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I'm by no means an expert, but here are a couple of things that jumped out at me:
* Unless I am mistaken, it looks like you are doing double work for your NPCs, using both character pages ("Baron":https://an-odd-sort-of-town.obsidianportal.com/characters/baron-thomas-featherstone) and wiki pages ("Baron":https://an-odd-sort-of-town.obsidianportal.com/wikis/baron-thomas-featherstone) This seems both unwieldy and an upkeep nightmare, especially as the wiki grows.
* It looks like you have 5 main NPCs that the group deals with, I would have a character page (wiki? depending on your choice above), even if currently truncated, for each of them.
* Speaking of characters, I'm a bit of a purist in the sense that I don't tell my players anything about my NPC stats, preferring the player knows what the character knows. I like the character pages for background info or what have you on the NPC. Typically, I grow my character wiki each time the players interact with them and thereby learn more about the NPC.
* The wiki basically seems to break down into a tree of links, including character links. I do my best to avoid this issue (although I am guilty of it to), you could help by trying to pull as much as the character info out of the wiki, and putting them on character pages. That way, you can save the wiki for talking about the way the town council is run, rather than the individuals that make up the council (as an example).
* It looks like you are using your adventure log as both a news listing an adventure log. My personal choice would be to use it purely for adventures, create a wiki page for news archive, and the most current news item on the front page.
* I like your descriptions of places and NPCs, they aren't all the same, and they all have something going on.
* You do a good job of "cross-linking" or whatever the term is for when naming a place, linking to it.
Just some thoughts, sorry I didn't have more time to dive in.
-bort
"Morwindl"://morwindl.obsidianportal.com/
Campaign of the Year - 2018
- You are also certainly right about the double entry for NPCs becoming confusing and way too much work. This thing is going to be a nightmare of NPC entries by my third game if I keep that up. Maybe it's best if I really commit to one way or the other.
- I wondered a bit as to which 5 NPCs you were talking about before I realized those 5 NPCs you were talking about are probably my player characters. In this instance the town council is made up of player characters and aside from me stipulating which council roles were available at the start of the game I am not setting any precedent on how the council is run. The players have rough guidelines of what the kingdom law is and any house rulings I've made to 3.5 rule sets ( I made some house rulings on how healing works to make it more interesting for the town medical professional. If anyone has any house rules they use to make healing in 3.5 more interesting please share). I tried to make the way laws work very localized to every fiefdom so that while specific crimes have to be punished by kingdom law each fiefdom has the ability to determine individually how they administer justice and can create their own bylaws. I'm thinking that to make the game interesting I need to stay as hands off as I can in allowing the players to run the town, create bylaws, collect taxes, sell land plots, hiring adventurers etc. I will advise them if they ask how it is done in other places or warn them if they are going to do something their character would know is against kingdom law or exceedingly progressive from the norm. If they want to turn the status quo on it's head I won't stop them, I plan on only interfere by presenting consequences to those actions in game.
This does make me think that I should keep a wiki entry on their council going as to how they run things as an outside observer like myself might see it. This is a bit of an experiment for me and my players. We are two sessions in though and the characters just arrived in their new domain and started to meet the characters in the town they will be running.
I think you're right about the adventure log. From now on I'll keep it strictly as a game journal.
.
Rather than think of upkeep of an impending nightmare, have you considered enlisting your players to make npc updates themselves? My players are responsible for 95% of the content on my site. They earn "Karma":https://karameikos.obsidianportal.com/wikis/karma for submissions as an incentive for doing the note taking for their DM.
I'd disagree with advice to keep your Adventuring Logs strictly for adventure logging. You use them for whatever is convenient, and enjoy it. "Mine":https://karameikos.obsidianportal.com/adventure-log aren't used for logging. They're placeholders for sessions that I the DM set up, and players link to their personal session logs from there. So don't think you have to adhere to a coding standard in how you use them. I think news and rumors is a pretty cool idea for them actually.
DM F
Player driven content is something I'm striving for... Can players update articles in the wiki on their own or is that something they have to email to me to put up?
I suck at names too. Some times I use a translator to alter a descriptive word, or you can use a resource like "http://www.mithrilandmages.com/utilities/MedievalNames.php":http://www.mithrilandmages.com/utilities/MedievalNames.php
-bort
"Morwindl"://morwindl.obsidianportal.com
Campaign of the Year - 2018
You have gotten some good advice, so I don't have much more to add (Except I would just have NPCs be Characters instead of Wiki entries, because it becomes faster to navigate on the sidebar). I just noticed some small cosmetic stuff that I was glad people pointed out to me. On my browser, I see a little white stripe on the right side of the banner. You might want to re-size/crop your banner.
Good luck!
* "Nyonia - Celestial Jewels":https://nyonia-celestial-jewels.obsidianportal.com/ - This portal contains all the non-campaign specific information.
* "Nyonia - Pauci Fortis":https://nyonia-pauci-fortis.obsidianportal.com/ - one of the two campaigns I will be running simultaneously (this is the Sat. group)
* "Nyonia - Spices R' Us":https://nyonia-spices-r-us.obsidianportal.com/ - one of the two campaigns I will be running simultaneously (this is the Sun. group)
So far there aren't any characters on any of the sites. I haven't gotten to the point of creating NPCs.
Things that I would like to do include:
* Separate banners for each portal
* I would love to figure out how to do a cool video - which would first require thinking up a 'script' and producing it
I am still learning a lot about wiki design, I haven't used html and such in years so I am rusty but I would appreciate some feedback for the pros!
https://worldoferda.obsidianportal.com
I'm looking to get some feedback on my campaign:
"The Moon Swing Chronicles":https://moon-swing-chronicles.obsidianportal.com/
This campaign finished ages ago, but I kept the old website of the campaign, and since I'm an Ascended member, I decided to bring it over.
Thoughts and suggestions would be great.
I've been tinkering with my page for quite a while already, but haven't showed it here yet. The page is still an ongoing project and the main campaign has not yet started. Our gaming group has played a single introduction scenario and I plan to do two similar scenarios before the main campaign begins - my way of getting the players truly tuned in.
Anyway, there is still a lot of pages that need content and thus many of the links are "dead" ones. The page will probably always stay this way: I tend to get ideas of new pages faster than I can actually write content for them.
For the use of CSS and HTML on my page I must thank everyone who has written helpful posts and code on this forum. Before I started making my page I was a total beginner in HTML and especially in CSS and have learned a lot.
Any feedback would be great!
"My Obsidian Portal Page: Astra Obscuri":https://astra-obscuri.obsidianportal.com/
It has basically zero custom CSS or fancy functionality of any kind, just a bunch of original maps and written content in the standard format. I did do two minimal things: increased Default Content Width to 1600 pixels and allocated more space to the wiki main content container. I also use the minimized sidebar icons. So there's nothing much to look at compared to the very nice customized sites I'm seeing out there, but I thought I'd mention it here anyway, as fans of post-apocalyptic worlds may find some of the content or adventure logs interesting.
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Arcanearth
Gammaworld 2754
- I like the concept of this campaign...there's nothing like a past and/or impending apocolypse for adventure possibilities. The color scheme and art you picked is evocative and fits your history and setting. Even the default background makes sense (graveyard). I like simpler and more default-y sites so your use of mostly default settings appeals to me.
- your adventure logs are quite entertaining and I like the use of graphics in various places. I need to get off my lazy bum and figure out how to get pictures to appear left or right justified with the text wrapped around them. The players seem to read your logs because I see a lot of comments about fixing this or that error, or missing this or that event. Chapter Six, Part Seven: ah, an aboleth...brings back memories of my AD&D campaign back in the 80's. Except that aboleth wasn't so friendly. Love those extensive geomorphic dungeons! We use http://www.rptools.net/ MapTool to present maps and icons on a TV.
- the wiki is an interesting concept in that it's a big A-Z encyclopedia. This probably works for the players who are already familiar with your world and know what to look for, but for the noob or bystander some kind of category-type organization might be easier. But then the wiki is for the players, not bystanders. My site is basically a multilevel category-type organization, but it looks crappy. I need to figure out how to change the text color and weight, etc., as you've done in yours.
- I like the World of Erda campaign map. Is that your own work or from other source? The built in map-viewer is kind of lame, so I was looking for a place in the wiki that showed the map, but couldn't find it (tried /wikis/erda and /wikis/aerilon). Suggest adding the map to the home page or to front page of wiki or something, really would add some excitement. This is one area where increasing the Default Content Width can help, allowing visitors to see more of the glorious campaign map. I need to do the same now that I think of it...
- The characters are all interesting with fun portraits. The online character sheet template for 4e is nice. Nothing like that for mine, it's homebrew for the most part.
- I see you are still using the Default Content Width value. Personally I like increasing the default width to 1600 pixels so you get more left to right screen real estate. Not sure if this would mess up your picture and text formatting in the logs though.
- Good luck on the campaign!
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Arcanearth
Gammaworld 2754
I am glad you though the 'just the basics' was a good look. I started out that way as I wanted it to be more about text content and less time on looks. I have to admit now that I have been waffling a bit and thinking of learning css so that I could make it more 'flashier' but maybe you are right1 Basic and a 'clean' look is good too!
I changed the default content width to 1600 as you recommended. I think that was a good idea. I do not know much CSS but do know html, so I was kept early on in building the site to just what the defaults offered. The font sizes and pictures justified are all in the basic site page builder. I thought it was super easy once you figure it out though you will have to probably play with it a little first to get the hang of it.
the wiki was geared towards the players and my own reference. But I can see where you are coming from, a mainpage organization my topic isnt a bad idea, I may do that so others can look through it as well!
bc..wiki-page-show #sidebar {width:10%; min-width:50px;}
.wiki-page-show .main-content-container {width:90% !important; min-width:300px;}
The first one squeezes the right hand sidebar size so small it gets bumped to the bottom of the wiki pages.
The 2nd one increases the width of the main wiki content window.
Together these get a lot more actual content into the vertical page, check out this for example: https://gamma-world-2754.obsidianportal.com/wikis/new-salt-city.
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Arcanearth
Gammaworld 2754
Alkorahil
https://worldoferda.obsidianportal.com
I am interested on feedback concerning character and story development, rather than the layout of the page itself. I recognize that this is a default layout structure and could stand for some serious re-working.
Let me know and thanks very much for taking the time to look. The campaign is in progress at the moment but should wrap up sometime in the coming winter.
Thanks all.
Ebynslippery
I would appreciate a review of the fantasy world I have setup. This consists of
* "Nyonia - Celestial Jewels":https://nyonia-celestial-jewels.obsidianportal.com/ - This portal contains all the non-campaign specific information.
* "Nyonia - Pauci Fortis":https://nyonia-pauci-fortis.obsidianportal.com/ - one of the two campaigns I will be running simultaneously (this is the Sat. group)
* "Nyonia - Spices R' Us":https://nyonia-spices-r-us.obsidianportal.com/ - one of the two campaigns I will be running simultaneously (this is the Sun. group)
So far there aren't any characters on any of the sites. I haven't gotten to the point of creating NPCs.
Things that I would like to do include:
* Separate banners for each portal
* I would love to figure out how to do a cool video - which would first require thinking up a 'script' and producing it
What exactly are you looking for?
Just trying to help out.
I will look more closely at your pages when I have a moment later this week. (GMing takes up a ton of my Gaming time.) One thing I am curious about is why the separate pages? I am kind of finding it difficult to reference between the two.
I will also take a look at some of the others, I am not an expert, but I know it is nice to get feedback on what you are doing.
"Dresden Files: Twin Cities":https://dresden-files-twin-cities.obsidianportal.com/
@GuyKilmore - An excellent question about why have two separate pages. Having already run a campaign, with a nice campaign setting, using Obsidian Portal I found that if I wanted to reuse the campaign setting (world) and run a different campaign in a different part of the world or time setting I would end up having to do a lot of work untangling the campaign setting (world) material from the campaign that had finished.
So when I thought about this for a long time I came to the conclusion that I would create a portal for the campaign setting (world), "Nyonia - Celestial Jewels":https://nyonia-celestial-jewels.obsidianportal.com/ and a separate portal for the specific campaign I would be running "Nyonia - Pauci Fortis":https://nyonia-pauci-fortis.obsidianportal.com/ . Any information that is going to be about the world and doesn't really change - big historic events, cultures, magic, deities, landmasses is on the campaign setting site.
Fair enough, I was just finding it difficult to flip between the two. I can understand that as I was mulling over that issue too. I know killervp has a pretty extensive world going for his campaign that has been going on for a long while. (Multiple different, stories, players, PC.) You might want to check out how he organized all that to get some ideas as well.
I still intend to get it to it, just work, wife, and my own GMing duties are getting in the way.
"Dresden Files: Twin Cities":https://dresden-files-twin-cities.obsidianportal.com/
Just trying to help out.
https://fate-accelerated-the-emerald-city.obsidianportal.com/
November 2012 CotM: Dresden Files RPG: The Emerald City
June 2016 CotM: Star Wars: Rise of the Infinite Empire
JUNE 2020 CotM & 2020 CotY: Mass Effect Accelerated
FEBRUARY 2022 CotM & 2022 CotY: Dresden Files Accelerated: Emerald City-Requiem
Current Campaigns: Traveller Osmium Buccaneers: Pirates of Drinax, Cyberpunk 2077 Accelerated
* One of the fonts, the one used below the "Powered by Fate" logo on the front page among other places, is a bit too curly for my tastes. It isn't awful, it just feels a bit out of place where I saw it show up. Maybe find something similar but more... understated?
* The rows of boxes/buttons are awesome. If they are in divs and can be easily centered though that would look a bit neater/more organized, I think. It looks odd to have other graphics centered but not those.
* Maybe find a placeholder map of Seattle? The maps tab is completely blank when you select it right now. Even just a neighborhoods map would be fine.
* Maybe some CSS to make the color of the OP bar at the top warmer to match the color scheme of the campaign?
Anywho, all very minor stuff. There's a lot of ideas I would like to adapt from your campaign.
---
Now that we are getting started, I'd appreciate some feedback on "Outremer":https://outremer.obsidianportal.com/.
I will have to consider the font. I actually kind of liked it because it is a handwriting font but is still legible. Which isn't always the case. But, I will look around to see if I can find something better.
I would LOVE to figure out to center the buttons but so far doing so has eluded me. I am using Wolfhound's rollover buttons which look great on tablets and smart phones but I can't get them to center otherwise. If you have any suggestions to fix that I would owe you a great debt.
I will get on the map of Seattle. I haven't had a chance yet to figure out how to make it work with the parchment look. Just a matter of time. :D
I don't know how to change the OP bar color but again if you know the CSS or can point me to it I will give it a shot.
Glad you like the campaign over all. I will certainly try to see what I can do to address your suggestions.
November 2012 CotM: Dresden Files RPG: The Emerald City
June 2016 CotM: Star Wars: Rise of the Infinite Empire
JUNE 2020 CotM & 2020 CotY: Mass Effect Accelerated
FEBRUARY 2022 CotM & 2022 CotY: Dresden Files Accelerated: Emerald City-Requiem
Current Campaigns: Traveller Osmium Buccaneers: Pirates of Drinax, Cyberpunk 2077 Accelerated
twiggyleaf
CURRENT CAMPAIGN: "Mysteria":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/mysteria - set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.
Previous CotM Aug 2012: "Shimring":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/shimring
"I met a traveller from an antique land....."
CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.
Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign
Inner Council Member
I fiddled with it a bit, and the only way I can see to get them to center would involve wrapping an additional div around them. That may be more trouble than you want to go to, as it would involve making (minor) modifications to every page where they show up.
As for the top bar, this code should work. I used the !important tag (which I normally hate) because the way elements are nested in the top bar is complex and gives me a headache, and getting them all to work with each other individually is a inordinately time consuming.
@#top-bar {background: chartreuse;}
#top-bar * {background: chartreuse !important;}@
You'll want to replace chartreuse with a color that doesn't make eyes bleed.
-
@twiggyleaf:
Thanks for you comments, they are very much appreciated!
Your notes on images are timely, as we are just starting to have this discussion in our forums. I guess I didn't realize just how few pictures I had used - I have an extensive library that I simply haven't uploaded or placed in wiki entries, so hopefully I'll be able to put up some mice images fairly quickly once we settle on a "style".
Also after reading and reflecting on your first point, I think I'll try to simplify the presentation on the front page - not the visuals, but the content - with less text and more links.
EDIT: "Mice" typo preserved for comedic effect. :D
I will give the Top Bar stuff a try.
November 2012 CotM: Dresden Files RPG: The Emerald City
June 2016 CotM: Star Wars: Rise of the Infinite Empire
JUNE 2020 CotM & 2020 CotY: Mass Effect Accelerated
FEBRUARY 2022 CotM & 2022 CotY: Dresden Files Accelerated: Emerald City-Requiem
Current Campaigns: Traveller Osmium Buccaneers: Pirates of Drinax, Cyberpunk 2077 Accelerated
twigs
"I met a traveller from an antique land....."
CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.
Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign
Inner Council Member