Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arganis 05-15-06, 12:36 PM	Cancelled I don’t really know what the interest level will be in this, but I’m going to post it anyway. It's by no means an attempt to distract from the Master/Wyrmling competitions. I simply think it would be fun! Arganis’ Adventure Challenge Rules: Design an adventure for a party of 4-6 characters of any level. At the end of your adventure, the characters should be 1-3 levels higher than when they began. Use of Core-only (PHB, DMG, MM) material is encouraged but not required. All published Wizards material is technically allowed. If you manage to come up with a supplement my group doesn't have access to, you get a cookie. Reference any material by book and page, core or not. Entries will be accepted in two categories: Site-Based and Event-Based. During your creative process, keep an Adventure Design Log. See the criteria below for more information. Those are the only rules, so that’s a good deal of free reign. Rewards: All entries will be hosted on my website as a resource for other DMs The winner in each category (2 total) will receive an edited, formatted PDF version of their adventure with original artwork by myself and another member of my group. 1st- and 2nd-Runner-Ups will receive detailed feedback from my group and I (if requested). Time permitting, we will also provide basic feedback to any applicant (if requested). At the time of submission be sure to indicate if you care to receive feedback. Deadline: The deadline for entries is July 31st. Judging: My player group and I will play-test selected entries in each category after a preliminary judging and select a winner and 2 runners-up for each category. Your adventure will be judged according to the following criteria: Originality (0-10 pts) – This doesn’t necessarily imply that you should avoid the traditional dungeon crawl, but entries that stand out from the crowd in some way will be favored. Flavor (0-10 pts) – General tone, environmental detail, NPC depth, and many other factors go towards making an adventure memorable and unique. Flavor-text is your friend. Organization (0-10 pts) – An effective adventure is easy to manage. It should present information in an organized, easy-to-use fashion. Helpful things like maps, skill check DCs, combat tactics, and NPC statistics go a long way towards helping an un-initiated DM run your adventure. Risk and Reward (0-10 pts) – A good adventure is challenging without being overbearing. Your adventure will be judged on how well you manage encounter levels and treasure rewards. Adaptability (0-10 pts) – Every DM likes to add his own personal touch to an adventure. A good adventure takes that into account and is durable enough not to fall apart if the DM changes something. Adventure Design Log (0-10 pts) – Your adventure design log should be helpful to other DMs (or aspiring DMs). Describe how you got from your first brainstorm to your end product so that your footsteps can be followed by those willing. Fun (0-10pts) – When all is said and done, your adventure should be enjoyable! Submitting: You can send your adventure to me by private message or email it to adventurechallenge@1iworks.com. Unfortunately I will not be accepting entries by regular mail, so you’ll have to find some way to send your maps in an electronic format. I hope this does not inconvenience too many applicants. I’m looking forward to your submissions. Questions and Clarifications: Q: Is this a scam? A: No. I love the idea behind the WDMC and MDMCs. No money will ever be made on these adventures ever, unless it is by the original authors. The goal is to compile a resource of adventures for DMs on these boards, particularly with respect to the adventure design logs... and give me something to do with my time. My goal in offering a PDF to the winners is simply an attempt at providing an incentive for entry. My goal in offering a place to host them is purely free of charge and free of advertising. Q: Why should I care what you and your group think of my adventure? A: No real reason. But I'll give you a pretty PDF! :ayyyy!: Q: What is an Adventure Design Log? A: This is whatever you make it to be. Think of it as advice to a less experienced adventure designer than yourself. Talk about what you started with and how you came to the final product. An example might be: "At first I thought the AAC was a scam, but then I had a free night and thought 'what the hell'. Drawing from this experience, I wanted to create an espionage-based adventure in which an entire town was duped into believing that a group of evil NPCs were a good adventuring party. So I started by designing the party. Their leader would be important, so I focused on her first..." etc. Q: Am I allowed to make entries into each category? A: Yes, should you so desire you may submit both a site-based and an event-based adventure, for a total of two submissions maximum. Q: Is a home-brew campaign world okay? A: A homebrew setting is just as good as any campaign setting as far as this contest is concerned. But you'll need to be sure to include any background information that relates to the adventure. For example, if your adventure takes place on the site of an important battle that occurred 10 years ago, it would be a good idea to explain the basics of the battle and the war surrounding it, especially if the party is being pitted against an undead knight from said battle. In addition, be sure that any rule modifications that you've made for your campaign world (examples: Demons are Native Outsiders) are listed and well-defined. Q: Can I choose which "scene" or "scenes" get the artwork? A: There's no reason why not. For these purposes, please provide a prioritized list, as the number of depictions is not predetermined. We'll also reserve the right to deviate slightly from such a list should inspiration strike. Q: Can I choose to receive the artwork but not the PDF? (I generate my own PDFS) A: There is also no reason why not. Q: Do you have a website where you have similar completed adventures? A: Nope, this is the first of its kind, though hopefully not the last. Q: Do you have a website where I can see some of the artwork on display? A: Time permitting, I may post a sample of my work, but at this time, no. You'll be getting what you pay for and trusting in our skills. But rest assured we are looking to challenge ourselves as much as we are looking to challenge you. Q: Will you post all or many of the completed entries on a website? (this cuts both ways... I may want to look at others work, I may want to provide only single-reprint rights). A: We would prefer that all entries be public, especially in the case of the winners, but all content will remain the property of the original author. Therefore, if you request that your work not be displayed, we will oblige. Q: Who will own the artwork? A: The artwork will be given to the winners as part of the prize. No royalties will be requested and full reprint rights will be granted. Any more questions?
olshanski_home 05-15-06, 12:52 PM	1) Can we choose which "scene" or "scenes" get the artwork? 2) Can we choose to receive the artwork but not the PDF? (I generate my own PDFS) 3) Do you have a website where you have similar completed adventures? 4) Do you have a website where I can see some of the artwork on display? 5) Will you post all or many of the completed entries on a website? (this cuts both ways... I may want to look at others work, I may want to provide only single-reprint rights). 6) Who will own the artwork?
Arganis 05-15-06, 01:07 PM	Good questions. Answered above, hopefully to your liking.
Arganis 05-15-06, 04:06 PM	As a special request, could interested parties please post here or PM me for the purposes of gauging interest? Please and thank you!
Light Dragon 05-15-06, 04:11 PM	-You may want to post examples of your artwork... that might drive up additional interest! Good luck. -LD.
Arganis 05-17-06, 03:46 PM	Yay double post. :banghead:
Arganis 05-17-06, 03:47 PM	:bump: Get to work slackers. Flex those imaginations without thoughts of reward! (Although I will be posting an artwork sample as time permits. In addition, if any other DM artists would like to hop on board and offer a reward pic or two, feel free!)
Ankalagon 05-17-06, 05:31 PM	Just so I understand this and call me cynical if you like: You are asking people if they want to: 1) Write adventures for you and your pals 2) You offer to do the art work for the winner, but cut your workload by getting help from any other volunteers on here 3) Your gonna stick them on your website (you don't by any chance get paid for adverts on your website do you, oh at least not yet anyway) I believe WoTC offered $100,000. Dude, you are genius, an absolute genius. I'm in. Give me some time and I'll come up with something. Hey as you want art volunteers I'll supply my own artwork. I have a copy of Adobe so I'll send you everything as a PDF or if you prefer I have buddy who works in a printers. Would you like a Matt or Glossy finish? Hey, I work in IT. I could even throw in a website or two. 10 pages enough, database linked? Take credit cards buys? Do you want a good quality DMZ and security structure. Sorry, you might be genuine and I am a cantankerous, untrusting old git. Tell me how this isn't a scam before I get my finger out and put in some effort. Edit: I was gonna just remove this but I think it's better it stands and then see below means something
Arganis 05-17-06, 06:31 PM	Fair enough. Your question has been answered above. I'm also willing to accept suggestions as to how to further dissuade you from such negative thoughts. I mean, did I miss where the DMCs were super-ultra-official?
Sguss 05-17-06, 07:09 PM	Personally I like the personal touch of the .pdf with original artwork. Unfortunately though all my time and energy is involved in my campaign, so my entry (if done in time) would suck at the adaptability (FR setting, Underdark). That said, I might throw it out anyway for kicks (the portion of my campaign taking people from 4th to 5th). I was planning on putting my campaign in .pdf format, but I compeltely suck at artwork and such, so the idea of having it done for me is cool. One question, and my ignorance... I have a general idea what an adventure log is, but where do I get one? Is there examples out there I can check out?
Arganis 05-17-06, 07:38 PM	Q: What is an Adventure Design Log? A: This is whatever you make it to be. Think of it as advice to a less experienced adventure designer than yourself. Talk about what you started with and how you came to the final product. An example might be: "At first I thought the AAC was a scam, but then I had a free night and thought 'what the hell'. Drawing from this experience, I wanted to create an espionage-based adventure in which an entire town was duped into believing that a group of evil NPCs were a good adventuring party. So I started by designing the enemy party. Their leader would be important, so I focused on her first..." etc. Also duplicated above.
Ankalagon 05-19-06, 12:58 PM	If anyone isn't taking this up because of something I wrote then I take it back. I am a cynical bastard and I have been involved in a genuine discussion with this gent. You speak as you find and I found genuine.
Arganis 05-19-06, 01:35 PM	If anyone isn't taking this up because of something I wrote then I take it back. I am a cynical bastard and I have been involved in a genuine discussion with this gent. You speak as you find and I found genuine. What this means is that my associates and I have offered Ank a slice of the pie in exchange for his silence. Bwaha! :rofl:
Ankalagon 05-19-06, 02:04 PM	What this means is that my associates and I have offered Ank a slice of the pie in exchange for his silence. Bwaha! :rofl: :heehee sshhhhh My missus will want a cut.
Aldarionn 05-19-06, 03:14 PM	This sounds like it will be fun, so time permitting I'll see if I can't put in an entry. I have a few ideas at least. Is there a timeframe for this? When does it end? Aldarionn
Arganis 05-19-06, 03:20 PM	There is no deadline right now. As interest grows we will get a better idea of how long it's going to take to collect a reasonable number of entries. There will be plenty of warning in terms of a final acceptance date.
Board_Rider 05-19-06, 04:04 PM	Can we submit something from 2nd to 3rd-4th level? I find those adventures, albeit this is a personal preference, to be more "fun". Currently there are tons of of 6-10th level adventures/NPCs out there. I may not win but I would like to submit something like this, if possible.
Arganis 05-19-06, 04:25 PM	Can we submit something from 2nd to 3rd-4th level? I find those adventures, albeit this is a personal preference, to be more "fun". Currently there are tons of of 6-10th level adventures/NPCs out there. I may not win but I would like to submit something like this, if possible. You know, it occurs to me that it will be easier for almost any DM to submit an entry that is closer to their current PCs levels anyway, so for the sake of more submissions, I think I will go ahead and relax that requirement entirely. So yes, please see above.
olshanski_home 05-19-06, 04:47 PM	I think perhaps you might count me in. I'd like to see at least a 2 month deadline or something... this serves 2 purposes: 1) it gives people who enter an idea of when they will find out the results of the contest. 2) some people will not enter until the deadline regardless.. they need a "deadline" in order to force themselves to get the work done. I will also volunteer to provide some feedback to other entrants, if they want to hear it. (I'm a master DM judge and winner, english degree, legal professional... those are some qualifications). Some of my reviews of published adventures can be found on ENWORLD.ORG reviews, under the name "olshanski".
Board_Rider 05-19-06, 05:35 PM	I think perhaps you might count me in. I'd like to see at least a 2 month deadline or something... this serves 2 purposes: 1) it gives people who enter an idea of when they will find out the results of the contest. 2) some people will not enter until the deadline regardless.. they need a "deadline" in order to force themselves to get the work done. I will also volunteer to provide some feedback to other entrants, if they want to hear it. (I'm a master DM judge and winner, english degree, legal professional... those are some qualifications). Some of my reviews of published adventures can be found on ENWORLD.COM reviews, under the name "olshanski". I do not want to come in and mess up your BBQ Arganis but I agree with Olshanski. In the past he has been spot on with some of his insights. I really don't have any qualifications other than I can drink beer, have a B.S. and kick butt in Madden. Either way I like this whole thing thing and will play by whatever rules that you decide. EDIT: I think that it is enworld.org I cannot seem to get enworld.com. Then again I can't get a lot of things at work so the network filters may prohibit me from viewing that web site.
ThirdProphecy 05-19-06, 07:13 PM	I think this is a great idea, and I'll be getting to work immediately on it. I agree with the statement that there should be a deadline announced. That way we all feel more secure and so that we know when to check back and follow the contest.
Arganis 05-22-06, 01:37 PM	Good advice Board and Olshanki. I had considered the problem of "open-endedness" but wasn't quite sure how much weight to give it. Your advice along with this additional positive feedback has encouraged me to set a deadline of July 31st. I was tempted to opt for the beginning of July but I'm sure many folks have plans for the 4th. As for your offer of assistance Olsh, I would be happy to work with you. :)
gleep 05-22-06, 10:43 PM	I was thinking of writing up the adventure my players are currently going through more formally; this would definitely be a good reason. Count me as a definite "maybe" :D --gleep
Morka 05-23-06, 11:56 AM	While my English is not that great (my first language is French), I could try to cook something. After all, I got my Uncon Winner mention from designing an adventure! :P Oh! And by the way, :bump:
1 true DM 05-23-06, 12:15 PM	All entries will be hosted on my website as a resource for other DMs what is your website?? i think i might have a look!
Arganis 05-23-06, 12:27 PM	what is your website?? i think i might have a look! This is the first adventure challenge... As such there is currently nothing to see. :(
Lazzmaniandevil 05-23-06, 02:21 PM	You can count me in too. Hopefully, my below than average english won't get in the way...
Arganis 05-23-06, 03:29 PM	You can count me in too. Hopefully, my below than average english won't get in the way... Sweet! And don't worry Lazz or Morka, you'll notice that while adventures will be judged on organization of information, grammar is not on the list anywhere. :)
theblindman 05-25-06, 06:13 PM	I'm totally in. July 31st is a very reasonable deadline, while we're on the topic. *bookmarked* Also, I'd be happy to put my mad English skillz to work to help edit other's adventures. This would be after I hand in my own entry, of course ;)
Arganis 06-01-06, 02:24 PM	Also, I'd be happy to put my mad English skillz to work to help edit other's adventures. This would be after I hand in my own entry, of course Thanks! Assistance will only be turned down if there is not enough work to be done :D Also :bump:
Arganis 06-02-06, 12:00 PM	FAQ Updated.
olshanski_home 06-02-06, 12:20 PM	I think that I may have to drop out of the competition. If I get this done, I will offer it for sale as a PDF on DriveThruRPG.com. The trouble is, that I don't have any art, which is sort of what I was looking for.
Arganis 06-02-06, 02:05 PM	If I get this done, I will offer it for sale as a PDF on DriveThruRPG.com. The trouble is, that I don't have any art, which is sort of what I was looking for. Well, at the very least I'm glad you have been prompted to create!
Lord_Canius 06-05-06, 08:05 PM	Cool, I still have time to meet the deadline if I work my butt off from now till the 30th! If there even is a deadline, something you posted back there a bit confused me a tad (not that hard to do in anycase). Now, I'm not going to give anything away, but if you'd like to see the basis of my campaign, take a quick look at the link below in my sig.
Arganis 06-05-06, 11:16 PM	Cool, I still have time to meet the deadline if I work my butt off from now till the 30th! If there even is a deadline, something you posted back there a bit confused me a tad (not that hard to do in anycase). Now, I'm not going to give anything away, but if you'd like to see the basis of my campaign, take a quick look at the link below in my sig. Creepy undead there man. I'll look forward to it!
supersod 06-21-06, 12:37 PM	[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=Red]red words :) ok you go into a room there are two koboldsand a chest the chest is trapped you open the chest there is a piece of paper there it sais ; you win!
Arganis 06-21-06, 01:42 PM	you go into a room there are two koboldsand a chest the chest is trapped you open the chest there is a piece of paper there it sais ; you win! Thank you for your submission! :D
ski309 07-07-06, 12:45 PM	I can also help with editting. My BS may be in Comp Sci but I'm not only a D&D rules lawyer :)
Arganis 07-07-06, 01:02 PM	Miraculous late-minute turnins notwithstanding, I don't think there will be very much to edit. :embarrass
Lazzmaniandevil 07-18-06, 04:01 PM	Two questions: Is this contest still on ? How much adventures have you received so far ?
Arganis 07-18-06, 07:15 PM	First off, it's awful cool of you to link the thread in your sig. Second... Two questions: Is this contest still on ? Hmm. Technically? How much adventures have you received so far ? 0!
dugandudes 07-18-06, 09:12 PM	i just joined the forums today, and i was wondering if you would be willing to take in an adventure without giving accolades? that is to say: i don't need schnazzy art or anything. it would be cool to to get feed-back on some ideas and etc.
Arganis 07-18-06, 09:43 PM	i just joined the forums today, and i was wondering if you would be willing to take in an adventure without giving accolades? that is to say: i don't need schnazzy art or anything. it would be cool to to get feed-back on some ideas and etc. That sort of thing is the very spirit of these boards. If you don't want to post the whole thing for everyone to look at, you can PM it to me or email it. Oh, and welcome aboard.
Arganis 07-24-06, 09:48 AM	Cancelled due to overwhelming lack of interest. Ah well!
ChaoticGood 07-27-06, 11:15 PM	Don't cry, emo kid! You haven't even gotten to the deadline yet! Give it a chance, brother!
Arganis 07-28-06, 09:30 AM	Don't cry, emo kid! You haven't even gotten to the deadline yet! Give it a chance, brother! What? I can't hear you over my Fallout Boy! :D