(Long) Forum contribution to BAM!

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:58 am

I got thinking that it might be a cool to have a feature in future BAM issues called “The BASH Forum Presents” wherein the members of the forum contribute an article that is a group, collaborative effort.

There is a number of reasons I thought that this would be a good idea. The foremost motivation for this would be a mechanism to generate content for the magazine. More frequent and regular Basic Action Magazine releases help to draw continued attention to BASH: Ultimate Edition (and other BASH lines); hopefully feeding further product sales.

Secondly, “The BASH Forum Presents” reminds buyers, and curious browsers, that there is an active community over here discussing all kinds of BASH ideas. A larger forum group is a healthier group sharing more; further strengthening one of our favorite games.

Thirdly, all contributors from the forum will have their offerings credited helping to generate name recognition; whether only on the BASH forum or as springboard for larger projects.

A “BASH Forum Presents” installment could offer: a question and answer article; builds for heroes/villains from a favorite comic, show, or movie (though this idea might be taboo, even with disclaimers); a complete adventure (alternately, series of story hooks for a narrator to flesh out); or, a presentation of interesting powers, advantages, disadvantages, enhancements, and limitations. Content for this feature column would be generated by the membership of this forum as a collaborative effort. It would be agreed upon and developed, at least in the preliminary stages, right here on the forum. [Maybe some space could be set up under a sub-heading so as not to clutter the “BAM! Basic Action Magazine” section. I’m not quite sure how final development could be made so that the final content presented to the magazine is fresh for the reader – any suggestions?]

Once initial development has begun and the general direction of a forum’s article is made, it might be best if a project head is nominated to help insure that the undertaking continues in a timely and orderly fashion, and that a coordinated and uniform final product results. Also, remember that the forum article will conform to BAM’s submission guidelines and require the approval of BASHMAN himself before it will see publication.

To get things started, I’d like to offer up a suggestion for our first collaborative undertaking…

The BASH Forum Presents:
A Rogue’s Gallery – Villains for your BASH:UE games

This article would feature a bunch of nasty super-crooks that Narrators can use as villains for an adventure or as possible candidates for a player character’s actual Rogues Gallery. To maximize each villain’s usefulness, background should be interesting and generic so that specific details can be customized for individual campaigns.

This article is not necessarily intended for Arch-Enemy, mastermind types (but that could be a great future project), and don’t burn yourself out; just offer one or two worthy ideas that you have not already presented on the board before. If you’re stuck for new ideas, browse some of the great templates in the rulebook for inspiration, or completely reskin a hero or villain that you have already made for the forum into a fresh new take (with new background story to boot). That should generate about 10 to 15 decent candidates for the article.

Each villain should me made for a target of 30 character points but should also present 25 point and 35 point variations for more flexible application of the villain at different campaign levels. Each of these should be done in a small stat block like this: For a 25 point build, drop Brawn to 4, Super Speed becomes rank 3, and add the Charges limitation to Super Running.

To keep a unified look to article, I’d like to suggest that each villain be rendered via the Fabrica X program. This site will generate a character image that suitably compliments the art found in BASH: Ultimate Edition. If you do not feel confident with (or interested in) using this web program, ask for assistance and provide the best description you can to aid other members in trying to capture the feel of your villain. Please understand that while this is a great resource, the program has many limitations (like not being in English) and truly exotic descriptions might be beyond what the program can do.

Fabrica X web address:

http://caradeedu.vilabol.uol.com.br/ant ... ica_x.html

So fellow forum-ers…
Are ‘ya up to the challenge?

Lindharin · Post by **Lindharin** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:41 am

I think this could be a cool idea. Bashman, what do you think about the Bash Forum Presents idea?

Jason_Sunday · Post by **Jason_Sunday** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:12 am

I may have a few villians I could submit....

Jason_Sunday · Post by **Jason_Sunday** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:21 am

Dang, double post!

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:44 pm

Jason_Sunday wrote:I may have a few villians I could submit....

Perfect. I myself have a solid idea I'm developing and a couple of vague inspirations in wings. A resource like this is going to be very useful for narrators under a time crunch or suffering a creative dry spell; instantly assembling a villain team or assigning a hero's rouge's gallery. Why future BAM issues may even reference (or use them for an adventure)!

I figure that by keeping each character description and stats as text file with accompanying jpg image (as opposed to completed character sheets), Bashman will be more easily able to squeeze them into the space provided and lay them out as best suits the issue.

Jason_Sunday · Post by **Jason_Sunday** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:08 pm

So should the characters be posted to the forums or keeped secret until the issue has released?

Post by **BASHMAN** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:05 pm

I think it's a great idea. Could the Next "BASH! Forums Presents" be about HQs? There were a lot of HQ types that didn't make the book. And there could be ideas for more stuff for them too.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:12 pm

Jason_Sunday wrote:So should the characters be posted to the forums or keeped secret until the issue has released?

It would probably be okay to give the name and short paragraph summarizing the concept here on the thread to introduce your submission. Something like…

Broad Brawler (an entry I’m working on) is a super strong combat monster that only the most confident or foolish hero would dare to tussle with.

However, save the juicy details of character stats, power descriptions and jpg image for the elected administrator of this “The BASH Forums Presents” endeavor (I think this should be a position that alternates each issue so that one person isn't stuck with too much work and responsibility).

Using private messages would probably be a great way to pass character information on to the project administrator and recieve feedback in return.

I'd like to get Bashman's thoughts on this project, but I was thinking that once the villain submission has been proofed, the final text and jpg picture of your submission(s) would be sent via regular email (if that is found acceptable) as attachments to Bashman himself. Be sure that your villain's picture is titled with the exact same name you have given him so they do not get mixed up.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:42 pm

BASHMAN wrote:I think it's a great idea. Could the Next "BASH! Forums Presents" be about HQs? There were a lot of HQ types that didn't make the book. And there could be ideas for more stuff for them too.

I'd second that for the next instalment. I remember you had a lead some discussion on some ideas for headquarters months ago (possibly on the previous BASH forum). Once this issue's project is wrapping up, it would be cool to start up some discussions on just what a headquarters feature could deal with. [A Headquarters article would be a perfect follow-up to the super-team submission I offered for this BAM!]

P.S. Bashman, you might be the creator of BASH but I think everyone would agree that you are as much a forum member as anyone else. Feel free to contribute anything to these projects.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:51 pm

In addition to Broad Brawler (mentioned above) I am also working on these two villains:

Double Trouble – A pair of troublesome tumblers that are difficult to catch and hard to ignore.

Spectrus – this villain’s quasi-ghost form is contained within a material bodysuit, allowing him to pull spectral powers from beyond the grave.

What are some of the bad guys you are developing?

Post by **BASHMAN** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:59 pm

Hey, one thing I want to say, is while it is okay to use fabrica to model characters, or for personal use, I won't be able to publish stuff that is made in Fabrica. It would be a copyright issue. It'd be better if one of our resident artists would contribute some sketches, or we could use some stock artwork.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:18 pm

Oh yeah, good point...

...maybe we could post the images here on the forum, in The Sketch Pad on the day BAM! goes to print (err... into e-circulation).

It would be cool to have some of our forum's artists render the various villains for the article. That would give them real sense of authenticity.

If that doesn't pan out. We could make an open call on the forum for anyone to post alternate renderings of those villains under a topic heading for BAM Villains Fan Art or something. It would be cool to see what forum members could come up with.

Jason_Sunday · Post by **Jason_Sunday** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:51 pm

BASHMAN wrote:I think it's a great idea. Could the Next "BASH! Forums Presents" be about HQs? There were a lot of HQ types that didn't make the book. And there could be ideas for more stuff for them too.

What kind of info on HQ's do you have in mind?

Jason_Sunday · Post by **Jason_Sunday** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:03 pm

MrJupiter wrote:In addition to Broad Brawler (mentioned above) I am also working on these two villains:

Double Trouble – A pair of troublesome tumblers that are difficult to catch and hard to ignore.

Spectrus – this villain’s quasi-ghost form is contained within a material bodysuit, allowing him to pull spectral powers from beyond the grave.

What are some of the bad guys you are developing?

Disco Inferno- A disco crazed fire controller.
Boogie Knight- A power armored disco ball on a chain wielding brawler.
Kool Cat- The leader of the team. He is a master of mind control. He loves to force people to disco dance.
Foxy Lady- A martial arts expert and spy who uses feminine wiles to her advantage.

MrJupiter · Post by **MrJupiter** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:54 pm

Excellent, a villain team! Great stuff.