The final PDF for Book Two is out now!
over 1 year ago – Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 07:10:28 PM

Hey heroes! The title says it all!

The Book Two production PDF files are distributing right now, so you may need to wait a little bit for it to show up for you on Backerkit. In general, files should always be there for you within 24 hours. 

This file is virtually identical to the files I'll be sending to the printer, minus the backer credits and some additional printer stuff. It's as good as it gets! It's also full rez and, admittedly, pretty large. After all, it's a big book! I hope you have a blast using it digitally and, when you get it, in print.

Be sure to look for the Web version coming in the next few hours, too! That version is specifically designed to be viewed on screens and online. Much smaller!

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm. It makes a big difference in the day-to-day, truly. Your energy gives me energy!

If your name isn't in the back of the PDF, it's because you either didn't submit a survey, put in N/A (or equivalent) as a response in your survey, or pre-ordered the book or PDF through Backerkit directly, instead of going through after the Kickstarter ended. That last bit's a symptom of Backerkit's survey system; your support is valued, always, regardless of where it comes from. Thank you for it!

Since the update last week, I've sent off the files for the animated lenticular pin, confirmed final designs with Campaign Coins for the magical coin set, confirmed some journal updates with the manufacturer (mostly concerning pocket material), submitted the final PDF file for the Bulette booklet, and have started the process towards getting the cards approved for printing. I also discovered that, because of the shift to making the journals suitable for A5 paper use, it afforded the option to make the plastic item card sheets hold three item cards, instead of two, per side. Nice!

That's it for now! The next time you hear from me will probably be with the crafting compendium! Exciting!

As always, keep on adventuring! Enjoy the PDF!

-g

A quick update: Final PDF incoming, crafting compendium on target, another griffon for the bestiary
over 1 year ago – Thu, Sep 08, 2022 at 06:24:28 AM

Hey everyone!

I wanted to leave a quick update for you leading up to some more content releases this month. The book is in a final content review pass by my friends at Hit Point Press. Once that's finished, I should be able to get you the print-ready PDF shortly after. Within the next week!

The crafting compendium is still on schedule for release sometime this month. At the very least, I'll have the content this month, and will be able to have it finished with the design aspect of the document by the start of October. But, so far, signs are optimistic that we're on target there.

The griffon bestiary is moving along! While we won't be seeing it this month, I'm super happy to show you some of the griffons that have been made already:

Prototypes!

• The bag's prototype is virtually perfected. After a final round of revisions from the physical copy I got last month, the updates are looking polished and absolutely delightful.
• I'm getting prototypes for the bookmarks and banners next.
• Cards are with the printers now for review. Box design will be sent off next.
• Dice steel molds are made. Waiting to get the next round of color/resin tests in.
• GM screen files are sent out. Waiting on interior screen page design files.
• Beanies should be revised soon. Hoping to get a new physical proof in the near future.
• I've shared feedback regarding the journals with the manufacturer. The next iteration should be great. Because of the scale increase to accommodate A5 sheets of paper, this means we can get 3 item cards per plastic sheet instead of 2! A nice upgrade. Waiting on the last couple character sheet designs.
• Pin designs and animation files are ready for shipping out for manufacturing
• Keyloop revised design sent off to make sure it's wearable on your wrist. First version had some minor design details to iron out, but mostly the length needed a change for it to be more immediately usable.
• The dice bag's had a few iterations made to get materials right. Shooting for an in-between of "sturdy enough to sit upright" and "loose enough to feel like a bag in your hands," while also looking like leather and having the right details.
• Print files for The Lie that Shook the Mountain are ready to print.
• All coin files are moving to 3d rendering with Campaign Coins. Just got the email in to confirm that this morning.
• Washi tape designs are ready to print.

We may experience some delays on finalizing prototypes due to how early manufacturers start working on winter holiday production (This Year I Learned). Regardless of how this affects shipping timelines, please always know that I'm working on these products diligently. Your confidence and satisfaction are paramount to me, truly!

I'll be back again very soon with your final PDFs! Until then, keep on adventuring!

-g

Post GenCon update! Manufacturer prototypes, griffon sneak peak, filler art progress, and more.
over 1 year ago – Wed, Aug 10, 2022 at 01:34:51 AM

Hey everyone!

I've got a few things to show so far! Thanks for your patience and continued enthusiasm! If you caught me at GenCon, thank you so much for saying hi! It was great to see you, truly.

Journal Prototype (Video)

This video shows the first journal prototype, which just came in this morning. I talk about the materials being used, what's being changed, touch-ups, etc. In general, though, it's looking good!

Griffon Bestiary sneak peaks

I've gotten almost half of these griffons' art already cleared for the digital bestiary bonus. At this point I don't think I'll hit that September mark for having those to you, but it'll definitely be ready sometime in the fall. Since it's digital, you'll get it the second that it's ready!

Part of the extended timeline for this is caused by the fact that I'm working with the same artist, Damien Mammoliti, for all of these. This way I can make sure that every griffon looks really consistent and cool. Damien's done a lot of work in the TTRPG scene for monster art already, so you may recognize some of his work already.

Anyway, here's a sneak peak of the Celestial and Hellish griffons' artwork:

Filler Art!

The last few pieces of filler art are being wrapped up right now. Once they're done, I'll be able to add them into the book, double check that I've integrated all the great bug-reporting you've found so far since release, and then get you an updated PDF at the same time that I send these files out for printing. Again, if you've found any issues, you can let me know at saddleb.ag/fix so I can knock 'em out!

And, if you backed the Kickstarter but didn't see your name in the back of the PDF, it's probably because you hadn't filled out the backer survey by the time I'd exported your names from Backerkit. Don't worry, it'll be there in the final!

Other Kickstarters worth supporting:

Humblewood Tales— Final 48 hours!

I mentioned this project before when it launched, but Humblewood is one of the core stories and worlds from Hit Point Press. With over 200 pages of new content that’s fully compatible with all your 5e games, including premade characters, a full bestiary, myriads of new magic items and more, there’s plenty of thrills to be had for both new and seasoned Humblewood adventurers.

Tales from Sina Una

Similarly, Tales From Sina Una is a 200+ page adventure anthology, presenting ten brand new adventures that take place across the islands introduced in the critically-acclaimed Islands of Sina Una. Fight, survive and overcome the dangers and challenges of spirits, monsters, people, and even gods themselves as you delve into a world inspired by pre-colonial Filipino mythology and culture. To help with these new threats and foes, you’ll find new subclasses, new feats, and new magic items that you can find across the islands.

Setting playlists are live! A second round of Backpack prototypes! Humblewood Tales!
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Jul 08, 2022 at 12:37:26 AM

Hey everyone!

I wanted to give a shoutout, first and foremost, to my close friends at Hit Point Press for their latest Kickstarter release: Humblewood Tales. If you missed their iconic initial Humblewood Kickstarter, now is an incredible time to jump into the Humblewood universe with delightful (playable) woodland creatures and, now, a book full of magical stories on which to go adventure. Humblewood is a staple in the third-party creator space, and this latest addition to the IP is extremely welcome and exciting. I promise that it's worth your support!

Setting Spotify Soundtracks Now Live

If you'd seen the link at the start of the Book's Part III section, you'd see that there's a Maps link and Music link. The Maps link lets you download a great selection of gorgeous, relevant maps from Cze and Peku. Until now, the Music link wasn't hooked up to anything. But as of right now, you can visit that link (saddleb.ag/b2music) to get easy access to whatever setting playlist you wanted on any device with Spotify access. Also included in this list is the Bulette Takes the Liar soundtrack. Again, a huge thank you and shoutout to Will Savino for the music. He's tremendously skilled. If you haven't listened to the soundtracks yet, let me seriously recommend them.

I hope you like this integration, and I really hope you like the cinemagraphs that I had made to pair with these songs! You'll see these on mobile when you're playing each track (and not looking at the playlist screen). They're...man, I think they're really cool.

New Backpack prototypes!

Along with other prototypes being made, one of most complicated ones to get right is the backpack. However, it's going along swimmingly. Here's a video of the latest iteration:

There are a few details I wanna iron out yet: some of the printed graphics' fidelities, a couple seam locations, a couple color choices, etc., but this is a great look at how progress is being made with the bags! I hope you're as excited for these as I am! Remember that you can add these to your order at any time leading up to when your orders are locked later this year!

Other deliverables

Same as before: the remaining pieces of filler art are well underway! Their due-date is the end of next month, so we'll have the final(ish) PDF delivered very shortly thereafter. Your feedback submissions continue to be helpful! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read and enjoy the PDF!

The griffon art for the bestiary is progressing nicely as well! I'll share some of those here before too long, too. I also know that the compendium of crafting recipes is coming along smoothly, too! Again, I'll always keep you all up to date with progress as it's made.

That's it from me for now! Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and support!

-g

At last! The GM screen interior design!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Jun 30, 2022 at 06:16:19 PM

Hey everyone!

Things are moving along on my end. Prototypes of the products are being made. Some are more complicated to get right than others, unsurprisingly.

Something that was a challenge for one of my manufacturers was creating a GM screen I was really excited about. Now, you may be saying "Griff, it's a GM screen. It's not complicated."

But wait!

See, I loved organizing my various folders and binders years ago when I was in school. Pockets and sleeves were huge for me, and even when I've GM'ed, I've had layers upon layers of small and large sheets of paper crammed in my GM screens' sleeves. Reaching down into those tall sleeves to get cards out is a hassle, and generally means you need to take down the screen to get your hand in there, too.

Well, I've worked with my production team to bring the function of those old school folders to the hum-drum GM screen we're all used to. Introducing: top-level folder pockets!

This screen is designed for you to store your notes, printouts, and cards (items, monsters, or otherwise) all within the GM screen. The tall sheet pockets are letter sized with thumb-friendly cutouts, so you can print from the Book's PDF (or any book's PDF, for that matter) and stuff 'em in there and take 'em back out with ease. On a separate layer on top of the tall sleeve is the secondary folder pocket, which can hold anything from treasure, to game notes, or, uh, grocery lists. I know I use a lot of index cards when GM'ing, and this will be great for that!

Each of the screen's four panels has both that large and small top pocket. That's a lot of storage options for your notes!

Anyway, I'm really excited for this, and I hope it was worth the wait! Thank you for your patience as I worked to finalize this design with my manufacturer. Getting a second PVC sheet on top of the first was really tricky, believe it or not!

Legendary backers already get one of these screens with their pledge, but if you wanted one of your own to add to your order, you can always add it through the backerkit preorder shop!

That's all for now! Until next time, keep on adventuring!

-g