Latest from the Creator
Green Ronin Publishing
6 days ago
March Update: Approvals and Proofing!
Hello backers, I’ve got a short update this month but it’s a good one. I have submitted PDFs of the Fifth Season RPG core rulebook and GM’s Kit booklet to N. K. Jemisin for ...
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Green Ronin Publishing
about 1 month ago
February Update: Lions and Tigers and Kirkhusas, Oh My!
Hello, wonderful backers! This is lead developer Hiromi again. Chris and the rest of the Green Ronin folks are off working the GAMA trade show right now, so I’m fillin...
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Green Ronin Publishing
2 months ago
January Update - More finished art and Orogeny Preview!
We have some great things to show off during this update! First up, we have some amazing art by Julie Sakai, Christian Huerta, Claudio Pozas, and Danil Luzin! But...
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Green Ronin Publishing
3 months ago
December Update:
Hello backers, Before we close for the holidays, I want to give you an update about where the Fifth Season RPG is at and when you can expect it. The game is currently schedu...
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Green Ronin Publishing
4 months ago
November Update: New Art!
Hey folks, This month we have another art preview for you. Finalizing the art for a book and waiting for it...
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Green Ronin Publishing
5 months ago
October Update: New Layout Previews
Hello backers! Things are proceeding apace with the Fifth Season RPG. We've gotten the second draft of the setting map in and that will be going over to N.K. Jemisin f...
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PROJECT UPDATE
Green Ronin Publishing
CREATOR
about 2 years ago

Project Update: Missed the campaign? It's not too late!

For anyone who may have missed the campaign, but still wanted to get a copy of the game, we have launched the Pre-Order Store on Backerkit!

Check it out right here!


Note that if you are already a backer, this is not the place to add things to an existing pledge. We'll have the pledge manager up and running soon, and that will be where you can add any dice, books, or the GM Kit to your pledge, as well as enter your shipping info.
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PROJECT UPDATE
Green Ronin Publishing
CREATOR
6 days ago

Project Update: March Update: Approvals and Proofing!

Hello backers,

I’ve got a short update this month but it’s a good one. I have submitted PDFs of the Fifth Season RPG core rulebook and GM’s Kit booklet to N. K. Jemisin for final approval! While she is looking them over, we are doing another round of proofing.

As I’ve mentioned before, N. K. is a busy woman so we are unsure how long this approvals phase will take. She has the right, of course, to ask for changes to the text and art to ensure that we get everything right. Naturally, we want that too, and we are ready to address any changes that need to happen.

The next step is a beta PDF to you. At that point, you can see and play the game. I say beta because inevitably getting a game in front of many sets of eyes will turn up things we’ll want to fix before it goes off to print.

That’s the news I have to share this month. I can see the finish line from here!

Chris Pramas
Green Ronin
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I believe the title says it all. I fully expect my heirs in 2185 to be very confused when this project finally delivers. When I tell people that I've got a crowdfunding project that is over a year past its deadline, they all nod knowingly. When I say it’s by Green Ronin, that's when the confusion begins. Being over a year past delivery date with no end in sight, a staggering lack of communication about how the project is actually going, missing a second delivery date without even a peep about why or an updated project timeline.... This is the sort of thing you'd expect from some YouTuber trying to publish their first RPG splatbook, not a publishing company with a couple of decades of publishing experience and a sizable library of published works. Basically; Guys, you are better than this. Or at least you should be. So why is this project being treated this way? So, will my heirs get the book by 2185? Or will it be my far distant descendants in the 41st century?

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PROJECT UPDATE
Green Ronin Publishing
CREATOR
about 1 month ago

Project Update: February Update: Lions and Tigers and Kirkhusas, Oh My!

Hello, wonderful backers!

This is lead developer Hiromi again. Chris and the rest of the Green Ronin folks are off working the GAMA trade show right now, so I’m filling in to talk about the project.

But, before I get started on that, I wanted to say that Green Ronin needs GMs for Gen Con 2025. GMs who run enough games get a free GM badge for the con, which is a pretty good deal! So, if you’re a GM and want to have fun running games at Gen Con, check out this page for more information, and drop Jonesy a line at [email protected] or hit us up over on the Atomic Think Tank!


In terms of the project’s progress this past month, Hal’s been hard at work laying out the text of the orogeny update that we showed off last month. Additionally, Hal and I have been working with artists to get some amazing illustrations done for the book. I could be wrong, but I don’t think there are many more pieces of art that we’re waiting on, which brings us closer to getting you the wonderful book you’ve been patiently waiting for.

All right, now for the previews! This time, I’m talking about a few of the deadly creatures of the Stillness that your characters might run into, especially during a Season. I’ll also provide some in-game details to whet your appetites for the full game.


First up, we have Season-changed kirkhusas, depicted in this exciting piece by Claudio Pozas. Normally, kirkhusas are cute, playful, otter-like creatures that midlatters with food surpluses take in as pets. But, all things change during a Season, and those who invite kirkhusas into their homes will have to be quick to turn to violence if they want to stay alive.

A few things to note about these cute, but deadly critters:
  • Their Speed is 16 on land and in water, meaning that you’re not going to be able to get away from them by swimming. Climbing could help, but don’t count on it. 
  • Like the otters they resemble, they’re social creatures. So, when they can, they hunt in packs. And they have Stunts that support that (Double Team & Knock Prone). Don’t get surrounded.
  • Our version of the kirkhusa is visually based on the Brazilian ariranha (giant otter; Pteronura brasiliensis), thanks to the artist Claudio Pozas’ brilliant idea.
  • Surprisingly, kirkhusas are even bigger than giant otters! According to the novels, Season-changed kirkhusas can be around 100 pounds.




In this gorgeous, yet horrifying illustration by Cristián Huerta, we see an unfortunate bull under attack by the violent boilbugs. As their name suggests, they’re bugs that boil water inside their bodies, causing severe burns on anything they land on. In large swarms, they’re a terrifying force of nature, capable of wiping out entire comms.

Boilbugs technically have a docile, non-aggressive form most of the time, but they also live in hives. So, with the exception of a few biomests (biologists in the Stillness), no one has ever seen a non-Season-changed boilbug. Of course, given how terrifying boilbugs are, no one wants to see a boilbug of any type!

Some design tidbits here:
  • Boilbugs are swarm creatures, meaning that they obey swarm rules; you can’t hurt them by swinging a glassknife at them. Only an attack that does damage to an area does full damage. That’s great news for orogenes and bad news for everyone else, which is how fights with boilbugs go in the novels.
  • If you manage to do enough damage to a swarm through area attacks, they become vulnerable to the Knock Out Stunt. Not very vulnerable, mind you; successfully landing the Stunt will only deal 1 point of damage. Still, it’s better than nothing.


Lastly, we have this vicious attack by a stone eater, depicted by Julie Sakai. Very few characters truly know anything about stone eaters, as the creatures are secretive and not usually social among humans. But, they are intelligent and very, very deadly when they want to be.

The good news is that if you see a stone eater (and know that you’re looking at a stone eater and not just a statue), they probably want you to see them and aren’t aggressive … yet. 

Some design notes:
  • Like in the novels, they can pass through earth and rock at will and can do so with terrifying speed. In game, this is represented by an ability called In A Blink, which allows them to reposition themselves (and anyone unfortunate enough to be dragged by them) anywhere in an action encounter. The only thing keeping this from effectively being a teleport is that there has to be contiguous solid earth or stone between the two points. 
  • Also like in the novels, their ability to grab someone and hold onto them is terrifying; they use their incredibly high Constitution (8!) to maintain grabs instead of their lower Accuracy. 
  • They also have potent natural armor that makes it very unlikely for an attack to actually do damage.
  • On top of all that, GMs can choose to make them even more dangerous with the optional Adversary Improvement rules, which bumps their stats up.
  • In short, they are statted out to be terrifying, because that’s how they’re presented in the novels. That said, they’re not indestructible. It is possible to injure or even defeat one. It’s incredibly unlikely, and I would not recommend picking that fight, but the option is available to you. 

That’s it for now, but, like I said, we’re closing in on the final production days for this book. We should have some really good news for you soon.



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PROJECT UPDATE
Green Ronin Publishing
CREATOR
2 months ago

Project Update: January Update - More finished art and Orogeny Preview!

We have some great things to show off during this update! First up, we have some amazing art by Julie Sakai, Christian Huerta, Claudio Pozas, and Danil Luzin! But stick around after the illustrations because we also have a preview of some material for the book!



This piece by Julie Sakai shows how characters grow and mature and how the same person who needs a helping hand one day can become the person providing a helping hand to others as they grow up.



This illustration, also by Julie Sakai, is the fourth one for the Adversaries section of the book, showcasing the terrors that are stone eaters. Not all of them are as amiable as Hoa, so stay on your toes if you see one around. Also, if you spot one, that’s good news! Because if they definitely wanted to fight, you’d already be in combat.



This dynamic painting by Julie Sakai shows off just how deadly Guardians can be, as this one wields both a poniard and a macuahuitl. She’s definitely not messing around, as the poor Orogene below her is quickly learning.



This painting from Christian Huerta shows how, with a little imagination, you can see the Stillness manifest in your mind’s eye. I really love how Christian brought this one to life!



Keeping the theme of manifesting characters and events in the Stillness, we have this painting by Claudio Pozas. It features me as the GM, roleplaying as a Western Coastals woman who’s providing information to Tanya DePass and Joe Carriker’s characters.



Rounding out the gorgeous illustrations by our talented artists is this exciting painting by Danil Luzin. These two characters are on the run, although the Strongback’s knives may cut their pursuit short.

 
And now, we have a preview of the text of the book! The fantastic Malcolm Sheppard put together a glorious expansion to the Orogene abilities, which allows players to play ‘feral’ or Fulcrum orogenes, from ones just learning to control their abilities to ten-ringers, who have the power and control to reshape the Stillness!
 
Here are some quick previews!


Sidebar: More on Role Balance

Characters with different levels of raw power are often thought to violate game balance. If one character can swing a glassknife and the other can level a mountain, doesn’t that make the glassknife wielder irrelevant? But stories aren’t about who’s the strongest, but who provides what the story needs. This is role balance and, as we note under Be Ready, it’s more important than power when it comes to balanced play in an Orogeny Ascendant story.
Game Moderators make role balance work by helping players develop characters whose abilities and personal stories give each of them a unique part to play. An orogene might level buildings or raise them, but they can’t necessarily do it without causing new disasters unless a geneer Innovator shows them how. A destructive orogene might annihilate a dozen armed strongbacks but listen to a lover approaching in peace. The fact that none of us can survive alone is, after all, one of the lessons of stonelore. As GM, make this clear by devising stories where each character has a chance to contribute.

Orogeny Talents

Basic systems for orogeny, sufficient for the occasional feral, can be found in Chapter 7. The following detailed rules are more suitable for stories centered on orogenes and orogeny. In terms of raw power, these rules aren’t balanced against the rules for ordinary talents and specializations, but they provide a window into orogeny’s full power and significance to the Stillness.

Orogeny


Requirements: Game Moderator consent. See this talent’s listing in Chapter 7 and this appendix for discussions of when an orogene is appropriate for play.

You are an orogene, possessed of tremendous power, and also tremendous danger. This talent is really just the most basic potential an orogene possesses. All orogenes must possess at least the Novice degree of this talent or, for non-player characters, an equivalent special quality.
Novice: You can acquire the Perception (Sessing) focus as an advancement. Whether you take the focus or not, you can make Perception (Sessing) tests to detect geological activity affecting your surroundings: impending tremors or movements of the Earth, potential boils or hotspots, and so forth. You can perform instinctive and willful orogeny according to the rules in this appendix.
Expert: You acquire the Willpower (Orogeny) focus without using an advancement. The first 2 SP of such stunts do not impose a degree of the Fatigued Condition. Furthermore, you may add your Orogeny focus bonus (the bonus of the focus itself—usually +2—without the underlying ability) to tests to avoid instinctive orogeny. If you’re a Fulcrum member and possess the Perception (Sessing) focus and a Willpower of 1 or higher, you can pass the tests necessary to gain your first ring.
Master: The first 4 SP of Orogeny Stunts do not impose a degree of the Fatigued Condition. You may add an additional +2 to Willpower (Self-Discipline) tests to avoid instinctive orogeny, on top of your Willpower (Orogeny) focus bonus. If you’re a Fulcrum member with the requirements listed under the Expert degree except that your Willpower is at least 2, you can pass the tests required to gain your second ring. 

Fulcrum Orogene


If a young orogene survives and the Fulcrum detects them through its various means, they send a Guardian to escort the child to the Arctic, Equatorial, or Antarctic Fulcrum. If the child can’t control themselves along the way, the Guardian kills them. If they fail to learn the exacting control demanded by Fulcrum orogeny, they suffer various fates known only to the Guardians and Sanzed elite. Initial Fulcrum training incorporates the Expert and Master degrees of the Orogeny talent. (Children who have developed higher than Novice rank in the Orogeny talent before entering the Fulcrum’s custody are distrusted and might be eliminated.)
Taking the Fulcrum Orogene talent marks an orogene as more than a survivor, though survival is still an extraordinary feat. They’ve become accomplished blackjackets who’ve earned a third ring in the ten rings of rank. A structured path of power lies before them, but it is never theirs alone. They are Fulcrum orogenes, supposed non-humans whose gifts serve Sanzed hegemons and other interests they will never be allowed to know. You’re one of them, and you don’t need to believe any of it.
Requirements: Master Orogeny Talent, Willpower 2, Perception (Sessing) focus
You survived the Fulcrum. You earned your first two rings by mastering the Orogeny talent; now your skills demonstrate the advantages of Fulcrum training even as the Fulcrum itself treats you as something to be used for its own purposes.
Novice—Three Rings: The Fulcrum required you to exercise extraordinary sensitivity and self-control. You may reroll failed Perception (Sessing) and Willpower (Self-Discipline) tests.
Expert—Four Rings: Your training deepens, and you cautiously gain new insights into orogeny as you work. You gain one Fulcrum Advanced Stunt, chosen when you gain this degree. Furthermore, if you succeed at a Willful Orogeny test, add 1 SP to the total you gain to spend on Orogeny stunts.
Master—Five Rings: You’re an accomplished blackjacket, held up as a model of how Sanzed culture can tame orogenes. You can even be trusted to be on your own—so long as your Guardian allows it. (Five-ringers and above are no longer required to have a partner or Guardian when traveling outside the Fulcrum, but they still have an assigned Guardian who must vet their activities.) You gain an additional Fulcrum Advanced Stunt. If you succeed at a Willful Orogeny test, add another 1 SP to the total you gain to spend on Orogeny stunts, for a total of +2.
Grandmaster—Six Rings: At six rings you’ve demonstrated extraordinary talent. Guardians watch more closely than ever. The Fulcrum is likely to order you to have children with other powerful orogenes—and they’ll belong to the Fulcrum, of course. You gain an additional Fulcrum Advanced Stunt. If you succeed at a Willful Orogeny test, add another 1 SP to the total you gain to spend on Orogeny stunts, for a total of +3.
Apex—Seven Rings: There may be three more rings to the peak of Fulcrum rank, but at seven you’ve reached the limit of what the Fulcrum itself can teach you, though not what other Fulcrum orogenes can. You can take any one Advanced Orogeny stunt, including those of other Orogeny talents, as long as you meet the prerequisites for the linked talent. If you succeed at a Willful Orogeny test, add another 1 SP to the total you gain to spend on Orogeny stunts, for a total of +4.
 

Core Orogeny Stunts


SP       Stunt
1+        Advanced Sessing: You sense objects and movements upon and under the earth beyond geological phenomena. Finer or further targets require more SP. See the Advanced Sessing Feats table for costs. Sessing lasts for the round. To extend it, you must devote a minor action each round to maintaining it.
1+        Stilling: You stop or still a shake or similar geological hazard with a level equal to twice the number of SP spent. See Hazards in Chapter 8 for hazard levels.
1+        Icing: You rapidly draw away all of the heat in the surrounding area, causing 1d6 penetrating damage per SP spent in a roughly 10-meter radius. Any creature killed by icing is frozen solid, and a layer of ice or frost covers all surfaces in the area. Icing affects every creature in its radius except for the orogene who causes it.
1+        Hazard: You cause a geological hazard with a number of dice equal to twice the number of SP spent (up to 5 SP). This can range from a minor shake that does 2d6 damage to a massive one that does 10d6 damage. The Game Moderator decides the exact nature of the shake, blow, or boil, depending on the SP, the area, and the total damage. 
2+        Move Torus (Icing): Instead of Icing all targets in a 10-meter radius you can move and reshape its area of effect. For every 2 SP you can move the Icing area of effect by 20 meters. Each 2 SP can also narrow it by 4 meters along one facing in exchange for lengthening it by another an equal amount, keeping the total area of effect constant.
2+        Shaping: You lift stone from the earth and shape it as you choose. Larger or more complex shapes require additional SP. See the Shaping Feats table for details.


 
Hiromi here again. That was just a vertical slice through the goodness in this orogeny update, representing about 7% of the total size of the appendix. We’d love to show you more, but there’s no way we’d be able to fit it all in one update! Stay tuned for more!




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