Final Hours! Stretch Goal Unlocked: Husks!
over 6 years ago – Fri, Sep 06, 2019 at 05:05:32 AM

Husks

Originally unlocked as part of Dark Obelisk 2's KS campaign, this book describes ruins of all manner across the Realm of Aquilae, but is immediately usable in any fantasy RPG campaign setting.

It's a unisystem book, so it can be used easily with Pathfinder 1st/2E, 5E, or any other RPG rules system.  It also integrates fully with the FlexTale Encounter Generator (FTEG), to easily generate dynamic, robust adventure content with level-appropriate monsters, treasure, traps, challenges, and more.

Husks will include a variety of rules, hooks, plots, and mini-adventures, as well as several fully-fleshed-out ruins.  My personal favorite concept is the chapters on generating new ruin maps dynamically with zero prep time!

If you're already interested in Villainous Locales, Husks is a great expansion of the concept of immediately-usable, zero-prep-time adventure settings and maps.

How to Get It

I'd originally planned to make new pledge levels that included Husks, but we'll keep this simple: if you're interested in Husks, simply add $20 to your pledge, and you'll receive all of the following:

• Husks unisystem full-color PDF.
• At-cost print code to order a hardcover.

You'll also be able to Add On Husks during BackerKit survey following the campaign.

Onward!

Final Days! Stretch Goal Unlocked! Next Stretch Goal!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Sep 03, 2019 at 11:59:32 AM

$1,500 Stretch Goal Unlocked: Geomorphic Cartography Integration

Geomorphic maps are not a brand-new concept.  However, my idea with Geomorphic Cartography is to have a series of map segments that integrate into one another in any combination desired... but for each to also have CONTENT, not just a map!  One side will be "GM", and the other "Players", with map annotations and pages of content associated with each map tile.  There's tons more to say on the subject, but I'll stop here.

We've unlocked this Stretch Goal.  That means that each and every map produced for Villainous Compendium will support the Geomorphic Cartography concept.  Which means that they can link with any number of other map tiles and "set pieces" produced by IGS going forward!

Geomorphic Cartography has map tiles of three sizes:

• Small Square: Simple tiles.  The examples below are all Small Squares.
• Long Side: Twice as long and exactly as wide as Small Squares, these are rectangular map pieces used for roads and small encounters and buildings.
• Large Square: Twice as wide and twice as long, these are equivalent in size to four Small Squares (2x2), and are typically used for "setpieces", large buildings, or ruins, etc.

I've been working on this concept for years, and have finally produced proof-of-concept map tiles that fulfill the idea, and feel ready to start to share things.

Those who are a part of my Solo Adventuring Toolkit campaign will reap enormous benefit from this; I'm working on an update for those folks that includes this and many other concepts I've been working diligently toward.  :)

Here's a quick collage from my proof-of-concept tile designs that demonstrate the idea.

$2,000: Husks

Up next--and very achievable!--is the Husks Stretch Goal.  Originally unlocked as part of Dark Obelisk 2's KS campaign, this book describes ruins of all manner across the Realm of Aquilae.  

It will include a variety of rules, hooks, plots, and mini-adventures, as well as several fully-fleshed-out ruins.  My personal favorite concept is the chapters on generating new ruin maps dynamically with zero prep time!

Anyway, if we unlock this Stretch Goal, then there will be further opportunity to integrate with, and obtain, this exciting product.  More info to come once we punch through that level!

Onward!

Quick Update
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 06:53:15 AM

Ah, yes, the mid-campaign lull.  I've seen it before.  :)  I'm still hopeful that we get to a point where we unlock more Stretch Goals and further enrich the book, but I'm thrilled and grateful that we've gotten even to this point thus far.

Thanks again for your support, and a reminder to not be shy about those suggestions if you have them--I've gotten some really interesting ideas via DM :)

Onward!

Print Format Clarification & Print Product Example Pictures
over 6 years ago – Sun, Aug 18, 2019 at 01:39:41 PM

Hi all!  I've gotten a few questions about the format of the printed book for VL, so I figured I'd respond publicly so everyone has the information.

Publisher & Quality

All printing and digital fulfillment will be through my publisher, DriveThruRPG/OneBookshelf.  I feel they do a great job with their print products, but I have also heard that large-scale RPG creators such as Frog God use print-run publishers who do an even better job.  I own tons of examples of indie hardcopy, and I've never really found quality to be much of a concern in terms of the product produced: quality IMO stems mainly from the content.

Format & Size

Format will be standard US Letter size, 8.5" x 11".  Book is likely to be hardcover, and will use heavyweight paper.  This being a book mainly of maps, I will produce a standard-quality edition and a high-quality edition; the content will be identical, but the print quality and color fidelity will be a bit different.  Some people don't notice the difference, but for those who want the absolute best version, I'll make it an option.  Those entitled to an at-cost print-on-demand discount will get discounts for both editions.  I will warn that the high-quality printing costs a little less than twice as much to print, and that's not something I can control in any manner.

Examples

Here are some examples of a recent product from IGS, Druid Enclave (which you can grab on DTRPG here).  Dice used as size comparisons are standard Chessex d10s, and print quality was standard.  Here's an update from the Dark Obelisk 2 Kickstarter that shows some more examples.

Stretch Goal #1 Unlocked!
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 01:23:08 PM

Stretch Goal #1

We've hit the $1k mark.  Huzzah!  That means each copy of Villainous Locales gets additional content.

Clockwork Lair has won the informal contest.  Keep those ideas coming in however!

Stretch Goal #2: Geomorphic Cartography Integration

If we hit $1,500, I'll design each and every map so that it integrates with and is usable with Geomorphic Cartography.  This is a concept I've been working on for several years in the background, designing and prototyping various approaches to make sure what I produce is different, special, and above all, fun and useful as hell.

Pix and previews and samples to follow soon!

Onward!