An Autopsy On My Recent Deal of The Day

For folks who haven't been keeping an eye on things, I was recently the Deal of The Day over on Drive Thru RPG. My supplement Beyond The Black: 100 Dread Scenarios On Stranded Starships was on-sale for 50% off for 24 hours or so, and I figured I would take a moment to delve into what happened, and to draw a couple of conclusions from the results.

Before we get started, though, if you grabbed a copy during the sale (or really at any time) please take a moment to leave a rating and review. And if you didn't get a copy... well, consider doing so today! The sale was enough to push it from Silver to Electrum, and I'd love to get it up to one of the even rarer metals if I can!

If you run any kind of sci-fi game, I'd highly recommend grabbing this one.

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

Let's Break Down The Numbers, Shall We?

So, let's break down exactly what all went down for this particular sale, because it was one of the best DoTD sales I've been part of so far!

- 240 sales (at roughly $0.38 per sale)

- Roughly $90 in sales for that singular supplement

- Around 11 additional sales for related sci-fi supplements

- Total cumulative royalties of $100 for all sales during this period

Now, that's just royalties during this period. However, I sold 261 total supplements during this time. And $100 for a single day? Well, that's pretty good money for someone in the small press, digital only side of things, right?

It sure as hell is! However, take a moment to consider that, on average, I sell somewhere between 3 and 15 supplements a day that I have royalties in. Some days are serious outliers, though, and I'll move 20 or even 30 supplements (usually because someone decides to buy an entire series, or a bundle deal gets popular). But consider that difference for a moment. 30 supplements, versus 261 supplements. This sale performed over 8 times my normal outliers. So, one of my really good days, times 8.

That sounds amazing, right? But let's extrapolate.

Let's take a moment and say that I somehow managed to perform at that level all the time. I've got something like 216 unique supplements out there with my name on them that I've written over the past decade and change, so it's not out of the question. Now, let's say I'm making $100 a day. $700 a week. $3,000 a month or so. $36,000 a year (or $36,500 if we want to take a full accounting of the days).

Sounds like a lot, doesn't it?

It's about to get a lot smaller...

 

Unfortunately, this doesn't take into account taxes. And if I somehow managed to make $36K a year in taxes, I'm probably going to have to write a check for around $6-8K or so, depending on exactly how many deductions I can claim. So we'll take the smaller number, and say I still clear $30K in a year in sales. That means I lose my health insurance, and as an independent creator I don't really have options to go get an affordable plan anywhere else. I also lose any eligibility for most government programs (utility assistance, SNAP, etc.), so all those doors are now shut in my face. And yeah, I might have some additional earnings from affiliate sales, royalties for my novels, and up-front costs from freelance RPG work, but that's pennies per word, and I cannot physically churn out that much stuff every year to make a meaningful dent.

And this is something I've been thinking about today. Because even if I somehow managed to multiply my best days 10-fold and to make that my new norm... I would still be financially screwed in this economy we're operating in.

You can't buy a house on $30K a year. Hell, you probably can't even rent a 1-bedroom apartment in any place worth living for that much, while also buying food. You can't get health insurance. You sure as hell can't afford luxuries like going to conventions, or buying a new car when your old one craps out.

 

So what sounds like an impossible fortune (which would honestly be several thousand more than I've ever earned at any job I've ever had in a year) is still just enough to fall short with.

This Is Why Creators Need Your Support

Buying merch from creators is just one form of support. And while buying books, funding us on Patreon, and giving us tips on Ko-Fi certainly help, there are also free things you can do to help us pay our bills, too. Because if you watch our videos on platforms like YouTube, and subscribe, then that means we earn ad revenue. When you read articles on places like Vocal.media, that earns us money. When you share videos, supplements, or just the posts we make on your social media, that gets us an organic reach that we cannot duplicate, and that will help draw other people to the stuff we're making.

If you want to help a particular creator (whether it's me, or someone else entirely) it costs you effort. But putting a playlist on in the background, hitting a few buttons to subscribe, and leaving a review of something you really liked so others will check it out all adds up at the end of the day.

Almost no one who writes RPGs "for a living" makes enough money doing it. So help folks where you can to ensure they can keep putting food on the table, and keeping the utility company happy.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the ongoing audio drama channel The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Agents and Assets... Providing Backup For Task Force VALKYRIE

It's been a tough year for finding space to write new Storyteller's Vault supplements... however, I have managed to get a couple of submissions in here and there. However, back in February of this year I made my first foray into Hunter with my supplement The Blade Itself: Corrupt Equipment For Hunter: The Vigil. The idea behind corrupt equipment is that it develops a reputation, and grows into a legend of its own, which taps into the same dark force that empowers slashers, while also giving both independent hunters as well as those who have banded together with the more powerful conspiracies another tool to take on the creatures of the night.

And speaking of powerful conspiracies, I recently managed to find time and space to work on another supplement for this corner of the Chronicles of Darkness... which is why I wanted to let everyone out there know to check out Agents and Assets: 100 Personnel and Contacts For Task Force VALKYRIE!

Which I'd recommend getting your hands on, if you need some NPCs to toss into your chronicle.

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

Here Come The Men In Black

When I decided to take a second swing at Hunter, I wanted to put together an NPC list that would be useful for STs who were running Vigil chronicles, but also for those who were running games in any other part of the Chronicles of Darkness as well. Because while a lot of Storytellers don't relish the idea of bringing in multiple books and running several rule sets simultaneously, hunters are always a threat that's lurking in the background of any game. Vampires, werewolves, prometheans, sin eaters, changelings, and all the rest try to keep such a low profile because they all know down in their bones that mortals can be dangerous... especially when they have the ability to bring know-how and firepower to the fight.

And that is why the agents of Task Force VALKYRIE are always on standby for an ST who wants to make it clear there are consequences for crossing the line, and getting noticed.

The last line of defense for humanity.

To sum up, this supplement is good for STs who are running a Hunter game because Task Force VALKYRIE tends to be such a large presence in the setting. Even if the characters are a lower tier of hunters who are part of a compact, or they're just running the streets on their own, the presence of these shadowy government operatives and their networks is an ideal way to get the hunters information, to steer them toward particular objectives, or even to get them access to unique resources if they play ball with the suit who insists his name is Agent Smith. And on the other hand, Task Force VALKYRIE has enough firepower, skill, and presence to be a genuine threat to any supernatural community, giving players ample reason to maintain the masquerade and keep their heads down lest they become a reason for black choppers, strike teams, or even "accidents" that will be swept under the rug by the black books organization.

Where Should I Go Next?

I've said repeatedly on this blog, and over on the Azukail Games YouTube channel, I don't have a crystal ball, so I have no idea what supplements are going to go over well when I put my lists of ideas together. That's why I would like your input as folks who read my blog (and who hopefully enjoy my contributions to Storyteller's Vault). So if you would be so kind, please leave a comment down below including the following:

- What game line would you like to see me contribute to?

- What subject would you feel most useful?

 

As a bonus for folks who are interested, some of the specific ideas I've had include a collection of True Fae titles and a collection of loyalist NPCs for Changeling, and for Hunter I've been considering putting together a collection of slashers as well as some other support lists for conspiracies outside of Task Force VALKYRIE. I've even considered putting together some new courts for changeling, or making my own conspiracy or compact for Hunter to add to the list we already have to choose from. So if any of those things sound tasty, make sure you add that in your comment so I can tally up the votes!

And if you'd like to make EXTRA sure I see your vote, consider leaving it in the comments section of the video below:

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the ongoing audio drama channel The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Drug Dens... Should This Supplement Follow The Same Path As My Brothels?

Regular readers around these parts know that one of my more infamous series of supplements is the World's Oldest Profession books. I figured that since there's always been some variety of brothel in our games, why not rip the band aid off and stop playing coy about it? Well, the first book sold a lot better than I expected it to, and the ones that followed in its footsteps did pretty well, also. I don't want to chase that vein so deep that the joke gets old, though, so I try to space out those releases.

However, Adrian recently came to me with a fresh idea that plays on the same taboo nature, and gives Game Masters a little more to work with in terms of unique places for players to enjoy some "recreation" while also picking up rumors, meeting NPCs, and all the other activities. That idea? A Dekas of Drug Dens, since you ask!

However, should this be a one-off supplement? Or should it follow the same pattern as the previous series I mentioned... links below, for those who are curious!

- World's Oldest Profession: A Baker's Dozen of Brothels

- World's Oldest Profession: 100 Courtesans and Concubines

- World's Oldest Profession: 100 Rumors To Hear in a Brothel

- World's Oldest Profession: 100 Titillating Titles To Find in a Lewd Library

Everything can be had... for a price.

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

An Alternative To The Run-Of-The-Mill Tavern?

The tavern is one of the major staples of most games, and they're often the centerpiece of any town. After all, it's why my supplement 100 Random Taverns is a gold bestseller on DTRPG. But sometimes you want to give your players somewhere different to go to... like a rotting hole full of psychadelic mushrooms overseen by a fungus-possessed troll, perhaps? Or maybe a former mine owned by a mad alchemist who is producing some kind of black crystals meant for smoking? A former holy site where people inhale hen bane vapors to commune with their ancestors, an underground club in a graveyard where people perform unspeakable acts, and more are all available in this supplement!

My question for you, the audience, is should we expand it, and go even further?

Temporary, or permanent, stat negatives may occur.

Whether it's to put together a list of NPCs one might find at these hives of ill repute, assembling a list of whispers and rumors to hear, or maybe even putting together a list of unique drugs for the GMs to use... though that one would likely have to be game-specific, since different games have different rules and stats for drug use, addiction, and what the short and long-term uses of the drugs are.

After all, I put together Silvertongue for Bastards of Golarion, so it's not like I'm exactly new to the idea of making in-game drugs!

But if this is something you'd like to see happen, there are a few ways you can raise your voice to be sure that both I, and my publisher, hear you.

- Buy a copy of A Dekas of Drug Dens, rate it, and in your review, tell us what sequels you'd like to see

- Leave a comment on this post, telling me what you want to see

- Make your opinion known on social media where you've seen posts about this article, or the supplement

These are in descending order of power. The publisher is always going to listen to the paying public first, but those who make a lot of noise on blogs, the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or on one of our social media pages, may end up getting their wish.

So please take the actions you feel you can if you want to see this supplement series expand!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the ongoing audio drama channel The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

What Is Your Character's Signature Equipment (And What Does It Say About Them)?

One of the major parts of any RPG character is their equipment. Whether you're sailing the stars in the sci-fi future, chasing mysteries down the dark back alleys of the modern day, or you're raiding tombs and crawling dungeons in an ancient fantasy setting, the gear you bring with you is going to make a big difference on your adventures.

But your equipment might be more than just a useful toolbox for you to dip into to solve problems; it can also tell someone a lot about a character. Which is why you should take a moment to think about your character's signature equipment, what it means, and the messages it might send to someone in the know.

A man should have his portrait taken with the spoils of his wars.

As always, don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

Telling A Silent Story

I touched on this concept a while back in What Is Your Character's Everyday Carry (And What Does It Say About Them)? as well as in Reveal Details About Your Character Through Flavor-Based Skill Checks. However, this week's post is sort of combining these previous suggestions, and turning them into something different. Because the things we carry are a part of our story, and it can be worth thinking about when you ask what aspects of a character's history, background, etc. can be silently filled in by someone who recognizes what they're wearing or carrying... and doubly so if that item appears to be something that never leaves the character's person.

For very long, at least.

The blade has a long and bloody history.

The key for making a piece of signature equipment for a character is to make sure it has a meaningful story to tell, and to be sure there is some way for that story to be conveyed to other characters. Whether that's other PCs rolling a check to recognize the symbolism of a given item, or an NPC who recognizes it and reacts to it, at the end of the day what matters is that the clue adds into the character's story.

So what might that look like? Well, consider some of the following examples:

- The silver skull ring that marks someone as a member (or former member) of the Silver Wraiths necromancer's guild (found in Cities of Sundara: Moüd for Pathfinder or DND 5E)

- A battle banner with a roaring green lion that they unfurl during charges. Is it the sigil of a lost noble house? A defunct mercenary company? Such as those found in A Baker's Dozen of Noble Families, or 100 Mercenary Companies?

- Does their shield bear the remnants of an ancient oak tree with silver leaves, marking the liege lord they once served? What happened to them? Why do they still bear the mark?

- Do they wear a legionnaire's long coat, marking them as someone who completed a tour of duty as an officer in the 117th Coranthan Expansion?

Whether it's subtle or obvious, and whether the character keeps the item hidden or flaunts it, the point is that it should be something they will keep with them, that is important to them, and that it has an impact on the characters they interact with. And, ideally, this item should be something that isn't just going to get tossed aside as soon as an upgrade presents itself. Because you don't want to put a bunch of story into the blade they took from their father's dead hands that they've sworn to wield in the service of noble causes, only to immediately replace it as soon as the character finds a more powerful sword to swing.

There are a couple of ways around this. One is to use something like the Weapons of Legacy book which came out for Dungeons and Dragons 3.5. The idea was that a character's weapon would grow and change along with them, remaining a constant companion for the entire adventure. Alternatively, ask if there are parts or pieces of the old equipment that can be merged with the newer items that have been found. For example, if you find something like a powerful wizard's robe, could you turn it into a lining beneath the character's battered leather duster that they wore when they were still an officer in the legion? Do they keep their old scabbard for the new weapon, merging their old life with their new one? Or does some strange magical effect leave a stamp of the character's history on their new weapon, such as the pommel's shape shifting into their old family crest, or engravings taking on the form of their personal sigil to represent their new bond?

Whatever form the story continuity takes, a character's signature equipment should be a physical representation of where they've been, who they are, or something they've experienced. And it should be something that stays with them in some way, shape, or form, showing that no matter what they experience going forward, they're still carrying a part of their past... even if it's also grown and changed with them.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Fluff post. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the dark sci fi saga of The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Catch The One Week Bundle For Silkgift, The City of Sails (Before It's Gone)!

I've been steadily releasing supplements for my Sundara: Dawn of a New Age fantasy RPG setting for a few years now. A world that's meant to look forward rather than backward, where the city-state is the largest official form of governance, and where the weird and the wild run rampant, it's a unique place for players and Game Masters alike to explore. And if you're a GM who prefers to make their own homebrew worlds, well, a lot of what's in Sundara is designed so that you can pick it up, and plop in down in your world like a Lego piece, helping you build something bigger without all the heavy lifting.

And while several of us are working on expanding the setting with some releases that should be dropping before the end of 2026, Adrian has a pair of One Week Bundles out for one of my personal favorite places in the setting... Silkgift, the City of Sails!

And if you haven't taken a look at it yet, now is definitely the time!

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

Invention, Alchemy, and Impossible Engineering

When I started releasing the original Cities of Sundara supplements, my goal was to make sure that each location was unique, organic, and that it had an identity that made people want to dig deeper into it. Silkgift started life as a collection of several villages who made a unique form of sailcloth that could be found nowhere else... hence the name. What made the industry truly shine, though, was a dwarven woman named Clever Elsie, whose inventions automated the process of weaving, increased the yield of crops, and led to a culture of discovery, study, and scholarship. The city draws cranks and geniuses alike, but the profits and yields generated by the creations of Silkgift goes to support the citizens, ensuring that everyone has food, shelter, and chances to learn skills and trades to better help their friends and neighbors.

And, of course, Silkgift is also the center of aether technology in Sundara, the most infamous versions being the compressed air pistols and rifles used by hunters and adventurers alike! For folks who want a deeper dive into aether weapons, as well as spellslinging firearm alternatives found in the setting, check out my older post Seeking Alternative Firearms For Your Game? Check Out "Sundara: Dawn of a New Age"!

A more fantastical version of something like this historic example.

Over the past several years quite a few supplements have been released for Silkgift (as well as for most of the Cities of Sundara line). Supplements for whispers and rumors, supplements that detail specific locales within the city, the original city book of course, and more besides! In fact, if you want to turn the City of Sails into a fully-fleshed out place to either host a campaign, or to use as a major hub, the various supplements can do a lot of heavy lifting for you.

And that is why I wanted to let people know that Adrian Kennelly now has them on-sale! You can get either the One Week Bundle: Silkgift for Pathfinder or the One Week Bundle: Silkgift For D&D 5E, depending on which engine you'd prefer to use to drive your games. Each of them contains 6 separate supplements, and overall saves folks who get them a couple of bucks.

So whether you're looking for a fresh fantasy world to explore, or you've been looking for a little extra help in sculpting places for your own setting, consider grabbing these before they're gone! And if you'd like a little more information about Silkgift than I gave above, check out the video I made about it a while back.

Catch Up On "Sundara: Dawn of A New Age"

Cities of Sundara

The setting first began with the Cities of Sundara splats. Self-contained guides to some of the larger and more powerful centers of trade, industry, arms, and magic, these unique locations provide plenty of fodder for character generation and plots. Not only that, but each one comes with unique, mechanical goodies for players and GMs alike to take out for a spin!

- Ironfire: The City of Steel (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Built around the Dragon Forge, Ironfire is where the secret to dragon steel was first cracked. The center of the mercenary trade in the region, as well as boasting some of the finest schools for teaching practical sciences, Ironfire is a place where discovery and danger walk hand in hand!

- Moüd: The City of Bones (Pathfinder and DND 5E): An ancient center of trade and magic, Moüd was lost to a cataclysm, and then buried in myth. Reclaimed by the necromantic arts of the Silver Wraiths guild, this city has once again become a place teeming with life. Despite the burgeoning population, though, it is the continued presence of the undead that helps keep the city running, ensuring that Moüd is not swallowed up once more.

- Silkgift: The City of Sails (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Built on the cottage industry of Archer cloth (an extremely durable material used for sails, windmills, etc.), Silkgift is a place that prizes invention and discovery. From gravity batteries that store the potential of the wind, to unique irrigation systems, to aether weapons, the city positively churns out discoveries... and then there's the canal they cut through the mountains that makes them a major center of trade across the region.

- Hoardreach: The City of Wyrms (Pathfinder and DND 5E): A center of power across an entire region, Hoardreach is ruled over by a Cooperation of five different dragons. A place for refugees and outcasts of all sorts, Hoardreach boasts some of the most unusual citizens and creations from across Sundara. Infamous for their sky ships, which require the cast-off scales and unique arcane sciences of the Dragon Works to take to the air, one never knows just what they'll find in this city built atop a mountain.

- Archbliss: The City of The Sorcerers (Pathfinder and DND 5E): A floating city in the sky, Archbliss has been a refuge for sorcerers for thousands of years. It's only in relatively recent years that the city has allowed those from the ground below who lack the power of a bloodline to join them in the clouds. However, while there are certainly amazing wonders to behold, there is a darkness in Archbliss. Something rotting away at its heart that could, if not healed, bring the city crashing to the ground once more.

Gods of Sundara

- Gods of Sundara (available for Pathfinder and DND 5E): In a world with no alignment, and where the gods are often genuinely mysterious forces that are far too large for mortals to truly comprehend, the divine feels genuinely strange and unknown... something that really does have to be taken on faith. This supplement provides a sample pantheon for Sundara, but also provides instructions on how to easily make your own gods in a world where you can't cast a spell and tell whether someone is good or evil.

Species of Sundara

Sundara is filled with creatures that many of us recognize, but I wanted to give greater depth to their cultures, and a wider variety of options. After all, humans always get 15+ ethnicities, languages, and unique histories, while elves, dwarves, orcs, halflings, etc. are almost always left with footnotes, or maybe with a handful of offshoots. So, in short, I wanted to give all the fantastical creatures the treatment that humans usually get in our games.

And there is no human book yet. If readers demand to know more, then I may sit down to pen one... but I figured that humans didn't need to be front-and-center in this setting just yet.

- Elves of Sundara (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Elves are one of the most quintessential fantasy creatures... but if you want to see more than just high elves, wood elves, and elves of the sun and moon, then this supplement has you covered!

- Dwarves of Sundara (Pathfinder and DND 5E): The children of the primordial giants who were meant to fill in the details of the world they'd made (or so the myths say) there are as many kinds of dwarves as their are kinds of giants... and possibly more, depending on who is keeping count.

- Orcs of Sundara (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Supposedly a creation of the elves, none can say for certain exactly how or why orcs have been made. What most agree on is that these creatures are far more than most may think at first glance.

- Halflings of Sundara (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Little cousins to the dwarves, halflings are tough, clever, and not to be underestimated. From living beneath the hills, to taking up residence in the deep forests, halflings in Sundara come in quite a variety!

- The Blooded (Half-Elves and Half-Orcs) [Pathfinder and DND 5E]: When orcs and elves mix their bloodlines with other creatures, the result is one of the Blooded. This inheritance takes many forms, and it can even wait generations before manifesting when the right combination of individuals come together to have a child.

- Gnomes of Sundara (Pathfinder and DND 5E): Gnomes are strange creatures, found in places where the spirit of the land has coalesced and made children of its own. The sons and daughters of the ancient nymphs, they are the stewards of these places, and they change as often as the weather and the land.

Organizations of Sundara

Phase 3 has been going strong, but there's still a few titles left in it! So if you haven't seen them, consider checking out:

- Sellswords of Sundara: With power structures being smaller in scale in Sundara, standing armies aren't often maintained for long. As such, soldiers of fortune are quite common! This supplement contains 10 mercenary companies, their history, uniform, sample members, whispers and rumors, as well as either an archetype or subclass for playing these unique warriors. Grab your copy for Pathfinder of DND 5E.

- Cults of Sundara: Faith comes in many forms in Sundara, and there are as many gods in the Prim as there are dreams in the minds of people. This supplement contains write-ups for 10 cults, their histories, sample members, rumors about them, their beliefs and tenets, and a unique magic item for each. Get your copy for Pathfinder or DND 5E.

- Guilds of Sundara: While cities and villages may be relatively local, guilds are spread across the length and width of Sundara. From professional orders of skilled miners and dredgers, to monster slayers and bounty hunters, this supplement has 10 guilds with histories, sample members, rumors, as well as unique feats one can take to represent the skill and benefits of joining this order. Available for Pathfinder as well as DND 5E.

- Merchants of Sundara: While city states might be the largest form of government you find in the setting, merchants hold an outsized amount of power. From huge mercantile houses, to small brands infamous for their quality as much as for their price, there are a lot of options listed in this particular world building supplement.

Rumors of Sundara

The newest series of supplements in the setting, these are meant to add to the cities, and to give GMs ideas for plots, or just to provide a little extra grist for the mill in terms of what people are gossiping about!

- Whispers and Rumors For Ironfire, The City of Steel!

- Whispers and Rumors For Moüd, City of Bones!

- Whispers and Rumors For Silkgift, The City of Sails!

- Whispers and Rumors For Hoardreach, City of Wyrms!

- Whispers and Rumors For Archbliss, City of The Sorcerers!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the ongoing audio drama channel The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Leaving Spell Slots Empty For Later (A Prepared Spellcaster Hack For Pathfinder)

There is a noted wariness among a lot of Pathfinder players when it comes to prepared spellcasting classes. Wizards, clerics, alchemists, and so on may have the ability to choose from larger lists of total spells, but they have to choose which spells they're putting in which slots, and if they choose the wrong spells, well, then they're screwed. Or so the thought process goes.

However, there's a piece of fine print that a lot of folks miss, or don't really think about. Prepared casters largely have the ability to leave a certain number of spell slots empty when they prepare their spells, and they can then perform a small ritual to fill that slot later, thus providing them some wiggle room to ensure the character can choose the proper spell when they actually need it.

It's a strategy that comes with its own risks, but it's still worth exploring to see if it will work for you.

Magic is all about rules, loves. Twist them until they serve.

As always, don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

A Little Ace In The Hole

If you read through the description of classes like the wizard, cleric, and alchemist, you'll note in the fine print about their spells that the character may choose to leave spell slots open for the day, essentially acting as blank storage spots. These rules are also repeated in the Magic chapter of the Core Rulebook. At any time before the next time the character prepares their spells, they may go through a smaller version of their spell preparation ritual in order to fill that slot with a spell. Whether it's reading from a spellbook, going through a small religious rite, or breaking out their field laboratory to mix a fresh extract, these small rituals typically don't take more than 5 minutes.

This seems pretty straightforward. As a prepared caster, you are essentially hedging your bets that you might need a specific spell during the coming day that you can't predict, so you're leaving a slot open, and hoping that you have the time to prepare the spell safely. Time is the key, here, because as long as you're in a situation where you can crouch down and do some quick reading, praying, etc., this strategy is perfectly sound. When it isn't sound, though, is realizing that in the middle of combat, or when a trap has gone off and the walls are closing in to crush you, you have the perfect spell to deal with this situation... you just didn't pick it that day!

Ah, balls... I didn't take Commune With Eldritch Horror... it's on my list, though...

The strength of prepared casters is that they have access to a wider variety of spells than spontaneous casters do. Additionally, metamagic feats are more efficient when applied to prepared spells. However, while they might be a Swiss army knife in a lot of ways, the drawback is they can feel cumbersome. This is one strategy that can be quite useful, but it's one that should be done sparingly. Because sometimes you'll have the breathing room you need to memorize the new spell that will save the day... but other times if you can't whip out the solution in the next 6 seconds, it isn't going to matter.

As with everything else, though, it's important to have a varied approach to using magic as a tool... especially if you're a prepared spellcaster.

Consider checking out my older article 3 Advantages of Wands in Pathfinder, for instance. Because wands, potions, and scrolls are great for keeping access to certain spells on-hand that will be really powerful in specific situations, but they aren't something you want to keep memorized every day, taking up space in your spell allotment. Additionally, if you're playing a wizard or a cleric (or you're combining the two for a Mystic Theurge with 2 aces in the hole) take the bonded item feature for the former, and gain the bonded holy symbol option for the Ecclesitheurge archetype in the Advanced Class Guide. These features allow you to, once per day, immediately cast a spell that you know which is on your class list as if you had prepared it that day, making it a get-out-of-screwed-free card if you have the perfect tool for the job.

Taking a layered approach with a prepared caster can help ensure that you really are prepared for every situation you might come up against. So make sure you've got a variety of tools in your bag, and help get yourself (and your party) through your next adventure!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Crunch post! To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or the dark sci fi channel I contribute stories to, The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Legacy Campaigns: A Fresh Chapter To Continue Your Story

For a lot of us, the idea of completing a full campaign with a single party of characters is the height of gaming accomplishment. And if you've managed to do that, then you might very well want to play a different system or setting entirely as a kind of palate cleanser. But if you're the sort of player (or the sort of Game Master) who enjoys continuity and sequels, then I would recommend considering the idea of a legacy campaign... because they can take a variety of forms, and you can usually tailor them to fit your game, and your players.

As we turn the page, another set of heroes are enmeshed in our tale...

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

A New Chapter In Your Quest

There are a couple of different ways a legacy campaign can go. First and foremost, it can be the literal legacy of the former PCs, whether it's their children, students they've trained, squires they've knighted, etc. The idea is that the PCs of the last campaign are passing the torch to the new party, providing some kind of continuity between the characters, if not the actual story of the campaign. Alternatively, the legacy might be a continuation of the events and story from the first campaign, but in a different location with different characters who aren't necessarily connected to the characters of the previous campaign. For a quick reference, the connectivity between the Pathfinder adventure paths Shattered Star, Rise of The Runelords, and Return of The Runelords follows this path.

However, it's also possible to combine the two into a single campaign, if that's what you and your players want to do!

I am here to earn my spurs, and to make my father proud.

As I said in The Key To A Sandbox Is To Make Sure It's Populated, And Stuff Is Happening, though, a legacy campaign requires a bit of setup to really sell it!

Now, that doesn't mean the Game Master has to plan a three-campaign series right from the jump. But you do have to have the first campaign planned, plotted, and completed so that you have all the information about what happened during the first story that you can use as a springboard for the second one (and from the second to the third, if you want to be industrious). You need to know which characters completed what deeds, which NPCs lived and died, and which of the villains were sentenced, which ones were slain, and which ones returned to the outer darkness to join their alien masters. And once you have all of that information, you can then properly plan the sequel to that game!

If you're the Game Master, picture yourself as the head of a successful TV series. You received enough of a budget to shoot the first season, so you made something relatively self-contained, but which has the potential for spin-offs and sequels. You finished it, and it was popular enough that your audience wants more. Maybe you had some ideas in mind for where it could go next. Maybe you were just hoping the first season did well enough you could scoot across the line. Either way, with this format, and your very narrow audience, it's a good idea to make sure the first season is as polished and enjoyable as possible before you spend too much time working on the second or third season that you might not even get.

The most important thing, though, is that you need to be sure you have player enthusiasm to see more. Because while the idea of following up a campaign with a legacy sequel might be intriguing (especially if the players get to see the results of the previous game, and hear the tales of their old characters' adventures), it's equally possible that your audience might have been just fine with a one-and-done for that game, that story, or that system. Don't over-invest in making a multi-part story told over several campaigns if you know your players don't have that kind of stamina.

With that said, however, keep in mind that a "campaign" doesn't have to be a years-long, level 1 to level 20 endeavor. A campaign could just as easily be a story that takes characters through a 5 level progression, or even a 10 level progression. As long as the story is complete, the GM reaches the end point, and the plot is solved, that's a full campaign... just make sure you let your players know how long the story will last before you get started so they can plan accordingly!

Game Master Resources

If you're planning on running a legacy campaign, whether it's for a passing of the torch, or you want players to have to deal with further permutations of the threats that were seen and opposed in the first story, I would recommend getting your hands on some of the following supplements:

- I'm Back! 25 Reasons For A Villain's Survival: Whether it's the big bad they thought was defeated, a hated henchman, or even an ally they thought was dead, this book can be fun for more continuity.

- 100 Character Goals and Motivations: Good for your players to take a flip through, but very important for understanding the motivations and machinations of your game's villains.

- 100 Dark Secrets: Something that can put allied NPCs into a different context, and which could provide something deeper to find for your villains, can also be good for giving your PCs something to keep under wraps.

- 100 Tips & Tricks For Being A Better Dungeon Master: A supplement that collects a majority of the good advice I've covered here on this blog to help make your games the best they can be.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or my additional audio dramas over on The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Blue Sky, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!