Gilmoril: Technogothic Nightmare – A Monster Hunting TTRPG

Hello all,

TL;DR see the links below to download the early release and start playing Gilmoril asap. Share the pre-order store with those you think would like it.
Gilmoril Early Access: https://www.talesuntoldrpg.com/free-pdfs/1f881f89-ec6b-4f61-917a-1dba0bd4f70c
Pre-order Store: https://gilmoril-technogothic-nightmare.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

It's been a minute since the last update. I'd like to first address why:
I got really sick, as in, not able to work like I used to sick.
Still recovering after a couple of hospital visits and will be for a while, but am working on a number of lifestyle changes to ensure I can keep up with everything I need to, including this, but more importantly also getting back to my day job.

So with that, how are we looking?
Overall, pretty damn good considering. Will we still hit release for Halloween? Probably not. While the digital release will be ready by then, the physical has been delayed for a number of reasons.

1. The aforementioned sickness. I can't do quite so much as I used to and I'm the only one working on it. Naturally, that means it will slow down a tad.

2. We are still around $3k short on the pledged amount. So if you haven't set up your payment please do. Even if you are pretty sure you did, please double check. We are already cutting it close as it is and without the final $3k we are really going to struggle.

3. There is no 3, I'm not as healthy as I was and we are a few thousand short on payments. That really makes this whole thing way harder.

What are we doing about it?
Well good news is we are going to fulfil regardless of the $3k getting paid. Bad news is to do that, the quality has to drop. And I mean the actual print quality not the quality of the game itself, that's still top notch.
To fulfil, we are going to have to use lower grade paper, and a softcover binding technique. Overall not a terrible outcome, but certainly not the level we were aiming for.
In terms of making up the $3k, that is why this update has been so delayed.

We are today releasing a huge digital preview, and are going to be sharing it freely with everyone, not just backers. This preview contains all of the basic rules of the game, a bunch of artwork, character creation, and a look at many of the tomes you'll have access to when hunting down your prey.
It is being released so you can start playing, right now. The hope is that maybe this large of a release will show off what we've got and convince a few more people to pre-order the full game.

Speaking of, the pre-order store is also being updated to include A3 art prints, which are explicitly over-priced, for those who want to try and help us push over the edge of what we need to get this done.

So, you are still getting your books and extras. We just cannot currently afford to do it as we originally intended, but we're doing what we can to change that. If we can't turn it around in time, it just means soft covers and lower quality paper.
As far as crowdfunding updates go it's actually not all that bad.

Now, what can you do about it?

I am continuing to work very hard on this, while also trying to manage my health and get back to my day job as quickly as possible. 
So enjoy the early preview. Play as much as you can. Give feedback where you feel it is needed. And of course, share it with those you believe will enjoy it. I cannot ask for more.

Thank you for your patience, I will avoiding leaving such a big gap in updates in the future.

Stay safe,
Tales Untold.

Hello all,

I'm still sick, so things have been slow. Core rules layout is nearing completion and it's been sent out for accessibility testing and review. All going well we'll apply that feedback and finalise layout. Then you'll all be getting sent a free first look of the core book. 

You'll be able to provide feedback on that from there. After that, we'll be doing everything else in a single big push. 

There is also a poll available to vote on the books size. If you wouldn't mind heading over and voting on that as the poll closes in a couple days, it'd be a big help!

That's about all for now. The next update will be sent along with the core booklet preview once it's ready. Hopefully within the next two weeks. Keep an eye out for that!

Stay safe,
Tales Untold.

Hello all,

This week I am sick. Which means I'm spending most of my time at home without much ability to focus on the game. Worst of both worlds really. So I thought I'd use this time to ask some questions.

If you head over to the crowdfunding page and loom at the polls, you'll see two that we've put up. One centring around book size preferences and the other around game updates going forward.

In short, how big do you want it and do you want snippets as they are finished or just to see it once we're nearing the end?

So head over and vote asap so we can accommodate your wishes. We're also getting close to finalising the layout for the first 40 pages, which includes the base rules, character creation, and a solo tutorial. Just waiting on accessibility advice. Once we have it, we'll begin each of the tomes. Alchemy, Herbalism, Equipment/Maintenance, Traps & Explosives, Tactics, Monsters, Myths, Magic, and Medicine. These are written and tested, so we're just trying to make them pretty (and still be legible).

Those won't take long, and when finished we then do the Tables and Oracles, Narrators Section, and finally Community Monster Entries.

That will be the game complete. Printing, quality control, and sending is all that will remain. Sounds like a lot because it is, but it's a lot that we've been preparing for and are ready to push through this final stretch. Halloween release still looking good on our end!

With that complete, may I draw your eye to something great? The Deck of Fates Backerkit is going live! The creators of this helped us greatly with getting funding for Gilmoril, and we'd love it if you head over and give it a look. They've been working on it for a long time and I've heard and seen some cool stuff on the backend that I think some of you will really love.
Deck of Fates Backerkit Campaign
For transparency sake, the above is an affiliate link. If you use it to back the project I get a small commission which means you'd also be supporting Gilmoril. Don't feel you must, but we appreciate it if you do!

Now I must return to my sickly slumber. Wish me luck, vote on those polls, and stay safe.
Tales Untold.

Hello all,

Been awhile. Straight away let me explain that there is only so many ways for me to say "We're waiting on samples and are still doing layout" without everyone getting sick of hearing it. So good news! We've got samples!

With these we can now make informed decisions with our manufacturers about what we want to do. So great progress there!

Next up, the book. We mentioned that we were looking at making the books ourselves and have now done some serious testing and looked at the numbers. It's feasible. Not only feasible, but very attractive both financially and in terms of quality. We can't compete with the huge printing machines in terms of quality and speed, but for $9 per book we weren't getting that top end quality anyway. Speed is another thing, but we don't need to pump out 500 books in 30 days. We need 110 in 90. 

All this to say we are very seriously considering this avenue. Which means a few things:
1. We have a lot more freedom in terms of design.
2. We have the ability to make variations with no increase in cost (Personalised covers, anyone?).
3. Future projects can be made quickly and easily, without having to pay shipping and customs every time. 

It is still not set in stone, as we are awaiting some final tests, samples, and quotes from printing companies to ensure this is the best way forward, but it's looking quite likely.

That's the big stuff. The little stuff is, as always, if you haven't paid yet please remember to do so, feel free to check out the published materials over at talesuntoldrpg.com, and keep an eye out for updates about PAX Aus. We are looking into heading there this year and taking Gilmoril with us.

Thanks for your attention, now sit back, relax, and enjoy these samples we've received from our manufacturers.

Stay safe,
Tales Untold.