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3 days ago
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #16New EPP Artwork
Hello all, and happy February!
Work continues on Encounters ~ Plots ~ Places!
Here's the latest image for another backer made creation - the Barlax. A magical tome that assists in translating just about any language in existence. It also has its own wicked sense of humor and considers practical jokes to be wonderful things!
I'm working my way through the items and places now and hope to have my latest revision out for editing on these parts in the next few weeks.
Recovery continues with my shoulder, and I'm able to spend longer times writing now that I've broken through the six weeks past surgery mark.
Take care!
-Ben
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on January 30
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #33It's been a long time Aruneus folks!
Post CommentHey Everyone,
Aruneus is not dead! My development has slowed down a bit due in part to some personal problems (having my left shoulder reconstructed wasn't fun).
I have been working on Aruneus over the past few weeks, combining all of the individual documents already created into a master document to be completely reformatted, with new material added in. Along the way I'm cleaning everything up, editing and adding.
This work in progress will be the final Aruneus product, with two modules, all of the existing body of work and then some.
I have some new, very good artwork coming in the near future as well and as soon as I have some finished art to show you, I'll be sharing it!
I've included a concept sketch from the new artwork - nothing finished but enough to show you all what's coming.
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on January 30
Ben Gerber
commented on a projectHey Wes, There'll be an update coming out very shortly regarding Aruneus and where I am with it. -Ben
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on January 18
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #15Oh look, I actually have two arms!
Surgery is a serious affair, even for minor fixes. My arm required a bit more than a minor fix, and thankfully everything went very well. In fact, I'm not just on track for a full recover, but I'm just a little bit ahead of the track, frantically looking over my shoulder at everything nipping at my heels.
In even better news, I have recently been able to put in a decent block of time on Encounters ~ Plots ~ Places. I've spent several hours doing a massive edit, with huge thanks to Nick Kent who took the time to pour over every NPC in the book. His notes were invaluable.
With that, I've taken my first serious stab at working again since "the shoulder thing". I'm excited that I've been able to do so (finally!) and can't wait to get some more work done.
Even though the circumstances were well beyond my control, I would like to apologize for the length this project is running. Being unable to use my arm, or sit comfortably to type for a month has set me much further back than I'd planned! I'm still recovering but every day brings a bit more typing stamina. The ideas and creative words are just begging to get onto paper.
Next on my to do list is to finish up the Items, and then it's straight into the Encounters section, with a few forays off to Places for good measure. With each milestone, I'll keep you all informed right through to when the electronic and print copies will be available.
Thanks for your patience!
-Ben
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on January 4
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #14I'm baaaaaaack!
Nothing will throw you off your stride like having your biceps tendons relocated outside of your shoulder and on to your arm. It makes typing (and sitting up and not being in pain) a real challenge!
Fortunately my surgeon and his team were all amazing, and my Physical Therapy person is equally amazing. I'm up to about 65% mobility with my left arm and looking to take the sling off in the next few weeks.
That means I'm gearing up to get back to work on EPP, full steam ahead, all guns blazing and any other railroad and/or ship references you'd care to throw in there.
I've started doing some editorial tasks, taking in the changes suggested by the excellent team of volunteer editors who are working with me on this project. I'm good (but slow) to type for about 20 minutes at a time, and editing fits the bill for that.
I'm hoping to have an update with real substance posted here in a few weeks, which will highlight actual progress made on the book, rather than my sordid and detailed medical tribulations.
Until then, I'll continue forward via the hunt 'n peck method of typing and at least get the NPCs edited to an acceptable level!
-Ben
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on November 22
Ben Gerber
backed a project
Shadowlands: Epic Fantasy Sci-Fi Mashup Setting by BlackStar Studios
Imagine a gritty harsh fantasy RPG world where magic is based in reality, politics are complicated, and nothing is as it seems.
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117% funded $11,772 pledged
- 120 backers
- Funded Nov 24, 2011
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on November 15
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #13Good news / Bad News
First, the good news.
Hisham is perhaps the fastest good artist I've ever come across. Barely 10 days after my first commission was placed, and I have 4 pieces of finished artwork here with me. It's fantastic!
I still have a few more pieces to commission from him and I'm thoroughly satisfied with his work and work ethic.
Now, the bad news.
I seem to have done something relatively nasty to my shoulder. For the gory details, see below. Long story short though, it's impacting my ability to type or sit at a keyboard for long periods of time.
It hasn't kept me from writing, but it's sure as heck slowed me down. I'm looking at surgery in December with a minimum two weeks before I'll be back at the keyboard - and that typing awkwardly from a sling.
I expect this will impact this project by about a month's worth of delays, possibly six weeks. I'll do my best to minimize this impact but it's pretty much out of my control at this point.
The gory details.
Like most folks, my bicep muscles have an attachment point to my upper shoulder in the form of a tendon. This tendon has partially torn. Almost like what's in the picture, but it hasn't completely detached.
Most of the time it's uncomfortable but often enough it just plain hurts.
I'm still working, but at a much slower pace. Since my job involves a ton of typing, that can wipe me out for the day.
So down a bit, but not out!
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Andrew C. Durston on November 15
Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Heleen and I sent our best wishes for a speedy recovery! Don't hurry on our account. :)
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Phil Nicholls on November 16
Hey Ben,
So sorry to hear about the shoulder. Take good care of yourself and do not push yourself into a greater injury. The book is awesome, we can wait a little longer.
Phil
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on November 14
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #12As promised - some new artwork!
For backers only
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on November 8
Ben Gerber
Posted project update #11Second preview PDF released for Encounters ~ Plots ~ Places
Post CommentAs work on the book continues, I've released a second preview PDF, this time highlighting one of the places you'll find in Encounters ~ Plots ~ Places.
Redd'optalis is a curious nation state, with an even stranger political system. You can find out all about it by downloading the free preview at DriveThruRPG.
Other happenings with this project: Pre-beta readers have been lined up and already have a copy of EPP in their hands. It's not a finished copy, it's not nearly a finished copy, but they can still view all of the NPCs and I'm looking forward to hearing their comments.
I've ordered two pieces of original artwork from Hisham, and plan on ordering two more pieces today, with a few more coming in down the line as well. He's already sent me a sketch of the first commission, and it looks great!
I've got a good chunk of the backer-submitted ideas I'll be working with (it will be a happy day for those of you who like assassins and vegetables). If you've backed at the $30 or higher, please get your ideas to me ASAP so I can get them into the book and get a draft to you.
Take care!
-Ben
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on November 7
Ben Gerber
commented on a project updateSounds like you could use some reading material Nick! I'll have it out to you tomorrow morning. :)
Ben Gerber
Boston, MA
I love games, crowd sourced projects and geeky things. I've been playing and running RPGs since I was 9 years old. Other projects of mine include my current website (http://www.trollitc.com) a blog concerned with all things SciFi and Fantasy. We'r... view more
Very, very nice!
Oooh, Mikey likey.
Aye, cool.