Despite being in a bit of a Kaos Storm at the moment, we all came together to support this project anc achieved our funding target in about 2 hours! Amazing work!
The World Below: Delver's Guide and The World Below: Secrets of Kalm and Kaos have been funded!
We had a minor technical challenge before we launched (our page was stuck in pre-launch build mode) and the long weekend meant the support team couldn't fix it until hours before we were scheduled to go live. And the last night, the BackerKit site became in accessible (along with YouTube and a chunk of other sites) but that got resolved as well.
Much like our characters in The World Below, challenges arise and are dealt with and progress is made and treasure secured. Sometimes in the game that treasure is food for your community, sometimes in our campaign it will be bonus rewards unlocked via Stretch Goal achievement.
So now that we know these two books will indeed get full development and art direction treatment, let's see what we can unlock with ongoing additional support.
As we increase the overall funding and support for the project, we’re able to add additional resources to the project, expand the rewards listed, and add in new offers and opportunities. Each Stretch Goal will have a target that, once reached, will add a project to the reward list for backers of the relevant Pledge Levels. Whenever we achieve a stretch goal, the listing will be updated to reflect the achievement.
At $10,000 in Funding - THE ADVENT OF SILT
THE ADVENT OF SILT - The team will create a West Marches-style adventure for The World Below, focused on exploration and cave delving. A PDF version of The Advent of Silt will be added as a bonus reward to all backers receiving either the Delver's Guide PDF or the Secrets of Kalm and Kaos PDF as part of their pledge rewards.
Each of the books we've funded and will explore in this campaign include new scenarios for players and Storyguides to use when delving into the World Below. With these writers, though, more is better! And here's an opportunity to unlock another scenario with a bit of a different flavor, providing episodes of adventure for your characters.
So please continue to spread the word on your social media and in your social circles and let others know about The World Below and this campaign. As you know, The World Below has it's own flavor and flair and there are many, many potential fans out there who haven't quite discovered what we've got in the darkness here. So let 'em know!
We've got our next section of draft manuscript coming tomorrow, so here's a little sneak peek to get us through the day.
Gem Mastery
This gemstone channels the deathly forces of the Dark, and to the Dark it shall send your spirit. — Lirx of Hurreth’s Bones, wielder of a deep black opal
Gem Masters possess unearned notoriety. No matter which settlement you visit, the prevailing rumor maintains that members of this Calling hoard magic as dragons hoard gold. The tales go that Gem Masters have the ability to store Syntheses and Sorceries in the ores mined from the World Below, and over time they develop huge troves of this undying power. The World Below’s weaker denizens look upon the Gem Masters jealously, resentment boiling in their veins as they wonder “How could these vurths keep the power to themselves when so many are suffering? Are Gem Masters just greedy monsters eroding our chances of survival?” Well worshipers fan these slanderous flames, as they see Gem Masters as thieves of the Well Liches’ power.
These rumors are unfounded. Terrible circumstances breed paranoia and prejudice, however, and due to many Gem Masters choosing reclusive lives when the majority are struggling, outsiders get the blame. The truth is, Gem Masters do imbue diamonds, agates, and ores, creating icons known as Kaos jewels. They never hoard them, however, because too many Kaos jewels and gems in one place creates a Kaos criticality, triggering rogue portals, storms, and boundless Kaotic Retaliations.
For their own safety and to assist in the survival and prosperity of their settlements, Gem Masters craft and distribute power jewels, elemental gems, and augmentation ores. Some put high prices on their skills, but a patient guilder need only wait until the market dies down and the number of jewels approaches dangerous levels, at which point they may swoop in to purchase them (using whichever currency, trade, or favor system is preferred) at a lower cost. Other Gem Masters imbue these minerals as a form of service to the community, as a means of protecting their loved ones, or simply because it’s an artistic exercise and fun to do.
The three forms of imbued minerals — power jewels, elemental gems, and augmentation ores — are all highly treasured, making it rare (or bold) for an adventurer to wear theirs brazenly, in vulnerable positions. Many embed them in headwear, armor, or the hilt of a weapon. Others incorporate them into their person (where their biology allows it), though this can result in them becoming ground zero for a Kaotic Retaliation if their presence and body filled with augmentation ore triggers a criticality.
Let's keep it going! Let others know! Read the draft manuscript and send your notes using the feedback form! Post on the Discord!
And I'll see you tomorrow with some additional options and exciting new stuff for your World Below characters. And let's see if we can't unlock that Stretch Goal over the next week!
