Update - 28/11/2021

Hello, everyone! How have you all been? Before we start, I want to welcome our newest Order members: Thom and Jon. Thanks so much for joining us, guys!

So this weekend I focused on getting the gear section for Across a Thousand Dead Worlds done, which I finally did! My problem was that I kept adding stuff, and while I want the game to have a sci-fi flavor, it's not set in the distant future so it wouldn't make sense to have technology that is completely outlandish. I kept thinking of cool stuff, and then I had to bring it down a notch to make it somewhat plausible in the next 80 years or so. Still, there's a lot of gear to look forwards to! With this done, I can finally finish the GM chapter! That would signal the start of the "open beta" phase, where I'll invite anyone who wants to join the playtesting. While playtesting continues I'll finish the Karum Station chapter, and then the book will be complete! I can't believe we're so close now!

I did some constructive procrastination as well though, working a bit on how the magic is going to work in Empire Undying. I think I've mentioned before that magic is strictly divided into two categories: Miracles and Sorcery. Miracles are granted by the gods, and is the only officially sanctioned spellcasting in the Empire. Sorcery, on the other hand, comes from binding elementals and demons to one's will, and it's largely forbidden due to its dangerous nature. There's no good or evil projected unto each type of magic though, it really depends on how they're used. The Empire stands thanks to the necromantic powers of Erbus the Immortal, avatar of Acanus, and his thousands of priests. So while necromancy is traditionally associated with evil in other games, in Empire Undying it represents the army's (and society's) backbone, the only thing sustaining the Empire's legions against the horrors that dwell beyond its frontiers. Sorcery, on the other hand, is a remnant of a by-gone era, seen by many priests as "stealing from the gods". As a player, you can choose to be a sorcerer if you want, of course, which comes with its own risks, but a lot of benefits as well. 

I can go on cause I have already many pages written about this stuff, but I'll leave it for another day! I'm slowly building up a really cool lore and system, which I'm sure you guys are going to love. 

This week I'll finish the GM chapter for ATDW, and as soon as Phil finishes with the layout I'll open up the playtesting, so we can get the ball rolling. I've also been speaking to some prints in preparation for the upcoming Kickstarter campaign, and things are looking good! I cannot wait to have the game finished and hopefully have a killer KS campaign!

So that's it for today, hope you all have a great week!