1. Would you send me files on....?
Guardian would be happy to send you files containing information on this website. Guardian will not send you files of other people's copyrighted material. Be aware that material created by Guardian is copyrighted by Guardian, all rights reserved. Material created by other contributors to Guardian's website is copyrighted by the respective author(s), all rights reserved. Guardian maintains his policies on using his stuff on the Copyright page.
Please be aware that Guardian is a severely... overworked individual, averaging between 40 and 60 hours of work each week. Add to this the very real potential for computer troubles, and it may be several weeks before he can gather together the material you want and send it. Guardian strives to put as much D&D material on his website for you to download at your convenience.
2. What sort of feedback do you get on your site?
Most people seem to really like Guardian's site, especially the continental maps. The various articles and other resources also seem popular. Guardian is shifting his focus to those areas based on the feedback he's been getting. This takes time, as Guardian likes being complete and wants to finish off a couple of major projects for this site first - notably the spell creation engine and the locations information. Guardian's priorities for the site change on a monthly basis.
3. What are your plans for the future of this site?
He wants to continue uploading various adventures (including maps) that he's designed, make all the articles into PDFs for download, and, "Update that damn spell creation engine for 3rd Edition!!!" Guardian wants to keep a relatively steady stream of DM-related material, since being a DM is the hardest, and most fun, part of the game. He will also improve the overall functionality of the site, adding in more Java and JavaScripts, to make it easier to use.
Guardian also wants to move his site off AOL so he can install tools and CGIs to automate site updates and make maintenance easier.
4. How old are you?
Some days Guardian is 8 years old. Others, he's 25. Most often he's somewhere between 50 and 70. Guardian is in great shape for an 83-year-old man.
5. Where do you live?
Heh! As if Guardian would tell you!
6. No, really, where do you live?
Okay... Guardian lives in the Eastern United States of America.
7. Why aren't you using AOL anymore?
This question used to be: Why are you using AOL? Doesn't it suck? Guardian used to use AOL because he got tired of his former ISP's billing practices and inability to send him updated interface software. At the time, AOL was the best choice in town, what with the 10 megs of webspace. For a while there, Guardian achieved a comfortable state of online inertia.
Yes. AOL's inability to provide even the most basic killfile features plus their lack of imagination when dealing with spammers does suck. But what do you expect for ~$20 a month? Guardian doesn't blame AOL for the stupidity of some subscribers.
Now, one of Guardian's friends bought a bunch of server space and gave some of it to Guardian. Ahhhh, Apache server! Guardian has sunk a lot of time and effort into reorganizing his site, updating it to the new format (and modifying that format), and fixing lots and lots of links.
8. How would you describe yourself?
From Guardian: "Trying to get to know the guy on the other side of the screen, eh?"
"Well, you can get the basics here. I like to travel (trying to scrape together the time to visit Australia), I go snorkeling whenever I can, hiking, camping, designing websites, playing various online FPS games. At one time, if you were single, human (Elves and Half-Elves are allowed, of course), female, and mentally between the ages of 21 and 35, you could learn more. That vacancy is now filled. :p"
Please refer any criticisms or compliments of Guardian's healthy, male, sexist comments to him directly. Warning: Feminists are wasting their time and risking Guardian's wrath. He takes no prisoners.
9. Your bio mentions you can fight. How good are you?
Guardian has taken on brown and black belts in karate and won, though more often he lost. He has faced armed and armored knights in the SCA and gotten his butt kicked. As stated elsewhere, Guardian does not fight fair, so he was at a serious disadvantage following knightly rules of combat. Guardian has also taken knives and other weapons away from foolish people who obviously a) did not know how to use them and b) were trying to commit suicide by pointing them at Guardian or Guardian's friends.
When his friends are in danger, Guardian only has mercy for small, defenseless, non-tasty animals and well-behaved children below the age of 12 (like, there's a difference).
Update: Guardian's plans for resuming his martial arts training in January 2000 are now safely sidetracked. The vacancy for a single, human (Elves and Half-Elves are allowed, of course), female, mentally between the ages of 21 and 35 is now non-vacant. This settled the problem of "work stress" and appears to prevent him from repeatedly bashing his head against a brick wall. Local law enforcement is very relieved. The Lady in question was last seen dragging Guardian off for some well-deserved rest, and has since rather effectively distracted Guardian from anything remotely resembling work. This author refuses to inquire further, as they have both mentioned what will happen to my life insurance premiums if I am so foolish as to make myself noticed.
10. How did you make those maps?
Refer to the Continental Maps page. All the information is there.
11. Did you really draw all those maps out yourself?
Quoted directly from Guardian: "I'll take that in a complimentary manner. Yes. I did. Some of them date back 15 years, so give a poor teenage me some credit. No, I wouldn't do it again. If I'd had the money, computer, software, and equipment to have done it entirely in electronic form, I would have. Now I'm trying to scrape together the time and money (HAH!) to get a professional mapping program so I can link the whole mess together. When that is finished, I will make it available on my website."
12. Is D&D the tool of the devil?
From Guardian: "No, D&D is not the tool of the devil. Narrow-minded, egotistical, judgemental idiots who wave the Bible around without actually reading it - or worse, selectively reading tiny parts of it and ignoring the rest - much less using their God-given intelligence once in a while, are the tools of the Devil."
13. Are you ever going to put up a picture of yourself on your website?
Guardian has refused to put up a picture of himself out of consideration for those people who would simply be blasted out of existence by the sight of his mighty visage. For even a mere picture does capture some miniscule amount of the raw power present within Guardian. And being of a somewhat kindly... of a very kind, considerate, and generally polite demeanor, Guardian does not wish to cause undue harm to innocent bystanders who would be exposed to even so tiny a fraction of his might. At least, that's what I tell people when Guardian is watching over my shoulder. :))
14. Do you go to science fiction, fantasy, or horror conventions?
Yes, Guardian does. He even occasionally helps out at conventions.
"Seeing as how the regular maintainer of this FAQ is currently recovering from work-related injuries resulting from gross exaggeration and intolerable understatement (refer to the previous two questions), I'll help him out and finish answering this one.
"Guardian is currently involved with Trinoc*coN and has expended considerable effort raising money and otherwise assisting with this convention. The first one was a resounding success. The second one did well also. Guardian highly recommends it for fans of all sorts. Check out the website." Update: Guardian is not actively assisting on Trinoc*coN anymore, seeing as how he has a home life now.
"Guardian has attended Dragon*Con, GenCon, and MOC. Guardian has had the privelege of meeting (however long or brief) such notables as Marion Zimmer Bradley (who has since, regrettably, passed away), C.J. Cherryh (a favorite author), Ray Bradburry, Melanie Rawn, and David Drake.
"Guardian assisted with World Horror Con '99 in Atlanta, Ga. There he met the esteemed Neil Gaiman, even got to exchange belly rubs with him. Neil's really a great guy. Much more relaxed in person than he ever appears on TV. He's very friendly and approachable, and is perfectly willing to chat with a polite fan. If you haven't checked out his books, YOU FOOL! You are missing out on one of the most imaginative writers in fantasy and horror today. Go down to your local bookstore or comic shop RIGHT NOW and ask for everything they've got by Neil Gaiman.
"Guardian has met author Harlan Ellison briefly (Guardian was the fellow near the front "who asked all those damned annoying questions. Good job!") and shook hands with him. While Guardian does not agree with Mr. Ellison on many subjects, Guardian has the highest respect for this Grand Master of Writing (not just Science Fiction or Fantasy!).
"Guardian also met actor Joshua Kane, who was trained by Vincent Price. Joshua is an incredibly talented man with a stage presence that has to be seen to be believed. If you ever have the opportunity to see him performing live, DO NOT MISS IT! As with Mr. Gaiman, Joshua is extremely friendly and approachable.
"Guardian further adds that while the above mentioned personages are quite willing to speak to hordes of ravening fans (like Guardian himself), fans are well advised to be on their best behavior, not to be abusive, and not to take it personally when told that the object of their adoration is busy or otherwise occupied. Guardian further hopes that when he himself has achieved even one tenth of their fame that fans will show him the same respect... hint, hint."
15. Are you getting more sleep now?
Yes, Guardian is getting much more sleep now. In a progression of events that includes: acquiring a DSL connection, lightened workload (new job), lightened Trinoc-coN workload, the complete disruption of his life caused by... you guessed it... his Lady, and a career change (with another new job), Guardian now averages around 8 hours of sleep a night (up from 4-5 hours a night in 1999). "Life is good... and getting better!"
16. Why weren't you listed in AOL's Hometown?
According to Guardian: AOL's Hometown, like many portals, sticks their own advertising banners on the member's pages. As is typical of the practice, it slows the download of the page and looks like crap. Unlike other portals, who give you a free account or webspace in exchange for slow, crappy banners, AOL still charges Guardian the regular $21 a month for the pleasure of them adding useless, slow crap to HIS web page!
Needless to say, Guardian objects rather strongly to such unethical marketing practices.
While he was stuck on AOL, Guardian investigated alternative web site hosting, so that he can install his own CGIs, tools, and optimizations. This has since worked out really well, thanks to a good friend loaning him web space.
17. What do you think of 3E?
Guardian thinks 3E is what 2nd Edition should've been. 3E is good, really good. Guardian is in the process of learning the 3rd Edition rules - in particular, the combat rules. He is also trying out a variety of alternatives, additions, and slight changes to some rules.
18. Why didn't you update your site when you said you would?
Guardian does everything he can to make regular updates to his site. However:
a) Guardian sometimes works 60 or more hours a week
b) Gaurdian tries to have a life away from the computer. This includes eating, drinking beer, sleeping, drinking beer, movies, and sometimes drinking beer.
c) Guardian was addicted to EverCrack (EverQuest), but got sick of having to sink eight hour blocks of time just to move his character from one locale to another.
d) Guardian is running and working on a new campaign. Again.
e) Most importantly, Guardian is affianced to a Lady whom he devotes time usually reserved for b-d, and who becomes quite irate when a) interferes with their relationship.
.
As the new campaign fleshes out, Guardian puts more information on his site about it and fill in more material for other sections. It's slow going right now.
The bottom line is this: Guardian has time to run a game, or update his website. He doesn't have time to do both. The game wins out on the time allotment.
19. Why don't you respond to email?
There are several reasons. First off, Guardian gets a lot of spam. So he deletes huge amounts of email over the course of a week. Second, Guardian doesn't usually fire off a reply immediately on reading an email. He's embarrassed himself too many times with poorly-thought responses, so he tends to wait at least a couple of hours (or even a day or two) before responding. Guardian also checks his email only about once every three days, a fact which annoys Guardian's mom a lot. And finally, Guardian may be human: He makes mistakes.
Guardian likes getting email, and tries to respond to every email he gets. The best ways to get a response are: 1) Put a relevant subject in the subject line, such as "Q's about your game" or "Rules Question". If it looks like spam from the subject line, it gets deleted. 2) Put some thought into the email. This means knowing the difference between useless criticism ("Your website is crap!") and constructive criticism ("The menus on your website are very difficult to use. Have you thought about doing it this way..."). The former gets laughed at and deleted (if you're lucky). The latter provokes thought and will likely get changes done to the website. 3) Guardian is one of Those Old Guys, and prefers talking to an actual live person. In his opinion, too much is lost when all you've got is cold text to work with - things such as body language, that can turn a few words into an insult, joke, or compliment.
Guardian will do his best to respond to your email, but don't blow a gasket if he doesn't. Try sending him a reminder :)
20. What do you think of 3.5r Edition of D&D?
Currently (as of 07/30/03), Guardian is still reviewing the 3.5 SRD. Guardian's initial impressions are as follows:
Lots of good updates and errata inclusion. But they abstracted combat out the window. There are enough changes to combat, combat-related magic, creature stats, creature abilities, and creature CRs, that this qualifies as a new game version. Also, the price WotC is charging for essentially the same art (and those damn annoying watermark lines all over the frickin' place) is outrageous.
My suggestion: Download the 3.5 SRD and house rule in the stuff you want.
21. Your site's organization is a little whacked! Why?
Guardian started moving his website off of AOHelL in late 2004, in the middle of a fairly significant site restructure. When the site was on AOHelL, it was virtually spread among 5 different accounts (which is why the URLs were always so screwy). With AOHelL, there was no way to create a cohesive single site, so Guardian had to jump through some pretty significant hoops (such as hard-coding EVERY SINGLE LINK because AOHelL wouldn't let him use relative URLs). When Guardian moved it over to an actual web server, he had to trash that old structure. This meant that Guardian also had to go through the entire site (now many, many megs in size) and recode a lot of HTML. To keep his sanity, Guardian basically scrapped the old design, and rebuilt it around 6 subjects: Information about the website, the latest updates, general Avamor world information, DM-only information, Player-only information, and rules/setups that Guardian uses. Creating the tools and scripts to automate that task was also a significant effort.
The whole site move also required a massive update to the CSS Guardian was using. Fortunately, Guardian's friend, Jade, had already laid the vast majority of that groundwork. Guardian also elected to start off fresh with a cleaner, simpler look since that would also reduce the amount of recoding he'd have to do.
The reorganization around 6 distinct subjects meant there was some overlap: Some information fell into two or even three categories. So Guardian had to specifically cross-link some pages.
22. Will you ever publish Avamor for money?
From Guardian: Not as it currently exists. There are certain names that I've incorporated from other works - Accuris, Avaryan, and Crom to name a few - that would have to be taken out and reworked completely. While changing a name isn't that big a deal, changing the "look and feel" is a lot more detail oriented. When you get down to the details, I've borrowed some names or an element of an idea for that material.
There is a separate issue with PCs in Avamor, including things those PCs have made for the world - such as certain spells. I don't hold the copyright to those PCs. By playing in Avamor, I have the right to use that character within Avamor, but I certainly haven't licensed those rights for any other publishing! Nor would my ethics allow me to make a profit off someone else's work without properly compensating that person. With all the player characters, past and present, tied into Avamor's history, this setting will never be published for money.
Now, that aside, there is a huge amount of material in Avamor that is solely, clearly, and irrevocably mine: The NPCs, countries, cities, plots, maps, articles, and so forth. In fact, the vast majority of Avamor is my sole creation. That material belongs only to me, and is mine to with as I see fit.
The bottom line is that, as a whole campaign world, Avamor's presence on the Internet will remain my own private hobby, published here for your enjoyment. If someone wishes to pay me for the use of some part of Avamor that I have wholely and entirely created on my own without any other reference works involved (for example, a character such as Karaman or Asrexius, or one of the articles), then I will most happily accept payment and sign over the appropriate publishing rights.
23. Hey, Guardian: That's Mine!! Remove my copyrighted work from your website!
From Guardian: I hope you can prove you're the copyright holder, especially if it's about something that I created for my website. I hope you also realize that the copyright on some of my work here goes back as far as 1985, and further - and it's easy for me to prove when and where it was written, and what sources were used, with all the archives I have. Since a fair amount of the present material is derived from that older work, you better be able to prove your ownership.
Now, assuming that you are one of the authors or successors-in-interest that I've listed on the Sources page, I will be happy to remove the disputed material that falls outside of Fair Use, in accordance with U.S. Copyright Law. Please note that I will need written and notarized confirmation that you are, in fact, the copyright holder, or representing that copyright holder. Upon verification of such documents, the relevant material will be reviewed, and any copyrighted material that falls outside of Fair Use will be removed as appropriate. It really makes no difference to me, since I've restricted my inspirations to a few names and ideas - the vast majority of which are themselves derived from still older material (I'd be fascintated to see someone try and prove that the Gatherers of Accuris aren't a takeoff on the Thugee cult worshippers of Kali).
If you are a former player in my game, and want something about you or your player character removed or changed, email me. If you are who you say you are, then that will be easy to verify. As soon as that verification is made, your PC will be completely removed from the World of Avamor. It is likely that the world-shaking events that your character participated in will, instead, be accomplished by any of several NPCs I keep handy for situations like this. Doing this will change the history of Avamor, and may make me work extra to change the details resulting from your PC's prior history in Avamor. But that's fine with me. Considering the issues with privacy on the Internet, I'd be more than happy to remove your name, as well.
If you're just jerking me around, be prepared to find yourself in a federal court for making false claims and attempting to assume ownership of something that doesn't belong to you (that's called "stealing", by the way). At the very least, you may get slapped with a restraining order that prevents you from lying about this ever again, followed by a bill for my time and my lawyer's expenses.
24. I'm Sick Of Getting Railroaded By That NPC!
Then kill the NPC. This is why Guardian will quit any Forgotten Realms campaign if Elminster shows up.
There are no invulnerable NPCs in Guardian's games. Some are very hard to kill. But none of them are DMPCs (Dungeon Master Player Characters) with powers beyond what the PCs can attain. If the NPC is too powerful for you to handle, find out who his/her enemies are, and help them. Find something that NPC holds dear and hold it hostage. Use your imagination. Just be prepared for the consequences. Hint: It is a bad idea to call the Emperor a traitor while standing in front of him at his palace, surrounded by all of his bodyguards, his Champion, and the Imperial Archmage.
Disclaimer:
Some of the stuff in this FAQ may be true. Then again, it may not. Life's funny that way, isn't it?