Updates
Check out the latest news and keep up with progress
PROJECT UPDATE
Melina Sedó (Vortex Verlag)
CREATOR
21 days ago
Project Update: Serenissima Obscura: pledge manager and work in process!
Hello everyone!
News from the Pledge Manager
- 543 backers have completed the pledge manager – thank you so much for that. You are all set for receiving your wonderful books and maps. ❤️
- A handful of backers still have pending credit card charges. Please visit the pledge manager and update your information or pay per Paypal. This is now possible within the pledge manager.
- 92 backers have not yet filled out the survey. Can you please do that in the next days? 🙏🏻
Progress Update
- For the main book, I am still in the final error-finding and referencing phase. Still 100 pages to look through before the layout fine-tuning can begin. You will receive the PDF as soon this last phase is finished. If all goes well, this will be by the end of this month.
- The add-ons are in layout and already quite far advanced. See below the photo of Thorsten Janes in the room next to me, woking on The Ars Magica Guide to the Magical Renaissance.
- We have decided to print EVERYTHING in high offset quality in Lithuania, even the 5e Player's Guide and the maps. This will cost us quite a bit more than planned – but it will so be worth it. ❤️
And, to everyone who has not yet secured their copies:
The pre-order-store is still open - but not for long! 🔥
Remember that all of our add-ons will later only be available as digital versions. To get all books and maps as high quality prints, you have to buy it now. Here!
Now some more referencing...
Have a nice day,
Melina
for Vortex Verlag
PROJECT UPDATE
Melina Sedó (Vortex Verlag)
CREATOR
29 days ago
Project Update: Update on Serenissima Obscura and Shipping Costs
Dear backers.
Here is the latest news for Serenissima Obscura:
Here is the latest news for Serenissima Obscura:
- We have finally opened the pledge manager and over 400 backers have already filled-out their survey.
- Approximately 200 are still missing and we'd be super happy if you could do this within the next days.
- We are also proud to announce that the main book is now laid out and in the final error-finding and referencing phase. You will receive the PDF as soon at this and the layout fine-tuning is over.
- The other add-ons are now in layout and I am very excited about what I see happening in the room of Thorsten Janes next to my office. He is doing an excellent job with the Ars Magica Guide to the Magical Renaissance and The 5e Player's Guide to the Magical Renaissance!
- Printing in March and shipping in April is still on!
An Update on Shipping Costs – Full Transparency
We would like to take a moment to explain the shipping costs in more detail, as this has been a concern for some backers – especially those in the USA. We fully understand the frustration, and we share it. Shipping has been one of the most difficult aspects of this project to estimate reliably. As it was for all crowdfundings in this past year.
Our original estimate for shipping the main book to the USA was €30–50. Due to ongoing fluctuations in tariffs and international shipping rates to the USA, it was necessary at the time to work with a broader estimated range.
Since then, several cost factors have increased – in particular international shipping rates, handling fees, and new tariffs introduced over the past year. As a result, the actual shipping costs into the USA now fall at the upper end of our original estimate, but do not exceed it.
To be as transparent as possible, here is a breakdown of our actual shipping costs for a 2 kg parcel, which applies to backers who pledged for the main book Serenissima Obscura only:
To be as transparent as possible, here is a breakdown of our actual shipping costs for a 2 kg parcel, which applies to backers who pledged for the main book Serenissima Obscura only:
- €1.80 – Proportional shipping from Lithuania to our distributor in Germany (main book)
- €2.00 + €0.39 – Applicable PDDP and other tariff fees for shipments to the USA
- €7.00 – Packaging and handling per parcel charged by our logistics provider (this fee has increased significantly)
- DHL shipping from Germany to the destination country (company rates for the USA, private rates within Europe):
- Germany: €6.19
- EU: €14.49
- Other European countries: €19.49–22.49
- USA: €34.80
- Other overseas countries: €27–29 (private rate)
Within Germany and the EU – and most likely also in several overseas regions – we are subsidising shipping by approximately €4–5 per parcel to stay as close as possible to our original estimates.
In cases where the actual cost fell within the anticipated margin (including the USA), we have rounded up to the nearest full euro to ensure planning and cost security and to absorb any unforeseen increases between now and fulfillment.
In cases where the actual cost fell within the anticipated margin (including the USA), we have rounded up to the nearest full euro to ensure planning and cost security and to absorb any unforeseen increases between now and fulfillment.
For “other overseas countries,” final costs still depend on whether our logistics provider will be able to use the lower private DHL rate or will be required to apply the higher company rate, as is the case for shipments to the USA.
In all cases: The shipping costs charged to backers are final.
A bit of good news: as you may have noticed, the shipping costs for 5 kg parcels – which apply, for example, to the Ars Magica and San Marco pledge levels – are not so much higher than those for 2 kg parcels. Fortunately, shipping prices do not increase proportionally between these weight tiers. Also, the new tax on all goods from Germany into the USA was luckily not implemented. Let's just hope that Mr. Trump does not change his mind again until April. 🤞🏻
Finally, we want to be absolutely clear: we have explored every viable option to keep shipping costs as low as possible while still ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of your rewards. Unfortunately, broader external factors affecting international shipping and logistics are beyond our control.
Thank you very much for your understanding and for supporting the project.
Now back to work on Serenissima Obscura.
Have a nice day,
Melina
for Vortex Verlag
Now back to work on Serenissima Obscura.
Have a nice day,
Melina
for Vortex Verlag
PROJECT UPDATE
Melina Sedó (Vortex Verlag)
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Serenissima Obscura – Pledge Manager Opened
Tataaaa!!!!
We have finally opened the pledge manager. The first backers should now have received the invites to the survey and the rest will follow soon, if all goes fine. In case of any problems, please do not hesitate to contact me: [email protected]
Also:
The layout of the main book is finished. It is now in final proofread and will then be finetuned.
The Ars Magica Guide to the Magical Renaissance is now in layout and the rest is waiting for layout as well.
So: all is good!
To everyone, who has not backed during the campaign:
Now is the last chance to get our add-ons as prints in the pre-order-store. When the pledge manager closes, so does the pre-order-store. And after that, only the main book will be available in print. We will have a few copies for conventions, but non will be shipped!
So: Don't miss this!
Have a nice day,
Melina
for Vortex Verlag
PROJECT UPDATE
Melina Sedó (Vortex Verlag)
CREATOR
about 1 month ago
Project Update: Serenissima Obscura – Pledge Manager opens shortly
Dear backers.
There is good news!
I have completed the setup of the pledge manager and am now waiting for the Backerkit team’s review. If all goes well, we should be able to open it by tomorrow or the day after.
This is where you can find a PDF with instructions how to fill out the pledge manager.
Please note: Not everyone will receive their invitation at the same time. We will begin with what’s known as a “smoke test,” during which 5% of the surveys are sent out to ensure that the pledge manager is working correctly and without issues. Shortly after that, we’ll send out the remaining surveys. Once the process begins, it can take 24–48 hours for your survey to arrive.
There is good news!
I have completed the setup of the pledge manager and am now waiting for the Backerkit team’s review. If all goes well, we should be able to open it by tomorrow or the day after.
This is where you can find a PDF with instructions how to fill out the pledge manager.
Please note: Not everyone will receive their invitation at the same time. We will begin with what’s known as a “smoke test,” during which 5% of the surveys are sent out to ensure that the pledge manager is working correctly and without issues. Shortly after that, we’ll send out the remaining surveys. Once the process begins, it can take 24–48 hours for your survey to arrive.
The main book is now fully laid out, and the final round of error checking will begin this week. We will stay below 420 pages, which means the book can be shipped in a 2 kg package – yay!
The layout of the supplements will commence this week. So, all is on track.
The layout of the supplements will commence this week. So, all is on track.
However, there is also bad news for our US-American backers:
President Trump has announced a potential new 10% tax affecting certain European countries, including Germany, in connection with his plans regarding Greenland. Should this tax come into effect, it would unfortunately be payable upon delivery. We will, of course, do everything possible on our end to declare the value in a way that helps keep the impact as low as we can, though our options are limited.
So... As always, I’ll continue focusing on the work ahead and moving things forward step by step. I’ll keep you regularly updated as we reach the next milestones, so you’ll always know where things stand.
Thank you once again for your patience, trust, and continued support – it truly means a lot and makes this project possible.
Have a nice day,
Melina
for Vortex Verlag
PROJECT UPDATE
Melina Sedó (Vortex Verlag)
CREATOR
about 2 months ago
Project Update: Serenissima Obscura – New Year's update
Dear backers!
First of all, let me wish you a Happy New Year. I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season and are not already too stressed from work.
There is good news:
First of all, let me wish you a Happy New Year. I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season and are not already too stressed from work.
There is good news:
- I have finally gathered all the shipping quotes. Unfortunately, prices have risen significantly since the end of the campaign – especially for shipping within Germany and Europe. However, we will still stay within the original estimates, or exceed them only slightly, because we are taking part of these additional costs on ourselves.
- So far, books and printed paper maps remain exempt from import tax when shipped to the USA. There are a few minor tariffs, but these will be covered by the shipping fee.
- The layout of the main book is almost complete. We’re not yet 100% certain that it will stay under 1.7 kg, but it’s looking promising. We should have a final confirmation by the end of next week.
- The physical add-ons are "unproblematic" for the calculation because all packages with more than one physical item will fall within a higher shipping category anyway.
- I have finished the more fiddly parts of the pledge manager and am going to send it for review to the Backerkit people by Monday.
=> I expect to launch the Pledge Manager on January 20.
So, the wait is almost over.
So, the wait is almost over.
Ok, yes, we still need to finalize the layout of the add-ons and move into printing, but everything is on track. Our anticipated shipping window in April is still solid.
I will update you soon!
Melina Sedó
for Vortex Verlag
I will update you soon!
Melina Sedó
for Vortex Verlag
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