Hello my precious backer of the Underworld Races & Classes tome, I hope this email finds you well!
We've hit that "muddle in the middle" point in the Kickstarter where things slow w-a-y d-o-w-n and I feel like we're treading water in a sea made of molasses! If you've been sitting on the fence now is the time to jump in and pledge your support so we can unlock the maximum number of stretch and backer goals. If you've been procrastinating in regards to promoting the project, now is the time to pick up the virtual phone and start pounding those keys spreading the news of our existence to friends and various media outlets across the net.
Thank you for all your support and helping make these books possible. We have some very special stretch goals coming up and will reveal them once we unlock the last two pieces of Mates Laurentiu artwork. Also, for all you Realm Works fans out there-- we're getting much closer to making those files available to everyone.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
-Jonathan G. Nelson Owner/Publisher AAW Games
P.S. -- More juicy details on the URC Kickstarter below:
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Thilo Graf (AKA Endzeitgeist)'s Corner
Revealing new details on the forthcoming races and classes!
Gitwerc: These fellows are be the undisputed masters of the true underworld, servants of the diabolic powers of Hel. The gitwerc can turn their slain foe’s souls into candles, generating devastating arcane ambushes. And then, there would be the underterror, a fully realized, lethal class that can mutate in horrific ways, using PFRPG’s evolution engine. 5e players and GMs get a fully, from the ground up redesigned version of this class, adjusted to the power-level of 5e - with two complex archetypes that drastically change the playing experience of these mutating nightmares.
Hoyrall: 4-armed insectoid aliens with sentient symbiotic weapons. Come on, do you really need to hear more? Well, with a sundered, divine hive-mind, their culture is creative; their arms allow for unique play styles as well, which, in PFRPG, would be represented via a complex archetype that focuses on utilizing their 4 arms to become deadly offensive (or defensive!) balls of flashing steel. Of course, once again, the 5e-version of the race offers different representations of exactly these concepts! As a nice bonus: The symbiote firearm-rules are fully compatible with those of colliatur, dødelig...and, of course, the base rules! Oh, and Berserk-style megalomania blades.
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Words from PFRPG word-ninja Stephen Rowe
Hello! I'm Stephen Rowe, a mostly-freelance writer, designer, editor, and developer. I've worked with many illustrious companies including Paizo, Kobold Press, Rogue Genius Games, Zombie Sky Press, and of course, AAW Games. I spent a few years as the lead designer of the Four Horsemen, write a recurring Friday humor column on the Kobold Press Blog (Memoirs of a Lich), and have an official title of "Master of the Mechanical Stuff" with Playground Adventures, where I help produce adventures and supplemental RPG products for kids and teens!
I’ve completed my editing pass of the PFRPG Underworld Races and Classes text, and was blown away by the novelty throughout. I am a pretty harsh critic when it comes to Pathfinder crunch, but the writing held up well against my vicious red pen. I now look forward to polishing it up with the designers, to make certain backers get the best end product possible.
Given the fact that I’m running an underworld game, I fully plan on shamelessly farming this beautiful book for ideas. Also, I’m itching to play a fungal hulk barbarian (do they make a topical ointment for that?)
-Stephen Rowe
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Did you miss the Nerdarchy interview?
Which Ad do you like best?
Here are two full page ads to help promote the Underworld Races & Classes project on Kickstarter. Which do you like best?
Tell us in the comments below!
Which ad do you like best? Left or Right?
Stretch & Backer Goals
What's Been Unlocked?
22 pieces of new art added to book - Unlock just 2 more to reveal the next tier of Stretch Goals!
Hero Lab files (5E)
Hero Lab files (PF)
Fantasy Grounds (5E)
Fantasy Grounds (PF)
What's Still Locked?
Realm Works (5E) – 60 more backers needed to unlock!
Realm Works (PF) – 87 more backers needed to unlock!
AAW Games is a tabletop game publisher located in Snoqualmie, Washington. Popular award winning and nominated works include Mini-Dungeons Collection, Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, and Into the Wintery Gale.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com provides monthly subscribers with a steady stream of D&D 5th Edition and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventures in online flipbook and PDF formats. $10 monthly subscription grants access to our entire back catalog of 200+ Pathfinder RPG adventures, 40+ D&D 5th Edition adventures, VTT Map Packs, Mini-Dungeons, Fantasy Grounds modules, sound effects, and much more!
Tumblr: Post to Tumblr and let your fingers do the talking.
If you run a blog or other news outlet: Email us at jonathan((at))aawgames.com to receive the Underworld Races & Classes press release and set up an interview or podcast with us.
Dweorg: Something for the traditionalists out there! The dweorg are the dwarves we all know and love, but with a twist. Know how mythology understands dwarves as those brilliant craftsmen? Well, both the smithkin and fortune’s smith archetypes allow for radically different takes on that trope, providing for meaningful decisions in combat and beyond. A fortune’s smith can make the equipment he crafted lucky, helping his adventuring companions on the fly! Have I mentioned the fact that you can throw pocket anvils at your foes?
Funglet: Okay, ever wanted to play a myconoid or Swamp-thing? There you go. Sentient fungus-folk with multiple subtypes, PFRPG receives a PrC for throwing explosive mushrooms, while 5e receives a druid circle and a new cleric domain to represent that concept. Yes, you can actually fuse your feet to a mushroom and jump around the battlefield. I mentioned Swamp-thing: In PFRPG, both regular and unchained barbarians can grow in size while raging and leave a trail of quickly decomposing vegetable matter that can hamper foes, cripple even. Oh, and they can grow explosive fruit from your body! And before you ask: Of course, 5e players gain that one as a new primal path as well!
Facebook Groups: We have an Underworld Races & Classes Facebook group which will contain addition information on the project. Join the conversation here!
Tumblr: Post to Tumblr and let your fingers do the talking.
If you run a blog or other news outlet:
Email us at jonathan((at))aawgames.com to receive the Underworld Races & Classes press release and set up an interview or podcast with us.
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Who is AAW Games?
AAW Games is a tabletop game publisher located in Snoqualmie, Washington. Popular award winning and nominated works include Mini-Dungeons Collection, Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, and Into the Wintery Gale.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com provides monthly subscribers with a steady stream of D&D 5th Edition and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventures in online flipbook and PDF formats. $10 monthly subscription grants access to our entire back catalog of 200+ Pathfinder RPG adventures, 40+ D&D 5th Edition adventures, VTT Map Packs, Mini-Dungeons, Fantasy Grounds modules, sound effects, and much more!
Words from the Publisher: Rise of the Drow Collector's Edition and Underworld Races & Classes?
Backers keep asking about Rise of the Drow and inquiring to see if we'll be producing a new version for both 5th Edition and Pathfinder RPG. Originally we wanted to keep things under wraps but a few diligent backers finally got it out of me… it's true! Rise of the Drow will be coming late 2017/early 2018 to Kickstarter in a completely revised version (pending stretch goals of course) adding new art, maps, and helping with the conversion work. If we're able to meet the required backer and stretch goals we hope to put all the Rise of the Drow books into a single massive Rise of the Drow Collector's Edition which will compliment your Underworld Races & Classes hardcover perfectly. New sections in RotD will also detail how the various new races interact in the Underworld as the heroes progress through the adventure and even allow for the evil races to participate–perhaps acting as spies travelling with the party, assisting the drow agenda, or attempting to thwart what plans the good dwarves of Embla and Stoneholme have in place to protect their homes and brethren.
More stretch and backer goals in the Underworld Races & Classes Kickstarter have been unlocked, so scroll down to learn more and see what you can do to help spread the word and keep this awesome Kickstarter chugging along.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our project. I am grateful for your help!
-Jonathan G. Nelson
Owner/Publisher
AAW Games
Drow & Dvergr
Thilo Graf (AKA Endzeitgeist)'s Corner
Revealing new details on the forthcoming races and classes!
Drow: Okay, these fellows don’t need an introduction. PFRPG players receive a new domain for their poisonous deity and can look forward to an archetype that specializes in antagonizing foes (which retains compatibility with standard and 3pp-rules!) as well as a deadly monk archetype: The Master of the Web would be what happened if Spiderman was a deadly drow killer instead of a superhero. Yep, weapon-webbing included...and high-level transformation into a multi-armed whirlwind of quasi-arachnid destruction; and because these are just too cool, 5e players can look forward to a fully realized drow domain as well...alongside variant classes for these two. They were just too cool to make them just class options!
Dvergr: What’s cooler than regular duergar? Well, how about dire badger-riding cavalry that can tunnel through the earth in their charges? What about a sapper who excels at using the magical equivalent of dynamite? Picture a dwarf, clad in rags, atop the bodies of the fallen, all around him are devastation and entropy. PFRPG players can now be exactly that character via a complex antipaladin archetype that gains an intelligent, magic item devouring and converting weapon! And because this concept was too cool and 5e so far doesn’t cover that angle, 5e players and GMs can now look forward to an evil variant class of the paladin, the dour destroyer, with fully realized oaths! Of course all the other options mentioned above are available in 5e as well!
Jeffrey Hersh is Building Hero Lab (unlocked for 5E/PF)
Hey backers! With the goal reached, work is ongoing with both the Pathfinder and 5E version of the Hero Lab files. These will include all the wonderful crunchy bits in the book including artwork for the NPCs and creatures from the bestiary. 5E files will become available from LWD upon conclusion of the Kickstarter project, Pathfinder RPG soon to follow and distributed via DTRPG.
-Jeffrey Hersh, Hero Lab Developer
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What's Been Happening?
Over the weekend we hit $19k which unlocked more artwork!
Another large backer goal hurdle was overcome and 5E backers unlocked Fantasy Grounds files. This adds professionally constructed files allowing you to create and play the races and classes of the Underworld using the Fantasy Grounds virtual tabletop.
What's Next?
We're still unlocking new pieces of artwork from Mates Laurentiu with every $1k raised in this Kickstarter; recently added were the Ahool Keener, Crystal Cannonade, and Colliatur Reaver of which Mates has already started line art as shown below.
Pathfinder backers are only a few backers away from unlocking Fantasy Grounds, beyond that will be Realm Works files for both PF and 5E.
Tumblr:Post to Tumblr and let your fingers do the talking.
If you run a blog or other news outlet: Email us at jonathan((at))aawgames.com to receive the Underworld Races & Classes press release and set up an interview or podcast with us.
****
Who is AAW Games?
AAW Games is a tabletop game publisher located in Snoqualmie, Washington. Popular award winning and nominated works include Mini-Dungeons Collection, Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, and Into the Wintery Gale.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com provides monthly subscribers with a steady stream of D&D 5th Edition and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventures in online flipbook and PDF formats. $10 monthly subscription grants access to our entire back catalog of 200+ Pathfinder RPG adventures, 40+ D&D 5th Edition adventures, VTT Map Packs, Mini-Dungeons, Fantasy Grounds modules, sound effects, and much more!
The Underworld Races & Classes Kickstarter for 5th Edition and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is going strong thanks to YOU! We are currently hovering somewhere between $17-$18k and have crushed through numerous stretch goals adding 16 pieces of new artwork to the book. Backer Goals have unlocked Hero Lab files and very soon 5E backers will be adding Fantasy Grounds files with full automation (identical functions to the FG PHB-- drag and drop races/classes to character sheet).
Hero Lab -- Coding for Hero Lab is being done by the lead HL expert employed by Paizo to convert all of their books. Reported errors post-build will be fixed and patched in a very professional and efficient manner.
Fantasy Grounds -- Coding for the Fantasy Grounds build is being done by the lead conversion expert employed by WotC for their builds so you'll be getting an absolutely solid product. I'm very excited to add this to URC because I utilize Fantasy Grounds at my own gaming table.
Backer Goals and Beyond -- Looking forward we have Fantasy Grounds and Realm Works files to unlock afterwhich are three Underworld adventures in PDF for 5th Edition or the Pathfinder RPG (separate books). All backers will receive this reward once unlocked regardless of pledge level. Beyond these goals we've already been talking in house about some special supplemental materials for the core URC book. If we crush through the rest of these stretch and backer goals you can be sure we'll have something very interesting to add to this project.
P.S. -- Keep reading below, there's more to share in this update!
-Jonathan G. Nelson
Owner/Publisher
AAW Games
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Thilo Graf (AKA Endzeitgeist)'s Corner
Revealing new details on the forthcoming races and classes!
Dødelig: Petrified quasi-undead halflings with an undisputed joie-de-vivre, the dødelig come with a racial paragon class for PFRPG, allowing them to adapt to the searing rays of the sun. Oh, and have I mentioned the gunslinger/bard hybrid mirthful mariachi that specializes on blending masterpieces with a hail of bullets? In 5e, the dødelig thus come with a fully realized bardic college to represent their mariachi tradition, as well as optional firearm rules, fully compatible with the above, in case you want some black powder in your game. Have I mentioned that they can fuse together into a gestalt entity?
Draaki: Savage, draconic humanoids, the draaki have fallen far - their blood may be diluted, but their different tribes still have powerful, diverse tricks. PFRPG players can follow the track of their racial paragon class, the Wyrmblooded, to become a true heir to their mighty legacy, while 5e players can look forward to enhancing their draaki heritage in various ways, setting them distinctly apart from the dragonborn. Oh, two words: Breath Weapon Crossfire.
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Words from the 5E Dept.
I’m excited to see these races and classes begin crawling up out of the caves and into the hands of players! Editing the 5E material has certainly given me some ideas for their inclusion in the upcoming Rise of the Drow 5E Kickstarter that AAW Games will be launching late 2017/early 2018.
Facebook Groups: We have an Underworld Races & Classes Facebook group which will contain addition information on the project. Join the conversation here!
Twitter:Tweet about the campaign and share your thoughts.
Tumblr:Post to Tumblr and let your fingers do the talking.
If you run a blog or other news outlet:
Email us at jonathan((at))aawgames.com to receive the Underworld Races & Classes press release and set up an interview or podcast with us.
****
Who is AAW Games?
AAW Games is a tabletop game publisher located in Snoqualmie, Washington. Popular award winning and nominated works include Mini-Dungeons Collection, Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, and Into the Wintery Gale.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com provides monthly subscribers with a steady stream of D&D 5th Edition and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventures in online flipbook and PDF formats. $10 monthly subscription grants access to our entire back catalog of 200+ Pathfinder RPG adventures, 40+ D&D 5th Edition adventures, VTT Map Packs, Mini-Dungeons, Fantasy Grounds modules, sound effects, and much more!
Funded in the first hour!
about 7 years ago
– Fri, Apr 07, 2017 at 12:12:19 PM
Words from the Publisher
I am speechless. Our backers are quite obviously fans of our books many of whom got their start with the incredibly popular Rise of the Drow Kickstarter. Within 1 hour of launching the Underworld Races & Classes Kickstarter we had already funded and within the next few hours the funds gathered had quadrupled! We've already unlocked numerous stretch goals adding new artwork by Mates Laurentiu to the 5th Edition and Pathfinder RPG Underworld Races & Classes tomes. Also unlocked was the Underworld Weapons & Armor section of the book which gives your new PCs access to some gear suitable for use in the Underworld.
As I go to sleep, I smile knowing that the other half of the globe will soon wake from their dark slumber only to be inspired by this project similar to the Dungeoneer's Survival Guide and Gary Gygax's modules which inspired me in my youth.
Thank you for supporting this project and sharing links with your friends which helps us continue to unlock new stretch and backer goals adding new artwork, Hero Lab, Realm Works, and Fantasy Grounds files for those who rely on technology to make their games smoother and more easily accessible to both players and GMs/DMs alike.
I am grateful. Grateful for each of you and the support to which you've pledged for this project. Thank you for believing in us and our creative dreams. Together we shall make these new tomes a reality!
Revealing new details on the forthcoming races and classes!
Savage, bloodthirsty and deadly
Ahool: Savage, bloodthirsty and deadly, these guys come in different versions, with some of their ilk having adapted to life in the gigantic chasms while others have made the subterranean lakes their home. Class-wise, PFRPG players can look forward to the racial paragon class that allows you to become an exemplar of the race and the Ironsinger specialists that can emit deadly sonic bursts. 5e players get 3 fully realized subraces and can employ feats to get the iconic vampiric abilities, including communication with creepy-crawlies and a whole new cleric domain to represent the servants of the bloodthirsty bat lords.
Radiant, crystalline growths with a deeply ingrained fondness for life
Colliatur: Radiant crystalline growths with a deeply ingrained fondness for life - colliatur are a perfect race for those wanting to play the good guy with a slightly weird twist. Have I mentioned that they can break off parts of their own body to act as weapons or improvised tools? PFRPG players may use the gunslinger engine to fire fragments of non-lethal crystalline blasts at foes. The sub-par monk class (as well as the improved unchained version) receive individually balanced versions of the colliatur reaver archetype - think of these guys as Wolverine with razor-sharp wires that blur the lines between ranged and melee weapons, making them pretty effective in crowd/caster control. 5e players get all of these and more, for they have been rolled into one mighty class, complete with different reaving traditions. The crystal cannonade even gets its own firearm-engine that can easily be tweaked and applied to pretty much all your needs.
That's it from Thilo for this update, more details are forthcoming on the other races & classes!
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What's Next?
Stretch Goals:
With your pledges we'll be able to unlock more art including these rough sketches which will transform into full fledged color artwork by Mates Laurentiu, our lead artist from Romania.
Backer Goals:
If we reach 100 Fifth Edition / 100 Pathfinder backers we'll be unlocking Hero Lab files for those systems respectively.
Tumblr: Post to Tumblr and let your fingers do the talking.
If you run a blog or other news outlet: Email us at jonathan((at))aawgames.com to receive the Underworld Races & Classes press release and set up an interview or podcast with us.
****
Who is AAW Games?
AAW Games is a tabletop game publisher located in Snoqualmie, Washington. Popular award winning and nominated works include Mini-Dungeons Collection, Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, and Into the Wintery Gale.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com provides monthly subscribers with a steady stream of D&D 5th Edition and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventures in online flipbook and PDF formats. $10 monthly subscription grants access to our entire back catalog of 200+ Pathfinder RPG adventures, 40+ D&D 5th Edition adventures, VTT Map Packs, Mini-Dungeons, Fantasy Grounds modules, sound effects, and much more!
