99% of products are in backer's hands. There are a 4 of you who have run into shipment issues. I am working those with the fulfillment center, though it has been more drawn out than I was hoping. They keep getting hammered with inclement weather and have been closed. I heard back on Wednesday that they are working on them. I am expecting a follow up this week to close these issues out.
Rift Wardens Update
Rift Wardens is going substantially slower than I was planning. Expected release will be April.
Bad news first. I ended up scrapping the manuscript. It was too complicated, the technical editor had hundreds of questions that would need to be answered, and it was not going to deliver the experience I was planning. I'm just about done rewriting it and will be sending it off to the technical editor in the next few weeks.
It was a tough call to make, but I've done the struggle with trying to repair a manuscript with this level of rework needed. It wasn't worth it, and as painful as it is to discard something I've paid for, long-term I'm confident it's the right decision.
We're approaching the finish line on the illustrations! The subclasses in particular are spectacular. Third subclass illustration should be wrapping up this week or next!
Vault of the Elders
The encounters, subclasses, and creatures are beginning to take form! I'm working closely with the writer who's bringing it all together, and there are some killer ideas here. I'll drop another update in April with the details on the timeline.
Tokens, Wallpapers, and Digital Art Pack
The final illustrations are getting added to the products. I'll publish an initial version next month, and then add any final illustrations that trickle in as part of the final two PDFs.
Next Project
I had an idea to animate the illustrations in a PDF based on some obscure documentation I found in InDesign. InDesign is the tool I use for manuscript layout.
I built a prototype, and it turned out unbelievably cool!
The next book will launch later this year once I wrap up everything from this project. Before I make the next book, I wanted to try animating a full pdf.
I'm running a mini kickstarter to test it, and it's live right now! Come check it out!
If you have any questions, feel free to message me on Discord.
⭐The lifeblood of a small business are their reviews. With this in mind, if we can get 20 reviews by the end of the day tomorrow, I'll make a new free subclass for you!
Bonus, when you leave a review, you get 20% off a future purchase! One of those win-win-win situations.
For the handful of you that got a notification email it was ready and ran into an issue with "payment is pending", I worked with Shopify this afternoon for an excruciating number of hours and they were no help. I have found a manual workaround and resolved the issue. If you still hit an error, email me: [email protected] or hit me up on Discord.
Talk soon!
-Brendan
P.S. Don't forget to follow the next campaign and grab the 200-page free PDF on the pre-launch page (can't use the app, Kickstarter hasn't ported the pre-launch pages or updates from the website over to the app yet).
Been a tumultuous few weeks! I was planning to make an update last week, but a series of challenges reared their heads.
One of them I was not able to get past was breaking my foot. I get to wear this sexy boot for the next 6 weeks! We also had a crazy storm roll through with intermittent power loss. Was a disaster trying to get anything done with my desktop.
TLDR
Partially Paid: If you received a note from shopify that your order is partially paid, ignore it. Shopify tagged a handful of orders this way. Shopify is wrong. I have sent you a reimbursement through paypal if you paid this amount. If you have any questions, email me [email protected] or contact me on Discord
Shipping: Bug is resolved with shopify and backerkit. 50% of orders are delivered already! The rest are heading out this week and next.
Paths of Power: Progress has been a little slower than I would have liked, but we are closing in. Illustrator that was in the hospital is out. He's planning to deliver the Hexwarden Ranger this week. Monk has a final touchup needed.
Ranger Subclass Survey: Next project I'm building a new ranger subclass and a host of other things. If you want to get your voice heard, drop your vote. Survey closes 11/1.
Shipping
Note: If you get a note from shopify that your order is "Partially Paid", ignore it. The only place transactions are happening is in BackerKit. There are a handful of you that have this bug. If you paid it, I have sent you a reimbursement through paypal. If you have any questions, email me [email protected] or contact me on Discord
Over 50% of you have already received your books. I decided to cast Shield on your books and picked up corner protectors on my dime. If your books do not have this protection, let me know (Especially if they are damaged).
I have had a handful of you let me know that the fulfillment team is not upholding their process on all orders.
International should be heading out next week. We're triple checking the tariff harmonization codes to ensure the correct VAT code is applied.
The Flora Warlock arrived last night and Triumvirate Summoner arrived this morning!
Monk necklace needs to be fixed. Got shifted between versions. I'm leaning towards just removing it.
Hexwarden needs to be fully rendered
Final balancing and layout are in progress and expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.
Rift Wardens of the Nexus
Rift Wardens of the Nexus is undergoing round 2 of editing. Illustrations are underway. I will have more to share in the next update.
Wallpapers, Tokens, and Digital Art Pack
70% complete for all three. It's going to be more epic than I originally planned. We're going to break 200 tokens. These three items will be the last to be finished, as they will include content from the Rift Wardens of the Nexus as well.
New Ranger Subclass
I'm working on a new ranger subclass for the next campaign and would love to hear what you're interested in. The survey is 1 question, with room to expand on your answer if desired.
This has been quite the adventure and we've run into a fair amount of difficult terrain. We're closing in on the final pieces, and I'm stoked with how the books have turned out.
Shipping Update: Troubleshooting a bug with the integration with BackerKit and Shopify (fulfillment). 7% of orders are failing for an unknown reason. As soon as that is resolved, books will start heading out.
Paths of Power Update: Writing 100% complete. Editing 100% complete. Artwork 88% complete.
Each project I aim to improve a piece of the process to make it smoother than the last one. I developed a digital library on Shopify before this project and consolidated every previous project into it. This gave me a single place to maintain all the files. You can always know you're downloading the latest from there. If you haven't checked out the library yet, here's a quick video to get you in:
To get all three previous crowdfunding projects consolidated and everyone uploaded was a herculean effort led by my friend Ella.
For this project, I was super excited to see BackerKit developed a Shopify integration. This would directly speed up the fulfillment process by connecting into the infrastructure already built. This would also add your digital products to the library!
The books are ready to go at the warehouse.
New packaging material was ordered to accommodate the extra corner protection and has arrived.
Now, I'm ready to start uploading the final details for this project into the system and have the books sent out. Unfortunately, I've hit a few errors with the integration. BackerKit support has been awesome, but we haven't solved the issue yet where 7% of orders in our test run are failing to transfer.
As soon as this is resolved, books will start heading out. I was hoping to send this update a few days ago with the announcement that the books have begun shipping, but decided I should do a quick update and let you know where we are. *shakes fist at technology*
I believe this is the last hurdle and we are unbelievably close. Good news is once this is resolved, the integration will already be built for the next project. I can improve something else that hopefully doesn't put up as many roadblocks!
Paths of Power
This manuscript is turning out amazing, and as always the artists are delivering top tier material.
Writing is 100% complete
Editing is 100% complete
Artwork Status:
Barbarian - Done
Bard - Done
Cleric - 90%
Druid - Done
Fighter - Done
Monk - 90%
Paladin - Done
Psion - Done
Ranger - 75%
Rogue - 25%
Sorcerer - Done
Warlock - 40%
Wizard - Done
Here's a screenshot of the wizard spread that I just finished today:
There are a few more illustrations we're still voting on and getting critiqued, so if you want to guide the direction make sure you hop into Discord.
I will start locking surveys later this week or early next in order to start getting books through fulfillment and out to you. If you run into any issues, please hit me up on Discord or email: [email protected]
Shipping Starts This Month
I reviewed the final copy, and we are good to go! Here are a few pictures of it: I did however end up with a smooshed corner.
I have decided to invest in extra corner protection, similar to what you see on picture frames.
Unless they are using these as improvised throwing weapons, we should be good to go.
This has slowed us down a little, as we needed to order the protectors and change box sizes. There will be no additional cost to you. I think it's worth it, especially with the spine illustration! It will more than pay for the cost, especially if you send me pictures of them being enjoyed!
Sorry for the slight delay!
Paths of Power Subclass Updates
We have been powering through illustration concept pieces, first pass mechanics, lore, and so much more in Discord over the past month. Here's a recap and overview. If you haven't added the PDF to your pledge, you only have a few days left to do so: https://project-cerberus.backerkit.com/
Subclass Overview:
Barbarian: Path of the Alley-Born. Blending brutal street-fighting techniques with mob brawling, barbarians following this path are vicious fighters regardless of the setting.
Bard: College of Command. Adapting to changing battlefield conditions by using their reaction to assist their allies, College of Command bards are often found in the thick of it.
Cleric: Story Domain. They have mastered the power of the tale to boost allies or even weave a grand narrative capable of reshaping reality itself.
Druid: Circle of the Hunt. Taking cues from nature, these druids gain the traits of an apex predator as they track and take down their prey.
Fighter: Guardian. A true protector, the Guardian dedicates their combat prowess to shielding their chosen ward from harm.
Monk: Way of Flow. Focused on using their opponent’s strength against them as they gracefully move about while throwing enemies onto their backs.
Paladin: Oath of the Knight. These paladins ride into combat astride their trusty mounts, granting their mount additional benefits.
Psion: Mindweave. Mindweavers create psychic connections with their allies to both empower them and augment their own capabilities.
Ranger: Hexwarden. The result of alchemical experimentation and dangerous procedures, a hexwarden’s body has been altered to hunt the supernatural.
Rogue: Polymath. Masters of adaptation, Polymaths excel in countless disciplines, using knowledge as their greatest weapon.
Sorcerer: Geomancer. Specializing in earth magic, these spellcasters are surprisingly hardy and become more powerful while touching the earth.
Summoner: Triumvirate. Recognizing the power of relying on both their summons, these summoners work seamlessly with their summons to overcome any obstacle that crosses their path.
Warlock: Pact of the Flora. An ancient old-growth tree, vast underground fungi network, or other primal plant life has embued these warlocks with the inexorable power of the natural world.
Wizard: Contramancy. Contramancers specialize in countering magic with abilities to that are effective not only against spells but magic items as well.
Additional Details:
Manuscript is undergoing third round of technical editing this week.
5/14 illustrations are complete
6/14 illustrations are in progress
3/14 illustrations will be assigned as soon as one of the in progress ones is wrapped up
I honestly don't know which illustration or subclass is my favorite. I might need to just roll a die to figure out my next subclass. Too many good options!
Here are some in progress pictures:
If you want to have your voice heard on the artwork, mechanic, or any other details (or just say hi!) Discord is the place to be. We're still voting on the final versions, so it's not too late!
Next Project
I have a killer offer live until launch on my next campaign. If you're looking for epic material, grab it now before the offer disappears forever:
$1 for 1 of Everything Plus:
$5 Kickstarter Credit (use on shipping, add-ons, etc. in the pledge manager for this campaign)
Early Access (be the first to see the campaign page and product video)
Secret Bonus Prize (more valuable than a mini, less than a hardcover)
Instant Download (start playing tonight!)
This is an investment that pays YOU back. You get the complete $10 PDF for $1, PLUS $5 credit for future purchases. That's like getting paid $4 to try the content.
100% Risk-Free: Don't love it? Get your $1 back and keep all the credits and bonuses.
⏰ This offer vanishes the moment the Kickstarter launches!
*I've had a couple of people mention that they can't get to it with the Kickstarter App. If you can't see it on the Kickstarter page, here's the backdoor link. Use code: vault-kickstarter-follower for 90% off.
Final Details
There are a handful of details I still need to take care of which I'll wrap up over the next few months:
Update/create the digital spreadsheet interface for the tools in the book. These were extra benefits I wanted to throw your way, so you could easily use, customize, and randomly generate values as wanted.
Create the Treasure Hoard Exclusives (Digital Art Pack, Digital Tokens, and Wallpapers).
Rift Wardens of the Nexus final writing, editing, illustrations, and layout. The first pass writing and editing are already complete.
Vault of the Elders: The Forgotten Trials development.
