. Once we get the setting book and monster book rolling pretty much independant of me, I'm thinking of getting a third project moving since we have so many volunteers. But my current focus is on the monsters and setting.
Also, Brannon and I are looking into some possible contests, but no promises.
Anyone who is a Planewalker or PS3e.com member should be seeing playtesting material before the end of this month. I made that promise and will stick to it. About a month after that (so that they can have time to give us feedback) we should be previewing some stuff to the rest of the public.
So I am sorry that it has taken so phenomenally long to get here. But we are getting pretty close. I have made a committment that members will get the first set of playtesting materials by the end of August, and preview material will appear on the site by the end of September. If I can't do that, I'll quit and let someone else take over.
Mortaneus
First Post
I've been running planescape almost solidly since 3e came out. Truthfully, because of the sheer richness of the original source material, I haven't had to do much conversion. Consider, most of what makes planescape so special is non-rule based. Heck, I could run planescape in GURPS, without much effort.
Of course, there are still rules needs, though most of these are satisfied by the monsters contained in MM/MotP/PsiHB. The only exception is the faction abilities, but I've simply reduced them to feat chains, and it works. Example:
Trancendent Order:
Master of the Body - +1 Initiative and Save vs. Mind Affecting
Master of the Mind - Req. Master of the Body, C Lvl 6 - +2 Initiative and Save vs. Mind affecting, stacks with master of the body (for +3 total)
Master of the Spirit - Req Master of the Mind, C Lvl 12 - +3 Initiative and Save vs. Mind affecting, stacks with both other feats (for +6 total)
It worked out pretty well.
Of course, there are still rules needs, though most of these are satisfied by the monsters contained in MM/MotP/PsiHB. The only exception is the faction abilities, but I've simply reduced them to feat chains, and it works. Example:
Trancendent Order:
Master of the Body - +1 Initiative and Save vs. Mind Affecting
Master of the Mind - Req. Master of the Body, C Lvl 6 - +2 Initiative and Save vs. Mind affecting, stacks with master of the body (for +3 total)
Master of the Spirit - Req Master of the Mind, C Lvl 12 - +3 Initiative and Save vs. Mind affecting, stacks with both other feats (for +6 total)
It worked out pretty well.
Mithriltooth
First Post
Concerning the Factions of Sigil, some were done in Dragon #287. The author who wrote the Dragon magazine article has since added the Faithful, Godsmen, Dustmen, Anarchist and Bleaker Prestige Classes. I was hoping he would have finished the rest by now.
You can see them @ http://planehopping.tripod.com
You can see them @ http://planehopping.tripod.com
Desdichado
Hero
Yeah, and I think prestige classes is definately the way to go on the factions. Personally, though, the factions was the one aspect of Planescape that I didn't like. It seemed a little to White Wolfy -- you belong to this faction, therefore your character is X.Mithriltooth said:
Ashy
First Post
As Ken said, we have been busy of late, and Planewalker/Ps3e/The Official Planewalker Products has always been in our minds (and not in the back of them either), but the major thing that has plagued this product (as it has several others, such as Planewalker & Ps3e) is folks who get all riled up about something, say they want to help out, sign up, and then vanish.
Imagine for a moment that you are working on a massive, important project that is extemely important to you, and you want to DO IT RIGHT. Now, seven folks say they want to help, so you interview them, hire them, set up their offices, computers, email accounts, and put them on the payroll. You give them each a task to do and then you return to your office with a lighter heart, knowing that you now have less to do and can focus more on managing the project at hand, making sure that all runs smoothly and as it should, not to mention actually contributing to the project yourself.
A week later, you walk outside your office and everyone is gone - it is a literal ghost town. You have no idea what they did, what they didn't do, what stage in their projects they were at, etc. Now, you have to pick up the pieces of their projects and yours and run with it, because it is,after all, YOUR project.
While it is a real world (and a bit dramatic) example of what we've been experiencing, it does give you a good feel for what has happened repeatedly. The Prods are not lacking because Ken and I have found better things to do with our time, but because we spend all of our time doing the administrative catch-22 game with folks that have no staying power...
Now, before anyone gets their hair all a'curled, I want to say that the PS folks are hands down the best darn fans on the Net - and I will argue to my dying breath with anyone that says different. However, there are several reactionary folks that want to jump on the band wagon and when the work assignments come down from on high, you cannot find them anywhere.
Yes, we need and welcome more help.
Yes, we have some awesome stuff in the works and some AWESOME folks working on it.
Yes, Ken and I are freelancers.
Yes, we have helped out with Oathbound and other projects.
Yes, Planewalker and Ps3e are behind schedule.
Yes, the Official Prods are behind schedule.
However, you need to remember this - while WotC is backing us on this, they are not paying us - everyone that works on Planewalker, Ps3e, and the Official Prods has a real life, a real job, and a real family. And, as I have ALWAYS said, those priorities come first, I will never require that anyone sacrifice their personal time for a hobby website(s) or book(s), period.
If you don't like that, I am sorry, but that is just the way it is; the only thing I can suggest to you (and by "you" here, I mean not only you personally, but anyone that feels similarily) either 1. volunteer yourself and remain in the game, 2. put your money were your mouth is and donate some funds to the cause, or 3. buy the PS license from WotC and do it yourself, if you feel that you can do better.
I'm, done, dammit.
Edit: I apologize for my tone. I did not mean to flame anyone. I hate flaming. I guess I've just been under an undue amount of stress lately and this is a sore spot for me. I love Planescape and want to do right by it. Maybe I want to do to right.... I am sorry, I realize that you all were just looking for information, which I have been severly lacking in providing. Thanks to all those that have sent supportive emails, or to those that have volunteered...
Imagine for a moment that you are working on a massive, important project that is extemely important to you, and you want to DO IT RIGHT. Now, seven folks say they want to help, so you interview them, hire them, set up their offices, computers, email accounts, and put them on the payroll. You give them each a task to do and then you return to your office with a lighter heart, knowing that you now have less to do and can focus more on managing the project at hand, making sure that all runs smoothly and as it should, not to mention actually contributing to the project yourself.
A week later, you walk outside your office and everyone is gone - it is a literal ghost town. You have no idea what they did, what they didn't do, what stage in their projects they were at, etc. Now, you have to pick up the pieces of their projects and yours and run with it, because it is,after all, YOUR project.
While it is a real world (and a bit dramatic) example of what we've been experiencing, it does give you a good feel for what has happened repeatedly. The Prods are not lacking because Ken and I have found better things to do with our time, but because we spend all of our time doing the administrative catch-22 game with folks that have no staying power...
Now, before anyone gets their hair all a'curled, I want to say that the PS folks are hands down the best darn fans on the Net - and I will argue to my dying breath with anyone that says different. However, there are several reactionary folks that want to jump on the band wagon and when the work assignments come down from on high, you cannot find them anywhere.
Yes, we need and welcome more help.
Yes, we have some awesome stuff in the works and some AWESOME folks working on it.
Yes, Ken and I are freelancers.
Yes, we have helped out with Oathbound and other projects.
Yes, Planewalker and Ps3e are behind schedule.
Yes, the Official Prods are behind schedule.
However, you need to remember this - while WotC is backing us on this, they are not paying us - everyone that works on Planewalker, Ps3e, and the Official Prods has a real life, a real job, and a real family. And, as I have ALWAYS said, those priorities come first, I will never require that anyone sacrifice their personal time for a hobby website(s) or book(s), period.
If you don't like that, I am sorry, but that is just the way it is; the only thing I can suggest to you (and by "you" here, I mean not only you personally, but anyone that feels similarily) either 1. volunteer yourself and remain in the game, 2. put your money were your mouth is and donate some funds to the cause, or 3. buy the PS license from WotC and do it yourself, if you feel that you can do better.
I'm, done, dammit.
Edit: I apologize for my tone. I did not mean to flame anyone. I hate flaming. I guess I've just been under an undue amount of stress lately and this is a sore spot for me. I love Planescape and want to do right by it. Maybe I want to do to right.... I am sorry, I realize that you all were just looking for information, which I have been severly lacking in providing. Thanks to all those that have sent supportive emails, or to those that have volunteered...
Last edited:
Mithriltooth
First Post
Actually I rather liked the Factions in PlaneScape. It was one of the things that made PlaneScape such a great setting.
Good Luck with your projects Ash and thank you. I know what it's like to organize something and have people vanish when you look for them.
Good Luck with your projects Ash and thank you. I know what it's like to organize something and have people vanish when you look for them.
Similar Threads
