I've done a month of design on "Steam & Brass" at this point. I think I may, in my madness, have promised a complete manuscript of 10,000 to 20,000 words would be ready for playtest at this point.

The bad news: It's not ready for playtest.
The good news: It's already 24,000 words, and I'm going to keep writing until it's done to my satisfaction. I expect the project will take close to 40,000 words. So, double the length I promised, or roughly 64 published pages.

Just for comparison, Dungeon magazine rarely run an adventure over 25,000 words. And those are the big mega events.

Other coolness:

• Handout #1, a contract with an archdevil. Written in Infernal!
  
• The Arcane Collegium, the most intrigue-ridden bunch of spellslingers outside of the Red Wizards of Thay.
  
• A new monster, the steam golem, that got some raves from the patrons.
  
• Rock-solid clue/investigation material that actually works with D&D mechanics.
  
• Kobolds with gear tech.
  
• Three wicked, wicked villains with the world's nastiest… No, I won't spoil it.
  
• Handout #7, Written in Celestial! Plus hey, zombie angels.

Anyway, if all that doesn't convince you to jump in late, I don't know what would. Just click the button below to join up, and you get a copy of the adventure, plus full access to the site.

This is it! Today's the last chance to sign up and vote for the adventure concept, the level of the scenario, to choose monsters you want included and dictate the play style.

I feel like the public radio guys, but here goes: "We're exactly one patron short of the funding goal. If you donate now, you'll launch the design of this project! And no matter what level you pledge, Phil Reed has offered a free copy of "A Dozen Dungeon Hazards" to anyone who signs up today or on July 4th!"

Seriously, if you've been following the site progress but haven't signed up yet, now's the time. All the discussion and design is provided to patrons only, and you can sign up for as little as $5. For a few dollars more, you get deeper access to the process, and even a critique of one of your query letters.

We have 46 patrons today. We're looking for a 47th ronin. Put this project over the top, won't you?

Yow! The response to the deadline has been terrific: we've got 40 patrons now, and I'm locking the barn at 45 or 50.

Why should you join? Well, Jeff Grubb, Chris Pramas of Green Ronin, and Phil Reed of Ronin Arts are patrons, but you don't have to be either a ronin or an industry guru to enjoy the project.

Smart, experienced GMs have already weighed in on project topics as well, and their opinions are changing the shape of what's coming (most recently, there's been a push for higher level play). The end result will have a sharper edge because 50 Popes are watching over every step of design. That sounds tough for me (and maybe it is), but the end result is going to rock.

The Open Design project won't be printed or sold in your friendly local game store, and there are just 4 more days to the deadline. Sign up today and watch it unfold.

Update: Phil Reed has offered a free copy of "A Dozen Dungeon Hazards" to anyone who signs on at any level in the next 4 days. (Thanks, Phil!)
 

When I launched this strange little project, I wanted to be sure it didn't drag out forever in a funding limbo, so I put a cutoff on it, early July. We're almost there.

The good news is that almost 30 patrons have signed up, but I'm sure there are some fence-sitters out there. If you've been putting it off, please do join up today. We're a little short of the goal, but not a lot short, and there's just 9 days left till the cutoff.

Note that there's no risk to you; if the Open Design project doesn't meet the goal, I'll refund your money and go back to my novel writing. But I think it would be a shame.

1. No chance in hell your players have already read it in Dungeon.
   
2. Player handouts that don't suck.
   
3. Co-author: Abdul Alhazred.
   
4. Smart plots for smart gamers.
   
5. No lame crystals, colored keys, or runestones to unlock doors.
   
6. You told the designer how to make it better — and everyone agreed with you.
   
7. Patron tequila at Gen Con 2007.
   
8. Treasures that make even the rogue say "Woah."
   
9. Cinematic action maps, not just placeholders for minis.
   
10. Baby-eating kobolds. Guaranteed.

Interested? Please make a donation with the button below and join the fun. Not sure? Check out the Patronage as a Strategy post; just $5 gets you in the door, $20 gets you all kinds of access.