Shadowdark Shadowdark Discussion Thread [+]

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don't think the style is necessary (caveat: My first published Shadowdark thing apes the house style).

Doing the Appendix N Jam last year, which explicitly asked for a pulp paperback aesthetic, was a revelation. My adventure I created had that paperback vibe, but also was definitely Shadowdark.

I understand there are folks who like the stuff they buy to feel like it all came straight from the Arcane Library, but I'd rather leave that to Arcane Library to do. (And of course, the slipcase editions of the Western Reaches books have a very different style more akin to early 20th century fantasy works.)

For other people's works, I'd rather everyone follow their bliss.

Reach of the Roach God or the Stygian Library would not be improved by looking like Shadowdark, even if that's how I use them. They're better off being their own thing, in my opinion.

 

[Reynard]

I say cheat with a classic "Shadowdark vibe" cover and then do the interior design and art however you want.

 

[Scribe]

Unfortunately @Mannahnin @Whizbang Dustyboots @Reynard I was already leaning towards it needing its own art style, so thats going to cost me a pretty penny as the largest reserve of 'stock art' is either the stuff SD already is using (and it is, anyone saying a good product cannot use stock art is flat out wrong) or leans fully into the modern D&D style which I also do not want.

Once again I lament that I am no artist.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Unfortunately @Mannahnin @Whizbang Dustyboots @Reynard I was already leaning towards it needing its own art style, so thats going to cost me a pretty penny as the largest reserve of 'stock art' is either the stuff SD already is using (and it is, anyone saying a good product cannot use stock art is flat out wrong) or leans fully into the modern D&D style which I also do not want.

Once again I lament that I am no artist.

Maybe take the black and white art you've got, print it out, paint it with watercolors (cheap and easy), and then scan it back in. You branch out from traditional Shadowdark vibes while still having a foot in that world. (I'm thinking of doing something similar for the Pirate Borg Island Fever jam.)

 

[overgeeked]

A question for the people of culture that would read this thread.

For a long time I've been partial to the SD style, for SD products. Black covers, black and white art, clean and aggressively readable.

My current work however, asks for something pretty different. I'm basing it on the SD core (and WR as noted for Bastions and such) but the tone is not the same gritty, down to earth pure SD style because I've come to the conclusion that SD nails that, fully.

So, how critical do you all feel that that same tone/style/whatever is retained? Does it matter to you personally, like how Aetherdark may as well be an official product, or do you accept different styles, or desire different styles?

I'm pretty sure I'm leaning hard into something far more colourful, but wanted to hear thoughts on the matter.

If you’re intentionally going for a different style of game, no reason to be beholden to the art style. It’s yours. Make it how you want.

Running existing free-to-use art through filters in art programs can really do a lot. GIMP is free but the learning curve is kinda steep.

 

[Fenris-77]

Scraping Paizo anything isn't a great path to excellent SD content. Just saying.

 

[Fenris-77]

Unfortunately @Mannahnin @Whizbang Dustyboots @Reynard I was already leaning towards it needing its own art style, so thats going to cost me a pretty penny as the largest reserve of 'stock art' is either the stuff SD already is using (and it is, anyone saying a good product cannot use stock art is flat out wrong) or leans fully into the modern D&D style which I also do not want.

Once again I lament that I am no artist.

I have like 300 pages of SD content illustrated pretty lavishly with public domain art. Never lose faith my friend.

 

[Xenolith234]

I do like more character crunch though - Shadowfinder felt like a good path for that, specifically to run 3e content.

 

[Thierry-Advent]

Looking forward the SDWM. To me, while very good, SD without WM is like OSE without OSE advanced. Hope Canadian local stores get copies not too far off in the future.

 

[UnplayedRanger]

Ran a one shot using Let's Slay a Dragon! Made 8 pre-gens for 3 players, and had to go through all 8 of them by the end of the Adventure. Everyone had fun and I definitely want to explore this system in a full campaign now.