[Q&A] Jason Forbus (La Notte Eterna: Epic Fantasy Setting for 5e)

[1:03 PM]LaNotteEterna: The Moon smiles on you, wayfarers! My name is Jason Forbus, a 20+ year GM, RPG-lover and author of La Notte Eterna (The Eternal Darkness), an epic campaign setting with a strong gothic flavor and 5e compatible. The sun has been swallowed up by darkness and the world of Neir has plunged into an eternal night. The ancient mortal realms have been wiped away by hordes of undead, and a harsher and crueler order has risen from their ashes. In these devastated lands, brave adventurers defy unknown terrors with powerful new weapons that glow in the darkness, calling upon the power of True Magic and summoning heroes of old to fight beside them. (done)1

[1:04 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Thanks, @LaNotteEterna! The floor is open to questions!

[1:04 PM]Dan the GMshoe: I guess my first question is how the world is surviving without a sun?

[1:07 PM]LaNotteEterna: Before becoming imprisoned in a web of darkness, the sun-god Laon donated part of his power to the moon. Since then, the moon shines its pale light and faint warmth upon the mortal world. In addition to this, the mortal world is supported by the Fire of Kurash, the source of true magic that burns eternal atop the Souls Peak. It is through this arcane energies combined that the world of Neir managed to live on, despite the radical transformations that took place since the disappearance of the sun. (done)

[1:07 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (No need for (done) after the introduction. Thanks, though!)

[1:09 PM]Dan the GMshoe: When you say that this product is 5e compatible, do you mean that it’s self-contained with a 5e-compatible ruleset, or do you mean that it requires the 5e rules to be purchased separately?

[1:10 PM]LaNotteEterna: You would still need the 5e-compatible ruleset, however, La Notte Eterna does introduce several new game mechanics, 15 subclasses, dozens of new spells, monsters, magic objects, backgrounds, and more.

[1:12 PM]aiodjed: is it connected with or related to Ravenloft 5e?

[1:13 PM]Agkistro: Intended for D&D races, all human, or something else?

@aiodjedis it connected with or related to Ravenloft 5e?[1:14 PM]LaNotteEterna: No, it isn’t – we are actually presenting an entirely different cosmology with different worlds in the material and spiritual dimensions. The description of these worlds is provided in the rulebook “The Song of Nebvarasa”: one of the three books we’re offering with our Kickstarter campaign1

@AgkistroIntended for D&D races, all human, or something else?[1:15 PM]LaNotteEterna: Standard D&D races have in some instances been modified, albeit slightly. Most important, La Notte Eterna introduces three new playable races (and a bonus fourth, if we reach that stretch goal!). Here are the three new playable races:

[1:16 PM]LaNotteEterna: Wiloi (on the left) and Karevi (right)

[1:16 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[1:16 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[1:17 PM]LaNotteEterna: Urakian come in many different animal forms, each provides different abilities.

[1:18 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Very nice!

[1:19 PM]Dan the GMshoe: What tweaks have you made to the “standard” races?

[1:19 PM]Beyla 🎉: ( )

@Dan the GMshoeWhat tweaks have you made to the “standard” races?[1:22 PM]LaNotteEterna: Let’s take elves as an example. With the death of Lanie, patron-goddess of magic and protector of elves, the “proud people” have lost their Darkvision ability. In general, mortal races have had to come with terms with darkness through magic and ingenuity, and this is described in the rulebooks through new supernatural materials and inventions that are highly sought by adventurers…

[1:24 PM]Dan the GMshoe: And the dwarves?

[1:25 PM]Beyla 🎉: What is your favourite part of La Notte Eterna? ( sorry it’s not a better question I just want to know more of everything )

@Dan the GMshoeAnd the dwarves?[1:27 PM]LaNotteEterna: The Dwarves are the stuff of legend in La Notte Eterna. They have retained all their abilities but for hundreds of years now – long before the disappearance of the sun, which occurred 161 years ago – they have isolated their kingdom from the rest of the world. Nobody is allowed in and out of Cloudy Valley, unless… … … PS. Dwarves are reserved a special subclass for rangers in La Notte Eterna.1

[1:28 PM]Beyla 🎉: The urakain look interesting! What beasts are used and do any of them have cool abilities or bonuses ?

@Beyla 🎉What is your favourite part of La Notte Eterna? ( sorry it’s not a better question I just want to know more of everything )[1:30 PM]LaNotteEterna: I love fantasy literature – from works like Earthsea and LotR, etc. etc. – so that writing the vast and detailed lore of La Notte Eterna while developing game mechanics that would match the lore was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.1

[1:30 PM]Dan the GMshoe: So the only playable dwarven PCs are this subclass of ranger?

@Beyla 🎉The urakain look interesting! What beasts are used and do any of them have cool abilities or bonuses ?[1:33 PM]LaNotteEterna: All beasts that would live in a savannah, jungle and swamp like environments. Urakian were created when the magic radiations that followed the impact of a meteor fused the bodies of humanoids and animals living in one specific region of the continent. And yes, they all come with both abilities they share in common in addition to abilities that are specific to the animal-type you choose to play.

[1:33 PM]Beyla 🎉: Ooooooo

@Dan the GMshoeSo the only playable dwarven PCs are this subclass of ranger?[1:34 PM]LaNotteEterna: Dwarves can choose any class/subclass they prefer in addition to the dwarf ranger-only subclass we are introducing in La Notte Eterna 5e rulebook

[1:35 PM]Beyla 🎉: What’s the harsher and crueler order that has risen up after the undead!!?

[1:36 PM]LaNotteEterna: There are many powers in the world of Neir. The Chosen of Darkness – a monastic tradition connected to the church of the tyrant-god Garod – is among these.1

[1:37 PM]Beyla 🎉: Dark vision is a pretty important skill to have lost, and while other weapons glow to assist is there any races that retained dark vision? Or is there a different benefit now that PCs can obtain?

[1:37 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (brb — need to let the dogs out)1

[1:39 PM]LaNotteEterna: In general, Darkvision has been retained by creatures that were accustomed with living in dark environments such as caves. These include dwarves, orcs, kobolds, etc.

[1:40 PM]Beyla 🎉: Oh fascinating, so drow still would have it

[1:41 PM]LaNotteEterna: Dark elves are called Klorss in La Notte Eterna, and they are quite different from D&D drows

[1:42 PM]Beyla 🎉: Oooooo like what like what!?

[1:43 PM]LaNotteEterna: Their history and abilities both… But more on this will come with a fourth rulebook dedicated to the Underdark of La Notte Eterna (The Hidden Lands)

[1:43 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (back)1

@LaNotteEternaTheir history and abilities both… But more on this will come with a fourth rulebook dedicated to the Underdark of La Notte Eterna (The Hidden Lands)[1:44 PM]Beyla 🎉: I shall wait with anticipation !

[1:44 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Aside from the Dwarven ranger subclass, what other new classes have you introduced?

[1:46 PM]LaNotteEterna: The paths of the adventurers are endless and the Eternal Darkness is no exception to this rule. Exploring the nations and lands of Neir, along your path you’ll meet characters who have made a particular art or specialization their lifestyle. Below you can find the archetypes for each class: Storm Herald is a Sorcerer in harmony with an element of your choice between Acid, Poison, Fire, Cold, Thunder or Lightening. Being in attunement gives you powers and immunity linked to the chosen element. The Kurash Knight is a Wizard and fine scholar of the arcana of Kurash, thanks to which you obtain the skill to summon a weapon of pure magical energy and foresight. The Knight Hospitalier is a devout Cleric of the god Fadranstaff, powerful healer and ally in combat. The Wandering Knight is a Ranger so skilled in movement that you can confuse opponents and easily tread even on the most inaccessible land. The Steel Knight is a Fighter who makes power and resilience its distinctive mark. The Fated Knight is a Paladin who was sworn to Laon and the Continual Flame: yours is a hard path, full of obstacles and sacrifices but at the same time of great power. The Keeper of Secrets is a Druid voted to the ancient and mysterious Circle of Secrets. Protector of the Secret Fire, the source of primeval magic, you are endowed with great upgrades to your caster skills. The Danse Macabre is a Bard, you are able to make the dead dance to your music. Literally. The Dwarven Ward is a dwarf Ranger specialized in illusory and non-lethal attacks. The Blade of Dor is an elf or half elf Ranger specialized in the ancient art of combat of the Proud People. The North Wolf is a Barbarian native of the Frost-dwell, where he developed fighting skills related to the icy environment in which he grew up.2

[1:46 PM]LaNotteEterna: The xaan Mercenary is a Fighter with great fighting versatility. The Dark Adept is a Cleric devotee of the demi-god Tenebris: he has the power of the underworld and its legions. The Chosen of Darkness is a Monk who has learned the darkest secrets of the art of murder and stealth. The Spiritualist is a Warlock who survived a powerful necromantic magic that left indelible and arcane marks on him. The Treasure Hound is a Rogue who specializes in exploring and looting dungeons. The archetypes described below can be selected as an alternative to those already available for 5e.1

[1:49 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Very nice!

[1:50 PM]Dan the GMshoe: What is the state of civilization?

[1:52 PM]LaNotteEterna: Most nations that existed before the eternal darkness have been wiped away by the undead and other terrors. A new world order has risen, a crueler one with fenced communities and walled cities. Orcs, goblins and others have learned to live in civilized settlements, when necessary, to survive the harsher conditions. Slowly, things are improving but new threats loom on the horizon…

[1:53 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Are creatures like Orcs and Goblins playable?

[1:54 PM]LaNotteEterna: Yes

[1:55 PM]LaNotteEterna: We also have mechanics that enable you to play werewolves, vampires and high vampires (the latter are very rare)1

[1:55 PM]Dan the GMshoe: What are high vampires?

[1:57 PM]LaNotteEterna: The hjilaki – “dead of blood” – share the dark power of the legendary First Vampire. They are more powerful than regular vampires, which they normally command

[1:59 PM]Dan the GMshoe: How are they balanced against regular vampires?

[1:59 PM]Dan the GMshoe: As a playable race, I mean.

[2:00 PM]LaNotteEterna: They’re not. They are very limited in number and they should be played only under very specific circumstances, e.g. consequent to a specific in-game event1

[2:00 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Ah, I see.

[2:01 PM]Dan the GMshoe: You mentioned introducing new mechanics?

[2:01 PM]LaNotteEterna: Yes! Let us start with the Mechanic of Meters:

[2:02 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:03 PM]LaNotteEterna: we are introducing 100 meters: artifacts, fallen angels and demons

[2:04 PM]LaNotteEterna: For each we provide full stats, and at various levels. For example, the same artifact will be presented in its pristine as well as in its malfunctioning/damaged version. Similarly, angels and demons will be presented with their full or diminished power dependent on how precipitous and harmful their impact upon the mortal land has been…

[2:05 PM]LaNotteEterna: Ever wanted to conjure a hero of old to fight alongside you?

[2:06 PM]LaNotteEterna: The vast and detailed lore of La Notte Eterna also serves to introduce many heroes and villains who lived hundreds, sometimes thousands of years ago. Thanks to special relics and through rituals, you can conjure them to your aid.

[2:08 PM]LaNotteEterna: And you also get to decide whether you want to conjure them with their full memory and conscience – therefore they will act based on their original alignment, and you can avail of their full power/memories – or conjure them with no memory of their mortal existence – thus they will follow blindly all of your orders

[2:08 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:08 PM]Beyla 🎉: Great art

@Beyla 🎉Great art [2:09 PM]LaNotteEterna: thanks! the rulebooks are 95% ready, we have been working on this with many talented illustrators for three years now1

[2:11 PM]LaNotteEterna: With Divine Inspiration you will gain power as you perform feats of faith. You can collect up to 10 points – it is not easy to obtain them, however – based on the number of points you spend and your level you can avail of supernatural powers. At very high levels you will be able to turn into the avatar of a god. We provide full rules for all of this, of course

[2:11 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:11 PM]Dan the GMshoe: How long does that transformation last?

@Dan the GMshoeHow long does that transformation last?[2:12 PM]LaNotteEterna: Hours: long enough to really make a difference during a huge battle and affect the politics of a nation…1

[2:13 PM]LaNotteEterna: True Magic is not reserved to arcane spellcasters only, but to all spellcasters – be them wizards, bards, paladins. We are introducing 50 new spells, more powerful than regular spells and requiring extra slots to be cast1

[2:13 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:14 PM]LaNotteEterna: this I mentioned before

[2:14 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:14 PM]Dan the GMshoe: What is your version of a vampire like?

[2:15 PM]LaNotteEterna: as for lycanthropy, werewolves of La Notte Eterna come in all sorts of animal types and dependent on that they get different bonus/malus1

@Dan the GMshoeWhat is your version of a vampire like?[2:17 PM]LaNotteEterna: regular vampires for one don’t have abilities like transforming into bats or turning into fog, and may suffer blood-frenzy. their limites power makes them exciting to be played and at the same time balanced with other races1

[2:18 PM]LaNotteEterna: do you mind if I introduce some of the goodies we are presenting in the Kickstarter campaign, currently live?1

[2:20 PM]Beyla 🎉: PLEASE DO!

[2:20 PM]Beyla 🎉: 

[2:20 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Not at all! Go ahead.

[2:21 PM]LaNotteEterna: thanks!

[2:21 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:22 PM]LaNotteEterna: three rulebooks: La Notte Eterna 5e comprises of the full lore of two continents and all the mechanics/subclasses/races/etc. described above

[2:23 PM]LaNotteEterna: The Song of Nebvarasa is dedicated to the other worlds of the solar system of Nebvarasa, also introducing new subclasses, full character sheets of the gods, new monsters and a full adventure

[2:24 PM]LaNotteEterna: Heroes and Creatures introduced 40+ new monsters, including two new dragon species, a demon-lord, aberrations, fiends, animals for all levels of challenge and environments + the stats of the conjurable heroes

[2:24 PM]LaNotteEterna: the books will come with hardcover, full colore on high quality paper

[2:26 PM]LaNotteEterna: one of our pledges will include this wooden box handmade by an Italian artisan, which will come in a sealed envelope and can be assembled without glue

[2:26 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:26 PM]LaNotteEterna:

[2:27 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Those are some nifty dice.

[2:27 PM]LaNotteEterna: two dice sets specifically designed for La Notte Eterna – you won’t find these anywhere else1

[2:27 PM]Dan the GMshoe: I especially like the d4.

@Dan the GMshoeI especially like the d4.[2:28 PM]LaNotteEterna: yep, that is also a meter: the “celestial tear”

[2:28 PM]LaNotteEterna:1

[2:28 PM]LaNotteEterna: miniatures of three of the new monsters introduced in the Heroes and Creatures rulebook

[2:29 PM]LaNotteEterna: the GM screen!

[2:29 PM]LaNotteEterna: with many useful info for the GM running a campaign for La Notte Eterna

[2:30 PM]LaNotteEterna: and more!

[2:30 PM]LaNotteEterna: our campaign is live now, it’s been fully funded in the first 20 minutes and with your support we can unlock several other stretch goals:

[2:30 PM]LaNotteEterna: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aliribelli/la-notte-eternaKickstarterAli Ribelli Edizioni‘La Notte Eterna’: Horror-Gothic Setting for 5EShiver in fear for a world in eternal nighttime, where weapons glow, vampires never sleep, and werewolves forever howl.1

[2:33 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Congratulations on your success!

[2:33 PM]LaNotteEterna: thanks Dan! much appreciated

[2:33 PM]Beyla 🎉: Very very cool

[2:34 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you’d like to bring up?

[2:34 PM]LaNotteEterna: I think we got it pretty much all covered, thanks Dan!1

[2:35 PM]Dan the GMshoe: Okay! Thanks very much for joining us, @LaNotteEterna!

[2:35 PM]Dan the GMshoe: 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! Ko-fiBuy Dan Davenport a Coffee. ko-fi.com/gmshoeBecome a supporter of Dan Davenport today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

[2:35 PM]Beyla 🎉: 

[2:35 PM]Dan the GMshoe: If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll get the log posted and link you!

[Q&A] Hiromi Cota (The Fifth Season RPG)

[7:40 PM]Hiromi (they/them): Hai tai! Wanne Hiromi yaibiin. I’m Hiromi Cota (they/them). I’m one of the writers and developers for Fifth Season Roleplaying, which is based off of N.K. Jemisin’s best-selling novels, the Broken Earth trilogy. I’ve also worked on a bunch of other books and games (~100 at this time). Before I get into the game, I want to acknowledge: My fellow developers for the Fifth Season RPG: Joe Carriker, Tanya DePass, and Steve Kenson. The awesome writing team: Joe Carriker, Samantha Day, Tanya DePass, Steve Kenson, Monte Lin, Nell Raban, Alice Rendell, Eugenio Vargas, Kiara Vincent, and LaShawn M. Wanak As much of the art team as I know: Hal Mangold & Danil Luzin The Green Ronin staff for giving us the opportunity to work on this game. N.K.Jemisin for entrusting us with her world. And the Snohomish Tribe of Indians, whose ancestral lands I’m writing this from. Donations can be sent here: https://sduhubscfs.org/donate/ (I hope links are OK.2

[7:41 PM]Dan the GMshoe: (Links are great. )

[7:48 PM]Hiromi (they/them): For folks who don’t know the novels, the Broken Earth trilogy and Fifth Season Roleplaying take place on a supercontinent/world called the Stillness. The setting combines sci-fi, fantasy, and an unusual take on post-apocalyptic fiction — namely, that the Stillness had a cataclysmic event ~40,000 years ago. Now, smaller tectonic apocalypses happen on a somewhat regular basis. These are the titular Fifth Seasons. A volcano erupts, an earthquake trashes a huge segment of the world, etc. When the Stillness’ seismic instability rears its ugly head, it can claim thousands or even millions of lives. Fifth Seasons last years and impact the entire known world in some way. Volcanic ash can blot out of the sun for years, unchecked fires can ignite massive coal fields, volcanic gasses can poison lands and cause entire species to go extinct. And that’s just the major problems.1

[7:53 PM]Silverlion (He/Him): (Ready for questions?)

[7:54 PM]Beyla 🎉: ( sounds like a very dangerous environment/setting)

[7:55 PM]Hiromi (they/them): The Stillness is a dangerous place. And the danger that any year might bring a new apocalypse means that finding and protecting your home & family is essential. The wandering characters in the books learn the importance of the course of the plots. In the game, we put it front and center. “Comms” (short for community or commune) are the towns and cities of the Stillness. And, they’re vital to life there. So much so that — in the core game — you make your comm before you make your characters. Players collaboratively create their comm’s backstory and define how they fit into their society. Characters in the Stillness don’t exist in a vacuum; they’re part of the comm. And how players’ characters act within the comm has lasting impact. For example: If your group decides to solve a dispute between comm members by kicking someone’s ass, they just beat up one of their neighbors. People will remember that.

[7:55 PM]Hiromi (they/them): (done)(edited)

[7:56 PM]Hiromi (they/them): Wait. No. I lied. The game runs on Green Ronin’s Adventure Game Engine (AGE), a d6-based system.

[Q&A] Christian Sahlén (CY_BORG)

[1:02 PM]Sahlén | CY_BORG: Hi everyone. I’m Christian Sahlén, writer of CY_BORG – the Nano-infested doomsday RPG about cybernetic misfits and punks raging against a relentless corporate hell. I’m part of the creative coven Stockholm Kartell who have done things like MÖRK BORG, Death in Space and more.

[Q&A] Nathan Russell & Benji Corless (Hard City – Noir RPG)

[7:33 PM]Nathan Russell (He/Him): Hi everyone, I’m Nathan Russell, designer of the upcoming noir RPG Hard City, published by Osprey Games. In the past I have self published games including Neon City Overdrive and Freeform Universal.

[7:34 PM]Nathan Russell (He/Him): Hard City is a game of hardboiled investigation and crime in a nameless city that never sleeps. It is intended as a toolbox so you can tell the kinds of atmospheric noir stories you are interested in. (done)

[Q&A] Mark Rapson (StokerVerse Roleplaying Game)

[1:01 PM]Mark R: Hi to all. I am Mark Rapson, the managing director of Nightfall Games. Currently we are kickstarting the StokerVerse Roleplaying game

[1:01 PM]Mark R: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nightfall/stokerverse-roleplaying-game?ref=project_buildKickstarterNightfall GamesStokerVerse Roleplaying GameEnter Dracula’s world with the StokerVerse Roleplaying Game.321

[Q&A] John-Matthew DeFoggi (Jackals)

[7:32 PM]Leketh: Hello everyone, I am J-M DeFoggi. I am a full time game writer, game company owner, streamer, and game designer. I work as the Line Developer for 13th Age, the Line Manger for Strange Owl Games, I write for Torg Eternity, and what we are all here for tonight, I wrote Jackals, Fall of the Children of Bronze, and the upcoming Travellers on the War Road. I am more than happy to talk about anything and everything Jackals related and field any questions near to that or abroad.

[Q&A] Matt Cross (Fearsome Wilderness)

[7:34 PM]Dystopia Matt (Geektopia Games): Hi, I’m Matt Cross the creator of Fearsome Wilderness: The Roleplaying Game. I am a member of a small game publisher based in Chicago called Geektopia Games and this is our 3rd game and 2nd kickstarter. Fearsome Wilderness: The RPG is a tabletop roleplaying game that lets you play as characters who have been stranded in the wilderness and features fearsome critters from North American folklore. It uses the Year Zero Engine OGL as the rules. Thanks for inviting me to the Q&A today. Done

[Q&A] Matthew Chiamis & Dalton Shaul (Castaway)

[7:33 PM]KastorStarwind: Hello everyone! This is Matt the game designer and lead of Monomyth Games – Our game is Castaway and we’re live on Kickstarter right now.

[7:34 PM]Slack: Howdy, my name is Dalton and I am the graphic designer for Castaway.

[7:34 PM]KastorStarwind: Castaway is a shipwreck survival horror game that uses the Mork Borg core system and is developed using their 3rd party license.

[Q&A] Chloe Sincerny (SOANA – Seekers of a New Age)

[7:54 PM]zeautumn: Hello Seekers and Seekers to be. Today I’ll be presenting SOANA: Seekers of a new age, a ttrpg with a mechanic where you can create everything you want, the way you want it! I leave our kickstarter campaign right here for you to discover https://bit.ly/3zk2OjH Hi, I am Chloe, cofounder and marketing director at Obsession rpg studio and today I’ll be answering all your questions

here is our discord server if you want more info https://discord.gg/nMznthqR (done)YOU’VE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN A SERVERObsession RPG Studio23 Online47 MembersJoinKickstarterObsession RPG StudioSOANA – Seekers of a New AgeSOANA is a flexible and innovative D&D-like tabletop role-playing game. Create the game you want, the way you want it.

[Q&A] Cass Suwinski (Curse of the Usurper – RPG 5E)

[7:33 PM]Cass: Hello all, my name is Cass Suwinski and the owner of Tomb Guardians. Currently we have a new Kickstarter going on “Curse of the Usurper”. It is a massive D&D 5e adventure/campaign, over 400+ pages, minis, maps, actor voiceover, campaign music, collectible dice and more. (done)