This week’s article looks at RPG crowdfunding projects that end around Christmas and New Years (December 26, 2022 through January 2, 2023). As we head into the heart of the holiday season, here’s some of the options available for your gaming table. This holiday sampler includes 5e options, Lancer, OSR, original systems, and more, plus a campaign for a tabletop gaming convention.
Midwinter Vampires, a blood-sucking D&D 5e campaign from Matthew David
Ritual Cuts #2 - Gangs, Crews & Criminals from Aeon Club
Drinking & Dragons from AssumedlyComical
Korg | A Solo-TTRPG experience from Dungeon Havoc
Dicey Tales from Dicey Tales Productions
Legionnaire | NHPs in Lancer RPG from Katherine Stark
Island of Zaerth from Russell Vey
SYMA from Gallant Knight Games
Gamer Nation Con 80's from GMChris
Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.
Midwinter Vampires, a blood-sucking D&D 5e campaign from Matthew David
- END DATE: Fri, December 30 2022 9:00 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $5 for the PDF of the book plus digital extras including VTT maps
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This adventure promises undead bloodsuckers, multiple story options so the players aren’t locked onto a railroad, and a full vampire class for those that want to play one of the undead. It’s winter and vampires hunger. You’ll work with and/or fight against a host of vampires in this 5e adventure for levels 1 to 5. The campaign page lists out each groups motivations and offered rewards to the party; this breakdown gives the GM an idea of what will motivate their players. If you’re interested, the campaign promises digital rewards within hours of the crowdfunding’s ending.
Ritual Cuts #2 - Gangs, Crews & Criminals from Aeon Club
- END DATE: Wed, December 28 2022 1:13 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: RPG zine
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$8 for the PDF of the zine
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Need a gang or a single criminal for your 5e game? This 30-page zine offers a lot of random table generators designed to whip up quick crime crews. The listing mentions an organization generator, criminal leadership generator, a solo game to give the badguys an origin, and more including new subclasses and backgrounds. If you want a zine dedicated to quick 5e criminal enterprise generation, this may fit the bill.
Drinking & Dragons from AssumedlyComical
- END DATE: Fri, December 30 2022 12:00 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): OSR
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 + $5 S/H in the US for the PDF and print versions of both books
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This RPG is for fans of roleplaying while imbibing. Basically, if you plan on getting sauced and want an RPG that keeps it old school, yet simple, that’s who this game is written for. There are six alcohol based core classes such as “beerbarian” and “scotcherer” and rules that should be simple enough that actions can occur without drunken player fights, just fun encounters. If this experience speaks to you, this campaign may be worth checking out.
Korg | A Solo-TTRPG experience from Dungeon Havoc
- END DATE: Sat, December 31 2022 11:59 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): An original system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $6 for the game
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is a solo RPG that fits onto a business card. The game is all about the quest to secure yourself in the here and now as well as secure your retirement. Coming as two business cards, you’ll get the rules to either delve into a dungeon or shop to obtain lifesaving items. I love unique game formats where rules are condensed to maximize the printed real estate. If you’re a fan of simple, solo fantasy RPGs, this may be a good fit for you.
Dicey Tales from Dicey Tales Productions
- END DATE: Mon, January 2 2023 1:00 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Barbarians of Lemuria rules engine
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 for the PDF and POD discounted version of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Need 1930s pulp action running on a widely used indy RPG system? Dicey Tales has been around since 2011 and this iteration of the game promises a more refined approach to 1930s fisticuffs. If you’re a fan of pulp RPGs and of the Barbarians of Lemuria (BoL) rules engine, this game is worth checking out.
Legionnaire | NHPs in Lancer RPG from Katherine Stark
- END DATE: Mon, January 2 2023 11:00 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Lancer RPG
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £15 for the PDF version of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? New content for the Lancer RPG. This sourcebook gives a great deal of lore and tips for the artificial intelligences that are a part of the world. The book includes GM tools, NPCs, conflict generators, and player options. Lancer made quite a splash a few years ago so it’s good to see new third party content. If you’re a fan of Lancer, this is worth checking out.
Island of Zaerth from Russell Vey
- END DATE: Mon, January 2 2023 6:53 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$50 for the PDF and POD discounted versions of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is an interesting homebrew setting for 5e. On the island of Zaerth, your players take on specific roles with classes that are capped at level six. If your players are interested in trying out a world where you play as either an android, druid, human, mage, or vampire in a dystopian world with specific take on the classes, this might be for you.
SYMA from Gallant Knight Games
- END DATE: Mon, December 26 2022 9:56 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): “Modified version of the Breathless system by Fari RPGs”
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 + $5 S/H in the US for the PDF and print versions of the game
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Described as an "Incense & Iron" RPG, this game is set in something like the Iberian Peninsula, specifically a stand in for their history with the Church. In addition, the game takes inspiration from other games like Elden Ring, Bloodbourne, and Dark Souls. Using a variant of an existing system (Breathless from Fari RPGs), this RPG can be played for groups or as a solo experience. Originally envisioned as an RPG zine, this will be larger than that giving you more content to delve into. If you’re a fan of Alan Bahr of Gallant Knight Games’ work, this promises to be another great game from the creator of TinyD6, Swordpoint, and more.
Gamer Nation Con 80's from GMChris
- END DATE: Sun, January 1 2023 7:00 PM EST.
- PROJECT TYPE: Tabletop gaming convention
- DATE AND LOCATION: April 13 to 16, 2023 at the Dallas Games Marathon facility in Plano, Texas
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $65 for a 4-day badge and swag bag
- DISCLAIMER: GMChris is a co-founder of the d20 Radio Network that I freelance for (here)
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This campaign supports a tabletop convention coming in the second quarter of 2023 to Texas. Featuring a heavy RPG section, this convention offers every type of gaming plus vendor attendance. As an added bonus, the Me and Steve Talk RPGs will host games for certain backers, which is a nice perk. If you’re local to Plano, Texas, this is likely to be a fun experience.
Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.
