Tell tales of dark and horrific fantasy with your friends using Robert J. Schwalb’s thrilling new tabletop roleplaying game.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Almost there...
about 8 years ago
– Fri, Nov 18, 2016 at 09:13:01 PM
As my friend Marc would say, we're just looking for a parking space. Since my last update, the total number of releases has climbed up to 108 along with three exclusives. But who’s counting? Here’s where we are as of this writing.
Chronicles of the Demon Lord
One way or another, the stories will be in my inbox on Monday. Once I have them, this goes on high priority and I plan to get these out right away.
Last Story Pack Adventures
A few minutes ago, I released One Perfect Moment by Colin McComb and the adventure should be winging its way to your inbox right now. I spoke with Shanna Germaine earlier this week and she’s confident she’ll have her adventure in by the weekend. Once I have it, I’ll be diving into development and editing, commissioning art, and getting this to you. You should have it in two weeks.
Godless: A World of Fire and Blood
I’m happy to report Godless is written and now in the hands of my good friend Jennifer Clarke Wilkes. I have close to half the art for the book already and the rest should roll in by the month’s end. We are pushing hard to get the PDFs of the book out by the end of December and print copies shipped in January. While you wait, have a look at all the glorious art going into this beast.
Art by Mirco Paganessi
Art by Kim Van Deun
Art by Kim Van Deun
Other Stuff
In addition to these last products, I’ll continue producing content for the other lines. Upcoming releases include a detailed look at dwarfs, tables for building and customizing monsters, a trilogy of adventures set in the World of Fire and Blood, variant rules for game play, details on the Woad peoples, an extensive look at traps, and more.
Product Summary
Here's the updated summary of the products we've released and the pledge level that got it:
Victims of the Demon Lord: Starter Guide PDF ($6+)
Survival of the Fittest PDF ($6+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord PDF ($24+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord Print ($66+, excluding Digital Cultist)
Tales of the Demon Lord PDF ($48+)
Demon Lord’s Companion PDF ($24+)
With My Last Scream PDF by Miranda Horner ($72+)
Beware the Tides of Karshoon PDF by TS Luikart ($72+)
Heart of Winter PDF by Chris Sims ($72+)
Oblivion’s Edge PDF by Stephen Radney-MacFarland ($72+)
The Apple of Her Eye PDF by Steve Kenson ($72+)
The Darkness in Shadowturrets PDF by Ed Greenwood ($72+)
The Giant’s Tribute PDF by Rich Baker ($72+)
The Gorgon’s Tears PDF by Cam Banks ($72+)
The Huntsman’s Isle PDF by Skip Williams ($72+)
The Last Train to Darksville PDF by Matt Forbeck ($72+)
The Measure of a Man PDF by Scott Fitzgerald Gray ($72+)
The Star’s Refuge PDF by Monte Cook ($72+)
The God Below PDF by Steve Winter ($72+)
A Measure of Faith PDF by Steve Townshend ($72+)
A Year without Rain PDF by Bruce Cordell ($72+)
The Slaver’s Lash PDF by Chris Pramas ($72+)
Wretched PDF by Shane Hensley ($72+)
The Feast of the Father PDF by Jason Bulmahn ($72+)
The Demon’s Wet Nurse PDF by Stan! ($72+)
A Case of Consumption PDF by David Noonan ($72+)
One Perfect Moment PDF by Colin McComb ($72+)
Tombs of the Desolation PDF ($72+)
Terrible Beauty PDF ($72+)
Exquisite Agony PDF ($72+)
Uncertain Faith PDF ($72+)
A Glorious Death PDF ($72+)
Hunger in the Void PDF ($72+)
In Need of Killing PDF ($102+)
Disciples of the Demon Lord PDF ($102+)
Unholy Champions of the Demon Lord PDF ($666)
Not Part of the Kickstarter
Dark Passages PDF
Shadow of the Demon Lord Screen PDF
Fever Dreams PDF
The Flute of Farewell PDF
Spell Cards PDF/Printed
Tales of the Desolation PDF/Printed
Tooth and Claw PDF
Blood Will Run PDF
Unhinge the Mind PDF
Riders of the Wind PDF
Power in a Name PDF
Children of the Earth PDF
Flesh of the Fallen PDF
Battle Scars PDF
The Witching Wood PDF
Dark Deeds in Last Hope PDF
SotDL Affliction Cards PDF/Printed
Only Human PDF
Freeholds of Nar PDF
Do We Not Die? PDF
Vine and Willow PDF
Kingdom of Sails PDF
Slaves in Death PDF
Insupposable Instruments PDF
Stolen Lives PDF
Odd Monsters PDF
City of Death PDF
Weight of the Underworld PDF
Ghosts in Machines PDF
Noisome Beasts PDF
The Man Who Fell to Urth PDF
Borderlands of Tear PDF
You can grab all of the products from here or here!
Final Thoughts
I think this covers everything for now. The next update ought to be the last or near the last for this particular Kickstarter campaign. However, we have many more things to come in the year ahead, so stay tuned for exciting developments!
The End Approaches
about 8 years ago
– Mon, Aug 29, 2016 at 08:21:08 PM
Since releasing Shadow of the Demon Lord some 367 days ago, we've managed to get just about everything unlocked in the stretch goals with a slew of additional supplements, bringing our total number of releases up to 96, plus three exclusives. Not bad, right? I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and now I know it's not a train! I just have a couple of updates left before we say goodbye to the Shadow of the Demon Lord Kickstarter campaign. Here’s where things stand.
Chronicles of the Demon Lord
This product is nearly done. All the stories are wrapped, edited, and ready to go. I expect final turnover on 9/15 with a release soon after. I’m sorry for the delay, but I think you’ll find the product to be worth the delay.
Last Story Pack Adventure
I had hoped to have better news on the final adventure for the story packs, but it seems setbacks and scheduling challenges have just torpedoed this particular project. So, it is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that it doesn’t appear we will have an adventure from Ken Hite, though if one materializes, you’ll get it.
However...
In all things, I strive to make good on my promises and go above and beyond whenever possible. So, while it's unlikely we will see the promised adventure, you will instead be getting two adventures! I reached out to two good friends to fill the Void, so to speak, and they have agreed to write tales of exquisite evil and nastiness to thrill and excite. Shanna Germaine of Monte Cook Games will be penning one adventure. You might know her for her work on No Thank You, Evil! and Numenera. And, Colin McComb of Planescape, Ravenloft, and Torment: Tides of Numenera fame will tackle the second. I expect turnover on these by October 15th and plan to have them out within a week or two after.
The Hunger in the Void
This beast is written and editing is nearly complete. This is a disgusting, filthy book on demons and the Void, with a secret so terrible I’m almost ashamed to tell you. While I had planned to include an adventure in this sourcebook, I ran out of room after overwriting by some 40,000 words. Instead of an adventure you'll run once or twice, I'm giving you all the tools you need to build and use demons in the game. Here’s some killer sketches of art that will appear in this book.
Cover sketch by Mirco Paganessi
Destroyer of Worlds sketch by Jack Kaiser
Demons sketch by Mirco Paganessi
Godless: A World of Fire and Blood
Work continues on this book. I’m about 30% through design. An irreverent and vulgar expansion to Shadow of the Demon Lord, Godless gives you a new world in which to set your games. It’s fully compatible with the main rulebook and lets you explore the ruins our world as it slowly falls into the Void. I’m a bit nervous about this book since it’s the last one to be unlocked by the Kickstarter, so I’m hoping it will be a great send off to the campaign. I’m still on target to have this ready for editing by the end of October.
New Heavy Metal Tokens!
You can’t have enough turn tokens or fortune tokens right? Our friends at Campaign Coins produced these exceptional accessories for your game. Turn tokens help you keep track of the round’s phase, while GM’s can hand out Fortune tokens are rewards for clever play. You can grab them here and here.
Affliction Cards!
My objective with this game has always been to make it easy to play. A little while ago, we released a deck of affliction cards to make it super easy to keep track of these fun and terrible little things. You can grab them here for a buck if you want the PDF or 4 bucks plus shipping if you want a printed deck.
Poisoned Pages
Last time, I spoke too soon. Insupposable Instruments was intended to be the last Poisoned Pages entry, but I’ve decided to do one more. Forbidden Rules will close off the series and deliver a selection of optional rules for playing the game.
Victims of the Demon Lord
The Victims of the Demon Lord series continues with Stolen Lives, which gives changelings the Only Human treatment. Next comes Ghosts in Machines, a supplement detailing the clockwork ancestry.
Lands in Shadow
The Lands in Shadows series has done very well so far and so I’m excited to announce a few new entries in the line. The next release is City of Death, which explores one of the Nine Cities. Following that, we’ll be detailing the Underworld in Steve Dee’s Weight of the Underworld. After, I’m headed into the Empire to reveal the secrets of Tear.
Monstrous Pages
Following the popular Slaves in Death are at least two more releases. First comes Odd Monsters, which gives you a detailed look at boggarts and their strange kin. After, we’ll release Beasts of Legend, in which we’ll detail an assortment of mythical creatures such as the cockatrice, manticore, and more, all of which get more lore, variants, and fun stuff to help you plug them into your games.
Product Summary
Here's the updated summary of the products we've released and the pledge level that should have gotten it:
That’s it for now. Thanks for all your enthusiastic support over the last year or so. I can’t wait to share with you what’s coming next from Schwalb Entertainment. Until next time, keep fighting the Shadow!
July 2016
over 8 years ago
– Thu, Jul 07, 2016 at 04:53:25 PM
And here we are again with an update about where things stand with the game you helped bring to life.
Upcoming Stuff
Here’s where we stand with the remaining campaign releases.
Chronicles of the Demon Lord
Expecting final copy by end of this month I hope. Maybe next.
Ken Hite’s Adventure (Story Packs)
The last adventure from the story packs, awaiting turnover on this and then I can check this big box.
Uncertain Faith (aka Cults of the Demon Lord)
All signs indicate Uncertain Faith will release Monday, July 11. Want to look inside? Sure you do!
Illustration by Ivan Dixon
Illustration by Jack Kaiser
A Glorious Death (aka Frozen Wastes)
Edited copy and art assets are all in. Hooray! This one goes into layout after Uncertain Faith comes out. Here's some of the killer art:
Illustration by Jack Kaiser
Illustration by Mirco Paganessi
The Hunger in the Void & Godless
I had two conventions last month, so I didn’t make as much progress on these as I had liked. I aim to have Hunger ready for editing by the end of August and Godless by the end of October, but it’s too early to say for sure.
Poisoned Pages
We’re wrapping up and winding down the Poisoned Pages series soon. We have just a few more releases and then I’ll be focused on new lines. Coming up, we have a short one focused on poisons called “Do We Not Die?” Then, “Vine and Willow” by Skip Williams, which delivers a few new potions and pile of spells. And I expect the final release to be “Insupposable Instruments,” which offers a big pile of fun gear, potions, and other weirdness by Andrew Follett, Cecil Howe, Jerry LeNeave, Nat Webb, and myself. Once we wrap the series and after we get out the other bigger campaign supplements, we’ll compile this set and release as a POD similar to Demon Lord’s Companion.
Victims of the Demon Lord
We recently released a new series which takes its name from the “starter guide” that provide detailed character creation, lore, and more for the various ancestries found in the game. We kicked off with Only Human and plan to follow up with Countless Masks, which covers changelings.
Lands in Shadow
The first of the Lands series comes out this month and details the Freeholds of Nar written by Steve Dee. The Kingdom of Sails comes out next, followed by the first stop on a tour through the Empire.
Monstrous Pages
The first release in this new series is entitled “Slaves in Death” and it takes a closer look at animated corpses, giving you a set of new creatures, tactics, modifications, and spells.
Product Summary
Here's the updated summary of the products we've released and the pledge level that should have gotten it:
Victims of the Demon Lord: Starter Guide PDF ($6+)
Survival of the Fittest PDF ($6+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord PDF ($24+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord Print ($66+, excluding Digital Cultist)
Tales of the Demon Lord PDF ($48+)
Demon Lord’s Companion PDF ($24+)
With My Last Scream PDF by Miranda Horner ($72+)
Beware the Tides of Karshoon PDF by TS Luikart ($72+)
Heart of Winter PDF by Chris Sims ($72+)
Oblivion’s Edge PDF by Stephen Radney-MacFarland ($72+)
The Apple of Her Eye PDF by Steve Kenson ($72+)
The Darkness in Shadowturrets PDF by Ed Greenwood ($72+)
The Giant’s Tribute PDF by Rich Baker ($72+)
The Gorgon’s Tears PDF by Cam Banks ($72+)
The Huntsman’s Isle PDF by Skip Williams ($72+)
The Last Train to Darksville PDF by Matt Forbeck ($72+)
The Measure of a Man PDF by Scott Fitzgerald Gray ($72+)
The Star’s Refuge PDF by Monte Cook ($72+)
The God Below PDF by Steve Winter ($72+)
A Measure of Faith PDF by Steve Townshend ($72+)
A Year without Rain PDF by Bruce Cordell ($72+)
The Slaver’s Lash PDF by Chris Pramas ($72+)
Wretched PDF by Shane Hensley ($72+)
The Feast of the Father PDF by Jason Bulmahn ($72+)
Shadow of June
over 8 years ago
– Tue, May 31, 2016 at 06:25:58 PM
It’s June! And we’re getting closer, month-by-month, to fulfilling everything from the campaign. Why Exquisite Agony just released over the weekend! Here’s what’s cooking in the Shadow of the Demon Lord kitchen.
Product Summary
Here's the updated summary of the products we've released and the pledge level that should have gotten it:
Victims of the Demon Lord: Starter Guide PDF ($6+)
Survival of the Fittest PDF ($6+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord PDF ($24+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord Print ($66+, excluding Digital Cultist)
Tales of the Demon Lord PDF ($48+)
Demon Lord’s Companion PDF ($24+)
With My Last Scream PDF by Miranda Horner ($72+)
Beware the Tides of Karshoon PDF by TS Luikart ($72+)
Heart of Winter PDF by Chris Sims ($72+)
Oblivion’s Edge PDF by Stephen Radney-MacFarland ($72+)
The Apple of Her Eye PDF by Steve Kenson ($72+)
The Darkness in Shadowturrets PDF by Ed Greenwood ($72+)
The Giant’s Tribute PDF by Rich Baker ($72+)
The Gorgon’s Tears PDF by Cam Banks ($72+)
The Huntsman’s Isle PDF by Skip Williams ($72+)
The Last Train to Darksville PDF by Matt Forbeck ($72+)
The Measure of a Man PDF by Scott Fitzgerald Gray ($72+)
The Star’s Refuge PDF by Monte Cook ($72+)
The God Below PDF by Steve Winter ($72+)
A Measure of Faith PDF by Steve Townshend ($72+)
A Year without Rain PDF by Bruce Cordell ($72+)
The Slaver’s Lash PDF by Chris Pramas ($72+)
Wretched PDF by Shane Hensley ($72+)
The Feast of the Father PDF by Jason Bulmahn ($72+)
The Demon’s Wet Nurse by Stan! ($72+)
Tombs of the Desolation PDF ($72+)
Terrible Beauty PDF ($72+)
Exquisite Agony PDF ($72+)
In Need of Killing PDF ($102+)
Disciples of the Demon Lord PDF ($102+)
Unholy Champions of the Demon Lord PDF ($666)
Not Part of the Kickstarter
Dark Passages PDF
Shadow of the Demon Lord Screen PDF
Fever Dreams PDF
The Flute of Farewell PDF by Steve Dee
Spell Cards PDF/Printed
Tales of the Desolation PDF/Printed
Tooth and Claw PDF
Blood Will Run PDF by Dan Heinrich
Unhinge the Mind PDF
Riders of the Wind PDF
Power in a Name PDF
Children of the Earth PDF
Flesh of the Fallen PDF
Upcoming Stuff
Last month, I gave some ambitious release dates for the remaining rewards unlocked from the stretch goals. The pace I've been keeping has been a bit punishing and with convention season starting up, I'm revising my release estimates to ensure you have the best information possible.
Chronicles of the Demon Lord: Expected edited copy by the end of June. Then layout.
Adventures (Story Packs): David Noonan’s Case of Consumption is coming out next Monday. After, we have Ken Hite’s adventure.
I don't yet have an ETA on this one.
Uncertain Faith (aka Cults of the Demon Lord): Edited copy is in hand and all the art is in. This goes into layout this month and I’m aiming for a July release. Until then, here are some awesome pieces going into this book.
Cover by Mirco Paganessi
Cult of the New God by Jack Kaiser
Priests of Revel and Queen of the Summer by Kim Van Deun
Priest of the Horned Lord and Father Death by Svetloslav Petrov
A Glorious Death (aka Frozen Wastes): Writing is finished and art is commissioned. Kim Mohan has the text and I’m expecting edited copy and final art by the end of June. I’m planning on a September release for this supplement.
Cover by Mirco Paganessi
Jot by Kim Van Deun
The Hunger in the Void: As a smaller and more focused release, I decided to focus on this before tackling Godless in earnest. Managing Exquisite Agony, art direction for UF and AGD last month kicked my ass, so work resumes in earnest on this one today. Release TBD.
Godless, Adventures in a World of Fire and Blood: Work continues on this, but it has taken a back seat to Hunger. More on this next month I hope.
Poisoned Pages
The Poisoned Pages releases have been doing well, so we'll be continuing and expanding on the line. This month, we have Battle Scars, which introduces lasting injuries for grittier play, and Dark Deeds in Last Hope, which is a longer starting adventure that provides more hand-holding to introduce new GMs to the game. Then, we have Only Human, a closer look at humans in the world and a more detailed set of background tables.
Introducing Lands in Shadow!
People have asked and I've heard them. In the next few months, we're launching a series of mini-gazetteers detailing the various locations on the continent of Rûl. We're starting with the Kingdom of Sails and following up with Freeholds of Nar.
Introducing Monstrous Pages!
As well, I’m kicking off a new series that takes a closer look at the creatures in Shadow of the Demon Lord. Each entry adds detail to a critter or two, provide new, killer art for creatures not illustrated in the main rulebook, and filled out with adventure ideas and lairs.
Print on Demand
Thanks to the magic of technology, we’ve been able to offer print-on-demand editions of the larger products. If you’re interested in physical copies, be sure to check out the print options here. In addition, I plan to compile the story packs and Poisoned Pages into POD products. Stay tuned for more information about when that will happen.
Thank You!
That’s it for June! As always, thanks for supporting the Kickstarter campaign and helping to launch my little company and my sinister little game.
May Update
over 8 years ago
– Sat, Apr 30, 2016 at 10:53:07 PM
I’m back to give you fine folks a look at where things stand in Shadow of the Demon Lord land.
Product Summary
Here's the updated summary of the products we've released and the pledge level that should have gotten it:
Victims of the Demon Lord: Starter Guide PDF ($6+)
Survival of the Fittest PDF ($6+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord PDF ($24+)
Shadow of the Demon Lord Print ($66+, excluding Digital Cultist)
Tales of the Demon Lord PDF ($48+)
Demon Lord’s Companion PDF ($24+)
With My Last Scream PDF by Miranda Horner ($72+)
Beware the Tides of Karshoon PDF by TS Luikart ($72+)
Heart of Winter PDF by Chris Sims ($72+)
Oblivion’s Edge PDF by Stephen Radney-MacFarland ($72+)
The Apple of Her Eye PDF by Steve Kenson ($72+)
The Darkness in Shadowturrets PDF by Ed Greenwood ($72+)
The Giant’s Tribute PDF by Rich Baker ($72+)
The Gorgon’s Tears PDF by Cam Banks ($72+)
The Huntsman’s Isle PDF by Skip Williams ($72+)
The Last Train to Darksville PDF by Matt Forbeck ($72+)
The Measure of a Man PDF by Scott Fitzgerald Gray ($72+)
The Star’s Refuge PDF by Monte Cook ($72+)
The God Below PDF by Steve Winter ($72+)
A Measure of Faith PDF by Steve Townshend ($72+)
A Year without Rain PDF by Bruce Cordell ($72+)
The Slaver’s Lash PDF by Chris Pramas ($72+)
Wretched PDF by Shane Hensley ($72+)
The Feast of the Father PDF by Jason Bulmahn ($72+)
The Demon’s Wet Nurse by Stan! ($72+)
Tombs of the Desolation PDF ($72+)
Terrible Beauty PDF ($72+)
In Need of Killing PDF ($102+)
Disciples of the Demon Lord PDF ($102+)
Unholy Champions of the Demon Lord PDF ($666)
Not Part of the Kickstarter
Dark Passages PDF
Shadow of the Demon Lord Screen PDF
Fever Dreams PDF
The Flute of Farewell PDF by Steve Dee
Spell Cards PDF/Printed
Tales of the Desolation PDF/Printed
Tooth and Claw PDF
Blood Will Run PDF
by Dan Heinrich
Unhinge the Mind PDF
Riders of the Wind PDF
Upcoming Stuff
Chronicles of the Demon Lord: No new news on this front other than I have been assured the edited copy will be in by the end of June.
Adventures (Story Packs): Monday, I’m releasing The Demon’s Wet Nurse by Stan! Later in the month, we’ll see David Noonan’s Case of Consumption. We just have one adventure left by Ken Hite and I’m hoping to have that one soon.
Exquisite Agony (aka Hell): The manuscript is edited and being proofed right now. All the art is in and it should clear layout by mid month. Here are some fun pieces that will appear in this book.
Composite of several pieces by Svetoslav Petrov
Incubus by Ivan Dixon
Unsun by Jack Kaiser
Uncertain Faith (aka Cults of the Demon Lord): Manuscript is written and is in Scott Fitzgerald Gray’s hands for editing. Art has been commissioned and sketches are rolling in. If you recall, this, like all the setting expansion books was supposed to be 16 pages. Well, it’s much, much bigger. Who doesn’t like free content, right? Here’s a sketch of the cover:
Uncertain Faith sketch by Mirco Paganessi
Expect this one to drop in June.
In the Footsteps of Giants (Frozen Wastes): Work continues. I hope to have the manuscript finished my mid-week and it should be closer to the promised page count. Kim Mohan is editing this one and I know he’s eager to get his hands on it. Once I wrap, I’ll be commissioning the art, so you’ll see some previews in the June update. I anticipate releasing this one in July.
Godless, Adventures in a World of Fire and Blood: When I started on this supplement, I took an aggressive, snarky, and irreverent tone. I showed off a page to a few people and reactions ranged from amused to almost offended. So, I scrapped it and started over. The book’s outlined and I’ve written about 5% of the text. I imagine this will land somewhere in the August/September/October months.
The Hunger in the Void: I started writing this one too. It’s fully outlined and there are even words on the page. At my current pace, this should wrap at around the same time as Godless. So, this will land somewhere near August/September/October months.
Poisoned Pages
I have more entries in the Poisoned Pages series coming out next month. The Power in a Name showcases true names and their power. Children of the Restless Earth adds the gnome ancestry. Finally, Flesh of the Fallen introduces the ghoul ancestry and a pair of expert paths that focus on eating people and wearing their body parts as trophies. Once we hit about a dozen or so of these Poisoner Pages, I plan to chunk them together into a POD supplement.
Print on Demand
Thanks to the magic of technology, we’ve been able to offer print-on-demand editions of the larger products. So if you’re interested in physical copies, be sure to check out the print options here.
Thank You!
That’s it for May! If all goes right, I’ll be able to check this particular Kickstarter box off as done by August. Sixteen months from funding ain’t bad, yeah? As always, thanks for supporting the Kickstarter campaign and helping to launch my little company.
