Lore of Aetherra: Dark Symmetry

We Have Your Books + Address Lock!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Jul 24, 2024 at 01:28:11 PM

Hello Friends!

I have exciting news to deliver in today's quick update: We have books!

We're currently in the process of unboxing, counting inventory, and inspecting product. Next up we'll begin staging for fulfillment and start shipping out orders. Get stoked!

Address Lock 48hr Notice

With inventory in hand, we have now pushed the LOCK ADDRESS button in BackerKit, which means you have just 48 hours to change your address. Please log in to your BackerKit account and make sure your address is correct so that your books arrive to the desired location. We will not be re-shipping books that are delivered to wrong or old addresses. We simply don't have the additional inventory to do so.

If you have any questions about your order, please contact us at [email protected]. If you'd like to purchase another book or gift one to a friend, inventory will be available at Hit Point Press in the coming months, both on their website and at PAX: Unplugged in December.

Also, check out Moonsoon for more 5e fun...
Brand new 5e setting! 600 pages of swashbuckling adventure await! Moon-gods, new deck mechanics, 11 playable races and tons more! 

Cheers,

Chris

Shipping Update + Aetherforging Toolkit PNP
over 1 year ago – Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 03:40:48 PM

Hey Dark Symmetry Backers,

First and foremost, I want to give a big thank you to everyone for all of your support and patience. This project has taken many unexpected twists and turns throughout its (longer than expected) lifecycle, but two things have always remained steadfast: 1) Our relentless pursuit of creating the best book and play experience we possibly can, and 2) your unwavering support. 

Today I have a couple of quick updates for you, so let’s dive right in…

Shipping Update

In my last update, I mentioned that books were sailing on the high seas, on their way to our shipping center. That’s still the case. We received a tracking update last week that our new estimated time of arrival at port would be July 30th. Originally, our ETA date was July 1, but I know how fickle ocean freight can be, so I didn’t want to give you an exact date. What I didn’t expect however, was for our delivery window to widen by 4 weeks!

At this point, we’re just waiting for stock to arrive. Bear with us as we do so and we’ll keep you in the loop as your books journey around the world on their quest to arrive safely on your doorstep where they can take their good and rightful place at your gaming table.

Digital Aetherforging Toolkit

I’m stoked to report that the digital Aetherforging Toolkit has arrived! — We love how the system turned out and we can’t wait to hear what you think of it when you play through it. From the beginning, we’ve had big plans to expand the Aetherforging system into a modality that can be played at the table, and with the development of this print-n-play material, we’re well on our way! Until then, download the PDFs (which should now be available in your BackerKit digital downloads), print them out, and let the chaos of forging items with powerful effects using the quintessence of Aetherra ensue!

Now let's take a look at what’s inside:

Cache Cards (digital)
Throughout their adventures in Chrysalea, your players will encounter “aether caches.” When they do so, the Dark Symmetry sourcebook provides a handy random roll table to determine how large of a cache they find. Instead of rolling dice, the Aetherforging Toolkit offers players an alternative, more tactile experience at the table by drawing a cache card. We had a ton of fun creating the art for all 6 sizes of aether caches and the various vessels that hold the precious component.

Aetheric Formula Cards (digital)
In addition to finding aether caches, players can also find “aetheric formulas.” The cards give the aetherforge operator a specific set of instructions for imbuing the sonic power of aether onto a mundane item and transforming it into a powerful object to aid them in their adventures. The Aetherforging Toolkit contains 25 cards, which correspond with each aetheric artifact in Dark Symmetry.

Aetheric Artifact Cards (digital)
Aether + aetheric formula = aetheric artifact. — When players successfully forge an item with the power of aether, they now have the ability to hold and harness that power in ways that benefit them and their companions. Inside the Aetherforging Toolkit, you’ll find 25 artifacts that can either be forged using the aetherforging mini game mechanic in Dark Symmetry, or used as traditional magic items that can be found throughout Chrysalea. Since aetheric formulas can be applied to any item, these artifacts can also serve as inspiration for how your player’s creations might look and function.
 

Aetherforging Toolkit Booklet (digital)
We love enabling GMs to empower their players with the materials they need to experience Lore of Aetherra to the fullest at the table. The Aetherforging Toolkit booklet provides all of the context and rules for aether and the art of aetherforging in one spoiler-free supplement. We created this PDF at 6x9 inches, the same size as the Player’s Guide booklets, for a neat and tidy bundle of printed materials at the table. 

We hope you enjoy the digital Aetherforging Toolkit. It’s our dream to one day expand the system with hundreds of new and interesting aetheric formulas, artifacts, upgradable aetherforges, and all kinds of chaotic outcomes that take place during the forging process. More than anything, we’d love to see the system take shape as a physical product one day, so keep your eyes peeled for that. 😉

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That’s all for now! – Please reach out if you have any questions or need help getting connected with your digital rewards. You can always reach us via Discord or email. 

Symmetrically Yours,

Chris (CEO, Alchemy RPG)

Production Complete + Immersive Media Bundle!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, May 14, 2024 at 08:09:05 PM

Hey Dark Symmetry Backers,

I’m so excited to inform you that 100% of physical production on this campaign is finally complete! I just received samples of both the standard and limited edition Dark Symmetry hardcover books and they were both executed perfectly to specification.

It's a beautiful afternoon here in Eugene, Oregon so I snapped a few photos for you in the sunshine. Have a look! (...and please ignore the beat up edges. These samples were shipped to me in bubble mailers. Yours will arrive nice and crispy!)

7 pallets of these beautiful hardcover books will be boarding a ship next week bound for our US-based shipping facility where they will be immediately packed and shipped to your doors. Because of the sheer volume of product being shipped, we will be shipping via ocean freight, which I’m told will be a 1-2 month voyage on the open seas. By that estimation, we expect to start shipping rewards sometime in July barring any pirate raids or large cargo ships being lodged in important trade routes.

What’s Next? 
Toward the end of next month we will be locking addresses, so please make sure we have the correct address for you in BackerKit! I’d absolutely hate to see any of these orders go to the wrong home. — I’ll send another reminder for you once we’re a week out, but it's always good to double check now.

Immersive Media Bundle

If playing Dark Symmetry on the Alchemy VTT Platform isn’t where you love to play your games online, we’ve got you covered with the Immersive Media Bundle! As promised, this pack of digital assets gives you everything you need to create an immersive experience within Chrysalea. 

The Immersive Media Bundle Includes:

• A Form-fillable PDF character sheet (including 1 for each premade character)
• High resolution JPG environments for every scene
• All 10 high resolution JPG maps 
• 11 HD MP4 motion environments for each scene in the adventure
• 11 high quality MP3s of the original soundtrack
• 11 high quality MP3s of ambient sound design
• PNG tokens for all major NPCs and premade characters

Download links for the bundle have just now been distributed via BackerKit. — If you haven’t received your download link yet, check the Digital Downloads section in BackerKit (after checking your spam folder). If you don’t have a link, email us!

Aetherforging Toolkit

We’re currently working on the final design and layout for the Aetherforging Toolkit: A player-friendly PDF document that includes the rules to support the Aetherforging crafting mechanic plus print-and-play aetherforging cards for easy table play.

We’re hoping to have this final digital reward done and delivered to you in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on your inbox for another BackerKit link!

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That’s all for now! – Please reach out to our team if you need any help getting your download or if you have any questions about your order. You can always reach us via Discord or email. 

Symmetrically Yours,

Chris (CEO, Alchemy RPG)

Alchemy Content Module & Updates on Books!
almost 2 years ago – Mon, Apr 22, 2024 at 11:59:06 AM

Hey Dark Symmetry Backers,

We’re back again with another brief update to let you know that 1) codes have now been sent for the Dark Symmetry Alchemy Module and 2) the Dark Symmetry Standard Edition books have been completed. Let’s dive in!

Alchemy Content Module

I’m excited to report that redemption codes should now be available in your BackerKit digital downloads now! Please note that this module is an early release for backers only. There are a couple of small things we’re currently working on but are hoping to have done (very) soon, including 1) motion graphics for scenes and 2) dynamic audio. – Yes, Dark Symmetry will feature its entire soundtrack using Alchemy’s new dynamic audio feature. As these assets are completed, the Alchemy module will automatically be updated!

Redeeming the content module on Alchemy is pretty painless. Just follow these steps:

• Head over tohttps://app.alchemyrpg.com and sign in or create a new account
• Once signed in, head over to the Marketplace (the little shop icon in the left nav)
• At the Marketplace, press REDEEM CODE in the top-right corner
• Enter your code and press the CLAIM button when prompted

Once you’ve redeemed you can either head over to the Content Universe (globe icon) to admire all of your great new content or Create a Game. To create a Quickstart game:

• From the Home screen, click the Create Game button in the top-right corner
• Give your game a name and make sure “5th Edition” is selected as the System
• In the list below, click the switch on the Dark Symmetry module
• Click the white circular checkmark button in the bottom center and that’s it

To learn more about getting started with Alchemy, join the Alchemy Discord or check out our latest tutorial video (for Fallout the RPG) here where the team walks through the basics of getting started on the platform. 

Here are a few screenshots from the Alchemy module:

If you need any help, please reach out to [email protected].

Book Update

Late last week I received word from our printing partners that the Dark Symmetry standard edition books have been printed! They also sent me this lovely photo:

As you can see, this book is going to be quite a bit thicker than The Lost Druid. We can’t wait to hold them in our hands and display them on our shelves!

What’s Next? 
Currently our partners are waiting for the custom red gilded edges to be completed for the Limited Edition books before printing the final run and sending everything to us for fulfillment. We’ll keep you updated as we have more information.

That’s all I’ve got for now! – Again, please reach out to our team (and our lovely community) if you need any help getting started with Alchemy. You can always reach us via Discord or email. 

Symmetrically Yours,

Chris (CEO, Alchemy RPG)

We Have a Book!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Apr 11, 2024 at 10:52:46 AM

Dear Dark Symmetry Backers,

I’m happy to report that we officially have a book!

This past week we received an unbound print proof from our manufacturing partners and it looks absolutely beautiful. The proof passed our inspection without a single note on color balancing, bleeds, paper quality or any other discrepancy in the sample. We’ve officially given them the green light to start print production and we’re hoping they’ll have everything printed, bound, spot glossed, packed, and on a pallet heading to the US before the end of the month. 🤞

Once books arrive in the US, we’re not wasting any time getting orders packaged up and on their way to you. Our stateside distribution partners are stocked with the other physical rewards offered on the campaign and are ready to get started as soon as Dark Symmetry arrives. 

Here are a few photos of the print proof:

We can’t wait to see this with a spine and a hardcover sitting on the shelf next to The Lost Druid. We’re almost there!

Address Lock is Coming Soon
Heads up that we will be locking addresses in BackerKit in the next couple of weeks. Please make sure you take a moment to ensure your address information is up-to-date so we don’t send your order to the wrong house. We will send a 48 hour notification before locking addresses, so you’ll get one more reminder before it happens. 

Alchemy Content Module

Back on the digital side of things, we’re almost finished with the Alchemy Content Module. Our team has been working hard on ingesting all 348 pages of content into Alchemy, creating fully mechanized NPCs, rollable roll tables, spells, and automations. We’re currently just finishing up the image assets and hoping to have a brand new download available for you as early as the end of next week on BackerKit. Keep an eye on your inbox for that. 

Here’s a look at the Lore of Aetherra Universe on Alchemy:

Don’t Have an Alchemy Account? 
No worries! You can sign up for free today. We also support a few other games (with many on the way) outside of Dungeons & Dragons 5e, likeFallout The Roleplaying Game, which just launched yesterday. Be sure to check it out!

Once we’re finished with the Alchemy Content Module, our graphic designer will be moving to layout for the Aetherforging Toolkit PDF and print-n-play materials. Stay tuned for more updates on that.

That’s all I’ve got for now! – Thanks again for your patience and remember to keep an eye on your inbox next week for the delivery of your Alchemy Content Module redemption code. As always, if you have any questions, please get in touch with us via Discord or email. 

Symmetrically Yours,

Chris (CEO, Alchemy RPG)