Embers of the Forgotten Kingdom

Big Update
about 6 years ago – Fri, Apr 27, 2018 at 01:43:55 PM

 Hey Backers
Just got the Embers cover proof in the mail and it looks amazing!
There are a few tweaks i need to do, but I'm really happy how it turned out.
(I;m at work atm, but earlier I made a great comparison of the final up-close texture, the stamp design and original image (you can check that out here)

Also as you know we've been updating the PDF, and are now on version 0.98. There are only two bits of text sections that i need to finish up, then we'll be good for the printer to start creating those. (the reason we have a bit of wiggle room in the printing process is that we're piggybacking on the Atlas Animalia and Baby Bestiary Reprints, so its a massive print order and so having them work on different aspects buys me time to finalize Embers).

If you haven't gotten the DriveThroughRPG link to the PDF (or getting the updates) please message me, and we'll get you sorted out.

Stat Books

currently, 5e and Shadow of the Demon Lord versions are in progress, we'll soon be releasing a playtest version of the 5e works for you guys to check out.

Backerkit, 
Yes I am aware this is still open, once the print order is finalized I'll announce when we'll lock down Backerkit to ensure everyone is getting everything they wanted (and allow people to upgrade and such)  (we'll also be needing those funds for shipping when the books arrive)

Experimental - Embers Minis

Truly experimental, when we were working with getting the owlbear minis produced (for the BB reprint Kickstarter) we happened to meet the artist responsible for designing the minis for the Dark Souls Board game, so we had him do one character, to see how she'd come out and if theres any interest in these (of course once we finalize and finish everything else up) What do you think?

I apologize it has taken this long to get the book to where it is now, but I hope you can all enjoy it for what it has become 
Thanks everyone
Andreas

Alpha PDF
about 6 years ago – Sat, Feb 17, 2018 at 12:16:45 AM

Greetings Backers
As I type this, an alpha-PDF is being sent out to you guys via DriveThroughRPG (it may take a little bit of time to hit your inboxes).
The book is not yet done, but I've made it in a form that I am comfortable sharing the entire thing with all of you.  That said, tweaks and changes will still occur. The black boxes will be filled with call-out text or replaced with images.  If you see anything that looks amiss, feel free to shout it out,

I am very proud of what the core story of this book has become and I hope you enjoy it.
If anything looks amiss, feel free to shout out to me, as I will be working diligently on updating the document and then getting the print book to you all when everything is final.

Thank you all for your patience and it feels good to finally show you something. 

Andreas

The State of Embers
over 6 years ago – Mon, Dec 25, 2017 at 11:32:24 PM

Hey Backers, 
I apologize for the silence,
TLDR: progress has been slow but moving and expect to see an early PDF in the next two weeks. 

Ok, now for the long(er) post. I understand the project is later than expected, it is frustrating for me (as it is you) to know that this project is late. However, I will continue investing in the project to make a good product versus a rushed one. As Shigeru Miyamoto said, "A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad".And I would prefer to make a product that I am happy to release than one I feel bad about releasing.

So where am I at right now?Editing; Editing passes have been done, and I am almost done with my final content pass of the 92-page text manuscript.  
Layout; with the text near finalized, this means text length is about done, so I have spent more time on the layout. I am happy with the current white background with colored ink splashes. As I got further into layout, I realized that we don't have location art for the locations, so I brought Eric Quigley onboard to get some of the spot art filled out, so once your past the characters it isn't just walls of text. 

If you prefer the dark layout, I have the document made so you can switch between the two, though I would have to double check that once I get closer to release (but that's not a priority at the moment).

PDF Release: I am working hard to get into everything layout, and I will release a 'preview' of the PDF with the completed text and the art placeholders so you guys can get your hands on the book. Then once the rest of the art comes in, I'll update with the final PDF. 
I currently dont have my design laptop (so I've been working on my backup surface/tablet), until it comes back fixed from Dell (worst timing for anything to break, right before a long holiday).


I thank you all for your patience, and I apologize for the time it is taking to make this project a real thing.
Thank you again, and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.

Andreas

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Here is a comparison between the light and dark backgrounds

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Other interiors, some with art placeholders

*considering doing color splashes on these guys, but i'll get to that later

Editing Process
over 6 years ago – Sun, Sep 10, 2017 at 08:29:40 PM

Hey All, 
As a quick update, all the text (all 49k words) has been collected and we're going through the editing process.  The editor has had their first main revision over the document and he pointed out a number of things that will need to be altered for the final manuscript (in order to keep the vision, tone and style of the book consistent with what we want it to be). So unfortunately editing is going to take a tad longer than I had hoped, but we're cramming away. 
I am hoping that we can have the PDF done by next month, as layout has already been figured out and I just need to insert the edited text and tweak the final design.  And once the PDF is done and out to you guys, we'll start cramming away at the stats 
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Andreas

Some of Vincent's early sketch work

Editing & Layout
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 03, 2017 at 02:02:41 PM

Hey Backers, 
Just another update to keep you all in the loop with whats going on and where things are going. It's been a hectic month to say the least, mostly prepping for Gen Con, but also ensuring that Atlas can run on its own with minimal involvement from me so that I can double-down on Embers.

Status Update
Most the writing was received on the deadline date, though some did come in about a week later than I wanted, not much I can really do but shepherd them.
Since then I've done a few content passes to ensure that everything lines up lore-wise.
I've also re-done the base-page layout to something I think resonates a bit better with the soulsian feel (see below).
Line editing will be starting soon. In addition, I will be working on the final layout, these can work in tandem pretty well and I expect that I should have a final PDF delivery in mid-September. Print fulfillment usually takes 8 weeks from ordering, which would place delivery within November.

I apologize that it has taken this long to get to this point. Its a first for me to have so much of a project go off track like this and I really appreciate your patience and understanding (though I do understand and feel your frustrations as well).
Thank you everyone,
Andreas

Below are some of the layouts I've been working on, I already had the border elements, but I was struggling to make them fit nicely into the layout. After much tweaking I ended up with this, this is a sub-section (not a new chapter head) as the Barren Kingswood is part of the Castle Ember region.
Feel free to let me know what you think.

 This final image I was thinking would be the 'intro spread' to the core characters, I'm still conflicted about it. On it's own it looks great, but I dont think it fits the style of what I had established above, so I'll probably continue messing with it, but I still wanted to show it off.