We’re back with another curated look at some of the games to check out that are on Kickstarter crowdfunding platforms right now (editor’s note – I’m still calling the column ‘Kick Picks’ even though one of the projects is funding through Game On Tabletop).
Today’s picks are both RPG campaigns, the tenth anniversary edition of one of the early Pathfinder Adventure Paths and a 5E book from the Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age, and KOTOR. Warning: Odyssey of the Dragonlords wraps up on May 16, 2019, which is only in a few days as of when this article is posting.
Kingmaker 10th Anniversary Edition – Paizo had great success releasing hardbound editions of their first two adventure paths, Rise of the Runelords and Curse of the Crimson Throne. Now (spurred on by the release last year of a cRPG based on the adventure path) Paizo is preparing a similar release for the Kingmaker adventure path. Kingmaker was distinctive among the adventure paths with its kingdom-building elements, forging a new nation as they explored and conquered a hex map of the River Kingdoms. But the Kingmaker anniversary edition is going even bigger than the prior adventure paths to get this treatment, with more significantly updated core content (in part because the 600+ page tome will be updated for Pathfinder Second Edition), a bestiary, a bestiary box, a companion guide based on the cRPG, a D&D5E version of the bestiary, a flip-mat multi-pack, a GM-screen-like kingdom management screen, dice, tokens, and wow are my fingers worn out just from typing that list. The base ‘you get the book’ level is $80, but as one might tell from the list above there are a lot of add-on options. The campaign is fully funded, and runs through May 22, 2019. Note that this campaign is on Game On Tabletop, not Kickstarter.
Odyssey of the Dragonlords – This D&D5E compatible adventure book is from the lead designer of Baldur’s Gate, the original Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (that’s James Ohlen; the book is also being worked on by Jesse Sky and Drew Karpyshyn, who between them worked on SWTOR, Baldur’s Gate 2, Mass Effect 1/2, and also novels). Odyssey of the Dragonlords draws inspiration from Greek mythology, and sets the players on epic paths that give them a place in the story and, one imagines, end with them becoming Dragonlords. In addition to the 300+ page adventure book, the campaign is funding a deluxe map pack, GM screen, and multiple PDF supplements. The basic digital pledge is $25, getting the physical book is $60, and the version with everything is $80. Note that, although the designers for the book are a new company and this is their first Kickstarter campaign, they are working with Modiphius, so there shouldn’t be any issues with getting the physical production done. The campaign is thoroughly funded, but only runs for a few more days, ending on May 16, 2019.