Monthly Adventure Design Challenges [Archive] - HERO Games Discussion Boards

torchwolf

Jan 23rd, '10, 07:10 PM

Hi,

Not only do I think this is a fantastic idea, I think we should (in a spirit of friendship and structured improvement of skills) post our own qualified (list our preferrences, prejudices, etc.) critiques of the adventures and recommendations for tweaking. It may be of use to the budding adventure designer geniuses out there to get honest (and well-written) reactions from people.

As far as adventure design is concerned, what are the parameters and structures for the adventures?
I talked to the eminent Nolgroth on Hero Chat this Thursday and it was suggested the first theme (for February) be romance, as Valentine's Day is coming up, and these parameters:

4-6 PCs, built using either Standard Heroic or Standard Superheroic Point Totals.
Length of adventures: open.
Nolgroth suggested that any magic use the Turakian Age for spell or item format.
I suggest that for any Superheroic scenarios, the standard Archetypes be used.

An attempt should be made at highlighting the abilities of the Hero system to represent multiple genres.

Some remaining issues to consider:
inclusion of pregenerated characters for use with the scenarios?
inclusion of maps?
highlighting of rules usable for special purposes?

Personally I have a few adventure ideas that I could outline, but I think we'd better get the supposed structure outlined a bit first. In order to make it all manageable and doable in a reasonable time frame, this endeavor should probably at least for starters include a limited number of scenarios.
I think these ideas and guidelines are fairly valid, but I also think they are supposed to be open to opinion to some degree. I don't think they need to be very specific, though. In order to get some structure in this endeavor - especially to maintain the momentum now that it's been started - I propose the following:

Before January 28 (Thursday this week), we try to agree on these things:
1) A common structure and parameters.
2) Scope of concepts and/or ideas to explore.
3) In case of several ideas that can be developed and realized, there can be room for several adventures on a single theme (up to a reasonable limit).
4) As Nolgroth started this, he has veto on ideas, concepts and structure (as this needs to be a bit focused).

Does that sound reasonable to you?

so what shall be the first set of guidelines? Can I sugest a good into adventure for a bronze age Champions game?
This is the first suggestion then. :)

ghost-angel

Jan 23rd, '10, 07:48 PM

To keep it as open as possible, and as flexible as possible - here's what I think the minimum of an "Adventure" should include:

-A basic plot/outline and/or goal. from "Find the Macguffin" to full on story outline.
-Only a main villain (if any) need to be provided. Even then, you could provide suggestions from some published source (i.e. "This adventure was designed with the Black Harlequin in mind. . .")

No maps need be provided, so people don't feel that they need any even rudimentary artistic ability, or access to a program. Basically, I think we could use Steve Long's "Hero Plus Adventures" as a sort of framework to fit this onto. He almost never provides maps, keeps provided write-ups to a minimum, and tends to go for a broad scope brush when presenting ideas.

Zane_Marlowe

Jan 23rd, '10, 07:59 PM

I think this is a really cool idea. I'd suggest using the blogs to publish these, and then we can rate and comment on each in particular. We could link to those from this thread for ease perhaps.

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 09:11 AM

I think the Hero Plus adventures are excellent frameworks for modeling this.

As for writeups, maybe it should be optional, separately provided by the author at his or her discretion.
It may be useful for the secondary introductory purpose to provide either writeups, character guidelines, or suggested references or tweaks to published characters?

Using the blogs to post the adventures/outlines themselves and providing links there is a very good idea - much easier to follow discussions/critique/suggestions on this thread or in blog comments in that case.

Doc Democracy

Jan 24th, '10, 10:57 AM

So we can expect a new thread each month titled MAD - [theme]??

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 11:53 AM

I think this is a really cool idea. I'd suggest using the blogs to publish these, and then we can rate and comment on each in particular. We could link to those from this thread for ease perhaps.

Great Idea, but might I suggest a different one? Rather than Using individual blogs with are not connected to each other, why not use the "group" functions that this forum provides? We form a Group with the title "Monthly Adventures." The groups have an internal thread system such that everyone could post a "February: [title] - [user]" thread. We could then have a consistent place for all adventure ideas, seeds, write-ups, plots, etc.. We then link to each post in this (or other appropriate) thread. It would also allow the group creator some concept control (i.e., deleting stuff). We could either allow comments directly on the threads in the Group Discussion or not. Benefit - flow of conversation (not having a conversation about X+ threads at once in one thread).

La Rose.

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 12:25 PM

Great Idea, but might I suggest a different one? Rather than Using individual blogs with are not connected to each other, why not use the "group" functions that this forum provides? We form a Group with the title "Monthly Adventures." The groups have an internal thread system such that everyone could post a "February: [title] - [user]" thread. We could then have a consistent place for all adventure ideas, seeds, write-ups, plots, etc.. We then link to each post in this (or other appropriate) thread. It would also allow the group creator some concept control (i.e., deleting stuff). We could either allow comments directly on the threads in the Group Discussion or not. Benefit - flow of conversation (not having a conversation about X+ threads at once in one thread).

La Rose.
I didn't know that function existed until now. I had the same concerns you mention, and this sounds like the solution. :thumbup:
I don't see a problem with using the blogs, but it may be more easily accessible and centralized the way you propose.

OK, I nominate Nolgroth to create this Group.

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 12:48 PM

OK, I nominate Nolgroth to create this Group.

Anyone can Start it and transfer or add additional moderators.

La Rose.

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 12:53 PM

Monthly Adventures (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?groupid=37) group is now up.

If anyone has an image they would like to use for the Group, let me know. I will set it up.

La Rose.

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 01:06 PM

Monthly Adventures (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?groupid=37) group is now up.

If anyone has an image they would like to use for the Group, let me know. I will set it up.

La Rose.
Well, great, it's all up and running then, and I've joined. :)

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 02:43 PM

I took the liberty of summarizing the suggestions so far on the Monthly Adventures Group.

I would think that these outlines will suffice for now:
Brief adventure idea and/or outline, broad strokes, writeups can be added later if necessary.

Personally, I don't have any particular opinion on who does what or how as long as it works, and as for any structure or format, this will get hammered out during the process. :)

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 06:14 PM

Sounds reasonable enough. For some reason I thought there was a way to create sticky threads and add (rather than transfer) admin status. I guess not.

It seems like a good way to help keep things understandable, we should decide on a naming algorithm. My initial idea was for it to follow this pattern "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]." This allows us to follow along fairly easily. Likewise, the thread that starts everything (topic thread) should probably be named as "[month]'s Topic: [title]." We should also decide on how topics are decided (i.e., winner of last month's or a consistent person, etc.).

La Rose.

Zane_Marlowe

Jan 24th, '10, 06:37 PM

Great Idea, but might I suggest a different one? Rather than Using individual blogs with are not connected to each other, why not use the "group" functions that this forum provides? We form a Group with the title "Monthly Adventures." The groups have an internal thread system such that everyone could post a "February: [title] - [user]" thread. We could then have a consistent place for all adventure ideas, seeds, write-ups, plots, etc.. We then link to each post in this (or other appropriate) thread. It would also allow the group creator some concept control (i.e., deleting stuff). We could either allow comments directly on the threads in the Group Discussion or not. Benefit - flow of conversation (not having a conversation about X+ threads at once in one thread).

La Rose.

There's a cost here that we haven't talked about, and that's that one of the big bonuses for using the blogs is that they're listed on the forum homepage. That means that we're much more likely to get views and comments from outside this circle of group members. The earlier poster who said he didn't know about the groups until now is an example of how obscure we'll probably be if we do it that way.

That said, there are good reasons to do it in the way you suggest as well. I mention the above because I hadn't seen it discussed.

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 06:42 PM

Good Point, Zane. The solution might be to have both. We could have a blog that contains the plot idea and then link it to the Social group forum and vice versa. That allows us to have a consistent place to find them without having to check everyone's blog while still having the viewability of Blogs.

La Rose.

Zane_Marlowe

Jan 24th, '10, 07:44 PM

Okay so here's what I'm hearing. We author using the blogs, we catalog and set the challenges using the group? Do we use the normal threads?

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 08:33 PM

If the blogs are used for actual authored content, and the Group discussion for commenting, I think that
a) finished content might be posted here on these boards (under monthly threads?) as well as pdfs, and/or
b) this particular thread might be used to communicate and post info on progress and/or spoilers.

Just suggesting, but I think you two - The Rose and Zane_Marlowe should probably establish and finalize the hows and whys of format posting since you're already at it.

Rose, I'll delete those discussion threads I posted then so it can start out with a more structured approach - the plot idea I posted wasn't very good anyway. ;)

Oh, and the reason I didn't know about the Groups function is probably more because I don't tend experiment much, more than the function being obscure. :)

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 08:35 PM

Okay so here's what I'm hearing. We author using the blogs, we catalog and set the challenges using the group? Do we use the normal threads?

Normal threads? That's so last decade! :).

To be honest, I don't know if there would be a major use for the threads at the moment. The best use I can think of is if we have the best entry of each month choose the next month's topic. The way that I see that as being best done is if we set up a poll thread (like this one) with everyone's submission. The Person with the most votes gets the opportunity to choose. As it stands the group threads can not create polls, so that is still a function left to normal threads.

All summed up, your breakdown plus the tidbit about polls above seem pretty well organized. Alas it still takes three sections to accomplish the grand task but one must take what one can get. :).

Any other thoughts or does this seem agreeable to everyone? Also, since it has been Nolgoth and Torch who have pushed this the most, I think one of them should issue the topic for February. I'd suggest that one of them posts a topic thread in the group so that we have a static place to look to for prep and discussion. It would also help if they posted it in here for starters as well.

La Rose.

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 08:59 PM

Okay, I know this might be a little presumptuous of me but I think it is worth getting out some kind of "official paradigm" even if it ends up getting altered.

Monthly Adventures!

"The Rule of Three"

As seems to be tradition with literature, the Monthly Adventures Discussion (MAD) has its own rule of three. There will be three seperate but equally important sections for which this stroll into fantasy shall have.

First:
MAD Group. The Mad group serves a few major functions, not the least of which is for indexing of adventures. It will also be the source of each month's challenge. Before the Beginning of any month, someone (to be chosen later) will designate a challenge. The Challenge will be posted in a thread under the Group page with a title format "[Month]'s Topic: [Topic]." This thread will contain all pertinent information for that challenge (general concepts, flavor, genre, etc). It will also be the place in which discussion is held in order to clarify any content in the topic. We may also use this individual thread to help categorize and index submissions.

Second:
Blog Baby Blog. The individual submissions for any given month / topic will be done via personal blogs. This allows us a number of useful functions, including letting others not already in the know to read up on particular ideas. Individual blogs should be cross listed in the MAD group. The title of the new thread in the MAD group should follow a simple "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]" naming algorithm. This cross listing will provide an easy reference point for us and others to look up submissions without dredging through individual blogs. Likewise, someone may attempt to further cross list them into the month's topic thread. The MAD group threads may contain follow-up posts about the topic, but those really should be reserved for the Blog.

Third:
HERO system discussion or NGD threads will be started near the end of each month's submissions in order to rate everyone's work. The Rating system will be a simple pick-one-poll. The poll will contain the title and submitter and be open to voting. The Results will then be used to choose the next month's topic creator. No one person may be selected more than once in a row (i.e., if you created the topic for March, you can not win in March).

In addition to the basic outline above, Torchwolf has prepared a MAD group thread on general topic guidelines that can be found here (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=90).

Does this seem acceptable to everyone else? Comments, questions, concerns?

La Rose.

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 10:00 PM

In addition to the basic outline above, Torchwolf has prepared a MAD group thread on general topic guidelines that can be found here (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=88).
I deleted the original, slightly unorganized guidelines, rewrote them, and added the new thread:
"Suggested General Guidelines for Monthly Adventure Design Challenge"
instead.

Please update the invalid link. :)

Does this seem acceptable to everyone else? Comments, questions, concerns?

La Rose.

It looks both good and fairly comprehensive.

I propose a theme of "Romance" or "Valentine's Day" for February (as originally suggested by Nolgroth).

Opinions on this?

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 10:09 PM

I deleted the original, slightly unorganized guidelines, rewrote them, and added the new thread:
"Suggested General Guidelines for Monthly Adventure Design Challenge"
instead.

Please update the invalid link. :)

Done. Would you like me to delete the original thread entirely and work from the new one? Also, you didn't bold item number 2 in that new list.

I propose a theme of "Romance" or "Valentine's Day" for February (as originally suggested by Nolgroth).

Opinions on this?

I think it is a good idea. Unless Nolgroth objects, why don't we roll with that idea. Do you have any additional insights you want to add to it?

As of right now, what I'd suggest, Torchwolf, would be to create a "February's Topic: Valentine's Day" thread in the MAD Group. This will give us a coherent place to discuss the topic (including further parameters for it). As far as Deadlines go, how about 1 week (seven days) prior to the end of the month is when the Poll goes up. The Poll can be set to close 1 day before the next month (i.e., Jan 30). At that time, the thread started will declare the next winner and they can have a day (Jan 31) to post their idea. Does this sound fair and amicable?

La Rose.

torchwolf

Jan 24th, '10, 10:28 PM

Done. Would you like me to delete the original thread entirely and work from the new one? Also, you didn't bold item number 2 in that new list.
I thought I'd deleted it? You're welcome to do so.
...and, fixed.

I think it is a good idea. Unless Nolgroth objects, why don't we roll with that idea. Do you have any additional insights you want to add to it?
Not until I've slept a few hours. :)

As of right now, what I'd suggest, Torchwolf, would be to create a "February's Topic: Valentine's Day" thread in the MAD Group. This will give us a coherent place to discuss the topic (including further parameters for it). As far as Deadlines go, how about 1 week (seven days) prior to the end of the month is when the Poll goes up. The Poll can be set to close 1 day before the next month (i.e., Jan 30). At that time, the thread started will declare the next winner and they can have a day (Jan 31) to post their idea. Does this sound fair and amicable?

La Rose.
Thread by that name now created.
That deadline won't work, since that would put it right now. It'll have to be pushed forward a bit for this month - I suggest the deadline for submissions be January the 31st, then up with poll for 6 days (throughout Feb 6), then declare winner, and allow final posting until Feb 7. Then we can go to the schedule you suggest for March, but for this month it's a bit tight, especially since the word must spread a bit - this the first one after all. :)

The Rose

Jan 24th, '10, 10:38 PM

I'm a bit confused (it might be because I too am a little tired). My idea is that the deadline that occurs at the end of Feb be for Feb. I.e., we wait until Feb 21 to decide who won Feb. On the 27th, we tally the votes and move onto March. What I'm reading of yours seems to suggest that we declare Marches winer at the start of March. I think I'm not catching everything.

La Rose.
---Will pick this back up tomorrow.

Also, you did delete the posts. As Admin I can still see deleted posts and it took me a moment to catch on. Sorry.

Doc Democracy

Jan 25th, '10, 01:05 AM

torchwolf

Jan 25th, '10, 05:38 AM

If you do post on the forums, then you should be careful what you post where. Not everything should go here - this thread alone probably stretches the remit.

I think announcing a champions style adventure on Champions and Pulp on Pulp is cool and everything might go in General Roleplaying and/or Online Resources. But neither of those really attract much footfall.
The idea was for any genre, and I like that idea personally. :)
It would be a lot of posting, but I don't see a practical problem with starting a new thread for this purpose on each genre forum as well here and in General Roleplaying and/or Online resources, and crosslinking them?
If you think that would just be fragmenting the purpose, maybe the main discussion could be located in a proper place, and posts clearly stating where the main discussion is located (with a link) be posted on each genre forum, for instance.

In any case, a new thread should probably be created on this forum stating a summary of this project (as soon as that is agreed upon), as well as putting links to the blogs and the Group, if people should have a reasonable chance to navigate through the proposed structure easily.

torchwolf

Jan 25th, '10, 05:48 AM

Just had a related idea:

Any briefer suggestions that are submitted (such as not really being scenarios and more of a plot seed) could also be collected at the end of every challenge and be posted as "MAD Monthly Plot Seeds" on the proper genre board?

Doc Democracy

Jan 25th, '10, 06:10 AM

It would be a lot of posting, but I don't see a practical problem with starting a new thread for this purpose on each genre forum as well here and in General Roleplaying and/or Online resources, and crosslinking them?

I wasn't worried about duplication - I was worried about inappropriate posting. I dont think adventures are appropriate for the Rules discussion forum. The other locations would be fine.

I agree that the theme should not be genre specific but we should only announce in a genre forum if we have a submission in that genre for the theme.

Doc

In any case, a new thread should probably be created on this forum stating a summary of this project (as soon as that is agreed upon), as well as putting links to the blogs and the Group, if people should have a reasonable chance to navigate through the proposed structure easily.[/QUOTE]

ghost-angel

Jan 25th, '10, 06:49 AM

This forum is "Hero System Discussion" and not "Only The Rules" so I think this is a very appropriate forum for a type of project that either isn't related to a specific genre, or bounces around between genres.

It also gives it one place to go to any given month instead of hunting and pecking around looking for the MAD.

torchwolf

Jan 25th, '10, 01:07 PM

My idea is that the deadline that occurs at the end of Feb be for Feb. I.e., we wait until Feb 21 to decide who won Feb. On the 27th, we tally the votes and move onto March.
Alright, that sounds good. I will add this under Deadlines then, and we'll move on.
Sorry for complicating the issue, I yield. :)

torchwolf

Jan 25th, '10, 01:11 PM

Next step would then be to finalize guidelines and post those on the suggested forums.

A question: is the Group supposed to be open to everyone who wants to chime in? In that case, the link to it might also be posted with the guidelines.

torchwolf

Jan 25th, '10, 01:17 PM

Suggested General Guidelines for Monthly Adventure Design Challenge

1) Goal: To build short adventures (think Dungeon magazine) using a specific set of guidelines and/or a specific theme. Any number of contributions will be accepted but only one can win each month.

2) Concept: If you have a bit of spare time in any given month, you could participate that month. The aim is for small digestible chunks of development, rather than large scale cooperative works like ones attempted in the past. The more ideas posted, the more material to develop, so snippets are better than nothing, but the main idea is to avoid having to commit to large projects - just join in when you can.

3) Theme: Selected monthly. This will generally be broadly defined to allow for individual variety and ingenuity.

4) Parameters: Any length, any setting, any genre, for 4 to 6 players - basic plot/outline and/or goal to achieve (anything from "Find the Macguffin" to a full story outline). Steve Long's Hero Plus adventures form good guidelines.

5) Other concerns: Maps are not necessary. Any special rules used should be described, and any magic should preferably conform to spell/item format in Turakian Age, as it is the main Hero Fantasy setting. If possible, an attempt should be made at highlighting the abilities of the Hero system to represent multiple genres. Apart from the main antagonist(s), character writeups and pre-generated characters are optional, but some consideration should be given to presenting alternative sources for those lacking access to certain books. Introductory scenarios for Hero System 6th Edition are very welcome, as there have been requests posted for these.

6) Deadline: Contributions are accepted until a week before the end of the month. The first deadline is February 21.

Nolgroth

Jan 25th, '10, 01:36 PM

Ok, first of all, WOW. I did not expect this to take off so brightly. Color me happy.

I have been out of the loop. AT&T somehow managed to transfer phone service and not the internet service at the same time. They've compounded the issue by starting from scratch and adding several days until I get my connection back. And the biggest of sour coincidences? My work internet is not working either. At least not as of Sunday night. Right now I am using the wireless connection at my communities club house. Wednesday or Thursday I will have my own connection back.

Going off to review the thread and join up with the challenge group.

Nolgroth

Jan 25th, '10, 01:41 PM

Ok. Stupid question, but how do I join the MAD group?

EDIT: Nevermind. Found it.

Nolgroth

Jan 25th, '10, 10:34 PM

Okay now that I have had time to review the whole discussion (for reference, before I skimmed through earlier, teh bunneh's post was the last one I read). Here are my thoughts.

The Group is an awesome idea.

For the actual month to month administration of the challenge, I like Rose's idea with some amendments.

At the beginning of the month, there is an invitation to join the challenge posted to the General HERO Discussion forum. In that, there is an invitation to join the Monthly Adventure group and participate. There is also an explanation of the current month's theme and other criteria. A similar message is also posted to the group. This way, the challenge is opened up to the HERO community at large.
The individual entrant blogs the development of his/her submission. The final post should be some sort of consolidated RTF or PDF file. I know that not everybody has the ability to make PDFs, but most people should be able to read them. Almost everybody should be able to read and write RTF files. The format Rose mentioned is a nice standard one that should be followed.
On the deadline, whoever is managing the current challenge will consolidate all of the submissions and create a voting poll. The message will also provide links to the blog/group post/whatever that has every entrants submission.

As to picking the next month's challenge, I agree that the winner should have first pick. If for whatever reason the winner does not wish to or does not respond, that option should go to the next highest voted entrant. For instance if Rose win's February's challenge. He decides not to pick a new challenge theme, so he passes. Luckily, Torch Wolf, who came in second, is eager and ready so he gets to choose. I suppose that if the same person won two months in a row, the second month would automatically default to the runner up in terms of picking the next challenge. That way, it does not specifically exclude anybody from entering.

Is there anything I am missing?

Wolf

Jan 25th, '10, 10:58 PM

This thread is so made of win! I'm joining asap.

I'm currently giving thought to what I'd want to do for February, but I don't run romance very often, so it'll be interesting to see what I can think of.

As a thought I also dig the Savage Worlds One Sheets (http://www.peginc.com/onesheets.html), I mean for certain adventures you'd want to format it differently, but I may try to do Hero versions of the one sheets. Count me pretty stoked though.

torchwolf

Jan 26th, '10, 08:46 AM

As outlined by The Rose and amended by Nolgroth
(slightly rearranged and edited, with a few personal suggestions included):

Monthly Adventures!

"The Rule of Three"
As seems to be tradition with literature, the Monthly Adventures Discussion (MAD) has its own rule of three. There will be three separate but equally important sections for which this stroll into fantasy shall have.

First:
Forum Access and Announcements. At the beginning of the month, an invitation to join the new Monthly Adventure Design Challenge will be posted to the Hero System Discussion forum, explaining the current month's theme and other criteria, as well as containing a link and invitation to join the Monthly Adventures group and participate. A similar message will also posted to the group. This way, the challenge is opened up to the Hero community at large.Near the end of each month's submissions, whoever is managing the current challenge will consolidate all of the submissions and create a voting poll, on the Hero System Discussion forum; on other appropriate forums a link to this voting poll will be provided.
The Rating system will be a simple pick-one-poll to rate everyone's work. The poll will contain the title and submitter and be open to voting. The voting poll message will also provide links to the blogs of every contributed submission.
The Results will then be used to choose the next month's topic creator. No one person may be selected more than once in a row (i.e., if you created the topic for March, you can not win in March). In case the winner also won last month, or if (for whatever reason) the winner does not wish to or does not respond, that option should go to the next highest voted entrant.

Second:
MAD Group. The Mad group serves a few major functions, not the least of which is for indexing of adventures. It will also be the source of each month's challenge. Before the Beginning of any month, someone (to be chosen later) will designate a challenge. The Challenge will be posted in a thread under the Group page with a title format "[Month]'s Topic: [Topic]." This thread will contain all pertinent information for that challenge (general concepts, flavor, genre, etc). It will also be the place in which discussion is held in order to clarify any content in the topic. We may also use this individual thread to help categorize and index submissions, and to coordinate any necessary activities.

Third:
Blog Baby Blog. The individual submissions for any given month / topic will be done via personal blogs. This allows us a number of useful functions, including letting others not already in the know to read up on particular ideas. Individual blogs should be cross listed in the MAD group. The title of the new thread in the MAD group should follow a simple "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]" naming algorithm. This cross listing will provide an easy reference point for us and others to look up submissions without dredging through individual blogs. Likewise, someone may attempt to further cross list them into the month's topic thread. The MAD group threads may contain follow-up posts about the topic, but those really should be reserved for the blog. Generally, the MAD Group threads for individual submissions should be aimed at Q&A and help requests.
The individual entrant blogs the development of his/her submission, to the extent of the author's preference; if he or she would rather just post the finalized version, that is the author's decision.
The final post should preferably contain both RTF or PDF file versions of the completed submission. Any problems with file formatting can be solved in communication with the MAD group.

COMMENT: So what to you think, does this look OK to you? (except for the text formatting maybe)

EDIT: This was done just to summarize the content. The original author, The Rose, should preferably rewrite it, after we agree on the essentials.

torchwolf

Jan 26th, '10, 08:55 AM

As a thought I also dig the Savage Worlds One Sheets (http://www.peginc.com/onesheets.html), I mean for certain adventures you'd want to format it differently, but I may try to do Hero versions of the one sheets. Count me pretty stoked though.
Those look cool. :) I'm not sure about whether there should be a formatting standard as such, but everything is up for discussion.
Those sheets are a pretty good example of how it could look like though, and something like it in Hero format could be a good default format, made available for download?

Nolgroth

Jan 26th, '10, 10:14 PM

Everything is looking good so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

ghost-angel

Jan 27th, '10, 03:32 AM

The Results will then be used to choose the next month's topic creator. No one person may be selected more than once in a row (i.e., if you created the topic for March, you can not win in March). In case the winner also won last month, or if (for whatever reason) the winner does not wish to or does not respond, that option should go to the next highest voted entrant.

The first part eliminates the possibility to winning twice in a row, making the second part redundant. And I don't ness. like the idea of not being able to win twice in a row, versus not being able to control the topic twice in a row.

torchwolf

Jan 27th, '10, 03:21 PM

The first part eliminates the possibility to winning twice in a row, making the second part redundant. And I don't ness. like the idea of not being able to win twice in a row, versus not being able to control the topic twice in a row.
True. How about this change?
"The Results will then be used to choose the next month's topic creator. No one person may be selected more than once in a row (i.e., if you created the topic for March, you can not select the new topic for April), in which event the privilege defaults to the next highest voted entrant."

ghost-angel

Jan 27th, '10, 04:40 PM

Or without trying to sound like we're making a legal document:

"1st Place gets to choose the next months topic. If you've won twice in a row then the next months topic is chosen by the second place winner."

Because honestly, I find nothing more annoying than pseudo-legal talk in a friendly environment.

torchwolf

Jan 27th, '10, 07:07 PM

As outlined by The Rose and amended by Nolgroth and ghost-angel
(slightly rearranged and edited, with a few personal suggestions included):

Monthly Adventures!

"The Rule of Three"
As seems to be tradition with literature, the Monthly Adventures Discussion (MAD) has its own rule of three. There will be three separate but equally important sections for which this stroll into fantasy shall have.

First:
Forum Access and Announcements. At the beginning of the month, an invitation to join the new Monthly Adventure Design Challenge will be posted to the Hero System Discussion forum, explaining the current month's Challenge (the topic and other criteria), as well as containing a link and invitation to join the Monthly Adventures group and participate. A similar message will also posted to the group. This way, the challenge is opened up to the Hero community at large. Near the end of each month's submissions, whoever is managing the current challenge will consolidate all of the submissions and create a voting poll, on the Hero System Discussion forum; on other appropriate forums a link to this voting poll will be provided.
The Rating system will be a simple pick-one-poll to rate everyone's work. The poll will contain the title and submitter and be open to voting. The voting poll message will also provide links to the blogs of every contributed submission.
1st Place gets to choose the next months Challenge. If you've won twice in a row then the Challenge is chosen by the 2nd place winner. Second:
MAD Group. The Mad group serves a few major functions, not the least of which is for indexing of adventures. The current Challenge will be posted in a thread under the Group page with a title format "[Month]'s Topic: [Topic]." This thread will contain all pertinent information for that Challenge (general concepts, flavor, genre, etc). It will also be the place in which discussion is held in order to clarify any content in the topic. We may also use this individual thread to help categorize and index submissions, and to coordinate any necessary activities.Third:
Blog Baby Blog. The individual submissions for any given monthly Challenge will be done via personal blogs. This allows us a number of useful functions, including letting others not already in the know to read up on particular ideas. Individual blogs should be cross listed in the MAD group. The title of the new thread in the MAD group should follow a simple "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]" naming algorithm. This cross listing will provide an easy reference point for us and others to look up submissions without dredging through individual blogs. Likewise, someone may attempt to further cross list them into the month's topic thread. The MAD group threads may contain follow-up posts about the topic, but those really should be reserved for the blog. Generally, the MAD Group threads for individual submissions should be aimed at Q&A and help requests.
The individual entrant blogs the development of his/her submission, to the extent of the author's preference; if he or she would rather just post the finalized version, that is the author's decision.
The final post should preferably contain both RTF or PDF file versions of the completed submission. Any problems with file formatting can be solved in communication with the MAD group.

COMMENT: Altered all references to topic to read Challenge instead, shortened first section from suggestions and shortened the second section (MAD group) description since the selection is covered under the first section. Anything else needing correction?

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 10:21 AM

Monthly Adventure Design Challenge

As outlined by The Rose and amended by Nolgroth and ghost-angel
(slightly rearranged and edited, with a few personal suggestions included):

Monthly Adventures!

The Idea: To build short adventures using a specific set of guidelines and/or a specific theme. Any number of contributions will be accepted but only one can win each month. The theme will generally be broadly defined to allow for individual variety and ingenuity. You can look to the structure of Steve Long's Hero Plus adventures, the Dungeon Magazine scenarios, the One-Sheet adventures for Savage Worlds, and many others, for samples of how such a short adventure could look.

The Scope: Small digestible chunks of development, rather than large scale cooperative works like ones attempted in the past. The more ideas posted, the more material to develop, so snippets are better than nothing, but the main idea is to avoid having to commit to large projects - just join in when you can. This is for enjoyment.

The Size: Any length, any setting, any genre, for 4 to 6 players - basic plot/outline and/or goal to achieve (anything from "Find the Macguffin" to a full story outline). Maps are not necessary. Apart from the main antagonist(s), character writeups and pre-generated characters are optional, but some consideration should be given to presenting alternative sources for those lacking access to certain books. Any special rules used should be described, and any magic should preferably conform to spell/item format in Turakian Age, as it is the main Hero Fantasy setting.

You might consider this whole project an experiment in highlighting the Hero system's ability to represent multiple genres, and introductory scenarios for Hero System 6th Edition are very welcome, as there have been requests posted for these.

"The Rule of Three"
As seems to be tradition with literature, the Monthly Adventures Discussion (MAD) has its own rule of three. There will be three separate but equally important sections for which this stroll into fiction shall have.

First:
Forum Access and Announcements. At the beginning of the month, an invitation to join the new Monthly Adventure Design Challenge will be posted to the Hero System Discussion forum, explaining the current month's Challenge (the topic and other criteria), as well as containing a link and invitation to join the Monthly Adventures group and participate. A similar message will also posted to the group. This way, the challenge is opened up to the Hero community at large. Near the end of each month's submissions, whoever is managing the current challenge will consolidate all of the submissions and create a voting poll, on the Hero System Discussion forum; on other appropriate forums a link to this voting poll will be provided.
The Rating system will be a simple pick-one-poll to rate everyone's work. The poll will contain the title and submitter and be open to voting. The voting poll message will also provide links to the blogs of every contributed submission.
1st Place gets to choose the next months Challenge. If you've won twice in a row then the Challenge is chosen by the 2nd place winner.

Second:
MAD Group. The Mad group serves a few major functions, not the least of which is for indexing of adventures. The current Challenge will be posted in a thread under the Group page with a title format "[Month]'s Topic: [Topic]." This thread will contain all pertinent information for that Challenge (general concepts, flavor, genre, etc). It will also be the place in which discussion is held in order to clarify any content in the topic. We may also use this individual thread to help categorize and index submissions, and to coordinate any necessary activities.

Third:
Blog Baby Blog. The individual submissions for any given monthly Challenge will be done via personal blogs. This allows us a number of useful functions, including letting others not already in the know to read up on particular ideas. Individual blogs should be cross listed in the MAD group. The title of the new thread in the MAD group should follow a simple "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]" naming algorithm. This cross listing will provide an easy reference point for us and others to look up submissions without dredging through individual blogs. Likewise, someone may attempt to further cross list them into the month's topic thread. The MAD group threads may contain follow-up posts about the topic, but those really should be reserved for the blog. Generally, the MAD Group threads for individual submissions should be aimed at Q&A and help requests.
The individual entrant blogs the development of his/her submission, to the extent of the author's preference; if he or she would rather just post the finalized version, that is the author's decision.
The final post should preferably contain both RTF or PDF file versions of the completed submission. Any problems with file formatting can be solved in communication with the MAD group.

COMMENT: All guidelines are now reduced to this document.
I'm considering adding this:
“Scenarios using 6th Edition Rules should have 5th Edition conversion notes and vice versa; the Group will assist in this conversion. This is to make the scenarios easily usable for as many Hero board members or visitors as possible.”
Opinions?

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 12:52 PM

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 01:18 PM

I think a simple statement as to which version of HERO is being used should be included. Many people who have stayed with 5E cannot really provide accurate translations to 6E. Some folks just coming into 6E may not have 5E to reference. I also think that a mention should be made as to whether the full rules or the Sidekick/Basic Rulebook are used to write the adventure.
So how about adding this at the end of the section "The Size":
“Scenarios should state which version of the rules is being used (if Sidekick or Basic Rulebook are used, this should also be stated) - this is just for ease of use."

If there are no more changes we should make, we're almost ready to go. :)

(personally, I think it would be nice to be able to provide 5<->6 conversions as a short appendix, but that is probably something we can discuss in the Group later and decide on before the deadline comes up)

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 01:22 PM

I agree that it would be nice, I just don't know how practical that would be. I think we are just about set.

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 01:43 PM

I agree that it would be nice, I just don't know how practical that would be. I think we are just about set.
This is a good suggestion, but I am not certain if or how it should be included at this point - possibly under blogs, but it might fit better under the group (where it is currently):
Kawanga Kid: "In a spirit of friendship and structured improvement of skills, post qualified (list our preferences, prejudices, etc.) critiques of the adventures and recommendations for tweaking. It may be of use to the budding adventure designer geniuses out there to get honest (and well-written) reactions from people."

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 01:46 PM

I sort of assumed, based on my experiences with the Cartographers' Guild, that honest and positive critique would be part and parcel of the process. We might want to suggest strongly that positively critiquing somebody's work is a good thing, but denigrating the hard work of others is a BAD thing.

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 01:54 PM

Hmm. Last line of the document:
"Oh, and be nice when you critique other's blogs. Constructive criticism is one thing, denigrating the hard work of others is another. :)"

Would that work?

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 01:57 PM

Like a charm.

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 02:37 PM

Monthly Adventures!

The Idea: To build short adventures using a specific set of guidelines and/or a specific theme. Any number of contributions will be accepted but only one can win each month. The theme will generally be broadly defined to allow for individual variety and ingenuity. You can look to the structure of Steve Long's Hero Plus adventures, the Dungeon Magazine scenarios, the One-Sheet adventures for Savage Worlds, and many others, for samples of how such a short adventure could look.

The Scope: Small digestible chunks of development, rather than large scale cooperative works like ones attempted in the past. The more ideas posted, the more material to develop, so snippets are better than nothing, but the main idea is to avoid having to commit to large projects - just join in when you can. This is for enjoyment.

The Size: Any length, any setting, any genre, for 4 to 6 players - basic plot/outline and/or goal to achieve (anything from "Find the Macguffin" to a full story outline). Maps are not necessary. Apart from the main antagonist(s), character writeups and pre-generated characters are optional, but some consideration should be given to presenting alternative sources for those lacking access to certain books. Any special rules used should be described, and any magic should preferably conform to spell/item format in Turakian Age, as it is the main Hero Fantasy setting.
Scenarios should state which version of the rules is being used (if Sidekick or Basic Rulebook are used, this should also be stated) - just for ease of use.

You might consider this whole project an experiment in highlighting the Hero system's ability to represent multiple genres, and introductory scenarios for Hero System 6th Edition are very welcome, as there have been requests posted for these.

"The Rule of Three"

As seems to be tradition with literature, the Monthly Adventures Discussion (MAD) has its own rule of three. There will be three separate but equally important sections for which this stroll into fiction shall have.

First:
Forum Access and Announcements. At the beginning of the month, an invitation to join the new Monthly Adventure Design Challenge will be posted to the Hero System Discussion forum, explaining the current month's Challenge (the topic and other criteria), as well as containing a link and invitation to join the Monthly Adventures group and participate. A similar message will also posted to the group. This way, the challenge is opened up to the Hero community at large. Near the end of each month's submissions, whoever is managing the current challenge will consolidate all of the submissions and create a voting poll, on the Hero System Discussion forum; on other appropriate forums a link to this voting poll will be provided.

The Rating system will be a simple pick-one-poll to rate everyone's work. The poll will contain the title and submitter and be open to voting. The voting poll message will also provide links to the blogs of every contributed submission.

1st Place gets to choose the next months Challenge. If you've won twice in a row then the Challenge is chosen by the 2nd place winner.

Second:
MAD Group. The Mad group serves a few major functions, not the least of which is for indexing of adventures. The current Challenge will be posted in a thread under the Group page with a title format "[Month]'s Topic: [Topic]." This thread will contain all pertinent information for that Challenge (general concepts, flavor, genre, etc). It will also be the place in which discussion is held in order to clarify any content in the topic. We may also use this individual thread to help categorize and index submissions, and to coordinate any necessary activities.

Third:
Blog Baby Blog. The individual submissions for any given monthly Challenge will be done via personal blogs. This allows us a number of useful functions, including letting others not already in the know to read up on particular ideas. Individual blogs should be cross listed in the MAD group. The title of the new thread in the MAD group should follow a simple "[Month]: [plot title] - [submitter]" naming algorithm. This cross listing will provide an easy reference point for us and others to look up submissions without dredging through individual blogs. Likewise, someone may attempt to further cross list them into the month's topic thread. The MAD group threads may contain follow-up posts about the topic, but those really should be reserved for the blog. Generally, the MAD Group threads for individual submissions should be aimed at Q&A and help requests.

The individual entrant blogs the development of his/her submission, to the extent of the author's preference; if he or she would rather just post the finalized version, that is the author's decision.
The final post should preferably contain both RTF or PDF file versions of the completed submission. Any problems with file formatting can be solved in communication with the MAD group.

Oh, and be nice when you critique other's blogs. Constructive criticism is one thing, denigrating the hard work of others is another. :)

Visit the Monthly Adventures Group (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?groupid=37) for this month's Challenge!

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 02:44 PM

I posted the above on the Group (although without some formatting and the link), removed the previous "Suggested Guidelines", and started up an "Admin" thread.

All that remains now would then be to post this in a new thread, and post a link to it in each of the Genre Forums as well as the General Roleplaying Forum.
Should the title of the thread read "Monthly Adventures Design Challenge - February's Theme is Love", should the theme be included in the first post, or something else?

Or did I forget something?

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 02:52 PM

Here is how I would format the Thread Title; February 2010 Adventure Design Challenge - The Valentines Day Adventure. From there I would provide the basic summary information about what the challenge is about, what genres it covers, etc. Also post a link the MAD group and basic rules/guidelines on how to post.

Not sure if posting to each of the Genre forums is absolutely necessary, but I have no objection to doing so either.

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 03:12 PM

A brief post to each Genre forum reading:
"February 2010 Adventure Design Challenge - The Valentines Day Adventure" (thread title)
"Would you like to join the Adventure Design Challenge?
More info <here>" (link to this forum, where the info is)

Might make it easier to find and maybe interest anyone who doesn't spend so much time on this forum.

So should I summarize it further for the post here and on General Roleplaying?

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 03:16 PM

You are right. The link to the Group page should be placed as early as possible. I would think that the actual message post would be identical except for the Group post would omit the link to itself.

torchwolf

Jan 28th, '10, 03:43 PM

Monthly Adventures!

This month's theme, the Valentine's Day Adventure, is about love.

Would you like to write a brief adventure on this theme?

To sign up for the Challenge, visit the Monthly Adventures Group (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?groupid=37).

The challenge works like this: join the Group, read the guidelines, and start a blog with your adventure. After the deadline (February 21 for this Challenge), a poll is put up, and a winner is selected, who will get to choose the topic for next month's Challenge. The Group is also for asking questions and discussing ideas (and the theme) in general.

The Idea: To build short adventures using a specific set of guidelines and/or a specific theme. Any number of contributions will be accepted but only one can win each month. The theme will generally be broadly defined to allow for individual variety and ingenuity. You can look to the structure of Steve Long's Hero Plus adventures, the Dungeon Magazine scenarios, the One-Sheet adventures for Savage Worlds, and many others, for samples of how such a short adventure could look.

The Scope: Small digestible chunks of development, rather than large scale cooperative works like ones attempted in the past. The more ideas posted, the more material to develop, so snippets are better than nothing, but the main idea is to avoid having to commit to large projects - just join in when you can. This is for enjoyment.

The Size: Any length, any setting, any genre, for 4 to 6 players - basic plot/outline and/or goal to achieve (anything from "Find the Macguffin" to a full story outline). Maps are not necessary. Apart from the main antagonist(s), character writeups and pre-generated characters are optional, but some consideration should be given to presenting alternative sources for those lacking access to certain books. Any special rules used should be described, and any magic should preferably conform to spell/item format in Turakian Age, as it is the main Hero Fantasy setting.
Scenarios should state which version of the rules is being used (if Sidekick or Basic Rulebook are used, this should also be stated) - just for ease of use.

You might consider this whole project an experiment in highlighting the Hero system's ability to represent multiple genres, and introductory scenarios for Hero System 6th Edition are very welcome, as there have been requests posted for these.

COMMENT: I don't think I can make it much briefer, unless just the first two paragraphs are used.

Nolgroth

Jan 28th, '10, 04:29 PM

I was thinking something a little more like this....

February 2010 Adventure Design Challenge - The Valentines Day Adventure

This month kicks off the HERO Forums monthly Adventure Design Challenge. The theme for this month is build an adventure that revolves around romance or love. It does not have to be a sappy love story (though it can). You can create a comedy adventure about a love potion mishap, an epic quest to rescue true love or anything else that you can come up with. Sign up at the Monthly Adventures Design Group (http://www.herogames.com/forums/group.php?groupid=37) and join in the fun.

Genre, Setting & Power Level
For the February 2010 challenge, any setting, genre or power level is acceptable. Just make sure you note the following information;

Which version of HERO you are writing for. We really don't mind if you want to write for Champions 1st edition if that is what you are comfortable with. If you are writing for Sidekick (5E) or the HERO System Basic Rulebook (6E), mention that as well.
What the expected point totals for the characters are and the breakdown of base points versus Disadvantages/Complications.
A specific genre or setting if used (Dark Champions, Hudson City)
An example entry might read: <My Adventure Title> is a Superheroic level adventure set in Millennium City, using the HERO 6E rules. Characters will be built on the Standard Superhero points and guidelines as outlined in the HERO 6E1 book.

Other Guidelines
It is a good idea to follow established HERO standards. When writing up spells, for example, using one of the established magic systems from Turakian Age, Valdorian Age, or Atlantean Age would make it easier for the reader to identify with. If you don't have these resources available or just want to use another system, that is ok too. Just make sure that you provide enough information about how the system works to allow a perspective GM to run it.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them over at the Monthly Adventure Design Group.

Submissions and Voting
Start the submission process by posting a message over at the Monthly Adventure Design Group. From there you can use your HERO Forums blog to create a development journal. On the final submission date, post an RTF (rich text file) or PDF of your submission to your Monthly Adventure Design Group post. A new thread will be created in the HERO System General Discussion with a Poll containing all of the entries for that month.

The HERO Forum community will choose the winner by popular vote. The winner will get to choose the next month's theme and general guidelines. We want to share the opportunity to pick new themes, so if one person wins two months in a row, the runner up on the second month will get to choose the following month's theme.

Submission Date: February 21, 2010. The poll closes on February 28, 2010 at 2359 hours PST.Something like that. I see no need for brevity and every need to be as informative as possible. Thoughts?