RPG Crowdfunding News – Worlds of Web DM, Rogues, Wander’s Guide, and more

This week’s article looks at crowdfunding RPGs that run from June 18th to July 11th. While this list is D&D heavy (with some books I’m eager to read), there are some great non-D&D options including a game using FUDGE, an RPG magazine, and a game that centers around recovery.

Worlds of Web DM: Weird Wastelands from Web DM and 2CGaming

• END DATE: Sun, July 11 2021 8:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $55 + S/H for the PDF and print versions
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Your fantasy world has fallen to weaponized magic making the day-to-day chaos and wonder. This toolbox allows you to create a world in which magic escaped its chains leaving nothing the same. With a new 5e class, new subclasses, new rules, and more, this sourcebook offers you a world of weird possibilities. If a world of chaotic magic strikes you as the right setting, there’s a sample of the book available via the campaign page.

Wanderer's Guide to Merchants & Magic (5E) from Eventyr Games

• END DATE: Thu, July 1 2021 1:48 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: €15 for the PDF of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Speaking of magical worlds [above], this book brings magic items to the market economy. You get magic shops, new magic items, and, most importantly, magic item price lists and accepted magic item trade rules. 20 magic shops and 100 new magic items make this a great resource for any magic-heavy 5e campaign. If you’re interested, there’s a sample linked on the campaign page.

The Sunblade Subclasses, Spells & Pantheon from Awfully Queer Heroes

• END DATE: Thu, July 8 2021 12:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £18 for the PDF of the book
• WARNING: The campaign page includes NSFW content
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Looking for a boatload (over 150 pages) of new 5e options? 65 subclasses (7 each for the Barbarian, Monk, and Sorcerer, 6 each for the Cleric, Paladin, Rogue, and Wizard, plus more), 8 ancestries in addition to new spells and gods. All of the subclasses are built around following the new gods, though the FAQ states they can be used in 5e games that do not use this pantheon. If you’re interested in a resource of 5e player options, this may fit the bill.

Blood, Sweat & Steel, a Sword & Sorcery Tabletop RPG from James Paese

• END DATE: Sat, June 26 2021 10:39 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): FUDGE
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $10 for the PDFs of the rulebook, GM screen, tables, tracker, character sheet, and more
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? A dark fantasy RPG that uses Fate influenced FUDGE rules as its engine. For a world inspired by the adventures of Conan, Kull, The Beastmaster, and Deathstalker, this game offers classless characters, abstract economics, freeform spells that you make up on the fly, and more. As a FUDGE game, there’s a lot of open ended options and this sounds like it takes advantage of them maximizing those rules.

Pink Cloud: An Adventure Game for Friends of Bill from Twelvefold Works Publishing

• END DATE: Sat, July 3 2021 12:12 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Based on Diogo Nogueira's Lost in the Fantasy World
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $48 for the PDF and POD of the book plus sheets, tiles, maps, and more
• NOTE: Per the campaign page, both creators of this game identify as members of real world 12-step programs
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This game promises an experience that, I think, will be unique for many: An RPG based around a gameable version of the 12-step program. Set in a fantasy world, you’re a part of the fellowship of the Pink Cloud. You’ve been transported to the fourth dimension, and, in this cooperative fantasy adventure RPG, you’re trying to get back home (think the D&D cartoon). The book comes in 12 chapters using 12 steps to explain the core of the RPG and requires a d12. If you’re interested in this game, the creator has a 23-minute video covering the game in depth and showcasing the print proof of the book as well as touching on his personal journey with recovery.

Isle of the Dreaded Accursed from Mr.Tarrasque, JVC Parry, and Nord Games

• END DATE: Wed, June 30 2021 4:30 AM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: €50 + S/H for the PDF and softcover of the book plus DM screen, map, player handouts, and a 20% discount at Nord Games
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This 5e adventure uses content from Nord Games’ Ultimate Bestiary: The Dreaded Accursed for its stats and contents. A sea goddess’ high priest has turned to necromancy and desecrated her temple. In response, she’s unleashed her wrath upon the sea, and only you can bring the sacrifice she requires to be appeased.

Campfire from The Brain Trust

• END DATE: Fri, June 25 2021 9:30 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): An original system
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $40 + S/H for the PDF and physical boxed set
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? If Are You Afraid of the Dark? or Creepshow used Fiasco rules, this might the game version of it. Using 8 story decks of cards, coins, and cards that fill in the locations, creatures, and NPCs, this game lets you tell stories based around these prompts. For endless stories and backstories, this project offers some interesting haunted options.

Wyrd Science - Issue 2! from John Power Jr.

• END DATE: Fri, June 25 2021 2:05 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): System neutral
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £10 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Need an RPG magazine with over 100 pages of content? This is a true RPG mag as the content varies from celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Dungeons & Dragons Basic/Expert (B/X) to interviews about Wanderhome and Thirsty Sword Lesbians and Warhammer - Age of Sigmar RPG to a look at the RPG scene in Latin America and so much more. If you’re interested in a solid print RPG magazine, this one promises a range of content.

Asian Monsters: 90+ magnificent monsters for DnD 5E! From Legendary Games

• END DATE: Fri, July 2 2021 10:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 + S/H for the PDF and print of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? 112 pages featuring over 90 creatures inspired by Asian and Pacific cultures. Crafted by authors, artists, and cultural consultants with roots in Asia (the campaign page gives a breakdown of the creators and their roots), this book offers a balance of 5e gameplay with cultural sensitivity. If you’re looking for an Asia-inspired bestiary, this one is worth checking out.

The Awfully Cheerful Engine: An RPG of Action Comedy! from EN Publishing

• END DATE: Fri, June 18 2021 5:00 PM EDT.
• SYSTEM(S): An original system
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebooks
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £70 + £5 US S/H for the PDF and print versions of all 5 books plus virtual tokens, maps, and more
• INTERVIEW: At d20 Radio, I talked to Morrus about this project (here)
• DISCLAIMER: EN World is a subsidiary of EN Publishing
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is the last week to back Morrus’ new RPG of big screen PG goodness. In need of a fun system designed to recreate the action adventure comedies of the 1980s? This candidate is worth your time.

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Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG and Amazon.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Thanks Egg Embry. I'm the author of Pink Cloud: An Adventure Game for Friends of Bill. If anyone has any questions or comments, I'll try to respond.

-Travis H.
Twelvefold Works Publishing

 

[jerryrice4949]

Asian Monsters looks great thought the title could use some work. I love the diverse group of consultants on the project. I backed it.

Weird Wastelands looks intriguing but I won’t back a Kickstarter that far out on delivery. December of 2022. Really? My experience with this publisher is the tend to deliver late too so expect June of 2023. If my local store backs it maybe I get it when it is released. If I am still alive

 

[Dragonsbane]

Some of these look awesome. Am I the only one turned off by promises of more content if they get more cash? I mean... are they writing it once the cash comes in, or its done and holding it back?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Weird Wastelands looks intriguing but I won’t back a Kickstarter that far out on delivery. December of 2022. Really? My experience with this publisher is the tend to deliver late too so expect June of 2023. If my local store backs it maybe I get it when it is released. If I am still alive

I know there are sometimes reasons for far-distant fulfillment goals, and sometimes they're just being conservative, but my preference is to back stuff that's ready to head to the printers as well.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Some of these look awesome. Am I the only one turned off by promises of more content if they get more cash? I mean... are they writing it once the cash comes in, or its done and holding it back?

It's very common. In the campaigns I've backed, they typically hire new writers/artists (and often have them lined up) to do the stretch goal material. If they only get the minimum cash required, you get a complete project. If people go wild for the project, it's a way to make it even better. (There are also plenty of silly/pointless stretch goals, so this isn't a blanket endorsement of them by any means.)

 

[jerryrice4949]

It's very common. In the campaigns I've backed, they typically hire new writers/artists (and often have them lined up) to do the stretch goal material. If they only get the minimum cash required, you get a complete project. If people go wild for the project, it's a way to make it even better. (There are also plenty of silly/pointless stretch goals, so this isn't a blanket endorsement of them by any means.)

I would also add that some stretch goals are already developed and appear to be a foregone conclusion for the book.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I would also add that some stretch goals are already developed and appear to be a foregone conclusion for the book.

True. Already drawn art -- that they show you -- that will be added as endpapers if they get X dollars is a classic of that. (You know who you people are, publishers.)

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Isle of the Dreaded Accursed from Mr.Tarrasque, JVC Parry, and Nord Games

TIL that the Tarrasque monster was named after the respected Tarrasque family of Dubuque Iowa.

 

[imagineGod]

Welcome to the wonderful, the wonderful Kickstarter of Oz.

Adventures in Oz: 5e Setting, Beasts, Modules & Stunning Art

L. Frank Baum's Oz setting finally comes to 5e gaming with over 500 hardcover pages, more than 100 monsters, new classes, races & maps!

www.kickstarter.com