RPG Crowdfunding News – Ashes Without Number, HEDGE, Cyberpunk RED, and more

Looking at the latest Without Number book, maps from Loke Battle Mats, several indy games, and more, this is a look at some of the items available to back right now.

Ashes Without Number from Sine Nomine Publishing

• END DATE: Sat, November 30 2024 11:59 PM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): Without Number (OSR)
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $80 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? One of the most popular OSR systems (Worlds and Stars Without Number are both Adamantine Best Sellers at DriveThruRPG while Cities Without Number is a Mithral level seller) is adding a new book focused on a new genre: Post-apocalypse. Ashes Without Number gives you rules and the direction you’ll need to run one of three types of settings: mutant wasteland, zombie apocalypse, and a near-future dystopian collapse. In these pages you’re going to find everything you’ll love about post-apocalypse from one of the best creators. The Without Number books provide ideas and systems that make running games easy while keeping the system OSR and fun. If you’re a fan of this series, Ashes Without Number offers options that will blend well with the fantasy and cyberpunk books that Kevin Crawford has already produced.

The Cyberpunk Set - Official RPG Battle Maps and MUCH more! from Loke Battle Mats

• END DATE: Dec 1, 2024 at 3:00pm EST.
• CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
• SYSTEM(S): Cyberpunk RED
• PROJECT TYPE: RPG maps
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $125 + S/H for the digital, print, and Roll20 versions of the books, maps, scenery, and more
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? At Gen Con 2024, one of my favorite gaming sessions was Cyberpunk Edgerunners, which used the Cyberpunk RED system. The game combines punk rock vibes with old school mechanics and a world where you can spend the night hacking and running. R. Talsorian’s world combined with the maps in this campaign offers up a winner for your gaming group. Loke Battle Mats produces great combat maps that lay down flat on your gaming table. Two of these books give you a 24” x 24” battleground and they line up nicely. On top of that, the scenery accessories such as cars, stands, and debris allow you to customize your Friday Night Firefighter in Night City. If you play online, this Backerkit campaign gives you the VTT formats that you need. If you’re a fan of Cyberpunk RED, or any cyberpunk RPG, this campaign will not disappoint.

The Practical Guide to Becoming a Great Player from How to be a Great Game Master

• END DATE: Wed, December 4 2024 2:15 PM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): System neutral
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £40 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? The idea behind this book is simple: You can improve your performance as a player. From being better organized to better on the social front, this book offers advice about how to improve your character and your character. From Guy Sclanders, host of How to be a Great Game Master on YouTube, this book presents ideas on what makes for great players. For those interested in being their best self at the gaming table, this book awaits.

Xarnon's Codex of Combined Magic (5E) from Giants of the North

• END DATE: Fri, November 29 2024 8:00 PM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (2014 and 2024)
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: CA$ 80 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Spells, spells, spells, and spells. This book provides rules for combining spells, cooperative ritual spells, team-based magic items, new subclasses, and, of course, new spells. If you play 5e and want to get the most out of your spell options, this book has a lot to offer. If you’re interested, there are free samples on the campaign page.

321RPG 5th Anniversary Expanded Rule Book + Encyclopedia Monstergoria from Ham and Egg Publishing

• END DATE: Nov 29, 2024 at 1:00pm EST.
• CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
• SYSTEM(S): 321RPG
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook and sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the books
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Five years in and this campaign allows Ham and Egg Publishing to revise and improve the core rulebook for their 321RPG. This Backerkit campaign takes years of community feedback and gameplay to elevate the experience. There are new rules for horror, detective tales, Old West, and more, each built using the same roll under d10 system. Add in the new 321 sourcebook titled The Encyclopedia Monstergoria and you’ll get plenty of monsters and mutants to populate your world. If you like indy RPGs that have a growing fanbase, this is worth exploring.

HEDGE - The Fey Are Coming, Only You Can Save the Last of Us from A Couple of Drakes

• END DATE: Tue, December 3 2024 11:59 PM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): An original system
• PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $45 (free US S/H) for the PDF and print versions of the book plus PDF cards
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This campaign is an example where the artwork pulled me in. Rosario Mendez’s cover image and interior art speaks to me. Their words – “The fey are coming” – match up with Rosario’s art, giving me a window into this world. Before humans, there were the fey. Now, the fey are coming to reclaim their world and only you can hold them back. This fantasy TTRPG pits you against the powerful and fickle. Building on a system that has elements of Powered by the Apocalypse’s Consequence/Success at a Cost/Success chart and playbooks, this game promises a great experience. If the idea of fighting fey interests you, check out the campaign page for a free RPG zine quickstart.

Aegean: The Isle of Pelops from we evolve

• END DATE: Sun, December 1 2024 8:48 AM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): Aegean RPG
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £20 + S/H for the PDF, ePub, and print versions of the book
• ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Tabletop Jess covers this game at Not DnD
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? For fans of the Aegean RPG, this sourcebook describes the people and important locations of the Peloponnese islands. Set in ancient Greece, this game puts you on the shores of the fabled land as you build a city, slay the monsters that threaten it, and make peace and war with your neighbors. Estimated at 180 to 200 pages, this sourcebook looks at some of those neighbors, their lands, beliefs, and who you might have to fight. If you’re interested in a fantasy roleplaying game set in ancient Greece, check out this campaign to learn more about the system and this new sourcebook.

Monstrous Menagerie II: Hordes & Heroes from EN Publishing

• END DATE: Thu, December 12 2024 6:00 PM EST.
• SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (2014 and 2024) as well as Level Up A5E
• PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
• MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £55 + S/H for the PDF, VTT, and print versions of the book
• DISCLAIMER: EN World is a subsidiary of EN Publishing
• WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? EN Publishing offers up a new book of monsters for 5e (both versions) and A5E. This book features hundreds of beasts, and the art for each creature is exceptional. In terms of presentation, this book is yet another step forward in EN Publishing’s plan to create the best third-party sourcebooks possible. Check out the campaign page for previews of the creatures.

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[R_Chance]

Here I am trying to down-size my collection and there's another Kevin Crawford book... PDFs are useful but physical books are just more so much more... satisfying

 

[Eyes of Nine]

I'm keeping an eye on Ashes Without Number too; but for some reason I just haven't been backing many crowdfunds recently. And tbh, the one time we played SWN, it didn't really sing for me.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Ashes without number and the game mastering book both appeal to me, but I really struggle to justify paying $40 AUD for a PDF (and shipping costs to Australia make hard copies much more expensive). It’s like I’m basically priced out of the market.

 

[thullgrim]

I’m a backer on Hedge. Interesting premise and I like what they did with Court of Blades.

 

[Lalato]

Here are the 5e Campaign Setting and Adventure Path crowdfunding campaigns I'm keeping an eye on right now.

Closed and Funded:

• Draconis: The Peaceful Way to Play
• Horror at Yishushu Landing
• Konigsdörfen
• FiveEvil

Closed:

• Cursed by Frost (Funded, but Cancelled)

Open and Funded:

• Wicked Echoes: Whispers of Samodiva (1 week)
• Overclock (1 week)
• A Faeseeker's Guide to Avallen (2 weeks)
• Mice of Legend (3 weeks)

Open:

• Wildergrove (1 week, 49%)
• Project Starborne (5 weeks, 9%)
• Myths of Mythscara (5 weeks, 18%)
• Redsky Starter Kit (4 weeks, 29%)

 

[doctorhook]

Ashes without number and the game mastering book both appeal to me, but I really struggle to justify paying $40 AUD for a PDF (and shipping costs to Australia make hard copies much more expensive). It’s like I’m basically priced out of the market.

Similar feelings here in Canada, though not quite as bad as for you guys down under. I’d love Ashes Without Number but I’m inclined to wait for a sale at DTRPG for the PDF.