Jamison Stone's Blog, page 18
June 11, 2020
Rise of the Ice Dragons - Kickstarter Spotlight
There are many possible reasons as to why a particular RPG funding campaign catches your eye. Some of those reasons are quite tangible such as a new DM resource that helps you run your games or a new original character class that you absolutely HAVE to play.
And then there are those times when it’s not glaringly blatant as to why you’re drawn to a new piece of RPG content. All you know is that you want it. You must have it. You can’t wait to play it.
There is a business aspect to the creator life, however I don’t think any of us would be doing this if it wasn’t something we truly cared about. But there are varying degrees of passion. And I think what stands out to me the most about Rise of the Ice Dragons is the raw, unfiltered passion on display.
It is plain to see that Tove and Erik, the dynamic duo that is Midnight Tower, have poured so much love and fun into the content they create. You can’t help but feel the urge to experience it for yourself. So, let’s take a closer look at their latest offering: Rise of the Ice Dragons
In this 160 page campaign, you will experience:
Three exciting adventures
The Frozen Labyrinth
The Quest for the Last Orbstone
Enter Drakenberg Castle
New monsters such as the Ice Dragon, Winter Eel, and Screeching Harpy
Magical Items like the Sword of Adrestia and the Staff of the Ice Dragon
More than 90 original full-colour illustrations, including professional commissions from Alaina Milare (Empyrean Investigations) and Daniel Kvasznicza (Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Assassin’s Creed)
Legend & Lore: Magical Orbstones, Cult of the Dragon, and the History of Drakenberg Castle
High-quality maps created by cartographers like Dark Realm Maps and Lizard Ink Maps
The Ice and Magic Compendium with all the unlocked stretch goals
Backers can also look forward to receiving free VTT tokens, gridless maps, and digital handouts so that it’ll be easy to play the adventures online
Another thing I really admire and appreciate about this project is Midnight Tower has priced their tiers at exceptionally fair and affordable levels. And I specifically want to highlight the very kind inclusion of a special £5 Tier that offers the complete digital version of the book to “Low Income” backers, hospital & home care staff, first responders, and veterans.
So don’t waste any time. The campaign ends on June 30th. Click the link below and scoop yourself up a brand new adventure!
Well, that’s all from me for now. Until next time…
Take care, Owlbear
Pat
Featured Images: Midnight Tower
Patrick Edwards is the co-writer of the upcoming 5E Campaign, The Red Opera , as well as the writer of the Space Tripping series of novels. Check him out on Twitter @ThePatEdwards or his website thepatedwards.com
Legendlore takes you (yes, actual you) into your fantasy world.
Isekai is a genre of Anime that is defined by someone in today’s world traveling to another world. Usually, this happens after some untimely death, or in the case of Escaflowne—yanked away. No matter the rhyme or reason, the stranger finds themselves with all of our world’s knowledge in a strange new paradise (or hell). The concept did not start with Anime and is a classic literary trope. Heck, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is one book that most kids have to read for school. No matter which way you slice the concept: it is fun.
Which brings us to Legendlore.
LOOK AT THE 80’s! That Hair! I love every bit of this, and am internally singing ‘Holding Out For A Hero’
Legendlore started out as a comic book where four normal modern-day teenagers are plunged into a world that they had read about in books. Here it’s basically magical ‘Middle Earth’. Orcs are bad guys, dragons raid towns, and dark magic lurks around every corner. Over the years they’ve had everyone from Guy Davis (Hellboy/BP.R.D.), Jim O’Barr (The Crow/Heavy Metal), and even Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spiderman) contribute to the graphic novel series.
Now it’s a roleplaying game! In principle, all roleplaying games have that measure of world-escapism; but few games cater directly to the concept that you are making…YOU. In the world, as a Wizard, or a Warlock. Think about it, this game gives credence to EVERY alignment quiz that you’ve ever taken. I’m not exactly sure how I’d end up as a different race when I fall through the portal, but then again—people have been reincarnated as slimes.
All said, the Kickstarter is currently live and it’s being run through Onyx Path who has a significant history of successful projects. Let’s be honest with ourselves: we’ve all probably made a character sheet for ourselves. Might as well play in a game designed around it!
What 5E Class would you end up as? No matter which way I slice it, I keep ending up as a Paladin.
Featured Image: Legendlore
Rick Heinz is the author of The Seventh Age novel series , and a storyteller with a focus on D&D for Kids, The Red Opera , and an overdose of LARPs. You can follow the game or urban fantasy related thingies on Twitter or reach out for writing at RickHeinzWrites@gmail.com
June 9, 2020
On Tour with Dragons - Fair Game - Dungeons and Dragons Interview with Rick Heinz
Jason Charles Miller visited game stores around the US as he toured with his band. In this episode, he visited Fair Game in Chicago, IL, and interviewed Apotheosis Studios author, Rick Heinz, Game Master for Dungeons and Dragons for Kids, and author of 5e Warlock Themed Campaign Module, The Red Opera coming soon to Kickstarter!
Rick runs a fantastic Dungeons and Dragons for Kids campaign at Fair Game. In the coming months, we will have more info about a Dungeons Master’s guide, Storytellers Guide, and D&D campaign module for kids. We are super excited about that RPG book, and will launch it on Kickstarter after we are done with The Red Opera and Shadow of the Moon graphic novel.
In the meantime, as you know, local game stores around the world are facing tough times due to COVID 19, but many have adapted to delivery and curb-side pickup services. We encourage you to reach out to your local game stores and find the closest near you with the Official Store Locator.
You can learn more about Fair Game in Chicago, IL on their website and follow them on Twitter. For those who want to learn more about Jason Miller, Singer of songs, teller of tales, and player of D&D, follow Jason on Twitter.
You can also check out the 'UnDeadwood: Chapter I Soundtrack' here. UnDeadwood was a four-part episodic saga on Twitch. Episodes are also available on the Critical Role YouTube channel here. Each episode is also available in podcast form on the Critical Role podcast network.
We’ve been really enjoying Red Dead Redemption 2 at the studio, and the UnDeadwood soundtrack is great listening for those who want a bit more wild west musical action in their lives. It also makes for some great western-themed Role-playing background music for your players while you run campaigns for your DnD or other RPG western-themed games.
For those interested in learning more about The Red Opera, our very own 5th edition Warlock themed campaign module, follow our Kickstarter Pre-Launch Page here and watch our teaser trailer here. Enjoy!
May 29, 2020
Exalted Vales: Kickstarter Spotlight
Sometimes a new TTRPG Book catches your eye with a clever, unique twist on the classic tropes. Sometimes it’s because the book is filling a particular niche need. And sometimes it’s simply because the book is just one gigantic crate of awesomeness…
Exalted Vales by The InkPot creative team is most definitely the latter. Exalted Vales takes you through a land where mysticism and strange, inexplicable occurrences are a normal part of everyday life. I reached out to the creative team, and the project manager, William Martin, was kind enough to provide this glimpse into their world:
“All manner of unusual things happen in the Vales, many of which concern the players directly. Just one example: people cannot dream naturally. Witches in Drath weave dreams day and night, which take the form of small squares of incense, and are distributed through the Vales. In the city of Trivedi, a bottomless seashell conjures whatever meal passers-by are thinking about. An endless abundance of food, which profoundly changes society. Everywhere, strange phenomena reshape people's lives. Alongside these sorts of oddities - which inhabitants of the Vales call the Manifestations - mystical races, strange powers and heroes with mysterious origins complete the picture.”
This beautiful 250 page book includes an full regional guide a campaign that takes players from Level 1 to 16, and plenty of battle maps and tokens. Not to mention original player races, classes, archetypes, feats and backgrounds. And have I mentioned the artwork yet? My god, the artwork is spectacular:
This book is practically bursting with fun and original content for both players and DMs alike. Their Kickstarter campaign ends on June 12th. So don’t wait too long, or you’ll miss out on this epic adventure:
Alright, that’s all from me for now. Until next time…
Take care, Owlbear
Pat
Patrick Edwards is the co-writer of the upcoming 5E Campaign, The Red Opera, as well as the writer of the Space Tripping series of novels. Check him out on Twitter @ThePatEdwards or his website thepatedwards.com
May 25, 2020
The Red Opera RPG - Teaser Trailer 1
We are so excited to showcase our first full Teaser Trailer for The Red Opera RPG! It has been amazing working with DiAmorte on this epic 5E Warlock Campaign module, and Drake and James Dorton III have done a wonderful job showcasing this killer Role-Playing Campain Book!
Our official 5th Edition Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign is launching late summer 2020, however, the Kickstarter “Pre-Launch Page” is live now, ready for new players and fans to join the adventure.
Click the Kickstarter “Notify me on Launch” button HERE to be alerted when this exciting journey begins!
"The Red Opera is a 10-Act Storytelling RPG Masterpiece.” —James McClellan Dorton III, Black Crown Initiate, Doom Eternal, and The Elder Scrolls OblivionJames McClellan Dorton III got his first voiceover gig playing several characters in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: Knights of the Nine: Revelation. But soon after, his band Black Crown Initiate was offered a record deal too good to refuse, and he spent the next few years traveling the world non-stop. Then in April 2019, in a move that combined his efforts with voiceover and the music industry, he was invited by Mick Gordon to participate in the Choir of Doom, to be used in the music for Bethesda’s latest installment of the Doom video game series, Doom Eternal.
James has done a wonderful job with DiAmorte , and we are so very excited to be working with them both on The Red Opera RPG and hopefully many more table top gaming and video game projects to come, including Shadow of the Moon !
May 22, 2020
JOURNEY TO BERYL’S REACH: KICKSTARTER SPOTLIGHT
To DM or not to DM, that is the question… that every single group of TTRPG players must first address when starting a new campaign.
“So, who’s going to DM?”
We’ve all been faced with that big glaring obstacle before. And don’t get me wrong, DMing can be incredibly fun… but it can also take a LOT of work. Sometimes more work than anyone in your group has the time for. If this scenario sounds familiar, you definitely need to check out Journey to Beryl’s Reach by Limitless Adventures.
Journey is a robust 3-Adventure Path that requires no DM. That’s right, it’s a DM-less campaign. A quote from the press release:
Mike (left) and Andy (right) at Flatcon in 2019
“This DM-Less adventure is meant to reduce dungeon master burnout, as well as provide those groups that don’t have a dungeon master a way to still get together and roll dice with their friends. We’re not looking to put DMs out of work, but rather give them a chance to play a character for once.”
I, personally, really love this. Let’s take a look at some of the particulars. Journey to Beryl’s Reach is made up of three separate but connected adventures, with 81 unique encounter cards including puzzles, combat, roleplay scenarios, and more. The number of encounter cards you use, and the order you use them in can change every time. So not only can you determine the length of the adventure you’re about to embark on, you and your party can replay this campaign multiple times and get a completely different experience every time!
So, if you’re looking for a quick, easy “plug and play” option to scratch that D&D itch, while still getting the full “epic adventure” experience, you need to get yourself a copy of Journey to Beryl’s Reach
Better hurry, though! The Kickstarter campaign ends in about a week. Follow the link HERE:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/limitless-adventures/journey-to-beryls-reach?ref=8y9acy
That’s all from me for now. Until next time..,
Take care, Owlbear
Pat Edwards
@ThePatEdwards
I'm Pat Edwards and I write stuff like books... and short stories... and comics... and scripts. Author of the Space Tripping series, co-author of The Red Opera RPG, & others. Co-host of @LetsRewatch & the @GeeklyInc Happy Hell Hour. He/Him
May 21, 2020
'Electropunk: Children of the Future' isn't afraid to bring a torch into the abyss.
Kickstarters come in all varieties, but rarely covered are the books and novels section. I suppose Graphic Novels make a little more sense as it’s a lot easier to showcase tons of amazing artwork in addition to story. Electropunk: Children of the Future gets the benefit of both. Tesla never lost his lab. That doesn’t sound so grand in principal. The fires that burned down his lab and set his research back never happened, so he never lost fifty years of progress—the future of mankind is saved!
EVIL SATYR? DASHING GOATMAN? HELL, I WANT TO FIND OUT ITS BACKSTORY FROM THAT GRIN ALONE.
Until Science Illuminated Shadows…
In 1910, Tesla has become the symbol of industry and progress; until they discover that there are myths and monsters in the world. Cryptids and legends that have been preying on humanity since dark ages, and would probably do anything to keep humanity terrified of the night. A natural enemy to someone seeking to deliver free, unlimited electricity, and light to the world.
With this shocking discovery in mind, Tesla recruits his family, builds them enhanced power armor, and sends them on their way. Because at the end of the day, this is a friggin’ comic book and we all want to see Tesla’s relatives kick Dracula in the teeth while flirting with Dorian Gray.
Because we can.
(Authors note: I have no idea if either Dracula, or Dorian Gray, or any other fabled legend will be in this damn book. I’m just stoked over the concept of Tesla’s family fighting myths and legends. I actually have tattoo’s of Tesla coils on me. One of which, is right next to the official Alchemy Guild Seal of 1863. This graphic novel could not be more up my alley which is why I am fanboying over this thing like a kid who just discovered Cinnamon Toast Crunch.)
The book is written and created by B.Dave Walters, Jeff Wamester, and Natalia Bacetti. Each in their own way bringing the book to life through their own artistic talents. As of this writing, because the book has hit its Kickstarter funding, they are going to toss in an Audio Drama! Again, I can only secretly hope for some old-timey newscasting during intermission…but I’ll take whatever I can get.
If this project tickles your sides and gives you that can-do-monster-hunting attitude in the name of Science! Check them out here on Kickstarter. They’ve already funded so no matter what, you’ll be getting a book!
Have you found any bleeding cool graphic novels by indie creators to highlight? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Image: Electropunk: Children of the Future
Rick Heinz is the author of The Seventh Age novel series , and a storyteller with a focus on D&D for Kids, The Red Opera , and an overdose of LARPs. You can follow the game or urban fantasy related thingies on Twitter or reach out for writing at RickHeinzWrites@gmail.com
May 20, 2020
The Red Opera RPG Press Release
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Red Opera RPG is a 5E Campaign, featuring, for the first time ever, a blood-soaked journey through a Warlock ruled city, which explores the occult nature of Patrons, sending players on a twisting saga through a dark and dangerous realm teeming with intrigue, magic, death, & betrayal.
Official Kickstarter Campaign is launching late summer 2020, however, the Kickstarter “Pre-Launch Page” is live now, ready for new players and fans to join the adventure. Click the Kickstarter “Notify me on Launch” button HERE to be alerted when this exciting journey begins!
5th EDITION WARLOCK INFUSED CAMPAIGN MODULE
The Red Opera is an extensive, player-driven campaign designed for 5th edition, drawing inspiration from DiAmorte’s symphonic rock album of the same name, centered upon the oft-overlooked and much-misunderstood class: Warlocks. Does this mean, you wonder, that all players must be Warlocks to partake of the story’s wonders? No, no… certainly not. All are welcome in the Shadelands, the all-new realm where the events unfold. For anyone in the Shadelands, be they adventurer, noblemen, or a thief can strike a temporary bargain with one of its many Patrons. Bring along your existing higher-tier campaign and characters following a mysterious trail, or wander the Shadelands as entirely fresh characters experiencing adventure for the first time. The Red Opera can easily be scaled to suit all tiers of play, and each of the ten acts contained within offer boundless opportunities for sidequests and improvisation.
Kickstarter Campaign Launch: Summer 2020Click HERE to Follow the Kickstarter “Pre-Launch Page” now
Full, 80,000+ word campaign for all tiers of play. Can be run either as a Tier 4, level 20 adventure; or be scaled to a level 1 beginner campaign.
Designed for Storytellers; giving tools such as setting updates, side quests and possible story branches, and three-beat story structure for each act.
Multiple endings based on player choice where the party can dictate the future of the Shadelands and shape the destiny of things to come.
"The Red Opera is a 10-Act Storytelling RPG Masterpiece.” —James McClellan Dorton III, Black Crown Initiate, Doom Eternal, and The Elder Scrolls OblivionAvailable in Digital, Standard Hardcover, and Special Edition Hardcover, each physical copy is constructed with the highest quality inks, paper, and foil, featuring an elegant metallic stamp on the front of the book, and foil bookplates.
Press Inquiries click HERE for full press packet including additional information, sample chapters, and images.
May 17, 2020
KICKSTARTER SPOTLIGHT: FANTASY CITY SITES & SCENES II
As a DM/GM, sometimes you don’t need an entire, completely fleshed out campaign. Sometimes all you need is a starting point, an idea to branch out from in order to craft a fun and delightful experience for your players. It could be a unique city, a quirky NPC, or even just a single building that sparks the next epic adventure…
I know, as a writer myself, some of my best work has come from a given prompt. Where someone told me, “Start from here and get to there.” And then it was up to me to make it happen within that framework. Take our campaign, The Red Opera, for example. We had a unique situation in that we were starting from an existing piece of media: an album. So no matter what we did, it sill had to link back to the source material in a meaningful way. While at times a challenge, it also forced us to be more original and creative than we might otherwise have been. It’s amazing what we can all think up when given just a little nudge in one direction or another. That’s what I like about Phillip Reed’s latest Kickstarter offering, Fantasy City Sites & Scenes II.
Sites & Scenes isn’t trying to be the next legendary narrative experience or change the world of gaming… it’s simply saying, “Here’s some fun and cool ideas. Do with them what you will.” The book includes 16 new ‘city sites’, each populated with notable landmarks and characters, as well as 13 pages of ‘city scenes’ that provide plenty of fodder for new player encounters.
Another thing I appreciate is the low cost of entry. You can get a downloadable PDF of the book for just $1. But if you’re looking for more, the higher reward tiers include additional books from Phillip such as the first Fantasy City Sites & Scenes. But you better hurry, there are only a few days left in the funding campaign!
That’s all from me for now. Until next time..,
Take care, Owlbear
May 13, 2020
Art Update for The Red Opera RPG - Dungeons and Dragons Warlock Campaign Module
We’ve made a lot of progress on our new 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons Warlock Campaign Module, The Red Opera RPG! We are so excited to share an update with some of our new art with you, along with sample of our artistic process, too!
Designed to have the best graphic novel art possible, and have as high a quality presentation as a AAA Game Development team or Design Studio, The Red Opera’s draft art first starts with 3D assets from Blender and DAZ 3D, seen below:
The above images are pretty solid for a DnD campaign, however, at Apotheosis Studios we are perfectionists and need our NPCs to not stand out, but really feel alive! Because of this, we don’t just stop at Blender but then refined everything in DAZ3D, but also use Photoshop to add little finishing touches to make everything more realistic — which makes all the difference!
“What is a sunset, but the end of a life that I will never know.” — LaCroix the Knight Captain
We are so happy with how our RPG art is taking shape, and so proud of our indie team! It has been wonderful to partner with the epic symphonic metal, musical theater group DiAmorte and bring this epic story to life! And best yet, these images are all still drafts, so when this 5E Dungeons and Dragons Warlock Campaign Module is actually finished and live on Kickstarter for Crowdfunding, the images will look even better!
This artistic process is very challenging, though, because creating three dimensional art like this is a very tricky way to get static still images and portraits (and for those who want to learn how we do it at Apotheosis Studios we have many tutorials on how to use 3D assets, Blender, Daz3D and Photoshop HERE.)
As you can see below, here is another example of our art transformation from draft to near final. The static and still 3D render from Blender above looks stale and dead, and yet below, our character has come to life with lighting, facial expressions, and atmospheric effects, too. (David Granjo, or lead artist is truly amazing! Again, if you want to learn from him, he has many tutorials on our website HERE.)
“Unlike Gods, for Patrons, you must whisper gently that your payer may be heard. Though by its end, your peril still awaits.” —Fayte the Shield Maiden
Again, we are so proud of the progress we have made on The Red Opera RPG. But a full fledged D&D Warlock Campaign Module needs more than just awesome art! Centered around the Warlock class lore, and for the first time ever Module based in a Warlock city, the campaign story itself is truly amazing. Possessing over 75,000 words and multiple endings based on player choice, this Campaign Module is the perfect companion for any player or Dungeon Master looking to spice up their existing campaign. As we get closer to our crowdfunding launch date, we will be providing much more information about this project, and are so very excited to bring it to Kickstarter in a few months!
To keep up to date, please visit our Kickstarter Pre-Launch phase and hit the green “Notify me” button HERE. That way you won’t miss it when we launch this epic crowd funding campaign! Although our indie design studio is primarily known for our graphic novels and epic fantasy sci-fi storytelling and books, we are so excited to bring this new Dungeons and Dragons RPG book to you on Kickstarter! If you are a tabletop gamer and role player, we know you will love it, even if you don’t run a Warlock class!
