No More Hiding: My First Kickstarter
If you’ve read my design blog posts from August last year, you’ll know I’ve been working on a Huntr/x and DanDaDan inspired character class called the Shamanist. Well it’s time I got it published and out to everyone, and I can’t think of a better project to be my first kickstarter.
I’m super excited about this one, and super nervous as well. Up to this point, my work in the industry has primarily been freelance work for other companies and publishers. And though I have nearly 10 years of experience and dozens of writing and design credits to my name, my own VSR Ink publications are still quite limited in number.
The Shamanist will be the 4th full class I’ve designed for Level Up Advanced Fifth Edition following the Ranger (Adventurers Guide), and the Psion and Star Knight (Voidrunners Codex).
The base of the Shamanist class is a half-caster with combat maneuvers. I think of it as a bard-adept mashup with ritualistic tendencies, but it’s got its own unique mechanical flair and feel to it as well.
The main funding goal will get the digital (PDF) and physical (softcover POD) options out the door via DriveThruRPG, but I’d really like to see saddle-stitched options as well, printed and shipped from my local printer in town, so that’ll be on the stretch goals list. I’d love to give them the business, plus if this campaign goes well, I have plans to start up a physical, saddle-stitched TTRPG magazine.
I love the accessibility and convenience of digital media and virtual tabletop software, but I also truly believe that the tactile nature of glossy-newsprint magazines, adventure modules with 2-page pull-out map spreads, and (at least occasionally) gathering in person to roll clackety math rocks at the table are are all important and enjoyable parts of the whole TTRPG experience.
I’m aiming to have most of the content finalized soon, which includes a brand new Combat Tradition and Maneuvers as well as a companion one-shot Adventure. Be sure to join the mailing list below so you can be notified as soon as the campaign launches!
-Anthony Alipio
The Shamanist Mailing List
