Friday, November 6, 2015

Falling Iron updates

Falling Iron has been eating up all of my free time, as it is moving into the final stage. I have been polishing the game, adding detail and more flavor text. The game now has an even more detailed setting, as it is integral to the game; additional types of rewards for characters and more detailed monsters(and NPC)types- allowing the Loremaster to use creatures and threats at each point of character development. (example: a lesser goblin at early levels and a Goblin lord, or Otherwylde Goblin Knight to be used when the characters are high level- still allowing for a challenge and continuity to a story about a goblin/Fae artifact) I ran an Falling Iron Campaign for several months, tweaking, the system and used the experience to modify and add systems for rewards. Classes had Stances, and Ritual Systems added and now they are in place, these systems give players more options for mid to high level play. Stances for example give martial characters more options for actions in combat. Several of the Races got more detail and slight changes to appearance and culture to definitively have them stand out from other gaming and fantasy settings. The Gear, Magical Items and Bestiary sections of the Player and Loremaster guides (respectively) are going through final polishing now and will soon be where I want them for final edits and ultimately printing and release. System-wide and game setting goals have been met. I started out wanting to create a game that could be taught to a new player quickly; a setting that is rich and dynamic acting as a colorful tapestry to tell stories in- or to act as a backdrop allowing the Loremaster to tell stories in the same world. I sought to create a game that was easy to learn but not so restrictive as to keep exciting and new things from happening,but to encourage them because the rule system could flow and breathe. Never one to be easily contented, I am proud of the work I have gotten done, but want these last few things on my Falling Iron to do list, to be great as well. Over the next few months they will be finished and the final edits will begin. During this time I am going to be hunting for just the right illustrators (as well as myself) to bring the beauty, fantasy and horror of the world of Aern and the Otherwylde to life with pictures. When I was a small boy (continuing until now) the illustrations in rulebooks and magazines inspired stories to brew in my mind. I got so excited thinking about adventures and adventuring. The idea of telling a story or experiencing one stemmed from those amazing paintings, pen and ink drawings and watercolors. I hope to find that same energy to give my game and its Worlds that same life. I am about to start a new Falling Iron campaign. My players will be experiencing the game in its nearly finished form, and I could not be more proud or excited to weave new stories and share Falling Iron with the world. ~Ray Aern, Otherwylde, Falling Iron are all copyright 2015 Raymond Roberge