Carcassonne: Seasons

[Novelty]

Looks good.  Is there a back for the clock token?  Also, it would benefit if each of the conditions (the backgrounds, not the numbers) were explained.  For example, is there any difference between the condition with the farm (all green background) and the condition with the barn (and sheep and man)?

Since there are Forests and Mountains icons, what happens when not playing with those expansions?  Are the conditions not used (i.e. removed before the start of the game), or if used/chosen, do they have no effect?  Ditto with the shrine-only conditions when not playing with a shrine expansion.

Also, since you have Mountains and Forests on the conditions, which of those expansions are considered to be "large"?  My suggestions for large:

Forests (counts as 2 large?)
Green Dragon
Evergreen Forests
Woodlands
Whispering Woods
Alpine Tundra
Mountains
High Places
Dragon's Lair
Hill View
Head Waters

[As for Fishermen series -Fishermen, Kettle of Fish, Tributaries and Trifecta are large.]

Edit: Are there any backs for the condition tiles, or for the scoreboard?  Just wondering.

[JPutt927]

I'll add a couple clarifications into the rules...and I'll add a second clock icon to the tile page so that there can be a back to the token. In regards to backs for the tiles, that's something I wondered about myself. If people really think that's something they would want, I could work on that sometime in the future. Another possible idea is to put a different condition on the back. It'd be double sided, and would save some work when making the tiles.

[Novelty]

Another possible idea is to put a different condition on the back. It'd be double sided, and would save some work when making the tiles.

I like that idea.  That would save the total numbers of pieces to be made as well.

[JPutt927]

I've made some updates...all of the original links have been updated.

[JPutt927]

Alright, as I stated in the discussion about which expansion this site might be submitting for RGG's consideration, I mentioned that I have been thinking of how I could add an additional wooden piece to my Season's expansion. What I've potentially come up with is this...

Back in medieval times, astronomers would look into the skies and observe the location of the moon against the night sky and it's constellations. They would use this information to forecast the seasons, and what weather conditions might lie ahead. For this reason, I thought it might be fitting if
all players would receive an additional wooden follower at the start of the game called the "astronomer". The astronomer would be used as if it were any other normal follower. However, whenever a feature was scored that contained an astronomer, that feature would be immune from ANY of the seasonal conditions. My rational was that the astronomer was able to forecast the season, and was able to "prepare" for whatever conditions may be present.

I'd like to know everyone's thoughts on this potential addition, and whether it seems like it might be welcome. Furthermore, I continued to think of whether or not anything else could be added. I've also come up with this idea.

All players would receive a tile at the beginning of the game, much like they would receive an abbey tile. The tile can only be used once throughout the game. On the tile would be an "Observatory", surrounded by fields on all sides. When placed, an observatory would immediately change the current season. The season marker would be moved to the next season in succession. This might introduce a little more unpredictability, and might also add some strategy by putting the power to change a season in the player's hand.

Sooooo...those were my thoughts. I'd like to hear what you all think about these potentially being added. I feel that it might make the expansion seem like an even more well-rounded and all-in-one expansion. 

[Whaleyland]

I like the Astronomer idea, but I think it should be something else because astronomer is a fairly recent term. I can't remember what they were called in medieval times, though. Any help?

I don't like the Observatories as much. Just because someone can predict the weather doesn't mean they can change the season. If you want that function, the expansion itself should be renamed to something reflecting weather. Also, what would the Observatory tile be? A FFFF, CCCC, or RRRR? I really dislike all three of those tiles because they are hard to place and/or ugly on the board. I also am not a huge fan of the Abbey. Those are just my opinions, of course, and I still wouldn't mind an observatory feature in some other capacity.

[CKorfmann]

Well, I think I loosely agree with the Governor.  The astronomer could work and would be a fine addition, but I don't think it would be necessary.  As for the Observatories, I could take it or leave it.  It seems also a little unnecessary to me.  I like the expansion the way it is.

[JPutt927]

I can definitely understand your point about the ability to change seasons. I suppose it doesn't necessarily make sense that one would have the power to change it, I just thought the dynamic that would introduce was really interesting. In terms of the design, if I did happen to go through with it...I was thinking possibly of FFFF, but that was purely an example, and it actually wouldn't matter much what layout it ended up being.

In terms of the astronomer...are you sure that's a recent term? I haven't seen anything to suggest that it hasn't been around for some time. Otherwise, I don't have a clue what might have been used!...maybe some others could shed some light?  

*Edit*

The astronomer could work and would be a fine addition, but I don't think it would be necessary.  As for the Observatories, I could take it or leave it.  It seems also a little unnecessary to me.  I like the expansion the way it is.

Well, I would say I agree that it IS good the way it is...but after having a discussion with a fellow author on here, we thought that an added Meeple might make the expansion more cohesive and appeasing to those considering it for publication. That was my reasoning for considering it in the first place.

[CKorfmann]

...we thought that an added Meeple might make the expansion more cohesive and appeasing to those considering it for publication.

Possible... but let's see what Jay says.  If he likes it, I wouldn't mess with it, but that's just me.

[JPutt927]

...we thought that an added Meeple might make the expansion more cohesive and appeasing to those considering it for publication.

Possible... but let's see what Jay says.  If he likes it, I wouldn't mess with it, but that's just me.

I agree. This thought came about before I was even aware that anything was being sent to Jay when it was...as I was caught off guard by that news.

[CKorfmann]

I understand.  It was spontaneous, but I think it was good. 

[Bietje]

Maybe a dowser is an alternative for an astronomist. In the Netherlands we call him 'wichelroedeloper'. A dowser can find water. And water is important for a farmer to get a good crop.
In the 13th century a dowser could tell te will of the gods, he could foretell the future and divine guilts in trials.

My first idea was a druid, but those lived much earlier. But the idea is the same.

As meeple, the dowser could foretell what the season would turn out and take some actions to provide damage for his owner.
What do you think?