One of the artists for Empire of the Ghouls, Aaron Acevedo is offering a limited-edition, numbered print of his work. Take a look!

Good things for patrons: the "Plot & Structure" design tips essay went onto the site on Thursday, with advice on large structure and on the three crucial scenes of any adventure (inciting, reversal, finale). And there may be another piece of art and/or another map to show soon.

The "Flying Fortress" has attracted a lot of patron attention lately, and "Black Forest" has dropped to last place. "Steam & Brass" still seems the most likely request from the patrons as a whole. I suspect I'll be making that official (or at least cutting "Black Forest" from the running) on Monday.

I'm giving some talks and sitting on panels at a writer's conference this weekend, so I'm thinking about the story elements of adventure design. Every time I talk to novelists, I start picturing certain characters, or certain scenes, in a more novelistic way: goals, motivation, dialogue — heck, I think "Novel Tips for Game Design" might make a good essay down the line. Or it might be worthwhile to write "Steam & Brass" as a short short story, or add fiction snippets to the text. Before that happens, though, the project needs a few more patrons. Please sign up and put your stamp on the story today!

The call for artists was a success, and I have four covers in hand! Two thumbnails are now posted to the locked section of the site.

One image will be chosen by the project patrons for the final. Honestly, I like all of them for different reasons, and it's wonderful to see the talent one finds just by asking talented newcomers.

But it's not just new artists. One established pro piece may arrive tomorrow as well, though it's iffy. It would be quite a coup, I think, but … well, I'm not paying professional rates, so I can't fault them if it doesn't show. One lives in hope.

I'm also feeling like a bit of a slacker; more design analysis and the fourth outline will be forthcoming early next week, if not sooner.

I posted the outline for "Steam & Brass" for the patrons today, along with a discussion of villains. It's by far the most ambitious outline to date, containing an urban adventure that requires 3 major villains, 3 resolutions, and a triggered event structure. Join as a patron today and read it for yourself!

I'm looking for artists who might want to work on a broad canvas by April 26. The pay is weak, but the color image chosen for Lost City, the Black Forest, or Steam & Brass will see publication in some good venues.
( Some information on the themes for Open Design art )
Please contact me by email to send samples or for further details.

It's certainly not clear yet that we have the budget for cover art, but I'm an optimist. Plus, whenever I think lost city, I think Stephen Daniele, who worked with me at TSR for a short while, and most recently at FASA Game Studio.

He's got a real love for Indiana Jones, lost worlds and valleys, and big stone heads. He sent me this thumbnail from his recent work when I enquired about rates.

If you have a favorite artist for lost civilizations, or links for what you think the lost city should look like, please post them in the comments.