An Idea I Had For A Product: Historical Cast

Zachary The First · January 26, 2007, 09:01:24 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditSo you don't think its too lengthy? Or wordy?

I've decided to take up some readers' suggestions and give each entry either a "plot hook" or a "what if".

Considering the average 1-2 page length of an entry, and the number of historical figures I plan to have for the dynasty (a period covering 117 years), my book is going to be very big. I'd rather not have to divide it though, if at all possible.

So the question is, how much is too much? And is that size book plausible?

RPGPundit

That would be a question for Bill, but I think 1-2 pages per character is just fine. Throw in a couple of maps circa the time of Vercingetorix's capitulation, and we're solid. Since it's a starter product of sorts, perhaps you could narrow it down to 32-64 of the most influential/interesting characters? Or do you feel that would handicap too much? My first pdf, although intentionally very brief in design, will have far fewer folks than that, if my plans hold.

Pundit, are you going to focus just on Romans, or include a very few of the important peripherals of the time, such as the Ptolemies of Egypt?

RPGPundit · January 26, 2007, 11:05:49 PM

Quote from: Zachary The FirstThat would be a question for Bill, but I think 1-2 pages per character is just fine. Throw in a couple of maps circa the time of Vercingetorix's capitulation, and we're solid. Since it's a starter product of sorts, perhaps you could narrow it down to 32-64 of the most influential/interesting characters? Or do you feel that would handicap too much? My first pdf, although intentionally very brief in design, will have far fewer folks than that, if my plans hold.

Pundit, are you going to focus just on Romans, or include a very few of the important peripherals of the time, such as the Ptolemies of Egypt?

A bit of each, anyone who was foreign but in some way significant to roman history at that time (or who had some huge eventual significance, like Jesus) would be included.

I've already done entries for Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. I didn't plan on doing one for Ptolemy XIV, but was considering doing one for Caesarion (though now that I consider the limits on numbers, Caesarion might be listable just as a footnote "what if" figure for Cleopatra's entry).

And as of my first (and only) count, I've got about 75 names. I could try to cut that down to 64, if Hinterwelt thinks that'd be best.

RPGPundit

RPGPundit · January 28, 2007, 11:31:08 PM

Thought I'd update you all and mention that I'm about 30 pages (15000 words) into this thing now.

RPGPundit

Zachary The First · January 29, 2007, 12:54:51 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditThought I'd update you all and mention that I'm about 30 pages (15000 words) into this thing now.

RPGPundit

I got about 7 characters done this weekend. I've discovered I am an amazingly slow writer when my daughter keeps interrupting.

RPGPundit · February 05, 2007, 02:22:50 PM

Just thought I'd mention, I posted another sample publically on my Blog; in this case its Cicero. Read it here:
http://www.xanga.com/RPGpundit/567898217/item.html

RPGPundit

cnath.rm · February 05, 2007, 02:53:18 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditJust thought I'd mention, I posted another sample publically on my Blog; in this case its Cicero. Read it here:
http://www.xanga.com/RPGpundit/567898217/item.html

RPGPundit

I enjoyed it.

As far as Rome, Sat. night I finally got to watch an episode of this seasons show, going to have to figure out when they are doing a marathon so I can catch the early episodes of the season. I liked what I saw however.

Zachary The First · February 06, 2007, 09:37:55 PM

Still at work on mine, as I find the time for it. Great work, btw, Pundit!

RPGPundit · February 19, 2007, 07:27:56 PM

I'm up to 73 pages now; just finished the entry for Jesus.

RPGPundit

RPGPundit · April 23, 2007, 11:36:48 PM

So I wanted to check, how is this project coming along? Is it coming along?

Over here, I'm on vacation now, so all work has stopped, but I'm about halfway done the book, and I will resume the effort (unless the whole project has been abandoned) as soon as I'm back in Montevideo.

RPGPundit

Zachary The First · April 24, 2007, 05:56:57 AM

Nope! Things are still going here, just writing a little slower (and bigger) than first expected!

RPGPundit · August 17, 2007, 05:55:10 PM

So is this project dead? Because this thread certainly seems to be.

RPGPundit

JongWK · August 17, 2007, 06:27:05 PM

Zach is at Gencon, so I guess he might not answer as quickly as you hope. What about the Roman book?

Zachary The First · August 17, 2007, 07:07:29 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditSo is this project dead? Because this thread certainly seems to be.

RPGPundit

Well, its definitely on hiatus for now, especially if I get a jENnies udgeship. That'd be a conflict of interest. I have material, but it isn't finished...

Narf the Mouse · June 13, 2009, 02:30:36 AM

Rise, my undead! Rise and wreak horror and destruction! Cover the land in darkness and plague! Spread death! Spread chaos! Spread horror! Spread until there is none to stop you!

...Did anything come of this discussion...Ever?

(I figure this is ok, since it's a sticky on the first page)