BackerKit FAQ

How does BackerKit crowdfunding work?

Crowdfunding is a collaborative way to bring ideas and projects to life. Project creators post their idea for a project, and backers pledge money to make the project possible. Backers get behind the scenes access and backer-only rewards, which can include exclusive products, special pricing, creative input, content, and more.

To become a backer, select a pledge level that features the reward(s) you would like to receive when the project is successfully completed and make your contribution.

All-or-nothing crowdfunding model: The creator sets a funding goal and a deadline to raise funds. If the project does not meet the goal by the deadline, backers credit cards are not charged and no money changes hands.

Crowdfunding projects can happen at various stages of the creative process. Make sure to check the estimated timeline of when rewards will be delivered. Project creators will keep you updated on the progress toward completion and delivery of your rewards.

Backing a crowdfunding campaign is not the same as purchasing an item from a store. When you back a campaign you are supporting the creation of something new. Rewards are almost always delivered, but are not guaranteed.

When will I be charged for my pledge?

Your payment method will not be charged right away. You will be charged for the amount of your pledge when the campaign ends and the project reaches its funding goal. You will not be charged if the campaign does not reach its funding goal.

What happens after the campaign is over?

The Creator will send out a survey that will ask you for more information about your pledge, your shipping information, additional items you may want to add to your pledge, and collect shipping fees if applicable.

The survey will be sent to the email address we have on file with your pledge.

Any additional payment will be charged when you complete your survey and confirm your order.

Project FAQ

How will backing this campaign make my life more wonderful?

Ars Magica Definitive Edition is the definitive addition to your collection! Whether you’ve been playing for years or this is your first introduction to the series, you’ll be blown away by the detail and artistry within this book. We’ve thought of everything with this project. The 600+ page, full color leatherette-bound book looks great on a game table and on the shelf, but we’ve also included a Reference Guide to help you quickly find info without derailing the action. Plus, the beautiful new art included in the book and the Mythic Europe map will bring your Ars Magica campaign to new life. You’ll regret NOT buying this set!

I'm new to Ars Magica. What should I get?

Your best bet is to pledge $1 for the "A Grog's Lot" tier, then as Add-Ons pick up these three things: Get the ARS MAGICA 5TH ED STANDARD CORE RULEBOOK for regular use. It has all the rules for the game, at less than half the size of Definitive Edition. Grab the new STORYGUIDE SCEREEN & REFERENCE GUIDE SET. Pairing them with the standard core rulebook is exactly why we're offering them separate from Definitive! And yes, the Reference Guide has page references for standard, as well as Definitive Edition. Then pick A SCENARIO BOOK. The Scenarios Digital Bundle is the best way to get them all, or choose the softcover you like best. We recommend HOOKS for one-offs that start story threads; THRICE-TOLD TALES for ready-made multi-session sagas; or TALES OF MYTHIC EUROPE for shorter scenarios. Descriptions are at https://www.atlas-games.com/arsmagica#scenarios THEN, after you've got your feet under you, get your gorgeous Definitive Edition set! Have fun!

What is new in the Definitive Edition core book?

That depends on what you mean by "new." If you mean "completely new, not in the existing Fifth Edition line", then the answer is "almost nothing apart from the art". All errata have been incorporated, and some explanations have been clarified and expanded, but this is the definitive version of Fifth Edition, not a new edition. If you mean "what is in the book that wasn't in the original Fifth Edition core rulebook", then there's a lot! The added material includes: all self-standing Virtues and Flaws, rules for Mythic Companions and a handful of example types, all self-standing spell guidelines, rules for Mystery Initiation and one Inner Mystery for each Mystery Cult House, Laboratory personalization rules, rules for training Apprentices, rules for original research and incorporating non-Hermetic magic, rules for creating mundane animals and a lot of examples, and a lot more example supernatural creatures from each Realm. There are also some other bits that were pulled in to fill in gaps. These were all taken from the supplements for Fifth Edition, and means that the "core" rules for the game are no longer scattered across multiple volumes.

Manuscript Doc VS PDF of Rough Layout?

"Advance Manuscript Doc" and "PDF of Rough Layout" are two different things. The first is David Chart's raw manuscript in a text-only word processor file, which only those who pledge in the first 48 hours (at any tier) will get, delivered on Fri of the first week of the campaign. The second is the gorgeous almost-complete full-color layout, which will be released chapter-by-chapter after the campaign, as we finish up the layout.

What is "Pay Over Time," and why would I do that?

BackerKit has a new program that allows backers ordering $149 or more to pledge ASAP, but distribute the financial burden of their pledge over the course of four months, with the first payment starting at campaign close. This opens up opportunities for more folks to back Ars Magica, who may not want to pay the lump sum right away. We know that this deluxe, collectors edition item is pricey, and we're excited to open up accessibility with this payment plan option! "Pay over time" will show up as an option after you enter your credit card info. Read the full details: https://help.backerkit.com/article/805-pay-over-time

"Pay Over Time" Not Showing Up?

The minimum for Stretch Pay is $149. It shows up as an option after you add your credit card info, in checkout. When the campaign launched, we discovered that Stretch Pay's minimum was $150, while our core tier was $149.95. We added a five-cent "Faerie Glamour of Stretch Pay" item in the Add-Ons tab as a temporary fix. That's been hidden now that Backerkit accommodated our request to lower that minimum in their code.

I'm so excited! When will I get my stuff?

We're well into layout, so our "To Press" goal is March. We hope to be mailing your stuff to you by the end of this summer!

What pledge manager are you using?

We're using BackerKit for both our campaign and pledge management this time! We're excited to have everything hosted on one site, which will streamline pledges. Additionally, BackerKit now offers payment plans, so you can pay your pledge in easier installments.

How to I change my shipping address?

You should be able to update your address using this method: 1. Login to your BackerKit account here. 2. Go to Settings in the top-right corner of your account. 3. From there, click "Update Address". This will update your address across all unlocked projects. For more information, or if the campaign has LOCKED and you need to change your address, visit: https://help.backerkit.com/article/638-how-do-i-update-my-shipping-address

Will I have to pay additional taxes or fees when my physical rewards are delivered?

In most cases the answer is no. Pledge level and add-on prices shown on our campaign page do NOT include VAT or other taxes. Our intent is to collect applicable taxes such as VAT or GST in advance, during pledge management, and have our carrier pay it at the border during customs clearance. In some countries, though, government policies require taxes to be collected directly from the recipient, so we can't collect it in pledge management. In those cases, any tax or fees that may be due on delivery will be your responsibility. Please be aware of your local taxes and regulations. We cannot refund pledges for rewards returned because the recipient didn't pay their tax/fees due on delivery.

Does Library of Durenmar really have EVERYTHING?

There are three Fifth Edition physical books not listed … Library of Durenmar doesn't include the physical Ars Magica 5th Edition standard core book in softcover, since you're getting the superior Definitive Edition! The digital version IS included. And you can pick up as many physical copies as add-ons that you like, for example to give to your players. It also doesn't include the physical Fallen Fane LARP softcover and Black Monks of Glastonbury 3E D20 softcover. Digital versions ARE included! Black Monks is out of print, and Fallen Fane is nearly sold out, and we didn't want to have to limit the tier by including it. Neither is being reprinted, because Fallen Fane is actually too thin for PoD, and Black Monks' d20 license was revoked. Plus, they're both tangential to the Ars Magica line, since they use alternate rules systems. You can get one of the very few Fallen Fane softcovers we have left in our webstore at https://www.atlas-games.com/product_tables/AG0274 Use the coupon in Backer Update #2. With those exceptions: If the book is available today in print or digital, it's in the Library!

I’m a retailer. How do I complete my order? What are your retail terms? Why don't I see add-ons?

Retailers won't get the option to order add-ons through BackerKit. Just before rewards ship, we’ll contact you to customize your pledge and add any extra products. If you’d like to do it sooner, please contact [email protected] and we'll be happy to get you everything you need at your 50% retailer discount. More details and terms are at https://atlas-games.com/retailer

Will Definitive Edition be in stores after the campaign?

Normally the answer would be yes. However, this is a premium item with a high manufacturing cost and a big price tag. There is now a serious threat that a tax of 60% to 100% may be applied next year on imports from China, where we expect to print the book, to the United States. If that happens, we do not think that it will be viable to offer the book into the traditional distribution channels. Retailer backers of this campaign will still receive their rewards in any case.

Can't find an answer to your questions?