My New Consulting Project: RAIDERS of R’LYEH
This consulting business is taking off! I guess that's what happens when you get hand picked and called out by Wizards of the Coast as someone to look to for advice on making your game.
So in any case, my new gig is for a relatively new face on the gaming field, professional writer and illustrator Quentin Bauer, who's working on a very interesting game that will be coming to a Kickstarter page near you sometime in the next few weeks; the game is called RAIDERS of R’LYEH, and like it sounds, its a Cthulhu-mythos game (which will be compatible with the standard Cthulhu rules). What makes it stand out?
1. It will be set in 1910, in the last days of Edwardian excess and decadence, and the last time that western civilization felt absolutely certain about itself and its values. That is, before it all went to hell (literally) in the trenches of France and the Great War.
2. It will be a much more pulpy kind of game than your standard CoC; its primary influence that it seeks to emulate is not directly H.P. Lovecraft but rather the Robert E. Howard "mythos and weird menace" stories. It will be less about meek academics getting in over their head, and more about tough men (including, of course, tough academics!) looking to face overwhelming monstrosities head-on.
3. It will be presenting a number of twists on some of the old favorites of the Mythos and giving some new looks at some of the lesser-known peripheral elements of the Mythos from other "weird menace" writers.
4. It will focus on a very rich amount of setting detail for the state of the world circa 1910, with extensive material on the exotic and lost corners of the world in the era of Empires. For those who want to stick closer to home, there'll be a fresh look at 1910 Arkham as well.
5. It will have a more realistic look at the occult world circa 1910 than any Cthulhu-mythos game (or any game, period) before it, with tons of material on the real European occult scene of that time.
6. It will feature a new and interesting approach to Sanity mechanics, based on an emulation of the Edwardian worldview.
7. Most interesting of all: it will be the first true effort to create a Cthulhu Mythos game that's meant for SANDBOX play, rather than railroading or "illusionist" mechanics, like you see in other games.
So there you have it; I found the project interesting enough to lend my name and my expertise to trying to help make it a success (and the paycheque big enough, of course, but I wouldn't have taken it on if the author hadn't wowed me with his concept!). Make sure you keep an eye out for the upcoming kickstarter for Raiders of R'lyeh; whether you've always liked Mythos RPGs, or always wished you could like them, this will be the game for you.
RPGPundit
Cool, might take a look for alternative setting. Not much interest in learning another mechanic, after Gumshoe's burn - out, I've firmly settled with CoC as my go - to game in terms of Cthulhu goodies.
Good luck still.
I'm interested.
Meh.
Quote from: Rincewind1;658762Cool, might take a look for alternative setting. Not much interest in learning another mechanic, after Gumshoe's burn - out, I've firmly settled with CoC as my go - to game in terms of Cthulhu goodies.
Good luck still.
The game will be BRP-based.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;658772The game will be BRP-based.
RPGPundit
You had my curiosity. But now you have my attention.
It's steamboat time for sandbox horror, it sounds like. This sounds like a great game. I'd been wondering whether to set my own next effort in the 1930s or in the modern era, so this has decidedly tipped me toward modernity. I suspect it's going to do a great job of handling early-20th-century sandboxing.
Quote from: RPGPundit;658772The game will be BRP-based.
RPGPundit
OK. Now you're talking.
Yeah, being CoC-compatible is pretty smart.
I am interested as well. Been rereading my Lovecraft books lately and the timing could not be more perfect.
Quote from: RPGPundit;658772The game will be BRP-based.
You should've said this right away. Now I may look at it.
Quote from: Akrasia;658810You should've said this right away. Now I may look at it.
Yes, it may be not a bad idea to edit the original post and put something like "BRP powered/compatible" there, seeing how it's tied to the very conception of Cthulhu RPG for many.
This sounds very interesting, but Raiders of R'lyeh made me think it had something to do with that story by Brian Lumley, when a group of sea-raiders tried to raid R'lyeh and well, it didn't go very well for them.
But I guess if it's pulpy, it sort of makes sense, though the 1910s are not what I usually associate with pulp.
Quote from: RPGPundit;658772The game will be BRP-based.
RPGPundit
Is it licensed from Chaosium? Or are they using some strange OGL "BRP-inspired" game? (E.G.: OpenQuest, etc.)
Quote from: RPGPundit;658759So in any case, my new gig is for a relatively new face on the gaming field, professional writer and illustrator Quentin Bauer, who's working on a very interesting game that will be coming to a Kickstarter page near you sometime in the next few weeks; the game is called RAIDERS of R'LYEH, and like it sounds, its a Cthulhu-mythos game.
Are there any examples of his illustration or writing work available?
Nice with the gig, but I never really liked the too pulpy take on Cthulhu - it just seems off to me. But then again, you can find it in plenty of classic Chaosium stuff as well; don't Shadows of Yog-Sothoth end with an actual raid on R'lyeh?
But good luck with it.
Quote from: Rincewind1;658819Yes, it may be not a bad idea to edit the original post and put something like "BRP powered/compatible" there, seeing how it's tied to the very conception of Cthulhu RPG for many.
Done.
Quote from: JeremyR;658831This sounds very interesting, but Raiders of R'lyeh made me think it had something to do with that story by Brian Lumley, when a group of sea-raiders tried to raid R'lyeh and well, it didn't go very well for them.
But I guess if it's pulpy, it sort of makes sense, though the 1910s are not what I usually associate with pulp.
Think of the mix of the aging "old guard" of Victorian heroes mixed with the new guard of the future 30s pulp heroes. Its a very civilized kind of pulp, of course, though like everything else in that timeframe, one that's on the verge of great change.
Even if I choose a different system, or different era, the setting material is enough to sell this one I think. I particularly like Sanity through the lens of Edwardian-era Psychology.
Umm...very interested.
And I think the Edwardian era is one well worth mining - both for the mythos and for other games. As Dr Rotwang once posted, a running fight between sabre wielding hussars and a Model T packed with PCs just cries out to be gamed!
Will all the rules be included or will it require the BRP or CoC core rulebook? And will it be based on BRP or more specifically CoC?
This sounds very interesting. I'll be looking for the kickstarter.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;658884Will all the rules be included or will it require the BRP or CoC core rulebook? And will it be based on BRP or more specifically CoC?
I'd still like to know if its using a BRP license from Chaosium, or if the designers are trying to reinvent the wheel.
Quote from: Grey Wanderer;659113I'd still like to know if its using a BRP license from Chaosium, or if the designers are trying to reinvent the wheel.
It does seem like it's more than just a sandbox setting book for BRP/Call of Cthulhu.
The setting certainly sounds interesting enough. And it being BRP based for system only makes it much more attractive. Add another person who will be looking for this.
Why does this book need to be a full game, instead of just a CoC supplement?
Please let the author(s) know that I'd love to host them for a Q&A.
Quote from: Grey Wanderer;659163Why does this book need to be a full game, instead of just a CoC supplement?
Yeah. Why not go the
Achtung! Cthulhu route and make an alternate setting for an existing system (or several systems), adding the alternative Sanity mechanic as an optional rules variant?
I'd say it's a valid question. However, I can't bring myself to be opposed to anyone wanting to release a version of BRP of their own. Just more BRP goodness for me to add to the extensive collection :D
Quote from: Sigmund;659201I'd say it's a valid question. However, I can't bring myself to be opposed to anyone wanting to release a version of BRP of their own. Just more BRP goodness for me to add to the extensive collection :D
Yeah, we've seen quite a few house rules for D&D published as retro-clones, might as well see the same thing happen to BRP (which I would actually say is also a D&D clone of sorts, since it basically takes the original stats and the thief's skill system and expands it, dropping class/levels, though some still use classes)
Quote from: Dan Davenport;659171Please let the author(s) know that I'd love to host them for a Q&A.
I will! Though I'll advise him to hold off till closer to the Kickstarter launch date.
RPGPundit
The current plan is that it will be a full self-standing RPG rules-set, nominally based on the Openquest license, though obviously modified for the setting in question. It should be pretty well fully-compatible for those who want to use it for any existing BRP Cthulhu game, a few interesting innovations aside, which could of course be ignored by people already running campaigns with other rules-sets.
RPGPundit
Some additional info in my latest blog entry: aside from Mr. Bauer, another artist confirmed to be on board is Cliff Cramp, who's apparently quite well known in steampunk circles. You can see samples of both artists' work (http://rpgpundit.xanga.com/773609387/item/) on my blog.
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;659217The current plan is that it will be a full self-standing RPG rules-set, nominally based on the Openquest license, though obviously modified for the setting in question. It should be pretty well fully-compatible for those who want to use it for any existing BRP Cthulhu game, a few interesting innovations aside, which could of course be ignored by people already running campaigns with other rules-sets.
RPGPundit
Huh. That makes it the second Openquest-based Cthulhu Mythos setting down the pipeline. The d101 Games crew is also working on Cthulhu Rising (which expands on the OOP, eponymous near-future Solar System hard SF CoC Chaosium monograph).
I've bought into the Openquest II Kickstarter and found the PDF preview underwhelming, but I'm happy to see it become a fulcrum of sorts in the BRP Renaissance. I love Chaosium and all, but I'm glad we don't have to depend on them for d100-powered goodness.
Quote from: The Butcher;659258Huh. That makes it the second Openquest-based Cthulhu Mythos setting down the pipeline. The d101 Games crew is also working on Cthulhu Rising (which expands on the OOP, eponymous near-future Solar System hard SF CoC Chaosium monograph).
Actually, it would be the 3rd, since Clockwork & Cthulhue for Renaissance is based on OpenQuest (as is the Renaissance/Clockwork & Chivalry rules in general)
Quote from: The Butcher;659258(...)
I've bought into the Openquest II Kickstarter and found the PDF preview underwhelming, (...)
Was that because of the actual rules set or because of the execution? What I have seen of the first printing of OpenQuest looked pretty good, rules-wise. It does offer clarity in places where CoC lacks a bit and BRP gets a bit fiddly sometimes.
Quote from: RPGPundit;659218Some additional info in my latest blog entry: aside from Mr. Bauer, another artist confirmed to be on board is Cliff Cramp, who's apparently quite well known in steampunk circles. You can see samples of both artists' work (http://rpgpundit.xanga.com/773609387/item/) on my blog.
RPGPundit
Nice art, indeed. I hope that we don't get any fucking steampunk in this setting, though!! If there's clockpunk, steampunk or any other kind of -punk, I'm out.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;659272Nice art, indeed. I hope that we don't get any fucking steampunk in this setting, though!! If there's clockpunk, steampunk or any other kind of -punk, I'm out.
Steampunk will kill it for me, too.
However, I must admit to having little-to-no interest in this book. It doesn't sound that vastly different from bog-standard CoC, and I prefer to set my Cthulhu games in the modern era anyway.
Doesn't sound like this is going to offer me anything I can't already do with CoC as is.
Oh I dunno. I'm a sucker for Cthulhu stuff as long as it's sufficiently BRP/CoC-compatible. Although Dark Ages, Invictus and Delta Green don't appeal to me, I like Victorian, Classic 1920s/30s, Achtung! Cthulhu, The Laundry and the upcoming Colonial Lovecraft Country and Old West Cthulhu settings just fine.
And as I'm not overly familiar with the 1910s era this will probably prove interesting enough. I'm also interested in how they'll go about somewhat pulpifying it.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;659296I'm also interested in how they'll go about somewhat pulpifying it.
Me too. To me, pulp rarely has something to do with rules, and for a game set in the real world it's something that come with the style of play and the scenarios. So I look forward to hearing about, how the pulp-feel is supported in the book. That could get my attention.
Quote from: urbwar;659269Actually, it would be the 3rd, since Clockwork & Cthulhue for Renaissance is based on OpenQuest (as is the Renaissance/Clockwork & Chivalry rules in general)
True that. I stand corrected!
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;659272Was that because of the actual rules set or because of the execution? What I have seen of the first printing of OpenQuest looked pretty good, rules-wise. It does offer clarity in places where CoC lacks a bit and BRP gets a bit fiddly sometimes.
It's because I saw no sign of several of the promised innovations and bonus goals. What we got was Openquest revised & errata'ed, which is okay, I guess, and Newt is still one of my favorite people in the industry; but that's not what I signed up for (I made a point of pledging only after certain bonus goals were hit). I'm looking forward to see what the finished product will look like.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;659272Was that because of the actual rules set or because of the execution? What I have seen of the first printing of OpenQuest looked pretty good, rules-wise. It does offer clarity in places where CoC lacks a bit and BRP gets a bit fiddly sometimes.
Nice art, indeed. I hope that we don't get any fucking steampunk in this setting, though!! If there's clockpunk, steampunk or any other kind of -punk, I'm out.
The game will have NO steampunk stuff in it (unless you consider anything that was really going on in real history at the time to be 'steampunk'; ie. Edison or Tesla).
RPGPundit
Quote from: Grey Wanderer;659282Steampunk will kill it for me, too.
However, I must admit to having little-to-no interest in this book. It doesn't sound that vastly different from bog-standard CoC, and I prefer to set my Cthulhu games in the modern era anyway.
Doesn't sound like this is going to offer me anything I can't already do with CoC as is.
If you're already critically set against it there might not be much that could change your mind, however some big differences will be:
1. The Edwardian era is very different in feel to both the earlier Victorian era, and to the post-WW1 era, especially the latter. It was a glowing age of confidence, the absolute apex of faith in all the notions that would be smashed to pieces in the slaughterhouse-trenches of europe in just 4 years. Of course, it was also an era of extreme social stratification and where there were bohemian outsiders that were stuck on the fringes of society (often literally, on the fringes of the great empires).
2. The game will feature different sanity rules than CoC has, which will be focused on the rationalism of the Edwardian era and how these react when confronted to things man was not meant to know.
3. There will be a somewhat bigger emphasis on a historical treatment of occultism and the occult world (based on real-life history) circa 1910.
4. There will be a different kind of take in terms of primary influences on the game; CoC is very strong on the "meek academics confront terrible horror in new england university towns"; RoR will be more about heroic archetypes (that's something else that will be new, "Archetypes" instead of occupations) on the fringes of society and/or Empire who actively fight evil.
Finally, the author gave me a list of what he feels will be some of the main "literary" influences on the style of RoR, in terms of tone, scope and feel: Fire of Ashurbanipal, Out of the Aeons, Call of Cthulhu, Curse of Yig, El Borak, Raiders of the Lost Ark (and all of its influences including Gunga Din), and the weird writers of 1890-1910.
RPGPundit
Right. It sounds like the selling point here is, "it's Call of Cthulhu ten years earlier." Me, I've never felt all that interested in CoC as a historical game. Lovecraft wrote his stories in the time that was contemporary for him. Sandy Petersen originally designed the game to be a horror game in the Lovecraft myths, but it was Chaosium that decided to set it in the 20s.
For me, "historical" CoC is interesting as an occasional curiosity, or if there's a certain idea I want to develop that works better in a different time. But mostly I run my games in the "today" that's familiar to me and my players.
So, hopefully this game finds a market of people who find it interesting, but it's not my cuppa.
Ok, so it's a bit pre-Edwardian, but I've the sudden urge to run a game set during the horrors of the Boer War. Maybe some of those Dutch farmers were up to unseemly things, or maybe Kitchener's brutal reprisals were for a good reason. Plus, I can have them run into a young Winston Churchill. :)
I'm very interested on the Sanity system. Other than that, I guess it could be a monograph instead of a stand-alone game (similar to what White Wolf did with the God Machien Chronicle).
Nope, not for me; it's not a time period or setting emphasis that interests me. I'm also getting CoC7, so between that, Laundry Files and Crawford's horror game, I'm good.
Well to each their own, of course. But I'm quite certain this presentation of a mythos RPG will be quite unique in comparison to other times, to other styles, and with some mechanical innovations of interest.
RPGPundit
I have a 'wait-and-see' view of this. Not going to go in on another kickstarter, but if the reviews of the final product are good, I'll pick up a copy. I like the era in question.
Im with Akrasia on this one.
Found the premise original and exciting, but wouldnt enter on a kickstarter. Only after the thing go out, and reviews give it some praise.
Quote from: Brasidas;659508Ok, so it's a bit pre-Edwardian, but I've the sudden urge to run a game set during the horrors of the Boer War. Maybe some of those Dutch farmers were up to unseemly things, or maybe Kitchener's brutal reprisals were for a good reason. Plus, I can have them run into a young Winston Churchill. :)
I would love to run a Taishō period game. Who knows what the Japanese would find in the jungles of Formosa(Taiwan) or what they disturb while looking for islands to claim in the Pacific.
Quote from: Starglyte;660527I would love to run a Taishō period game. Who knows what the Japanese would find in the jungles of Formosa(Taiwan) or what they disturb while looking for islands to claim in the Pacific.
Part of the plan is for Asia to feature prominently in some of the setting material.
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Don't forget to anounce this on Yog-Sothoth.com!
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;660879Don't forget to anounce this on Yog-Sothoth.com!
It will be soon!
Quote from: The Butcher;659318It's because I saw no sign of several of the promised innovations and bonus goals. What we got was Openquest revised & errata'ed, which is okay, I guess, and Newt is still one of my favorite people in the industry; but that's not what I signed up for (I made a point of pledging only after certain bonus goals were hit). I'm looking forward to see what the finished product will look like.
A retraction. Newt has since contacted me and pointed out that most of the stretch goals are there in the PDF (I did miss them on my initial read) and the two or three that escaped are being worked on right now.
Its now been announced on Y-S.com (http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25487-Raiders-of-R%E2%80%99lyeh)
RPGPundit
Really liking what I read so far. Now I have to go off and find some of Howard's non-Conan stories.
Quote from: Starglyte;661408Really liking what I read so far. Now I have to go off and find some of Howard's non-Conan stories.
They're really quite fantastic; quality-wise I found his Mythos stories (including in that the Bran Mak Morn stories) superior to the Conan stories, though of course most people disagree.
RPGPundit
There was a collection of Howard's mythos stories from Chaosium that I own. I have always thought Howard's mythos stories were much more gameable than Lovecraft's, though the latter can still be mined for fantastic gaming ideas of course.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;661644There was a collection of Howard's mythos stories from Chaosium that I own. I have always thought Howard's mythos stories were much more gameable than Lovecraft's, though the latter can still be mined for fantastic gaming ideas of course.
I'm pretty sure I had that same one; and yes, I think Howard's stories were far more gameable, as a general rule. Not that Lovecraft didn't have some that were quite adventurous as well.
RPGPundit
I also own a collection of his horror stories, I believe from Del Rey Books, that includes some mythos, Solomon Kane and Conan ones. Also quite enjoyable.
Sounds very interesting. Not a huge fan of using BRP for a Lovecraftian setting (Tremulus works better for me on that regard), but all the fluff material could be very useful. I'll be looking forward to this.
Quote from: Maese Mateo;661866Sounds very interesting. Not a huge fan of using BRP for a Lovecraftian setting (Tremulus works better for me on that regard), but all the fluff material could be very useful. I'll be looking forward to this.
What's going on with tremulus? I missed out on the kickstarter, but it looked really interesting.
Quote from: Maese Mateo;661866Sounds very interesting. Not a huge fan of using BRP for a Lovecraftian setting (Tremulus works better for me on that regard), but all the fluff material could be very useful. I'll be looking forward to this.
Just to clarify, do you not like BRP for Cthulhu Mythos settings (technically, RoR isn't a "lovecraftian" setting, per se), or do you just not like BRP, period?
RPGPundit
Quote from: Grey Wanderer;661873What's going on with tremulus? I missed out on the kickstarter, but it looked really interesting.
A friend of mine got into the KS, as soon as he had the PDF he gave it to me and ask me to run a couple of sessions. It was a blast. This was my first approach with the AW Engine, and as a GM who likes to roll his dice, I never thought I'd enjoy it that much. Since then, I've been reading Dungeon World (amazing game, I still have to run a session), and I'm looking forward to purchase Apocalypse World and Monsterherts when I have the money (probably I'll never get the chance to run MH in my life, but the playbooks are very well done, which is why it peeked my interest).
As for Tremulus itself, I'm waiting for it to be released to the public as you are, so I can purchase my own copy. I don't think they gave any release date yet.
If you want to know more about it, maybe you can start a new thread, and I'll try to answer your questions.
Quote from: RPGPundit;661927Just to clarify, do you not like BRP for Cthulhu Mythos settings (technically, RoR isn't a "lovecraftian" setting, per se), or do you just not like BRP, period?
I like RuneQuest (so it's not a problem with the BRP system, which I think works fine for fantasy games), but after running Call of Cthulhu several times, I feel that the system doesn't do what I want it to do for a Lovecraft-inspired game. Tremulus does the job better for what I (and my friends) want from the genre, but I can see the appeal that many gamers have for CoC.
That said, CoC has a lot of supplements that Tremulus will never have, so it's still a great source for setting material for me, which is why I'm interested on this KS.
Well, good for you, but I think I'll stay with CoC.
QuoteThe rules of tremulus are based on Vincent Baker's Apocalypse World and influenced by elements of Fiasco and FATE. New elements drive the game into more investigative directions, handle sanity loss and madness, and streamlines the role of the Keeper (the game master.)
(http://stopsyjonizmowi.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/1346525397_anti.jpg)
Quote from: Rincewind1;661979Well, good for you, but I think I'll stay with CoC.
(http://stopsyjonizmowi.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/1346525397_anti.jpg)
uzgodniony
Anyways, in other news about Raiders, some of the first actual official art that will be in the book has been released as a preview:
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-masons-ccramp.jpg)
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-exploration-ccramp.jpg)
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-crimson-ccramp.jpg)
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-monsterstats-qbauer.png)
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-scenario-qbauer.png)
RPGPundit
Very nice and evocative artwork. Over on Yog-Sothoth.com (http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25487-Raiders-of-R%E2%80%99lyeh) the game has begun to attract some interest as well.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;662455Very nice and evocative artwork. Over on Yog-Sothoth.com (http://www.yog-sothoth.com/threads/25487-Raiders-of-R%E2%80%99lyeh) the game has begun to attract some interest as well.
Yes it has.
Stay tuned for more news updates on this project!
Following up on our first sneak peek (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=662138&postcount=67) at some of the art from RAIDERS of R'LYEH, here are some more examples of BW and Color illustrations from the game. BW by me, and color paintings by Cliff Cramp.
Today, I thought I'd share a couple examples of what Archetypes will look like if we get funded for a color edition. Cliff Cramp is knocking these out of the park, and I can't wait to show you the full range of Archetypes in a later post...
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-spots-qbauer.jpg)
And a couple examples of Archetypes!
(http://raidersofrlyeh.com/img/raidersrlyeh-adventurers-ccramp.jpg)
Those are really, really good.
Nice touch with Constantinople. Poor Greeks, they were so close...:(
The art looks really cool. Great work!:)
Thank you for the kind words!
Quote from: Rincewind1;663993Those are really, really good.
Nice touch with Constantinople. Poor Greeks, they were so close...:(
So close to what?
Quote from: RPGPundit;664152So close to what?
To getting it (back) after WW1, of course. The Entente were plans to give some harsh land repercussions to Ottoman Empire after WW1 if I remember correctly, giving Constantinople to Greece or making it some DMZ. If I remember correctly, Greeks even went to war to enforce those claims at some point. Though Attaturk ultimately saved the state with his reformed military and diplomacy miracles.
How many archetypes will there be and how diverse? My players have a tendency to come up with character concepts that don't fit any of the archetypes, occupations or whatever offered in a game, and it's not because they deliberately try to think up ridiculous stuff.
Can you tell us some more about char gen in general? Are we looking at point-buy, completely random, life-path or some hybrid? Will several methods be provided?
Quote from: Rincewind1;664187To getting it (back) after WW1, of course. The Entente were plans to give some harsh land repercussions to Ottoman Empire after WW1 if I remember correctly, giving Constantinople to Greece or making it some DMZ. If I remember correctly, Greeks even went to war to enforce those claims at some point. Though Attaturk ultimately saved the state with his reformed military and diplomacy miracles.
Speaking as someone who's ancestors were at the front line and sometimes in command of armies dedicated to fighting the Turks for about four centuries, I think its a very good thing that the above didn't happen. After so much time and with a completely different culture/religion firmly established in Istanbul, it would have been a clusterfuck of epic proportions.
RPGPundit
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;664278How many archetypes will there be and how diverse? My players have a tendency to come up with character concepts that don't fit any of the archetypes, occupations or whatever offered in a game, and it's not because they deliberately try to think up ridiculous stuff.
Can you tell us some more about char gen in general? Are we looking at point-buy, completely random, life-path or some hybrid? Will several methods be provided?
A key design design goal for the archetypes and skills list is to allow modularity and customization. The initial core of archetypes was doubled after the Pundit's involvement (the number is still fluctuating), but I can say that we have a broad and motley assortment of adventurers, antiheroes, professorial types, gunslingers, smugglers, proper gentlemen, Bohemian outliers, scoundrels, profiteers, spies, grave robbers, occultists and exiled aristocrats to cover a wide spectrum of play styles (as well as a few stretch goal archetypes with additional rules specific to the era and genre, which I'm not disclosing yet; however, one may have something to do with autos, another with electricity, and another with ghoul trafficking, but I'm not saying officially yet). We also have expansion ideas for some unique character types that to my knowledge have never been tapped for Lovecraftian and Howardian gaming, but I would be premature to share them this early.
As far as character generation goes, we strike a balance with attribute rolls and skill point buy; that said, social class plays a very important part of the system, and will be reflected in the generation process. Age plays a factor in acquired knowledge and skill levels. Options for variant generation methods are offered.
Quote from: Quentin Bauer;668015A key design design goal for the archetypes and skills list is to allow modularity and customization. The initial core of archetypes was doubled after the Pundit’s involvement (the number is still fluctuating), but I can say that we have a broad and motley assortment of adventurers, antiheroes, professorial types, gunslingers, smugglers, proper gentlemen, Bohemian outliers, scoundrels, profiteers, spies, grave robbers, occultists and exiled aristocrats to cover a wide spectrum of play styles (as well as a few stretch goal archetypes with additional rules specific to the era and genre, which I’m not disclosing yet; however, one may have something to do with autos, another with electricity, and another with ghoul trafficking, but I’m not saying officially yet). We also have expansion ideas for some unique character types that to my knowledge have never been tapped for Lovecraftian and Howardian gaming, but I would be premature to share them this early.
As far as character generation goes, we strike a balance with attribute rolls and skill point buy; that said, social class plays a very important part of the system, and will be reflected in the generation process. Age plays a factor in acquired knowledge and skill levels. Options for variant generation methods are offered.
I assume that as well as the plethora of premade Archetypes, the GM's (Keepers') section will include details on how to make your own new Archetypes.
To clarify on Quentin's second part there, unless he's changed something, the core of the game's character creation will be the standard openquest rules, ie. rolling for attributes, and then dividing up skill points (based on intellectual attributes) into skills; so its fair to say that there's something of a balance, just like there's always been in BRP-type games.
RPGPundit
In straight-up Call of Cthulhu (6E) in my experience players often have too many points to be distributed among their occupational skills and too few for hobby skills. This is mainly because the occupational skills at their disposal do not represent any past career moves or professional experience they would like to give their characters.
For example, I have an alienist who started out as a regular physician, also employing hypnotism in his practice. The occupational skill packages in CoC are rather limited in scope for this sort of thing, assuming you want to do things RAW.
I was therefore wondering if Raiders of R'lyeh is going to offer ways to address this issue for me and my group. Hence my question.
I always thought it would be fun if a character's list of skills reflected not only his interests and profession but also his past experience.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;668282In straight-up Call of Cthulhu (6E) in my experience players often have too many points to be distributed among their occupational skills and too few for hobby skills. This is mainly because the occupational skills at their disposal do not represent any past career moves or professional experience they would like to give their characters.
For example, I have an alienist who started out as a regular physician, also employing hypnotism in his practice. The occupational skill packages in CoC are rather limited in scope for this sort of thing, assuming you want to do things RAW.
I was therefore wondering if Raiders of R'lyeh is going to offer ways to address this issue for me and my group. Hence my question.
I always thought it would be fun if a character's list of skills reflected not only his interests and profession but also his past experience.
RoR will have a slightly more balanced spread, in order to better reflect the kinds of jack-of-all-trade types that you often see in Howard's stories, for example. So you will get an even number of points to put into your Archetype skills and into your "knacks", the former based on Knowledge (ie. education/training), the latter based Int.
Also, because the game goes by Archetypes rather than just Occupations (Archetypes being more about what type of hero you are, rather than just your job) it would be possible to make an archetype (there'll be guidelines for that in the GM-guide) that would more closely match nonstandard career backgrounds like the one you describe in your example.
RPGPundit
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;668282In straight-up Call of Cthulhu (6E) in my experience players often have too many points to be distributed among their occupational skills and too few for hobby skills. This is mainly because the occupational skills at their disposal do not represent any past career moves or professional experience they would like to give their characters.
For example, I have an alienist who started out as a regular physician, also employing hypnotism in his practice. The occupational skill packages in CoC are rather limited in scope for this sort of thing, assuming you want to do things RAW.
I was therefore wondering if Raiders of R'lyeh is going to offer ways to address this issue for me and my group. Hence my question.
I always thought it would be fun if a character's list of skills reflected not only his interests and profession but also his past experience.
Your post makes me think that Creating Archetypes would make an excellent topic for our newsletter...
In general, archetypes are meant to address this idea of characters with layered backgrounds, and to better reflect the accumulation of skills through experience (and not just occupation). They also have the potential for suggesting motivations, connections and adventure hooks. However, the concept is broad enough to allow for the traditional occupation-based skill purchase, if players want to use it that way as well. And, as the Pundit has pointed out, Raiders will include a section explaining and encouraging customization and creation of original archetypes.
Quote from: Quentin Bauer;668672Your post makes me think that Creating Archetypes would make an excellent topic for our newsletter...
Yup, a very good topic, since its one of the things new and different about RoR.
RPGPundit
I have a question about the setting, or rather, its premise. In my CoC gaming I usually assume that Mythos magic is the only magic that actually works. So any occultist, witch, warlock whatever who occupies himself with magic, sorcery, whatever that is not Mythos-related is basically just delusional.
Is non-Mythos magic in RoR treated as something that actually works?
1. The art looks beautiful.
2. I wish this were a supplement for CoC rather than a 'new' game.
3. But if it must be a new game, using OQ as a base seems reasonable.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;669586I have a question about the setting, or rather, its premise. In my CoC gaming I usually assume that Mythos magic is the only magic that actually works. So any occultist, witch, warlock whatever who occupies himself with magic, sorcery, whatever that is not Mythos-related is basically just delusional.
Is non-Mythos magic in RoR treated as something that actually works?
non-mythos magick will be treated as something that works, and will be loosely based on the real (european) concepts on magic at the time (a high-point of the "ceremonial magick" period). The Mythos-magic will be far more powerful of course, and in essence not fully comprehensible to the human mind.
So a non-cultist magician will be capable of doing some very impressive things but his stuff will feel puny in comparison to the magical power of the Mythos; and human magicians using Mythos-magic will have the feeling of a cargo cult, potentially incredibly powerful but they're doing things that they don't really understand and can have huge side-effects or consequences.
RPGPundit
Quote from: Akrasia;6696361. The art looks beautiful.
2. I wish this were a supplement for CoC rather than a 'new' game.
3. But if it must be a new game, using OQ as a base seems reasonable.
OQ is extremely compatible with BRP. This game will thus be compatible with very little work required on the part of any GM.
RPGPundit
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;669586I have a question about the setting, or rather, its premise. In my CoC gaming I usually assume that Mythos magic is the only magic that actually works. So any occultist, witch, warlock whatever who occupies himself with magic, sorcery, whatever that is not Mythos-related is basically just delusional.
Is non-Mythos magic in RoR treated as something that actually works?
Isn't CoC pretty much full of non-Mythos magic?
Strictly speaking you should be correct, but CoC has always seemed downright new-agey to me.
A lot has been going on behind the scenes, and things are going to really pick up the rest of the month. So, I just wanted to announce a few things that have been happening.
1. First off, keep your eyes on our main site (raidersofrlyeh.com), as it will be going through redesigns and updates this month as we build up the game and announce more details. If you are feeling really dangerous, sign up for our mailing list. The biggest news is that we are launching our design journal this week, and it will have a regular posting schedule of MON and THU each week. Guest articles too.
2. Our site is not just for promotion. We're going to be using it for something else that I think GMs and players (and hint: designers) will find extremely exciting, but I won't say anything more for a couple weeks until we make the big announcement on our blog.
3. To the writers, editors, and play-testers who have spoken with me about working on RoR, I will be getting in touch this month (and possibly going into next month if things get very crazy, which I imagine they will!). Thank you so much to those of you who have contacted me to be a part of the game. I would also like to extend an invitation to other writers who may think they would like to contribute to the project. Interested parties, email: mail@thecipherbureau.com.
4. I need a lot of help with promotion. ESPECIALLY this month and going into August. If anyone is moved to spread the word on forums, podcasts, etc. (and some people have already done so and I thank you very much for the generosity), I would be tremendously grateful. But please, if you do, let me know so that I can keep a record of your help with this.
5. Lastly, I've been asked if I will be at GenCon, and to answer in brief: I simply will not have time as I will be thoroughly entrenched in the production of RoR in August. However, I would like to know if anyone has ideas about getting the news out at GenCon. Our team has a pretty cool idea for some free collectible RoR handouts, that we still have enough time to produce and ship to interested parties, but we would not be able to do this without a plan for distribution at the con.
P.S. I'd like to take a stab at the Nature of Magic question, but I am going to have to do so at a bit later date (and again...awesome potential design journal topic). I will say that Magic is a tricky area to get right, especially as it pertains to the Mythos (and as the Pundit has mentioned, we are adding into the game system an Occult historical layer that is very deserving of attention for this particular setting).
Quote from: JeremyR;669918Isn't CoC pretty much full of non-Mythos magic?
Strictly speaking you should be correct, but CoC has always seemed downright new-agey to me.
In places, it is. But it's not how I usually run it. All magic that actually works is Mythos-related. I take perverse pleasure in killing off self-proclaimed magic user (N)PCs, especially if they're in some sort of "occult" society.
Quote from: RPGPundit;669857OQ is extremely compatible with BRP. This game will thus be compatible with very little work required on the part of any GM.
Oh I know about OQ. As I said, it's a 'reasonable' way to go, even though I would've preferred straight-up CoC.
OQ also is the basis for the
Renaissance game, including
Dark Streets (Cthulhu Mythos in 18th Century London).
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;669974In places, it is. But it's not how I usually run it. All magic that actually works is Mythos-related. I take perverse pleasure in killing off self-proclaimed magic user (N)PCs, especially if they're in some sort of "occult" society.
I should clarify from my previous post; in fact the plan is that all magick that actually works is going to be mythos-related in some form or another.
Well, very interested, I've been wanting some sort of Indiana Jones/pulp archaeology/occult adventure/setting and this may just be it. Although like someone said wish it was a supplement rather than a full game given that I have every edition of RuneQuest, Elric, BRP, Strormbringer, Call of Cthulhu, The Laundry etc. Though suppose another won't go a miss.
Quote from: RPGPundit;670222I should clarify from my previous post; in fact the plan is that all magick that actually works is going to be mythos-related in some form or another.
That changes things somewhat. Cool.
Quote from: Akrasia;670131Oh I know about OQ. As I said, it's a 'reasonable' way to go, even though I would've preferred straight-up CoC.
OQ also is the basis for the Renaissance game, including Dark Streets (Cthulhu Mythos in 18th Century London).
Yup. I'd kind of been hoping to hear from those guys!
QuoteI have a question about the setting, or rather, its premise. In my CoC gaming I usually assume that Mythos magic is the only magic that actually works. So any occultist, witch, warlock whatever who occupies himself with magic, sorcery, whatever that is not Mythos-related is basically just delusional.
We're looking at a lot of the source material, going back to the works of Arthur Machen, Lord Dunsany, Algernon Blackwood, M.R. James, William Hope Hodgson, even Arthur Conan Doyle, and then of course the later writers such as H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. There is an interesting mix of competing worldviews (both in the lives of the writers, and in the varying fictional portrayals of a supernatural universe), magic as seen through the lens of: Orthodox Christianity, Judeo-Christian Mysticism, Pagan Mysticism, Spiritualism, Positivism and Materialism, Theosophy, and Modern Occultism. All influences on Lovecraft (as well as his associated circle of writers), and all seemingly contradictory. Add to this mix of fiction contributors the Occult, Spiritualist, and New Age movements (and figureheads) of the period.
The common denominator of all these interpretations is the realization that magic (in our setting) should be a dangerous endeavor not meant for fragile Mankind. Even the terms "mythos" or "magic" are comfortable conceptual labels that the Modernist mind uses to categorize these disparate elements into a forced taxonomy.
This is not to say that the Occultist, with his methodical, experimental approach, won't produce some results that "work", won't intuit some (myopic) insights into the nature of things, or won't earn some advantages with an unseen price yet to be paid; however, the Occultist (even the Occultist surviving decades of mapping these darker territories) can only ever scratch out the barest schematic of reality's unplumbed depths. And it probably goes without saying that the Practitioner of Magic, without a complete map, will sooner or later unknowingly make a mistake or transgress an indecipherable law of greater powers. At the core of RoR's magic system is the mystery/horror that unsuspecting heroes may unwittingly trigger (or should I say: will inevitably trigger).
The trick is conveying this in a set of rules that on one hand provides a "complete" system for gaming, and on the other hand produces the weird and random terror that magic should convey in a setting like this.
Good clarification. Also, not really much of a contradiction to what edwardian-era ceremonial magick was like. In theory, on paper, it all looked so logical and organized.
In practice? If you look at the diaries of Crowley or accounts of other magicians and their activities, it was all "weird and random".
RPGPundit
Anything new about the game?
When will it be available as PDF?
Quote from: Phantom Black;784539Anything new about the game?
When will it be available as PDF?
There's a development blog for it here. Getting close.
http://raidersofrlyeh.com/design-journal-series/
Apparently holding a successful Kickstarter means you run an elevated risk of contracting a serious illness
Yeah, it's been about a year now, and I won't say that I'm not disappointed that it's been delayed, but I still have confidence that Quentin Bauer continues working on it and it's going to come to fruition fairly soon. I trust it will be worth the wait.
Quote from: RPGPundit;661700I'm pretty sure I had that same one; and yes, I think Howard's stories were far more gameable, as a general rule. Not that Lovecraft didn't have some that were quite adventurous as well.
RPGPundit
More than a decade ago, I was asked to work on a book for
Call of Cthulhu that would have focused exclusively on REH's horror stories, entities, and general style. I got quite excited about it, worked out an outline and started preparing a general roadmap for the project, but Chaosium killed the project.
Ah well. I wonder, though, how essential it would be to do through Chaosium, given that many of the stories are in public domain. It could make for a cool third-party project.
Quote from: Jason D;786996More than a decade ago, I was asked to work on a book for Call of Cthulhu that would have focused exclusively on REH's horror stories, entities, and general style. I got quite excited about it, worked out an outline and started preparing a general roadmap for the project, but Chaosium killed the project.
Ah well. I wonder, though, how essential it would be to do through Chaosium, given that many of the stories are in public domain. It could make for a cool third-party project.
Well, Goblinoid Games released a pretty good modern day BRP clone called GORE (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2hORrXffd9-QzlXX1BkVTBXSmc/edit) based on Mongoose's RuneQuest rules, and then WOTC themselves released CoC's Sanity rules in Unearthed Arcana (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/campaigns/sanity.htm)
So the rules are out there to be used
Quote from: JeremyR;787001Well, Goblinoid Games released a pretty good modern day BRP clone called GORE (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2hORrXffd9-QzlXX1BkVTBXSmc/edit) based on Mongoose's RuneQuest rules, and then WOTC themselves released CoC's Sanity rules in Unearthed Arcana (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/campaigns/sanity.htm)
So the rules are out there to be used
Sure. There are also plenty of third-party publishers of Cthulhu-related material, using CoC as the basis, with the approval of Chaosium. I'm still on good terms with them. The project was canceled not out of any disagreement... I think it just conflicted with their plans for the property.
There's also this game called
Raiders of Rl'yeh that might be appropriate.
The Raiders of R'lyeh authors should chat with the Amazing Adventure author (Jason Vey) and the Trolls. It sounds like a good match based on the descriptions of both.
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Adventures-Jason-Vey/dp/1936822024#
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/676918054/amazing-adventures-rpg
If this does get released, I'm going to be pretty interested.
Edit: Did Howard write any "weird menace" stories? I've reviewed his non-Conan, non-Morn, non-Kane horror writing to compose my chapter on his weird fiction, and I don't recall coming across any weird menace texts (note that weird menace is a specific off-shoot genre of weird fiction - one of its primary characteristics is that there's nothing supernatural at all in them; their resolutions always reveal the action of the plot to be entirely mundane).
Quote from: Géza Echs;787290Edit: Did Howard write any "weird menace" stories? I've reviewed his non-Conan, non-Morn, non-Kane horror writing to compose my chapter on his weird fiction, and I don't recall coming across any weird menace texts (note that weird menace is a specific off-shoot genre of weird fiction - one of its primary characteristics is that there's nothing supernatural at all in them; their resolutions always reveal the action of the plot to be entirely mundane).
Oh, that? I just call it "pulling a Scooby-Doo" ;)
I know a few Howard stories that lack supernatural elements, but none that he explicitly pulls a Scooby-Doo.
Quote from: Géza Echs;787290If this does get released, I'm going to be pretty interested.
Edit: Did Howard write any "weird menace" stories? I've reviewed his non-Conan, non-Morn, non-Kane horror writing to compose my chapter on his weird fiction, and I don't recall coming across any weird menace texts (note that weird menace is a specific off-shoot genre of weird fiction - one of its primary characteristics is that there's nothing supernatural at all in them; their resolutions always reveal the action of the plot to be entirely mundane).
For some reason I'm thinking he did this with some of his humor stories, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any horror stories that lack a supernatural element. However, I don't have my books handy, so I can't be sure.
Quote from: The Butcher;787319Oh, that? I just call it "pulling a Scooby-Doo" ;)
I know a few Howard stories that lack supernatural elements, but none that he explicitly pulls a Scooby-Doo.
They would have gotten away with it too, if not for that meddling Cimmerian.
Quote from: The Butcher;787319Oh, that? I just call it "pulling a Scooby-Doo" ;)
I know a few Howard stories that lack supernatural elements, but none that he explicitly pulls a Scooby-Doo.
Quote from: Jason D;787467For some reason I'm thinking he did this with some of his humor stories, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any horror stories that lack a supernatural element. However, I don't have my books handy, so I can't be sure.
I'm just surprised to see that terminology used here, since the weird menace magazines (also known as the "shudder pulps") didn't really come around until the 1940s, long after Howard's suicide. They're also partially what's given pulp fiction its misogynist gloss, since by the end of their run the weird menace pulps had become little more than torture-porn and exploitation stories.
Edit: The "Scooby-Doo" effect is a very good label, actually, since that's how weird menace stories specifically operated. I haven't seen a single one of Howard's sword-and-sorcery or weird fictions that could be safely called "weird menace," but I admit that I haven't investigated the archive of his humor stories.
The Fire of Asshurbanipal originally had a fake-supernatural ending, but then he revised it so it had an actual supernatural ending.
http://howardworks.com/storyf.htm
Quote from: JeremyR;787737The Fire of Asshurbanipal originally had a fake-supernatural ending, but then he revised it so it had an actual supernatural ending.
http://howardworks.com/storyf.htm
Thanks! I wasn't aware of that (for what it's worth, my expertise is limited to Howard's horror and weird fiction with a Southern / Southwestern regionalist element).
Quote from: CRKrueger;787470They would have gotten away with it too, if not for that meddling Cimmerian.
Why am I imagining Conan going on a rampage at the abandoned amusement park.
"The ghost.. it was human all along!"
"Was it Old Man Jenkins?"
"Who the fuck knows? Conan didn't leave enough pieces for us to be able to tell!"
Quote from: RPGPundit;788239Why am I imagining Conan going on a rampage at the abandoned amusement park.
"The ghost.. it was human all along!"
"Was it Old Man Jenkins?"
"Who the fuck knows? Conan didn't leave enough pieces for us to be able to tell!"
Hah! Now THERE'S an idea: a crossover campaign involving Conan in a
Toon universe. :D
Quote from: Géza Echs;788295Hah! Now THERE'S an idea: a crossover campaign involving Conan in a Toon universe. :D
Its insane enough that I might need to figure out how to incorporate it into my DCC game.
Any news on this project? Is it available yet?
Quote from: Jason D;800257Any news on this project? Is it available yet?
I've had no news from Bauer in a very long time. I'm going to check up on him, but my confidence is dwindling.
The last Kickstarter update came out on Halloween. To paraphrase: the core rules document was supposed to be released to backers as the next step in the process. Layout was still underway, and there were supposed to be KS updates with some layout examples.
Quote from: K Peterson;800827The last Kickstarter update came out on Halloween. To paraphrase: the core rules document was supposed to be released to backers as the next step in the process. Layout was still underway, and there were supposed to be KS updates with some layout examples.
Considering that the original plan was to have it released around March, I can't say I'm not disappointed.
Just FWIW, Kevin Crawford has a Lovecraftian horror game (based on his OSR rules, not BRP) up on Kickstarter right now
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1637945166/silent-legions-a-sandbox-horror-rpg
If I were a betting man, I'd say that would be out before Raiders...
Just stumbled upon this thread. Ended up looking at the manufacturer's website, which as far as I can tell hasn't been updated since October 2013.
Looks like another crapstarter.
Quentin Bauer, the designer of Raiders, has been semi-regularly updating his backers, but he asked me (when I queried him about it) to share this info for those who might not have been backers but were still looking forward to this game:
"Everyone (including you) has long ago submitted all material to me — so the project is waiting on me.
The final draft (with considerable rewrites) totaled over 600 pages. I initially made a best guess estimate of the length, but it ended up three times longer than initially anticipated.
This is a small operation (with all content now in the hands of one person doing layout and final editing), so it's taking some time. This is my full time job right now (and has been for some time now) until the book gets out.
Updates will continue, so backers can be assured of work completed, and progress being made.
Regarding answering the exact date question, I'm choosing updates over moving a goal post continually, as I know missing deadlines (and expectations) increases frustrations. When I do post an exact date, it will be accurate, as I won't be doing it until I know for sure nothing else will delay it on my end.
I'm grateful to backers who have shown considerable patience with the lateness. I certainly understand any frustration with the kickstarter taking longer than the originally estimated window, and I do not want to take their patience for granted. I'm doing everything I can to expedite this — within reason."
So there you go; even though it's clear Bauer bit off a bit more than he could chew, the project continues in the works, with clear determination to be completed. I'm hoping that sometime early in 2015 we'll be seeing Raiders of R'lyeh for sale to the general public.
Quote from: RPGPundit;801634Quentin Bauer, the designer of Raiders, has been semi-regularly updating his backers, but he asked me (when I queried him about it) to share this info for those who might not have been backers but were still looking forward to this game:
Thanks for sharing this.
Quote from: RPGPundit;801634So there you go; even though it's clear Bauer bit off a bit more than he could chew, the project continues in the works, with clear determination to be completed. I'm hoping that sometime early in 2015 we'll be seeing Raiders of R'lyeh for sale to the general public.
Such is the nature of Kickstarters. There are far more cases of delayed KS releases, and KS creators biting off more than they can chew, than not. Whether these creators are amateurs or industry professionals. To expect otherwise is a little naive, in my opinion, especially if you've participated in any over the past few years.
Aye, there's no real shame in fucking up, it's admitting that you fucked up and acting to fix it that really shows what sort of person you are.
Better slightly late than vague promises of something in the future, maybe, if the author feels like it, and is just left alone by those mean old pre-order customers.
No, but is it really too much to ask for a monthly update? He did get $28,000...
Quote from: JeremyR;801786No, but is it really too much to ask for a monthly update? He did get $28,000...
From my perspective, a monthly update would certainly not be too much to ask.
I can only say that I know that when it does come out, Raiders will kick ass. So I'm hoping that the work will proceed and the project will see the light.
Question from someone who didn't participate in a kickstarter projerct yet...
What does the guy do if all the backers withdraw their backing because he failed to fulfill his deadline?
Quote from: Phantom Black;801973Question from someone who didn't participate in a kickstarter projerct yet...
What does the guy do if all the backers withdraw their backing because he failed to fulfill his deadline?
Well, you can't withdraw/cancel your Kickstarter pledge, through Kickstarter's interface, after the project ends. You can do so at any time before that funding 'window' closes. And the 'estimated date of delivery' of the KS is typically a few months or more after the end of the KS.
You could potentially do a
charge-back of your pledge through your bank or credit card company, claiming something like a fraudulent, or not honored transaction. But that could be dependent on the bank or cc company - whether that's something that they'd approve. I've never done it, but I've read that some KS pledgers have had success recovering their money.
Quote from: K Peterson;802003Well, you can't withdraw/cancel your Kickstarter pledge, through Kickstarter's interface, after the project ends. You can do so at any time before that funding 'window' closes. And the 'estimated date of delivery' of the KS is typically a few months or more after the end of the KS.
You could potentially do a charge-back of your pledge through your bank or credit card company, claiming something like a fraudulent, or not honored transaction. But that could be dependent on the bank or cc company - whether that's something that they'd approve. I've never done it, but I've read that some KS pledgers have had success recovering their money.
I've
asked a creator for money back (After I discovered far too late that Ettin was working on a project, and said project was looking to be in vapourwareland), and received it... but once KS have transferred the money, that's the end of their involvement, they can't get money back from the creator, and the project developers may not even have the money left to give (If it's been spent on development, fees, printing, taxes, etc, they may not have any money left). You're really dependent on the creator and how they feel like handling it.
Quote from: RPGPundit;801634I'm hoping that sometime early in 2015 we'll be seeing Raiders of R'lyeh for sale to the general public.
I love all the bits he's posted in his updates, but i've got to say, early in 2015 doesn't look likely. I expect if he thought he'd be done in the next few months he'd say something more about it - the fact that he hasn't suggests to me that we're looking more like GenCon 2015 or even in time for Christmas.
Do you know if he has plans for GenCon, Pundit?
Inadvertently disappointing...the title made me think it would be Indiana Jones meets Call of Cthulhu.
I haven't spoken to Quentin in quite a few months, so I'm not up to date with his plans, no. When last we spoke he sounded absolutely determined to get this fulfilled, and definitely not pleased with himself for how badly he'd underestimated the time it would take him (though some outside events got in the way, but that seems to be a part of the trouble with Kickstarters and I think something any KS-organizer ultimately needs to end up taking into consideration somewhat).
Anyways, I'm still quite confident this will come to pass, but I can't say when.
The updates look promising enough.
Since the guy was facing blindness at one point, I'm still happy to cut him some slack.
Pretty much a race between Raiders of R'lyeh and Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls for which comes out first...at least I got a refund for the 30th anniversary Arcanum.
As far as blindness goes, it's almost like a curse. Don't have cancer? Create a Kickstarter! I realize shit happens, but it seems to happen far too often with Kickstarter projects. Sine Nomine and Jerry Grayson are the only rpg writers I'll do Kickstarters for now. They seem immune to the curse.
I've never done a kickstarter with any of my games, but if any publisher of some future game of mine wanted me to, I'd insist that I have the entire game, that is all my work in the project, already DONE before the kickstarter happened.