Wolfspirit
First Post
Re: FAQ
Ok, I'm not Zappo, but here goes (note, if I missed anything, or changed the meaning of anything in my editing, let me know, ok?)
Fantasy Setting Search FAQ
Editors note:
Q: Is this thing for real?
A: Yes. If you don't trust Eric Noah, Morrus, and a slew of others, check out the Wizards main page.
All of the rest of the answers below are from Anthony Valterra, Category Manager TRPGs from Wizards of the Coast. I did a bit of editing for clarity and gramar, but if you think I'm trying to mislead you, read the 13 page thread.
GENERAL CAMPAIGN
Q: What do you mean when you say you're looking for something like FR or DL?
A: We are looking for fantasy medieval settings. So that is what we mean when we say FR or DL. But if someone brought us Ravenloft or Mystara or Darksun they would all be close enough to be in the running.
Q: How far can we stray from the "Swords and Sorcery" genre?
A: We are looking for a product that you can use the core rule books for. We are open to new classes, races, maybe even spell systems. But the further you stray, the more impressive you are going to need to be. And don't bother with non-medieval. I don't care how good the proposal we are not looking for Shadowrun.
Q: You say "medieval", but how far is too far for politics and technology for this setting?
A: Once you have common use of gunpowder you're probably to far on technology. Variant political or social milleus are all fine. We are concerned about technological level not political structure.
Q: Are spell systems like psionics ok?
A: Alternate magic systems (we would count PsiH as an alternate magic system) are acceptable. When we say comaptible we are more concerned about subtraction or revision then addition. Editors note: I believe that the PsiH refers to the Psi Handbook version of psionics.
Q: I've had information about my campaign world on the internet before. Is this a problem?
A: If you have a campaign setting and it has been made public, but not published you can submit it if you wish. But we will probably want to avoid setting that have been previously published. However, anyone who is entering please don't post any of your ideas to this thread or if you feel you must make it a link to another page. As one of the judges I don't want to be biased.
Q: On number 2 of the template, it asks about the heroes of the setting. Is this wanting NPCs like Elminster, or what?
A: On heroes what we are look for is broad outlines of who becomes heores in your world and why. Are they adventureres, fighting injustice, out to make a buck, some combination etc. etc. We don't need actual characters until the 10 page.
FORMAT
Q: What document format are you wanting on the one-pager?
A: On format, we are not picky as long as it is professional. Double or single, either is fine. Obviously if we get six point type and no margins we are going to toss it, just like we are going to toss anything not typed (put away your crayons). Either paragraphs or numbered is fine as long as you answer all six topics clearly
Q: What do you want on the cover letter?
A: The primary purpose of the cover letter is to give us your contact information and pertinent information about who you are. However, and this is very important, it will not be looked at by the panel until after we have selected the 10 proposals we want further development on. So any information you put about your setting in the cover letter will be pointless.
Q: How serious are you about the one page requirement?
A: If your submission is longer than one page it will get roundfiled! This is the "are you capable of following simple directions" test
LEGAL
Q: What happens to the rights of my work if I submit it, but don't get to the top 3?
A: You own your work until you are one of the top 3. Yes, that is right we will only ask for the rights to the top 3 proposals.
Q: Will big name people be eligble/entering this?
A: Yes we have our own R&D many of them will be submitting. Judging will be done blind. All R&D submittees are under strict gag order. If they talk to anyone about their ideas before we judge - it is eliminated from consideration. And yes, part of the reason we are doing this is that two of the biggest campaigns came from out of house.
Q: I live in Europe, Asia, and have a Summer Home at the top of Mount Everest, and am not sure if I'll be able to get my letter to you by the deadline. What should I do about this?
A: Please note that entries must be "postmarked" by the deadline. Sending it early is still a good idea though.
Q: Can I submit more than one entry? How about more than one entry in one envelope?
A: You can submit two entries in the same envelope. They will be processed by our admin so we won't know that you sent in more than one.
Q: I'm a minor. Should my parents sign the submission form?
A: Yes, your parents must sign the submission form but you can write the cover letter and let us know that you are submitting and your parents are signing for you. It won't matter unless you move to the next round.
Q: Can I work with a team of people to make a submission?
A: We think teams are great. When we get to the bible we will be looking for art, the look of the campaign, sample stories, rules, ideas for minitures, TCGs, style of clothing, history etc. etc. It would be rare that one person could do all that. If you are part of a team every memeber that works on the one page must sign a submission form and be introduced in the cover letter. If you make the ten you can add members as you need them. It's up to you.
Tallow said:
Hey that is a great idea! I think you just volunteered
Ok, I'm not Zappo, but here goes (note, if I missed anything, or changed the meaning of anything in my editing, let me know, ok?)
Fantasy Setting Search FAQ
Editors note:
Q: Is this thing for real?
A: Yes. If you don't trust Eric Noah, Morrus, and a slew of others, check out the Wizards main page.
All of the rest of the answers below are from Anthony Valterra, Category Manager TRPGs from Wizards of the Coast. I did a bit of editing for clarity and gramar, but if you think I'm trying to mislead you, read the 13 page thread.
GENERAL CAMPAIGN
Q: What do you mean when you say you're looking for something like FR or DL?
A: We are looking for fantasy medieval settings. So that is what we mean when we say FR or DL. But if someone brought us Ravenloft or Mystara or Darksun they would all be close enough to be in the running.
Q: How far can we stray from the "Swords and Sorcery" genre?
A: We are looking for a product that you can use the core rule books for. We are open to new classes, races, maybe even spell systems. But the further you stray, the more impressive you are going to need to be. And don't bother with non-medieval. I don't care how good the proposal we are not looking for Shadowrun.
Q: You say "medieval", but how far is too far for politics and technology for this setting?
A: Once you have common use of gunpowder you're probably to far on technology. Variant political or social milleus are all fine. We are concerned about technological level not political structure.
Q: Are spell systems like psionics ok?
A: Alternate magic systems (we would count PsiH as an alternate magic system) are acceptable. When we say comaptible we are more concerned about subtraction or revision then addition. Editors note: I believe that the PsiH refers to the Psi Handbook version of psionics.
Q: I've had information about my campaign world on the internet before. Is this a problem?
A: If you have a campaign setting and it has been made public, but not published you can submit it if you wish. But we will probably want to avoid setting that have been previously published. However, anyone who is entering please don't post any of your ideas to this thread or if you feel you must make it a link to another page. As one of the judges I don't want to be biased.
Q: On number 2 of the template, it asks about the heroes of the setting. Is this wanting NPCs like Elminster, or what?
A: On heroes what we are look for is broad outlines of who becomes heores in your world and why. Are they adventureres, fighting injustice, out to make a buck, some combination etc. etc. We don't need actual characters until the 10 page.
FORMAT
Q: What document format are you wanting on the one-pager?
A: On format, we are not picky as long as it is professional. Double or single, either is fine. Obviously if we get six point type and no margins we are going to toss it, just like we are going to toss anything not typed (put away your crayons). Either paragraphs or numbered is fine as long as you answer all six topics clearly
Q: What do you want on the cover letter?
A: The primary purpose of the cover letter is to give us your contact information and pertinent information about who you are. However, and this is very important, it will not be looked at by the panel until after we have selected the 10 proposals we want further development on. So any information you put about your setting in the cover letter will be pointless.
Q: How serious are you about the one page requirement?
A: If your submission is longer than one page it will get roundfiled! This is the "are you capable of following simple directions" test
LEGAL
Q: What happens to the rights of my work if I submit it, but don't get to the top 3?
A: You own your work until you are one of the top 3. Yes, that is right we will only ask for the rights to the top 3 proposals.
Q: Will big name people be eligble/entering this?
A: Yes we have our own R&D many of them will be submitting. Judging will be done blind. All R&D submittees are under strict gag order. If they talk to anyone about their ideas before we judge - it is eliminated from consideration. And yes, part of the reason we are doing this is that two of the biggest campaigns came from out of house.
Q: I live in Europe, Asia, and have a Summer Home at the top of Mount Everest, and am not sure if I'll be able to get my letter to you by the deadline. What should I do about this?
A: Please note that entries must be "postmarked" by the deadline. Sending it early is still a good idea though.
Q: Can I submit more than one entry? How about more than one entry in one envelope?
A: You can submit two entries in the same envelope. They will be processed by our admin so we won't know that you sent in more than one.
Q: I'm a minor. Should my parents sign the submission form?
A: Yes, your parents must sign the submission form but you can write the cover letter and let us know that you are submitting and your parents are signing for you. It won't matter unless you move to the next round.
Q: Can I work with a team of people to make a submission?
A: We think teams are great. When we get to the bible we will be looking for art, the look of the campaign, sample stories, rules, ideas for minitures, TCGs, style of clothing, history etc. etc. It would be rare that one person could do all that. If you are part of a team every memeber that works on the one page must sign a submission form and be introduced in the cover letter. If you make the ten you can add members as you need them. It's up to you.
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