Ruby - Crossed Paths

CREATOR

about 1 month ago

Project Update: The Final Playtest Is Live 🥳

Hey Scribes, hope you're having a wonderful April!🪻

We’ve got some exciting news - and we couldn’t wait for our monthly update to share it with you!

✨ The final playtest version of Covens of Midnight (v0.3) is here!

We pored over every word of your feedback from the last round of playtesting, and we’ve made changes based on the ideas, questions, and sparks you shared. This is your game as much as ours - and this version is proof of what we can build together. (You can check out the full changelog below to see what’s changed.)

✨ Check your inbox

The download link for v0.3 has been sent directly to your email! Make sure to check your inbox (and your spam/junk folder, just in case) for a message from us with the updated files, or head here: https://midnight.backerkit.com/backer/review

(Please download files from October 2024 or whenever your latest files are from - All the actual PDFs have been updated to the latest version)

This is the final round of playtesting before we move into production and printing. We’re reopening feedback for 2 weeks, until the end of April — so if you’ve got thoughts on gameplay, features, or anything else, now’s the time to share them.

👉 Share your feedback

We’re on track for our Q3 physical release, and everything is lining up well for the next stages of production. As we get closer to shipping, we’ll confirm final details like timelines, locking addresses, and the new US tariff rules (they’re still shifting daily, but we’ll keep you in the loop). For now, the focus is on finishing the game with you, and this version brings us right to that last creative milestone.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re proud of where the game is now, and we can’t wait to hear what you think.

Ruby & The Crossed Paths Team 💜

Changelog – Covens of Midnight (v0.3)

Last Updated: April 2025
Status: Playtest Update / Pre-Final Layout

New Additions

Orientation Week added to help new players begin their first term, including three themed Orientation Tables (General, Friend, Rival).
Best Friend and Rival Weekend Tables expanded to cover all 22 Major Arcana, each with unique Spark Point opportunities.
Phonetic Guide introduced for Kin names, regions, covens, Paragons, and lore terms to improve accessibility.

Lore updates:

Clarified that Leaf Blood and Shadow Blood elves were merged into Noble lineage.
Gnawborn may choose to remain permanently small, framed as a character-defining moment.
Elementai removed from official Kin list but remain available as a legacy/narrative option.

Paragon Strike system clarified:

Influence cost reduced from 3 to 1.
Opponents may use Major Arcana if they draw matching suits (currently under review for balance).
Spark Point gain during combat re-enabled as optional outcomes tied to specific narrative beats (e.g. shared vulnerability, mirrored action).

Changes & Balancing

Overwhelm mechanics rebalanced:

Maximum duration capped at 5 days.
Failed Purge no longer grants +2 Influence.
Influence threshold increases after each Overwhelm (e.g. 10 ➝ 20 ➝ 30).
Additional Spark Point prompts added across Term 1 to improve early-game relationship progression.
Clarified that "Semester" and "Term" are interchangeable for narrative flow.

Paragon Event Tables expanded to include:

Clear outcomes tied to Major Arcana.
Integration with core game stats and Spark systems.
More structured prompts for journaling during Paragon events.

Fixes & Cleanups

Replaced all instances of "Pawfoot" with the clearer term "Dogfolk".
Elementai repositioned for lore flavor only; removed from Kin list to avoid confusion.
Region/Kin pairings clarified as “common,” not exclusive, to promote character flexibility.

Planned / In Progress

Location Appendix for Exploration Events (brief descriptions to support narrative prompts).
Glossary Companion to expand phonetics, names, and lore references.
Printer-Friendly version of the core book (light background + high contrast).
Additional review of opponent use of Major Arcana and future Paragon Strike balancing.

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