(STCPub semi-plug) Enchiridion of Mystic Music Feedback Request...

[The Sigil]

I have seen a couple of people make comments on this board about the work I released about a month ago, the Enchiridion of Mystic Music (released as a PDF at RPGNow.com). I would like to get some feedback...

What did you think were the book's strong points? Weak points? Now that it's been available for a month, how would you compare it to other products? What did you like? What would you have liked to see more of? What did I drop the ball on? How was the price? The content-to-price ratio? Crunchy bits-to-fluff ratio? Format? Size? Printability?

I guess I'm asking you to help critique my product in this public forum... and this will probably serve as a bit of Publicity, hence the "semi-plug" tag in the header.

Tell me what I did right, and what I did wrong, so I can make improvements and changes in my style for any future products. Also, I kind of want to know how it has been received. Well? Poorly? Again, please give me any type of feedback - good, bad, or indifferent.

--Spencer "The Sigil" Cooley
S.T. Cooley Publishing

 

[enrious]

Mind you that I'm not as up on crunchy bits as others and I have never played (or even considered playing) a bard.

First off, my general impression is that it really made me want to play a bard. I found lots of neat ideas and like the way a bard's magic is no longer of the Wizard Lite variety.

I liked the system you used in giving a bard magical ability without it being overly powerful, as far as I can tell. It gives me some ways to create an NPC that wows the players without being arbitrary.

I also applaud your inclusion of OGC - I recognize the Dark Minstrel and a few other bits and think it very smart to not reinvent the wheel.

I thought it nice that you included information that was useful to other magic casters, such as wizards, with your Sonomagic. Even if I never use a bard, I can create a unique NPC advesary.

I thought the price on it was very fair for the page count and content.

The only problem I had with was a technical issue - the blue vertical blue border printed in colour even when I selected it to print B&W. Some pdf files do this, while others render everything in B&W like they're supposed to, which makes me wonder if there was something special in that graphic.

I personally don't care about having artwork in pdf documents because it likely means an increase in the printing costs to me or it allows a publisher to stuff the pdf with 1-2 pages of non-useful material.

I personally would compare this book to Beyond Monks as a pdf classbook for a core class that makes me view the class in a different light.

I would have liked to have some additional information on running bards, but I can understand that this tends to be a personal preference as far as running bards.

One suggestion - make a Table of Contents available because it is somewhat difficult to look up material.

 

[The Sigil]

Wonderful...

This is exactly the type of feedback that I was looking for... told me what I did right (in your opinion) and what I did wrong. Thank you, enrious. Comments interspersed.

Mind you that I'm not as up on crunchy bits as others and I have never played (or even considered playing) a bard.

That, I guess, would almost be the audience I really need to impress. Those who love bards will of course have glowing reviews ("more stuff for my favorite guy"). It's those that aren't predisposed to bards that will be more objective.

First off, my general impression is that it really made me want to play a bard. I found lots of neat ideas and like the way a bard's magic is no longer of the Wizard Lite variety.

Thank you. The bard is still a "Wizard Lite" in some ways, but the expansion of bardic music powers gives him a unique dimension, I think, without being overblown.

I liked the system you used in giving a bard magical ability without it being overly powerful, as far as I can tell. It gives me some ways to create an NPC that wows the players without being arbitrary.

Well, like I said... wizards and clerics get new spells all the time, fighters get new weapons and feats, rogues get traps and other stuff, druids get new animal companions, why can't a bard get new music abilities? I tried to balance it as best I could - some people will probably disagree with some of my balancing, but if I pleased everyone with everything I'm probably doing something wrong.

I also applaud your inclusion of OGC - I recognize the Dark Minstrel and a few other bits and think it very smart to not reinvent the wheel.

Precisely... I included what little bits and pieces others had already published for that very reason (I think it makes up around 3% of the document text - enough to keep you from having to flip to other books, but not so much that you wonder, "did this guy do ANYTHING original?").

I thought it nice that you included information that was useful to other magic casters, such as wizards, with your Sonomagic. Even if I never use a bard, I can create a unique NPC advesary.

I have always been of the opinion that even a "monoclass" book ought to have a little crossover material in it.

I thought the price on it was very fair for the page count and content.

That was one of my big worries - price/content ratio. Glad to hear one vote for "you got it about right."

The only problem I had with was a technical issue - the blue vertical blue border printed in colour even when I selected it to print B&W. Some pdf files do this, while others render everything in B&W like they're supposed to, which makes me wonder if there was something special in that graphic.

That *is* odd. Perhaps I ought to consider dropping a borderless version into the Zip file... with free ones passed out to those who already have the book (I can ask you for word "X" on page "Y" or something. Really have no idea why it did that no B&W thing, though... *frowns*

I personally don't care about having artwork in pdf documents because it likely means an increase in the printing costs to me or it allows a publisher to stuff the pdf with 1-2 pages of non-useful material.

Glad this wasn't an issue for you... I don't think many would have appreciated my poor attempts at art being included.

I personally would compare this book to Beyond Monks as a pdf classbook for a core class that makes me view the class in a different light.

Hopefully a better light... or at least more interested one.

I would have liked to have some additional information on running bards, but I can understand that this tends to be a personal preference as far as running bards.

An interesting idea. Perhaps a series of "Freebie/Web Enhancement" Articles on "how to make your Bard stand out" or something. Don't know that I would do a lot of these just yet, but I can see some, "power combos" to show how a bard could fit a niche.

One suggestion - make a Table of Contents available because it is somewhat difficult to look up material.

A very useful suggestion. I will get that in the works, get a webpage dedicated to the Enchiridion series, and make that available (I think it's obvious something like that should be a freebie - lets people know what to expect before buying, too).

With a few ideas such as this, you may see a freebie site coming soon.

Thanks again for the feedback, enrious.

--The Sigil

 

[BV210]

I meant to add something when I saw this thread posted but just didn't get a chance till now.

Enrious hit on most of the points I would have made, so I won't rehash.

I think my favorite part of your awesome book was the "Mystic Music." Giving bards more latitude in what they can do with their Bardic Music ability is brilliant. I have always had a soft spot for bards, and this product really makes them shine.

I will echo the blue border/artwork comment. I personally don't care that much about art in .pdf files. Sure sometimes it looks neat (Ambient's Gar'udok's is very nice) but I prefer just the simple text or maybe the odd b&w drawing as opposed to full page color as it is easier and quicker to print.

Bottom line, I think you hit the mark with this one and can't wait to see what else you have in store. Get that website up soon!

Keep up the great, high quality work.

 

[The Sigil]

Update...

I think my favorite part of your awesome book was the "Mystic Music." Giving bards more latitude in what they can do with their Bardic Music ability is brilliant. I have always had a soft spot for bards, and this product really makes them shine.

Well, obviously that's the focal point of the product (it DOES take up half the book) and I think it is a good way to give bards an opportunity to diversify. We have heard so much talk in 3e that "Fighter A" can now be distinguished from "Fighter B." I didn't think you could do the same sort of distinguishing with Bards due to the limited ability selection as far as music goes, but now you can.

I will echo the blue border/artwork comment. I personally don't care that much about art in .pdf files. Sure sometimes it looks neat (Ambient's Gar'udok's is very nice) but I prefer just the simple text or maybe the odd b&w drawing as opposed to full page color as it is easier and quicker to print.

I put most of the finishing touches on a borderless copy this morning and will likely be adding it to the zip archive at RPGNow.com for future purchasers. For those who have already purchased the offering, I will ask you to e-mail me - I'll ask you a "Word X page Y" question and the correct response wins you a URL to download the product.

Bottom line, I think you hit the mark with this one and can't wait to see what else you have in store. Get that website up soon!

Nature willing (not God, who seems to be out of fashion these days :b ), I will be throwing a website up some time this weekend. Won't be fancy, won't be huge, but will have a couple goodies. There will be a little bit of information on products I will eventually do (no release dates, these things get done "when they are complete" and not a moment before, but it gives you an idea what is rattling around in my empty little head) as well.

Announcement will appear here when the Website goes up.

--Spencer "The Sigil" Cooley

 

[Urklore]

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