The Game is Dead...

LONG LIVE THE GAME!!!

Well. As many may already have heard, our Kickstarter project did not succeed. Despite the backing of many friends and many unknown, yet loyal, Aeranos fans, we didn't come close to the funds necessary to code this project. I would like to thank you all for your interest and encouragement through the adventure. I would also like to point out that the idea that IS Aeranos isn't dead. Both as a system within my own gaming circles, and an eventual complete book, Aeranos will continue. I'm just trying to figure out how exactly.

Although my blogs will be fewer and farther between for awhile, I will come back to this project - at least the RPG aspect if not the smartphone part. If you have thoughts, tips, advice or just RPG related comments I'd love to hear from you. I am considering a smaller project to get the book finalized.

Thanks again,
Kevin
Gamers Cortex

New Primer - Ebon Slayer D20 Prestige Class!

A shadowy hero of the Aeranosian God of Death, the Ebon Slayer fights daemonic forces for the very souls of the realm. Trust us, he only looks evil.

Ebon Slayer Prestige Class

This prestige class is currently D20 3.5 but with a few tweaks he'll be PF compatible. This is just to let everyone know that we have plenty of D20 OGL goodness for the Aeranos setting too.

As always, remember to talk about Aeranos with everyone you meet.

Thanks!

New Aeranos Primer!

Okay. we had crunch, now here's some fluff, more specifically, a bunch of detailed information about the Gods and planes of Aeranos. See if you can glean the sources of our inspiration over the years. It's quite a collection, and we've had plenty of opportunity to flesh out the details. Be assured, story hooks abound.


Aeranos Primer - Gods and Godrealms

New Combat Primer!

Here's the much anticipated primer on the meat of Aeranos, the combat system!
Combat Primer
Aeranos Combat Primer

Take a look, pass it around. As you will see, we've tried to keep it simple, yet crunchy. There's nothing too earth-shatteringly different, which in our mind is a plus. The main thing we were going for is options without bogging down. Combat is deadly and quick, yet there are some things that keep characters from dying too often (there was only that one TPK, but there was a lich involved, and it was early in the playtesting...)
Anyway, here it is. I hope this generates a little added excitement for the project. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

p.s. I've also included a link here to the XP, Survival and Fate Points Primer.
Survival and Fate Points Primer

p.p.s. I hope to have an audio recording of our latest Aeranos session up fairly soon.
Thanks for your support!

More Big News!

The Aeranos App project is now being coded to be compatible with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game in addition to the original Aeranos system.

Slide on over to the Kickstarter project page to see the new goals and the Aeranos Primers

News of Note!
One of our backers has generously offered to pass out Aeranos swag at PAX East! Swag now includes stickers and bookmarks, along with posters. I have high hopes that the RPGnet ad and the CON exposure will generate some interest. Now if we could just get onto the featured page of Kickstarter...

Here's some images of the stickers and bookmarks.


 

Just in case there are some that are only following this blog, and not the Kickstarter page, please know that A LOT is happening over there. Here's a quick Rundown...

Aeranos Primer #1 - The Realm
Another quick primer of the setting for those only following along over there at Kickstarter.

Aeranos Primer #2 - Character Creation
This one's a biggie! Full rules for creating a character in Aeranos, minus equipment and magic, which will be coming next.

Find them both here...
Kickstarter Updates


As always, thanks for tuning in, and pass the word.

Kevin

It's ALIVE!

Throw the switch Igor!

It's.... ALIVE!
ALIVE, I SAY!

The countdown has begun. Please, if you're reading this. Talk about the project with your friends and co-workers. Send them to Kickstarter to check it out. I'm going for a media blitz tomorrow in every way I can think of.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/327427213/aeranos-smart-rpg-app-based-roleplaying

APPROVED!

So much for a few days! Going Live tonight! Better comb fast partners! This Trulla is restless...

OFFICIAL SUBMISSION FOR FINAL REVIEW!

In other words, "I done hit the send button."
According to Kickstarter, it could take as much as a few days for the review process - something I forgot in my excitement, so now we wait....

In the meantime I'm prepping web banners and ads, as well as double checking my lists.

Your job, should you choose to accept, is to go to my preview page and scour it with a fine-toothed Trulla comb. Dig deep, Trullas are tough-skinned. I'll have a last chance to make any edits once the project is reviewed and approved. Give me all your critiques and suggestions. I can't promise I'll follow them, but I DO promise to stare intently at them, scratch my head and ponder them in a quasi-thinker-like way.

Oh yeah, and as always... tell all your friends. Hell! Tell your enemies, but make sure and stress to your enemies how much you dislike the project for that whole reverse-psych thing. Just talk about it. Bring it up in casual conversation.

Ex.
Dave's Boss: "Hey Dave, can you go get another box of paper from the backroom?"
Dave: "Sure boss! Say, that reminds me of the Aeranos Project... on Kickstarter! We should all go donate lots of money to it RIGHT NOW!"

Trust me, it'll work.

p.s. The link is right over there on the side of the page. It's right here too, just in case that's too far away...
Aeranos Kickstarter Preview

Project Video Release Imminent!

Official Announcement: Making a project video that doesn't look horrible is really hard. I mean it, hands off to the pros that can make this stuff look good and easy, cause it ain't. You will soon be the judges as to which category mine falls into, but I'm relatively pleased with the results. Especially considering I used pretty much all free editing software. Look for the youtube link here in the next day or two. Along with THE ACTUAL KICKSTARTER LAUNCH!

Man, just typing that gets me all shaky and stuff.

WEBSITE IDEAS

I've been contemplating exactly how the Aeranos website will look, and what it's function will be. Here are some ideas of things I'd like to include. Some of these will start small and grow as the game grows and the fanbase hopefully expands...

DOWNLOAD THE AERANOS PDF: Simply that. A place to download the pdf version of the rules. This is free, and might be hosted on another site like RPG Now.

CHARACTER CREATOR: This is basically the same Character Generator that can be found on the AERANOS APP. You don’t have to have the APP to build a character. Go wild and create a true hero. When you buy the app, you'll be able to download your character to it. If you play the pen and paper version, you can save your character as a pdf or jpg. and print it out.

BUY THE AERANOS APP!: Simply a link to buy the app for the OS of choice.

SKILL CHALLENGES: Simple text files with descriptions of different skill tests, including extended tests and opposed tests, along with the consequences for success or failure. Each file has a name that quickly describes the challenge (ex. Mine Shaft Climb, Bribe the City Guard, Disarm the Chest Trap, Gamble at Dice). Skill Challenges can be created and uploaded by any APP owner.

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT: This a database of official and user generated equipment. Official equipment is stuff above and beyond all the basic equipment that comes with the APP. The user must have an AERANOS APP to download these files. If he doesn’t all he can do is look at them. User Equipment can only be created and uploaded by APP owners.

ENEMIES AND ALLIES: A database of pre-generated characters and monsters ready to download to your AERANOS APP. The user must have an AERANOS APP to download these files. If he doesn’t all he can do is look at them. These files can only be altered once they are downloaded onto the APP and accessed while in GM MODE.

SCENARIOS: This is groups of ENEMIES AND ALLIES, WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT  and SKILL CHALLENGES, with a short description of why they are found together. For example, the scenario titled, "Forest Bandits", might have a group of four basic bandits and their higher level leader, along with Skill Challenges like “Disguised Pit Trap” and “Bargain for Safe Passage,” and equipment like “Sylvan Armor.” Any or all of these are linked for download, and can be altered in the APP afterward. Alternatively, there could be more in depth Scenarios that really constitute a full adventure when put together.

Aeranos Sneak Peaks

Okay people, things are moving forward. I have the first third of my video created and much typing and scribbling is being done to map out what needs to be coded. I hope to have a dollar figure... uhh, figured out this week. That and the complete video and we launch this thing!

In the meantime, I thought it would be nice to post a couple screen shots of the demo screen flow for the app (real prelim stuff here) along with a spell from the book and a snippet of world info.

Prelim screen flow

The Main Screen

Fully stocked dropdown menus along with custom entry options for those weird magic items the GM always likes to throw in.

One of the combat screens showing who's fighting who, and who's your friend and who's not

_________________________________________________

 

A Few Spells

 CANTRIP

Essence of Element (El)
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: See text
Range: Touch
Resistance: None
Reagent: None
Create a minor bit of one of the four elements. Examples include salt, dirt, a tiny flame, ice or water or a light gust of wind. No poisons or especially dangerous elements can be produced.

Forgotten Moment (Sp)
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: See text
Range: Close
Resistance: Mind negates
Reagents: None
Cause one close target to save or forget the last few turns of conversation. Not usable in combat. The divine spell, Favor, can reverse this spell and bring back memories lost by application of this spell.

 LEVEL ONE

Language Cipher (Di)
Casting Time: Turn 5
Duration: 1 Hour (+1 hour per 5 successes)
Range: Touch
Resistance: None (Mind)
Reagents: Ingredient: Small piece of paper placed on the target’s tongue.
The caster picks one speaker of a non-magical language heard within the last hour as the focus. The caster or a willing target can understand and speak that language. The target’s fluency and speech patterns are equal to the focus. As a side point, if the focus fails a Mind test, they may have slight trouble speaking while this spell is in effect.

_________________________________________________

TRULLA

(player race)

Description
The Trulla are massive humanoids standing between seven and eight feet tall. There thick, dark skin is covered in white or grey wooly hair and their beards are long and course. The two most distinctive features of a Trulla are their cloven hoofed feet and spiraling protective horns. Most Trulla are highly tribal in their attitudes and dress. Crude bone and metal jewelry often covers a Trulla from hoof to horn and they take great pride in the care and expert use of their weapons and tools.

To think that a Trulla is simple however, is a dangerous mistake. Though they live simply, the Trulla are a wise people with a great respect for the powers of nature. Their sages and tribal leaders are often powerfully Gifted and more than one careless Durin has fallen victim to a Trulla tactician.

Regions
The Trulla mainly live in the far reaches of the Tintagel Mountains. Their remote Cliff dwellings are all but inaccessible to the landbound traveler and they have alert and wily sentries guarding the approaches as well.

There used to be many more Trulla than now inhabit the Isle. Hundreds of years ago, a forty year conflict between the Trulla and the Durin of the Darkurth Empire decimated the Trulla population. The population never recovered and now no more than a few thousand call Aeranos home. Though it has been centuries, Neither the Durin nor the Trulla have forgotten completely, their hatred for the other.

Some Trulla migrated hundreds of years ago to the Argon Mountains and can be found there now amongst the highest peaks of that range.

Racial Cost Total: 4
• +1 STR or STA (Max STR, STA is 7)
• Cold Resistance +4
• Size +1 (Max AGI is 5)
• Starlight Vision
• Cliff Walk: Due to their cloven sheep like hooves, Trulla are able to move along any natural surface equal to or less than 60 degrees at normal movement. A Trulla can move along any natural surface of 80 degrees or less at half movement. They also receive a +5 bonus to Climb tests on Non-natural walls of less than perfectly smooth texture and can both fight and use a shield on slopes of less than 60 degrees. If a Trulla takes damage while climbing, they must make a Climb test but still receive the +5 bonus to this check in such an event.

Languages: Trullak, (choices for secondary languages: Morodos, Durinspok, Knockfara, Neran)

REPORTING A SLIGHT DELAY IN LAUNCH

After my latest meeting with the developer I've decided to delay the launch until next week sometime. We need to work out a bit more of the screen flow and code issues before we can accurately put a project funding level together. It's very important to get that right, since we want to have enough money to see this thing through.

The good news is this gives me a little more time to put the video together and get some sample images to show in the project page.

No specific day picked yet. Let's just leave it at next week for the moment. My excitement is still high. Keep on telling your friends about us.

Oh. And be sure to check out Brady's companion project preview. I put up a link over there on the right.

The Video is Nigh!

NIGH I SAY!

We will be recording and editing the video this week in anticipation of a planned Kickstarter Launch of next weekend, March 10th!

Pass the word to anyone you think might be interested. Donators will be rewarded greatly! At least with the following list of goodies. Take a look and give me your suggestions. This list isn't set in stone until the launch.

1. Reward #1

   Pledge $5 or more

   Aeranos RPG full color pdf hand delivered to your inbox!
   
2. Reward #2

   Pledge $10 or more

   Reward #1 PLUS your very own copy of the Aeranos 1.0 App two weeks before it's release!
   

   
   
3. Reward #3

   Pledge $25 or more

   Reward #2 PLUS an extra pre-release copy of the final app AND a guaranteed opportunity to be in the BETA testing group prior to release.
   

   
   
4. Reward #4

   Pledge $50 or more

   Reward #3 PLUS A full color banner print of the Aeranos Map and a signed Aeranos RPG Poster AND your name as a loyal contributor on the App and pdf!
   

   
   
5. Reward #5

   Pledge $100 or more

   Reward #4 PLUS an Aeranos 1.0 App for every person in your gaming group! (up to 10) AND the first three official Aeranos products after the launch!
   

   
   
6. Reward #6

   Pledge $500 or more

   REWARD #5 PLUS Your name displayed prominently in the game credits AND a heroic characterization of YOU in the book, complete with really kickin' stats!
   

   
   

BUSY busy & Questions for the crew

Busy creating screen flow charts and making sure I don't forget any cool functions!

We're thinking of getting a Paper-doll style avatar creator into the mix, using official BC art of course. (he doesn't know I'm thinking of adding more to his scribble plate... except now he does.) Hi Brady! Maybe based on the website, maybe based in the app?

On that note, I'm wrestling over whether or not to start advertising before I officially launch the project. On one hand, the pre-launch hype would give us more exposure before the actual donating can start. On the other hand, people might follow a link to the blog, go "hey that's cool, sure wish I could donate now, and then promptly go back to their exciting lives and forget about it. What do you guys think? Which approach is better? Catalog all the sites and then hit them all with posts and ads right at launch, or hit them early and try to keep them interested until official launch?

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

I'm excited to say that we have a coder for the project. Assuming the project gets funded, which of course it will because it's awesome, Josh Tischer of <Code Pyro> is happily on board! Not only that, but he's a RPG alumni with a solid understanding of the genre (he used to DnD it in his pre-college days) and jumped right in with some excellent ideas.
I can't overstate how excited I am right now!

So, Josh and I will be meeting next week to hash out the prelims, in the meantime I want to see more Followers on this blog. Early converts will be our select pool of testers, and you're sure to get some kewl free swag!

Everyone reading this please click the "follow" link at the top of the page, and spread the word any way you can! I want a massive wave of fans itching to hit that DONATE link on our Kickstarter page when we're ready for launch.

There will be a dedicated Aeranos website sometime soon, but in the meantime, this is HQ, Ground Zero, the LZ and the WTFIH site for all Aeranos related breaking news.

Brady, I hope your ready, 'cause you and I are going to be PROmoting fools.

My fingers are still shaking...

News!

Tomorrow is the day I meet with the potential app developer! Fingers crossed that it's all as realistic as I've hoped.

__________________________

Also, here's a preview into my in-the-works Kickstarter page.
Kickstarter Project Preview
All things are subject to tweaks and changes at this point. If you have any tips or comments, feel free to share, and BY ALL MEANS, if you like this project, share it with others, like right now. Please.

A new Description of the Project!

The gaming group comes to the rescue! Thanks to Michael for putting together the following awesomeness!

Welcome to Aeranos!
We are designing this app to work hand in hand with an original and complete role playing system. In the mystical world of Aeranos you can play any of your favorite fantasy role playing archetypes.
The app is not necessary to play the game, but works symbiotically with the game to create a seamless interface that does all the work for you. This app will work on any computer, tablet or smart phone, Windows, Apple and Android. You can create, amend and store all aspects of all your characters with the Aeranos app. It will also do all of your characters detailed math for you, so that your stats will be accurately displayed and kept up to date. All modifiers will be reflected and included in the interface. Furthermore, it will allow you to open a variety of sub screens and view detailed information about your character and all of his or her equipment.

Gamemasters will have their own screens, be able to run adventures, pull up NPC and monster stats and keep track of combat. The rules will always be a click away.

AND COMBAT WILL BE FAST & EASY. Look at a list of your enemies, pick one, choose your attack type and any particular special abilities you want to employ and hit the attack button. The GM sees your attack and chooses the enemy's defense the same way, the app handles the math and immediately shows you and the GM the results. On with the story!

The beauty of this app is that it will allow you to get together with your friends and play no matter where any of you happen to be, as long as your computer/smart phone has skype or conference calling you can simply dial into the game. The game master will be able to access all aspects of your character through the interface. The app will also take care of all of your dice rolling needs for you. The only thing you need to join the game is your app enabled device!

Now let's talk versatility. Want to meet your friends for some gaming during your lunch break, but don’t have the time to commute? The Aeranos app will bring the gaming to you. Sitting at home after the kids have gone to bed, and your missing out on your role playing session? Not any more. You can relax in style. It has never been easier to get together with your friends and play from anywhere in the world. But it's just as handy with everyone gathered around the gaming table! You never have to miss out on a gaming session ever again.

Around the table or around the world, the Aeranos app brings the whole group together.

Sample Idea

Working on flow charts and pages. Thought I'd mock up a sample screen. Almost life size!

SUBMISSION ACCEPTED!

Okay, I know this isn't huge, but it feels that way. My KS Submission for the Aeranos App has been approved. I just need to get my ducks in a row for the launch.

I feel all tingly.

Progress Report

Trying to line up some design meetings with possible mobile app developers.

Still waiting to hear back from Kickstarter.

In the meantime I'm sketching out some flow charts of how I think the app will work.

...And crunching away at the spell list.

As I start moving down the road to a smart RPG, which basically means incorporating the app functionality into Aeranos, I should tell you what I have already.

Basically that's a 80-90% complete system contained within a 117 page pdf. What's left to add is some spells (that spell list is a killer) and the art, which will hopefully be provided by my friend Brady, who is working on another Kickstarter graphic novel project. Hopefully one chore can make the other lighter and you'll see lots of his great art in both places. Many hands, light work and all that, especially when their talented hands.

Here's a few of his pieces.

So, the next step is get the app process moving. That is my goal.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Gamer's Cortex, a view into the inner workings of a hobby game designer's brain.

I've been a player of all kinds of games for years. In that time I've tinkered with a lot of my own games and concepts. From books to dice to cards to boards to video games to pdfs and back again I've tried 'em all. Okay, anybody into games knows the world has WAY too many different kinds for the above statement to be true, but I HAVE tried a lot of them. Aeranos is my fantasy based role-playing game that has probably been at the nexus of all my projects. It's seen many forms over the years and has given my friends and I many hundreds of hours of quality gaming time, but as a design, it's been waiting for something special to make it stand out from the hordes of other home-brewed systems out there. With the advent of smartphones and the App, I think I may have finally found the THING that'll make it shine.

So why am I telling you this? Simple, a gaming friend of mine recently introduced me to a thing called Kickstarter (Thanks Brady), and a read-through of the website has inspired me to take that next step in the design of Aeranos. It's time to kick this idea out of the nest and see if it has wings.

In the days and weeks to come I will keep the world updated on my progress here, as well as sharing other projects and ideas.

To start with, here's a primer of the world of Aeranos, along with a working logo.
You'll have to wait for the crunchy bits...

 

In the year 380 of the current calendar six great Kingdoms hold sway on the Isle.

To the South, in the Great Taigan Wood lies the Syvani and Faelinarie nation of Manawyn.

Surrounding the Bay of Fahl and taking up much of the middle and northeastern isle

are the three kingdoms of men, Argos, Deoria and Fom.

In the vast plains of the North, the Oroka tribes rule the Kingdom of Delek,

and in the oldest civilization, the Durin Empire rules deep within the Tintagel Mountains.
To be certain, there are other societies and minor kingdoms,

some that have fallen and yet others that are gaining in power.

The Knockfara tribes have many petty kingdoms within the forests and mountains.

The great Morodos clans once ruled much of the land and there giant-sized, hidden

strongholds can still be found in the harshest of wilderness.
Durin, Faelinarie, Fekra, Dinar, Meran, Kuranani and Trulla are just a few of the others that war and trade, weaving their own threads into the tapestry of the Isle.

The Durin, Syvani and Morodos brought the written word to men. The standard
text of the clans is an amalgam of those ancient scripts. Iron came from the Morodos, steel from the Durin, sorcery from the Syvani and divine power from the Elder and Namer Gods.
Many advances in technology came with the traders and raiders from Concordia to the East, while still others are being invented daily by the Dinar of Dragon Mountain to the West.
 

In all, the isle embodies a vast puzzle of cultures, secrets, traditions,

and the races that spawned them.

The unknown lurks near at hand and both the risk and reward goes
to those daring enough to seek it. This is not a place for the timid or fearful.

Only those with will in their hearts and steel in their stride

can make a difference.