Another stretch goal reached, another stretch goal unlocks
almost 7 years ago – Wed, May 24, 2017 at 10:30:57 AM

One Stretch Goal Reached

We reached the $3,500 stretch goal this morning which means that I'll be commissioning an additional piece of new art for the project. 

I've got some ideas on what it might be and hope to have details, and possibly something to show off, by our next update.

Another Stretch Goal Unlocks

The first two stretch goals were about improving the art on the project. The third stretch goal, reached at $5,000 of backing, is about expanding the content of the arc.

The Old #7 Mine, located outside the town of Ostholme, has more than its share of problems. The war is close by and traders have stopped bringing in much needed supplies. 

Refugees are coming in though, in droves, and that's putting more pressure on the already limited resources. A recent discovery at the mine was going to fix all the town's problems, but now, demons are pouring out of the old mine and the few miners that have escaped are telling horrific tales of what's hiding down in the depths. Our adventurers must find out where the demons are coming from and cleanse the mine. 

I originally designed the mine to be a short mini-adventure, about halfway through the Darkness Surges arc, but I realized that it could be expanded to be much more than that. If we hit the $5,000 stretch goal, it will be. I'll be able to hire a talented writer to work with me expanding the area and the depth of its story. 

Players will need their wits about them to overcome the demonic presence lurking at the bottom of the Old #7.

Spreading the Word

Kickstarter projects rely on word of mouth for their success. I'd really appreciate all of our fans spreading the word to other folks who might be interested. Thanks everyone!

Results of the First Stretch Goal
almost 7 years ago – Wed, May 17, 2017 at 03:29:32 PM

Share the Project

Kickstarter projects rely on word-of-mouth to succeed. We've got several incredible stretch goals still to come and I would really appreciate it if you'd all let others know about the Darkness Surges project. 

First Stretch Goal 

Our first stretch goal allowed us to complete some of the concept art that Tiziana Ruiu had already begun work on for the project and, as you can see, the results are stunning:

She also created a couple of time-lapse videos, showing her work progress as she created those pieces. The videos highlight her skill and attention to detail.

We're very close to the $3,500 stretch goal, which will allow us to commission an entirely new piece of art. Beyond that lies the $5,000 stretch goal, which will bring something really special to the project.

Review of the Crashing Chaos Campaign Guide

The Crashing Chaos Campaign Guide forms the backbone of Asatania. We recently earned a 5-star review for the book over at DriveThruRPG that exactly captures the spirit of what our adventures are about:

"[Asatania is] not just about a series of adventures, or even an ongoing story, it's about inhabiting a shared alternate reality that, for the duration of play, ought to feel real to those playing the game. This has always been what I've tried to create at my table, and it is quite delightful to find it spelled out so clearly." --Megan R. [Featured Reviewer]

The Campaign Guide was a part of our first Asatania Kickstarter. If you didn't back that project. You can still get a copy with the "Catch Up" levels that are a part of this Kickstarter project.

Finally, I'd like to give a big thank you to everyone who has backed Darkness Surges so far. Everyone involved with Asatania is grateful for the chance to show you the world we're building.

We've reached the first stretch goal!
almost 7 years ago – Tue, May 09, 2017 at 07:26:38 AM

Reaching the first stretch goal is exciting! 

That gives us enough funding to complete two additional pieces of concept art that were done before the Kickstarter launched.

Voting

Take a look at each of the pieces below and decide on your favorites. Then, either leave a comment or message me with your choices. I'll leave the voting open for a few days to get everyone's thoughts.

Concept Art - Piece 1 

Argenta is one of the iconic NPCs of the Asatania campaign. Argenta has a secret though - one that she's unaware of herself. In Darkness Surges, she'll begin to understand more about who and what she really is.

Concept Art - Piece 2

The party may come upon this scene involving a troll and his halfling prisoner during their urgent journey to Hammermuir. One of these two has a troubling secret.

Concept Art - Piece 3

As they near Hammermuir, the party must cross the Tordum Pass - the main artery of trade between the central and southern Imperium. They'll find it clogged with soldiers rushing north to fight the invading Kan Demon while refugees stream south trying to escape the carnage.

Amidst this chaos is a simple moment of humanity. In the darkness, a small glimmer of light.

Concept Art - Piece 4

Having gained an audience in Hammermuir with the Queen, the party is surprised by an unexpected ambassador. Their diplomatic mission just got more difficult as they begin to understand the various pressures on this powerful dwarven monarch.

Concept Art - Piece 5

Hammermuir's bazaar is famous across the continent for its freewheeling environment. Traders from across Tere congregate here to trade in all manner of goods, both legal and illicit.

Great first 24 hours!
almost 7 years ago – Thu, May 04, 2017 at 09:31:32 AM

The Darkness Surges project been running for just about 24 hours now and we are all thrilled with the response!

We funded within a few hours of launch and are now rocketing our way towards our first stretch goal, which will improve the quality of art for everyone. Once reached, I'll put together an update showing the concept art that's already been commissioned and completed.

Together, we'll choose the two we'd most like to see completed first.

I've already paid the artists for the work they've done to date, but reaching our stretch goals will allow us pay them to complete the pieces according to our shared vision. That's meaningful to me and a big part of why I've chosen Kickstarter as the vehicle to bring Asatania to life.

I'm going to sign off with an example of the work I'd love to see completed. This is a piece that I commissioned Samuel Amar to provide for Darkness Surges.

Art isn't just about pretty pictures. For me, art breathes life into story. 

This scene occurs in the Tordum Pass, about mid-way through the Darkness Surges adventure that you've all backed.

The land is at war - a nasty, brutal war - and the defenders are losing, badly.

The Tordum Pass is the lifeline between raging battles in the north and safety in the south. On one side, desperate refugees trudge towards an uncertain future. On the other, grim-faced soldiers knowingly march towards what will likely be their deaths.

If the soldiers fail, there will be nothing left to keep the invaders from burning the southlands. And everyone in this scene knows that.

But, during this fear and misery comes a touch of humanity, as a soldier helps a fallen refugee to his feet. 

That's the mood that I want to convey to the game master as they run their session. Things are bad - desperate even - but even so, there is still hope and goodness. 

I can do that with pages of words, or I can do that with one well-composed piece of art. I hope you'll agree that it is better with art.

That's Asatania - and thank you all so much for supporting it.