Mystic fantasy meets heroic sci-fi in an epic adventure saga for 5E.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Production Update - June
6 months ago
– Fri, Jun 07, 2024 at 01:02:54 PM
Hello all!
As we covered in the last update, the production team is in place to get this project back onto a firm release schedule. Here’s where we are currently along with some estimated timelines for completion:
Production Status
Chapters 1 through 5 were completed aside from Introduction add-ins and an update to some maps and illustrations. Everyone should have received a full layout preview PDF via digital download. If you haven’t received it, please send a direct message right away or send an email to [email protected].
Chapters 6 through 11 are going through redesign, editing, and layout. Estimated completion by the end of the month for the first couple and then mid-to-late July for the following ones. Previews will be updated as this content comes through.
Digital Release: After layout and editing is finalized, we can get a release PDF. Date is tentative but shooting for the latter half of Summer since they also need to be finalized for the printer.
Virtual Tabletop Conversions: On hold until all editing is completed to prevent inconsistencies. Once layout is done, this process should begin while files are being set up for printing. This will be focused on in late Q3 of this year.
Physical Fulfillment: Our printing partner has already begun production of offset reprints for the Esper Genesis core books, which will then be sent to our distributor to prep for fulfillment. We'll be using the same printer once Expedition is ready for print.
Future Updates and Rewards
We should now have project updates posted every 2-3 weeks either from myself (Rich) or via project collaborators at Skydawn Game Studios. We will also need cooperation from our backers to ensure everyone gets their project rewards:
Everyone who ordered an Esper Genesis core book should have received the PDF version of that book at the beginning of the campaign. There are no rewards for the core books that did not include a PDF version.
Digital Previews
Everyone who ordered a copy of Expedition of the Mysterious Peaks should have also received PDF previews, with the latest sent in March including the first 5 chapters, two additional chapters under edit, and the appendices containing stat blocks, companions, and items.
Exemplar Rewards
All exemplars should have already received a high-resolution custom illustration of their creation or likeness. Loremasters and exemplars may have also run into some of their lore submissions in the story content so far.
Missing Rewards
If you haven’t received these and they are in your rewards, please send a direct message or send an email to [email protected]. You can also revisit your survey for digital downloads by going to https://expedition5e.backerkit.com/
Please prioritize items that have already been sent to backers so we can fix the issue without delay. For example, if you’ve already received your PDFs and/or preview chapters and are waiting for things still being worked on, stating you haven’t received anything at all will only take time and focus away from those working to get the rest the work finished and out to you.
At the start of the project, the original plan offered backer playtest files. Unfortunately, the first couple rounds of playtesting received few responses and no survey submissions. Due to the amount of time required, it was decided this would be put on hold since the content was also being reviewed by veteran playtesters.
However, any support and constructive feedback is always valued and appreciated. Did you find something interesting? Let us know! Have a question about the story, characters, or anything else on which you’d like to share your opinion? We’d love to hear it! That is the intended benefit of the Comments sections and prompts response and engagement from the production team.
Otherwise, if you have individual issues outside of general discussion of the project, I ask again… please send a message or email [email protected] and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Until next time!
Production Update
6 months ago
– Wed, May 22, 2024 at 01:05:09 PM
Hello all! We've had a few big things brewing since the last update.
To improve on the project timeline, going forward, I will directly manage the production of all current and future Esper Genesis titles (including this one) under a new entity called Skydawn Game Studios. The Alligator Alley Entertainment team will continue as designers on this project and future EG content.
Further details are available in the following statements posted yesterday:
The shift in production frees up a great deal of time to focus on Expedition and get the schedule back on track.
The design team remains the same which means no delays or major changes to existing or upcoming content.
Content and layout completion can streamline directly into print production, reducing the time between fulfillment of digital and physical rewards.
Coming next month, I'll have some new content updates and should have an updated schedule for the project. In the meantime, Marco has been crafting some amazing renditions of the Centurion ship decks. Below is a sneak peek.
March Update: The Next Stage
9 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
11 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
about 1 year 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.
