PDF Status

We're close! The last two art pieces did make it, but one of them still needs work.

The final version of Kolossys came in and looks spectacular!

The last art piece, Creed's Zephyr's Veil sketch arrived, but it still needs work.


I'm not going to quite make the estimated delivery of May 31st, but we're very close. The tariff whiplash discussion delays put me a little behind and this last art piece is probably going to take another week to finalize based on where it sits. We're still within the buffer for the hardcovers, so we should not have any issues with the final books heading out.

Next Steps

• Zephyr's Veil sketch
• Build the index
• Double check all the cross linking (see page XX for ABC)
• Final check for any layout artifacts
• Make updates based on printer preflight feedback

There will be about two weeks for any additional changes you raise to make it into the final before printing as well.

Once the PDF is finalized, the print process will proceed.

It takes about a month for the printing to complete. The longest tent pole is the drying and binding of the cover, though there are a surprising number of steps in the full process.



Something particularly neat is that they use these large metal print plates and have four copies of each, one for each of the colors: yellow, magenta, black, and cyan in the order below:


Once the printing and binding is done, the books will be sent to the fulfillment center, and then packaged for each person and shipped out.

We're closing in and the book is really something!


If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out! I'm here and happy to help!

Have a killer weekend, and I'll talk to you next week!

-Brendan

P.S. Don't forget to snag a free copy of the 110-page Tome of Endless Wonders on the next Kickstarter promotion page before I swap it out on the 13th!

PDF is On-Track Targeted for Release May 31st

As I'm sure you're tired of hearing, I've had to spend way more time trying to navigate the ever changing lava fields of the tariffs and unpredictable manufacturing landscape.

They probably influenced my art brief when I sent over the details for the Kolossys concept piece! The final version is going to be epic, but here's the work in progress. I love how the primal/elemental chaotic elements meshes with the construct/man-made appearance of the artifact's face.

I'm still on target to wrap up the PDF by the end of the month to meet the original schedule. It's going to be a mad dash to the end, but the end is insight.

Notes:

• There are two outstanding illustrations we are closing in on (Kolossys above) and an architectural sketch of Zephyr's Veil done by Creed's own hand. I'm 90% confident about Kolossys. I give the architectural sketch a 75% chance of completion based on previous work with this artist.
• Once the PDF is in your hands, I've budgeted time in the original schedule to take feedback on any balance issues, or any other issues, and make updates. We'll likely have a few number tweaks as we get a wider set of eyes and game types/combinations using the material.
• When I preflight the PDF with the printer, we may identify issues where the text is at risk of printing artifacts based on image placement or other similar issues requiring small tweaks. This will result in some updates.
• All updates will be compiled, and you'll get a notification when the version in your digital library is updated. If there is any errata in the future, you'll get those versions as well.
• Once these changes are in, we'll proceed to printing as planned. 
• The infiltrator propaganda poster is one of my favorite ideas in the book!

Free 110-Page PDF

I put together a 110-page free PDF with tons of content for you.

You can snag it for free on the Kickstarter Follower page — but don’t wait. I’m swapping it out for new content on June 13th!


Once I wrap up the PDF preflight and get Creed's Codex: Echoes of the Shattered Age flowing through the printer, if you picked up the free preview you'll automatically get notified when I add another ~50 pages of content this summer now that the digital library is up and running!

Awe-Inspiring Artwork

I know I dropped a couple up above, but who says no to a few more epic page spreads?









If you have any questions, please let me know! 

Have a killer week and talk soon,
Brendan

Tariffs

Backer Lore

Manuscript Update

• Read aloud text for each area
• DM overview details of the area
• Faction activities in the area
• Transitioning between areas 
• 3 Notable NPCs (pulled from your lore submissions!)
• 3 Points of Interest (POI) within the area
• Read aloud text for  POI
• DM overview for POI
• 6 plot hooks with notes for the DM for each POI

I'm actively working on the manuscript live if you want to come check it out! You can drop any questions too!


How's your day going?

Talk soon,
Brendan

📚 How You’ll Get Your Content

⚡⚡You will get an email with an invite to your library tomorrow where you can access your digital rewards.⚡⚡

🎥 Need help accessing your library? I’ve put together a quick video walkthrough with everything you need to know:

🎁 Bonus Content—Totally Free!

🚀 Early Access…

Setting Overview

• Player Infographic is 50% complete
• Lore is 98% completed. There are a handful of pieces I may want to modify based on final feedback from the technical editor on the body modifications, but we're solid.

Subclasses and Species

• Second draft has been reviewed by the technical editor
• 12/14 subclass illustrations are complete as is the species artwork
• The Urban Sentinel Ranger is 95% complete
• The Constructor Summoner is 70% complete
• This section looks particularly amazing IMO

Feats and Spells

• 2nd draft has been reviewed by technical editor and is awaiting me
• Working on final layout to see where we want to enhance with illustrations

Gamemaster Tools

• Easy loot/harvesting system has been developed and is ready for technical editor to review.
• Pairs nicely with the Magic Shop on CreedsCodex.com which regenerates daily.

• Structured way to create dynamic and engaging encounters, with examples for different difficulty levels.
• Tables or decision trees that help generate story twists, faction conflicts, and plot developments.
• Modular adventure hooks that can slot into any campaign.

Creatures

• 8/11 Illustrations are complete.
• The convergent aberrations were all grouped into a full page spread, which is a bit creepy looking if I'm being honest.
• Just wrapped up the ensnare divination sentinel and have to fit it into the page.
• All stat-blocks and content have run through the technical editor and are awaiting final review

Body Modifications

• Body Modifications 1st draft is completed and running through the technical editing gauntlet. 
• I know I said I was going to make 14 body modifications, but I had some help from @Surb and @fadeawayray in the community, and we not only cranked out 14, but each of those 14 has 5 varieties, for a total of 70 options. 
• If that wasn't enough, I've also put together pricing for all 70 options and a tool to generate your own body mod on the fly with 4 million options (price too!).

Whew, wrapped up that quick update!

Talk soon,
Brendan

P.S. As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything!