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Post by: Aeneades
kickstarter now live!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/443527920/strange-aeons-2nd-edition
For those who have not heard of the game here is a little bit about Strange Aeons -
The history you know is only a fraction of the truth. A truth so black and frightening it was decided that for reasons of national security it should be forever hidden from the public…until now.
September 1920: President Woodrow Wilson, in failing health following a failed assassination attempt by members of the nefarious Cult of the Black Goat, forms an elite governmental taskforce to address the threat. Its codename is Threshold. Among the first recruits are law enforcement officers, military personnel, scientists, archaeologists, doctors, librarians and regular civilians. All applicants have been thoroughly screened: mentally, physically and spiritually. Agents are given Double Black security clearance and rigorous training in self-defense, firearms, arrest theory and the occult.
Within months, newly trained Threshold Agents are placed into society and given assignments, protecting an unknowing humanity from forces so dark, ancient and alien that to comprehend them would surely mean madness…and to fail, absolute destruction…
What happens next is uncertain…but whatever the outcome, the future lies in your hands.
Strange Aeons is a tabletop miniature skirmish game, wherein one player takes control of a band of heroic Threshold operatives and the other player acts as the evil Lurkers. Games of Strange Aeons are based in a roughly historical setting sometime after 1920 and can take place anywhere in the world.
Designed for use with 28-32mm scale miniatures (though smaller scales work as well), each game of Strange Aeons plays in 30-60 minutes and typically requires only 4-10 models per player. And with a standard board area of only 2’ x 3’ (approx. 60 x 90cm), all else you need to play is the rulebook, some dice, a tape measure, a kitchen table and a box of scenery. An option-filled advancement system matched against Lurker lists built-to-order each game from a selection of over 50 unique monster profiles couples with a broad range of scenario options to provide nearly infinite replay value.
Journey into fear…and beyond madness!
Current Box Sets (More to come as stretch goals are hit!) -
 
 
 
   
 
  
Current Stretch Goals -
and new backer number Stretch Goals -
Pledge Levels -
Regarding material being used -
As always, all of Uncle Mike’s solid resin models are produced in-house, allowing us to keep a close and personal eye on the quality of every figure. We’ve also begun adding colour tint to our resin. This has the benefit of making the detail on unpainted models much easier to see, and also makes the figures more attractive for use unpainted in the event players aren’t interested in picking up a brush.
Close up of unpainted minis -
and size comparison shot -
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Post by: CptJake
Very cool game.
Though I have 1st Edition, I can't wait for this KS. It is a company worth supporting and a product which is fantastic.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
I'll definitely keep an eye on it!
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Post by: Aeneades
The next Booster Box preview is up with another large box preview to come later tonight -
This one contains a mating pair of Missing Links, three Giant Vermin and six Swarms.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Anyone up for explaining the game? It almost sounds like a hybrid table-top game/board-game, what with players needing to play the respective sides?
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Post by: Aeneades
and now the Innsmouth Box (figures are shown in scale with each other) -
That's four Fishmen, a Fishman Demagogue, three Hybrids and the monstrous Deep One.
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Post by: ced1106
NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:Anyone up for explaining the game? It almost sounds like a hybrid table-top game/board-game, what with players needing to play the respective sides?
SA is pretty active on the LeadAdventurers. de forums, and I asked this very same question!
http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=71214.0
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
You had my curiosity, now you have my attention.
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Post by: Mathieu Raymond
Will there be a bit more variety for player characters?
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Post by: Aeneades
The recent black goat cult email had a little more information about the Kickstarter and I hope that the team won't mind if I say that one of the earliest stretch goals will add more variety for the Threshold players.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Reading that Lead Adventures thread, reading up on the game, and watching some of those video reviews... WOW.
October 1st can't come quickly enough. I'm so throwing a bunch of money at this.
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Post by: Aeneades
If you have not seen the 1st edition line of minis (some are returning, others are being replaced with new sculpts) you can check some of them out here - http://www.strange-aeons.ca/photo/strange-aeons-miniatures/
Will give you a few ideas as to why may appear during the campaign.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Not bad. I like quite a few of those. Seems like a game I want to genuinely support, so assuming prices are reasonable, i'll try to go in for one or two of everything.
Seems like they'll be supporting models including in Cthulhu Wars, but i'd rather not buy that game just for the minis... during the campaign for it Cthulhu-flavored-Risk was just not calling to me. :-p
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Post by: Aeneades
The Strange Aeons team have always encouraged players to use what ever models they prefer even if from a different company, as they knew a lot of Strange Aeons players also picked up Cthulhu Wars they have mentioned that they will be doing what they can to provide suitable stats for all the monsters not already covered in the existing rules. I thought that this was a nice thing to do especially as they risk losing model sales by doing so. Most of the Cthulhu wars sculpts already have suitable Strange Aeon minis and they are adding new sculpts all the time (If you do fall in love with any of the cthulhu wars sculpts I believe you can pick them up individually from the Fenris Games website).
As my current strange aoens models are packed away I intend to have a western themed game using models from Shadows of Brimstone to try out the beta Second Edition rules when they available.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
On a side note, the Kickstarter will be EU and U.S. friendly (the models are produced in Canada) -
An enormous proportion of the Strange Aeons player base resides in the EU, and we want you to be able to enjoy the game without having to worry about a massive VAT bill when your package arrives. We are therefore planning to ship all Kickstarter pledges through a fulfillment service with warehouses in multiple countries. This will allow backers in Canada, the US and EU to receive their packages free of taxes and duties.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Hey all. I'm the editor/webmaster/Kickstarter curator for Strange Aeons, and figured I ought to make an appearance here to answer any questions you might have (though I must say Aeneades has been doing a bang-up job so far - our Cultists really are great). Loving the enthusiasm in this thread!
I'm currently revising our Demo Pack to reflect the 2nd Edition rules. That should be ready for download within the first week of the campaign, so you'll be able to snag it and take the game for a spin.
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Post by: highlord tamburlaine
How fast does it play is going to be my big question?
Are there rules for having mythos vs mythos?
Nobody in my family ever wants to be the puny humans, who wish to pay them tribute.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Hey Lidless...
Saw your posting on the Lead-Adventure forum, and between you and Mike being such good stewards of your game, and it looking so cool, you've got my support to be sure.
Incidentally, I saw Mike asking in a thread what people would want out of a second edition game.
Having not played the first, but being instantly enamoured because of the campaign stuff (tables for injuries, quests, relics for unlocking side-quests, gaining skills), I have to say, the more of THAT you include the better.
For once I will legitimately be as excited for stretch-goals that add to outcome tables, or different scenarios (than just kill x scenarios) as I will physical freebies.
Filling that campaign-game/Necromunda void will be what makes this sing, and what helps me more easily convince others. As such, this is an instance of quality AND quantity. Luckily, quantity of "print" content tends to be a ton easier for a small team to whip up than physical goods.
See you October 1st!!!
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Post by: Aeneades
Playing Mythos vs Mythos is possible with the current rule set but only really for single games rather then campaigns. Strange Aeons has a sister game in development called 'Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten' which revolves around the war between rival Mythos cults (and has full campaign rules for such).
Have you had enough of playing the good guys? Are those tentacled monstrosities starting to look like part of the solution rather than part of the problem? If you've answered yes to these questions, a career in cult recruitment and management may be for you!
Operating on the same core rule system as Strange Aeons, but with a distinctly unsavory twist, Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten (Of Unspeakable Cults) allows you to build your own band of nefarious evildoers and take to the streets to do battle with other degenerates in the quest for your dark overlord's favour! Whether you choose to take to the field with a posse of croaking Fishmen, a horde of graveyard denizens or a well-heeled secret society of mystics, chaos is bound to ensue.
This 110-page PDF contains everything you need to play. Captives, sacrifices, dark secrets and insanity await! Start building your cult today.
The rules are still being worked on but you can get a copy of the current version from the webstore - http://www.strange-aeons.ca/umw-shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=87 or for free when you sign up to be a member of Cult of the Black Goat. I believe some of the Kickstarter pledge levels may come with Cult membership otherwise I am certain it will be available as an addon.
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Post by: CptJake
And surely, anyone interested in mythos vs mythos wants, no NEEDS! to be a member of the Cult of the Black Goat.
Ia!
Jake (card carrying member)
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Post by: LidlessEye
Wow, I step out for a few minutes, boom! Better get with the responding.
highlord tamburlaine wrote:How fast does it play is going to be my big question?
30-45 minutes for most games, though that may creep closer to an hour with experienced squads as we've upped the max points cap.
highlord tamburlaine wrote:Are there rules for having mythos vs mythos?
Already covered by some of the other gents, but no, not built into the campaign rules, though there's nothing stopping you from playing one-off games. Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten does take this road, being a sort of Mythos-Mordheim, as does a supplement I've been working on that will be more of an Old One vs. Old One mass combat game - expect that'll be a 2016 project at best though, as I'm pretty swamped with 2nd Ed.
NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:For once I will legitimately be as excited for stretch-goals that add to outcome tables, or different scenarios (than just kill x scenarios) as I will physical freebies.
Mike and I were actually just discussing this last night, and are indeed looking to insert more print content as stretch goals. We did have one item already, and realized we were being a bit silly not including more. So definitely expect new monsters and content to pop up periodically as stretch bonuses. We also release free scenarios, Lurker profiles and goodies through our website a few times a year; sometimes seasonally-themed (Krampus is a hoot), sometimes just for fun.
Aeneades wrote:I believe some of the Kickstarter pledge levels may come with Cult membership otherwise I am certain it will be available as an addon.
Yup, lifetime Cult memberships are available at the standard box price of $50 CAD, which is a $10 savings over the usual price. This does include the Kulten PDF (worth $25 alone), plus an archive of previous newsletters, Cult t-shirt and a number of Cult-exclusive models. There's also an additional bonus for existing Cult members, but that'll only be for those who sign up before the Kickstarter gets underway (so an extra $10, plus shipping, but it is a very cool bonus indeed).
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Post by: ced1106
Shadows of Brimstone pulled in 4.7K backers, which was more than the 4.3K backers of Cthulhu Wars, so I'd recommend stats for the SoB monsters and possibly even western heroes as well. I'm also a big fan of Doomtown (although it already has its Savage Worlds miniature skirmish game), so mebbe a Western Horror SA supplement or whatever might be worth asking your supporters if they're interested in?
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Post by: CptJake
I wouldn't try to stuff Weird West into this KS. There is plenty to do within the current period/setting. Trying to add in too much inevitably leads to delays in production/pledge fulfillment.
Having said that, the current system could be used in different settings, to include Weird West by adjusting weapons (don't use the machine guns for Weird West). Many of the evil critters will already be accounted for and the rest could be figured out without too much trouble.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Wow, I had no idea Shadows of Brimstone had pulled in that many backers. Good for them!
Alternate timelines is actually another side project I have lurking in a dark folder somewhere, though the system is so flexible it barely needs codifying: it's little more complicated than a slightly modified weapons list. Western/Colonial/Civil War is an easy one, as all you need to drop are the Tommy Gun, Flamethrower and Chainsaw, and maybe some of the advanced ammo. .30 Cal MG can be considered a Gatling Gun, possibly with a slightly reduced range. For a more Weird West flavour, turn Character/Agent/Civilian into Sheriff/Deputy/Civilian and you're away.
Of course now I'm tempted to write up a bunch of steampunk prototype weapons. Way to distract me!
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Post by: Mathieu Raymond
I'm having a bit of a problem with ordering the minis from the online store. I can't see them listed anywhere? Have they been pulled in order for this campaign, or am I just missing a super clear link that is right in front of my face?
Google still points to them, but they were taken off the site. eBay was my friend.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Yes, we pulled the old miniature line from the shop in preparation for the Kickstarter (the shop will be shut down entirely in a few days). It's noted on the front page of the store, but the text is rather small and easy to miss. You'll find the repackaged Kickstarter versions are a better value, and the resculpted models are an improvement over their original counterparts.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Quick question: Is there any hope of including .pdfs of the OLD rules/books at higher pledge-levels, or unlocking 'em as freebies?
It might be nice to play around with the old version during the wait for the new books/content.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and I appreciate that we're on the same page in terms of stretch-goals adding volume of printed content.
Specifically, the BEST things you could do are keep adding items to randomization tables (injuries, quests [as I understand them]).
Those seem the best bang-for-your-buck, in terms of work-load, to game-longevity-increase. Plus, taboo a term as it may be, "forging a narrative" is what campaign stuff is all about. If I end up on a random quest that benefits all my characters with non-combat skills, then suddenly the whole package feels more complex, and rounded, as an experience.
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Post by: endtransmission
 CptJake wrote:
Having said that, the current system could be used in different settings, to include Weird West by adjusting weapons (don't use the machine guns for Weird West).
I've used the 1st ed rules for WW2 games. Most of the weapon types are generic enough that there are equivalents for most things. It's a great, fun game with some brilliant support from LidlessEye and Uncle Mike over on the Lead-Adventure forums
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Is there a specific start time for this one yet?
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Post by: infinite_array
Well, I'm glad I held off getting into this game, so I can go full on into the Kickstarter.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
I've been talking to the folks involved, and I just have to say that I am downright ravenous for this one. I know i'll be throwing in every bit of support I can, fiscally and otherwise.
Been reading the 1st. Edition rules all day alone with the Morbid Adventures, and if this is representative of the game without a perfecting-pass, then I have to say that this new edition is going to be stellar.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Gunning for 11AM Mountain on Wednesday Oct 1st, but as this is my first time actually launching a Kickstarter (ie. I don't know exactly what all I have to do after I press the big green button), bear with me if it gets underway a few minutes late!
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Nice! Thanks!
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Post by: endtransmission
So that would be 6pm in the UK, 7pm mainland Europe.
Are there any early bird slots that we need to be aware of? 
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Post by: LidlessEye
Spot on, sir! Things get more complicated at campaign close, as we'll still be on Daylight Savings (Summer) time and just about everyone else won't.
And yes, we do have some early bird options available, but the number of slots is pretty generous. And in the event we're more wildly successful than anticipated, we may open up more. Don't want people being shut out because they couldn't turn up right at the bell.
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Post by: endtransmission
Awesome, thanks! Looking forward to seeing what you have on offer and how mad things get 
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
I'm running games with a friend who rarely plays table-top games...
First outing for this new Threshold team... an agent grossly missed a clutch dynamite toss... it explodes him into an utter red mist...
Upon his only remaining model realizing he is the last friendly on the table, and within a close enough range to have gotten bits of his friend all over himself, he suddenly has to make several tests of his resolve.... which end with him curling into a ball as cultists approach to sacrifice the now utterly vulnerable agent.
One ends their outing permanently dead, another now fears combat.
Narratively... just majestic.
And my friend? "This is amazing, when do we get to play again?"
Right now mate... right now.
You guys are in for a TREAT tomorrow. This game is awesome.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Looking forward to it!
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Post by: LidlessEye
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Post by: Aeneades
Title and first post updated to say it's live and added link!
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Post by: CptJake
WooHoo!
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Half-funded in eight minutes.... AWESOME.
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Post by: Aeneades
$20 away from funding. Should hopefully hit a few stretch goals this evening.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
I am so excited... :-p If you guys think Kickstarters are fun to follow on the backer end... imagine the contributor side.
When Mantic first started offering "Fiction Anthology" stretch-goals I would always have a brief high when they would be reached, knowing it meant another job for me...
Knowing at some point, the funding here will enable me to help Mike and Scott make an even cooler game, just has me climbing the walls, though. :-p
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Backed!
Really does look like a cool game. Quick to play but with a lot of depth.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Wow, we funded in 28 minutes. That's just to get the book to the printers and pay for the first set of molds though. We still have SO much more cool stuff waiting to be unlocked.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Looking forward to seeing what fantastic things you have in store!
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Post by: LidlessEye
Stretch Goal #1 unlocked - the 'Murderous Midget'. Also, in a late response to one of NewTruthNeomaxim's questions from last page, all backers will be receiving a free 1st Edition PDF Rulebook at the conclusion of the campaign. Can't leave you all with no game to play while you wait for your goodies!
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Dat Midget!
Cool that he's in both the starter and cultist sets. Means I get 2!
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Post by: Aeneades
Graveyard box is now unlocked -
and updated Stretch goals list -
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Another stretch-goal down, meaning the crypt/grave themed minis are unlocked.
Also, another stretch-goal revealing, meaning alien horrors are added to the big-rule-book at $22.5k
Edit: Beaten by seconds... :-p
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Post by: Aeneades
Have rejigged the first post to make it more informative. Will try to keep it as up to date as I can as the campaign moves on.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Love the Poe and HPL gravestones, but what's the one on the left?
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Post by: Jehan-reznor
I like the idea but the sculpts are too 80's for me, sorry
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Post by: Nostromodamus
You can always just pledge for the rulebook and use your own figures. You can even set it in a different time period.
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Post by: LidlessEye
 Alex C wrote:Love the Poe and HPL gravestones, but what's the one on the left?
Charles Dexter Ward, of course!
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Ah cool, couldn't make it out!
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Post by: Fenrir Kitsune
Alex C wrote:You can always just pledge for the rulebook and use your own figures. You can even set it in a different time period.
I've pushed mine forward slightly to WW2, which opens up all sorts of minis and goodness.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
 Fenrir Kitsune wrote: Alex C wrote:You can always just pledge for the rulebook and use your own figures. You can even set it in a different time period.
I've pushed mine forward slightly to WW2, which opens up all sorts of minis and goodness.
I've thought of using Achtung Cthulhu minis for that, as well as Shadows of Brimstone minis for weird west skirmish.
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Post by: endtransmission
Alex C wrote: Fenrir Kitsune wrote: Alex C wrote:You can always just pledge for the rulebook and use your own figures. You can even set it in a different time period.
I've pushed mine forward slightly to WW2, which opens up all sorts of minis and goodness.
I've thought of using Achtung Cthulhu minis for that, as well as Shadows of Brimstone minis for weird west skirmish.
I've been using a combination of Bolt Action and A!C minis for games. Most things can easily be subbed in for something in the V1 rulebook. Hopefully with V2 we'll have even more options for creatures and weapons. SoB is definitely going to be useful for Weird West models too.
So far the must have add on for me is the Cult membership. I've been meaning to get this for ages
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
I actually really like the 80's, Bob Murch, pulp mini style. Something about the pulp theme and 1920's setting just really calls for "different" and exaggerated in a fun way. I'm just imagining the Alan Quartermain style heroes my grand-father would have been picturing as he read, and these fit the bill.
http://pulpfigures.com/products/
That said, I hope people at the very least go in for the book. I mean, I hope people go in for all kinds of cool stuff, but at the least that book is going to just be a wealth of amazing game mechanics, scenarios, etc... Everyone missing the campaign/ RPG stylings of Necromunda/Mordheim will come away from this terribly pleased.
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Post by: endtransmission
Plus any game that uses psychic cards (you know, the ones from Ghostbusters) in order to cast spells has to be good. Hopefully they will make those available again during the campaign
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Psychic cards? Nice!
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Post by: CptJake
They came with Shocking Tales #3, which also had the rules for them.
Jake
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Post by: LidlessEye
 endtransmission wrote:Plus any game that uses psychic cards (you know, the ones from Ghostbusters) in order to cast spells has to be good. Hopefully they will make those available again during the campaign
We've got a ways to go, but I have an intuition they may just crop up ;-)
Creeping gradually towards the next stretch goal - hopefully I'll be able to show it off soon!
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Post by: endtransmission
The 20k level has been broken and unlocked the Threshold booster.
"Uhh, why are there kids in the Threshold Booster?" you may ask. Well, we've added a cool new mechanic called 'Innocent Bystanders' to the 2nd Edition. As a result, there's a possibility that Civilians and/or Children may be present on the table during almost any Scenario, and your Threshold operatives will have to protect these innocents whilst endeavouring to complete their mission. Watch your shots, or you're going to pile up the Black Marks in a hurry...
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Post by: Aeneades
New Stretch Goal revealed as well -
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Post by: endtransmission
Ah nice, I missed that.
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Post by: Aeneades
A hint at the 30k stretch goal as well -
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Agents booster looks great! And the stretch goals are very intriguing...
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Post by: LidlessEye
A few small updates:
- PayPal pledge button is now up at http://www.strange-aeons.ca
- Less than $700 from unlocking Aliens, and there'll be an extra bonus with that Stretch Goal as well
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Post by: LidlessEye
Some more news: we've decided to include the PDF edition of the rulebook in ALL pledges that include the printed edition at no charge. There was much discussion over this, and in the end it was the only fair solution for all backers. To replace the now-defunct PDF Booster, we've accelerated the release of our Template & Token Set. Just the concept art for now, but the prototype set is currently in production and should be in our hands soon. We'll show it off as soon as we have it. Oh, and this is a bigger and better version of that 'extra bonus' I tipped you to last post, but unleashed a little ahead of schedule.
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Post by: Aeneades
Next Stretch Goal has been hit - Sure, it took a little longer than the last few, but we got there! Aliens are now unlocked and will be added to the Rulebook. This section introduces an entirely new classification of Lurker along with four cosmically-classic profiles. We've pictured the Mi-Go here, but can now proceed on getting our talented artists to work on images for the other profiles thanks to your backing! Aliens not only have their own unique Skills, but also a list of advanced otherworldly Weapons that only they can equip. Break out the Freeze Rays and get ready for invasion!  Next up, the Summoning Box! We've also revealed our $30,000 Stretch Goal, which includes two decks of cards to enhance your game experience: the expanded Twisted Fate Deck introduces an element of the unexpected, and Solo Play Deck (a long-requested supplement we're very pleased we finally have the potential to offer) allows a single player to take the field against a simulated opponent. We're still building off a fantastic start, so let's keep that ball rolling! Tell your friends, neighbours, co-workers, spouses, enemies, bus drivers, dentists, postal workers - anyone that might have an interest - about us, and provided they aren't terrified of your interest in tiny tentacles, share that enthusiasm. The more people pitch in, the more cool toys we can make available to everyone.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Edit: Looks like there is a Weekly Monday Monster addon each week as well, first one will be announced tomorrow. I have no idea what the first one will be, Monday Monster is a fun little initiative Mike has devised to put a spotlight on some of our big beasties. Each Monday we'll showcase a large-scale monster - some old, some new - and make it available individually as a Booster.
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Post by: Aeneades
Two Monster Boosters revealed today -
 
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
Just thought i'd leave a little mini-bat rep for those less familiar with the game. I am currently working on some stuff which really substantially tweaks the game, which requires playing often. As this just happened though, I thought it would be fun to share how narratively fun this game can be, even within a simple, elegant rule system.
For my Strange Aeons friends and supporters... the wife and I just had an amazing little test game.
In a scenario which saw her needing to escape the board, I devised a Mad Scientist + Zombies list to keep it flavorful.
As the game started I proceeded to inject two zombies with mystery mutagens... SCORE! One zombie doubled its movement speed for the game... and the next turned into a "Blaphemous Creature" (IE Frankenstein's Monster). This monster activates and it forced to inflict a wound on everything in base-contact... IE my whole list.
Luckily, everything is merely knocked "face-down" and not killed... Unluckily, they all go face-down right on the edge of a small cliff I have set up as terrain. As per rules, they "fall" and the fall kills off my Mad Scientist and one of my zombies.
Long story short... my Blasphemous Creature, after killing its maker in its birth-throes, proceeds to LITERALLY forget how to walk (rolling 1's on its "stupid" test), and sits around watching my lovely opponent flee the board.
She wins soundly, levels up her survivors, scores some new skills, and we have a fun, story-telling encounter all around.
Did I mention a full game of Strange Aeons can take place in about twenty minutes?
Amazing. And just wait till you see how much I am cooking up to add tactical-depth to the game... the parts from the battle-report which I am probably not allowed to talk about yet. ;-)
Edit: Incidentally, this wasn't intentionally done in this way, but it occurs to me that the "Graveyard" Booster Box in the campaign, literally lets you play out this fun scenario in the way I had cooked it up!
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Post by: LidlessEye
Thanks again for keeping this thread updated Aeneades! Don't know what I'd do without you. Fighting off some sort of sinus thing today, so I'm not getting things done nearly as quickly as I'd like to be.
So, Monster Mondays: these will be a little spotlight on some of our large beasts, some old, some new, some split out from existing Boxes and others standalone Booster sets. We're also going to be providing 1st Edition rules for the previously unreleased profiles as part of the Kickstarter Update, so everyone can give them a try early.
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Post by: LidlessEye
I've just put all the Week One unlocks together in a single image to send off to a few websites. Wow, looks mighty impressive when you see it all at once like that. Week 2 will probably be a little slower, but what a great start. Thanks to everyone that's helped to make this happen! And if you haven't backed us yet, we hope to still see you in the next 25 days.
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Post by: LidlessEye
In a little over an hour, we'll be opening up 13 new 'Early-Bird' pledge slots, which will net you $640 worth of goodies for a $460 pledge. It's the deepest discount we've offered so far! Watch for 'The Council of 13' to launch at 10 Pacific/1 Eastern/6 UK/7 Central Europe. And even if you don't want to take that deep a plunge, other Early Bird spots may re-open if previous backers upgrade...
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Post by: CptJake
That is a great deal, unfortunately a bit too much for this broke guy.
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Post by: Aeneades
We are very close to unlocking the Summoning Box now and the card deck booster shouldn't be too far behind. The two main card decks include an expanded Twisted Fate Deck and a Solo Play Deck (which I am most looking forward to) along with some nice Zener Cards. Just realised that with my pledge level I may end up with a second Black Goat subscription, I wonder if that would actually work or not. LidlessEye wrote:Thanks again for keeping this thread updated Aeneades! Don't know what I'd do without you. Fighting off some sort of sinus thing today, so I'm not getting things done nearly as quickly as I'd like to be.
No problem, glad to be of help!
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Post by: LidlessEye
Aeneades wrote:
Just realised that with my pledge level I may end up with a second Black Goat subscription, I wonder if that would actually work or not.
Hmm, good point! Somehow that eventuality hadn't crossed my mind, but I expect we'll let existing Black Goat members at the uber-pledge levels either take a second package if they like (not a terrible option, considering the three models will probably net more than the $50 value of the package on eBay - that or gift the membership to a friend), or choose an equal-value alternate.
And the Summoning Box is indeed just a stone's throw away. Hoping we can get there before the weekend hits, and then perhaps see the Cards arrive with next week's Monster Monday (brand new model AND profile for that one!).
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Post by: Aeneades
Summoning Box has now been reached. Not sure what it contains yet as the SA team are most likely still sleeping but will repost here once it's revealed!
Already made quite a bent into the Card booster stretch goal so will hopefully reach that before too long.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Time for some Summoning!
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Post by: Aeneades
Lidless Eye was kind enough to post a size comparison shot on another forum so thought it might be handy to repost it here -
Automatically Appended Next Post: and some close ups of unpainted minis -
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Post by: Aeneades
Last night the SA team posted an update about upcoming stretch goals -
Creator Uncle Mike's Worldwide
about 20 hours ago
Just got through meeting with Mike, and we've decided to re-jig our Stretch Goal schedule a bit to get some more goodies into your hands. There'll now be a goal every $2,500, rather than the staggered approach we've taken up until now, and every other Stretch Goal will be an Upgrade, rather than every third. Also, all Upgrades will include a free model for at least one Box or Booster. - CLS
So once we hit the next couple of goals we should start to see the more frequent and free upgrade stretch goals appearing.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Another Stretch Goal bites the dust in the wee hours of the morning. The Card Deck Booster is now unlocked, adding Solo Play and Enhanced Twisted Fate Decks, along with those Psychic Power cards we talked about earlier.
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Post by: Aeneades
New Stretch Goal has been added to the list, it's for a new Arcane Relics box set and the little preview picture appears to be of the previously very limited Yellow King (only 100 were produced and given away with a magazine) -
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Post by: Mathieu Raymond
The new agents have much cleaner sculpts. Good job!
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Post by: LidlessEye
Time for another Monday Monster! This week brings the Conqueror Worm, which is a particularly nasty Lurker brand-new to the 2nd Edition. Check the latest Kickstarter project update for more info and 1st Edition-compatible playtest rules.
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Post by: Aeneades
If you are tempted by Strange Aeons it is worth reading a few battle reports to get a feel for the cinematic and story driven nature of the game.
Anatoli posts some excellent reports over on his blog -
http://anatolisgameroom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/strange-aeons-restless-dead.html
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Post by: Grot 6
I think I just peed myself a little...
What took you so long? This game is Awsome!!!!
Send more agents! I use Ral Partha for mine, but I'm easily in on kicking in for this action!
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Those pics of the unpainted minis really show the detail up nice!
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Post by: Aeneades
Update time -
After a few days of watching the needle bounce back and forth, we've surged our way up to the next Stretch Goal! This time out we'll be adding a FREE Submerged Deep One model to both the Innsmouth Box and Deep One Booster.
This model nicely demonstrates one of the new terrain classifications we've added into the 2nd Edition of the game: Water. Terrain features containing water come in two flavours: Shallow and Deep. The deeper the water, the more it slows down models attempting to cross it, and the greater the risk that a crossing model will drown should they come to harm while still in the water. Water features can also have a current, which makes traversing them even more of a challenge. None of this bothers the Deep One though. He and his Innsmouth brethren are more at home in the water than on land, making them Aquatic. As a result, not only do they suffer no Movement penalties while in the water, they get the full measure of their normally random Movement instead of having to roll. Watch your backs Agents - pelagic peril awaits you! Might be time to consider some swimming lessons...
We've decided to start revealing our Stretch Goals a little further out, so two new Goals have appeared today. After the previously announced Arcane Relics box at $35,000 (that one is a doozy - lots of cool new stuff inside!) we have free Grubs for the Beast and Conqueror Worm Boosters at $37,500 (they do have something to do with the Worm, really - we'll explain when we get there), and a handy set of pocket-sized quick-references for both Threshold and Lurkers at $40,000.
Some other news while we have you reading: the Canadian dollar is in the midst of an ongoing tumble, and hit a 5-year low today. This is good news for those of you backing us in many other currencies, as the final cost of your pledge is actually decreasing by the day.
Now, back to work! Our revised Demo Kit is almost complete, and will be posted up later today with any luck. Then we'll have a little mid-campaign announcement coming Friday. Stay tuned!
- The Cult Librarian
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Post by: Aeneades
The new quick start demo rules for second edition have now been uploaded. Well worth a look if you are on the fence -
http://www.strange-aeons.ca/doc/SA2_Demo.pdf
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Saw a $225 EB open and jumped back in. Too tempting! I'll have to make the money work somehow...
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Post by: Aeneades
Welcome back Alex!
An update was posted last night announcing another free mini for Agent level backers and above. There is currently a poll to decide which figure it will be -
Flamethrower Cultist - a match for the hooded hoodlums of the Starter Box and Cult Booster, sporting a classic WWI 'Wex' flamethrower
Brute Special Agent - a burly beast of a man with a temper as short as his buzz-cut hair, Brutes are perfect when your Threshold squad needs a little added muscle
Exorcist Special Agent - We're big Hammer Horror fans, so having Agent Van Helsing around to dispel some Ghosts is an exciting prospect for us
Kindred with Chainsaw - the Kindred are the malformed backwoods denizens of Dunwich, and this one is looking to chop up more than trees
Maniac Santa! - if you'd prefer, we can resurrect our classic limited-edition Maniac Santa model
We are also less then $500 (Canadian) away from the next box set which I have a feeling will be something special.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Current poll standings:
Exorcist Special Agent - 35%
Flamethrower Cultist - 22%
Chainsaw Kindred - 19%
Maniac Santa - 13%
Brute Special Agent - 11%
Still six days to go though, and backers can vote once every 12 hours. Should make for an interesting week.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Stretch Goal time! The Arcane Relics Box is now available. Based on the rules we released a few years back through Strange Aeons Magazine (no relation), this set includes all four Relics plus the extra models required to use them, or spawned from them. The Ether Beings were sculpted for us by our good friend Bob Murch of Pulp Figures fame, and will be cast up in translucent pink resin (an effect we've attempted to replicate digitally in the image below). More details in the Project Update!
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Post by: LidlessEye
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Post by: Aeneades
Apologies for my tardiness but the main post has now been updated with this weekends and monster mondays new additions. I have also tried to tidy up the page a little to make it more appealing, if anyone has any suggestions for other ways I can improve the first post than please let me know!
With the poll having an option for a Dunwich Kindred I am hoping that means we may get to see a Dunwich Boxset at some point in the future.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Aeneades wrote:With the poll having an option for a Dunwich Kindred I am hoping that means we may get to see a Dunwich Boxset at some point in the future.
While I can't speak to any specifics, I can say that a doubling-ish of the current total might lead down a suitable backwoods road...
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Post by: infinite_array
I'm in, finally. Had to go through Paypal, because somewhere in between my bank and Kickstarter my card won't work. But I'm in at the Agent Level, and will be picking up the starter set and a set of those nicely done tokens.
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Post by: LidlessEye
 infinite_array wrote:I'm in, finally. Had to go through Paypal, because somewhere in between my bank and Kickstarter my card won't work.
A few people have had the same issue, and Kickstarter Customer Service is unfortunately being no help whatsoever. Thanks for your willingness to go outside the KS box and use PayPal.
Another Stretch Goal unlocked late last night, thanks to a new Legendary backer taking the first of our custom miniature pledges and causing a bit of a funding surge. We've now added three free Grubs to both the Beast Booster and Conqueror Worm Booster. More in the Project Update.
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Post by: Aeneades
The newly revealed stretch goal is for the Crypt of Cthulhu terrain piece which works as a nice center piece for a Graveyard based Strange Aeons game. Hopefully there is a surprise or two in the box along with the Crypt as well.
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Post by: LidlessEye
The Lair Box does indeed contain more than just the Crypt alone!
Some more unpainted model shots for you, this time in our planned production resin tints:
Threshold Agents & Child - from Threshold Booster
Cultists - from Cult Booster
Submerged Deep One - from Innsmouth Box and Deep One Booster
The Watcher - included with Cult of the Black Goat Membership
Objective Markers - from Starter Box
Crypt & Chained Coffin - from Graveyard Box
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Love that Dark Puppeteer, and the casts look awesome! Can really see the nice detail in those resin shots.
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Post by: Aeneades
For those tempted by the Sketch or custom Miniature they have sweetened the deal considerably -
We're going to alter the Threshold Legend pledges, so instead of the current one-of-everything they'll instead include the same two Rulebooks + $1000 that comes with the Distinguished Service pledge. I'll be updating the graphic to reflect this shortly, but unfortunately I can't actually change the pledge text for anything but the Ultimate Agent (each level gets locked down as soon as somebody backs it).
This will amount to - at minimum - over $200 more in Add-ons for you versus what you would have received before.
(As per restrictions on Kickstarter the text for the tiers cannot be changed but the graphics have been)
So there is a considerable increase to the value for money on those tiers.
In other news, the Rule Flip Book booster has also been unlocked and the $47.5k stretch goal has been revealed as the addition of a Special Weapon Agent added to the Thershold Boosters.
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Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim
My wife was someone proposing the flip-book. She'll be excited. She's been very high on the "roleplaying" quality of this game during play-testing. :-)
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Post by: LidlessEye
NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:My wife was someone proposing the flip-book. She'll be excited. She's been very high on the "roleplaying" quality of this game during play-testing. :-)
The books were something we already had in mind as a straight-up quick reference, but by your wife's suggestion we're going to be adding blank log sheets and notes pages to them as well. I have a whopper of an update to write here (five topics to cover), so it'll be a little ways off yet. For now:
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Post by: Aeneades
A few important bits from the last update -
Free Model Poll Results
The Poll to choose the Free figure for Agent-level and up Backers closed last night, and it’s time to share the results with you. We had a very clear winner!
Exorcist Special Agent – 44.6%
Flamethrower Cultist – 26.9%
Chainsaw Kindred – 15.5%
Maniac Santa – 7.5%
Brute Special Agent – 5.5%
The Exorcist it is! Everyone that’s pledged at the Agent level or higher (including Early Birds) will receive this free model as part of their package. Exorcists are specialists at repelling (or dispelling!) Ghosts and Daemons, and this one will be modelled after our favourite film exorcist Peter Cushing. We’ll be setting our artist to work on this project posthaste, and aim to have concept art to reveal to you on Halloween!
That Flamethrower Cultist did put up a heck of a fight though, didn’t he? It’d seem a shame to leave him out in the cold (though he does have his own convenient heat source) after all that effort, and he was so popular with our Black Goat followers. But wait, there’s a free bonus model slot waiting to be filled in the Black Goat Membership package. What a perfect home for our little firebug! This means all existing Black Goat members pledging at Classical Antiquarian or higher will receive the Flamethrower Cultist as part of their package, and he’ll also be included in all Black Goat Boxes purchased through the Kickstarter.
Legendary Pledges get a Boost
After looking over the numbers, we’ve concluded that our Threshold Legend pledges were in need of a bit of sweetening to provide a good value to our Backers. With that in mind, we’ve dropped the previous one of each Box & Booster element and replaced it with the same 2 Rulebooks and $1,000 Add-on credit that the Distinguished Service pledge provides. Depending on how much more we unlock, this will amount to at least an additional $200 worth of goodies for Legendary backers at the close of the campaign.
Only four Legend positions remain: 2 Portraits, 1 Custom Miniature and the epic Ultimate Agent pledge. Will you be a Legend too?
250 Backer Bonus - Almost There!
We announced in the Comments yesterday that we’ve decided to offer a special bonus once our 250th Backer comes on board. The count currently stands at 246, so only 4 more new Backers and we’ll provide all Backers with a copy of the Morbid Adventures PDF to supplement their free 1st Edition Rulebook PDF at the conclusion of the campaign. Morbid Adventures introduces a wealth of new scenarios, plus the evil spells of the Necronomicon and their foul effects, and will give you even more to keep you occupied in the months between campaign close and fulfillment.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Today we have a new Monday Monster, and another Stretch Goal reached. We've also cracked the 250 Backer mark, so all Backers will now receive a copy of the Morbid Adventures PDF along with their free 1st Edition Rulebook PDF at the conclusion of the campaign. More stuff to play with while you wait!
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Post by: Aeneades
Will update the 1st post shortly with the new unlocks but thought this unpainted Shoggoth was also worth posting here as it really shows the size and detailing -
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Upped my pledge for that Shoggoth right away. Bloody brilliant!
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Post by: Aeneades
Okay, looking at the upcoming stretch goals. Next we have the Crypt of Cthulhu which will include the previously released crypt and some other goodies, then we have the special weapon threshold agent followed by the undead booster box.
After that I have heard talk earlier on of possibly seeing an Alien or Dunwich box. Hopefully we see one of them in the final days.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Aeneades wrote:After that I have heard talk earlier on of possibly seeing an Alien or Dunwich box. Hopefully we see one of them in the final days.
The possibility does exist on Dunwich, but it's going to require a heck of a last few days to make it happen. That box is an extraordinarily expensive proposition, as it's chock full of human-sized models and thus has very steep sculpting costs. What would make it easier to manage would be someone taking the final Legend: Miniature backer slot (or the Ultimate Agent, which also includes a custom model) and agreeing to have themselves done up as a 3-4" tall Wilbur Whately-type mutated horror to be included in the box, effectively 'sponsoring' the cornerstone model of the set.
Aliens, sadly not so much - that one would take a miracle (i'm talking close to a six-figure influx). Not looking to crush the dream, but I don't want anyone getting their hopes up and winding up disappointed.
There is, however, a box of daemonic persuasion that has a pretty good chance of making an appearance...
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Post by: Aeneades
I am looking forward to the Dunwich guys more then Aliens so fingers crossed that we do make it in the end.
Besides, there is still 6 more days for one of us Black Goat Cultists to win the lottery and finance the complete line ourselves.
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Post by: Aeneades
Paypal money has now been added to the total so next stretch goal has now been reached -
 Automatically Appended Next Post: and the next stretch goals -
 Automatically Appended Next Post: and just seen that they have snuck a new t-shirt design in there as well -
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Post by: Nostromodamus
I'm really looking forward to all of those stretch goals! Love the description for the box of Daemons.
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Post by: CptJake
The crypt is pretty neat looking. The base in the picture is CD sized to give a sense of scale.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Hopefully we can make it to the Daemons before the end.
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Post by: CptJake
I suspect it will make it. 10K in 3 days should be do-able with a typical last day surge.
We'll see.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Even just getting the rules is worthwhile. You can use practically any minis and base your games in a variety of settings.
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Post by: Aeneades
Less then $500 Canadian until the Special Weapons Agent is unlocked (they have added on the Paypal funds so the targets are much closer then they may appear).
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Post by: LidlessEye
And a fresh new set of Stretch Goals based on Backer Count (currently at 271, so almost there)
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Post by: Aeneades
Thanks to PayPal backers the extra 4 lurker profiles have been added to the rulebook. Only about 15 backers away from the Maniac mini as well I believe.
They have also added a little teaser of an evil pumpkin miniature to the Kickstarter logo, there will be some kind of announcement about that in a few hours.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Maniac Santa at 350 backers too!
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Post by: Aeneades
I missed this in the FAQ but extremely handy for the higher pledge levels -
My Pledge level provides more Add-on credit than I want to use right now!
Any credit you still have outstanding when the Pledge Manager closes will be issued to you as a UMW Webstore gift certificate with no expiry date, so you may use it against future releases.
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Post by: CptJake
That is very cool. I may end up using that myself.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
That's good to know, especially for higher pledgers.
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Post by: CptJake
Alex C wrote:That's good to know, especially for higher pledgers.
Yeah, I am pledged at the Hero level. Right now I would be hard pressed to use the credit. A lot of the bigger sets just don't have enough in them that I don't already have or don't want, and I'm not gonna spend $50 credit just to pick up a single figure I do want. I do wish they would reconsider offering the KS exclusives outside of the sets they are bundled in. Their reasoning is a bit weak in my opinion. Since the exclusives are supposed to be well, exclusive to the KS, it doesn't make sense to include them in the molds with non-exclusive figures which seems to be the reason given for not having them available separately. For example Ghost Girl, an exclusive figure will be cast with the Banshee, a non-exclusive figure. That only works for KS fulfillment. Obviously they will need to continue producing the Banshee as it will be part of that box set though Ghost Girl will not be. So why not cast a few more to sell Ghost Girl to KS backers not wanting the whole set, and keep the extra banshees to support future retail sales? Somehow that makes sense to me, but not to Mike. I'm not sure what I am missing.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
I'm at Hero too, but would be very tempted in a Council of Thirteen if one opened up!
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Post by: Aeneades
I'm jumped in very early and picked up one of the Godling packages which is a little on the extreme side which is why I am very glad about the store credit.
That said, I will most likely pick up all the boxes even though I have most of the 1st edition miniatures as I rarely have the time to paint so would prefer the coloured resin as it shows the details better then the original White.
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Post by: CptJake
I would like a council of the 13, but couldn't justify that big of a hobby expenditure right now.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
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Post by: Aeneades
Pic of the Pumpkin patch which also comes with Pickmans Grave (previously a promo only available with online store purchases during October 2010) -
 Automatically Appended Next Post: and the backer stretch goals (about to hit the Maniac) -
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Post by: CptJake
Getting ready to kick off the final 48 reminders. Hopefully that brings in a bunch of new pledges.
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Lots more SG revealed, most of which are free upgrades to various boxes!
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Post by: Aeneades
For those torn between which box sets to get they have provided a nice breakdown of them all here -
http://strange-aeons.ca/sa/?page_id=18 Automatically Appended Next Post: Small update from the comments -
Updated targets for the next unlocks:
Undead Booster - $47,518 ($835 Away)
Free Maniac - 287 Backers (3 Away)
And that 325 Backer bonus is a go. It's a beta-test PDF of my 'Monsters of the Dreamlands' supplement, which will be included with the campaign-close PDF bundle. - CLS
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Thanks for the link, very nice!
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Post by: Aeneades
Undead Booster has now been unlocked -  The set includes the return of the promotional; Zombie Lovecraft which I don't believe has been available since October 2010.
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Post by: LidlessEye
Only a hair over 24 hours remaining! Last chance to get in on the madness...
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Post by: Nostromodamus
It's worth keeping an eye out for EBs as people are making their final decisions. I managed to snag a Council of Thirteen, several Agents and Heroes have appeared briefly and even a Godling opened up for a very short time!
And remember, even just a rulebook will give you a great game that you can use practically any minis for, and all pledgers get a .pdf of the 1st edition and a supplement at the close of the campaign to play while we wait!
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Post by: Aeneades
Lots like both the High Priestess and Monsters of the Dreamlands beta PDF have now been unlockred this morning. Closing in on the Maniac Santa with the Daemons Booster also within reach. Automatically Appended Next Post: 
Functioning exactly the same as a High Priest (well, in game terms at least!), the Priestess is a powerful spellcaster and Command model. Very handy to have in your collection indeed!
We've also surpassed another Backer Count goal. All backers will now receive a beta test 'Monsters of the Dreamlands' supplement at campaign close. These largely untested designs from our archives have been waiting for an eventual Dreamlands scenario pack or Black Dossier for release, but we're going to throw them to the wolves (that's you) and see how they perform out in the real world. Included are profiles for a Ghast, Gug, Moon-beast, Shantak and Wamp. And who knows, a bonus Star Vampire profile may even sneak it's way on to an extra page...
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Post by: Nostromodamus
Cool new addition to an already excellent box!
Nearly have the Daemon Box too!
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Post by: Aeneades
We are now about $1,000 away from unlocking the Daemon box which has some very nice content thanks to a leaked image -
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Post by: ArtIsGreat
Looks neat, I'm in at EB 115CAD, which is $100 in real money.
Think I'm going with Threshold and Cultist boosters, and the Innsmouth box. Difficult not to just sneak in Black Goat membership, worm or Shogoth but I gots to eat between now and fulfillment.
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Post by: Aeneades
Daemons are in!
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