Category: Game Systems

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Folk Magic of the Haven Isles is LIVE on Kickstarter!

Hi Everyone!

We have just launched Folk Magic of the Haven Isles over on Kickstarter! It’s a 14-day campaign, so be sure not to miss it.

Pledge Now!

What Is It?

It’s an inspiration book for fantasy role-playing game magicians based on British folklore. It is 100% The Midderlands-compatible, and written for old school rules fantasy rules, specifically Swords & Wizardry.
There are PDF, softcover and signed hardcover pledge options, and we are fulfilling worldwide.

Do you need The Midderlands or Swords & Wizardry to use it?

Not at all. It’s a great book for inspiration to play and run your magicians. If you know what HD and Saving Throws are then you can get something out of this book. There is also a glossary of any Midderlands-specific terms, so you can change anything to suit your own campaign/setting.

Here are some pictures…

Layout & Art

We hope you enjoy looking at the project and we would welcome your pledge and support.
Many thanks, and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard,

Glynn & Richard

Midderzine Issue #5 Out Now!

Midderzine Issue #5 is here. Head on over to the webstore to check it out.

Buy It Now!

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • Meet the Midderlander: Juan Ochoa the Pixel Wizard.
  • Rumours from The Haven Gazette.
  • Abbots Bream: A merchant’s town in Staffershire.
  • The Town Market: An Abbots Bream market complete with stalls.
  • More Slightly Less Shit Tables.
  • A New Class: The Scrottish Immortal.
  • March Woodkin, Silver Hand Rings, Legendary Turnips and more…
  • Front
  • Interior
  • Rear
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Some Juicy Kickstarters

It seems like the brakes are coming off on Kickstarter projects, and with fulfillment for most now seemingly a couple of months down the line, it seems safe to do so.

I wanted to plug some Kickstarters from friends and colleagues and announce one of my own…

If you haven’t got AS&SH yet, you really should (head over to the North Wind Adventures website). You may also want to get these dice because Xathoqqua demands it. Jeff is a true stalwart, a gentleman, a scholar, a hunk o’ love. Back with total confidence.

Disclaimer: I have no commercial involvement in this project. I have worked with Jeff previously on many projects.

Doug Cole over at Gaming Ballistic is a machine and a legend. I’ve worked with Doug on a pile of projects and every one has been a pleasure and a joy. Check out his store and this campaign and feast at the marvels that await.

Disclaimer: I believe I will be handling cartography on these projects. I have worked with Doug previously on many projects.

If you love DCC, then this 0-Level Funnel by the master of ‘grabbing your game by the scruff of the neck and shouting “PLAY ME, PLAY ME!”, Sean Richer of Orbital Intelligence is here. If you love worms and moths and funnels, check it out!

Disclaimer: I hope to be doing layout/design work on this project. I have worked with Sean previously on many projects.

Levi Combs over at Planet X Games is doing some proper old school, grindhouse, pulpy, RPG stuff, and it rocks. Levi is also a goddamn hero.

Disclaimer: I have no commercial involvement in this project, and have never worked with Levi.

The frogs over at Frog God Games look to have an interesting town project in the offering… Back it. Keep it secret, keep it safe.

Disclaimer: I have no commercial involvement in this project. I have previously worked with both Frog God Games and Necromancer Games.

Diogo Nogueira at Old Skull Publishing is a robot. A robot programmed to create great RPG stuff. He has teamed up with Alan over at Gallant Knight Games to bring us a kid/family-centric RPG. Check it out. Looks juicy.

Disclaimer: I have no commercial involvement in this project. I have never worked directly with Diogo or Alan.

Are you still with me? Goodo.

Richard Marpole and I have put together a book for people that love old school roleplaying games, magicians, and British folklore. Richard has written it, and I’ve done the art and graphic design. I think it might be the best thing MonkeyBlood Design has ever created…

Coming to Kickstarter very soon…

It will be a quick 14 day campaign. Please keep an eye out for it, so you don’t miss out.

Many thanks, Glynn

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The Bats of Saint Abbans : Playtest

Richard Marpole and I have been working on a new adventure called The Bats of Saint Abbans. Richard has written it (and it’s great!!), and I’ve been doing the cartography, art, graphic design and layout. It’s just over 100 pages (A5) and it’s ready to inflict on people.

  • Rules: Swords & Wizardry Complete, but any OSR/retroclone system should be fine.
  • Character Levels: 1 to 3
  • Setting: The Midderlands, specifically Saint Abbans in Hertshire on The Haven Isles map. Can be tacked into any fantasy setting without too much trouble though.
  • The players aid the abbess in ridding the working abbey of a bat problem. Involves exploration and climbing/falling, etc.

If any groups would like to playtest it and provide feedback, feel free to contact us using the form below. Include a comment as to why you would like to be considered for the playtest and to help us whittle down any applicants if we get too many requests.

Those players and game masters that are involved in the playtest will receive a playtesting credit in the book (available via DriveThru RPG in PDF and print on demand), and also when it’s released, a free PDF and as many at-cost print copies as you like.

A playtest pack will be sent digitally (via download link), which will include;

  • The adventure as a bookmarked PDF
  • Separate .jpg files of all maps (can be provided without grids/note for online/VTT use).

Thanks all! Glynn & Richard

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

 

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The Ratseer Background for Troika!

I decided to do something different today whilst in this virus-fear malaise, so created a background for Troika! I hope someone finds it useful.

Ratseer Background for Troika.jpg

Stay safe, Glynn

The Ratseer background is an independent production by MonkeyBlood Design & Publishing and is not affiliated with the Melsonian Arts Council.

(c) 2020 Glynn Seal/MonkeyBlood Design & Publishing

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The Midderlands 5E – Kickstarter Update

We hope that you are keeping well in these unusual times. Follow all the advice you are given and stay safe. Look after yourselves and others and we will get through this sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, we have been staying safe and using this time of staying indoors to progress this project art along quicker than we originally envisaged. Cool!
We are in the final 2 weeks of the campaign, and over 70% funded.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/necromancergames/midderlands-5e?ref=1yu6og

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In these closing stages we have got more information up on the Kickstarter page for you to look at:

  • We have a new Kickstarter video up.

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Creature Stats Layout

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Sample Layout for the Town of Brignorth

  • 3D mockups of the standard and special edition book covers!

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Standard Edition Cover

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Special Edition Cover – check out that new ‘special edition’ logo!!

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Excerpt of the Poster Map

This is going to be exceptionally special! Let’s get this bad boy over the line and into some stretchy goals.

Stay safe and well,

Glynn and the team, and all those at Necromancer Games.

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Sea King’s Malice

Following on from the successful Kickstarter campaign by Frog God Games, Alex Kammer’s underwater escapade is bought to life in Swords & Wizardry and 5E versions.

I had the pleasure to create the map of Tzar’Grandula, and my S&W copy of the book arrived today. It looks fabulous, and I can see me taking my group into its murky depths 🙂

You can still grab a copy here: https://froggodgames.com/product/sea-kings-malice/

Thanks to Alex and the Frogs for having me onboard the project!

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I Love Swords & Wizardry

Disclaimer: I’m not getting paid for this. I’m not involved in the project, but I have done work for Frog God Games in the past.

You know I love Swords & Wizardry, right?

I enjoy it so much, I created a entire trilogy of settings books for it, and other supporting materials with over 700 pages of content – The Midderlands. I made them A5 format (6x 8.5-ish”), so they are more easily used at the table.

So, when Frog God Games decided to launch a Kickstarter for a small-form factor, digest-sized boxed set of the Complete version of the product – my favourite, I nearly did a joy-poo. Separate books, Collector’s Edition boxes, it’s got it all.

Hot on the heels of the Old School Essentials success, this product is just what I wanted! Check it out: Swords and Wizardry: Limited and Collectors Edition Box Sets

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What do I like about S&W so much?

For me, it feels like AD&D used to back in the day, although it’s rules are based in the OD&D traditions. It encourages ‘theatre of the mind’ play, it’s not complicated with myriad rules, and its perfect for beginning players as well as veterans. If third edition was a crunchy bag of pork rind, S&W is a velvety chocolate delight. You can almost run the rules without the book after a few sessions. it’s simply, old school gaming at its very best. Matt Finch has blended together a perfect combination of old school feel and play ability from the beginnings of the hobby, and it deserves to be sitting on your shelf, if not sitting on your game table.

As of this post, you’ve got 20+ days left and it’s already at over $64k. It’s burning through highly-achievable, almost zero risk stretch goals. Christmas is only 10 months away, get yourself an early present!

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Check it out: Swords and Wizardry: Limited and Collectors Edition Box Sets

Many thanks, Glynn

 

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Massive OSR Humble Bundle!

Hey All!

There is an Old School Humble Bundle up and running and MonkeyBlood Design is super-pleased to be involved (with The Midderlands) along with some top creators.

Here’s the link:MBD-2.jpg

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/old-school-fantasy-roleplaying-books

But before you head there, here’s the list of stuff that’s available at the top tier of $18+. All $624 of it!!
It’s pretty staggering!

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  • Items highlighted in green are published by MonkeyBlood Design & Publishing.
  • Items highlighted orange feature work by Glynn Seal.