Adventures should evoke the spirit of the American West, whether set in lively frontier towns, harsh badlands, or remote mountain passes. Writers are encouraged to explore diverse locations throughout the West, from Texas to California and everywhere in between.
Maintain historical authenticity in descriptions, technology, and social norms, while allowing for creative embellishment suited to adventure gaming.
Respect the established lore and atmosphere: stories should be gritty, adventurous, and rich with possibility, blending historical reality with imaginative storytelling.
2. Use of Historical Figures:
Writers may reference historical figures (e.g., Wyatt Earp, Billy Clanton, Calamity Jane) as sources of information or in passing, but these figures should not play active roles in the adventure’s main events.
Historical figures cannot be killed by player characters. If an adventure takes place during a historical figure’s actual death, characters may witness the event or interact beforehand, but must not be the cause of the death.
Adventures must not change established historical outcomes. Player actions should allow them to be observers or minor participants in historical moments, without altering history.
3. Character Consistency:
Use existing NPCs accurately, respecting their personalities and backgrounds.
New characters should fit the tone and setting, with brief but evocative bios.
4. Adventure Structure:
Each adventure should have a clear hook, escalating challenges, and a satisfying resolution.
Include opportunities for player agency, meaningful choices, and consequences.
5. Inclusivity & Respect:
Avoid stereotypes and ensure all characters are represented respectfully.
Sensitive themes must be handled with care; avoid offensive content.
6. Game Mechanics:
Provide relevant stats for NPCs, encounters, and unique items.
Include suggestions for skill checks, challenges, and rewards.
7. Writing Style:
Keep prose engaging, concise, and evocative—show, don’t just tell.
Aim for clarity; avoid overly complex sentences or jargon.
8. Originality:
Adventures must be original and not plagiarized from other sources.
Inspiration from classic tales is welcome, but put a unique spin on them.
9. Length & Format:
Follow specified word counts and formatting guidelines (e.g., sections for background, NPCs, encounters, rewards).
Submit documents in the required file format (such as .docx, .pdf, etc.).
