Manuscript Review & Druid of Fantasia
almost 4 years ago – Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 06:53:44 AM

Hello Good Friends and Terrific Travelers,

As we close out out second week in this 4-week campaign, we're still making great progress! We're smack dab in the middle of the normal campaign grind weeks, but still moving forward and doing well. Backers are still finding out about our project and crossing over to join us, and it's exciting to see the word spread on this game.

THE TABLETOP ALMANAC

And, speaking of people finding out about this game and sharing their excitement and interest, another review has popped up online. This time, the Tabletop Almanac has a review of the preview manuscript. Check it out here: TABLETOP ALMANAC REVIEWS LEGENDLORE

A reminder for all new backers, you can download the preview manuscript for FREE right now! Start playing and provide feedback to help make the game even better!

The manuscript has gone through a few drafts already, but there's an ongoing development and editing process that sees the book worked on right up until it's at the printer. Have your say early - help Onyx Path catch any errors or issues and keep things moving quickly along the project track.

For those just joining who haven't read the manuscript yet, the rules of the Legendlore RPG will be fairly familiar to most of you, as it's based on the Fifth Edition of the world's best-selling fantasy roleplaying game system. But, it's not simply an atlas based on the comic series from Caliber. There are also additional rules and options present to reflect the world of The Realm and its' inhabitants.

Druid of Fantasia

Druid Circle

Druids of the Fantasian circle hail from the island of that name. People revere them for their connection to the old magic and beasts of the world. These druids seek to safeguard nature, using their magic to mend wounds and bring life to beleaguered lands. They are welcome in all realms, and gladly travel to regions where they can lend assistance, but closely guard their secrets against outsiders.

Touch of the Wilds

At 2nd level, you can draw the power of nature into yourself, restoring magical energy and causing anywhere you rest to experience new and faster growth a few days after your passing.

During a short rest you recover a number of spell slots equal to half your druid level (rounded up). The spell slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your druid level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher. You choose which spell slots to recover within those limits.

You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.

Mark of Beasts

At 6th level, you begin to manifest physical animal traits as your connection to nature grows. You initially select two traits, and an additional trait at 10th and 14th level. You may also change existing traits any time you gain a new one. These traits are not lost when in your wild shape, though they may be replaced by that shape’s own features if they are inherently better.

Additionally you have advantage on Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks with any beasts that have similar traits to the ones you’ve manifested.

Physical Traits

• Antlers. If you move at least 10ft before attacking, you can make an unarmed head-butt attack for 1d8 bludgeoning damage.
• Hooves. Your speed increases by 5ft, and your unarmed kick attacks deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage.
• Sharp Claws. Your unarmed attacks deal 1d6 slashing damage.
• Night Vision. You gain 60ft of darkvision.
• Flexible Tail. You gain a tail that gives you advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
• Heightened Sense. You gain a feature such as pronounced ears, wolf snout, forked tongue, or owl eyes which grants you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that use the associated sense. You may take this trait multiple times, though it must be for a different sense each time.

Invasive Growth

Starting at 10th level, you can cast entangle, barkskin, spike growth, blight, or tree stride once per short rest without expending a spell slot, or requiring any material components.

Expansive Magic

Starting at 14th level, when you cast a spell of 1st level or higher that has an area effect or radius, it increases by 10ft.

#Legendlore

#DruidOfFantasia

Listen with Legendlore!
almost 4 years ago – Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 05:05:17 AM

Hello Good Friend and Terrific Travelers!

I hope you've all had a fun weekend! I caught a bunch of panels that were part of the Onyx Path Virtual Game Convention, but there's still so much that I missed that I want to check out. Catch up on Onyx Path's Twitch channel <HERE> or Youtube channel <HERE>. You know I'll be sharing links when any Legendlore games are posted to Youtube!

And speaking of sharing Legendlore links - our tireless developer, Steffie De Vaan, has been out making the rounds, spreading the word about this project we're all supporting. The latest episode of The Story Told podcast is all about Legendlore! Give it a listen when you've got a moment!

THE STORY TOLD Episode 55 - LEGENDLORE

#Legendlore

Play as Visitors! Play as Realmborn!
almost 4 years ago – Sun, Jun 14, 2020 at 10:13:15 AM

Hello Good Friends and Terrific Travelers!

One of the first talking points used when describing Legendlore is the isekai-style idea of a person from our world crossing over and becoming a fantasy character analogue in The Realm. And that's certainly an option that's true to the source material, but it's not the only option! The game supports not only travelers (whether based on the player or a new character), but also those native to the world of Legendlore - the realmborn.

When you build a character in the Legendlore RPG, you can build a traveler who is visiting from our world and bringing their knowledge and background into the Realm, or you can build someone native to East Azoth. Here are example backgrounds that can be applied to differentiate the origins of your character.

Visitor Backgrounds

These backgrounds represent the life experience Visitors take with them, and how that translates to skills in the Realm.

Medical Professional

You save lives. At least, that’s what the general idea is. Whether you have the all-important letters “Dr.” and “M.D.” next to your name or not, and whether or not you work in private practice or a group setting like a hospital, healing is your job, and you’ve dedicated a big chunk of your life to training and preparation for it. You’ve probably seen some awful things, particularly if you worked in a trauma ward or emergency room.

The Crossing didn’t change much about any of that except the setting. There are still people who need medical care in the Realm, some much more so than back on Earth, and you might be the only person for miles around ready to deliver that care. Even if this was just a paycheck to you, compassion is something you can learn, and it’s calling out for you to make a difference.

• Skill Proficiencies: Medicine and Perception
• Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, and your choice of one artisan’s tool, gaming set, or musical instrument
• Equipment: Common clothes, a first-aid kit

Feature: First Do No Harm

Even in a world as chaotic as Azoth can be, some things are still universal, and this is one: a good doctor is hard to find. Even in situations where the lives of others might be held cheaply, such as when captured by bandits, if you make it clear that you are a healer, most foes will decline to do serious violence to you. They’re likely to put you to work, but that’s better than a sword in the gut or confinement in a pit or cell — and it’s an opportunity for you to do something to rescue your friends.

Suggested Characteristics

Medical professionals often have dark senses of humor, particularly those who deal with serious injuries and trauma. It’s a way for you to blow off steam, considering how high-pressure the job can be. You know how to hold that in, but will let it out among others who understand the spirit in which it’s meant. You likely have a decent-enough bedside manner, and will find it hard to neglect someone in need of care.

Roleplaying Aficionado

You’ve gone through impossibly deadly dungeons without suffering a scratch. You saved kingdoms and married at least three grateful royal scions. You have been a master swordfighter, a brilliant wizard, a compassionate cleric. You played all these roles and more across from your friends, and you know the ins and outs of dozens of settings and systems. Your entire life has been spent preparing for this moment. Regrettably, very little of that preparation actually prepared you to do it for real.

• Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight
• Tool Proficiencies: One kind of gaming set, and a disguise kit
• Languages: Any one fictional language
• Equipment: Common clothes, one kind of gaming set or a disguise kit

Feature: Metaknowledge

For practically every situation you find yourself in, you’ve been through something at least a little bit like it in the realm of the imaginary, and you have ideas about how to tackle it. Once per session, you may ask the GM any question about the structure of the narrative. For example, you might ask “Is this shady guy in the tavern going to backstab us?” After you ask your question, make an Insight check. If you’re successful, the GM will answer your question honestly. Whether you’re able to convince your friends of the accuracy of your metatextual intuition is another question.

Suggested Characteristics

You’re often a bit more adventurous than is healthy, seeing life as a wild adventure — at least at first. You might maintain that zest for experience, or learn the hard way that real life is nothing like your fantasies. Even when you suffer bad experiences, though, you retain a certain joi d’vivre that lifts the mood of your fellows. You can always count on a gamer to find some way to engage others in play.

Realmborn Backgrounds

These backgrounds represent the upbringing and cultural experience of Realmborn characters. As Realmborn, you’re also familiar with your home nation which you can read more about in Chapter Nine: Nations of the Realm. With GM discretion, Visitors who spent a long time in the Realm may exchange their Visitor background for a Realmborn one.

Bryzine

The majority of the population in Bryzine are trolls, both the feral mine trolls and the friendly Bryzine trolls. The nation is welcoming to outsiders however, particularly those interested in trade, and its not uncommon for residents to speak multiple languages to assist these endeavors. All people are welcome in Bryzine, so long as they're willing to live and trade in peace.

• Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Animal Handling
• Tool Proficiencies: Jeweler’s tools or mason’s tools, plus Navigator’s tools
• Equipment: A week's worth of rations (usually mastodon jerky), a 50 foot length of silk rope, A headlamp, and a pouch of gems worth 20gp.

Feature: Trade Goods

The largest exports of Bryzine are their precious gems. The kingdom is home to the largest raw gem reserves in the Realm, providing the finest quality stones to all corners. They also trade in the meat of the large deer and mastodon predominantly used to sate the mine trolls. Gaining access to their extensive connections is worth its weight in diamonds, quite literally. In addition to its many legitimate trade connections, Bryzine sees a thriving black market for nearly any item a person might need. It is said if it can't be found in the markets of Bryzine, it isn't for sale. You can access these connections anytime in Bryzine, or with GM discretion and a short rest abroad.

Enchanted Forest

Massive and ancient, the Enchanted Forest is an untouched arboreal paradise. Its people, predominantly elves and pixies, are naturally cautious of humans and, to a lesser extent, other people not native to the forest who have a penchant to cutting down trees to make room for brick buildings. Despite this, they are not closed off to outsiders so long as they are respectful of the forest and its people. It should come as no surprise that druids are drawn here more than most other kingdoms.

• Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Survival
• Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, your choice of musical instrument
• Equipment: A week’s worth of travel rations, 50 feet of hempen rope, a tent, and a bedroll.

Feature: The Forest Has Eyes

Under the shade of the ancient trees, the sounds of nature around them, travelers think themselves alone and unheard. They would be foolish to think so, as the inhabitants are keenly aware anytime someone new sets foot in their land. This whisper network stretches from the smallest beetle to the tallest oak, and all the way to the sovereigns of the elves. If someone with ill intent strides into the Enchanted Forest, rarely do they walk back out again. And likewise, an explorer with good intentions may find themselves guided as though by an unseen hand to their destination. Within the Enchanted Forest, you can easily find out about recent local events as well as visitors to the Enchanted Forest. Furthermore, in the Enchanted Forest and outside its borders, deciduous forest never counts as difficult terrain for you.

#Legendlore

The Return of a Gentleman and a Session Zero for a Saturday Update
almost 4 years ago – Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 10:58:40 AM

Greetings Good Friends and Terrific Travelers!

And hello to all Kickstarter Curious, dropping by to check out this project now that we're funded! If you're curious about the Legendlore RPG book, here's a video from the Gentleman Gamer, Matthew Dawkins, who recently returned and catches us up on his latest projects, thoughts, and what's going on in the world. Not only does he answer a lot of questions, about 3 minutes in he touches on this project we're supporting, Legendlore, and his fondness for it:

We've also got an Actual Play video from Steffie De Vaan, the developer for the Legendlore RPG. Despite a few technical difficulties, you can see the importance of a Session Zero - not only creating your characters for the game, but setting up what kind of game you want to play and what sorts of things you want to explore! Great stuff:

It was Steffie's first time hosting a live game, and I think she did a great job!

Speaking of a great job, I'm still beaming after we crossed our funding target yesterday! It's fantastic to see the support and affection this game is getting! Thanks again to everyone!

#Legendlore

FUNDED! and some Stretch Goals!
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 05:40:11 PM

To all Realmborn and Travelers! Terrific news!

Thanks to your efforts, the Kickstarter campaign for the Legendlore RPG has reached it's funding target! That means Onyx Path will be able to transition the game from the fun preview mansucript form to a complete release by adding art, layout, editing, development, and what I can only imagine is referred to as "the full treatment."

And now that we've crossed over our funding threshold, let's see if we can't add another reward or two before we complete our journey.

If we manage to hit $20,000 in funding - Legendlore RPG GM Reference Screen — We’ll create a Legendlore RPG Reference Screen, which can be added on to any reward tier containing a hardcover book for only +$20.

If we manage to hit $23,000 in funding - Legendlore Player’s Companion: Brought From Earth— Help us fund a Player’s Companion for the Legendlore RPG. This PDF supplement would feature new and expanded Crossings, Legends, and Strange Things. All backers receiving the Legendlore RPG PDF will automatically have the Player’s Companion PDF added to their rewards list.

Once we unlock this Stretch Goal, we’ll also add a new Reward Tier – Legend of the Realm! This premium reward tier will allow a limited number of backers to have an even greater impact in the Realm by helping to design a new heroic destiny.

Some big challenges and big numbers, but they are called S-T-R-E-T-C-H Goals, so we've got to stretch a bit to achieve them. I'm really - really! - hopeful we can unlock that Companion book. We've still got about 3 weeks to go, so please continue to spread the word.

But - don't forget to celebrate! This is an amazing achievement. Great job, everyone! And, don't forget to check out tonight's game of Legendlore at OnyxPathCon and thanks again to everyone for their support!

#Legendlore