The Dark Carnival Pre-Order Store

Hey everyone!

We are counting down on the final push, ergo, I'm putting some incentives right up front on why you should jump in on crowdfunding rather than wait:

Our primary goal is to unlock the soundtrack for everyone, it's a marquee point for Storytellers Forge and a bit of our Modus Operandi. Even if we get close to that, I'll probably find a way to make it possible. We can only do that if we even start kissing the next few goals, and that means, we need your help. 



Currently, we are gearing up for more BOOK content with our current stretch goal, because Hughe has a bajillion monsters floating around in his brain.

So in these final days, if you are a backer - spread the word! The more we unlock, the more stuff you get for free.

Want to see a great example of stretch goals in actions? Here's some of our friends over at Eren Chronicles:


I'll give props due where they are due: Eren Chronicles team nailed their cross promotion and outreach efforts and really put a lot of elbow grease into their campaign. They should! Because frankly witchy occult D&D never goes out of style. Their stretch goals have been burning on a pyre and you can explore their campaign book here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/erenchronicles/zamanora-ballad-of-the-witch

This is a solid example of when hardwork crosses with the perfect market timing and the right spells being cast behind the scenes, and I'm super proud that they were able to make this project hit in the way they did (and yes, I'm a backer of it).

We can still do the same thing! There are over 1300 followers on this campaign that are waiting for the final days! So let's get us some music!

I don't have an easy way to share the soundtrack that Mr. Agitator is working on in a backerkit update, so I'm just going to share a song that will make everyone bop instead.

You spin me...right...round...

Rick shambles in.
Rick holds up cup of coffee.

Rick holds up a sign that reads: "As the dirty bean drinker, I was outvoted."

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Alright, I'm back to work. Which means updates and conventions. This week, we will be at Garycon!

We are working with our partners (whose logo you see on this project) over at TPK Gaming, so if you see us behind the TPK booth selling the Black Ballad and dice...well...that's why! Don't worry, you'll know it's us by the fact I'll probably be handing out fliers or eagerly flailing my arms like a penguin lost on land. Don't ask.

Today I want to talk about one of the more exciting partnerships that was brought about entirely because of a fictional entity.

Hughe, the Dark Ringmaster, canonically drinks Earl Grey Tea, like a proper mustache twirling villain. Sure, we get this. I of course, made an attempt and manufacturing a bag of proper bean juice with a very frustrated image of Hughe wondering "What the F@!# is this shite?" and the Editorial Staff promptly exiled me off the island.

Enter me blind reaching out to D&Tea.



To quote the illustrious Mr. Gideon:

D&Tea is a passion project co-managed by a small but spirited team of TTRPG enthusiasts, dedicated to bringing together two of the best things in life: tea and games. The idea was born around a tabletop, sparked by the question: "What if the tea we drank while we played gave us in-game bonuses?" This led to countless hours of discussion about which tea ingredients could enhance different aspects of gameplay. Today, D&Tea thrives as a growing collection of high-quality blends, crafted to enrich both gaming sessions and everyday moments with adventurous flavors.

But get this: One of our artists, Olivia Hintz is also their social media manager. (We did not know that when we reached out)



So, what's the deal with collaboration?

Simple... in our loot box tier we are going to uh...engage in "Playtesting" of the Tea and explore some custom blends to find the one that best fits the theme, and how to bundle and package this. We aren't there yet (that's a stage a little later in production) but we have officially decided to team up.

When you are storytelling games, physical sensations add a lot to the table experience (sight, smell, sound, touch...and taste is a powerful memory invoker). Ergo, as our goal is to provide immersive tabletop experiences and we have sight (art), sound (soundtrack and narration), touch (book), taste and smell get covered by the tea!

Every loot box tier will come with the tea we end up choosing but fret not, once the book is ready or even in the middle of this year - we will unlock some extra add on's of different flavors and accessories once they are finalized based on backer's vote.

If you are a backer on this project, there is exclusive voting options below!

That's all for today's update everyone! You can follow D&Tea everywhere @dandteaco or their website, and if you want to see some more options we are exploring and have a say in the tea / add-ons - hop on in! 

I'm out until Garycon is over, so everyone have a fantastic weekend!

-Rick

Hello, you magical misfits. This is Pat Edwards, co-founder of Storytellers Forge. I took over the "update" reigns today in an attempt to force Rick to take a little break. I was hoping he'd give himself an entire day... but really I'll settle for him resting the amount of time it takes me to write this update. Real talk, you'd have a better chance stopping the sun from rising than stopping Rick from working.

On our last update, we celebrated hitting our initial funding goal... and here we are, on the very next update, having hit not one but TWO of our stretch goals! Thank you all so much. You are the absolute bestest. Anyone else who thinks they're the bestest is wrong. It's you.

Let's talk about those stretch goals, huh? First, we've unlocked more gorgeous full-color illustrations from Art Director, James Mosingo and the team! The pieces they are creating for this book are so dang good... I am ecstatic they are getting to make even more.

Second! You all have unlocked the Cosmology of the Dark Carnival by Michael Angelo, himself. This is an entire new chapter being added to the book that explores the Threefold Realms and the origins of the Dark Ringmaster's home.

"What's next?!" you ask.

"Thanks for asking," I reply. Our next stretch goal, unlocked at $70,000 is the Bestiary Pack #1. This includes three additional creations for the Festival: The Balloon Slime, the Animated Steam Organs, and the Calliope Golem! Listen, gang, if the phrase "Animated Steam Organs" doesn't you all gassed up, I don't know what will. Let's go out and get it!

Oh! And one more thing...

The folks over at Two Starving Gnolls have launched their horror game The Exorcist’s Codex—a brand-new role-playing experience set in an occult 1890s Europe. This complete game includes a Core Rulebook and a GM’s Guide, spanning 500+ pages with 12 distinct professions, VTT support, and several unlocked stretch goals, including a free scenario collection!

Inspired by Lovecraft and The Exorcist movies – we give you The Exorcist’s Codex.

The last update we sent (2.0) looks perfectly fine on Backerkit! But man...did that email turn south with the longest string of digital goblin speak ever.

If you got that email and made the "NaniTF?!" face...just click here:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/storytellers-forge-studios/festival-of-the-forgotten-a-dark-carnival-5e-2024-setting/updates/18979

It will take you to the pretty window with all the pictures and text that doesn't bork out.

Note to self. The email engine does not like it when you copy paste the images in.