moonlitbard

[moonlitbard]

Update - March 2024

Original post: https://ko-fi.com/post/Update--March-2024-D1D0W3IUZ For the first time in a while, I have nothing to give you this month. I've been skirting around burnout thanks to real life stresses and any writing time I would have was taken up by other work (whether freelance or taken off to recover to from working on a weekend).

My latest contract deadline is the 31st though and my schedule is clear for the foreseeable, which means I can attempt to clear my backlog again.

In some kind of order, the backlog is thus: * Pugmire: A Ball to Die For - an adventure for Pugmire from Pugsteady and Onyx Path Publishing. * Pugmire: Highways and Byways - a toolbox of additional rules, callings, and spells for the same. * Trinity Continuum: When Night Falls - an adventure for Trinity Continuum: Core inspired by the movie Pitch Black. * Thalenis: Age of Cataclysms - Setting Guide - everything in the book that isn't tied to mechanics. * Thalenis: Age of Cataclysms - 5e Guide - everything in the book that is tied to 5e mechanics. * Thalenis: Age of Unwelcome Peace - Setting Guide - everything in the book that isn't tied to mechanics. * Thalenis: Age of Unwelcome Peace - 5e Guide - everything in the book that is tied to 5e mechanics.

After that, who knows? I'd love to start work properly on Shifters and my own fantasy TTRPG.

Anyway. Hopefully I'll have something for you next month!

Ryan

[moonlitbard]

Update - February 2024

Well. What a month. What a year, so far, really. Life hasn't been great, but I've managed to throw together a few things this month (more on those later). Next month will likely see a couple of community content releases as I finish projects that I put aside last year for dungeon23, so that'll be cool.

If you're interested in Twitch stuff, I'm going to be experimenting with streaming on alternate Wednesdays (on top of my usual schedule of Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays). I'm also in a two-part actual play for twitch.tv/theonyxpath starting at 12 noon UK time on the 29th Feb and the 7th March.

A TTRPG I'm editing is currently on Kickstarter, if you're interested in haunted-house-in-space stories: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/michaelduxbury/me-the-singularity-a-zinequest-ttrpg?ref=6nqyrr

The two things I released this month were both for the Storypath Game Jam Onyx Path Publishing have hosted and are both pay-what-you-want titles.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/471788/Trinity-Continuum-Begin-Again - an intro adventure for Trinity Continuum Core that is designed to teach you the game as you play.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/471799/How-To-Use-StoryPath-Nexus-Word-Templates - A how-to guide for using the provided MS Word templates for making community content. I think that's it for now. Until next month! Ryan

[moonlitbard]

Update - Jan. 2024

This was a…testing month in terms of personal life stuff. I did manage to get most of my contract writing finished though (and hope to finish it tomorrow).

Highlights include: Contributing a one-page TTRPG to a bundle of the same over on Itch: https://itch.io/b/2270/one-page-endless-possibilities A double book Kickstarter launching for crafting and alchemy rules in your 5e games. I've contributed to both books, so that's pretty exciting: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cubicle-7-games/vault-5e-crafting-and-alchemy

February is looking quiet so who knows what I'll end up doing next month.

[moonlitbard]

The Year Ahead (2024)

I guess it's been a while since I posted here. My bad! This post was originally made on my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/post/2024-and-Ahead-U7U1T490L

A public post, what is this? Madness! A 50% discount link that anyone can use (see below), even more madness! Anyway. Over the course of 2023, I took part in the dungeon23 challenge. As mega-dungeons don't do it for me, I instead opted to make a campaign setting (the links to which are below) and, 365 entries later, it's mostly finished. I still intend to add an adventure path to it, but the book is usable in its entirety as a system-agnostic broken fantasy setting. If you'll allow me a moment of reflection before getting to the promised discount, dungeon23 took up a surprising amount of time and brainspace. My approach to it involved handwriting each entry in a journal as a first draft, editing that draft while typing it up at the start of the next week, and then editing that second draft when I shoved everything through layout into something resembling a book at the end of the month. All told, each three or four sentence(ish) entry took a total of 25 minutes. That's just over 152 hours, or 6.3r, days of work! Absurd!

With all that said, I'm going to use that extra work time to finish other products in my pipeline and, hopefully, start work on new ones, all while juggling freelance work that I HOPE is coming and streaming a few days a week on Twitch. If you want to check out the book, it's available here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=921aaa2a83 - special $6 price until the 8th of February. If you want to pick it up for full price at $12 (thank you): https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424693/The-Risen-Lands You can also buy it for $12 through Itch and Ko-fi. https://moonlitbard.itch.io/the-risen-lands https://ko-fi.com/s/c0b3ddde51

The book will rise to $15 once the adventure path has been added at some point late this year, theoretically.

Side note, Ko-fi supporters of the Ko-mrade tier get everything I make for free, for the most part, although this year's output might be lessened by the volume of work waiting to be edited (two full 100+ page campaign settings, plus their 5e-OGL compatible supplements). Who knows?! ​Thanks for reading. Please stay safe, healthy, and wholesome! ​Ryan

[moonlitbard]

June 2023 Update

Ko-mrades over on Ko-fi can get the updated version of my dungeon23 project here (https://ko-fi.com/post/June-2023--Update-M4M4MNXC0), but v. 0.25 is now available at Drivethru and Itch (click the shop names). Check it out for a system-neutral TTRPG setting, get it while it's cheap as the price goes up monthly

Beyond that, contract writing and IRL issues have occupied most of my time this month. Until next time!

[moonlitbard]

Dungeon23 (and life) Update!

After an unholy combination of real life issues, stress, and deadlines, I've finally been able to update my dungeon23 project across all my stores.

As a reminder, my Ko-fi supporters at the Ko-mrade tier get a version of the book every month, as well as an exclusive channel on my Discord server.

You can support me here: https://ko-fi.com/moonlitbard

Until next time, be wholesome! Ryan

[moonlitbard]

Some news!

I have finally had the time to update my Ko-fi. Ko-mrades now have access to the final content planned for Thalenis: Age of Unwelcome Peace, a steampunk fantasy TTRPG campaign setting with supplemental D&D5e rules. If you want in, join here https://ko-fi.com/moonlitbard

[moonlitbard]

Dungeon23 Update

So, it turns out that dealing with a mouse infestation (plus attending funerals, being ill, and writing 2k words a day for freelance contracts) REALLY puts a damper on the creative juices. I have been plugging away at the challenge though.

I released the update version of The Risen Lands last week. It's new price is $2 and it contains all of the material I wrote in January and February. Check it out here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424693/The-Risen-Lands https://moonlitbard.itch.io/the-risen-lands

And if you're here for this week's update, you're in luck!

I'll see you when I see you! Ryan

[moonlitbard]

Dungeon23 Week 6!

Welcome back, folx. Here's the latest dungeon23 post for your viewing pleasure! Be warned, there is a small amount of body horror here, as well as a cute mimic living its best life.

I'd love to hear how your progress is going!

[moonlitbard]

Dungeon23 Week 5!

Before you say the obvious, no, I haven't forgotten week 4. That's an exclusive location available only in the compiled The Risen Lands book available here: Drivethru: https://drivethrurpg.com/product/424693/The-Risen-Lands

Itch: https://moonlitbard.itch.io/the-risen-lands

Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/s/c0b3ddde51

Here's week 5 though! The ground floor of a two floor dungeon comprising 14 messed up, and possibly haunted, rooms. The ground floor is pretty tame compared to what's coming on the first floor, so get ready for that next week! How is Dungeon23 treating you all?

[moonlitbard]

The Risen Lands is now available for purchase!

#dungeon23 update! I've typed up my notes, made them pretty and made them available to buy for your #TTRPG needs! Drivethru: https://drivethrurpg.com/product/424693/The-Risen-Lands Itch: https://moonlitbard.itch.io/the-risen-lands Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/s/c0b3ddde51 Ko-fi Ko-mrades get a free copy, as usual.

[moonlitbard]

Dungeon23 Week 3: Sunken

Figured I'd experiment with some metroidvania elements this week and I'm mostly happy with the results. Those who are wondering where the NPCs are, the first settlement is arriving next week and is currently quite enjoyable to write up. It's also the first area connected to anything resembling a dungeon. So get hyped for that.

How is dungeon23 treating you?

[moonlitbard]

dungeon23 Week 2: Dead

Having a daily ttrpg ritual is nice, it's a creative exercise I can complete while I eat lunch and it helps me build up a collection of locations I can use for one-shots should I need them. In this week's building, I'd like to highlight the dangers of going into the infirmary while injured, as well as the beginnings of the environmental storytelling exploring the history of the Shattered Archipelago.

I'd love to hear how your dungeon23 exploits are going, so let me know!

[moonlitbard]

An Eventful Year Already

I went away on holiday, ostensibly to relax and Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro hit us all with unchained capitalism. So that was great. My 5e projects are on hold for the foreseeable as I don't want to burn myself out rushing to release them before any potential OGL changes are brought into effect. Sure, I'll lose money this way, but I've got to look after myself otherwise there will be no money anyway. All that said, I decided to try taking part in dungeon23 (for more information on that, click here: https://seanmccoy.substack.com/p/dungeon23) so that's what I've been doing this week as I ease slowly back into content creation.

Rather than a megadungeon, it's likely going to end up being a series of linked dungeons and areas that make up a mini-campaign setting, but there we go. Anyway, without further ado, the Sightstone Tower!

Feel free to use this for home games, non-commercial projects and streamed actual plays, just credit me where appropriate.

Maps will follow at a later date, as soon as I've figured out how best to handle them.

[moonlitbard]

December 2022 - Projects Update

Traditionally, December is a busy month for me, and this year was no different. Social obligations cut into my writing time, and it was a push to get both pieces of content out, but I managed it!

Ko-fi supporters can look forward to reading about:

The Hunting Grounds: an area of Omnis ruled over by an archfey who claims the title of A Cry on the Wind.

Magic Items – 12 new magic items. Six from the drakith empire and six from the realms of the archfey.

Unfortunately, those are the only two releases this month, save for my monthly free release. This month’s is a candle that allows you to speak with the dead and is available here: https://ko-fi.com/s/f81344b22c

Please note, this is the last of the free magical items for a while. I have a selection of spells to cover the next four months, and then I hope to release a mini-campaign setting that includes the free items and spells, along with new material.

I’m going to be putting a hiatus on new material in January so that I can focus on getting the next chunk of Thalenis: Age of Cataclsysms finished and released. If I have time after that, I’ll continue working on When Night Falls.

If you’re interested in seeing me run ttrpg actual plays, keep an eye out. There’s something exciting in the works, but I can’t say more until the new year!

If any of the projects listed here spark your fancy, please do consider supporting me at https://ko-fi.com/moonlitbard. Regular supporters at the Ko-mrade tier gain access to my campaign guides as I write them and free/heavily discounted releases where possible.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great festive season, and I’ll see you in the new year!

Ryan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComradeBubbles | Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/comradebubbles | cohost: https://cohost.org/ComradeBubbles | Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/comradebubbles

[moonlitbard]

November's Projects Update

Another month, another update.

November went by pretty quickly but I was able to write two sections of the Age of Unwelcome Peace campaign setting: a breakdown of the continent of Omnis and a system for tracking Infamy. Ko-fi supporters have access to these right now(!!), so please do swing by https://ko-fi.com/moonlitbard and support me at the Ko-mrade tier or higher.

On top of that, this month saw the release of the first chunk of my Thalenis: Age of Cataclysms campaign setting. Please, do share these links if you know anyone who might enjoy it. Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/s/d2fbedbcf9

Itch.io: https://moonlitbard.itch.io/thalenis-age-of-cataclysms-for-5e

DrivethruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/416368/Thalenis-Age-of-Cataclysms-for-5e

As it's update day, I've added a free D&D 5e-compatible magic item to my store. Check it out if you want a cloak that stabs anyone who gets to close. https://ko-fi.com/s/e72db88f90

Finally, I was able to add my Locus Jam submission to Drivethru for people who prefer to use that as their ttrpg marketplace. Again, if you know anyone who might be interested, please share this link with them: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418011/Locus-Words-Have-Power

If you buy any of these releases, please leave a rating/review if possible.

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to write next month, but hopefully something gets done.

[moonlitbard]

Design Choices and Sneak Preview for November 2022's Material

I've been working on Ko-fi material today and figured I could give you all a sneak preview of some new mechanics I've been working on, and explain my design decisions. Please be aware that the following material is subject to change.

Infamy 0

Infamy 0 has no mechanical effect. The faction in question has no idea the PCs exist.

The PCs are complete unknowns. Noobs.

Infamy 1

The PCs are a minor nuisance. Local members of the faction are vaguely aware of their activities, but not who is behind them.

Encounters at this level include one additional creature per two PCs as the faction reinforces existing representatives.

It takes a week of inactivity, or journeying 10 miles away, to reduce this to Infamy 0.

The idea here is that there's no big threat per se, just a couple of extra NPCs to alter the action economy slightly. Only the first Infamy level adds a potentially large number of NPCs because large combats can drag and be boring.

Infamy 2

The PCs have attracted the wrong kind of attention and the faction has caught wind of them. It may not know who they are, but it is prepared to respond in kind.

Encounters at this level include an elite with their faction’s Infamy 2 faction-specific ability in addition to the normal numbers of faction representatives as the faction sends well-trained officers to oversee the forces in a given area.

It takes two weeks of inactivity, or journeying 10 miles away, to reduce this to Infamy 1.

From experience, a single NPC capable of going toe-to-toe with a PC is worth at least two lesser NPCs, so having an officer replace the increased numbers doesn't add to the number of hostiles and forces the PCs to make potentially interesting decisions about target priority. Faction-specific abilities allow GMs to flavour NPCs to their tastes.

Infamy 3

The PCs have been discovered. Faction members in the local area know who they are and training has increased.

In addition to the elite described at Infamy 2, faction representatives at this level gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws as they received additional training. They additionally gain +2 AC or additional hit points equal to the number of PCs multiplied by the creature’s proficiency bonus plus two, i.e., when encountering three PCs, a guard’s hit points would increase by 3 x (2+2) for a total of 12.

It takes a month of inactivity, or journeying 20 miles away, to reduce this to Infamy 2.

Infamy 3 adds to the training and makes NPCs harder to hit or harder to reduce to 0hp, but not both. The point here is to threaten the PCs with NPCs that are better trained, but not necessarily harder to kill. Mostly, the decision rests with the GM about increasing the AC or the hit points because I want to disclaim any and all decisions that add to combat length. The hit point calculation is mostly just me winging it with what feels right. Something to bear in mind is campaigns are either going to have a lot of downtime to deal with Infamy decay or PCs won't be at Infamy 3 or 4 long enough for hit point totals to get absurdly bloated. GMs are, of course, able to change any of the values they come up with.

Infamy 4

The PCs are known to be a viable threat. The faction begins to move against them.

Encounters at this level include the buffs from Infamy 3, and one additional creature per two player characters as the faction reinforces existing representatives. They also include an elite with the Knight’s Leadership action, their faction’s Infamy 2 and 4 faction-specific abilities, and a suitable magic item.

It takes two months of inactivity, or journeying 50 miles away, to reduce this to Infamy 3.

Here we get to the good stuff. The Leadership action is a great one to slap on any NPC to make hostiles feel like an organised force. I left it this late for simplicity's sake, but it could honestly be moved to an earlier level.

There are two more levels after this, but I've got to keep something up my sleeve. Let me know if you have any questions and hey, if you've enjoyed this, please reblog it, or support me on Ko-fi to get the semi-finished work at the end of the month: https://ko-fi.com/moonlitbard