FAQ: Shadow of the Demon Lord
For the most up-to-date information about the status of our project, check our project updates on Kickstarter!

Tell me a bit more about the Core System, please!

Shadow of the Demon Lord uses a d20 to resolve an action when the GM is uncertain about the outcome. Like many games that use a d20, SotDL has you roll a d20 and add the modifier from the attribute that applies best. The target number is fixed at 10 if the action is not a task or the score of the attribute or characteristic used to resist the attack.

For easier and harder tasks, the game uses boons and banes. For each positive circumstance that would help you with the action, you have a boon. For each negative, you have a bane. Boons and banes cancel each other out so you only have one at a time. For each boon/bane, you roll a d6. You add the highest boon rolled to your roll of a d20. You subtract the highest bane rolled from your roll of a d20.

This does some useful things. One, pinning the target number at 10 or score makes it easier to adjudicate what happens in the game. Two, boons and banes can be added freely beyond the first as the highest number you will add or subtract is 6.

For more information, see: http://schwalbentertainment.com/2015/02/18/evolving-design/ and http://schwalbentertainment.com/2014/12/10/demon-lord-stunts-and-maneuvers/

Last updated: March 13, 2015 04:52

Is this game miniature friendly?

Sure! The game works well with miniatures and without. If you’re using a gridded matt, the scale is 1 square = 1 yard. For area effects, you center the effect on an intersection of the grid.

Last updated: March 13, 2015 04:53

EU Friendly?

International shipping is a beast. We will be charging a flat rate for shipping outside the US and eat the difference.

Last updated: March 22, 2015 20:57

How many books will I need?

The core book includes rules for making and playing characters, rules for running the game, and guidelines for creating adventures including a bestiary. One book gets you everything you need!

Last updated: March 13, 2015 04:59

Will this book become a hardcover?

I surely hope so! Stretch goals upgrade the core book. Once the book reaches 192 pages in length it becomes a hardback. So let’s make this happen, yes?

Last updated: March 13, 2015 07:01

Dear Demon Lord, how do Achievements work again?

Achievements are “a game within a game.” It’s easy. Just scroll down to the bottom of the Kickstarter page. There you will find a hilarious graphic by Jared von Hindman that shows the various achievements still available. For example, if Schwalb_Ent gets 500 followers on Twitter, we cross off the achievement. Once we’ve crossed off 10, we get the achievement award, which is a quick play adventure pdf for all backers. Once we’ve crossed off 20, the book grows by 32 pages. For videos, pics, and similar things, post them on Schwalb Entertainment’s Facebook page. Make sure you tag it with #sotdlks so we can see it.

Last updated: March 14, 2015 12:27

What ancestry (race) options will be available?

While we’re still waiting to see the final page count for the core rulebook, I can tell you I have the following ancestries designed and ready to go. For each, I’m including probable placement:

Human (core) Angel (TBD) Cambion (Hell supplement) Changeling (core or companion) Clockwork (companion) Dwarf (core) Elf (Alfheim) Faun (TBD) Gnome (Cults of the Demon Lord) Goblin (TBD) Halfling (core) Jotun (TBD) Orc (TBD)

Tombs of the Desolation will include the revenant ancestry.

Last updated: March 22, 2015 20:57

How will I get my mitts on the PDFs?

We will be fulfilling through an external site, likely DriveThruRPG or RPGnow. PDFs will also be available through the store on SchwalbEntertainment.com.

Last updated: March 30, 2015 11:50

Tell me a bit more about the Core System, please!

Shadow of the Demon Lord uses a d20 to resolve an action when the GM is uncertain about the outcome. Like many games that use a d20, SotDL has you roll a d20 and add the modifier from the attribute that applies best. The target number is fixed at 10 if the action is not a task or the score of the attribute or characteristic used to resist the attack. For easier and harder tasks, the game uses boons and banes. For each positive circumstance that would help you with the action, you have a boon. For each negative, you have a bane. Boons and banes cancel each other out so you only have one at a time. For each boon/bane, you roll a d6. You add the highest boon rolled to your roll of a d20. You subtract the highest bane rolled from your roll of a d20. This does some useful things. One, pinning the target number at 10 or score makes it easier to adjudicate what happens in the game. Two, boons and banes can be added freely beyond the first as the highest number you will add or subtract is 6. For more information, see: http://schwalbentertainment.com/2015/02/18/evolving-design/ and http://schwalbentertainment.com/2014/12/10/demon-lord-stunts-and-maneuvers/ Last updated: Fri, Mar 13 2015 7:52 am EDT

Is this game miniature friendly?

Sure! The game works well with miniatures and without. If you’re using a gridded matt, the scale is 1 square = 1 yard. For area effects, you center the effect on an intersection of the grid. Last updated: Fri, Mar 13 2015 7:53 am EDT

EU Friendly?

I am looking into fulfillment options to keep shipping prices down for international backers. Last updated: Fri, Mar 13 2015 7:54 am EDT

How many books will I need?

The core book includes rules for making and playing characters, rules for running the game, and guidelines for creating adventures including a bestiary. One book gets you everything you need! Last updated: Fri, Mar 13 2015 7:59 am EDT

Will this book become a hardcover?

I surely hope so! Stretch goals upgrade the core book. Once the book reaches 192 pages in length it becomes a hardback. So let’s make this happen, yes? Last updated: Fri, Mar 13 2015 10:01 am EDT

Dear Demon Lord, how do Achievements work again?

Achievements are “a game within a game.” It’s easy. Just scroll down to the bottom of the Kickstarter page. There you will find a hilarious graphic by Jared von Hindman that shows the various achievements still available. For example, if Schwalb_Ent gets 500 followers on Twitter, we cross off the achievement. Once we’ve crossed off 10, we get the achievement award, which is a quick play adventure pdf for all backers. Once we’ve crossed off 20, the book grows by 32 pages. For videos, pics, and similar things, post them on Schwalb Entertainment’s Facebook page. Make sure you tag it with #sotdlks so we can see it. Last updated: Sat, Mar 14 2015 3:27 pm EDT

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