Quoth the Raven #21 - Submissions Open

[NeoTiamat]

Of the four of them, Barovia and Lamordia hew reasonably close to prior demonstrations, just worked out some more to make them more polished and more like 'working' countries. Barovia in particular benefits from the fact that I study 19th century Balkan politics for a living. Lamordia owes quite a bit to Whistler and DocBeard, my Lamordian PCs from prior campaigns (you can spot cameos to them in the Lamordians and the Arcane section)

Falkovnia got a major refurbishment to make it into a Domain that could actually be used as a setting for adventure and to make Falkovnians actual possible characters who aren't just pseudo-Nazis.

Phirazia was... basically devised from the ground up, with heavy input from Isabella. Diamabel is extremely different, and indeed the whole Domain is pretty much Phirazia-in-name-only (having the token Arabic domain be about the perils of religious fundamentalism didn't sit right with us, so we made it more of an Arabian Nights Domain).

So, I can't say I have a strong preference. If going by theme, Barovia and Lamordia are probably the most appropriate.

[Isabella]

About a year ago I posted this writeup of Malken and his criminal gang in Nova Vaasa. To my recollection, I never submitted it to anything for posterity, would you want it for the netbook?

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

About a year ago I posted this writeup of Malken and his criminal gang in Nova Vaasa. To my recollection, I never submitted it to anything for posterity, would you want it for the netbook?

Indeed, I remember that fondly. We'd love to include it.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

So, I can't say I have a strong preference. If going by theme, Barovia and Lamordia are probably the most appropriate.

Hmmm.... again, I haven't had time to read them yet, but going from your description, I'm thinking maybe one that's close to canon and one that's not, might be a good fit. Pharazia and Barovia would give us one of each, one of which matches the theme well. Then maybe we save the other two for next year. Sound good?

[NeoTiamat]

Sounds like a plan. Might take me a bit to format them up, since I have... a few things on my plate right now. But they should be to you by mid-September.

[endianprime]

ok no promises here. we're back to that bite off more than can chew issue but just in case I find the time: what pixel sizes, file type and max file size would be appropriate for pictures. also I'll go ahead and assume no nudity [probably wouldn't anyways] but what about risque. suggestive lines, sheer clothing etc... not sure I'll do any of that either but its good to know.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Not sure we've ever been asked the image question before. Any file type would be fine. I can convert as needed. I'm not sure what resolution will show up best in the final pdf, but I can scale down a too-big image. A too-small image can't be scaled up well.

regarding the content: use the "Grandma rule" as a rule of thumb. If you would be comfortable showing the image to your grandma (or the "average" grandma, if yours is unusually free-spirited), it should be OK. We try to aim for a level of maturity consistent with the published books. If you could see it in a book published by WotC, we'll take it.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Reminder everyone! Only about 1.5 months left before the deadline! get those submissions in!

[endianprime]

Not sure we've ever been asked the image question before. Any file type would be fine. I can convert as needed. I'm not sure what resolution will show up best in the final pdf, but I can scale down a too-big image. A too-small image can't be scaled up well.

regarding the content: use the "Grandma rule" as a rule of thumb. If you would be comfortable showing the image to your grandma (or the "average" grandma, if yours is unusually free-spirited), it should be OK. We try to aim for a level of maturity consistent with the published books. If you could see it in a book published by WotC, we'll take it.

that's what I was planning on aiming for so it all sounds good.

[endianprime]

this post is in part for management and in part for article writers:

management:
I'm considering an interview and brief article on a musician who does gothic works. they've released 2 cds and are in the process or have just released a 3rd. every year I can talk to them about this time. the music I use in my own horror campaigns and think it goes quite well as background music. would quoth the raven be interested in article about this musician and using atmospheric music in general for a campaign?

writers:
I make absolutely no promises here at all but I have done a few test pieces of art and they turned out well in my opinion, however it would be nice if the artwork made sense for the book. so if you have any specific images you'd like to have me do for your article send me a private message so we can discuss it and not bog down the forum / reveal your articles.

I'll upload some test images as soon as I know how the heck that works. if someone wants to write a brief tutorial that would be great.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

I'm considering an interview and brief article on a musician who does gothic works. they've released 2 cds and are in the process or have just released a 3rd. every year I can talk to them about this time. the music I use in my own horror campaigns and think it goes quite well as background music. would quoth the raven be interested in article about this musician and using atmospheric music in general for a campaign?

Hmm.... in general, my usual response is to say, "sure!" but this, I think, might be stretching things a bit. An article about atmostpheric music for Ravenloft campaigns in general would be welcome. An interview with an individual artist not directly related to Ravenloft.... seems too much like advertising for my taste, sorry. (If any of the other FoS disagree, feel free to speak up, but unless there's objection, that's my ruling on our behalf).

I'll upload some test images as soon as I know how the heck that works. if someone wants to write a brief tutorial that would be great.

There's no way to upload images to the forum. You'd have to upload it at another site and use the [ img ] tag to link to it. [ img ] followed by the URL, followed by [ /img ] (With spaces removed, like this: . Quote my post to see the code for that.)

Alternately, you can post the images to Mistipedia via this form:
http://fraternityofshadows.com/wiki/Special:Upload

(You'd have to create an account on Mistipedia, and anyone could use your image to illustrate Mistipedia pages)

[endianprime]

I figured that's how it'd go for the article on the musician and music but it was something at my disposal so I thought I'd ask.

as for the images, that's kinda what I thought. I'll get a photo bucket or something

[endianprime]

here are 2 sample images I made this morning to showcase some of the art I may be able to provide:

[Joël of the FoS]

(If any of the other FoS disagree, feel free to speak up, but unless there's objection, that's my ruling on our behalf).

I also concur to go this way. An article on how you use their music (and others perhaps) in your game is cool, an article on their CD & carreer is less interesting.

BTW, very cool drawings, endianprime!

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Wow! That's excellent. I know we'd be glad to have some art of that nature! I'll contact you privately about my articles and if you're at all inspired by the topics, I'd be happy to have any illustrations you would want to provide. (I encourage any other authors to do the same.) Alternately, if you just want to showcase whatever you want to draw, you could make a few pics and then write something of your own around them...