April 16, 2025
12 months ago
– Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 01:44:39 AM
I had an overhaul meeting with Anthony last week and reorganized some of the elements of the book.
Guest Characters (backers)
Currently we have all of the Agents and Muses (Guest Characters) in one section in the Quest Master’s Material. I have felt it should go somewhere else, but even more, that the characters should be integrated into the story more. Integrated into the locations and world more.
The conclusion we came to is that each district will have more locations on the map legend and we will include where the characters can be found. Their full page descriptions, stat blocks, and images will be in the Appendix as per the usual game books and rather than be an afterthought, each of these characters will have proper placement in the adventure itself.
To me, this makes the whole book more cohesive and brings the world together more. Everyone has a place in Salvata, and it will be more natural to meet these characters in the story.
Setting Maps
It occurred to me after I hit send that the location map at the back of each district only has the locations from the table… and of course, I need to add the locations talked about in the district facts into the map. #facepalm.
That’s all I have for now.
I hope you all are warming up into the spring. It’s still beautiful and rainy here in Singapore.
Such an exotic and silly place.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Singapore has a negative carbon footprint? It’s so majestic and wondrous here… and yet everyone has their head in their phones.
Oh, the world.
See you all next week.
Satine
2 of 5 complete!
12 months ago
– Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 10:55:07 PM
2 OF 5 PARTS COMPLETE!
After a few weeks of hunkering down and working on this with Anthony, the editor, we have the finished Player Material book and the finished Settings Material book! These two items have gone out in a Backer-only post with a link to the two files.
These two sections are not laid out in InDesign. I realized it would take me much longer to get the content out if I waited to learn inDesign, so I pivoted and am sending you the books in their imperfect form. Content-rich, aesthetically digestible, and ready for you now.
The Setting Material has been divided into two parts. What you see in these books is what the player would know, while the other half of the content has been moved to the Quest Master Material because… OF ALL THE SPOILERS!!!
I am SO grateful for Anthony’s expert eye on this. I can see how it would be confusing to players/readers as to why they would be privy to so much information. The truth is they wouldn’t be! So, we removed the faction spoiler info and dynamics of the government in each district. It feels so much better now. The Quest Master will have information on where specific locations are and where the factions are at any given time.
I FOUND THE SIRENS FILES!
I FINALLY found the documents I thought were lost. Looks like they are on an Apotheosis One Drive, but since I can’t request access because of the restraining order, I’ll have to get a lawyer or legal representative to request access to the files. Since Sirens and all of the assets are listed as 100% mine in the divorce, this shouldn’t be an issue, just a matter of how to legally request something from someone I have a restraining order against. Sure, he could have been proactive and had his mom give me the files, but it is what it is.
But they are all there! I just can't access them. I see all of them! The artwork for each page done by Carlos and his girlfriend. The previous Layout designs with Fonts. The artwork! It’s all there, all just out of reach. All of the elements that I need in order to layout the book are already finished. And let me tell you, omg the page background art is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. They really knocked it out of the park!
THE ORDER OF WHAT I'M WORKING ON NEXT:
Character sheet
I’ve gone through a couple of iterations but found it hard to juggle multiple elements of Sirens at the same time, so I focused on getting these two sections out. Now, I will sit and focus. That should be done in a day or two. Once it’s done and Anthony’s fine-detailed eyes approve, I’ll send it out.
Setting up Shipping GoFund me or other shipping donation site
This was a generous and kind idea from you fantastic backers. It would make a huge difference. So, I’m going with the flow and following your lead. It will be 100% transparent.
You’ll be able to see how much is raised and who will be getting their shipments as soon as the warehouse has been paid. (I think it’s up to $2000 now). I believe I’ll have to pay taxes on this, so that breakdown will be available too.
There is no reason to hide anything about this from you all, and that feels really good! Will keep you all updated as things are more clear.
Quest Master Material
Parts of the setting have been put here. Much has been written, but I’m giving it an overhaul. A Full read and then I will let you know what I’m editing and what I’m keeping. Anthony has already been going over some of the chapters in this like the Salvata Salvation and Emerald Cabal. The Quest Master Material will be play-tested, unlike the Settings Material, so I’ll be reaching out to the play test group when this is ready to test it and read it. I have a feeling there will be a couple rounds of play testing here.
New Guest Characters
SUPER excited about these characters! I’m going to map out ALL of the characters and where I can put them in the adventure rather than just having them exist in the QM section.
Side Quests
Anthony and I agreed that fine-tuning these so they have a similar voice is a good idea so minor changes will be made in editing. This will not go out before the adventure, it’s just a good place to start since these won’t be changing.
Main Adventures
This is going to take months. How many? No idea. But because I’m removing the one character, much needs to be rewritten. I’ve already talked about this in previous updates, so I won’t go on about it. <3
I’ll definitely be play-testing this twice in different sections.
Appendix
…. So many elements. I’m trying not to think about this yet because it’s just a lot!
Laying out the Whole book
When it’s all done, then I’ll put it all together and send it to all backers.
This is where we are now, and there is good movement so I’m feeling really proud.
Hello from a beautiful rainy day in Singapore. I hope you have a peaceful weekend.
~Satine
The Players Material & The Setting Material <3
12 months ago
– Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 09:03:33 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
Update Sunday March 16, 2025
about 1 year ago
– Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 11:34:06 AM
Hello and happy Sunday!
I don’t have much to report today. I'm just working on the layout of the Player Material. I’m hoping to get it out by the end of the week, but I’ll keep you updated.
The STL files have been sent to those who ordered Minis. If you have not received it yet, please let me know.
Half of the David Mack art prints have been sent out
Anthony is editing the Settings section currently, and we have another meeting on the 24th to go over those edits and then send them to everyone.
Yeah, I'm just working away and keeping focus. I am currently editing the Settings section. We have another meeting on the 24th to review hopefully, next week, I will have MUCH more to report.
Slow and steady wins the race, and that’s the only way to get this done right.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Optimistically,
Satine Phoenix
Update: March 7, 2025
about 1 year ago
– Sun, Mar 09, 2025 at 05:11:40 PM
Hello everyone! Last week took me out. I was so sick I just slept last Sunday & Monday, but I did manage to connect with our amazing Editor for 5 mins on Monday (which was all I could muster through the migraine).
The Player Material edits are done! All I have to do is go through, approve edits line by line, and then go into layout. I did end up missing out on a week of Siren's work last week from being sick, but I got obsessed and worked double time the week before, so luckily, it balances out. Sometimes life happens, and my workaholicism occasionally works out for me :)
The Settings sections have been split into two parts. The first is what goes to the public, and half will go into the Quest Master Section. I’m SO GLAD we are going through these elements because it makes so much more sense this way. Anthony and I have decided to re-order the whole book as well. Starting with Setting, then Player Material, then Quest Master Material, then Campaign. We are also reordering the Player Materials sections as well: Cooperation while gaming, Everyone’s an artist, Backgrounds, and Salvata Bard class (and then I’ll add the Additional Character sheet pages at the end of that section).
I managed to get into Backerkit and am sorting through who to send emails to for items that I can send now. This is why you have received the “update your address” email from backerkit:
Syrinscape: Some backers have mentioned that Syrinscape reached out to them about being able to get a set of equal value. I'll reach out to you individually via email and check to see where you are with this.
Art Prints: I have 15 prints here tubed and ready to send, and am finding the digital file to print the last 15 to mail those out.
STL Mini digital files: I’m emailing these out tomorrow! Yup, on Monday, I’m sending the mini digital files to those who purchased minis. I know it’s not the printed minis; those will have to be printed after the book is over. I know I’ve already said this in previous updates but I think it’s important to say it here too because I don’t expect folks to read every single update.
Shipping: Again, I will not ask you to pay for shipping. After looking at Backerkit… it seems that you fabulous backers have ALREADY PAID over $70,000.00 in shipping. Yea. YEA you did. Here is a screenshot of the Backerkit shipping paid.
Yea… … Sure, I’m upset, nauseated, disgusted with how things went… and yet, I’d rather pay that out of my pocket over years than try to get it from him. Like… WTF did he do with that money!??!?!!? I just can’t wrap my head around some of what happened. BUT… It is what it is, and it is my responsibility to get you these items, and that’s what I’m going to do. One item at a time.
And now... I rest because tomorrow starts week 2 of classes for the term and I have a feeling I'm going to obsess about the layout for Player Material and disapear into layout land for more time than I have allotted for Sirens. Which is fine... this part is one of my favorites. Layout is such a satisfying kind of art! When it's done it's like wrapping a gift in shiny wrapping paper!
Have a great week everyone! Hopefully the sun is starting to shine and melt that snow... it's looking pretty lovely here in Denver.
One breath at a time,
Satine Phoenix~
