XDM: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery
Encyclopedia
XDM: X-treme Dungeon Mastery is a role-playing game book by American
writers Tracy Hickman
and Curtis Hickman. It is illustrated by Howard Tayler
.
Purporting to be the work of a 'secret society' of extreme game players, the book both casts a satirical eye on role-playing games and offers practical application advice on improving the design and play of role-playing games. It includes its own complete role-playing game system as well.
met Howard Tayler
at the Life, the Universe and Everything Symposium (LTUE) at Brigham Young University
. Tracy and his son Curtis had been working on a book about radical game techniques for over three years but had been unable to secure a game publisher for their work. After discussions with Howard Tayler and his wife and publishing partner Sandra Tayler, it was determined that the book could be produced through Tayler's own publishing imprint. Due to the requirements of having the book ready for release by the following August, both the writers and Howard, as the artist for the project, launched into producing both the art and a viable text within the space of two months. The deadlines were made and the book was produced and delivered on time for its release at the Gen Con Convention
held in August of that same year.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writers Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
and Curtis Hickman. It is illustrated by Howard Tayler
Howard Tayler
Howard V. Tayler is the award-winning creator of the hugely successful webcomic Schlock Mercenary. He worked as a volunteer missionary for the LDS Church, then graduated from Brigham Young University...
.
Purporting to be the work of a 'secret society' of extreme game players, the book both casts a satirical eye on role-playing games and offers practical application advice on improving the design and play of role-playing games. It includes its own complete role-playing game system as well.
Background and Development
In the spring of 2009, Tracy HickmanTracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
met Howard Tayler
Howard Tayler
Howard V. Tayler is the award-winning creator of the hugely successful webcomic Schlock Mercenary. He worked as a volunteer missionary for the LDS Church, then graduated from Brigham Young University...
at the Life, the Universe and Everything Symposium (LTUE) at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
. Tracy and his son Curtis had been working on a book about radical game techniques for over three years but had been unable to secure a game publisher for their work. After discussions with Howard Tayler and his wife and publishing partner Sandra Tayler, it was determined that the book could be produced through Tayler's own publishing imprint. Due to the requirements of having the book ready for release by the following August, both the writers and Howard, as the artist for the project, launched into producing both the art and a viable text within the space of two months. The deadlines were made and the book was produced and delivered on time for its release at the Gen Con Convention
Gen Con
Gen Con is one of the largest and most prominent annual gaming conventions in North America. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card-style games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, board games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, non-collectible...
held in August of that same year.
Contents
The book is written as though from the humorous perspective of a 'secret society' of game masters passing on 'ancient secrets' of role-playing games beginning in Babylonian times and extending to the present. Within the satire, the text offers advice on performance techniques, adventure game design and classical story structures.- Chapter 1: Is Being an XDM Right for You?
- Chapter 2: Welcome to the Cult
- Chapter 3: It's About the Players
- Chapter 4: Story is Everything!
- Chapter 5: Designing for Story
- Chapter 6: Selddir
- Chapter 7: Thou Shalt Prepare!
- Chapter 8: All the Game's a Stage
- Chapter 9: Living through the Revolution
- Chapter 10: Atmosphere
- Chapter 11: Devil's Touch
- Chapter 12: Wonders of the Gods
- Chapter 13: Killer Breakfast to Go
- Chapter 14: How You Play the Game
- Chapter 15: The XD20 Basic Game
- Chapter 16: The XD20 Advanced Players Guide
- Chapter 17: XD20 Dungeon Mastery Handbook
- Chapter 18: XD20 Creature Codex
- Appendices