Legio E-Zine

[Brother Tyler]

For a long time now we've had a major project on the back burner - the Bolter & Chainsword e-zine. There has been a wee bit of coverage of this in the Suggestion Forum, especially after the success of Firebase.

 

Previously, we had planned to make our e-zine a bit different from the "standard" fare. Our intent was to theme each e-zine around a specific event in history, basically developing each issue as a campaign representing an historical event (such as part of the Badab War, a campaign in the Wars of Apostasy, etc.). Those historical projects are still planned, but they won't be the focus of the e-zine.

 

I'm now thinking that the e-zine will be a bit more conventional, but I want to throw it out to everyone for ideas before we "go public".

 

The magazine name will be named Legio. That doesn't mean that the e-zine will be only about the Legio - it's just a decent themed name. We're probably going to have a few admins/mods/cedos/ADs as a core editorial staff, but will focus our efforts on the members of the B&C being the contributors. This goes for art, articles, whatever.

 

Frequency will be quarterly unless it turns out that we can support more issues per year.

 

One major issue will be the nature of the end-product - will it be stricly electronic, downloadable pdf, or both?

 

Let's hear your ideas for how we can make this work.

[Darrell]

I think that making the e-zine appeal to as many people as possible is always a good idea, so in that way making it more generic would probably be helpful. Also, I think making the magazine Frater oriented is a wise choice in that the readers power the magazine and the editors steer it, as opposed to the editors doing all the work. The readers get the satisfaction of having their work published and the editors have less pressure on them to keep coming up with ideas.

 

Name is fine.

 

What do you mean by "strictly electronic"? Downloadable PDF's seem to work okay, though it can sometimes be time consuming to transfer all the information over. Publishing quarterly, though, it shouldn't be too big of an "issue" (Bad joke) to deal with.

[Brother Tyler]

By "strictly electronic" I mean something along the lines of Black Gobbo, or even a collection of articles in a manner similar to the Librarium articles. The problem with the first is that we would need to have suitably skilled web designers volunteering their time - either through the creation of templates that might be adapted (lots of work on the front end, but minimized work with each issue) or we would have to use the Librarium format, which would call into the question the need for an e-zine in the first place since articles are already there.

 

Personally, I like the downloadable PDF option.

 

There are lots of things I'd like to see done with a Bolter & Chainsword e-zine.

 

First would be unofficial homegrown rules. I'd really like to see the end-products of a couple long-standing projects come to fruition as such (Codex: Salamanders, Codex: Iron Hands, Codex: Adeptus Custodes, etc.), as well as some other things (perhaps a modernization of the 13th Company rules, Lost and the Damned, homegrown rules for some of the cults/legions, etc.). In addition to these types of "Codex" rules, I'd like to see members' special missions, vehicles (perhaps a modernization of the VDR), etc.

 

I'd also like to see members' armies featured. This would definitely encompass the basic army list and painting, but might also include history, tactics with the army, etc. (whatever the author is willing to include).

 

More focused painting articles would also be a feature - things along the line of the 'Eavy Metal articles as well as tutorials and what-not.

 

I'd really love to see members' DIY Chapters featured in Index Astartes articles and army features. This might have a broad range of articles.

 

FAQs would also be a good thing, drawing on the Official Rules forum and perhaps themed to specific topics in each issue.

 

There are a lot of things we could do, although we would have to maintain a focus on the B&C's standard subject matter.

[Gillyfish]

I think it's an excellent idea and the focus on Frater activities is exactly right. I particularly like the idea of getting a Frater's army and doing a focus on its colour scheme - bundle that with a short histroy of the amry and you have something that I think Frater will really enjoy - I would open it to the standard Chapters too, as we should be as inclusive as possible.

 

Tacticas, army collecting articles and so on are always welcome.

 

Do we want to do a 'rumours' article or something similar or will that be stepping on Firebase's toes too much?

[Master of Sanctity]

I'd also like to see members' armies featured. This would definitely encompass the basic army list and painting, but might also include history, tactics with the army, etc. (whatever the author is willing to include).

 

This one gets my vote for sure.

[Darrell]

I'd really love to see members' DIY Chapters featured in Index Astartes articles and army features. This might have a broad range of articles.

 

I'm definitely all for that one. Not like we have any shortage of DIY Chapters to present from both Mod/Admin and Frater alike. As long as we're also open to something like a DIY Warband (Such as Barret's Privateers), I think it could be fun for everyone.

 

Custom Codices for various armies would also be welcome, as long as the White Scars are in there. :wink:

[Brother Tyler]

Speaking of Firebase, I'm opposed to making the B&C e-zine 100 pages. I'd like to establish a minimum size, though I'm not sure what a good minimum size would be. My only criteria on size is that it needs to be divisible by four (better printing that way, especially for those of us who have printers that can do duplex/booklet style printing).

 

I forgot to include batreps as one of the desired article types.

 

Established Chapters would definitely be eligible for inclusion, though I'd steer those more towards a focus on a specific detachment or event rather than a broad IA-style article. For example, someone might create a specific Black Templars Crusade or the 3rd Company of the Ultramarines during the Higarr Incursion (I just made that up). Alternately, we could them an issue around a specific Chapter/Legion/Ordo if GW has a big release (i.e., when Codex: Space Wolves gets released, we feature the sons of Russ in our own e-zine). Personally, I'd love to see some of the Chapters of Legend really focused on and highlighted, including the White Scars.

 

I'm *meh* about rumors, but this isn't my e-zine, so I guess that decision would have to be based on whether or not the membership wants to include rumors. I think it might be fun to look at who said what and laugh at the people whose ideas are silly.

[Orkdung]

Agreed Bro-T.

 

Something on the lines of 4-8 pages a month is what I've envisioned.

 

*Special Rules

*Painting

*Kill Team missions

 

etc...

 

Quick, brief, well written and thought out.

[Heimdal]

One major issue will be the nature of the end-product - will it be stricly electronic, downloadable pdf, or both?

 

As mentioned earlier you can draw parallells betwen Firebase and Black Gobbo when deciding upon which format that holds the greatest potential.

 

"Legio" is supposed to be an magazine and thus I feel that it should have a format as an such (pdf). However, the greatest reason I can see why it should be a pdf is that you can download it and freely distribute it to even more people quite easily without having to wonder if the html coding is sufficent is using a BG-format. (Not to mention us that have problems making URL´s offline accessible).

 

Another reason that I can see is that readers tend to skip things that seeminlyg doesnt appeal to them (such as links named) where a magazine will at least offer a glimpse of the content even if the reader just browse ahead, maybe capturing his interest about something he seldom read about.

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, I'm willing to offer my services if you want them.

[Iago]

I would love to help... and as a suggestion maby we couls make it on an "off" quarter... to not overlap with Firebase, but to have firebase, then legio, then firebase.. and you could always await something and not go through both, and then have to wait for eons before the other came out.!

 

Just let me know... I think batreps and the like would be cool, as well as maby a rules discussion area, whenre people send in questions and we answer them. or something.

 

Cheers!

[Brother Tyler]

I think I'd like to get at least 24 pages per quarter, preferably 32 or more, but that will depend on how much content is submitted.

 

I'd like to have a "letters" column like Dear Abby where members may submit questions and someone can answer them, preferably in an obnoxious in-character manner. It would be good for some fun.

 

As for the format, an unresolved question is how the Librarium will relate to the e-zine. In one camp, high quality articles will first be posted to the Librarium, and then re-formated for the e-zine. In another camp, articles will first appear in the e-zine, and can later be added to the Librarium.

 

I like the idea to have Legio appear on a different schedule from Firebase, though I don't want to artificially impose tsuch a schedule if one or the other e-zine takes longer than normal.

 

One thing I want to ensure is that we allow any interested members to participate, assuming they can submit an article of sufficient quality. I don't want any individuals or groups to dominate the e-zine. It needs to be a reflection of our entire membership base. That said, any offers to assist/participate are welcome.

[StratoKhan]

I cannot stress the importance of editing mistakes if ever we get a magazine going. I personally volunteer to proof read everything, as well as anything else I can contribute.

 

It's strange, but spelling mistakes in publications make me feel uneasy. Firebase is nice and all, but they have spelling mistakes. Which is not good.

[Master of Sanctity]

It's strange, but spelling mistakes in publications make me feel uneasy. Firebase is nice and all, but they have spelling mistakes. Which is not good.

 

Ever read an issue of White Dwarf? lol Pretty bad at times. It shouldn't be too had to surpass the standards out there, the more people to read it over the better.

[Chaplain Lucifer]

I'd like to have a "letters" column like Dear Abby where members may submit questions and someone can answer them, preferably in an obnoxious in-character manner. It would be good for some fun.

I want dibs on that. :) Nothing more obnoxious than a DA chaplain.

[Brother Tyler]

I don't know - Atticus Rage is our resident hothead. Besides, it might be too similar to the old "Ask a Dark Angel" thing that used to appear elsewhere on the Internet.

 

We'll see.

[Chaplain Lucifer]

dan. there goes my 15 mins of fame. :) i'll stick to coming up with special characters. :D

[Brother Tyler]

Oh - I'm not saying that it's going to Atticus Rage or that you can't do it. It's all up in the air right now. And regardless of *who* we decide the character will be (if we decide to do this piece), there's no reason that he can't have a guest advisor on occasion. The Interrogator-Chaplain idea also has merit, especially with the B&C's iconic Interrogation Chamber 42. And then there's Airlock 3. Lots of material to work with here at the B&C.

[mekboy bigdakka]

What about Mek's House of Pancakes? No self respecting magazine is complete without a recipe section!

 

Anyone who can remember where that comes from, you've been here too long. :D

[Iago]

recipies for painting as well as home cooking would be great!.

 

Iron Brew anyone?

 

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On another note... will we be focused on say for batreps.. GW batreps have now become pics with numbers and you cant really tell what is going on... would we focus more in pictures for sequence of events.. or because it is a e-zine.. maby we could make them interactive? im just brainstorming here.

 

Oh and I am not the best person for spelling, living my entire life in Mexico has not helped me with my english... even though my parents are english.

 

CHeers!

[Barret]

I'll volunteer my services. Fiction-writing of various kinds is my preferred area (largely because giving Mek more stuff to slog through amuses me :verymad: ), but writing campaign rules and systems is my other love.

 

One regular section I'd like to see is a "Liber Presents" or something to that effect, each issue featuring one or two high-quality DIY Chapters with any and all attendant materials, like "Designer's Notes", interviews, models, whatever.

[TheDarkApostle]

Considering the upcomming release of the new Chaos Codex to the majority of the members this would be an perfect oppurtunity to playtest the new codex if we, as said, are going to keep a bit of a focus on battle reports.

[Chaplain Lucifer]

IMHO battle reports are a must. Especially if they are like old Wd battle reports, where each player went trough their selection and told their side of the history though turns. Of course our battle reports should be more competitive.

[Gillyfish]

Agreed on the bat rep front, although may be hard to get both sides of the battle in sufficient detail, especially if the opponent plays a non B&C style army.

 

That's not a reason not to do it, but it may be a limiting factor.

[Brother Tyler]

With regard to BatReps, as long as one of the armies involved in the battle is suitable for the B&C, the opposing army will be allowed, regardless of who it is.

 

What I'd like to do is hammer out a few "stock" articles - articles that will appear in every issue. Beyond that, we'll be open to pretty much anything (as long as the quality of the content is sufficient).

 

My initial stock ideas:

• Ask (someone ornery)
  
• Index Astartes (someone) (this could be as simple as just an IA style article, or it could be a broad-based article that matches a Codex in its size and content)
  
• B&C Site News (updates or whatever else we come up with - contest winners, contests, etc.)
  
• Short Story Fluff (I'd like to see an ongoing serial style story - it could be one perpetual story, or we could run a story until its completion, then run another story, etc.)
  
• Q&A (from official rules - we could run themed articles, or just include whatever significant Q&As have come up in since the last issue)
  

Beyond that, while I'd really like to see painting articles in each issue, I'm not going to define any in a listing of stock articles. We'll just take it for granted that some type(s) of painting article(s) will be in each issue.

 

On the format itself, my preference is to go with a downloadable pdf. After a set amount of time (perhaps when the following issue is released) all of the articles will be posted individually to the Librarium. That's just an opinion, though, not a decision. We really have to hammer out the relationship between the e-zine and the Librarium. Page count of the e-zine isn't a huge factor, although I'd like at least 24 pages per issue. We'll take as many more as we can reasonably fit in, although I don't see a need to really go higher than 64 except in extreme situations (perhaps a major contest or campaign is run and we feature it, there could be other reasons, though). I'm still leaning towards that muliples of 4 thing.

 

As far as the appearance goes, that's up for discussion. One thing I'm going to insist on is that we try to be easy on people's printers (and their ink cartridges). Background art will be limited. We'll put in any art that is necessary, but will avoid having huge background images on lots of pages. And while the files will be in full color, we have to consider the fact that many people only have black and white printers.

 

I think that the final thing we have to hammer out is the rest of the "staff". Is there anyone who would like to volunteer on a long-term basis to help out on the editing staff? The role of the staff will be to assist in proofreading,screening articles, perhaps helping contributors to improve articles, etc. Depending on what we decide for the "Ask" segment, someone might get that job, though that might be more fun than work. The real work will be done by the contributors, except for the final bits of putting it all together and converting it into suitable files.