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Men and Monsters
🕑 Added 2017-08-01 05:43:43 +0000 UTCToo often, the races which populate fantasy worlds are pulled whole-cloth from a Tolkienesque template, leaving little room for interpretation. Elves are intelligent and long-lived, but otherwise look like humans with pointy ears, dwarves are stoic and industrious, but otherwise look like squat, bearded humans. Halflings are lethargic and friendly, but otherwise look like very short humans. In absence of other works, these character archetypes are truly inspired, but with the march of fiction, they’ve simply become tired staples of the genre.
But by their definition, fantastic worlds can play host to a much broader family of races, which provoke the reader’s (or in this case, the player’s) imagination, bringing them deeper into the world through its astonishing residents. This book, Men and Monsters, seeks to provide some new races to populate fantasy worlds, each of which defies conventional fantasy tropes in some way.
Inside, you'll find 11 new races (though you might recognize a few from Dark Matter), and a metric ton of feats. Moreover, this book is filled with some of the most gorgeous art Martin Kirby has ever done for us -- we hope you enjoy!
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On the subject of Dark Matter, the first draft of the lore chapter is finished and we've started subsequently picking it apart. It's much longer than we anticipated, and will include a bunch of backgrounds as well. In fact, it might end up being two or three chapters when all is said and done.
In order to fill these pages with interesting things to look at, we're going to commission a few more sketches from Kirby, which is unfortunately going to push the final product a little further down the line. Because of our schedule (since, after all, I plan to release the Complete Witch on time), I don't think Dark Matter will be completed until at least late August or early September.
I'm sorry about the delay, and I'm bummed that it's taking so long, but I think that the final product will be worth it, and I'm excited to show everyone what we have cooking. Thank you all for your patience and your support.
Changelog:
- 9/7/17: Meta: Bookmarks added
- 9/22/17: Small formatting change
- 9/28/17: Typos fixed
- 9/18/17: Vect thermal vision changed to thermalsight, no longer takes a bonus action
- 1/14/19: New art!
Comments
Joan Mulberry
Im suuuuuper into spirit host as my top 4th favorite race
Joseph Blanc
Fear his sewing needle blade and shield made from an oversized shirt button
Jason Jones
Now to make Sir Rollo, the Royal Teddy Bear and protector of the young Princess Dinae's dreams.
Jason Jones
I like the options presented here, especially the mastryoska, mousefolk, and togrutan races. The feats present a nice addition to the character concepts presented.
Joseph Blanc
Honestly, I would be content with just what was in the preview. That stuff was so awesome, and there is even more coming? Take all the time you need.
Mage Hand Press
I'm not having a problem. Try clearing your cache?
Articus the Tigulf
as a person who tries to be as least human as possible in all character choices this is exactly what I like to have as an option~
Gizmo
I can't download the attachment. I tap on the link and it gives me the loading symbol for a second then it stops.
Mage Hand Press
No, this was borrowed from all of the fey stuff we have, and I was aiming for consistency. Though, I suppose I should trim that line in this book for simplicity.
Dathan
The Adventurous feat references Faeries, were they supposed to be included?
The Nails of Vecna
Yeah, all our pdfs do that (though I don't reckon they're supposed to). I think it's the path of where the images are on the Finger's computer?
Paul Mahon
Most of the pages have mouse over tool-tip text with a path, C:\Users\...
Jaron Mortimer
That's a carryover from Dark Matter, and also our sly way of trying to make the Variant Human a little more palatable for some DMs.
Michael Djangali
Very cool. Just got done reading it. I'm excited to make a Spirithost. Also, the Nearhumans are pretty awesome, a lot of customization options.
Mage Hand Press
Sorry for panicking you, Cody -- you'll get a finished Dark Matter as soon as we can.
Cody Butler
i scrambled onto the computer to fast... i thought it was dark matter lore. Great stuff but its too early for anything but a lore trip. Good Night all!
Mage Hand Press
I know that nobody is going to literally die because of Dark Matter delays, but we can only do projects like this because of all you patrons -- therefore, I want to be as transparent as possible as to what's going on with it.
Astrid Rigby
Take your time with Dark Matter; the preview pdf is dope and I'm super excited for the finished product!
tyrell hayward
Every time i question wether or not i should continue with my $10 pledge you guys release something beyond amazing and remind me why i keep it. this if fucking dope
Mage Hand Press
This is a table of contents error -- I accidentally left those lines in from whatever previous book I yanked the formatting from. There's just 30 pages.
Lee Robins
the contents say that there are 37 pages, but this book finishes at page 30, where are the weapons and systems pages?
Shadistro
Omg hype!
Mage Hand Press
We've got some fun ones in here, and some really, really exceptional art. I think you'll like it. (Also, send me an email so I can get you in on the new High Seas doc.)
Mage Hand Press
I hope you dig it! Lemme know what you think!
Grand Moff Xela
I'm awake at this ungodly hour. Usually that would be a bad thing but now it's not. I can't wait to read this guys! I have no doubt it will be as awesome as everything else you release.
Alexander Garcia
Delays are no problem. It is better you take your time and put out a product you are proud of, than to try and appeal to the impatient. Good things take time.
John Hoffman
Waiting all dayyyyyy. So hyped. About to read.
