[Q&A] Adam Lawson (Asunder: A Dark Fantasy RPG)

[01-Dec-20 08:18 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Hello! I am Adam Lawson. I am the creator and art director of the TTRPG Asunder. I had help from an amazing team as well. Rob Schwalb (5E), Brian Engard (fate Core) and Hal Mangold (The Expanse).

[01-Dec-20 08:18 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Asunder is dark fantasy RPG set in a dying world with no metal.

[01-Dec-20 08:19 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Players take on the role of Seekers, those who have seen the signs of the end and cannot look away.

[01-Dec-20 08:19 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The game uses the Shadow of the Demon Lord system by Rob Schwalb.

[01-Dec-20 08:20 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Humans were the last creation of the Gods before they abandoned the world and taking all of the metal with them. They imbued them a diving spark called Essence.

[01-Dec-20 08:20 PM] World of Asunder#8708
When Gods left they also shattered the central land mass the world a collection of islands.

[01-Dec-20 08:21 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The Essence inside humans bonded with the unique aspect of each of the islands and gave them power over it.

[01-Dec-20 08:21 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In New Gaia, their Essence bonded with the plants and allowed them to reshape them into living weapons and complex machines.

[01-Dec-20 08:21 PM] saintnexan#6715
(Stepping away for just a sec.)

[01-Dec-20 08:22 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You got it. I will hold a beat.

[01-Dec-20 08:22 PM] World of Asunder#8708
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/failedsuperhero/asunder

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/failedsuperhero/asunder
Asunder: A Dark Fantasy RPG
A tabletop RPG set in a dying world with no metal where humans have transformed plants and insects into living weapons.
https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/031/217/087/e687c14746463477ee91192e8bc6740a_original.png?ixlib=rb-2.1.0&crop=faces&w=1552&h=873&fit=crop&v=1604016079&auto=format&frame=1&q=92&s=2c594ff82b7253a5fbc8b521101345f9

[01-Dec-20 08:22 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Here is the KS campaign so people can view the launch video voiced by Matt Mercer.

[01-Dec-20 08:23 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In Pacari their Essence bonded with the beasts of the land allowing to take on their shape and command them.

[01-Dec-20 08:23 PM] saintnexan#6715
(back)

[01-Dec-20 08:24 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In Sky City it bonded with the Blice Crystals that keep their tiny islands a float in the air giving them power over gravity.

[01-Dec-20 08:24 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Nice.

[01-Dec-20 08:24 PM] World of Asunder#8708
On the waters, the Essence became as turbulent and chaotic as the sea itself and mutated the seafarers, allowing them go grow additional limbs for added strength or gills to breath water.

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[01-Dec-20 08:26 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In the Black Isle, their Essence turned inward and allowed them to control their bodies to survive the impossible conditions there. It also allows them to join in a group mind, giving them the strength needed to fight their endless war with the demons.

[01-Dec-20 08:27 PM] World of Asunder#8708
On the large mainland, their Essence was sealed by the Gods. Thus allowing them to touch Chaos, the gods power of creation. But it was not meant for humans to wield. It is highly addictive and destroys most who wield it. Those who seek it must find shards of Chaos deep in the Naga swamps.

[01-Dec-20 08:28 PM] World of Asunder#8708
A link to download the world map: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rplfnlsflg95o0/World%20Map.jpg?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 08:29 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Things have started to change on Asunder. The dead, infected by fungi, have started to rise and consume whole villages. Plagues sweep the jungles of New Gaia and Pure Light has descended from the heavens.

[01-Dec-20 08:30 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Gaia, the being who gives life to the planet, desires to escape, but needs the Essence of humans to gain the strength. Her avatar can sometimes be glimpsed on battlefields consuming the Essence of the fallen.

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[01-Dec-20 08:31 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Her soul takers are ruthless.

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[01-Dec-20 08:32 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The Demons, who spew out of the Black Isle, have been seen on distant islands and even in the mainland.

[01-Dec-20 08:33 PM] World of Asunder#8708
It is one of these signs that players or Seekers have glimpsed in some way that gives them pause and inspires to get answers.

[01-Dec-20 08:34 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In Asunder, symbiotic plants are common know as living gear. Instead of a crossbow, a Seeker may wield a thorn cannon that lives and grows on their arm.

[01-Dec-20 08:35 PM] World of Asunder#8708
There are even members of New Gaia who able to shape insects into living tools and weapons, and the Seafarers have done the same with crustaceans.

[01-Dec-20 08:35 PM] World of Asunder#8708
There is no metal or magic, but there is living weapons and Chaos.

[01-Dec-20 08:36 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Here is a character sheet to download. This might be helpful as chat further.

[01-Dec-20 08:36 PM] World of Asunder#8708
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xrknf2uyw53rl85/Character%20Sheet.pdf?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 08:37 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In Asunder, Seekers do not have classes, but instead acquire Paths along their story.

[01-Dec-20 08:37 PM] World of Asunder#8708
This choice is made 3 times.

[01-Dec-20 08:38 PM] World of Asunder#8708
This way characters abilities are shaped by the story vs a class that simply levels up over time.

[01-Dec-20 08:40 PM] World of Asunder#8708
For example, let’s say I encounter the Bone Army, the largest mercenary group in the Mainland, and I fall in with their ranks. I could take on the Bone Recruit Path, which then grants me certain abilities and contacts. But later I come to find they are corrupt and I instead get entangled with the Elite of Sky City and start doing contract work for them. This could lead me to taking on the House Agent path, which grants me an entirely new set of skills and abilities (yes, you retain everything from your previous paths).

[01-Dec-20 08:41 PM] World of Asunder#8708
There are dozens of paths a Seeker can take and they can be mixed and matched in unique ways.

[01-Dec-20 08:41 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Nice.

[01-Dec-20 08:43 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In this current campaign I am running, one of the players became addicted to demon blood, which is a massive performance enhancer. She fell in with this addiction and decided to go all in. She took on the Ravager Path, which is for those who have managed to cull their demon blood addiction into increased combat skills.

[01-Dec-20 08:43 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Hey, I thought you said there was no metal!

[01-Dec-20 08:43 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Hahaha

[01-Dec-20 08:44 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Oh, there is plenty of that kind of metal. Just not the iron ore kind.

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[01-Dec-20 08:45 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Then later she found “the light” literally, the Pure Light and became a cultist who worshipped the light and was altered by it. She took on the Path of The Light Touched.

[01-Dec-20 08:45 PM] World of Asunder#8708
This game inspires “Metal like” behavior I should say.

[01-Dec-20 08:46 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Each origin (black isle, mainlang, New Gaia, Pacari, Sky City, Seafarer) gives a Seeker access to two Essence trees unique to their origin.

[01-Dec-20 08:47 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You can choose Paths that give you access to those powers or Paths of Skill like Guerrilla Fighter.

[01-Dec-20 08:48 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Chaos is the most unique of the Essence trees as those powers can be “pushed” to greater heights and can alter matter and reality.

[01-Dec-20 08:49 PM] World of Asunder#8708
However, using those powers comes with a cost called Discord. When you get too much of it, you can explode or have your arm permanently turned to glass.

[01-Dec-20 08:50 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I think the last note before questions is the game is based on the game system used in Shadow of the Demon Lord by Rob Schwalb.

[01-Dec-20 08:50 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Done.

[01-Dec-20 08:51 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks, @World of Asunder! The floor is open to questions!

[01-Dec-20 08:51 PM] saintnexan#6715
Wow, that’s a lot to unpack! 🙂

[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Here is the QSG for anyone curious to see the book layout and to make a Seeker. https://www.dropbox.com/s/45tdekcmh75ag8t/Asunder_QSG.pdf?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I know!

[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] saintnexan#6715
Well, first off, I have to say that the world sounds amazing.

[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] ManiacClown#2986
It does.

[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] WolfWyzard#3642
Seems like a really awesome setting!

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[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Thank you, Dan.

[01-Dec-20 08:52 PM] saintnexan#6715
When you say that there’s no magic, do you mean that there’s nothing truly supernatural, or just no spellcasting type stuff?

[01-Dec-20 08:53 PM] World of Asunder#8708
No spell casting.

[01-Dec-20 08:53 PM] saintnexan#6715
Gotcha. So how would you say Chaos differs from magic?

[01-Dec-20 08:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Chaos does not perform spells like Fireball.

[01-Dec-20 08:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
It is a little more abstract.

[01-Dec-20 08:55 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Like you can create an object or item or you can cause matter to fall apart.

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[01-Dec-20 08:55 PM] World of Asunder#8708
There are also no tradition spell like requirement such as components. It is all a function of your Seekers Essence.

[01-Dec-20 08:56 PM] Jamid#5332
The setting is very cool I like the blend of Dark fantasy and I want to say Pagan/Celtic folklore surrounding the nature of the world.

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[01-Dec-20 08:56 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I appreciate that.

[01-Dec-20 08:56 PM] saintnexan#6715
Oh, quick note: We have a number of your fellow game authors in the audience tonight. I appreciate you folks showing up!

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[01-Dec-20 08:57 PM] saintnexan#6715
The same goes for all of you folks, of course. I just like seeing industry folks supporting one another. 🙂

[01-Dec-20 08:57 PM] Jamid#5332
Ya gotta gas up your industry folks 🤠

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[01-Dec-20 08:58 PM] ManiacClown#2986
You got that right!

[01-Dec-20 08:58 PM] World of Asunder#8708
That is an awesome thing!

[01-Dec-20 08:58 PM] World of Asunder#8708
We have to look out for each other.

[01-Dec-20 08:58 PM] WolfWyzard#3642
I had a trifecta of questions. From the player facing side, What is the Game about? What do players do in the game.
What mechanisms does the game have to support this?
How does the game reward players for interacting with those mechanisms?

[01-Dec-20 08:58 PM] saintnexan#6715
@World of Asunder How would you describe the overall tech level of the setting? How advanced have people gotten without the use of metal?

[01-Dec-20 09:01 PM] Jamid#5332
My question is to do with, how do you blend the nature of Dark fantacy storytelling, into the mechanics of the system and the narritives your players create in Asunder?

Are their flaws which are at the start of the character journey or drawbacks to choosing paths that represent internally in the characters interactions with the world?

If I lose my arm to chaos magic am I a pariah in some communities while a prophet in others or something like that?

[01-Dec-20 09:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
(Question pause after @Jamid’s question, please.)

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[01-Dec-20 09:01 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The game is about seeking answers at it’s core. All the other actions then stem from that. You might be seeking an answer about a piece of demon glass you found buried in your field. This may take you to the black isle and have you battling demons. THis also may have you trying to dig up memories that are buried in the earth. All the memories of Asunder are contained within it.

[01-Dec-20 09:03 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The tech level is still low. Imagine simple machines or things that involve healing are sophisticated through plant cocoons. Instead of potion to increase your strength, you may find an organism that attaches to your flesh and pumps you full of fluid.

[01-Dec-20 09:03 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Good example of the tech at work. https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjicu6racnzxyvo/Symbiont.jpg?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 09:06 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Characters all begin with a fatal flaw. Let’s say mine is that I that cannot stand authority. During game play a militia leader tells me what to do (and it’s not an evil or bad thing). The Keeper can say, your fatal flaw has been triggered you have to escalate the situation. If you give into it, you get a Seeker point, which can be used to add a bonus to rolls. You can also try and resist and make a will challenge roll (1d20 and get a 10 or better).

[01-Dec-20 09:07 PM] Jamid#5332
I do love a good fatal flaw 🥰

[01-Dec-20 09:07 PM] World of Asunder#8708
A game mechanic that effects what people seek, is that each time you gain a new path you redefine what you seek so it grows as your experience does.

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[01-Dec-20 09:07 PM] saintnexan#6715
Is that your fatal flaw?

[01-Dec-20 09:08 PM] World of Asunder#8708
What we have tried to create is a reactive system. We encourage players to roll up their characters randomly and react to the dice and craft their story to what the dice tell them for background, origin, etc.

[01-Dec-20 09:08 PM] Jamid#5332
I don’t think of it as a flaw. Character flaws make for fun stories. Its why I love Dark fantasy so much, as everyone is doing their best but its never enough.

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[01-Dec-20 09:09 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Adventures also start in middle of action. Instead of being at a pub getting in a fight, you start with a knife to your throat and mob boss saying you owe him money but have never met him.

[01-Dec-20 09:09 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I agree.

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[01-Dec-20 09:10 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Also there are two mechanics Keepers use. One is countdown dice. When there is a time crunch decision or any decision you want to add pressure to. The keeper rolls 1d6 and that is the number of actions that can be taken before the militia shows up, or the Wyvern awakens etc. Once gain inspiring people to react.

[01-Dec-20 09:12 PM] saintnexan#6715
(A quick shout-out to @Whimsy Machine, tomorrow’s Q&A guest, who’s popped in. 🙂 )

[01-Dec-20 09:12 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The other tool Keepers have is secrets. Before a game session begins Keepers are encouraged to give one or two players a secret that will effect the game play midcourse and they get a seeker point for acting on it. For example, a player may be given a secret that they were enslaved for year as a teenager. Then during that campaign those slavers may show up and the party needs their help.

[01-Dec-20 09:12 PM] Jamid#5332
I like that system for pressure which I feel can be hard to insert into games where players are always trying to get that long rest or fully recover before the next challenge.

How then do you balance the anxiety curve in the guidelines your give storytellers?

[01-Dec-20 09:12 PM] World of Asunder#8708
@Whimsy Machine Hello!!

[01-Dec-20 09:12 PM] Jamid#5332
@Whimsy Machine G’day 🤠

[01-Dec-20 09:14 PM] saintnexan#6715
Speaking of Wyverns, how extensive is the game’s bestiary, and can you give us some highlights?

[01-Dec-20 09:14 PM] World of Asunder#8708
We often say to build your stories with peaks and valleys. That way you cram all the anxiety and pressure you can into the front of the adventure until peaks out (and that peak is a realizable event – you find their heart of Gaia) and then to drop the tension back down.

[01-Dec-20 09:15 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In the Keeper’s Tome, there are over 50 monsters and the mechanics to create your own (more books in the future with more). There are no dragons in Asunder, but Wyverns are big players as they are ridden by the Sky Knights in Sky City.

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[01-Dec-20 09:16 PM] saintnexan#6715
Very respectable!

[01-Dec-20 09:16 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Naga are big players in our world

[01-Dec-20 09:17 PM] Whimsy Machine#9283
I’m way late to the party, but what I’ve read so far sounds super rad.

[01-Dec-20 09:17 PM] World of Asunder#8708
They were the last creation by the gods before the humans and they control half the mainland. There is endless strife between the two because they want to believe they were finest creation and not humans.

[01-Dec-20 09:18 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You rock! Appreciate that.

[01-Dec-20 09:18 PM] World of Asunder#8708
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9zp212muyhgmykr/Naga.jpg?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 09:18 PM] saintnexan#6715
Can the players play Nagas?

[01-Dec-20 09:18 PM] World of Asunder#8708
They cannot, but they will be in our next sourcebook.

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[01-Dec-20 09:18 PM] WolfWyzard#3642
Im not familiar with Shadow of the Demon Lord’s dice system. Could you explain a little how a simple check/test works?

[01-Dec-20 09:19 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I love Nagas so much.

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[01-Dec-20 09:19 PM] saintnexan#6715
How well to the peoples of the various islands and the mainland get along?

[01-Dec-20 09:20 PM] World of Asunder#8708
For sure. The game uses a d20 for challenge rolls. A standard challenge roll has a difficulty of 10. However, things can be more difficult and can have a higher base number.

[01-Dec-20 09:20 PM] World of Asunder#8708
For example, in combat you would have to roll a enemies def number or higher to hit them.

[01-Dec-20 09:21 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The game uses boons and banes to enhance the difficulty or success of a challenge. A bane involves rolling 1d6 (or more if there are multiple banes) and then subtracting the highest number (so if you roll 3d6 you only choose one) from your challenge roll.

[01-Dec-20 09:22 PM] World of Asunder#8708
If you are climbing a wall it might be a difficulty of 10. But if that wall is covered in ice and it is raining, now you have two banes to climb that wall.

[01-Dec-20 09:23 PM] World of Asunder#8708
But, let’s say you have a profession like burglar. This would give you one boon as you are experienced at climbing into places you shouldn’t. You cancel out one of the banes and now only roll one.

[01-Dec-20 09:23 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Oh, that’s a novel system!

[01-Dec-20 09:24 PM] World of Asunder#8708
All Rob’s doing. It makes it really easy for the keeper to quickly escalate things. You might be trying to seduce someone, but they have dislike of Pacarians. Now you have one bane.

[01-Dec-20 09:24 PM] saintnexan#6715
So skills are binary? You have them or you don’t, no levels?

[01-Dec-20 09:26 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The Mainland has the most people and governors who are tied up in a complex web of treachery. Consider them neutral across the world. Seafarers are seen as hideous by most, but needed because they control the water. New Gaians are seen as the inventors and creators and are highly esteemed, though the insect weavers, a small faction among them, are hated. Black Isle people are almost seen as legendary because they so rarely appear in other places.

[01-Dec-20 09:27 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Skills do improve with level advancement, which happens when the Keeper say to go up a level. There are ten levels at the top. As you go up levels your stats and health improve and your Essence abilities become more powerful.

[01-Dec-20 09:27 PM] saintnexan#6715
Speaking of stats, how do the attributes function?

[01-Dec-20 09:30 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Stats work this way. 10 is neutral. No plus or minus on a challenge roll. A 9 is a -1 and an 11 is +1 and so on.

[01-Dec-20 09:31 PM] saintnexan#6715
So you add or subtract the modifier to the d20 roll?

[01-Dec-20 09:31 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You do not roll stats, but are assigned them by your origin and then they improve with levels.

[01-Dec-20 09:31 PM] World of Asunder#8708
That is correct.

[01-Dec-20 09:31 PM] saintnexan#6715
So stats provide a flat modifier, and skills provide Boons?

[01-Dec-20 09:32 PM] World of Asunder#8708
That is right!

[01-Dec-20 09:32 PM] saintnexan#6715
Got it!

[01-Dec-20 09:32 PM] saintnexan#6715
You already described what it takes to hit an opponent. How are damage and armor handled?

[01-Dec-20 09:33 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Armor increases your defense and then you have health points. When you take damage equal to your health you “die.”

[01-Dec-20 09:34 PM] saintnexan#6715
How is weapon damage rated?

[01-Dec-20 09:36 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Challenge rolls also work for social situations. If you want to persuade someone to let you on their airship, you would attack their intelligence with yours.

[01-Dec-20 09:36 PM] saintnexan#6715
That’s cool.

[01-Dec-20 09:36 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Damage is all handled by rolling d6. The game only uses d6 and d20

[01-Dec-20 09:37 PM] World of Asunder#8708
d3 is a d6 rolled and then halved.

[01-Dec-20 09:37 PM] saintnexan#6715
I generally prefer armor that provides damage reduction rather than increased defense. How deal-breaking would that be in this system?

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Now, weapons can gain properties such as deadly, which then adds a +1 for each application of that property.

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] Eric_E#3204
this is the no metal game, right?

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Yes. You found it.

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] saintnexan#6715
Yep!

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] Eric_E#3204
cool, keep seeing it on my Facebook feed,

[01-Dec-20 09:38 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Nice. Those FB ads are working.

[01-Dec-20 09:39 PM] Eric_E#3204
the art on the feeds helps too. the art is excellent

[01-Dec-20 09:39 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Thank you for that.

[01-Dec-20 09:40 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I commissioned over 160 images for the game from the some the best artists in fantasy.

[01-Dec-20 09:40 PM] World of Asunder#8708
https://www.dropbox.com/s/97jb7tjanrlz44o/Mushroom%20Village.jpg?dl=0

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[01-Dec-20 09:40 PM] saintnexan#6715
@World of Asunder Did you see my damage reduction question?

[01-Dec-20 09:40 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Wow. That had to cost A LOT.

[01-Dec-20 09:42 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I hear you on the damage reduction vs defense. You could easily shift that an instead of it increasing your defense by 2, it could reduce damage by 2. This is a topic that people are on both sides of the line about and we went with defense.

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[01-Dec-20 09:43 PM] saintnexan#6715
My apologies if you mentioned this already, but is this your first RPG?

[01-Dec-20 09:43 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Social rolls also have two options. If I am going to try and deceive you, I attack your Intellect with mine. If I am going to try and interrogate you, I would attack your Will.

[01-Dec-20 09:45 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Yes. This is my first RPG. Certainly not Rob or Brians or Hals. I co-created and art directed a board game that launched earlier this year called Escape the Night that was good success.

[01-Dec-20 09:46 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I have been working on this one for the last six years. So, it has been a great labor of love.

[01-Dec-20 09:46 PM] saintnexan#6715
Well, I must say, you went all-in on your first effort! Good for you!

[01-Dec-20 09:46 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Hey, if you’re gonna go, go all-out!

[01-Dec-20 09:46 PM] saintnexan#6715
Indeed. 🙂

[01-Dec-20 09:47 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I did. It is a little crazy in hind sight.

[01-Dec-20 09:47 PM] saintnexan#6715
You mentioned a book featuring Naga PCs… Do you see this as the start of a full-blown game line?

[01-Dec-20 09:47 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I most certainly do.

[01-Dec-20 09:47 PM] World of Asunder#8708
This is only the beginning.

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[01-Dec-20 09:47 PM] saintnexan#6715
Excellent.

[01-Dec-20 09:48 PM] Eric_E#3204
what drove the decision to do minis for the RPG?

[01-Dec-20 09:49 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I love minis and I think for some players they really help bring the game to life. Certainly for many others they are not needed. I also love having a sculpture. Even in my D&D group I have a mini of me, even though we don’t use them.

[01-Dec-20 09:49 PM] saintnexan#6715
As we’ve already discussed, this appears to be a very unique setting. Did you have any particular inspirations?

[01-Dec-20 09:51 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Two things. There is this amazing book by Orson Scott Card called Wyrms where they have no metal and they use insects to close up wounds and all kinds of unique weapons. I loved that book as a child and how things change when you remove metal from a fantasy world. I would say Brom’s art in the Dark Sun world TSR was also a big thing for me.

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[01-Dec-20 09:52 PM] saintnexan#6715
And what led you to choose SotDL for the system?

[01-Dec-20 09:53 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Brian Engard led me there. I spent several months crafting the world and then brought on Brian to help create the game. I had a system in my head, but he said it would be wise to acquire one. He was right. He showed me SotDL and I fell in love with it right away.

[01-Dec-20 09:53 PM] Eric_E#3204
(it’s a great choice, btw. i thought this was D&D5E based. Backed it tonight, but even happier since it is SotDL. Are you local to TN? I was at the SotDL launch party that Rob threw)

[01-Dec-20 09:54 PM] Eric_E#3204
Now i regret not backing on D1 when I saw it. lOL

[01-Dec-20 09:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
That is so rad!! I wish I had been there. I love that game and Rob is such a fabulous guy.

[01-Dec-20 09:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Hahaha

[01-Dec-20 09:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I am in Los Angeles.

[01-Dec-20 09:54 PM] World of Asunder#8708
And THANK YOU for backing!

[01-Dec-20 09:55 PM] saintnexan#6715
What is your personal gaming history?

[01-Dec-20 09:56 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I grew up on D&D as a child and then fell in love with World of Darkness. Also Palladium games TMNT was a big one I loved. Chaosium was something I played a great deal, but WofD and D&D are the ones I have come back to.

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] Eric_E#3204
(got to run and prep for work tomorrow, glad to see this)

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] Eric_E#3204
(have a good night all)

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] Eric_E#3204
/quit

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I directed the series TableTop with Wil Wheaton and working on that brought my love of games into my career as a TV director.

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[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Oh, my!

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Later, friend!

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] saintnexan#6715
Sleep well, @Eric_E!

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] Eric_E#3204
Take care everyone!

[01-Dec-20 09:57 PM] John Thunder#7750
Take care

[01-Dec-20 09:58 PM] saintnexan#6715
And now, it’s just about time for @danhunsaker’s Favorite Question(TM). You here, @danhunsaker? 🙂

[01-Dec-20 09:58 PM] danhunsaker#2553
Nope. Not for a minute and a half.

[01-Dec-20 09:59 PM] saintnexan#6715
Fine, fine… (He’s a stickler.)

[01-Dec-20 09:59 PM] World of Asunder#8708
I understand

[01-Dec-20 09:59 PM] danhunsaker#2553
I kid I kid.

[01-Dec-20 10:00 PM] danhunsaker#2553
Fifteen minutes left means time to ask the hard question – what’s your LEAST favorite thing about Asunder?

[01-Dec-20 10:01 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Great question. My least favorite thing is that I couldn’t fit it all into one book and it became two.

[01-Dec-20 10:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
Oh? What are the two books?

[01-Dec-20 10:01 PM] World of Asunder#8708
My players at my home game on it disagree, but I had this vision of a one book game initially.

[01-Dec-20 10:01 PM] World of Asunder#8708
The Seekers Guide and The Keeper’s Tome.

[01-Dec-20 10:01 PM] saintnexan#6715
Gotcha.

[01-Dec-20 10:02 PM] World of Asunder#8708
One is for players and has all of the base rules and the other is for Keepers with all of the advanced rules and lore.

[01-Dec-20 10:02 PM] saintnexan#6715
nods

[01-Dec-20 10:02 PM] danhunsaker#2553
I love when that question leads to follow-ups.

[01-Dec-20 10:02 PM] saintnexan#6715
Do I remember seeing some kind of tree-based “power armor” or “mecha”?

[01-Dec-20 10:03 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You do!

[01-Dec-20 10:03 PM] World of Asunder#8708
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0pipiygidbhrq7/Wooden%20Legion%20Shock%20Trrops.jpg?dl=0

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Wooden Legion Shock Trrops.jpg
Shared with Dropbox
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[01-Dec-20 10:03 PM] saintnexan#6715
That’s pretty darn sweet.

[01-Dec-20 10:04 PM] John Thunder#7750
Amazing art!

[01-Dec-20 10:04 PM] World of Asunder#8708
In Asunder there are four secret societies that run the world behind the scenes. One of them is the Wooden Legion. They have constructed mech like suits out of living plants. They believe they have the answer to the end of the world and they play on no one else’s team.

[01-Dec-20 10:05 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Another is the Red Alliance, an almost terrorist group among the insect weavers that grew out of the being so cutoff and abused by the plant weavers. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3bt462tua641nqq/Red%20Alliance.jpg?dl=0

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/3bt462tua641nqq/Red%20Alliance.jpg?dl=0
Red Alliance.jpg
Shared with Dropbox
https://www.dropbox.com/temp_thumb_from_token/s/3bt462tua641nqq?preserve_transparency=False&size=1200×1200&size_mode=4

[01-Dec-20 10:06 PM] saintnexan#6715
In the time remaining, is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] World of Asunder#8708
You can watch the game being played live by Amy Vorpahl, Satine Phoenix, Becca Scott, Jeremy Walker and Chris Wu. I think Amy does an amazing job as a Keeper and really shows the magic of what the game can be. https://youtu.be/ZBfluW5HgOw

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Good Time Society
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBfluW5HgOw
ASUNDER: Gaia’s Judgement – “Blister Socket” Ep #1 | TTRPG Liveplay
Sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter goes live on Nov 17! https://bit.ly/Asunderrpg
Read the player Quick Start Guide here – https://bit.ly/Asunder_Qsg

ASUNDER: GAIA’S JUDGMENT takes place in the brand new World of Asunder RPG System from Failed Superheroes Club.

Custom Asunder giveaways each week from our friends at https://www.dragonb…
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZBfluW5HgOw/maxresdefault.jpg

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] saintnexan#6715
Amy Vorpal? Is that her real name?

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Vorpahl

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] World of Asunder#8708
My misspell.

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] saintnexan#6715
Ah. Still a cool name. 🙂

[01-Dec-20 10:10 PM] World of Asunder#8708
For sure.

[01-Dec-20 10:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
Usual reminder: If you’ve enjoyed this Q&A and would like to treat me to a coffee or two, you can do so at https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe. Anything’s appreciated! 🙂

{Embed}
https://www.ko-fi.com/gmshoe.
Buy Dan Davenport a Coffee. ko-fi.com/gmshoe
Become a supporter of Dan Davenport today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.
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[01-Dec-20 10:11 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Now that’s nominative determinism at work.

[01-Dec-20 10:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks very much for joining us, @World of Asunder!

[01-Dec-20 10:11 PM] saintnexan#6715
The game looks amazing!

[01-Dec-20 10:12 PM] ManiacClown#2986
Thanks! You’ve really got something outstanding here.

[01-Dec-20 10:12 PM] saintnexan#6715
Thanks to all of you who joined us for the Q&A as well!

[01-Dec-20 10:12 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Much love for that.

[01-Dec-20 10:13 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Thank you all for listening or I should say reading. It’s a helluva group.

[01-Dec-20 10:13 PM] saintnexan#6715
Well, you’re always welcome here!

[01-Dec-20 10:13 PM] saintnexan#6715
As you can see, a number of game authors hang out there. 🙂

[01-Dec-20 10:13 PM] John Thunder#7750
It was good to learn about your game, I am looking forward to it.

[01-Dec-20 10:14 PM] World of Asunder#8708
@John Thunder Much love. Thank you.

[01-Dec-20 10:14 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Which is great. They can ask the tough questions that really matter.

[01-Dec-20 10:14 PM] saintnexan#6715
Now, if you’ll give me just a minute here, I’ll get the log posted and link you!

[01-Dec-20 10:14 PM] World of Asunder#8708
Thank you for inviting me to this discord. A really cool group.

[01-Dec-20 10:14 PM] World of Asunder#8708
That would be great!