Turns out that the Empire of the Ghouls project has led WotC to pick up the ghouls theme: they ship Kingdom of the Ghouls in June for 4E.

I'm somewhere between delighted that they are doing it, and really annoyed that no one asked me. Ah well, Bruce Cordell is one of the authors, so I know it has a good pedigree. I'm curious to see how much he picks up from the 2nd Edition version.

For those on the fence, Nicolas Logue has posted his adventure outline for patrons to mull over, dissect, and critique. It's looking pretty astounding, with cults and madmen neatly tied to a mystery that messes with the PCs' investigations in original ways. Some mystery, some horror, all closely fused with great combat stages and divination-proof clues. Sign up as a patron of Blood of the Gorgon and see what he's up to.

Also, last call for anyone who wants to sign up for Arabian Nights too late!, and last call for current patrons to pick up Empire of the Ghouls (private link for patrons only).

The hardcopy of Ghouls will be unavailable after January 31st. The Six Arabian Nights will go up in price and will only be available to patrons of Blood of the Gorgon in future. Grab 'em now!

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

The Empire of the Ghouls project is now complete and has shipped to the patrons who commissioned it. The final project came together at 160 pages and over 10 MB, offering an in-depth campaign against the Ghoul Imperium.

My thanks to all of the Ghoul patrons, and a Happy Halloween!

UPDATE: Brian M and Douglas R, your email seems to have bounced. Please respond here or send me a current email address, so I can get your copies to you. Thanks!

NOTE: This was one of the many locked entries posted here for the supporters of Open Design. I've made it public because sharing one's pain is good for the soul.

It's a bit of a rant, but that always happens to me at this stage. I need the adrenaline for that ruthless edge that takes a manuscript to where I want it.

( Why Writers Get Paid )

Ok, maybe that came across as cranky. No one loves rewrites. Tough it out.

Open Design was nominated for an ENnie Award for Castle Shadowcrag this year, our first nomination. I have no idea whether a limited-edition patron project can win a public vote like this, but I certainly would *like* to win.

The ENnie Awards are now open for voting. Take a look at the many worthy candidates, and make your choice. I'm delighted to be on the ballot.

Sorry I doubted you, ladies and gents! The commission is met, and the project is greenlit. Empire of the Ghouls is officially moving full speed ahead.

Thank you to everyone who donated, and thanks for your patience as I quietly tore my hair out in February when it looked bleak. I will now shut up about the fundraising and start talking about adventure design. Which is a huge relief, frankly.

I'm leaving the door open to latecomers to join until midnight on Friday, the 30th. After that, no more patrons for Ghouls. I'll reconsider that in July, when the playtest draft is done. Which reminds me: I have the rough schedule.

March 31st: Design begins with Monster Selection
April: Design continues with New Monsters, Hooks, and first Encounters
May: Design continues with Encounters, Major NPCs, and Maps
June: Design continues with Ghoul Empire background and more Encounters
July 1st: Playtest draft complete. Start playtest cycle and second draft.

I'll post an updated outline soon, and we'll have the first creature poll tomorrow.

We're off!

I am pleased to announce that Empire of the Ghouls has definitively won the patron voting for the next Open Design project; it stands 50 votes in the lead. However, since we haven't quite met the commission yet, I'm leaving the field open to new patrons until the 31st.

At some point between now and the 31st, we'll hit the commission mark, and the project will not accept new patrons for several months. It may reopen during a playtest phase, or it may not. If you were just waiting for Ghouls to clinch it, please sign up today. Standard memberships are $30, and Patron of the Arts memberships start at $75. Sorry, apprentice memberships are now closed. More details after the cut.

( What's Open Design? )
( What is the 'Empire of the Ghouls' project? )
( Who are you? )
( How many patrons will there be? What do I get? )

How to Join
Please click the button below for the standard membership ($30), or review the patron of the arts ($75 to 100) membership for access to additional perks.

Yes, Open Design is going to rip, tear, and shred its way to some great adventure. I hope you join the small community of crazed cannibal gamers, right here.