RPG Crowdfunding News – Xcrawl Classics, The Real Thing, Five Hundred Year Old Vampire, and more

This week’s article offers a sampling of TTRPG crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Backerkit. These crowdfundings end between August 11 and 16. There are additional options on those platforms as well as Crowdfundr, GameFound, GameOnTabletop, and IndieGoGo. On a sidenote, if you’re at Gen Con and you spot me, ask for a copy of my free OFF/FACE Tribute RPG.

Xcrawl Classics TTRPG Core Rulebook from Goodman Games

END DATE: Fri, August 11 2023 12:00 PM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC)
PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $200 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of core rulebook, GM screen, and 12 other books
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? There’s genius and then there’s Xcrawl powered by Dungeon Crawl Classics! Xcrawl is a tabletop RPG with a setup that is similar to the plot of The Running Man or The Hunger Games in which you’re competing in a deadly broadcast arena sport for cash, prizes, and survival. Mix that concept with DCC mechanics and Zoochi dice and the idea of a great gonzo gameshow to capture lightning in a bolt. The idea is perfect for the DCC ruleset. You’ll play in a setting of social influencers, murderhobos, sponsorship deals, and the reward of character death or a new car! Magic, monsters, mayhem, movie deals, merch, money, and maybe, just maybe, maximum mogul money that’s meant for the mighty! Are you a crowd favorite dungeon crawl gladiator? Then check out the campaign page for a preview of the rules and an RPG that fits gladiator in a dystopian online world.

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The Crystals of Z'leth: A 5e Survival Solo Adventure from Obvious Mimic

END DATE: Fri, August 11 2023 9:30 AM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$33 + S/H for the PDF, EPUB, and softcover versions of the book
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? “No DM or party required.” This solo adventure works with 5e rules, no DM and no other players, just your character and the adventure book. It’s not a solo RPG system; it is a solo adventure. If you want more 5e during your downtime, this book offers an option when you can’t bring the table together, but you still need to roll those dice.

Five Hundred Year Old Vampire from Central Michigan University Press

END DATE: Aug 16, 2023 at 3:00pm EDT.
CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
SYSTEM(S): An original system
PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $45 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the game
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? While The Crystals of Z’leth is a solo adventure, this project is inspired by a solo adventure. Based on Thousand Year Old Vampire by Tim Hutchings and published by The Hutchingsonian Presents-PlaGMaDA, this RPG expands on that award-winning base with some new ideas. The key difference between the two is Five Hundred Year Old Vampire’s multi-player RPG rules whereas Thousand Year Old Vampire was a solo experience. By designer Jason Cox and artist Jabari Weathers, whose artwork is amazing and underappreciated, this RPG involves journaling and artmaking in order to tell the story of vampires that age poorly and lose their humanity. This is a “keepsake game” in which players craft mementos to chronicle their experiences. If you’re interested in this, it’s available via Backerkit.

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Eren's Arcane Compendium of Characters - The Deck of TTRPG Characters from Eren Angiolini

END DATE: Aug 11, 2023 at 11:00am EDT.
CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
SYSTEM(S): System neutral
PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $85 + S/H for the digital and print decks and expansions
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Need over 100 fantasy NPCs for your campaign? Diverse, divided into themed decks, easy-to-choose with unique character art on each card, this is a good system for those that need a spark to cover each NPC. System agnostic, these cards are great ways to prompt hooks, NPCs, and even PC. Available via Backerkit, these decks provide a great jumping off point for new adventures.

Master's Tale from John Melancon

END DATE: Fri, August 11 2023 1:36 PM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): An original system
PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $200 + S/H for PDF and print versions of the five books, minis, dice, and custom art
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Create a character in under 10 minutes to travel the world seeking out powerful teachers as you explore and learn their skills. This game is about studying new powers, mastering abilities, and using those to create a unique skill and power set. This project was born from a creator’s idea to pull local South Louisiana gamers together to craft a product. The crowdfunding campaign creates a new RPG, an advertising campaign to promote the RPG, and exposure for the artists involved. If you’re interested in a concept involving travel and learning to become a master fighter, this RPG may be right for you.

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Return of the Troll God for Mork Borg from Rocket Pig Games

END DATE: Wed, August 16 2023 8:00 PM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): Mörk Borg
PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $39 for the PDF adventure and the STL files
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? The feel of Mörk Borg is gonzo, dark, dangerous fantasy adventures. This crowdfunding takes that inspiration and uses it to create adventures and STL files of miniatures that are next level outrageous. Backing this campaign gives you adventures and miniatures perfect for any table of Mörk Borg games. Once you see the monsters and settings on the campaign page, you’ll get the idea for the adventures and where this will be a good time for any adventurer.

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The Real Thing RPG -Angel Dust & King for a Day from Accidental Cyclops Games

END DATE: Aug 16, 2023 at 2:59am EDT.
CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
SYSTEM(S): Powered by the Apocalypse (The Real Thing version)
PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebooks
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $100 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the books, slipcase, and dice
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Faith No More, the rock band, has a tabletop roleplaying game, The Real Thing RPG. With this campaign, they’re adding two new books. These books, Angel Dust and King for a Day, are the sequels to that game, and, just as the original, are named for Faith No More albums. Each book contains the system rules and an adventure tailored around the album’s themes (truth, trust, or power). If you’re a fan of Faith No More or just love PbtA RPGs, this is a cool option to get for your gaming table. Plus, you can imagine what the soundtrack for the adventures will be, no problem.

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The Gloomhome Murders: An Oubliette Adventure Module from Voidspiral Entertainment

END DATE: Wed, August 16 2023 8:39 AM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): Oubliette Second Edition
PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $15 for the PDF version of the adventure
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? A murder mystery in the land of immorality. Three dead in a world where death isn’t an option; it’s like the plot of a novel, but you get to play this investigative adventure. In Oubliette, you exist in the land of the dead as an investigator. With this adventure, you’ll need to solve three murders as you ask who has the power to infect the deathless with demise? If you’re a fan of Oubliette Second Edition, this is worth checking out.

What's OLD is NEW Starter Box: Fantasy/Modern/Sci-fi TTRPG from EN Publishing

END DATE: Thu, August 3 2023 6:00 PM EDT.
SYSTEM(S): W.O.I.N.
PROJECT TYPE: Starter set
MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £24 + S/H for the PDF, VTT, and print versions of the boxed set
DISCLAIMER: EN World is a subsidiary of EN Publishing
WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? BECAUSE THE CAMPAIGN FOR THIS STARTER KIT ENDS TOMORROW! If you’re new to W.O.I.N., this campaign is the right place to start.

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