The expanded dark fantasy campaign setting for 5th Edition and Pathfinder RPG, with a GM's book and player books plus maps, adventures, and a GM Screen.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
December Progress Update
over 6 years ago
– Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 11:35:35 PM
Dear Backers,
The end of the year is almost upon us! December was to have been the month of much layout and getting files for all the hardcovers to the printers. Although we’re pleased to report much progress, we’re still a few days short of having print-ready files in our taloned hands.
Here’s the short and sweet version of what we accomplished this month:
1. BackerKit went out! Survey shipping issues were identified and corrected. Shipping quartermaster is fatigued but triumphant.
2. Midgard Worldbook layout completed, and proofing is nearly done. Additional art for the Pantheon chapter came in just in time. The book goes to press in January.
3. Midgard world map locked down and final. Regional maps were adjusted to better show regional overviews. Lots and lots of final tweaks make these gorgeous.
4. Midgard Heroes Handbook layout is 90% complete, and proofing nearly done. Divine domain table issues resolved. The book goes to press in January.
5. Kobolds found several errors on the Midgard GM Screen printer galley proofs, largely-but-not-entirely limited to the Pathfinder version. Fixing those errors uncovered an additional error in the Worldbook appendix (also fixed!). Kobolds made final press deadline with hours to spare.
6. Mapping issues on Zobeck city map required additional cartography work. Alas, the original cartographer wasn’t available for fixes, though kobolds offered to shower them with ducats. Kobolds deployed a trusted auxiliary cartographer to address these. Very happy with the results! Auxiliary cartographer spends ducats on fresh quills. All is well.
7. Midgard Swords & Wizardry Guidebook in layout, and rough draft layout is done. Issues with artwork and maps remain to be resolved (B&W versions)
8. Eldritch Lairs for 5th Edition and PF printer galleys had minor issues. Corrected and returned to press. On track, huzzah!
9. Wrath of the River King for 5th Edition softcover adventure (an add-on) is back from press, ready for release in January.
Not bad for a time of holidays and candles and mildly trapped gift-boxes! We remain your humble and obedient kobolds as we enter the final weeks of proofing, galleys, printing, and bindery. Printing always takes longer than you think, but we dare to offer an estimated ship date for this project: Late February/early March, 2018.
Happy gaming, and Happy New Year!
Wolfgang, Marc, Michele, Steve, Meagan, Chris, Blaine, Amanda, and the rest of the Kobold Crew
Shipping Updated
over 6 years ago
– Sun, Dec 17, 2017 at 12:33:50 AM
Our New Clipper Ship Seems Speedy
YES! After much struggle with postal tables (deep horror!) and many a call to the BackerKit support line (they know our raspy reptilian tones!), the shipping updates are COMPLETED.
All backers (and in particular overseas backers who adding modules, screens, extras of any kind) are encouraged to revisit the survey and see the improved shipping for add-ons. Seems to be better from the tests we ran, though of course heavy books on trans-oceanic trips still do have a cost.
We're glad to have made these changes. Hope it helps many backers get the GM Screen in Germany, or grab Shadowcrag in Sweden, or even choose something Eldritch in the UK (Does that sound like a lost Sex Pistols album title to you? Maybe just us). Ok, we're all tabled out. Thanks for your patience with us on this.
Happy Gaming!
Wolfgang, Krista, Zach, and the Shipping Kobolds
Midgard Progress in November
over 6 years ago
– Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 12:11:13 AM
Dear Backers,
Things moved at speed in November on the Midgard Worldbook! Here’s the highlights:
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the Midgard GM Screens! Those have been updated and go to press tonight. We expect to see printer's proofs soon and the screens themselves in late January.
All Worldbook chapters are through layout. We proofread the whole book, and we’re working on front/back matter, regular covers, special edition covers, and general nailing-down before we ship the files to press. It’s reasonably close to finished, though not quite there yet. A couple of missing bits of art, tiny-but-important map tweaks, some needed editorial cuts, and the appendices are still holding things up.
The Midgard Heroes Handbook for 5th Edition is now steaming ahead in layout. It’s big and full of tables, but with some long, late nights, Marc will likely have it nailed down in the next couple weeks. This is the last hardcover for this project.
Eldritch Lairs has finally gone to press (both versions).
Return to Shadowcrag is behind schedule, currently in layout for both rules sets.
The add-on Swords & Wizardry Guidebook is behind schedule, currently in layout.
We made a ton of progress on the BackerKit Survey, so that will be heading your way later this week! Mucho kobold thanks to Zach for the major assist.
That’s about it for now. Hope your holidays are merry, bright, and full of many astonishingly awesome crits, no matter which side of the screen you are on.
Happy gaming!
Wolfgang, Marc, Michele, Steve, Anna, and Erich
October Progress Report
over 6 years ago
– Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 09:09:02 PM
We promised a lot of traction in October in our last report, and the team delivered! Here's a dozen highlights from a productive month—everything from hardcovers to softcovers to screens and supporting books:
1. Midgard Worldbook: 9 out of 12 chapters laid out, and the layout for the 3 remaining sections underway. The editor's long-scheduled vacation means remaining work falls to the developer. Some corrections to domain issues in the Pantheon section required parallel changes in MHH and MPG (sorted out).
2. Midgard Player's Guide: On press, proofs expected soon.
3. Midgard Heroes Handbook: Pantheist priest sorted out. All chapters turned over to layout, and moving toward proofreading.
4. GM Screens: Both system screens in layout, and we should have a prototype to show backers in November.
5. Shadows of the Dusk Queen 5E: In layout.
6. Cartography: Quirks still being hammered out. We’re attempting to finalize the world map, then the Zobeck map file.
7. Eldritch Lairs: Obtaining final signoffs for press required hunting down elusive editors. They did not escape us, and these files are ready for press.
8. Return to Shadowcrag ADD-ON (both versions): Technically we did not hit this stretch goal, but we were able to make the adventure available as an add-on. Currently in layout!
9. Additional heraldry: These missing bits mentioned in the last report are now completed.
10. Surveys: We've continued to prioritize getting files ready for press, and that means that we haven’t given the BackerKit attention. Fortunately, we don't need that information for a while yet, but "Don't forget to send out BackerKit" is definitely on our to-do list.
11. Warlock & Lairs: The Warlock goal wasn't reached, but we launched it anyway. Those booklets and lairs are delivering dark fantasy right now via Patreon, including the Clattering Keep Lair, and the Dread Magic booklet with secrets of Arshin the Enchanter and his devotees in the Winewood. There's a sneak peek of that on the Kobold blog.
12. ALSO: It's never too early to start planning ongoing support, follow-ups, and supplements. We're planning strong support for Midgard, including a deathtrap dungeon, a citybook, and a mid-to-high-level adventure. Let the speculation begin!
We'll definitely be celebrating dark fantasy tonight. Happy Halloween and happy gaming!
Wolfgang, Marc, Michele, Steve, Amanda, and the rest of the Kobold crew
Update for Midgard Campaign Setting
over 6 years ago
– Wed, Oct 04, 2017 at 12:17:19 AM
A Long-Lost Crest of the South
Lots to report, as always! We'll try to keep it short:
The Midgard Worldbook finally in layout, and the first chapter is looking pretty good.
Our hard-charging backup designer signed up in early September to turn over the final chapter to editing .... Thursday! That will be the last chapter to reach editing.
Our editor has gone back to revisit several chapters, adding additional information and clarifications based on the map. This might feel like backward movement, but it means the book will have strong resonance between the cartography and the text, so it's a plus.
Cartography is up to map version 40; with corrections made to the eastern regions, borders, and more.
The first set of Regional maps is now going into layout as placeholders.
We found a missing bit of heraldry during edits. The artist is on it!
The DM Screens are in layout.
The Midgard Player's Guide (Pathfinder) is done with proofing, and almost ready for press.
The Eldritch Lairs add-on (both versions) are almost ready for press, PDF version still in layout.
The Midgard Heroes Handbook (5th Edition) is done with editing and off to layout.
Return to Castle Shadowcrag is in layout.
There's much more going on, but those are the highlights! We're still running behind schedule, but we hope to make up at least a little time in layout.
Happy gaming!
Wolfgang, Marc, Amanda, Steve, Michele, and the Kobold crew
