Book of Monstrous Might for 5E Dungeons & Dragons DnD RPG

More Monster Layout - Meet the Camazotz!
almost 5 years ago – Mon, Jun 28, 2021 at 05:39:07 AM

Hey there!  Have a look at this wicked beastie and sample layout.  As you can see, we've got some really sexy monster statblocks now that are really classy and easy to read.  There's some hiccups even in this sample page, but that's the sort of thing we are ironing out presently.  Not only are we trying to give you guys an awesome book, but we're trying to innovate on a number of layout items and presentations.  Note the treasure table, making the GM's life easier - but it's also themed as desiccated corpses (I note they spelled that wrong, and that's what editors are for). But that's an example of how we'll help flavor up your monsters.  

We are tightening the bolts on layout, and soon will have a proto-PDF for all of you to look over.  Our goal is to get you guys the first half of the book to look over as a concept PDF, let you give your feedback and move forward with the final tightening of the nuts and bolts.  Then we'll do the second half of the book in the same fashion.  Once we take all the feedback in and get our thorough editing done we can head to backerkit for the shipping and extra swag.

Things are looking great, albeit taking longer than perhaps I would have liked.  But the  good news is we are designing a lot of new processes and that means we'll be more efficient with future projects.  So thank you all for your patience as we make the most killer book we can!

Wait until you see what we are up to next!  Thanks again for all of your support - until next time!

-Brian

Memorial Day and Maghra Art!
almost 5 years ago – Sun, May 30, 2021 at 12:11:09 AM

Hey everyone!  Meet the Maghra... our half-ghoul race.  Our artists continue to nail these pieces and bring our dark fantasy vision to life... or unlife as the case may be.  Sort of like how this project took on a new life of it's own, thanks to the over 1500 backers!  

Also, a number of you have been asking what is our anticipated ETA for the book.  I hate giving timelines because when I'm wrong people get ruffled feathers.  However, we are shooting for both the Backerkit survey to go out next month as well as the PDF reward - even if it's a prototype and not final.  This is a large book, and we want to get it 100% right.  Then we'll continue editing, listen to any feedback and get the rest of the digital rewards and print book finalized hopefully in July.  Shipping will depend on how long the printer takes, but I'll keep everyone posted as to the process.

So thank you all again for your support, and your patience as we continue to diligently produce this.  In fact, right now I'm typing from my laptop at the campground.  I'm enjoying the Memorial Day weekend, but still working on some last minute tweaks and additions to the content.  Have a great week, and I'll have another update for you in a couple weeks!

-Brian

Assassin Beetles - First Look
almost 5 years ago – Thu, May 20, 2021 at 06:04:05 AM

Hey everyone!  It's the WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKEEENNNNNNNDDDDD!  I wanted to get another update out so everyone knows that we are still plugging away here.  As you recall from the last update, we're getting all the layout done for the monsters presently, so here's a sample of what that will look like, along with our delightfully vicious Assassin Beetle!

I was very inspired by the deadly beetles in Elder Scrolls, and less so by the Witcher TV series, but in all, quite a delightful amalgamation.  They can use their teleport abilities to get the drop on their foes, strike with advantage thanks to the surprise, and should they die, they are still going to leave a mark on the battlefield.  Enjoy!

Rust Mimics... WHAT?!?
almost 5 years ago – Sat, May 01, 2021 at 01:49:26 AM

That's right... you read the title correctly.  One of you fine folks suggested in the comments that you really hoped we'd make a rust mimic as part of this project.  We 100% rolled with the idea, and today I get to share a first look at monster layout, complete with your suggested monster!

I should preface that this is not final, nor edited.  It's just a first glimpse for all of you.  But have a look!

One thing to note here is that our monsters have a really easy to read statblock, perhaps even better than Wizards of the Coast (*rolls a 7 on Persuasion...*).  That's always a good goal though!  

In addition, you'll note a random treasure table.  Why would we include that you ask?  Well, I know that DMs have less time and want to sift through less books.  A simple 1d6 table of common items makes your job as the DM easier and gives themed loot that makes sense.  The listing above isn't finalized, but that's our plan for each monster within.  

Not appearing on this page is also a short sidebar for each monster's tactics round by round.  Again, we are trying to make the DM's job easier.  We'll be giving you the best play-by-play for each round and special scenarios (like surprise).  In the end, you'll have one incredibly handy monster sourcebook, unlike any other.

For those wondering, yes, it's taking longer than we anticipated.  We are still collecting art and perfecting layout.  I happen to think it looks quite nice, but every review we do improves the quality and design.  The good news is that when we do a second volume, the layout design will be fully fleshed out and serve as a template.  We won't have to reinvent the wheel.

Anyway, enjoy the Rust Mimic and his delights.  I'll see you all in a couple weeks!

-Brian

PS: If you follow along on our social media, you'll notice we also released an adventure called 'Echoes of the Night Below'... and yes, it's a follow up to the awesome 2E AD&D Night Below boxed set.  You can check it out here.  

April Update
almost 5 years ago – Fri, Apr 09, 2021 at 07:51:42 PM

Good morning everyone.  I'm posting this with more than a little disappointment.  I'm getting people posting some pretty slanderous things on my social media and this page because the project is late.  Let me explain how this works.

1) This isn't Wal-Mart.  This is Kickstarter.  You are helping fund a creative endeavor.  I as the publisher create a most-likely scenario for the duration of the work.  The project goes bonkers and I double the content, but the date of fulfillment originally chosen cannot be changed.

2) I hire layout artists, an art director and quadruple my stable of working artists but it's still not enough.  A book of 250+ pages means a lot of art and I want to give you quality art instead of stuffing it chock full of stock art and calling it good.

3) The book is coming along nicely.  It's essentially just waiting on more art and final layout and editing.  Have a look below at a sample.  This is not final, but an example page.

4) We are purposely holding off on the backerkit fulfillment until the book is being printed.  This is strategic for all of your sakes, so we have the most accurate addresses, just prior to shipping the book.  It's not because you've been scammed.  It's just smart and keeps the shipping errors next to nil.

Anyway, I haven't posted an update in a while because I've been pretty ill.  Those of you that follow me on Facebook are already aware - I had a wicked case of respiratory flu and it completely knocked me out for several weeks.  My doctor strongly thought it was covid, but the tests were negative.  My last concern was posting an update on Kickstarter during this time.  I'm a ton better, but I'm not going to go jog around the block or anything anytime soon.

All that said, it didn't slow anything down.  My artists and graphic designers are still hard at work.  I'll try to post more progress here as we get closer, but I'm not rushing the work.  It has to be great, and I think you guys would be disappointed if it was hurried, unedited and filled with garbage art.

As a final note, remember that when you are dealing with creative people, your support means the world.  But your vitriol erodes passion, confidence and purpose.  Doing so actively hinders what you want.  Some creatives might spiral into depression after being called names online, and cost you weeks or months on a project.  I'm not one of those people, but there's a very large majority of creative people that do have a strongly adverse reaction to that sort of thing.  They need the accolades to fuel their creativity.  It's the wind in their sails.  Keep that in mind when backing any Kickstarter project or working with any creative person.  You'll always get better results by treating people well.

I'll do my part and keep to at least a bi-weekly update.  I'm trying to have the PDF ready at least in maybe six weeks, and then I'll update you all to the time needed for the print book.  I'm working with a new printer, so I can't be assured to the timing on that yet, but when I know, you'll know.

So thanks again for helping this project take life and grow to so much more than I had originally imagined.  It's a pretty awesome achievement - we even got Luke Gygax to do the foreword!  So until next time friends - good gaming!