RPG Crowdfunding News: Good Society, Four Perilous Journeys, ORPHEUS, UltraModern5, and more

Between June 7^th to 13^th (overlapping Origins Game Fair and leading into Free RPG Day weekend), at least 16 RPG and RPG-related crowdfunding projects end. Below are nine of those and three from prior weeks that I wanted to make sure got a shout out before they end.

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Four Perilous Journeys: New Adventures for The Fantasy Trip by Gaming Ballistic

• END DATE: Sat, June 8 2019 11:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): The Fantasy Trip
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventures
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 + S/H for the PDF and print of the book

“Four new 16-page adventures for SJG's The Fantasy Trip! Cross Cidri in search of mystical artifacts, treasures in ice, and more! Each softcover adventure will sport a unique color cover and contain black and white interiors on high-quality paper. Sixteen pages means the binding will be saddle-stitched (stapled). Ironskull Castle, the headquarters of Lady Raelle Ironskull, mercenary warlord turned magical arms dealer, mistress of Eldritch Arms. An entire castle filled with nasty surprises, strange magic items, and detailed NPCs. Crown of Eternity, the party is tasked with finding a lost researcher for an exclusive league of magical explorers. Citadel of Ice, the dungeon is a frozen labyrinth inside an iceberg that broke loose from the coast and is drifting in the ocean. Curse of the Pirate King, the expedition seems simple: travel to the former capitol of a vast pirate nation and find the fabled Blade of Dawn. All the party has to do is go to the lifeless rock and loot the treasure of a thousand dead buccaneers. What could go wrong? The book will be printed with a color cover (255gsm, or about 12-point stock), on 130gsm matte-coated interiors (about 85# paper, a bit heavier than what Lulu uses, and 14% heavier than DriveThru's "Premium Color" paper).”

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The Folio: Artifacts of Adventure by Art of the Genre

• END DATE: Thu, June 13 2019 4:58 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons 1e and 5e
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 + $7 US shipping for the PDF and hardcover of this book

“AD&D & 5th Edition D&D hardcover compendium of eight low to mid-level adventures in classic 1980s TSR inspired 'orange spine' style. The Artifacts of Adventure hardcover is a series of 8 dungeons adventures from The Folio: Digital Quarterly #1-#5 as well as The Folio: True Level Adventures #1-#3. Written in both 1st Edition & 5th Edition fantasy gaming formats. It encapsulates standard fantasy as well as detailing the adventure possibilities of incorporating fantasy steampunk into your campaigns in a kind of 'time jump' reality. 2D (classic blue) maps help spin a story of struggle, martial prowess, and ingenuity. Content from these adventures has never been in print before, so this is the first time anyone will have a chance to stack these incredible adventures on their shelves! Our goal is to replicate the 128 page format of the old TSR ‘orange bound’ AD&D series of hardcovers from the early 1980s (Stranger Things anyone?), and like those hardcovers, this will be covered with a beautiful swords & sorcery inspired piece of artwork by artist Jeff Easley, who did all those classic covers.”

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The Silence of Hollowind: Pin-Up Adventures by Luca Bellini

• END DATE: Fri, June 7 2019 11:00 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): The Silence of Hollowind (D&D5E, Savage Worlds and FATE)
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventures
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: €45 + S/H for the PDF (2 versions) and the print copy of the book plus PDF and print of the stretch goals

“A collection of Pin-Ups from a variety of artists, each tied to a unique RPG adventure bringing Hollowind’s investigations to life! Our goal is to create a collection of pin-up artworks, each by the hand of a different illustrator. Every artwork will be accompanied by a playable investigative dossier, written in collaboration with the artist. The basic version of “The Silence of Hollowind: Pin-Up Adventures” is an A3 (297 x 420 mm) sized collection of 10 pin-up artworks created by Italian illustrators, each with their own unique style! 10 investigative dossiers, ranging from noir atmospheres to a more pulp-action playstyle, each co-written with the corresponding illustrator! More than 50 new characters, each with a history and background in the world of Hollowind! The Silence of Hollowind is an Urban Fantasy role playing game, adaptable to many rules systems with the addition of setting-specific mechanics to enhance gameplay (Actually the playable system are D&D5E, Savage Worlds and FATE). It is a complex and detailed setting, aesthetically reminiscent of 1930s United States but populated by Orcs, Elves, Dwarves and countless fantasy creatures living within the oppressive Hollowind, a metropolis rich with mysteries and contradictions where magic is outlawed and whoever makes use of it is hunted down as a criminal.”

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The Maze by Axo Stories

• END DATE: Fri, June 7 2019 10:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): System neutral
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: MX$200 for the PDF (2 versions) of this book

“A system agnostic Kick-the-door supplement. The Maze is a flexible adventure that can be easily adapted to OSRs (games), Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder and any d20 system as well. The purpose of the adventure is twofold: to enjoy “breaking the door” one-shot scenes, while at the same time being able to follow up them with an overarching plot that offers you a myriad of possibilities for fun. The essence of the game is to have characters die easily, so only the most lucky, clever, and strongest ones can survive in the openly Darwinist environment of The Maze and discover its mysteries. Let your characters perform epic deeds and seek an awesome and legendary last stand. In addition, the adventure is a challenge for the Maze Master, or the MM, because they have to roll everything randomly during the session. In an ever-changing Maze, the adventure leans heavily on improvisation or real careful planning for both players and Maze Masters. The book is 6” x 9” ( approx 96 pages) with Black and White interiors, and full color cover. The book will come in softcover edition.”

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Good Society: An Expanded Acquaintance by Storybrewers Roleplaying

• END DATE: Sun, June 9 2019 9:59 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Good Society RPG
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: AU$80 + AU $14 US shipping for 4 PDFs, the deck of cards, and the hardcover

“Tell regency tales of magic, masked outlaws, servants & ambition with four expansions for Good Society: A Jane Austen RPG in one book. Good Society is a collaborative roleplaying game that seeks to capture the heart, and the countenance, of Jane Austen's work. It is a game of balls, estates, sly glances, and turns about the garden. At least on the surface. Underneath this, just as in Austen's own novels, it is a game of social ambition, family obligation and breathtaking, heart-stopping longing. In this game, you play the type of characters that captured your imagination in Austen's books - from a wealthy heir who falls in love with the aloof new arrival, to a charming socialite bent on ruining the reputation of their rivals. Exploit your position, connections, and family influence to achieve your desires - all while jealously guarding your good name. We want to bring these expansions to print in one beautiful book, along with two new expansions for Good Society – Downstairs at the Abbey, which explores the hidden lives of servants and the trials and tribulations they face, and Emma, Forget Me Not, which turns Good Society into a sprawling story about the rise and fall of fortunes and careers. Like Good Society, An Expanded Acquaintance will be a 200+ page hardcover book, filled with thematic material and beautiful art. It will contain all four expansions, and all physical stretch goals unlocked during the campaign.”

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The Beast of Thornbriar Hills (For D&D 5E and Pathfinder) by Ramen Sandwich Press

• END DATE: Tue, June 11 2019 7:45 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Pathfinder 1e
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $20 for the print version of either the 5e or the PF1e version of this book

“An RPG location module about sheep, the people who keep them and something that's killing them. For D&D 5E and Pathfinder RPG. For those of you who missed our previous campaigns, Places by the Way is a series of short modules that I’m creating for use with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, and Found by the Way is a parallel series of modules that we launched last year for use with Pathfinder. They work as short stand-alone adventures, but each module is a kit for creating a memorable interlude in a larger campaign. The village of Thornbriar, which sits at the end of a remote valley and serves the herders whose flocks of sheep roam the overlooking hills. Passing through Thornbriar gives a party the chance to solve the mystery of who — or what — is killing sheep up in the Thornbriar Hills, reconcile the villagers with the eccentrics who live in their midst, and score some cool items that will help them as they pursue adventure in the lands beyond. As they try to solve this cryptozoological puzzle, your party will meet intriguing NPCs such as those that have become our hallmark, including the sheep country equivalent of a cat lady, a band of vegetarian hobgoblins and a hermit cleric who begrudgingly serves the village of Thornbriar. New rules allow your PCs to keep a sheepdog companion and learn to use a wicker basket as a shield.”

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Worm Witch: The Life and Death of Belinda Blood by Wind Lothamer

• END DATE: Wed, June 12 2019 11:22 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): OSR (Old School Essentials)
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 + $5 US shipping for a PDF and print of this book and the core rulebook

“An OSR Game Accessory, our first follow-up to The Chaos Gods Come to Meatlandia. Explore the war-torn Isle of Annalida in twenty distinct areas like Mt. Wyrm and Fort Abcess and The Broken Shore, interconnected by hooks and rumors, with scads of unique treasure and scary monsters. The forces of nature desperately try to resist the relentless march of decadent civilization. Worm Witch: The Life and Death of Belinda Blood is an in-depth look at the once-peaceful Isle of Annalida. There are new classes, the Worm Witch and the Worm Wardens, with wormy new spells and new ways to interact with the land. It's a writhing, squirmy sandbox for players and their characters to explore. We've changed systems, from Lamentations of the Flame Princess to Gavin Norman's awesome Old School Essentials, but it will be easy to run for any of the major OSR systems. In fact, Worm Witch: the Life and Death of Belinda Blood is the first official third-party game supplement for Old-School Essentials! All books will be printed at 6x9 with a full-color Adhesive Case Bound hardcover. Inside there are 72 pages printed on 80# sword gloss paper to make the amazing art shine with its full potential.”

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Fungi of the Far Realms - a fictional fungal field guide by Daniel Sell

• END DATE: Wed, June 12 2019 1:03 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): System neutral
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £22 + S/H for the PDF and print of the book

“An illustrated encyclopedia of fictional mushrooms. Fungi of the Far Realmsis a tabletop role-playing game supplement/illustrated encyclopaedia chock to the gills with fictional mushrooms. Each entry is ready to run with your favourite fantasy game or simply to be read and enjoyed in a good wingback chair by the fire. Written by Alex Clements and illustrated by Shuyi Zhang, each of its many entries represent the idiosyncratic field notes of celebrated fictional mycologist E.Q. Wintergarden, making the book an in-game artefact you can hand your players. A 200+ page hardback book that will meet our previously establish award-winning standards. Smyth-sewn binding, ensuring it will lay flat and stand up to years of use. 216 traditionally painted watercolour illustrations on high quality paper. System neutral but specific instructions are provided on the strange effects a mushroom might have.”

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Ultramodern5, a 5E universal sci-fi sourcebook by Dias Ex Machina

• END DATE: Thu, June 13 2019 11:59 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$74 + CA$10 US shipping for the PDF and hardcover of the game plus the PDF of the first edition and more

“Second Edition. Second Printing. New Rules. Full Color. One of the most popular books for 5th Edition is back! The mission of UM5 is to present 5th EDITION rules for use in non-fantasy settings. These included pre-modern and contemporary settings as well as those in the far-flung fantastic future. UM5 presents modern and science fiction rules in a game usually reserved for fantasy. There is "official" setting in UM5. In this revised edition [dubbed "REDUX"], every facet is being expanded, including adding revised rules for CYBERPUNK, WEIRD WEST, URBAN FANTASY, GIANT ROBOTS, ESPIONAGE, and DEEP SPACE. Where the original Ultramodern5 clocked in at 200 pages, Ultramodern-REDUX is expected to break the needle past 400! This does not include potential DLC that may be unlocked via this campaign.”
[h=3]ENDING SOON[/h]

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The City of the Steam Sun by Gleb “Crazy Sage” Igumnov

• END DATE: Fri, May 31 on IndieGoGo
• SYSTEM(S): Savage Worlds
• PROJECT TYPE: Campaign setting
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 for the PDFs of the Player’s and GM’s books
• NOTE: I interviewed Gleb about his IndieGoGo and gaming in Russia here.

“Steampunk setting for Savage Worlds. This setting is designed for Savage Worlds in the gloomy atmosphere of steampunk Limbo: an explosive mixture of steam technologies and ancient magic. A breathtaking detective story, Victorian mystical horror and adventures in the dim rays of the metal steam sun. In this world, the authorities lead diplomatic negotiations with demons; inventor-technomages dream of creation of a reasonable automaton; researchers look for traces of ancient civilizations; leaders of the criminal world and brilliant detectives fight for the right to set the rules — here, in the shine of the metal steam sun. The City of the Steam Sun is designed for stories in the genres of classic detective, Victorian horror, and adventures in the style of Indiana Jones and Alan Quatermain. Each story can develop within the same genre, or combine the features of several. The City of the Steam Sun will be published in two books. The first book will be intended for players, and will consist of three subsections: The Book of Human, The Book of Demon and the Book of Angel, for characters with different levels of knowledge. This first book will have about 200 pages, and contain about 50 full-color illustrations (apart from the rules on inventions). The second book, the Book of Creator, is intended for Game Masters only. It contains a detailed history of the world in a way that is unknown to any of the characters, bestiary, master tools, and three ready adventures. This book will have about 130 pages and 25 full-color illustrations.”

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Witness Protection: a D&D 5E Side Trek by Darklight Interactive

• END DATE: Tue, June 4 2019 6:53 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $15 for all of the PDFs

"Witness Protection" is a D&D 5E compatible side trek adventure for a party of 1st level, published through the OGL. Witness Protection is a short side trek adventure for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (published through the 5E OGL). It is designed for a party of 1st level, but - even though it'd be a strange situation for higher level characters - it should be fairly easy to adjust for higher levels. A crime has taken place, and there is only one witness that knows who did it. That witness isn't exactly talkative at first, so they must be escorted safely to headquarters so that they can be interrogated at length. This witness also has, unbeknownst to them, some information that the "forces of evil" want, so they are trying to take the witness alive.”

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The ORPHEUS Protocol by Rob Stith

• END DATE: Thu, June 6 2019 10:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $60 + $9 US shipping for the PDF and hardcover of the book

“A tabletop role playing game of cosmic horror and occult espionage. The ORPHEUS Protocol is a tabletop role playing game in which players explore a world of eldritch horror, occult espionage, and shadowy paramilitary engagement. To this end, players take on the role of a supernaturally augmented or impeccably skilled operative with a role in ORPHEUS's eternal mission to protect the world and consolidate its supernatural power in the process. These operatives investigate strange occurrences, navigate dangerous social situations with cunning and finesse, and do battle with forces inconceivable to the unbroken human psyche. Players familiar with The X-Files, Twin Peaks, Hellboy,Cosmic Horror Fiction, or even the Jason Bourne films should have a good idea of the game's intended feel. ORPHEUS Operatives must attempt to make sense of the impossible and insulate the “normal” world from factors it is woefully unequipped to handle. Players will infiltrate cults, prevent terror attacks, catalogue mind-shattering metaphysical phenomena, and kill and be killed by creatures that should not be, all the while engaging with a tense and delicately balanced system of resource management that mechanically models the operative’s dwindling internal reserves, the mounting dread of the supernatural, and their luck just plain running out. The book itself will be run 300-400 pages (depending on stretch goals), and will be full-size, full-color, and professionally illustrated. The book will cover the game’s rules, character creation, and setting information.”

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[Plageman]

The Kickstarter for "The Dark Eye - Magic of Aventuria" began yesterday. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ulissesspiele/the-dark-eye-magic-of-aventuria?ref=activity

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I see some 3rd party companies create settings in modern tech age, but I wonder about we need a new d20 Modern or maybe this should be changed to be really multigenre. How to explain better? The night slasher, the psycho-killer, leader of the cult of the new dawn and main antagonist of Sylvester Stallone's "Cobra" movie it would be a knightmare for PCs without weapons, but with theses and enough ammo the thing changes. Why not a module to add more abilities scores? For example Astuteness, Courage, Grace(Karma/fate/luck) and Technique (Des for reflex and Agility, Tch for crafting, maneuvers of martial arts, arts, playing music, dance...).

 

[eyeheartawk]

So, these Folio products have had like, well over 40 products launched on Kickstarter. Like, every one has been? Is this how Kickstarter is supposed to be used? It seems to me that once you're up and going you could, I don't know, run a normal business?

 

[SMHWorlds]

I see some 3rd party companies create settings in modern tech age, but I wonder about we need a new d20 Modern or maybe this should be changed to be really multigenre. How to explain better? The night slasher, the psycho-killer, leader of the cult of the new dawn and main antagonist of Sylvester Stallone's "Cobra" movie it would be a knightmare for PCs without weapons, but with theses and enough ammo the thing changes. Why not a module to add more abilities scores? For example Astuteness, Courage, Grace(Karma/fate/luck) and Technique (Des for reflex and Agility, Tch for crafting, maneuvers of martial arts, arts, playing music, dance...).

I don't disagree but it will likely have to be a 3rd party who does it. Something that can straddle the line between Modern and maybe some Urban fantasy and cyberpunk.

 

[pogre]

So, these Folio products have had like, well over 40 products launched on Kickstarter. Like, every one has been? Is this how Kickstarter is supposed to be used? It seems to me that once you're up and going you could, I don't know, run a normal business?

I know what you are saying, but Kickstarter has become a big part of a lot of companies business models. Dwarven Forge, Reaper, and many others have been able to really expand their ranges with regular kickstarters. Kickstarter accurately gauges interest in a product and reduces financial risk (if you know what you are doing). It makes a lot of sense that it has become an integral part of many business plans in the hobby.

 

[Jer]

I see some 3rd party companies create settings in modern tech age, but I wonder about we need a new d20 Modern or maybe this should be changed to be really multigenre. How to explain better? The night slasher, the psycho-killer, leader of the cult of the new dawn and main antagonist of Sylvester Stallone's "Cobra" movie it would be a knightmare for PCs without weapons, but with theses and enough ammo the thing changes. Why not a module to add more abilities scores? For example Astuteness, Courage, Grace(Karma/fate/luck) and Technique (Des for reflex and Agility, Tch for crafting, maneuvers of martial arts, arts, playing music, dance...).

Serious question - between Esper Genesis and the D&D 5e core rules, what rules are missing that this couldn't already be done?

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

My suggestion is a module to add more abilities scores, but with some rule to avoid abuse by munchkins. Some third party could use to adapt other system.

A house rule by me is adding allegiance (race, nation, guild/brotherhood, family, tribe, religion) and spells and other powers can hurt enemies with same alignment but different allegiance. I also would opposite allegiance-alignment, for example a chaotic sheriff who breaks rules to defender law & order or a evil zealot who defends the supreme goodhood.

The true challenge for a d20 Modern is the right value of XP reward or Challenge Rating, because with the right weapons enemies are easier or harder. A goblin with only a knife, or an axe and a axe isn't so dangerous like one with a sniper rifle from the top of a tree. Do you remember any survival-horror game (Dead Space, Evil Within, Resident Evil, Silent Hill) where you start avoiding the enemies but when you have enough weapons and ammo you can dare to face the mini-boss monster? In a sci-fi setting you can kill a dinosaur with only a shot. Now with drones you can kill an enemy from other continent. Driving a truck you could hit over a horde of zombies. In the first movie of Alien only a xenomorph could all almost all the crew of Nostromo, but in the sequel hundreds of them were killed with a sentry gun and to be in the same room wasn't necessary. Hasbro would love a RPG of Transformers or G.I.Joe but the d20 system isn't ready yet.

 

[Dire Bare]

So, these Folio products have had like, well over 40 products launched on Kickstarter. Like, every one has been? Is this how Kickstarter is supposed to be used? It seems to me that once you're up and going you could, I don't know, run a normal business?

How is a "normal" business supposed to be run? How is Kickstarter "supposed" to be used?

Non-traditional business models being used by RPG companies (heck, by any kind of company) does not equate to "wrong" business models. Quit yer armchair RPG company runnin'.

I'm fairly certain that all of the Folio products (the company's name is Art of the Genre) have been Kickstarted, although all of their existing products are available on Art of the Genre's own website and on drivethrurpg.com (fairly certain). So what? How is this a problem? It's working rather well for Art of the Genre, and those who enjoy the Folio products. So again, what's the problem?

 

[eyeheartawk]

I know what you are saying, but Kickstarter has become a big part of a lot of companies business models. Dwarven Forge, Reaper, and many others have been able to really expand their ranges with regular kickstarters. Kickstarter accurately gauges interest in a product and reduces financial risk (if you know what you are doing). It makes a lot of sense that it has become an integral part of many business plans in the hobby.

Sure. Though, I would argue that after 40+ Kickstarters interest would have been sufficiently gauged. And the risk isn't reduced, just re-distributed to you and I. If a company doesn't bring a normal product to market, I can't buy it and I'm not out anything. If a company can't fulfill their KS I'm out my pledge.

Nothing against game companies using Kickstarter intrinsically for new lines, projects that would normally be beyond their scope etc. After publishing your 25th module or whatever, I feel it's gone beyond that. Feels, I don't know, gauche?

How is a "normal" business supposed to be run? How is Kickstarter "supposed" to be used?


Non-traditional business models being used by RPG companies (heck, by any kind of company) does not equate to "wrong" business models. Quit yer armchair RPG company runnin'.


I'm fairly certain that all of the Folio products (the company's name is Art of the Genre) have been Kickstarted, although all of their existing products are available on Art of the Genre's own website and on drivethrurpg.com (fairly certain). So what? How is this a problem? It's working rather well for Art of the Genre, and those who enjoy the Folio products. So again, what's the problem?

Hey man, if armchair RPG company runnin' wasn't done on these boards they would be a ghost town

But basically all of my above points. This particular case seems beyond the norm?