Battle for Oz: Pirates

WE DID IT!!! A HUGE Thank you!
over 4 years ago – Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 11:29:56 AM

I am near speechless with gratitude. Thank You, to all my backers. To everyone that shared Facebook posts, emailed friends, and passed on kind words about this project, Thank You. 

In reflection, our first book in 2014 was a love project to the Savage Worlds RPG. I have been a gamer for 30 years and I have played ALOT of different RPGs. But in 2009, Savage Worlds was introduced to me by a friend and the connect was instant.  I finally found an RPG system that embraced all of the things I love about the experience of shared storytelling, with a set of RPG game mechanics that was simple, fun, and comprehensive. Savage Worlds walks that fine line between the crunchy game mechanics and the freeform rules-light systems and It is easy to wrap around any setting and genre. Battle for Oz was our way to contribute our voice to the growing community of Savage Worlds gamers. And like the Savage Worlds game system, Battle for Oz has grown and expanded over hundreds of sessions over the past six years. Like SWADE, this new book is my opportunity to fine-tune the Oz setting and add a little more context for players to explore. This Kickstarter campaign has completely energized me to that end. So like a broken record, I say Thank You again, I can't wait to start working with my contributor backers, add new art and new rich characters to this evolving storybook. 

Logistically, I will spend the weekend working with Backerkit to finalize the project with them, create all of the surveys and the add-on list so we can get moving towards finalizing everyone's order. Be patient with me, I've never used this platform before, but I am convinced the learning curve will be worth it in the long run. The minute that Kickstarter transfers the funds to my account I will order the dice, and bennies. I may add a few things to the add-on list from some feedback I have received, like custom art orders, and Oz T-Shirts, so be on the look-out for those items in your surveys. Keep your eye on the Kickstarter Campaign page. I will be using it and my Facebook page to communicate with you guys on all project updates, production updates, and sneak peeks into the book, even after Backerkit has concluded their role in the project. 

Dan 

13 Hours to go! ADD-On update.
over 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 09:28:58 PM

Final push time! We unlocked the Rita Diggs Journal which is super awesome! It will give a first hand (first person) perspective on a war-torn Oz, and have some great art!  I have updated the physical (stretch goal generated) Add-On list on the main page but will repost it below. 

Keep in mind that these are PREORDERS. All of the physical products like the dice and bennies have to be ordered, produced, and shipped to me so that I can in turn package them, and send them to you guys.

 The Creature Catalog, new Oz action deck, Rita Diggs Journal, and figure flats have to be written, illustrated, produced ( by Rick Hershey of Fat Goblin Games) and then uploaded to DrivethruRPG for delivery. I will ofcorse keep you guys in the loop on their production status. 

Don't forget that the ADD-ON list includes book upgrade options for print quality and hardback. With the exception of a few pledge levels, MOST pledge levels that include a physical copy of the book will be delivered in STANDARD PRINTING SOFTBACK. If your pledge level does not include a physical copy of the book in the format that you want, see the ADD-ON list for the combination that YOU want. There is a handy little hyperlink on the main page that directs you to DrivethruRPG's very well illustrated difference between Standard print quality and Premium print quality. You can also order extra copies of the Oz Pirates book (as gifts) or to combine shipping costs among your game table, AS WELL as purchase the original Deluxe Edition of Battle for Oz. 

As always, let me know if you have ANY questions. Even after the campaign ends, BackerKit will take over and help me sort out all of the ADD-ON's and fulfillment!

Add-On List (all items are in preorder status)

Oz Creature Catalog (Through DrivethruRPG); $15.00 (PDF Delivery, physical book cost TBD)

Oz Figure Flats (Through DrivethruRPG):  $7.00  (PDF Delivery)

Oz PIRATES Dice (pair of d6); $3.00 per set of two, color is a blue and green, see below. (delivered by Pirate Press)

Oz Dice (Full set of six die, 2d6, 1d4, 1d8, 1d10, 1d12 ); $13.00  plus shipping, see below. (delivered by Pirate Press)

Oz Action Deck (through drivethrurpg.com); $10.00  plus shipping.

OG Oz Dice (pair of d6); $3.00 per set of two, color Green and Gold, see below. (delivered by Pirate Press)

Oz Bennies (set of 20); $20.00  plus shipping, see below. (delivered by Pirate Press)

Final 41 hours!
over 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 03:07:17 AM

41 hours to go and counting!! A couple of announcements, I can confirm that I will be creating FIGURE FLATS! I am still in talks with the folks at Arc Knight to convert them into the clear plastic version, but I will deff be creating the standard printable PDF kind. I'm going to have to finance the design and production myself because there is just no room in the current stretch goal budget, so they will be added to the ADD-ON list as a preorder.  I will finalize the ADD-ON list today against the stretch goals that were unlocked and the few things I have worked out on my own that were not unlocked but here is a brief rundown;

1. The new Battle for Oz: Pirates Action Deck stretch goal, printed through DrivethruRPG, was unlocked and ALL PHYSICAL REWARDS BACKERS will receive a free set. The action deck will be added to the ADD-ON list for anyone that wants to buy a set or additional sets of cards.

2. The NEW Oz Pirates Dice stretch goal was unlocked and ALL PHYSICAL REWARDS BACKERS will receive a free set. That set of dice will be added to the ADD-ON list for anyone that wants to buy a set or additional sets. ( 6 total dice). There will be a separate ADD-ON for 1 extra set of D6. 

3. I will be reordering a new batch of OG Oz dice (2d6) in the traditional green and gold color. This is an add based on backer requests and is NOT included in the PHYSICAL BACKER REWARD list. They will be added to the ADD-ON list and will be available for order in sets of 2d6.

4. Though the new Oz Pirates Bennies stretch goal does not look like it will be unlocked, I have decided to reorder a set of the original OZ Bennies. They will be available in the ADD-ON list and available for order in sets of 20. 

5. For my PDF backers (DIGITAL STRETCH GOALS ONLY), I have good news. I will be creating several PDFs that include, the Fall of Oz adventure, GM screen inserts, Into the Deep adventure, and the Oz sketchbook. All of these will be sent to ALL backers as soon as they are complete. ( ALL BACKERS will receive these at no cost, including ALL my backers from the 2014 campaign). 

6.  Even though it has not yet been unlocked, I have decided to commit to producing the Oz Creature Catalog. If it is unlocked, ALL BACKERS will get the PDF. If it is not unlocked, it will be added to the ADD-ON list as an item available for preorder. 

7. I will be producing FIGURE FLATS! They will be available for pre-order on the ADD-On list.

AS A REMINDER, I have partnered with Backerkit.com to help me with Kickstarter fulfillment. ALL ADD-Ons and late pledges will be available for a period of time through Backerkit. That means that even AFTER this Kickstarter campaign clock ends, people will still be able to make late pledges, add to their pledges, or purchase ADD-Ons. 

I think that's all for now, please continue to spread the word as we make that final push! 

Thanks to ALL my backers,

Dan

Day 4 countdown update!
over 4 years ago – Sun, Jun 14, 2020 at 10:54:27 AM

4 Days to go, folks!  I have sifted through the countdown questions (keep em' coming), and selected the following, "What will the new plot point campaign be like?" 

For those of you new to the setting, the original Battle for Oz plot point campaign set the players as members of Amber Gales elite freedom fighters. The plot point campaign took the players all over Oz in an attempt to awaken the ancient witch, Lurline. Lurline is the powerful witch that created the Emerald City thousands of years ago, separated Oz (and greater Nonestica) from the rest of the world, and created the deadly desert (that is now a sea). In the process, the players found Dorothy Gale, lost the Lion, and awoke Lurline just long enough to destroy Ozymandias' unbreakable Emerald armor and sword. Spoiler Alert! The cover of the book shows Ozymandias sitting on the Emerald Throne contemplating his next move after the loss of these irreplaceable weapons of war!  

The new plot point campaign will mirror the theme of the Oz Pirates expansion, war and morality are not always so black and white. In the new plot point, the players will be based in the growing town of Shifters Point. Shifters Point is the ONLY town with a port at the tip of lower Munchkin Country with direct access to one of the few rivers that feed directly into the new Oz sea. This town was once just a simple farmers village that sat off the shifting sands of the deadly desert. When the Oz sea emerged, it became a coastal town on the Unicorn River connected to Lake Orizon and the independent state of Sapphire City, the center of commerce in the Demilitarized Zone of Munchkin Country. 

The players will have a much greater field of options on what to play. They can be deep-cover agents for Amber Gale, mercenaries, explorers, pirates, or simple merchants. Since the war between Amber Gale and Ozymandias has slowed in recent years, and a neutral zone has been established, there is room for players to explore a land that is still in turmoil but also in the midst of a massive shift in power and prestige. When Sapphire City declared its independence from the power of the Emerald Thrown, it cast away an allegiance among Kinflok that has lasted for thousands of years. They have declared themselves neutral and independent from the rule of Ozymandias and Amber Gale, and with the backing of the Merchants Guild, they have the economic and military strength to protect that independence.  What the players will quickly learn is that there is a new power in Oz that also holds no allegiance, Zog the Terrible. He will begin to consolidate his power over the Oz Sea and the rivers and lakes of Oz by association. The players will have to cast aside personal agendas to address this new threat.   

DAY 7 countdown update.
over 4 years ago – Thu, Jun 11, 2020 at 06:50:19 PM

So I have already received lots of input but keep those questions and suggestions coming for the next 7 day countdown updates, The first is on FIGURE FLATS and BENNIES. 

I have never used Figure Flats in my SW games because I am admittedly, kind of a miniature snob. Its one of the reasons I love Savage Worlds because it is an RPG that lends itself so well to tabletop minis. That being said, I know a lot of people like and use figure flats. They are typically easy to use and transport and inexpensive to produce and print. That being said, I will commit to producing some custom Oz figure flats. I will work on some mockups over the next few days so that I can post some previews and if it all works out, I will add them to the add-on list for preorder. Additionally, I have been in touch with the amazing team at Arc Knight, http://arcknight.squarespace.com/, about adding Oz figure flats to their amazing line up of clear plastic flats. Their figure flats look amazing and if I used flats, I would deff use theirs. I will update you if I am able to work something out with their team. 

Bennies, I have decided to reprint my original Oz bennies, regardless of hitting that stretch goal or not. Hitting the stretch goal would give all the physical stretch goal backers a free set, but regardless, I plan to make them an add-on option. We gotta have Oz dice and bennies!! 

Any questions, send em on!

Dan