I’m not sure how many people actually read this site. Probably fewer than see my posts on Bluesky—where I’ve already kind of discussed this—but I think more than zero. Good enough.
So what’s happening with SEP? Things seem pretty quiet.
And that’s because they are. That’s not to say I’m not working on projects, but it is to say that those projects aren’t being released and—honestly—may never be released.*
Kiss My Axe II is done. It’s both a new consideration of how I could use Sword’s Edge for Viking TTRPG action and a step forward in the conceptualization—if not the structure—of that system. It also incorporates new thinking on the history of the Viking era.
Right now, it’s languishing because I don’t know what to do with it. Without crowdfunding, I can’t afford editing, indexing (for the physical book), and original art. I really don’t like the process of crowdfunding. I am glad it is out there. I am pleased at the opportunities it creates. The thing is, I really don’t need it to feed my imposter syndrome. Got that covered.
I have two other systems done and dusted. The writing is complete. Both of them have gone through alpha playtesting. They face the same issue as Kiss My Axe II. Lots of work went into these. But they are very niche systems. Both were designed for very specific games with very specific needs, and without crowdfunding, I can’t really release them with the full campaign for which they were built.
Both were built to introduce spouses of close friends to TTRPGs. Both were supposed to be easy enough for beginners while still having the complexity of application to keep TTRPG veterans engaged. One is about evolving into a hero and the other is about going heroic high fantasy out of the gate. What will happen to these two systems? No clue. If they never get released, no one is really going to notice, so . . . ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am working on a new Sword’s Edge adventure: a sequel to Face S’Plosion. I don’t think anyone was clamouring for that, but I had an idea so I started working on it. It’s progressing. It’s not my focus.
My focus are the games I’m running for family and friends. That’s taking up most of my time . . . and most of my printer’s ink.
All this to say/write that SEP continues, there is working being done, but I am in no rush to undertake another crowdfunding campaign and I’m also distracted by actually playing TTRPGs. You’ll see stuff, just not too soon.
Stay frosty!
*I love the em dash. I have always loved the em dash. I probably (certain?) overuse the em dash. I am now being told that using the em dash is the signature of AI. To be frank: fuck that noise. I was using it first.