Hi All,
The new One Ring index is almost done. It is through proofing, initial layout, is undergoing some small layout changes and amends to make it the best it can be, and largely it's just waiting for me to get an hour or so to finish off the piece of art that accompanies the introduction and usage guide.

It's 14 pages of index (plus intro and credits) so suffice to say it is an exhaustive document. The vast majority of that work has been carried out by the indefatigable JamesRBrown to whom we must extend a huge thank you.

The other helpers have made numerous contributions, and as we close in on the final stages of production I need to check how they want to be credited. I of course have their forum handles and in some cases first names, but it would be nice to check how they wish to be featured in the credits.

So: if you worked on the index please do drop me a PM with how you would like to be credited. I've sent out a call via PM, but I suspect those PMs are not getting through. We'll give it a week or so and then just add in your user names here if we don't hear anything.


As it stands the plan is to release the index as a free PDF. There several spin off documents in the works too.

Thanks!

Thank you Jon

And YES big thanks to JRBrown.

I just heard from Paul - layout and amends are all done. All that remains is this piece of art and the appropriate credits. I better go draw, eh?

He draws as if the very whips of his masters were behind him.

Project Members,
I would definitely like to add my thanks to all of the project members for their efforts on creating a new Index. It is a vital task, but not a particularly glamorous one, so I don't want to overlook any contribution. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.


Jon,
We would not want to force you or anything.

::Garn begins handing out to passersby a small packet of what appear to be tactical pamphlets for a siege of Jon's house, along with another about non-invasive torture techniques... and a pair of tweezers.::

I second that.

I've never been called "indefatigable" before. I like it. A big thanks to Grimbah though, who personally saved me early on in the project from going down the road of complete exhaustion. My work was spiraling out of control and if it hadn't been for him, the index might have ended up unnecessarily much longer than 14 pages. As Grimbah put it to me, "OMG James! That's a lotta whole lotta... lotta..." I can't wait to see the final product, especially Jon's piece of art!

This immediately caused me to think of Jon's unique artistic style being used to create an image of an Index page with greeked writing.

I'm very much looking forward to the index!

Huge thanks to everyone involved, you have made a wonderful difference in a very concrete way!

I'm with you Matchstick! Great job!

Ok I've had a couple of names in, but not all. So usernames it is for one or two contributors.

Let's get this done!

Ok, just so everyone knows I'll send the names through to Paul in layout. He's always a very busy man laying out a plethora of products (some TOR ones!) so we shall all be patient until he grabs the time to make these final additions and upload the index. Then it's a quick chat with the powers that be about where we're hosting the file for easiest access for all. And we should be there. Thanks!

My endless thanks to James and Jon - other Evangelists there? and everyone else who contributed. The game will profit greatly from your work, fans will certainly be very grateful!

Francesco

Good work chaps. A solid Index is a Good Thing, even if the work that goes into getting it done can be soul destroying (gain 1 Shadow).

Any VERY rough release date info possible?

HN

Hi All,
Apologies for the delay in responding here: I've been out of the office for a week.

I'll see if I can get a firmer date this week.

Thanks Jon.

HN

Jon, can we tell them that it is actually 16 pages of index (plus cover, credits, and user's guide)? Ooops, was everybody reading this?

This post has been edited by JamesRBrown on May 15 2012, 06:55 PM

Excellent. That sounds like it will be an immense aid in play.

Thanks to those who worked on it (and are still working on it).

Ok - There's one last formal hurdle to clear and we're done. Thanks for your patience!

Jon,
I just wanted to ask, since there have been several questions about the various pieces of artwork that you created for TOR, if the new index includes an Index of Images as well?

I realize that some of the artwork is generic (skills, some racial, weapons / equipment, etc) but for the other images it might be helpful to the players to add titles, captions or outright descriptions for some of the images. For instance, the two page spreads, the racial settlement images. Heck... sometimes the backgrounds have very interesting stuff going on.

For instance the potential Mount Gundabad image (LMB p122-3).

Just wondering,

Been a long time since there was an update on the 'Index Project'.

So... when it will be available?

My guess is that it was submitted for final approval with Middle-earth Enterprises alongside the Loremaster's Screen and Laketown Sourcebook and should be available soon. I know that it was completed awhile ago

Just wondering, does the Index Project include a Table of Images?

Just wondering if we get "official" names for image content as it were. So we can stop guessing and start knowing. I realize it is not critical, but I'm greedy, I admit it.

Unfortunately for you, that wasn't part of the project. That would be a cool little index for Jon Hodgson to put together though!

We should have some news about the index soon, hopefully - Sincere apologies for us going so quiet on that front. One of "those" things where we have to trust you guys to understand the potential reasons why.

Ok, I have time to quickly run through the images that run across the spreads, and this is to the best of my knowledge (the ones I did are easier to identify!), and I didn't art direct TOR, so forgive any gaps or inaccuracies I might have:

Adventurer's Book:
Part One: Dale
Part Two: The Misty Mountains (or perhaps Mountains of Mirkwood? Need to ask Francesco)
Part Three: The Shire
Part Four: Thranduil's Hall
Part Five: The Carrock
Part Six: Moria East Gate

Loremaster's Book
Part One: Lake-town
Part Two: Misty Mountains
Part Three: Dol Guldur
Part Four: Rivendell
Part Five: Mount Gundabad

Some smaller images which I have seen queried, off the top of my head:

AB
44 - This is intended as a "typical" Beorning's Dwelling. It's not Beorn's Hall, which is well documented in JRRT's own illustrations as a rectangular building. We did do Beorn's Hall for Tales From Wilderland.
56 - A "typical" elf dwelling in Northern Mirkwood. Not intended as Thranduil's Hall - it lacks the triple gate, though I have heard of it standing in for such.
68 - A "typical" Woodmen dwelling.

LM
98 - Dale
100 - Erebor
102 - Lake-town
104 - A "typical" great house of the Northmen