Update - 02/09/2024
Hello, and welcome to another weekly update! August is finally over, and that means a return to routine. In my case, it just means going back to the gym (I skipped the whole month of August, it was just too hot with no AC in there...), and going back to my regular workplan. As you know, Salvage & Sorcery is basically done. Yesterday I shared with you the alpha file, and if you've taken a look at it, you'll see that there are only some quality of life things to add (bookmarks, table of contents), do an editing pass, add the missing art, and most importantly add the appendix. As I've mentioned before, I think it's a fun setting, and since the core game loop is a super simple one (go to a Site to complete a Mission, come back alive, and repeat), I think it will get old after a few games. So I want to add a few tools for those who want to play the game as an RPG. Temper your expectations, though: this will be a simple thing, just adding some more detail to the setting, some random tables, advice on how to run it, and that's it. My idea is to give some tools for someone wanting to run this for their friends, not to offer all the tools to explore the setting as a solo player. As you know, that would require a lot more of work, and it's beyond the scope of the game. At least for now, if I see that the game is popular, I'll be very happy to add more stuff to it in the future!
This means that I'll be still working on S&S this week. I do think I'll be done with it this week, though. Which means I'll go back to wrapping up Carnage & Aether! I've been relaxed about wrapping up that game because there's so much art missing that the illustrators are going to need a while before they catch up, so I'm not delaying it by not finishing the last few enemies. I'm really excited about it, though! I think it's turning out really good, and it fills a niche I haven't seen filled (at least not outside the world of boardgames).
I'm still unsure about what Patreon rewards I'll have for you guys this month. I'm not sure I'll have anything decent to show you regarding Across a Thousand Hollow Vaults, but I do have a couple of chapters ready to go. I might instead give you guys access to some more Ker Nethalas content that I have more or less ready, probably going into the third Vaelorian Codex issue, whenever that is. I'll think about it!
So that's it for this week, please take a look at S&S if you have access to it, and let me know what you think! I need all the feedback I can get. As usual, once the game is properly finalized, I'll share it with you guys via DTRPG.
Have a great week!
Comments (8)
Hey Alex! I played through a mission of “Salvage & Sorcery” yesterday and had a blast! I ran the mission, “Crumbling orbital defense system” as a “Tech-Knight” and used all three other careers to fill my team. I really liked the way you handle solo playing with a full four man crew! I have a few questions, but I didn’t struggle with anything that kept me from “fast fun combat, mowing down lots of baddies”, just as you advertised! When the horde emerges and does eventually reach the player’s zone, how many dice are rolled by the horde for their single attack per round? Also, is the “Exploration” die rolled on the journey towards the extraction area? I kept rolling an encounter or an ambush at the same time as the horde would spawn at the other end of the combat zone, during my quest through the rooms towards the shuttle, LOL I did survive, but it was probably only because that while I was learning the game, I ignored the rule about each of the (1’s) rolled, negating one of the successes rolled … in doing so, it kind of switched the game to “EASY”, without robbing me of a great time that still felt like a challenge. This is going to be a really fun game to play with my friend that I co-op a few other Blackoath games with! Might also be fun to use this system in our “ATDW” game occasionally too, as an extermination mission at previously explored sites that are highly active! Great job as always! “SALVAGE & SORCERY” is awesome! P.S. Would a SRD copy of the game (without the black background and artwork) be problematic to release to Patreon members, until the physical book is available? Love the look of this game, but my printer hates it, lol Thanks again Alex! You’re the best!
I'm glad you're finding the game fun so far! I keep tweaking things, though, so keep an eye on the DTRPG file! As for your questions: - A horde has 1 Melee Combat per each surviving individual. So if by the time they reach you there are 7 individuals left in the Horde, they attack you with 7 dice. - That's one of the things I fixed: when you're on your way towards Extraction, the only thing you do is spawn Hordes, you forgo any Exploration checks. - SRD: I wouldn't mind releasing a text-only version, but the problem is that I stopped working on the text files and all the changes I've done to the game in the last week have been done directly on the layout file, so now there's a big discrepancy between versions. If you don't mind that, though, I can give you access to the original text files.
More KN content!? Oh man that would be incredible! I know what you mean about wanting to keep going hard on your releases and writing, so I won’t try to tell you to slow down, haha. Just don’t get burned out!
Yes, KN is always in my mind, so I always have something planned, haha. It's my most successful game (together with ATDW), so I'm not planning on slowing down! I'm also worried of getting burned out, but I'm having fun with all the different games and settings, and as long as people give me positive feedback about my work, I can keep going forever, haha!
Don't feel pressured to give us things every month. We're here to support u, not to get stuff (at least me). Also I think you give us A LOT of stuff for free.
Thank you! But I can't let myself relax too much because then I'll stop sticking to my release schedule. Besides, I'm brimming with ideas and I just can't stop writing!
seriusly dont know where you get time for finish a good game in almost lees than a month while writing others game same time and create lot more content in same time! Is insane!
I literally don't do anything else, haha. This month I took it easier and even watched some TV Shows (I watched the whole Kobra Kai series in 3 weeks, when usually a single episode of a show lasts me a week). I love writing RPGs and seeing others liking what I do motivates me even further!