Surveys are all out! Check your inboxes and spam! Heads up: Ledger+ codes for book 2 aren't displaying items properly yet—we're working on it!
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 04:08:58 PM

Hey everyone!

The last of the surveys have been queued to go out! If you haven't seen yours come in yet, hang on for another half hour and be sure to check your spam folders!

Some backers have let me know that their L+ codes for Book 2 aren't working! Weird! My developer and I are working to isolate and resolve the issue. Your account says that the code's applied, so it's probably something on the backend that just needs flipping. Hang tight, we'll get it working as soon as humanly possible! I'll post another update when they're working again.

I realized that I goofed and didn't account for a specific subsection of backers who were at the add-on only tier and got a PDF. You'll be receiving your L+ codes, I just have to add you manually. Not a big list, so it's not a problem!

Also! I realized I did a bad job expressing Backerkit price changes to the backpack and Criir mini. Those prices apply to late backers only. If you pledged in the Kickstarter, your prices are locked in! Thank you for the support and interest in these bags, I know you're gonna love them!

Okay! I think that's all for now. Thanks again for your support, everyone! I'll continue to do my best to make sure that everything is right for you.

Talk more soon (with news on L+)!

-g

Backerkit is in the approval process! Surveys going out once it's ready.
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 26, 2022 at 08:37:24 AM

Hey everyone!

I've submitted the Backerkit campaign for their approval! My Backerkit contact has said they're trying to get it through by the end of day tomorrow. Just a little longer!

Once that's given the green light, I'll be able to start sending out surveys to backers and allowing for late backers to come in and make pledges.

Before that happens, a smoke test will go out: this is where a small portion of you from across the range of backers get your surveys first, allowing you to find any issues that may have been overlooked during the Backerkit's creation (without flooding me with 11,700 support emails). Barring any issues that come up from that, I'll be able to start sending out the rest of the surveys.

Because Backerkit surveys are planned to go out before Kickstarter finalizes your charges, anyone whose Kickstarter payment hasn't already been processed will have their payment marked as failed in Backerkit. That's fine, though: you can fix it in Backerkit directly without having to wrestle with Kickstarter customer support. For those of you that have messaged me about your frustrations with this so far, this should hopefully make it easier for you.

What to expect with Backerkit

For those of you who haven't used Backerkit before, it's easy:

Backerkit is a "pledge manager". It allows me to get you your digital rewards and categorize your pledges and add-ons for use with fulfillment and warehousing. It also lets me ask you some survey questions to gather information from you (like your name for the PDF credits, or what book you'd like in the Legendary pledge, etc.). It's a useful and powerful tool that will allow you to change your pledge levels and include any add-ons you want, as well as confirm or update your shipping address and calculate your final shipping costs.

You will be sent an email (from me, Griffin Macaulay) asking you to complete a survey and finalize your order. It'll only take a moment and will let you further customize anything else you wanted to add to your order. This is also where you'll get your digital rewards.

Right now, your digital rewards will include PDFs of Book One, Ledger+ codes, and Foundry VTT bundles. More will be added as they're available (I'll update accordingly to let you know when things are added). For the rough estimate on digital download availability, check out the previous update here.

New to the Saddlebag Backerkit

Book One card bundles will finally be available for purchase in Backerkit as an add-on. Thank you for your patience with this! Please note that its cost is actually a bit higher than the Book Two cards purely due to the first sets' different production costs (7 smaller packs of cards, rather than one large box). The cost does not indicate any difference in quality or number of cards. Thank you for your understanding!

Two other items' prices have been increased slightly with the move to Backerkit: the Backpack (now $95; +$10) and the Criir miniature (now $30; +$14). All other costs have remained unchanged. I did actually just get my sample mini from Eldritch Foundry and man is it cool. And solid. I'm having a friend paint it tomorrow (as I am decidedly not a real life painter), after which I'll post pictures here of it so you can see it. 

Okay! That's it from me for now. We're well on our way to getting you Backerkit surveys! Thanks for your patience and support! More to come soon!

Keep on adventuring!

-g

Let's get crafty! The final stretch goal: SMASHED! Time for the victory lap! PLUS: what's next with Backerkit, and have you heard of ARcana?
about 2 years ago – Wed, Apr 13, 2022 at 11:38:24 PM

Blacksmiths, enchanters, artificers, rejoice! The crafting guide for the 500+ items in Book Two is unlocked! What an incredible crowning achievement to kick this Kickstarter campaign into the victory lap!

I don't have any more stretch goals planned for the campaign, but please know that every extra dollar spent goes towards making this product as good as it can be! Thank you so much for the outpouring of generous support, relentless enthusiasm, and revitalizing energy. I can't thank you enough with text, but please know that you have all come together to make a real difference in this project.

Also, as a quick aside, one of the limited EXTREME Legendary Hero backer tiers just opened up, so if you wanted to get your own handmade leather Saddlebag and a set of 5 of those coveted Total Access Codes (and your name in the book's Special Thanks!), now's your time!

So, what's next?

The next step will be getting everything assembled in Backerkit. Fortunately, I've managed to get a head start on this. I should be able to get surveys sent out inside of a week, if not sooner. I want to make sure that this transition is as seamless as it can be for you and for folks who come in after the campaign closes. As always, if something happens and I need a little more time, I'll be sure to post here and let you know. I'll also put out an update when the surveys are queued up for release!

Digital rewards going out immediately:

• PDF Book One
• Ledger+ Access Codes: Books One
• Ledger+ Access Codes: Books Two
• Ledger+ Total Access Codes
• Foundry Book Two item bundle
   

Rewards going out shortly thereafter through end-of-May:

• PDF Book Two — this will still have some missing filler art, but is perfect for you to start using at home. Proofreaders, if you find anything, I'll have means of contacting me about it and cataloging your finds! This should be pretty tight, though: lots of folks have already combed through it! Let's see if Ind Fonts is sneaking around again.
• Setting soundtracks should be live, too.
• Bulette Takes the Liar fable PDF and soundtrack
• Criir STL
   

Digital Rewards going out June through September:

• Updates to the PDF as needed leading up to the final printing version.
• Digital printable character sheets for those that got the journals. You're getting printed ones, obviously, but you can print new ones later or use 'em ahead of time!
• Griffons of the Multiverse Bestiary PDF
• Kibbles' crafting guide for The Griffon's Saddlebag: Book Two
   

Physical rewards: as soon as possible, obviously. Planned for February of '23.

If you've been a backer with me before, you already know that I do my best to be transparent with what's going on. In general, I'm always working to push the cart forward on this, and will be quick to post updates here on Kickstarter as I have them to share. I also check comments and messages here every weekday, if not also weekends, so I'm always reachable. You can also reach out through the Saddlebag Discord, if you're a Discord user.

BONUS: Have you seen ARcana? 

ARcana lets you play D&D at the table, even if it's at your own table and everyone else is hundreds of miles away. This isn't a VTT: it's Augmented Reality tabletop play. I used to work a bit with AR projects, and this is really cool to see.

Minis and physical terrain pieces are costly and take up a lot of room (and time, if you paint them yourself!). With ARcana, you can pull 3d models directly from the likes of Hero Forge and Dwarvenforge into a 3d space to create your own maps. Players can physically walk around and see their characters move throughout these spaces, allowing you to mix the fun of playing around a table with the convenience of digital online play.

I can also say that if this is your speed, and you like the Saddlebag, you can look forward to a future where you can even see your character running around with their own virtual Saddlebag on!

That's it for me right now! Until next time, keep on adventuring!

-g

1 million reached just in time for the final 48 hours! Enjoy your bonus bookmarks, and let's unlock those crafting recipes!
about 2 years ago – Wed, Apr 13, 2022 at 03:26:53 AM

Hey everyone!

It's been such an honor being here with you all as we crossed this major milestone together into the million dollar range for this project. Thank you all, truly, from the bottom of my heart.

This last stretch goal at $1 million includes an exclusive silk bookmark in every pledge that has "pack" in the name. This special, limited-edition bookmark is styled with the classic Saddlebag red and teal triangle motif with embroidered edges and accents. No more marking the page with character sheets for you!

The last stretch goal that lays ahead for us is at $1.1m. This final goal unlocks fun crafting recipes for every magic item in this book (other than the artifacts) using KibblesTasty's heavily playtested and beloved crafting system. With this free supplement, you'll be able to forge your heart out and make your favorite creations all on your own, instead of relying on some other wizard or what-have-you to leave it behind in their lair for you to find.

So this is it! It's the final push!

Let's do it! Talk more soon!

-g

Woo-hoo! The planar griffon bestiary is unlocked! Griffons abound! Next up: the road to 1 million! Plus: EMPTY CARD BOX ADD-ONS, and a special KS campaign shout-out.
about 2 years ago – Thu, Apr 07, 2022 at 03:17:57 AM

Boom! Done! That's another goal off the list! Thank you so much, everyone!

The multiplanar griffons have actually been a long-standing and flavorful hobby of mine with my monster-making friends. I'm so excited that this Kickstarter campaign can serve as the grounds to make more of these creature and share them with you all.

You'll find out what happens to griffons on the Elemental Plane of Water, or Fire, or even fey one or shadowy ones. What about hellish or celestial griffons? Chimeric ones? Phoenix ones? What fascinating monsters can we put together into new, grander griffons? Ooh, I can't wait!

Next up: the limited edition bookmark!

Next up: the 1 million mark! At this stage, everyone who receives a pledge with "pack" in the name will receive a limited edition, unique silk bookmark made with that classic red and teal triangle design. Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and support! Truly!

Empty Card Boxes now available for add-ons!

They're ready! Thank you everyone for your patience with me getting quotes for manufacturing these. These boxes come with the same organizational perks as the ones that come in a set, like plastic dividers and a central column separator. Perfect for card overflow for when you sleeve your cards, or if you want your Book One cards to match your Book Two ones! These boxes match the design aesthetic of the ones that come as the set, but aren't labeled with "Book Two" on it so you can use them for whatever you like!

I'll be getting final confirmation on the GM screen interiors by the end of this week, Criir-willing. They have to do some tests to make sure it's doable, which should hopefully get you excited for it! More on that to come asap! Thank you for your continued patience with it!

PLUS: Adventures in ADHD

Lastly, but certainly not least(ly?), is a shoutout to this inspired D&D Kickstarter campaign: Adventures in ADHD! What happens when your literal attention is stolen by an archfey? What is it like to struggle with the effects of ADHD? This colorful and clever adventure supplement looks like a great way to introduce your players first hand to the minds of those with ADHD.

This campaign also hits closer to home for me, as my partner was recently diagnosed with ADHD (with medication). It has been nothing short of transformative for her to be able to identify parts of her daily life as symptoms of the divergence, rather than just "being bad at being a person:" a phrase that she and many others with undiagnosed ADHD have said (and do say) about themselves.

Anyway, this and Adventures in ADHD are to say that this divergence affects lots of people who display it differently than most of us were taught. ADHD is so more than just the hyperactive children we grew up being taught about, and I think it's important to give this Kickstarter campaign a well-deserved mention here.

So if this adventure sounds like something you'd like to explore, or if you or someone you know suffers from ADHD, be sure to check out Adventures in ADHD and show them your support!

Okay! Until next time: keep on adventuring!

-Griff