Update #7 - Campaign's End!
about 1 month ago
– Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 03:30:25 PM
Greetings, Chosen!
Before I say anything else,...wow!!! Thank you so much for your support! I look forward to bringing you an amazing game you can share with your friends.
In the coming weeks, I'll be reaching out to those who pledged creative reward tiers. This could change, but I plan to do creative pledges in this order: Scourge of Demons, Child of Volratha, The Legend, and any Lightbringer pledge with creative add-ons last. I would like to take care of all creative add-ons when we do the session regarding your primary pledge.
One session per backer would be ideal; that way, we're not playing chess with schedules to fulfill all of your creative contributions. If we have to schedule more than one, then we'll just have to do what we have to make it happen.
I think the best way to accomplish the desired goal is to create forms for you to complete. I'll send those to you one to two weeks before reaching out to connect, at which time we can arrange a day/time that works for a voice chat on Discord. This is mainly for me to clarify any details or questions on my end.
An example would be if more than one person wants something very similar. That requires a conversation because I can't have 3 Soul Edges in the game. I can't do that anyway, but you know what I mean.
Also, please keep in mind this is a zine. I'm a creative writer, so I have no problem with you making an in-depth backstory for whatever you're creating. However, know that the entirety of what you make might not make it into the book. Whatever doesn't get used will be retained, possibly for later use in a supplement or expansion for the game. As the designer, I get the last say on content but will be as accommodating as possible.
With all that out of the way, let's talk about what's next!!
Next, I'll take a day or two to let my brain rest, and then it's back to the keyboard. I'm currently working on narrative scenarios and, as always, scouring for art. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I have discovered that Shutterstock may be a new addiction of mine.
For those who want a chance to playtest Chosen, I'll have it at Origins Fair in June. You'll be able to find me at the Imagining Games booth in the exhibit hall or Games on Demand. Feel free to come by and say hello.
It was brought to my attention on the Advent Chaos Discord that the example of play on my website doesn't fully match what I describe in my interview with on Honor Among Thieves.
That's my fault because the website's example of play is the raw concept version of what I had in mind. After many conversations and feedback on what other players think about solo gaming experiences, the Chaos Engine system has evolved to a more narrative format. The charts are still there, but in most cases, they're there for your support.
The three Volrathi (children of the Volratha) Houses you unlocked through stretch goals have been transitioned to the updated graphic I intend to use in the book. The next phase for them is expanding on their backstory and designing their abilities.
The current lore for the Volrathi goes as follows:
Long before the Volratha's collective vision of The Tear, 3 of them took spouses. Unknown to the Volratha, the descendants in these three bloodlines carried a much stronger seed than those spread later. Lumagladenscath later determined that it had something to do with prolonged exposure to demon contact.
When The Tear happened, the 3 strongest children of those bloodlines became able to feel the Volratha's existence and sought them out. In turn, the Volratha taught their children everything they knew. However, the Volrathi had their own gifts and pursued the paths to which they were suited.
Luckily, the Volrathi's existence escaped the notice of the Council of Demons. When the council came for the Volratha, the 3 children went into hiding. There, the Volrathi founded their own Houses of Thought and proceeded to give guidance to the other Houses in their parents' stead.
In Summary
This has been a wonderful experience, and I look forward to continuing this adventure with you! Look for Chosen at Origins Fair. I'm super excited to be offering a public playtest. I'll be contacting some of you soon with forms and seeking to arrange a time to fulfill your creative rewards. For those of you not receiving creative rewards, I'll be posting monthly updates on the game's progress. I also intend to get a pre-order page up soon. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to reach out, and again, thank you all!
Sincerely,
Joe Weaver - Designer
Update #6 (Final Push w/ more options)!!!
about 1 month ago
– Tue, Apr 16, 2024 at 10:55:13 AM
Greetings, Chosen!
We're reaching the end of the campaign, and I can't help but feel the excitement. Thanks to all you backers, Chosen will be a reality, and we've unlocked 2 stretch goals!!! We still have one more stretch goal to unlock, but I've been thinking about something I could give you as a way to show my appreciation. While I decide on that, I've received some feedback about some backers maybe feeling they missed out on the upper reward tiers.
Since the Child of Volratha and Scourge of Demon reward tiers are sold out, I thought it fair to offer a limited quantity of a new tier and a "build your own bundle" type of thing in case there were any interested or felt they had missed out.
These new options allow backers to join in on the creativity fun, too. Not only will you make your mark on the game, but you'll actually help me in the long run by showing me what kind of stuff you guys are interested in seeing/expecting through your ideas.
With that said, let me show you what I'm offering.
New Reward Tier: The Legend
This new reward tier allows backers to work with me to create a discoverable NPC, weapon, and armor for the game. NPCs can be allies or enemies. For those Child of Volratha backers who want to create an armored-NPC to carry their weapon, this tier accomplishes that.
The planned mechanic for allies is that you can meet them during exploration, and they will travel with you for 1 contract (only 1 at a time). Players control both their character and allies during combat. "Lone Wolf" allies won't travel with the PC but are willing to trade gear with PCs.
New Add-On: Forgemaster
Create a set/piece of armor with me that is discoverable/attainable in-game. Dark fantasy wouldn't be dark fantasy without cool armor, right?
Note: This would pair well with the new Shadow Sentinel add-on, The Lightbringer Reward Tier, and the Scourge of Demons Reward Tier (NPC Creation).
New Add-On: Relic Hunter
Create a mystical relic with me that is discoverable in-game. Relics are mystical talismans carried by Chosen to buff a weapon, an ability, or bestow a power not previously possessed.
New Add-On: Shadow Sentinel
Create an NPC with me that is discoverable in-game.
Note: This would pair well with the new Forgemaster add-on, The Lightbringer Reward Tier, and the Child of Volratha Reward Tier (Armor/Weapon Creation).
Hopefully, these will quench the desires some of you have of playing a larger role/getting your idea into the game. I can't wait to work with you and see what you come up with!
Almost there (67 hours to go)!!!
You guys have been awesome thus far, and I can't say that enough. I can already tell the next few months are going to be awesome. The playtest at Origins Fair keeps looking more and more entertaining. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always open to chat about what you're investing in.
In the meantime, remember to share the game, add your add-ons, and THANK YOU!!!
Sincerely,
Joe Weaver - Designer
Update 5.5!!!
about 1 month ago
– Sun, Apr 14, 2024 at 11:15:50 PM
Greetings, Chosen!!!
It's been an interesting but awesome few days since I last spoke to you. I want to give a big thank you to the backers who have pledged since Wednesday! I also would like to give a shout-out to all the people at NWI Swarm for putting on a great convention Saturday. To my new pledges, I usually only do one update a week. I've been working on a couple of new add-ons, so I promised in Update #5 that I would give you all a mid-week update.
New Add-On
I'm still working on the character sheets. Once I was halfway done, I had to start over because I didn't like the way they looked. Initially, I was going to make House-specific character sheets. This would provide one character sheet that displayed the two paths of that House. I was halfway finished when I realized it was too crowded and looked messy. If I don't like it, I'm certainly not going to try to sell it to you.
Now, I'm redesigning the custom sheets to be Path-specific, which is a larger undertaking but will provide better page spacing and an even higher degree of encapsulating your Chosen. If you decide that your favorite Path is the Dread Knight or possibly the Wood Walker, then you can have a full-color character sheet that is custom-designed just for that Chosen's Path.
I started this project thinking I would give you at least 3 add-on options. I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner, but your third option has been staring me in the face since before the Kickstarter started. I carry little 3.5" x 5" notepads around to scribble ideas in when I have extra time. It occurred to me Friday night that I should offer you guys themed notepads to journal your adventures in. If you're like me, I always have to mark on mine or do something to the cover so I don't get them mixed up.
With a themed notepad featuring the Order of the Volratha's emblem on the front and the motto on the back, it's unlikely you'll confuse this with your other notepads. Each is a 40-page, 4.1"x 5.8" stapled booklet. For $10 USD, you get a bundle of four booklets. Since you're getting four notepads, the shipping will be the same as the zine. These are now live on the campaign rewards page.
I'm trying to keep my international buyers in mind with all of this. While the notepads will only ship in the states the character sheets will be offered as both physical and digital rewards. That way my friends up north and across the pond can get the custom sheets for themselves. Once the sheets are completed, I'll update you all and add them to the campaign. For those art lovers, I just keep coming across stuff that really works for this game. That said, some of the custom character sheets are likely to have additional art not included in the book.
Final Thoughts
I know I do this every update, but I want to thank you all again. This is just the first of many Kickstarters for me, but it's been a success because of you. I look forward to meeting and talking with those who pledged higher tiers. I also look forward to playing with any of you who make it to one of my convention tables. It's officially Monday now where I live. It's time for me to sign off, and I'll catch you lovely people in the next update! Have an excellent start to your week!
Sincerely,
Joe Weaver - Designer
Update #5: End of Week 3 + Stretch Goal news!!!
about 1 month ago
– Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 05:33:55 PM
Greetings, Chosen!!!
It’s the end of Week 3, so it’s that time again! As always, I can’t thank you enough for all the support. This game wouldn’t be a reality without all of you, and I can’t wait to watch you become the fiercest of slayers. For all the newcomers, welcome aboard! We’re about to start the campaign’s home stretch, so you’re joining us at the perfect time.
Before proceeding, I would like to take a moment to celebrate unlocking the first stretch goal. Woooo!!!
That is all your doing, so give yourselves a pat on the back! Now, I want to give you a window into what’s next. Stretch Goal #2 is the House of Volratha: House Majoburu. House Majo is the House of Witch Hunting that specializes in navigating the deadly swamps of The Shadowreach and destroying the hags, crones, undead sorceresses, and swamp-fiends that live there.
To combat the evil of the swamps, House Majo turned to necromancy as their primary method of fighting. In most games I’ve played, you’re always killing the necromancer. In Chosen, a member of House Majoburu walks the line between life and death, bringing back formidable “weapons” from the abyss and using them against the very things that sent them to the abyss in the first place. Chosen of House Majo also can choose between an undead mount or an undead familiar. I thought, “Since we’re going the necromancer route, why not?”
This past Sunday, I took time out of my family’s trip to join my friends at Gaming Honors on their stream Honor Among Thieves. Below is a QR code to the episode if you want to check it out.
The way I see it, the more platforms discuss Chosen, the more people will hear about the game. In turn, the larger the campaign’s reach, the better the chance we’ll unlock the remaining stretch goals. You’ve all been amazing, so I have no doubt we can hit another goal!
New Add-Ons
As I mentioned above, I’ve been on vacation the past week to visit family. In the chaos of trying to see everyone, I misjudged the amount of free time I would have. With that said, you’ll get two updates this week. Update 5.5 will go out this weekend and be geared toward the special character sheets I mentioned last week. Character customization is one of my favorite aspects of games, so this is the type of stuff that I just love to design.
Lore Reveal - Demon-Kin (Racial History & Character Origin)
Players in Chosen are welcome to develop a backstory for their character. Clone your favorite monster hunter or create a completely new one. Either way works, and I encourage it. However, I also wanted to provide enough narrative for players to have the option to pick up the game and run with it. The Character Origin section in the book documents playable example backgrounds and the abilities of each origin.
In today’s lore reveal, I focus on the descendants of the 4 demons who founded The Order. The humans the Volratha bred with came from all walks of life and all regions. The Volratha had no capacity for discrimination based on such primitive notions as station or skin color. For centuries, they pursued their goal. However, no babies were born to the Volratha themselves. Instead, their “seeds” were carried by those the Volratha seduced into their beds. When the Volratha inevitably broke off the relationship and the individual moved on, any offspring bore after mating with the demon would carry the demon gene.
Racial History - Demon-Kin
A decade after shadows of the dimensional rupture darkened the world, whispers of a new breed emerged among humans – demon-kin. Their demonic genes activated by the chaotic energy released during The Tear, demon-kin are the direct descendants of the Volratha. Some manifested unique abilities, a testament to the twisted legacy of the demons’ seed. Others developed inhuman physical traits, making their afflictions more obvious. Both faced widespread skepticism due to the nature of their arrival.
While some worked hard to earn the trust of human communities, these instances were outliers, with many living under constant scrutiny. Even today, the delicate dance between acceptance and suspicion persists, a reflection of the fractured world they inhabit.
With abilities ranging from elemental manipulation to warping
reality, some demon-kin have found acceptance among the Vampire Courts, allowing the Queen to utilize their talents to further the Vampire agenda.
Character Origin - Demon-Kin
Graced with the blessing of the Hunter’s Eclipse, you bear the ominous sign that stirs superstitions among the wary. Seen as a blight on your family’s name, you were abandoned as an infant. To imply that you didn’t receive the same empathetic treatment as humans born during celestial anomalies would be an understatement. Left to die in the gutter, you owe your life to the kind soul who took you in until their untimely death. Since adolescence, you’ve managed to navigate a hostile world alone, the struggles you experienced as an orphan etching resilience into the fabric of your being.
Life’s trials became your mentors, forcing you to train your demon-kin abilities and martial skills in secret. Every hardship and scar sculpted you into a formidable force, turning the shadows of abandonment into the crucible of strength. Now, armed with a determination forged in the crucible of adversity, you set out to become a hunter of the supernatural. The eclipse, once a foreboding omen, is now the harbinger of your relentless quest to destroy that which darkened the world.
Last Thoughts
What a great week! We reached a stretch goal; I shared more lore (my favorite part of the week) and was on a Twitch stream for the first time in almost 8 years. I’ve had a blast talking to people about the game, the Kickstarter, and everything else surrounding Chosen. I really can’t wait to see where we end up.
Just a reminder—all of you are amazing! I can’t say that enough. Also, please remember to share the campaign, and don’t forget about the custom coin add-on. I’m really excited about those. As I said, I’m working on the custom character sheets and plan to reveal them this weekend. Have a lovely rest of your week, and as always, happy hunting in all your Chosen endeavors!
Best,
-Joseph Weaver - Designer
Week 2 Update + Add-Ons!!!
about 2 months ago
– Wed, Apr 03, 2024 at 08:03:40 AM
Good Morning, Chosen!
We're at the 2-week mark in the Chosen campaign, and it's time for another update!
First, I want to thank all of you for helping make this campaign successful. At the time of my publishing this update, we are 98% funded with 15 days to go. That's amazing news! Thanks to all of you, this game will be a reality. That also means we can start working on meeting stretch goals. I have no doubt we can unlock them if we reach enough people.
Second, if you go have a look, you'll find a new add-on in the rewards. I wanted to give you guys more options, and it gives me more opportunities to design cool stuff. This first add-on replicates what I envision as the Order of Volratha currency. I call it the "Vor." Different values of vors would be demonstrated by their metal type (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Copper). They're a limited run, so I would get it during the Kickstarter if you want one. If I do another run, it will likely be a different design and color.
This is the coin's design. The translation for the Hunter side reads, "The Order Provides" in Ancient Uddithan. I'm basing the language on a combination of real-world languages. I know the design of the Volratha side is definitely doable. I leave to see my family tomorrow and will order these as soon as I get back next week. If the hunter side needs to be simplified a bit, it shouldn't take much if it does.
These coins/D2s will come from Foam Brain Games. I've decided to go with Antique Silver for these. Like I said if I make a run in the future, I'll likely make a new design with a different color. Below is the chart from Foam Brain so you can visualize it.
More Coming!
Hopefully, I'll have the second add-on ready to go by this weekend! I plan to design custom character sheets specific to the Houses of Volratha. The book will come with a generic character sheet that can be used for any House. The custom sheets are just so you can vibe out with your character and represent who you are in the game. They will come in packs of 4 (one for each House of Volratha). If they're not added by this weekend, then they should be ready to go for the next update.
Lore Reveal - The Tear/Northern Sector/The Ancient One
I was a little torn on what to address today, but I think I want to reveal some history of the world you'll be hunting monsters in. I mention in the campaign how the Volratha foresaw a great cataclysm coming, which is what stirred them into actively spreading their seed among the human population. A corporation brought on that cataclysm. This is the story of how that came to be known.
"Have a seat, dear. Do you know much of the Northern Sector? No? Well, that's no surprise. It's a mystery to most people. Allow me to tell you a story about how our world became the way it is. It won't take too long. You'll humor an old woman, won't you?
Now, all this chaos started with a discovery. It's been so long now the name's been forgotten. However, the corporation that brought on The Great Darkness frequently comes up in conversations across The Shadowreach. Rumors swirl all the time of new information found in a buried archive or on an undead from the Northern Sector that wandered too far South.
While these incidents are possible, many are rumors and nothing more. The people of The Shadowreach simply want answers, and not even the Order of Volratha has produced anything satisfactory. The closest anyone has come to providing a solid answer was centuries ago when Head Grand Master Kovili of the Order spoke at the signing of the Treaty of Northgate. That day, all four city-states formed an official alliance with the Order of Volratha. Kovili saw the fear in the eyes of the people, and she did her best to give them solace.
'Great people of Udditha, I stand before you saddened by what is happening all over our world. One has to look no further than outside your walls. Northgate has always been a place of peace and beauty. Now, eldritch horrors and undead wander the nearby forests. Demons dare step into the light and inflict their tortures on the living. These are dark times, but fear not, for the Order will not back down. Somewhere in the Northern Sector, buried under all the rubble, are the answers we seek. They must be there because the Order has scoured all of Udditha in search of a solution and found none.
You look at me with fear in your eyes and sadness in your heart, and I feel it in my soul. I heard something for the first time this morning. I overheard someone refer to Udditha by the collective term: The Shadowreach. When I asked for an explanation, I was told that sailing vessels have confirmed that the entire world is enveloped in shadow. There is nowhere in Udditha that the darkness does not touch now.
Well, I refuse. I was born an Eosian of Udditha, and I will not give those monsters the satisfaction of renaming our world for THEM! This is OUR world, and as long as there is blood in my veins, the Order of Volratha will not quit. We will search and fight until we are swimming in blood if that's what it takes! That is my pledge to you, great people of Northgate. We will find the answers, and we will bring back the light.'
Her speech was met with thunderous applause, of course. However, even the great Kovili had admitted the Order had not found a way to disperse the shadows that enveloped our world. Two years later, Kovili led the first expedition into the Northern Sector with a battalion of soldiers and several Chosen Masters. Three people emerged from that doomed expedition. Kovili was not among them. She gave her life for the people of Udditha, so that future generations would have a chance to destroy the darkness.
One of the survivors was the great Grand Master Doon of House Vello. He revealed that the expedition had been successful. Thanks to Kovili and her efforts, the Order knew the path it needed to take. Doon then informed the leaders of the city-states that the Order would be doubling its efforts to seek out those children born during an eclipse. He was convinced they would need as many Chosen as possible to achieve their goal.
According to Doon, the desolation and destruction the expedition encountered in the Northern Sector was immense. Crumbling and rotting buildings, rusted husks of vehicles, and partial skeletons of citizens from before The Tear were scattered everywhere. The expedition had found some sort of facility under what could only have been the former northern capital. There, they found a large stone covered in ancient runes that hummed with energy. When two Chosen touched it, they screamed in agony and were vaporized into a bloody cloud of mist. When the blood settled on the stone, it began to pulse, sending out waves of energy. An otherworldly roar was heard somewhere outside, and the pulses intensified.
The energy waves became so intense that they drove Kovili and her people out of the facility, but not before grabbing as much information as they could. There was no electricity for the old computers, but there were still notes and journals in the room with the stone. For some reason, the mass destruction that had demolished the surface had not touched the underground lab. When they exited, they were confronted by an enormous entity that Doon described as 'the most evil thing he had ever encountered.' Kovili and the rest sacrificed themselves so Doon and the other two Chosen could escape. Doon learned from reading the journal later that the evil being was called The Ancient One.
According to journals, The Ancient One had been coercing those studying the stone device to activate it. The Ancient One had the scientists convinced the device would grant them the knowledge needed to travel the stars. Instead, it unleashed hell on everything they loved, ripping reality like it was a piece of cloth. The Tear caused such an energy blast that it destroyed the city. What followed was a swarm of evil creatures that flowed forth like water from a broken dam.
With this knowledge, Doon began to rebuild the Order of Volratha stronger than before. When possible, children were taken from birth and raised in a controlled environment. They ate, slept, and breathed monster hunting, all with the goal of training Chosen to defeat The Ancient One. No Chosen has succeeded yet. However, we persist, and the Order has held true to Kovili's word. They still hunt the horrors that come from The Tear, but no real progress has been made to disperse the shadows that keep Udditha in a perpetual state of night. It would seem that the Order and the darkness they're at war with are at an impasse.
Whenver you see a Chosen in the street, remember, the Order protects the people. However, it also draws its strength from the very darkness it combats. The real question is, what will happen to the Order of the Volratha when the world returns to normal? You think on that, dear. Now, run along. I need to stretch my legs." -- Lady Garbindall of Northgate to a child passing through the castle's gardens
Last Thoughts
Alright, well, I hope you enjoyed the lore! Remember to share the campaign. Also, remember to add the new custom coin add-on if that interests you. As I said, custom character sheets are on the design board, and I will have them ready to add to the campaign very soon.
Once again, I appreciate and thank all of you for helping make this happen! Have a wonderful day!
-Joseph Weaver - Designer
