If you are interested any of these games, please email me with the game you wish to playtest in the subject line.
13th Age Bestiary
System: 13th Age
Author: Kenneth Hite, Steve Townshend, Ash Law, Kevin Kulp, Cal Moore
Duration: Various
Deadline: 15th May
Description: This is for 13th Age pre-orderers. If you want to playtest a set of new monsters for Bestiary, they are available as a download link on your order page. Instructions are included in the file.
Soldiers of Pen and Ink
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Author: Adam Gauntlett
Duration: 1-2 sessions
Deadline: 15th May
Description: The protagonists, sponsored by the Paris-based political organisation BNVS, have come to Spain to shoot a documentary on the war, and find themselves marooned in Madrid. One of their team goes missing, and their literary colleagues say it’s pointless – even dangerous – to ask what happened to him. In a war of competing ideologies, unorthodoxy can merit the death penalty, but is this Communist oppression or something more sinister?
Mythos Expeditions – An Incident at the Border
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Author: Kenneth Hite
Duration: 1-2 sessions
Deadline: 15th May
Description:
On August 13 of 193-, during the Perseid meteor shower, something struck the Earth somewhere in the remote reaches of the Gran Chaco, a disputed and inhospitable borderland between Bolivia and Paraguay. Now, it’s late September, and the University has asked the Investigators to assist with a scratch expedition to find the impact site, make a full report of the incident, and recover any extraterrestrial material there, if any.
Mythos Expeditions – Cerulean Aureole
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Author: Matthew Sanderson
Duration: 1-2 sessions
Deadline: 15th May
Description:
Tuesday July 17th 1934. Present Franklin D. Roosevelt, on a 12,000 mile voyage from the Caribbean to Portland, Oregon, arrives at Clipperton Island. Four years later, in the summer of 1938, the President is organising a return to the island as part of a 6,000-mile cruise examining various islands known for their curious wildlife, including the Galapagos. As the short-list of candidates is prepared, the Miskatonic decides to organise an expedition of its own to Clipperton Island. With the journey taking a week from the southern tip of Baja California, they will have a week on the island before they have to head back to civilisation before they make their report. Upon an island with a dark past, of which humanity knows so very little, a week can seem a very long time indeed…
Mythos Expeditions – Lost on a Sea of Dreams
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Author: Adam Gauntlett
Duration: 1-2 sessions
Deadline: 15th May
Description:
The group, en route to Bermuda with a bathysphere to assist naturalist and oceanographer William Beebe, is blown off course. The captain is injured in the storm, and few others aboard know much about navigation. Moreover what little they do know seems contradicted by the stars; none of the constellations are in the right place. How will the expedition get back on course?
Mythos Expeditions – Tongued With Fire
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Author: Bill White
Duration: 1-2 sessions
Deadline: 15th May
Description:
The investigators are members of a Miskatonic University expedition whose purpose is to travel to a Christian settlement in India which some evidence suggests dates as far back as the 1st century AD. Their destination is the village of Usmavasati, which lies in the Siwali Hills on the edge of the Punjab region of northwestern India. Their aim is to advance historical knowledge of early Christianity, as well as possibly locate the source of a Prester John legend.
Greetings 13th Age players and GMs! Exciting news!
We are launching the 13th Age organized play program, and want you to help us pick a name for it.
We are going to time the launch so that it is close to the release date of the book itself.
If you’re interested in being involved, please fill out the form below and we’ll e-mail you details closer to the time.
Round Two of the 13th Age playtest has ended. We’re profoundly grateful to the players and GMs who took the early version of the game out on the road and tested it thoroughly. They provided valuable feedback on everything from the icon relationship mechanics to the monk’s fighting styles to punctuation errors. People are passionate about the game already; as Jonathan Tweet observed, “It looks like Rob and I are onto something.”
Now it’s time to get 13th Age out into the world. We’re happy to announce that we will make the game available for pre-order through the Pelgrane Store before the end of the month. As we’ve done with games such as Night’s Black Agents, we’ll make an early edition available in PDF format for pre-order customers.
Keep an eye on this website for the date, and follow @13thAge on Twitter and +13th Age on Google+!
June brings new playtesting opportunities. Owl Hoot Trail by Clinton R. Nixon and Kevin Kulp, and Sisters of Sorrow, a new Trail of Cthulhu adventure from Adam Gauntlett.
- Each playtest has its own email link. Please click the link to send the email.
- You can playtest mulitple games, as long as you can make the deadlines. Send one email for each playtest.
- Please ensure you have a group and first date lined up before you email.
Owl Hoot Trail
System: New
Number of Sessions: 2
Last Delivery Date: 20th July
Short Description: Clinton R Nixon’s game of fantasy meets the Old West with a neat, rules-light system. It’s easy to play and to play test. There is an adventure included with the playtest.
Please email if you want to participate.
Sisters of Sorrow
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Number of Sessions: 2
Last Delivery Date: 13th July
Short Description: The crew of UC-12 encounter an abandoned German vessel, and soon afterward the boat is infested with the same strange plant that apparently killed the other ship’s crew.
Please email if you want to participate.
Dear 13th Age playtesters,
For those of you who didn’t see the first playtest draft, welcome aboard for Round Two. And a big thank you to returning playtesters who sent feedback already.
I’m happy with many elements of the current draft. It’s not done, but the pieces that aren’t in the official manuscript yet are taking shape.
I’m unhappy that I wasn’t able to process all the playtest comments before finishing this draft. I got through half of the early feedback and only a core sample of feedback after Simon’s prompt for feedback. So there are a few existing aspects of the design that playtesters have already convinced us need to be fixed. The fixes aren’t in. I’m going to finish going through all the playtesting feedback when I’m back from vacation. There are surely more tweaks to come.
Let’s start with what we need most now from this round of playtesting…
1. The cleric and the sorcerer and wizard have had their core concepts tightened up. We got a lot of playtest feedback from unhappy cleric players. Going back to the class I had to agree, it hadn’t claimed any magic as its own. This draft changes that, partially with a new cleric feature called divine intercession, partly with an entirely redesigned spell list. So the cleric is wholly revised, and the sorcerer and wizard substantially modified. These classes need testing at both low levels and also above fifth level with the spells and upgraded spells that are new to this draft.
2. None of the classes have been played above fifth level except in the playtest game Jonathan Tweet and I have been running. Tests with higher-level PCs would be welcome.
3. We need feedback on whether the new phrasing of the icon relationships works for players and GMs. Some playtesters liked the previous version, others were disappointed. We’ve revised them for simplicity and to emphasize the utility of the relationship with the icon rather than rating the relationship’s strength.
4. We’ve received relatively little feedback about the bard. If someone wants to run a few sessions of a bards’ school campaign, well, I’m mostly ears. (This couldn’t possibly backfire.)
5. We’ve got work to do on character sheets and play-aids. People have started sharing cool things on-line and I’m excited to see it.
6. Problems that people have trying to set up and run their own games will be extremely helpful to hear.
7. In the first playtest I said that people should stick to the rules as written. But playtest feedback from people customizing the game has been wonderful. The game is designed to be customized so I can’t be surprised that this is what’s working for people. So if you want to customize your campaign, go for it. Playtest feedback will probably be more useful if you stick to the mechanics as written, or tell me what was broken and how you fixed it on the fly.
What you shouldn’t worry about testing….
1. The monk is a clever concept but the execution is not on target yet. First round playtesting pointed out the problems. Unlike other classes in this file, the monk didn’t get the attention it needed to improve. I’m going to be running a dedicated playtest for the monk so at the moment, for second round playtesters, I’d say that the monk is not worth testing. It needs rebalancing to nail the dynamic between opening moves/flow moves/finishing attacks. (If you’re playing a monk and want to keep on playing and don’t think it’s broken, well, feel free to tell me that, but hah. It’s going to change.) (And yes, the druid is also headed for a special playtesting campaign.)
2. Multiclassing should be getting a remake. I wouldn’t suggest that you waste your time testing the current multiclassing rules because the playtest feedback is that it needs to be improved. And the solution that’s in the works is different enough that more feedback on the current system won’t help much.
Status Report
Here’s a look at what’s in this draft and notes on pieces that Jonathan and I are still adding.
Finished classes: For this current playtest packet we’ve got the barbarian, bard, cleric, fighter, paladin, ranger, rogue, and wizard playable to 10th level. There are playtest adjustments to come, more feats, a few more spells, and more polished and complete introductory/explanatory text. But you should be able to play these classes to 10th level. (And in case you’re wondering, the final manuscript will discuss the manner in which class progression stops at 10th.)
Close to done: The sorcerer is also playable to 10th level but is missing a few 7th and 9th level spells. First round playtesters will note that the sorcerer has changed most thanks to a feature called gather power.
Editing: Chapters 1, 2 and 3 have had a first editing pass. Chapter 5 is mostly edited. Other chapters are rougher text, still.
Monsters: There are more monsters coming in the final manuscript. I left a few in-progress monsters in this file. The black ooze, ogre mage, chimera and vampire aren’t as polished as the rest of the monsters, but they’re pretty much usable so I left them in. The monster file will also be organized differently, but hopefully it’s useable for now.
Magic items: We’re not done with the magic item lists. Use what we’ve got. The plan is to do a few items for every chakra.
The Dragon Empire: We’re adding little bits to the setting and smoothing its sloppier sections, but the geography and background pieces are close to finished. Like other pieces, they may be reorganized for the final product.
It’s going to be a fun push. We hope your games go well. And if they don’t, tell us about it.
–Rob Heinsoo
Do you have a webcam, a free evening this Thursday, and a hankering to try out Hillfolk, my upcoming game using the new DramaSystem rules set?
The playtest will take place on Google Hangout from 7-10 PM Eastern this Thursday, May 3rd.
To indicate your interest in taking part, leave me (Robin Laws) a private message on Google+, setting yourself up on G+ if you haven’t already.
In Hillfolk, you play tribal raiders at the dawn of the iron age, torn by conflicting desires in a time of hungry empires.
In your message, tell me who you want to play, providing:
-
your role in your small, hardscrabble tribe
-
your character’s name. Names in Hillfolk are metonyms—understandable words that reveal something fundamental about you. Examples: Skull, Thickneck, Farhawk, Rolls-the-Bones, Twig, Redaxe.
The rest will be revealed during play.
Feel free to list alternate choices for your role in the tribe, in case of duplication.
If I get more than six takers, I will choose between them by means inscrutable.
I’m going to try recording the proceedings, possibly using snippets of sound and video in the crowdfunding video. It might also wind up as an Actual Play resource. Respond only if that’s okay with you.
The first round of playtesting for 13th Age is now closed. The next round will open in April. Stay tuned!
Please email me if you if you are interested in the New World playtest.
13th Age
System: New
Written by: Jonathan Tweet and Rob Heinsoo
Deadline: Preliminary feedback 30th April. Full feedback 30th May.
What it’s about:
13th Age is a love letter to D&D: a rules-light, story-oriented RPG that honors old school values while advancing the OGL art. Players create unique heroes using flexible interpretations of familiar D20 character classes. New indie-style rules connect each character’s story to the Gamemaster’s customized version of the campaign setting.
New World
System: New World
Deadline: 15th April 2012
What it’s about:
New World is a game of historical fantasy by Bill White. You are sailors on a voyage to a new land to seek your fortune. For those already there, your arrival marks the end of the world they have known. It marks the beginning of change and conflict as peoples ideas and ways of living inevitably conflict. Please email if you’d like to test it.
The Zalozhniy Quartet
System: Requires Night’s Black Agents REDACTED edition
Number of Sessions: 2-4 per adventure, 4 adventures
Last Delivery Date: 31st March 2012
Short Description: The Zalozhniy Quartet is a series of four linked adventures from Gareth Hanrahan that can be played in any order. A web of conspiracy and intrigue challenges the players to stay ahead of the vampires and their undead assassins. This playtest features the first adventure. You need to own the REDACTED edition to play. You are welcome to just play one adventure or all four, however many you can fit within the deadline. Please email if you’d like to test it.
Hill Folk
System: DramaSystem
Number of Sessions: 2-4
Last Delivery Date: 3rd March 2012
Short Description: Hillfolk is the first setting using the DramaSystem roleplaying rules engine designed by Robin D Laws. In a game of Hillfolk, players take the roles of iron age raiders struggling to protect and enrich their clan at a time of clashing empires. In a DramaSystem game, players, aided by a GM, collectively create a compelling, serial story of emotional need and conflict within a tightly-knit group of people. Please email if you’d like to test it.
New World
System: New World
Number of Sessions: 2-4
Last Delivery Date: 10th March 2012
Short Description: New World is a game of historical fantasy by Bill White. You are sailors on a voyage to a new land to seek your fortune. For those already there, your arrival marks the end of the world they have known. It marks the beginning of change and conflict as peoples ideas and ways of living inevitably conflict. Please email if you’d like to test it.
Note: Your playtest report may be published online for informational and promotional purposes. We will not include names or contact details in these reports. Please let us know in your initial email if you would rather the report was not used in this way.
October brings new playtesting opportunities, in particular Owl Hoot Trail, but we are shy of a few takers for the Esoterrorists adventures. Anyone signing up for those will get a sneak peak at the latest iteration of GUMSHOE – Esoterrorists 2.0
- Each playtest has its own email link. Please click the link to send the email.
- You can playtest mulitple games, as long as you can make the deadlines. Send one email for each playtest.
- Please ensure you have a group and first date lined up before you email.
Owl Hoot Trail
System: New
Number of Sessions: 2
Last Delivery Date: 1st February
Short Description: Clinton R Nixon’s game of fantasy meets the Old West with a neat, rules-light system. It’s easy to play and to play test.
Please email if you want to participate.
Coffins – Sopwith Camels vs the Mythos
System: Trail of Cthulhu
Number of Sessions: 2
Last Delivery Date: 1st January
Short Description: Over the Western Front, pilots battle German aces, but are faced with an even more terrifying foe.
Please email if you want to participate.
The Worm of Sixty Winters
System: Esoterrorists
Number of Sessions: 4-8
Last Delivery Date: 1st January
Short Description: Set in the UK, ranging from Manchester to North Wales and Scotland, the OV must foil a world-spanning Esoterrorist plot.
This is the follow up to Albion’s Ransom: Little Girl Lost, but you don’t need to have played that one to participate. Email to participate.
Operation Prophet Bunco
System: Esoterrorists
Number of Sessions: 1 or 2
Last Delivery Date: 1st January
Short Description: When a crackpot preacher’s apocalyptic predictions rage through the worldwide media, the Ordo Veritatis dispatches a team to his hometown of Sequoia City, CA. The mission: curb the damage their doomsday perorations will surely do to the membrane.
It’s an introductory adventure, and we’ll accept applications from people who have never played GUMSHOE or Esoterrorists, as well as experienced players. Email, letting us know if you own Esoterrorists already.
Station Duty
System: Esoterrorists
Number of Sessions: 2-4
Last Delivery Date: 1st January
Short Description: Station Duty presents a new campaign framework for The Esoterrorists. Instead of sending the player characters on missions across the world, Station Duty encourages them to delve into the mysteries of one small town over the course of several investigations.
This book is designed for sandbox style adventuring, with a short introductory adventure. Please email if you’d like to test it.
I am once again looking to augment the ranks of my Thursday night playtest group—hence this open call for one new recruit.
To join the group, you’ll need to be reliably free on Thursday nights and able to get to the Bloor-Bathurst area in downtown Toronto. We meet from 7 pm to 10 pm.
You will also need a saintly tolerance for my playtesting needs. I run games I’m either designing or need to familiarize myself in order to do freelance work for. In the early going a new game may crash and burn, mandating a return to the drawing board. Often I’ll have to suddenly abandon a successful series in midstream to go on to the next thing. We usually play RPGs but there’s always the chance you may be asked to test-drive a card or board game along the way.
At present we have just entered our second season of Hillfolk, the first game using the new DramaSystem engine. It works within the storygame tradition, focusing on narrative and character development, setting traditional butt-kicking and problem-solving by the wayside. This game will continue until at least spring. Next up will be Gaean Reach, a game of interstellar mystery and vengeance using the GUMSHOE system, with touches of Skulduggery thrown in for good measure.
Please put yourself forward only if you can realistically make a long-term commitment to showing up every Thursday night.
If you’re interested, get in touch by leaving a comment on this blog, or via private message on Facebook or G+, or DM on Twitter.
