Mystic fantasy meets heroic sci-fi in an epic adventure saga for 5E.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
March Update: The Next Stage
about 2 months ago
– Mon, Mar 04, 2024 at 07:06:19 PM
Hello all!
It's been a whirlwind of a couple of months. I've been waiting until I had the pieces together before posting the next update.
Putting It Together
Per our last update, the intent was to get a polished release version of the existing content done, while still working on the last set of chapters.
This ended up with about a month delay on receiving some of the maps, which are critical to playing through a large portion of one of the chapters. With that out of the way, I've spent the last few days sorting out the appendices and page elements.
I'll be sending out the latest preview of the file via Backerkit. Because of the reorganized content, there have been several changes to the existing parts of the adventure. This includes:
Rework of NPC companions and Companion Benefits
Removal of references to the Destiny Markers (all of these will be added back in once the Destiny Tracker has the required elements from each chapter
Adaptation of Legacy Items (this wasn't in the last preview file anyway, but it's included here for reference)
Replacing placeholder illustrations with release versions
Ensuring consistency between text/paragraph styles for export into VTT
Next Steps
With the framework in place, new content that finishes editing and playtesting can now be dropped directly into the existing file.
As promised, this preview version is also planned for VTT conversion. I'm working out the best way to get what we have so far converted for backers in VTT, while still being able to update the modules with new content.
Thank you all once again. I will post another update when there is something to post. I kindly ask everyone for their patience during the time in between.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly.
December Update
4 months ago
– Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 03:57:06 PM
Planned for next month is a pre-release preview that incorporates the unique options, special items, and material from the 5E Companion Compendium. Originally planned as just a Creature Compendium, I shifted to include material that would make the content universally compatible, especially with an updated edition of D&D coming on the horizon. I'll also be working with our VTT partners to get that material into a preorder/release format.
The purpose of this is to provide a fully-playable product while we're still hammering out the last few chapters (which has been the crux of the delays). That content can then just be dropped in to all versions and become immediately usable as well. More than anything, I always want to make sure that everything we deliver works and is worth the wait.
Virtual Tabletop
The recent release of Master Technician's Guide on Fantasy Grounds will make certain elements easier to port properly without worrying about conflicts. Expedition compendium data is being set up for Roll20. Their integration into the 5E compendium, however, completely broke how starship combat functions. I've been working with their tech and relations teams to find a compromise on the official 5E sheet.
Exemplars of Thalis
Art Commissions
We're about caught up with our art and graphic design, and looking forward to getting them onto the pages. Several pieces of placeholder art presented in the prior previews are being updated with the actual commissions.
Custom designs have also been completed and sent to our Exemplar level backers. Pictured together above are some of those awesome characters that have become part of Thalisan legend and lore.
And Lastly...
For those celebrating, I would like to wish a safe and Happy Holiday to you and all your family and loved ones. See you in the New Year!
October update and previews
6 months ago
– Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 11:21:36 AM
Greetings, all. Here's the latest!
Gamehole Con
We were in Wisconsin last week for another amazing Gamehole Con. In the midst of managing our sales booth and meeting with other industry folk, we had a blast running Esper Genesis in the special events rooms, and hosted a fun and interactive panel on sci-fi in TTRPGs. It was nice to see those of you who stopped by to say hello!
GHC booth banners (and the top of Rich's head during setup...)
VTT Update: During the con, I had a follow-up meeting with the Roll20/DriveThru team since our discussion at Gen Con in August. As planned, the work on merging the EG compendium into 5E is at the finish line. Over this weekend, those of you who already own the core books should be able to access those rules as part of the D&D compendium, and can plug them into any 5E game. This also allows us to finally start the compendium entries for Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks.
Distribution: I spoke with some retailers looking to add EG and Expedition to their inventory, and also met with a new potential print and distribution partner to keep options open (since printing and shipping over the last year has become near untenable for smaller publishers).
Additionally, I'll be starting some cross-promoting with DriveThruRPG over the next month to get some much needed exposure.
Circle of The Sprit Callers
Development Updates
Artwork: As schedules are opening up, we're catching up on our missing illustrations and commissions, some of which we'll be seeing soon from the talented Brendan Lancaster.
Writing: To mitigate the time it's taking to do the rewrites, I'm combining a couple of middle chapters into a single section. Still working on this.
Digital Previews
Along with this update, some preview files will be sent out via Backerkit. Please be on the lookout for a separate email titled "New Digital Content for Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks". I had planned to send Celes earlier this month, but the final edits came in and I chose to instead include it as part of this main file.
These preview file includes one file of chapters and sections that have been fully edited, playtested with completed layout, and separate files with unconnected chapters that are in their second editing phase.
Please message me with any questions or concerns. And as always— thank you all for your support, patience, and understanding.
Progress Update
7 months ago
– Fri, Sep 15, 2023 at 06:12:29 AM
Hello all!
I'd like to start this by addressing an important concern brought to my attention.
I tend to reserve updates for when there's a major release or project milestone that I can share with everyone. It's more in my nature to spend time working rather than spending that time talking about the work (which is probably why I'm not fond of corporate office meetings).
That said, I know there are many that prefer getting more regular updates, even if they're minor. That was my original intent before the delays, so I will do my best to improve on that front.
Now—on to other Stuff and Things!
Gen Con Follow-Up
We had an amazing Gen Con last month and had the pleasure of connecting with many of our players and meeting so many new ones. It was also wonderful to meet so many of you in person that stopped by our booth to say hi.
We ran multiple games each day and all our tables were sold out with oversized groups. Chris Negelein and Greg Marks presented their own chapters from Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks and everyone had a blast.
I also had an in-person meeting with the extraordinary team at Roll20/DriveThruRPG to discuss some exciting (and long-awaited) things going forward for this project and the Esper Genesis game overall.
Project Development
Writing and editing for the "Veiled Realm of Celes" arc is finished with the "Return to the Barrier Peaks" arc to follow. Then, onto playtesting. Life events and crazy things like jury duty have made it slower going than I'd have liked, but I'm getting there. Within the next week or so, I plan on sending a draft layout of Celes (text with marked maps).
I'm still working with illustrators to get the rest of the artwork over the finish line. The catch-up with the writing work will give me a clearer idea of what we need with respect to the change in book layout.
We're also still waiting patiently for our offset print shipment of Master Technician's Guide. Given the time and hassle, as mentioned in a prior update, it's unlikely we'll be using the same print vendor again.
That's all for now. As always, please message me directly if you have any questions.
Until next time!
Progress Update - July
10 months ago
– Wed, Jul 12, 2023 at 09:42:14 AM
Hello all!
Quick update on where we are. The past few weeks have been keeping me busy prepping for upcoming events, so things took a bit of extra time.
Chapter Rewrites: From our last update, I started reworking the middle chapters myself from the ground up for story and character continuity. I also needed to rework/retest the encounter content and cut down on having too many stat blocks that would eat up page count.
The first of the two middle sections is already finished and is soon to go into playtesting. I'm about halfway through the rewrite of the second section. Convention prep, family stuff, and day-job workload has been slowing me down more than I anticipated, but I'm still pushing ahead toward the finish.
Artwork: We contracted with two new illustrators to finish some of the major pieces we still need to continue layout.
VTTUpdate: Last update, I mentioned the plan on merging Esper Genesis into the base 5E compendium. After a lot of back and forth last month, it looks like there's some much needed momentum and a verified timeline to get the work done. I'll avoid relisting the benefits to not sound like a broken record - we'll just say this will make the R20 version infinitely better than the original plan.
Convention: If you're going to be at Gen Con, check out the events list within the next few days for Expedition from the Mysterious Peaks preview chapters in the Baldman Games room.
Esper Genesis will also be exhibiting in two locations this year - our regular distribution partner, Studio 2 Publishing (Booth #2029), and also with Baldman Games (Booth #2801).
That's it for now. Thanks everyone again for your patience and support. I believe this is going to be one of our best projects and I want to get it right.
