First Stretch Goal Unlocked!
2 months ago
– Thu, Nov 07, 2024 at 10:27:17 PM
Foundry VTT Module Unlocked!
I have some amazing news: The stretch goal unlocking the Foundry VTT module has been reached, and that means that backers who use Foundry will have access to the entire campaign FREE! The Foundry module will include all maps, creature stats with standard, weak, and elite templates, and items for you to use in your games. I am very excited to bring the Foundry module to you and can't wait to get it done. I expect to have the Foundry module ready at the same time as the PDF / digital version of the campaign. If you are a backer, you'll receive a link to the Foundry module automatically, so you don't have to do anything to benefit from this stretch goal!
Let's keep it going -- tell your friends about the campaign so that we can hit the next several milestones!
New Art!
I have some new art to share! The artists are working hard at making the world come to life and I'm always excited to share the wonderful artwork as soon as it is delivered. Below are several creatures and characters you and your players will meet during your visit to Yishusu.
Uncanny Trait for Creatures
In the book, there are several new mechanics to help bring the world to life and to ensure we capture the right tone and feeling of horror and despair. One of the new mechanics introduced in the book is the "Uncanny" trait.
"A creature who has the Uncanny ability is especially fierce in battle. If the Uncanny creature gains the paralyzed, petrified, slowed, or stunned conditions it can choose to end that condition at the beginning of its next turn. It still loses any legendary actions it had before the start of its turn.
If a creature has more than one of the listed conditions and has the Uncanny ability, it can choose to end any number of them at the beginning of its next turn. "
In addition to Uncanny, the adventure introduces a new death mechanic called Lingering Mortality, a new Madness mechanic, a defensive ability called Impenetrable, and creature difficulty adjustment templates for Weak and Elite creatures. More information about these mechanics will be posted in future updates.
Discord Server
The Horror at Yishusu Landing Discord server is a great place to stay up to date with what's happening, chat with other backers, and get to know some of the contributors and play-testers of the campaign. If you're interested in joining, click the link below. It's free! https://discord.gg/Z8RUVH3yvk
More Mesoamerican Facts
As I mentioned in the last update, doing research for this project led to some interesting discoveries of facts and trivia about Mesoamerica.
Aztecs and Cleanliness
Did you know that when Cortez arrived in Tenochtitlan he was shocked at how clean the metropolis of Tenochtitlan was? Cleaning crews were constantly cleaning the streets of animal droppings and trash, and strategically positioned garbage disposals allowed the city to remain clean despite its overwhelming population -- a stark difference from metropolitan cities of Europe at the time.
Mazatec Shamans
Did you know that Mesoamerican shamans were known to use psychedelic mushrooms for rituals and therapeutic treatments?
THE DEITIES HAVE CHOSEN SHAMANS IN MESOAMERICA EITHER THROUGH DREAMS, INITIATION RITES, OR DUE TO AN UNEXPLAINED AND PERSISTENT ILLNESS.
Communication and interaction between the chjota chijne and the “principal beings” or sacred entities occur through various types of ecstatic trance, such as fasting, self-sacrifice, or the use of plants, mushrooms, and animals with psychoactive properties.
A similar ritual occurs in the campaign, and is a pivotal moment that provides a revelation necessary for finding a resolution to the conflict in the campaign.
What cool facts have you discovered?
Paying it Forward:
I want to shine a spotlight on projects that look interesting and I think you guys might love. One of those projects is "Quick Bites". I think having a thematic cookbook is a really cool idea, and the fact that it includes monsters, items, and adventures makes a really cool and unique project! Check them out and support them if you can.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/talesandtastes/tales-and-tastes-quick-bites-for-adventurers?ref=9w4je8
Quick Bites for Adventurers
"Quick Bites for Adventurers" is more than just a cookbook; it's an adventure. Each page transports you to different realms, presenting carefully crafted and tested recipes designed to align perfectly with D&D and any fantasy TTRPG.
What’s Inside:
50+ Thematic Recipes (with illustrations): Discover meals that are perfect for adventurers and inns, presented with thematic flair to enhance your gameplay.
5e-Compatible Content: New monsters, items and potions to enhance your campaign.
Battle Maps and STL Files: Print your own monsters and battlemaps for dynamic gameplay experiences!
Culinary Player Class: Explore the culinary arts with a detailed player class featuring two unique subclasses that represent different aspects of cooking and gastronomy.
Adventure Hooks: Culinary-themed quests and encounters.
Thank you all again for being so awesome! The finish line is less than 2 weeks away
-Vase
One week in, 300% funded!
3 months ago
– Tue, Oct 29, 2024 at 07:58:15 AM
Still Going Strong!
Hey everyone! We are officially one week into the Kickstarter campaign and we still have some great momentum! Thank you all again for such a wonderful show of support. Based on some expert analysis, we are trending to finish 400-500% to goal, and we couldn't have done it without such a supportive group of friends.
Discord Server
The Horror at Yishusu Landing Discord server is a great place to stay up to date with what's happening, chat with other backers, and get to know some of the contributors and play-testers of the campaign. If you're interested in joining, click the link below. It's free! https://discord.gg/bjNGmB5M
Aztec Death Whistle
A lot of the magic items found within the campaign are heavily inspired by historical artifacts from Mesoamerica. One of my favorite artifacts is the Aztec Death Whistle. This skull-shaped decorative instrument is thought to have been used in battle to strike fear into the enemies of the Aztecs. If you ever heard its horrifying sounds on a battlefield, you probably would turn white with fear. A quick search on YouTube presents you with dozens of results with videos featuring this incredible instrument of war. Take a quick listen and I think you'll agree it's absolutely terrifying!
Naturally, we added a similar device in the adventure. It is a magic item that your players will love to use! Wait until you see it in action in the adventure.
What's Your Favorite Mesoamerican Fact?
As I researched all things Mesoamerican history while working on this project I learned some amazing facts that inspired some events and Easter eggs that can be found in the campaign. For example, did you know that the Aztecs became self-sufficient by creating "floating gardens" around the city of Tenochtitlan?
The city was built on an island, which allowed it to be protected from attacks. The floating gardens (called Chinampa) existed before the Aztecs, but they are the first known civilization to have used them in such a large scale. The crops they harvested could keep the city fed without the need to go find food.
What is your favorite fact or trivia question related to these ancient civilizations? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear about it!
Keep Telling Your Friends
Thank you all again for everything. The campaign momentum is still strong and getting the word out to friends and family is one of the best ways to get to those stretch goals. I am going to do a livestream at some point next week on my YouTube channel, Twisted Tentacle Inn, to answer questions and hang out with you all. I'll post more information about it on the Discord server (where all of the up-to-date news and info will be communicated).
All the best!
- Vase
WOW! We are forging ahead with purpose...
3 months ago
– Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 10:14:50 PM
We reached our goal on the first day!
Just a few days in, and thanks to your incredible support, I'm thrilled to announce that we’ve already reached over 200% of our funding goal! Your enthusiasm and belief in this project have absolutely blown us away, and we can’t thank you enough for helping us get off to such an incredible start. Seeing this community grow so quickly has been an unforgettable experience, and I'm inspired by each and every one of you who has joined us on this journey.
As we forge ahead with our campaign, we have some exciting updates and stretch goals in the works to make this project even better. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to share more surprises with you as we continue. Your support has made this dream a reality, and I'm so grateful to have you with us every step of the way. Thank you again for believing in us and for helping make this project something truly special!
If you haven't already, check out the campaign page for the updated stretch goals. We are very close to locking down the first stretch goal, which unlocks the Foundry VTT module for all backers -- at no cost! Tell your friends and people in your D&D circles about "Horror at Yishusu Landing" so that they can help us reach the next milestone! Use this link to share the campaign with your friends: Horror at Yishusu Landing on Kickstarter.
More art to share!
Here are some additional sketches for characters and creatures in the book, drawn by one of the talented artists, Imad Awan.
Paying it forward
Since I mentioned community, I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a cool project you might be interested in. I am not involved in any way but it looked amazing and I wanted to get the word out. It's called "The Administration: London by Night", and it is a very interesting take on Victorian-era Lovecraftian mystery. Their project Kickstarter ends in 2 days and it would be amazing if we can help them during their final push.
Back them here: The Administration: London by Night.
"The Administration - London by Night takes place in an alternate universe,
high-fantasy Victorian-era England with a touch of Lovecraftian mystery.
Here the various races of D&D mingle freely (although not always peacefully)
with each other, creating a world of strange denizens and magic mixed with
the marvels of the early Industrial Age.
The Fearless Agents For Order (F.A.F.O.) Administration (known mainly as
just 'The Administration') are there to make sure the status-quo is
maintained. It's dangerous, often mind-boggling and always thankless, but
being an Agent of the F.A.F.O. Administration is its own reward -- along
with whatever loot you can bag along the way, of course."
Thank you all so much for all the love and support, you rock.
- Vase.
