We're not quite in the final 24 hours, but getting very close! Within these last hours, I wanted to review some important topics, most especially our current Stretch Goal situation! Let's get reviewin'!
We're in the Final Days countdown for this Crowdfunding campaign. Alchemicals: Forged by the Machine God finishes the crowdfunding campaign on Thursday,December 12th at 2:00 PM EST. There's still time to assemble a few more backers, but we're definitely getting closer to the finish line. With that in mind, I wanted to touch on some of the basics over these final four days to make sure everyone has the information they need to support this project in the way that works best for them.
Whether you're the size of a Metropolis or are just rolling off the assembly line, these are some good topics to review over this week to make sure we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out our Final Week Countdown / Resource Update. It has links to the manuscript previews, podcast and panels, and other helpful information.)
Refresher Course
Note for New Backers: Please check out the updates listed above. There's a lot of information there that will be important to know about before the end, like how we're not including shippingcharges in our pledges for this campaign and instead will be charging them in our pledge manager before we ship out the books, and you can also read the entire draft manuscript before the end of the campaign and any pledges are processed.
Note for Since-the-Start Backers: It's probably a good idea to review that stuff as well. Never hurts to make sure you haven't missed anything! And it's fun to listento those podcasts and interviews. In fact, I've got one more new podcast episode for you to listen to...
We've had, and will have, a bunch of new backers join in during these last days. I want to take a moment to highlight some key Update posts that new backers may want to check out (and existing backers may want to read as a refresher!).
MANUSCRIPT PREVIEW - As noted, the complete Preview Manuscript for the book is available for you to review prior to the conclusion of the campaign. If you're a backer, you'll have access to this preview manuscript after the campaign. Remember, though, there are still some minor edits, development and proofing that need to be done, but you can consider it most of the way there and a good representation of what you'll get in the final book. Making the manuscript available for review before the campaign ends ensures that everyone knows exactly what our goal is - making this book - and are on board with our aims for this project. Thanks for your support, we're all in this together!
PLEDGE TIERS -This update breaks down your best starting point for figuring out which Backer Reward Tier to choose to help support this project in a way that works for you.
The first decision you need to make in figuring out your reward tier is whether you want to receive the PDF version or the deluxe hardcover edition (which comes with bonus PDF version).
POPULAT HERO
This is the PDF-only reward tier. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the shipping charges that are absolutely ever-increasing - this is the reward tier option that you should begin with. The PDF will be fulfilled by our partners at DriveThruRPG.com - when it is ready, you will receive a link to add it to your DTRPG library at no cost for you to download at your leisure.
ALCHEMICAL CHAMPION
This reward tier includes the deluxe hardcover version of this book. Shipping costs ARE NOT included in the cost of your pledge. You will be charged for shipping after the campaign through the pledge manager. In addition, this option also includes the PDF version, so you will get a digital copy as described above.
ADD-ON OPTIONS - The other half of our Reward Tiers update, including information on the second step of pledging. There are several Add On options that you can add as part of your pledging process, including a ton of key Exalted Third Edition books and supplements, plus the Storyteller Screen that we unlocked during the campaign.
Choose Wisely
Choosing the correct Reward Tier for your desired rewards, and then filling in any "gaps" with add-ons, ensures that you'll be claiming all of your desired rewards as a thank you for supporting this project and bringing this world to life.
Remember, your PLEDGE AMOUNT is equal to your REWARD TIER + ADD ONS only - Any Shipping costs will be collected at a later date. You will also be able to select Add On options in the Pledge Manager after the campaign, but remember that only funds added during the campaign count towards Stretch Goal funding targets.
Also to note, only those who participate during the campaign are able to have Stretch Goal rewards added automatically to their rewards lists. If you're waiting to pre-order at a later time, it's better to pledge to the Tripartite Overseer tier now and then simply upgrade your pledge later to include these bonus rewards.
Tomorrow I'll be posting one further "Final Day" update, covering What Happens Next and outlining what to expect once the campaign ends.
But until then, let's review our Stretch Goal success story!
Over the past 27 (almost 28?) days as we've worked through this campaign, we've not only funded the book but also unlocked FOURTEEN Stretch Goal targets! That's right - we've unlocked a Stretch Goal that was just announced yesterday!
Our Stretch Goals have been a mix of regular "milestone markers" that helped keep our pace and allowed me to plan out the rest of our campaign, as well as new content that will be featured in an Alchemicals companion supplement. Let's review and see what we've accomlished by coming together to Crowdfund this project!
MILESTONE MARKERS
Monitoring our pace during the mid-campaign, these milestone markers are great celebratory moments allowing us to keep our focus, and fun rewards going out to all who supported this project during the Crowdfunding campaign.
[ACHIEVED] BACKER SHIRT DESIGN - An Alcehmicals-themed Backer shirt will be hosted on Onyx Path’s Redbubble store for a limited time. Backers will be notified when the shirt becomes available for purchase. [ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS Digital Wallpaper - Awesome Alchemical Exalted artwork will be used to create a wallpaper for your computer desktop. This digital wallpaper will be added to the rewards list of all backers supporting this project. [ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS VTT Token Pack – Digital assets will be created to support online play for Alchemcials, including key character and creature tokens from the book. This online asset pack will be added to the rewards list of all backers. [ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS STREAMING OVERLAY - A set of overlays for your online game will be created, for your use when streaming your Alchemicals session. This reward will be added to the rewards list for all backers.
A NEW ADD ON
Our very first Stretch Goal victory added another option to our Add On menu.
[ACHIEVED] NEW ADD ON: ALCHEMICALS STORYTELLER SCREEN - A three-panel Storyteller Reference Screen with charts and information for running an Alchemicals game will be created and offered as an Add On to any hardcover reward tiers for +$25.
NEW CONTENT - EXPANDING A SUPPLEMENT
Alchemicals Companion - Starting with our $50,000 Stretch Goal reward, a new Alchemicals supplement will be added as a bonus reward to all backers receiving the Alchemicals: Forged by the Machine God PDF as one of their pledge rewards. This Alchemicals Companion PDF will be expanded via Stretch Goal achievement, with each achieved goal unlocking a new section in the book.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: The Lost City of Tekun - The disappearance of the metropolis Tekun is a mystery to the Eight Nations — but now, the truth is revealed. Cast though the Seal of Eight Divinities, the lost city has survived deep in the vast underground caverns of Creation. Its people still preserve the Octet’s culture and faith despite their isolation from the Machine God, a flickering light of hope amidst the many perils of the deep.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: The Forge of Legends - Additional Storyteller advice and plot hooks for Alchemical campaigns, whether in Autochthonia or Creation.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: Beyond the Eight Nations - An expansion of Autochthonia’s reaches and those who dwell within: tunnel folk societies, Alchemical outcasts, and gruesome horrors born of the Blight.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: God-Machinery of Exalted Power -A panoply of Alchemical Charms and submodule upgrades, as well as Light-Sharpening Blade style, a martial art that makes use of beamklaves.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: The Ever-Spreading Blight -Quick Character traits for Apostates, those Alchemicals corrupted by Autochthon’s Blight, and the lesser gremlins that stalk the Realm of Brass and Shadows. [ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: Industrial Assembly of the Chosen -Quick Character traits for Alchemical heroes from across the Eight Nations — and Creation.
[ACHIEVED]ALCHEMICALS COMPANION: Ramos-Autrama, Riven by War - Once, Ramos-Autrama was not one city, but two: one from Yugash, and one from Sova. In the wake of the bitter War of Ashes between the two nations, the two war-torn metropoli found themselves forced together by Autochthonia’s theotectonic movements, isolated from both nations. Now, only the intervention of foreign powers keeps the city’s divided populace from turning on each other and restarting the war.
[ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION:Servants of the Machine God - Quick Character traits for a variety of machine spirits found in the Realm of Brass and Shadow. [ACHIEVED] ALCHEMICALS COMPANION:Gods from the Machine - Expanded information on the Eight Divine Ministers, the Third Circle souls of Autochthon, as well as the Alchemical machine saints who serve the Divine Ministers in pursuit of their agendas.
I've got to say, I've loved the stuff that I've read in the manuscript, and as always, the book makes me hungry for more! And the Companion supplement that we've assembled - forged - via Stretch Goal achievement looks to deliver on a lot of the stuff I want!
But... more?
We've got one more Stretch Goal target on the horizon. I though this was gonna be one we'd have to run a long backer train for, but it certainly seems within grasp over this final day!
At $150,000 in Funding - ALCHEMICALS COMPANION:Locust Crusades and Grasshopper Diplomacy - A Storyteller guide for playing out the first contact between Autochthonia and Creation and the myriad scenarios that might unfold once the Seal of Eight Divinities has been broken.
YOUR REWARDS!
That's right! You backed this project to help make and publish Alchemicals: Foged by the Machine God! Our primary reward - the big thank you that we'll send out in appreciation for your support - are PDFs and/or deluxe hardcover copies of this book! BUT AS A BONUS, you may also have a digital wallpaper, some online tokens, and an opportunity to add to your wardrobe, plus you'll get to see the new material that comes in our expanded Companion supplement!
NOT MUCH MORE TIME
Unfortunately, we seem to continue to move forward at a regular pace, and our campaign will some come to the inescapable end. We've achieved our primary goal of funding the book, but there is still one possible Stretch Goal reward that is almost within grasp! I know this last funding target may seem a challenge, but it wouldn't be a STRETCH goals if we didn't have to really STRETCH to reach it! It's certainly within reach, but won't be easy, so let's keep at it!
So, as every update concludes: let's keep the enthusiasm rolling! Keep spreading the word and letting others know about this project. They've got this final day to jump in and share the Stretch Goals we've achieved!
And every backer who joins in as we approach the end is not only able to enjoy the additional rewards already added by the early fans and backers, but also help reward those early backers by maybeunlocking thatfinal Companion section!
Remember, only the funds generated during the Crowdfunding campaign go toward achieving these Stretch Goal targets, so the time to act is now! Together, we can bring this game to life and make great things happen!
ALCHEMICALS: FORGED BY THE MACHINE GOD enters OVERTIME MODE on Thursday, December 12th at 2:00 PM EST.
We will finish up as soon as our backer train ends after that point! So let's see if we can't hit a final Stretch Goal and then keep that train running for an extra 10 or 20 minutes!!
