Boreal Level Map (Sample)

Ramsey and I are conferring by phone this week over the next map he's rendered, a sample of which should be an appropriate teaser. Next in line after we've put this one to bed is the Machine Level which EGG's main PCs playtested (just as Robilar did Tomb of Horrors) before we placed it in the Castle precincts.

Original Castle Levels Project

I have been receiving many inquiries regarding this project and the book of tales, essays and other early day commentaries, Lord of the Green Dragons. An in depth synopsis of the Castle project follows.

When PPP put these into the production schedule we had two projects due out at the time which would float, so to speak, the publication of the Castle project and LotGD. Unfortunately, the person that was to complete these projects did not do so. This set us back with everything thereafter, and the publishing schedule had to be remade (as is now being addressed). In between, Ed Kann finished the FC illustrations (4, with 2 having already been finished by ATOM); Ed was then to do what Ramsey Dow is now doing, re-render the six (6) castle levels. Unfortunately, again, Ed had to drop out of gaming and associated creating due to very personal issues, which I understood. While taking up the slack for the missing two projects to keep us on target with releases, I now found myself scrambling to get all the pre-press stuff juggled as well, and that is where Ramsey, Hextor bless his soul, came in (with help from his beautiful lady, "Z").

Ramsey and I are working at breakneck speeds to get everything finished. The Castle levels (at least these first 6, as there are more to follow), will be released in 2 sets of x3 levels each, with an estimated page count of 24-32 printed pages per booklet and with three booklets per set. Each will have a color map and a reproduction of my hand-drawn original map. The levels will either be available as single issues or as sets, as noted, with a sizable discount if one purchases the sets. This will also allow a reduction in combined mailing costs as opposed to being purchased separately over time.

There is so much Original Campaign material slated for future publication that I am quite sure that I will be kept busy for many years to come. Beside the Castle Levels, there is the City, the extensive sewers beneath, Special levels (like the Annex), Demonworld, more magic, NPCs and PCs from the OC, spells, one-off adventures and army/unit organizations, etc., etc. Though I contributed about 15 levels to the OCastle, by that time many of the PCs were moving to the outdoor and city adventures (or specials); so as EGG continued crafting rules and such, I was busy with campaign crafting, and was getting more detailed about things from the way they originally appeared in our sketch notes. Major work was done by myself on the City and Sewers, for example, and that is why I have elected to add that to a growing list of future products for the line.

I hope that explains a little and more of my intent and position regarding this project. It has the highest priority after our next drive, which I hope is a successful one. :) After the Castle levels we should be in a poisition to do LotGD, which is for the most part finished except for 10,000 additional words and then editing.

Original Castle Level (Sample) Sub Level 3

Here's a cut-out sample of how well Yesmar is doing with the Original GH maps via our constant and elucidating interchanges. He has finished 1 of 6 maps in the original sets (there will be more, of course), which has fixed the base of design understanding between us, so the others in line will follow more quickly as he and I have a firm grasp on the mode. Well done, Ramsey!

Various Jottings & Updates

I have been busier than a one-armed paper hanger with an itch...
And it's so blazing hot here in Racine, yarrgh. I need a cone of cold cast on me, or a cold shower.

Yesmar, the Royal Cartographer, just finished the map for DHALT from a rough I provided; we are moving onto the GH Levels give-and-take exchange on Monday; I updated the number of copies of CAS1 available (10); I wish to thank the folks who have been purchasing my special items, as that helps fund the many projects in the pipe-line, and I've added more to the list as well (doing this weekly, or thereabouts); I started drawing the ORCS LAIR map (in color, very large) in between writing breaks (I do about an hour a day on it). As mentioned it's very large and there are two such maps. Eric Bergeron, now fully recovered from his sickness, will have the art for Black Festival in a week. Starting Monday, I will be sending outlines and contracts to prospective writers and one other carographer. I have been trying to read a bit in between, but failing miserably.

I have been wanting to finish and post some more essays and columns on several interesting subjects, both historical and creative, but am finding less and less time to do so. Do I sound frenetic, yet? I hope so... So, if anyone has a subject to post, have at it. Please. :)

Stay cool!

Rob

Greyhawk Castle Levels (Poll)

As many are aware I am about ordering he Six levels out of the many I have for publication through PPP. A design question has come up in lieu of maintaining the flavor of the originals: How detailed would DMs want these to be in relation to what they actually were? I have polarized here between fully re-fleshing each and every encounter area as opposed to lightly expanding on the notes/ideas as originally presented. I favor the latter, as my skills are generally excellent in separating the wheat from the chaff, anyway.

The very first level will set the tone for the rest; and, oppositely, the more detail that is added, the longer these will take to get to publication and the lengthier the work.

So, what do fans favor: A light approach that details salient parts? Or fully fleshed portrayals, which would be more than was actually there to begin with (i.e., expanding content beyond the original conceptual range)?

Front Cover ART, 1 of 6, Original Castle Levels

Edward Kann has done a superb job of rendering a "Brain Flayer" for one of the six Original Castle levels due out this year from my pen. Do enjoy!--RJK

Trolls Anyone?

Castle Greyhawk was notorious for them. Robilar, Terik and Tenser fought them (often en masse) and Robilar suffered at their hands the one time he lost his bearings in the Castle (a tale that is already written about that 1972 adventure and will be appearing in the book due out late this year or early next: Lord of the Green Dragons™). Enjoy watching an elf geting his come-uppins' from the FC ink for one of the Six Original Castle Levels I am finishing for release this year. Drawn by Edward Kann, one of our team members.