10 DREAD DISEASES

Below I list some of the many illnesses that plague Blades scenarios.
Keep a vigilant eye out, so you may spot symptoms in your own work
before it's too late.

1: Stupid Party Syndrome

Scenarios affected by this condition force the party to do something
really dumb simply to advance the plot. For example, in Echoes: Assault
you have to attack a friendly fortress to complete the scenario, despite
the fact that this is about the most illogical thing you could do.

2: Scooby Doo's Disease

At the end of the scenario, everything slots together and someone
explains everything that has gone on before, just like at the end of a
Scooby Doo episode. This is usually followed by the big final fight.
Look at Tatterdemalion for an example - this happens at the end of two
of the three paths.

3: Verbal Diarrhea

This very common ailment will cause characters - usually villains - to
spontaneously spew exposition, usually for unreasonably protracted
periods. See Spears.

4: The Plague

Occasionally a scenario will suffer from body image issues and do it's
very best to look exactly like Exile/Avernum 3. A very common symptom is
monster plagues. See Wreck of the Slug.

5: Monty Haul Gut

Simply put, this comes from way too much rich food, weapons, gems, etc.
See nearly anything by Brave Sir Robin.

6: Delusions of Grandeur

If you're making a scenario with the unregistered version and think it's
so good that Spiderweb will give you a free registration for it and it
might even win the contest, because it's really original and has custom
monsters, and you have a big final showdown with Rentar-Inhro... you are
already a victim.

7: Knocker's Migrane

Players get severe headaches from repeatedly banging their heads against
walls looking for secret passages. Spare them the pain - keep all your
doors visible. Alternatively, play Quintessence and get a dose of your
own medicine.

8: Weapon Envy

Some designers just can't get it into their heads that size isn't
everything. They automatically assume that bigger is always better,
especially in relation to fights and weapons. Doom Moon II is a product
of such thinking.

9: Insanity

Pure and simple. If there is an insane character anywhere in your
scenario, amputate him. It would have helped The Draining.

10: Linda's Condition

If you are ever, ever tempted to insert a character controlled by
demons, or who turns out to be a demon, or who has a fascination with
demons, go lie down till the feeling passes. See (suprise, suprise) the
Demon Island scenarios.

"Deceased" is the future tense of "Diseased". Just thought you should
know that.

Please keep in mind that you are free to break any and all of these
rules once you know why they exist.

- The Creator