I hope we're all enjoying this inauspicious start to another new year. Over in Rites of Renewal land things are progressing nicely, though a bit behind schedule due to me (Josh).
We now have all our art from the wonderful Alice Gribble (@pickledpennies) completed. The team is just waiting on me now to hand over the manuscript. Due to some personal struggles my writing slowed for a while there, but after some inspiration I've got my groove back.
I am excited to bring this rather special Folk Horror spin on Mothership to you all. Thank you again for all your support and patience.
It's one month(ish) since we successfully funded, and the good work continues. I (Josh) continue writing, deleting and rewriting things. Something which is top of mind for me currently is the module's atmosphere, and how that can be interacted with.
Clearly the Folk Horror aspect of Rites of Renewal sets it apart aesthetically, but Folk Horror means more than Maypoles, masks and Morris dancing (though that stuff is here too). Folk Horror is ultimately about people and their underlying subculture. In order for that "underlying subculture" to be satisfying, scary and interesting, there has to be regular culture there to be engaged with.
That contrast is a difficult balance to strike but it is at the core of the module. In order for the horror to work, the Grove has to be a functional and fun place to explore. Which is where the Aphelion Solstice Festival comes in, it shows the community in a heightened state. It is on paper the perfect Shore Leave destination for weary Crewmembers to shake off their stresses. But of course, the Folk Horror of it all is bubbling beneath the surface.
Anyways that's where I'm at.
More importantly, Alice (@pickledpennies) is continuing to make wonderful art for the book. Below you'll see a slice of the sprawling Tangle, the Grove's favella. It home to thousands of Grovers, plus two roll-tables for Locations and Encounters, which ran the whole gamut of festive to fearsome.
Thanks for all the support.
I hope you all have a good festive season, as we continue to work on this fake space one!
Josh
A look at The Tangle. The favella which spans the Grove. By Alice Gribble.
Josh here. Just wanted to say thank you for all the support so far! Also I just wanted to let you all know that on the 2nd of November I'll be running a Deep Dive for Rites of Renewal on r/mothershiprpg.
I'll be revealing more information about the module, as well as some of the behind the scenes thinking behind its development. With some words from our wonderful artist as well.
The deep dive will be an excellent place to learn more about the module, as well as to ask any questions you may have about it!
