This week’s article includes TTRPG crowdfunding projects that end between December 12 to 18. This sampling includes D&D sourcebooks, prose anthologies, new Exalted material, a unique take on chess, and an RPG played via text messaging.
Kor Hadar: Gabriel Mayhem’s Compendium 5E Campaign Setting from Erigo Studios
Gary's Appendix: Issue 4 from RPG Ramblings Publishing
ABYSSALS: Sworn to the Grave for Exalted 3E from Onyx Path Publishing
Underworld - Tabletop RPG Fantasy Adventures - Inspired by Retro Video Games from Bloat Games
Journey Through the Dying Lands| Mork Borg Fiction Anthology from Kaiju Poet
77 Stories in NewEdo from Salty Games
Deathsend: A TRPG Inspired by Death Note, played via Texting from Vincent Baker Entertainment [NOTE TO AVOID CONFUSION: This is the other Vincent Baker]
Adventure Chess from Jerry Joe Seltzer
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.
Kor Hadar: Gabriel Mayhem’s Compendium 5E Campaign Setting from Erigo Studios
- END DATE: Thu, December 14 2023 11:59 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $60 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book plus many, many PDFs
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is a 5e sourcebook with a lot of creative umph. Not just a setting, subclasses, monsters, relics, and the like, this book has new rules. The campaign suggests rules for grace, renunication, metamorphosis, combat, and more. The concepts presented here are designed for magic heavy tables that want to experiment with new types of characters. If the idea of new mechanical options for 5e speaks to you, check out the campaign page for some free playtest materials.
Gary's Appendix: Issue 4 from RPG Ramblings Publishing
- END DATE: Fri, December 15 2023 6:00 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Old-School Essentials and OSRs
- PROJECT TYPE: RPG zine
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $16 + S/H for the PDF and print version of the zine
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Inspired by the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Masters Guide, this zine series offers articles on everything sword and sorcery and OSR (system-wise, think OSE, though there’s an AD&D influence). With articles that talk about making a one-shot adventure based on a short story, what makes sword-and-sorcery, adding weather to the OSE ruleset, a bestiary, and more, this zine is an article-heavy GM’s reference to enhance gaming. If you’re a fan of OSE, AD&D, and other types of OSRs, this zine has the tools you’re looking for to elevate your game.
ABYSSALS: Sworn to the Grave for Exalted 3E from Onyx Path Publishing
- END DATE: Thu, December 14 2023
- CROWDFUNDING ON: IndieGoGo
- SYSTEM(S): Exalted Third Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $25 for the PDF and POD discounted version of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Exalted is a fantasy world where the gods roam the lands, spirits rule cities, the dead have business to attend to, and heroes have the power to save the world from what comes next. This 300-page sourcebook details the Abyssals, undead champions, fighters, and conquerors from The Underworld. Using this material, you’ll be able to play as them, or against them, in your campaign. If you’re a fan of Exalted Third Edition, check out this IndieGoGo campaign to pick up the latest expansion from Onyx Path Publishing.
Underworld - Tabletop RPG Fantasy Adventures - Inspired by Retro Video Games from Bloat Games
- END DATE: Dec 12, 2023 at 11:00pm EST.
- CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, Dungeon Crawl Classics, SURVIVE THIS!!, and Forgotten Ballad as well as system neutral
- PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $45 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of all three zines
- DISCLAIMER: I have freelanced for Bloat Games and Bloat Zines, including the upcoming Broken Controller zine. I am not involved in the Underworld project
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Need retro video game adventures for your favorite tabletop system? This campaign offers three adventure zines, titled The Eagle's Crest, Madness of the Magi, and Full Dark, No Moon. Each zine is 16 to 24 pages offering maps, rewards, and original monsters “with stats for 5E, DCC RPG, SURVIVE THIS!!, System Neutral, and Forgotten Ballad.” The contents are based on retro video gaming, going so far as to have stats for Fellipe da Silva’s The Legend of Zelda homage, Forgotten Ballad. If your table would respond well to the classic video game quest setup, check out this Backerkit campaign.
Journey Through the Dying Lands| Mork Borg Fiction Anthology from Kaiju Poet
- END DATE: Tue, December 12 2023 10:00 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): MÖRK BORG
- PROJECT TYPE: Prose anthology and adventure
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $20 + S/H for the ebook and print versions of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Kaiju Poet brought us the first officially-sanctioned MÖRK BORG prose with Whispers of the Dead Saint. This project offers a six story anthology along with a MÖRK BORG adventure by Kevin Welch. The book has stories from John Baltisberger (Kaiju Poet), Charles Bernard, Zac Goins, Harlen Linke, Ian SerVaas, and Nate Southard. The contents sound cool, but I’m most excited to see the stretch goals for Vast Grimm, Hell Night, CY_BORG, and Pirate Borg unlocked. It’ll be fun to get stories and content for those systems. If you’re thinking on this project, the PDF is $5, and the PDF for this book and Whispers of the Dead Saints is $8, which is a fantastic deal.
77 Stories in NewEdo from Salty Games
- END DATE: Fri, December 15 2023 8:59 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): System neutral
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$6 for the PDF of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This book is a collection of plot hooks designed for a neon, cyberpunk world. What makes them unique is that, instead of focusing on the dystopia, they’re about hope and change. Including NPCs and locations, these plots give you quick options on game night. With a system neutral design, this sourcebook can be used with any TTRPG, but works best in conjunction with other NewEdo properties. If you’re interested, check out the campaign page for a free sample PDF.
Deathsend: A TRPG Inspired by Death Note, played via Texting from Vincent Baker Entertainment [NOTE TO AVOID CONFUSION: This is the other Vincent Baker]
- END DATE: Sat, December 16 2023 10:36 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): An original system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $49 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Someone is using supernatural powers to kill criminals, and you have chosen to stop them for your own reason. Inspired by Death Note, this is a social deduction TTRPG played via text messages. There’s a GM judging the rules while you take the roll of a detective trying to determine who is the killer. Play is conducted via text messages taking about 10 minutes a day. Leaning into its inspiration, the boxed set is designed to fit in among your manga collection as the rules and cards are all Tarot-sized. If you’re a fan of the high-stakes, high-drama Death Note storyline, this project may speak to you.
Adventure Chess from Jerry Joe Seltzer
- END DATE: Mon, December 18 2023 2:28 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Standalone game or a 5e adventure
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $8 for the PDF of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This project combines the combat from Dungeons & Dragons with the movement from chess. Each character is represented by a chess piece, which grants their move. Each turn, a player moves then, if there’s contact, you use D&D rules for combat. This changes combat movement but keeps AC and hit bonuses. After each player move, the GM makes their move. It’s chess taken to another level. This project is setup to play as a standalone game, an adventure, or an encounter. If you’re a fan of D&D and chess, this is worth a quick review.
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.