Introduction
It is 6435 AD.  A lot has transpired in the past four millenia, including breathtaking advances in science, extensive settlement of planets throughout the Milky Way and a devastating event that completely transformed human society.  Only recently has humanity begun to recover many of the habits, behaviors and sensibilities that it long since forgot on account of this great Plague.  But, despite humanity’s tendency to follow the patterns laid down by history, the world of Orion’s Arm is a unique place.  Governed by forces that we can barely even comprehend today, the people who make up Orion’s Arm chart their own course through time… in an eclectic mix of what we would call the impossible future and the irrecoverable past.  They are us, or at least, what we may become, given our past and our future.  Empires of Orion is the Napoleonic space opera that unfolds in their world.  … Read More

Current Status
Right now, I have a significant amount of background material and documentation regarding the world of Orion’s Arm as well as a very rough sketch of the overarching plot-line for Empires of Orion.  I have identified the major protagonists and antagonists of the story and have begun writing short character descriptions for each of them.  However, there are still significant gaps in both the character and the storyline.  I need help fleshing these character descriptions out further and filling in many of the underdeveloped (or missing) characters that will help advance the storyline.  I also need help filling in the dramatic gaps that exist between major plot points and advancing the plot arc to the conclusion that I have in mind.

The Project
If you choose to accept this project, you and I will be working together on character sketches for all the major characters and you will be responsible for character descriptions for many of the other people, places and things that the major characters will encounter.  These character sketches for both major and minor characters will need to include such details as personality, motivation, appearance, quirks, history and connections which are engaging and suitable for dramatic development.  Although much of the background has already been developed, including the historical context for the drama, the initial motivations of the main characters and the ultimate outcome of the story, the universe and storyline are still quite flexible.  So, as we develop character sketches, we will also be working together on both the plot line and how the world needs to be to serve the plot line.

The Plot Line
The plot line itself is divided into three separate sub-plotlines which are connected together for a variety of reasons that will only become apparent to the readers over time.  The motivations of each of the characters will inevitably bring them together, but the sub-plotlines will remain largely independent of each other for a majority of the story.  Each chapter of the story can thus actually be seen as a compilation of the developments in three concurrent storylines and each episode for each sub-plotline will only be a third of what happens in a given chapter.  However I envision the episodes in each of the separate storyline will be staggered.  In any given chapter, something in one plot line is starting, something in another is developing and something in the third is resolving.  This is meant to create both the in media res effect and a sense that every chapter always asks and answers the questions that the readers have.

Apportionment
I envision apportioning the work into a number of pieces and a series of steps.  I see each character description and each episode of each of the sub-plotlines as an individual piece of work that can be developed independently from the others.  However, because they all need to fit together, conform to the possibilities of the world and come to a conclusion that is already known, each individual piece of work will involve an approval and revision process.  After you have a chance to familiarize yourself with all the documented background material I have developed so far, we will meet periodically to brainstorm new ideas and review ideas that you (or I) come up with.  Once we have some good ideas for either a character or an episode, you will write it down more thoroughly and we will go over it before we add it to the official documentation.  Once it’s added to the documentation, we can revisit it later if we need to, but I would consider that particular apportionment to be done.

Time Frame
Since we will work on a piece by piece basis, we can go at whatever pace you would like.  I am available for meetings in person to brainstorm or review material about once a week but I can also discuss things over the phone or email as the need arises.  As we go along, I will be adding more material to the documentation and I will be responsible for maintaining the official background and storyline.  However you can email me sketches or treatments to look over as often as you want.  And, I will make an effort to respond as soon as I can.

Compensation
Tell me what you think character sketches and episodes are worth and we’ll work out a standard price and I’ll plan to compensate you after each piece is completed.  You will also receive credit for concept writing when Empires of Orion or any other product related to Orion’s Arm is published.

Grant of Rights
As a contribution to a collective work, Evertide Games will own the copyright to all material you produce.

Lords of Scotland is a card game of strategy and battle for the Scottish throne.  It is set during the interregnum period of Scottish history about the time of William Wallace.  In the game, players assume the role of Scottish lords, competing with each other in a series of skirmishes for the support of the clans.  The lord who manages to acquire forty points worth of supporters first wins.

There are 96 playing cards and 1 turn marker card in the game.  The game comes with a rules sheet and is packaged in a box large enough to hold approximately two decks of playing cards.

I need a total of 11 color illustrations for the game, broken down as follows:  

A separate portrait for each of 9 Scottish clan chiefs. 

A landscape of a battlefield in front of a castle.

An image of a (Scottish) crown

I'm looking for a larger-than-life, comic bookesque style for the illustrations.  Something with sharp lines, unblended colors, a degree of body dismorphia (embellishment) and perspective distortion.  Think of your typical contemporary comic book cover to something like Batman, Spiderman or Witchblade.  It needs to have the attention to detail and color shading of a comic book.  But, definitely NOT comic strips or disney.

I have a large collection of images of Scottish lords, clansmen and landscapes that I can provide you.  Ultimately, I'm looking for something that closely resembles this reference material but illustrated in the style outlined above.  However, in creating the art, depending upon your ambition, we can discuss making alterations to the age, weight and outfits of the clansmen who are portrayed.  It would be great to explore a range of characters in the 9 portraits, so that each card tells portrait tells a story.  To this end, you will have a lot of leeway to add personality, expression and affectation, if you want to.

We can start as soon as you want and go at whatever pace will be convenient for you.  However, I would love to be able to shoot for producing 1 image per week.  In each case, you would draw a concept (pencil or pen) image and run it by me.  We can then discuss alterations (if any) that are necessary and after we settle on a design, you can go ahead and make the final image.  At the beginning of the project, I'll provide you with all the reference material I have and we can discuss the color palette.  Then, throughout the project, I'll be there to provide you with any other reference material that you need.

The tools you use are up to you.  But, in the end, I'll need a digital copy of each image with separate black & white and color layers that will fit on a poker size card.  The resolution of any digital image should be no less than 600dpi and the layers need to be preserved in a format capable of handling layers (such as a PSD).  If you choose to draw (and/or color) the image by hand, then I'll need the original for each image to be drawn on a durable surface, like Bristol board or the equivalent, and I'll need you to scan each image before (and after) you color it.  However, if you want to create each image entirely on the computer, as a vector drawing instead (using something like Abobe Illustrator), then a physical copy of the original is not necessary.

Tell me what you want for each piece of artwork and we'll figure out the total and payment schedule.  You'll also receive credit for the illustrations in all versions of the game that are published.

As a work made for hire, Evertide Games will own the copyright.