Game Master's Campaign - Fantasy art kits

[Shockbolt]

Hi Raymond,
I hope we do much more than just tickle the next Stretch Goal. My players are starting a new phase in their adventures where they are sailing for unknown waters in search of a secret Magical University that no one has seen in over a thousand years. So we need to hit both of the next 2 stretch goals. :D LOL

Seriously though, I have been really pleased to see how much support there has been for your art project. It's great that 3 VTTs have jumped on board. By the way, what is the third VTT that jumped in? I have been spreading the word as much as I can, and I keep seeing your threads all over the place as well.

Come on everyone, let's hook brother Shockbolt up. This is the best thing that has happened to VTTs since they came out. This artwork will truly redefine the VTT world.
;)


Thanks for all the help with spreading the word around Realm Master K :)

[Trenloe]

Raymond - you may want to submit the KS info on this site: https://rpgkickstarters.tumblr.com/

Most kickstarter projects on this site feed into the EN World website - so could be good publicity.

[Ardem]

I cannot help myself

"Holy Places, Batman!..."

[Trenloe]

I cannot help myself

"Holy Places, Batman!..."
:D I was wondering who might get it!

[Shockbolt]

Raymond - you may want to submit the KS info on this site: https://rpgkickstarters.tumblr.com/

Most kickstarter projects on this site feed into the EN World website - so could be good publicity.

I posted the project there earlier, I see it's moved down to page 2 now as new projects have been added since then. But thanks for the tip :)

[Trenloe]

I posted on the ProFantasy (Campaign Cartographer mapping program) forums: https://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=3330

[Shockbolt]

I posted on the ProFantasy (Campaign Cartographer mapping program) forums: https://forum.profantasy.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=3330

Ah, excellent Trenloe :)

[Shockbolt]

Tonights produce of tokens for the Fantasy art kit, this preview includes a few weapons painted earlier.

The "normal" tokens seen here, represents the quality and detail of the tokens that will come with the Fantasy art kit and it's addon kits. Expect the special items to look even better and have more details to them.

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/weaponry_previews01.jpg

[Shockbolt]

Planning to create new and improved tiles for the Minimap kit and post an update later tonight.

[Shockbolt]

42 different parchment types made so far for the Minimap kit...and counting...

[Shockbolt]

a small selection of the parchment types and variations made so far(originals are much larger than these previews), I got 50 files and plans for more, pulling out the best of them to be added into the Minimap kit:

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/parchmentPreviews01.jpg

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/parchmentPreviews02.jpg

[Shockbolt]

It's easy to get sidetracked, especially if your GF comes back from a 3 day trip to another city, bringing with her the new Star Wars miniature game by Fantasy Flight Games.

Here is the preview I promised to post last night, containing samples of updated symbols/tiles for the Minimap kit. The Minimap kit will contain A LOT more than what's seen here:

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/symbolPreviews01.jpg

[Mellock]

This is looking more fantastic with every update! :)

[Shockbolt]

This is looking more fantastic with every update! :)

Thanks! Picking up the work on the Minimap kit again today, creating more symbols/tiles for it for both the interior and exterior parts.

[Shockbolt]

More previews of symbols/tiles that will be in the Minimap art kit:

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/symbolPreviews03.jpg

[JohnD]

These have a feeling to them very similar to the original Baldur's Gate overland map in game... absolutely love what you're doing.

[Realm Master K]

These are going to so revolutionize our hobby. Never before has so much high quality artwork been available from one source. No more searching for hours on the net looking for something that can "get the job done" but not what you really wanted. I applaud you Raymond. This is truly a masterwork. Bravo my friend!

:)

[Shockbolt]

Many thanks to both of you, I sure hope the final versions of everything is living up to the growing expectations :)

[damned]

hmmm... i wonder if there is a way to back the project 2x....?

[Trenloe]

hmmm... i wonder if there is a way to back the project 2x....?
To get the package twice or pay twice as much money? :)

[damned]

im trying to be cheap...
i tipped in for the $250 package - you never know what you might want to use the tokens for - but the wife still doesnt know about it... i see all these great token packs coming up that wont be in this kickstarter... but would be available for $500...
raymond has said that if you buy other packs in the future that they will be coverred for commercial use with your $250 (or higher) pledge...
so my devious (aka cheap) mind was thinking buy the $100 pack - get it upgraded to the $175 pack and then you kinda get the $500 pack for $350! Then i dont have to duck quite as low when my wife sees the cc bill!
oh well... back to the drawing board! it looks like there will be plenty to keep me entertained in the $250 pack.

[Shockbolt]

hmmm... i wonder if there is a way to back the project 2x....?

I could just post my paypal e-mail adress if you've got too much money :D

[Shockbolt]

Getting dangerously close to the next stretch goal now..

[bennis1980]

$15000!!!!!

I'm going to celebrate with me bottle o' grog

[/Seafarer's dance]

[Shockbolt]

$15000!!!!!

I'm going to celebrate with me bottle o' grog

[/Seafarer's dance]

Send some my way too! :)

[Shockbolt]

Previews of undead tokens, painted tonight, fresh out of the Photoshop bakery:

https://www.ironthrone.no/QuestLaw/UndeadsPreview01.jpg

[demonsbane]

Previews of undead tokens, painted tonight, fresh out of the Photoshop bakery:

Impressive.

[Realm Master K]

I am certainly glad I found out about your Bakery! Raymond, these are just awesome. My players are going to wonderfully cringe in fear as they hear the sound of bone scratching against stone, and then see your artwork appear out of the darkness and approach them as they explore the dimly lit catacombs of some long forgotten temple. I can hardly wait.

[Ardem]

bakery?
I must of missed something

[Realm Master K]

Previews of undead tokens, painted tonight, fresh out of the Photoshop bakery:

Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to be clever.
:D

[bennis1980]

Sounds delicious!

[Bidmaron]

Well, I've decided what to do. I want to do the $100 pledge and upgrade to the $175 due to my FG2 licesnse. However, I noticed you've sold out of the $175 level. What will happen if I choose the $100 level?

[Shockbolt]

Well, I've decided what to do. I want to do the $100 pledge and upgrade to the $175 due to my FG2 licesnse. However, I noticed you've sold out of the $175 level. What will happen if I choose the $100 level?

If you pledge for the $100, you will get the $175 reward, even if the original 20 are sold out now.

The upgrade part will be done after the project has ended, most likely via a survey with the help of Smiteworks :)

[Bidmaron]

Thanks, Shockbolt. I just committed the $100. Looking forward to this!

[Satan]

Also just committed to 100$, this graphics looks amazing

[Shockbolt]

Also just committed to 100$, this graphics looks amazing

Many thanks! I'll do my best to provide top content in the finished art kits :)

[Shockbolt]

Thanks, Shockbolt. I just committed the $100. Looking forward to this!

Thanks Bidmaron! :)

[Realm Master K]

Woo eee. 100 backers. Congratulations Raymond. And all 20 Gamemaster's Kits have been spoken for. That's awesome.

[Shockbolt]

Thanks!

only 4 more days until it ends now :)

[Shockbolt]

And it looks like it's getting dangerously close to the next stretch goal now.

[Dakadin]

Woohoo! It look like it already made it. :D

[Shockbolt]

Woohoo! It look like it already made it. :D

Excellent, a bit faster than I anticipated. I created a new pledge reward, started getting feedback from backers that missed the limited 20 GM art kit rewards. So I'm offering a new reward that includes the same, except for the custom tiles/tokens.

Having dinner now, then the stretch goal reached announcement will be made later tonight :)

[Ardem]

Well done mate, so have you resigned from your job yet. Not sure you have one but you have one hellva list to complete.

[Shockbolt]

Well done mate, so have you resigned from your job yet. Not sure you have one but you have one hellva list to complete.

I'm taking several months off from my daytime job, starting 1st January 2013. The creation of the kits will continue from the end of the kickstarter, speeding up the process as I don't have to divide the time between the kickstarter and the actual artwork.

[JohnD]

Will you release content in phases (i.e. as each portion is completed) or are you planning on waiting until everything is done?

[Shockbolt]

Will you release content in phases (i.e. as each portion is completed) or are you planning on waiting until everything is done?

Kit by kit, as they are finished. The Minimap kit should be finished in a little while, then the base Fantasy art kit will be the next to be delivered to the backers.

[Shockbolt]

Here is a crypt/dungeon preview map I put together today, I've only used tiles/tokens/terrains/overlays that will be found in the base Fantasy art kit (wall/stair/gate tiles will be found in the Holy places addon kit):

See attached images for the map with and without light/shadow overlays.

[Ardem]

I cannot wait to start making my own dungeon it is going to be so much easier now.

[Dakadin]

It's over $20k now. That puts the next stretch goal (Monsters & Items Master Kit) within reach at this point.

[bennis1980]

I've upgraded my pledge to $100 - I couldn't stand it much longer!

[Shockbolt]

I've upgraded my pledge to $100 - I couldn't stand it much longer!

You should be set for life with rpg fantasy art then :)

[bennis1980]

You should be set for life with rpg fantasy art then :)

... and when I'm hungry, I'll just eat some of your art (only tokens of food stuffs mind you)

[Trenloe]

... and when I'm hungry, I'll just eat some of your art (only tokens of food stuffs mind you)
Hungry??? Just drink some more Guinness! :D It's a meal in a glass...

[bennis1980]

Well I'm hoping Raymond produces some nice "Pint of Guinness" tokens (of course, that would just be a white circle from the top down)

EDIT: Man drinking Guinness would give a lovely side on shot of the glass!!!

[damned]

looks like he might even crack the $22k - awesome work Raymond!

[Realm Master K]

Knock, knock, knockin on the door of the next Stretch Goal... $21,715 and counting. Looks like there may be more monsters in the Base Fantasy Art Kit.

:D

[Trenloe]

Looks like there may be more monsters in the Base Fantasy Art Kit.
And variations! It's been mentioned in another thread - how about dead versions of the tokens? :)

[JohnD]

Just $70 away from next goal....

[bennis1980]

$4000 in 16 hours! Can we make it??

[Ardem]

Made - Next Level in a new hours perhaps?

LOL

[JohnD]

Holy carp... great!

[Shockbolt]

The Kickstarter project ended a few minutes ago, 477% funded. I guess a lot of people are in for a serious amount of rpg artwork for their campaigns. I'm also really looking forward to seeing the rpg modules and game projects, using my artwork. :)

Posting a project update in a little while.

[bennis1980]

Raymond,

A very big congratulations to you. I am delighted for you. You are truely an amazing artist and deserve every bit of support you got over the last month.

Also well done to everyone else, you have shown how great the FG community is.

Last, well done to me - I am going to enjoy receiving these tasty tiles and tokens for my game

[demonsbane]

The Kickstarter project ended a few minutes ago,

Well done!

[Shockbolt]

Thanks guys! :)

[Shockbolt]

Purchased a new domain and web storage today, the art kit previews, project updates and general info will be found here later on: www.rpgartkits.com

[Mellock]

Purchased a new domain and web storage today, the art kit previews, project updates and general info will be found here later on: www.rpgartkits.com


I will most certainly keep tabs on this. More pledge money didn't fit in the monthly rpg-budget, but I will most happily purchase and factor in gaming-bux for future purchases. I hope this will be a most wonderful endeavor for all involved! :p

[Shockbolt]

@Ardem : if you read this, your e-mail server is rejecting my e-mails to you, treating them for being spam, and your inbox here is filled up, making me unable to send you any private messages :D

[Ardem]

Hmm not sure why that would be unless your been put on a spam listing. Anyway cleared my pm inboxes here. Also would love a copy of the bounce back so I can resolve or atleast look into the issue. (It my exchange server so I have full access)

Anyway should be able to pm me any questions.

[Shockbolt]

Hmm not sure why that would be unless your been put on a spam listing. Anyway cleared my pm inboxes here. Also would love a copy of the bounce back so I can resolve or atleast look into the issue. (It my exchange server so I have full access)

Anyway should be able to pm me any questions.

Sent you the error report and the e-mail I tried sending last night.

[Shockbolt]

A preview of some of the stuff that will be found in the Minimap art kit, to be released very soon. I decided to throw in a few blank book types and new versions of the letters/scrolls I used for the kickstarter campaign, hoping they might come in handy for visualization during your campaigns :)

The kit will contain approx 40 types of parchments/papers/skins/canvas/burlap, for placing the map symbols on them.

What's left now is creating more map symbols, and then it should be ready to be handed out.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/preview01.jpg

[bennis1980]

Love the book templates. Already thinking of uses for them.

Any suggestions of fonts which would be useful to use with these? (I never remember a good fantasy font apart from gothic which can be over used)

[Shockbolt]

Love the book templates. Already thinking of uses for them.

Any suggestions of fonts which would be useful to use with these? (I never remember a good fantasy font apart from gothic which can be over used)

The books were fun to make, might do more variations of them now that I have base templates to work from, good(rich) versions, evil(dark) versions, books of the undead etc.

I have 4-5 fonts that I find myself using when I create fantasy artwork and rpg related content, I'll look up their names and post about them later tonight.

[JohnD]

Is this map content stuff we'll be able to cobble together within FG or will we really need to use an external program to do it full justice (i.e. MS Paint, paint.net, etc...)?

[Shockbolt]

Is this map content stuff we'll be able to cobble together within FG or will we really need to use an external program to do it full justice (i.e. MS Paint, paint.net, etc...)?

For 100% customization, I would recommend any type of software that let you handle PNG files, but I guess you can also import a parchment or a book and place text and symbols ontop of them inside FG2 as well. The idea behind the minimap kit was to make location maps for the campaigns, fixed maps that weren't used for battles with tokens ontop of them etc. You'd need to have the layer function within FG2 then, if you wanted to use the Minimap art kit for that purpose.

[Shockbolt]

Love the book templates. Already thinking of uses for them.

Any suggestions of fonts which would be useful to use with these? (I never remember a good fantasy font apart from gothic which can be over used)

These are some of the "fantasy" fonts that I use, out of something like 6000 fonts in my folder. You mght want to check out some of the handwriting fonts that these guys sell:
https://www.softmaker.com/english/
Font names inside the (...)
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/FantasyFontsExamples01.jpg

[Shockbolt]

I noticed some symbols infront of the threads I've made, but couldn't find an explanation for them, what do they represent? (symbols inside the dark circles)

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/symbols.png

[JohnD]

I think one or both of them mean an "official" of FG and/or SmiteWorks has posted in the thread.

[Mellock]

I think the upper "dicey squarey" symbol is a thread containing a post by a "sage", and the bottom "flamey" icon is a thread with a post from a "developer", which is only herr Davison atm, I think. Posts by Moon_Wizard still have the "sage" icon.

[Griogre]

Mellock is correct they just mean a sage or developer posted in the thread. I think that flamey thing is a red hot sledge hammer for Smiteworks - their old logo. The dice icon is for sages.

[Shockbolt]

Thanks guys, I guess that's the reason for those symbols.

I've spent a great portion of this weekend, creating content for the Minimap art kit. Testing the various stuff now made me realize I need even more art, mainly parts that I didn't anticipate for when using diagonal hallways together with vertical/horizontal ones. Shouldn't take me more than an hour to create the additional pieces.

The exterior and interior symbols/tiles will come in two variants, one that look like the map was recently created, and a set that makes the symbols/tiles look worn. The worn look will be achieved by erasing them partially, making them look faded.

Below here is an example of how complex the maps can be, simply by placing the various art pieces together and partially ontop of eachother. What you see here is 100% made that way, no touch ups were made to the map afterwards:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/testMap01b.jpg

[Dakadin]

Great job! It looks awesome! :D

[dr_venture]

Beautiful work - and there's a real need for these kinds of art kits. I wish I had had the money to participate in the Kickstarter campaign. I'll try and pick up the various products as I'm able, as they are well worth owning. Beautiful work.

[damned]

hey doc - you will be able to use some of these with your fg license in the near future. i think the minimaps was included in the VTT license.

[Shockbolt]

hey doc - you will be able to use some of these with your fg license in the near future. i think the minimaps was included in the VTT license.

True, the base Fantasy art kit & Minimap art kit will be merged with FG2 for the full/ultimate users.

[bennis1980]

Have you found out how that's going to work? I would be nice if the maps had another layer, and using snap to grid you could assemble the map like a jigsaw puzzle. Of course it would also be useful to be able to export the layer as an image

Really nice work Raymond

[Shockbolt]

Have you found out how that's going to work? I would be nice if the maps had another layer, and using snap to grid you could assemble the map like a jigsaw puzzle. Of course it would also be useful to be able to export the layer as an image

Really nice work Raymond

Not yet. The way I put together the test map above was by setting a grid of 64x64 pixels with a snap to grid function, and I added piece by piece to the map that way. I don't know if the layer function to maps has been added yet to FG2, but I remember learning about an extension that has the layer function for when you create maps and add tokens to them.

screenshot, with 64x64 grid visible:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/grid.jpg

[Trenloe]

I don't know if the layer function to maps has been added yet to FG2, but I remember learning about an extension that has the layer function for when you create maps and add tokens to them.
It is currently available as an extension to 4E (DrZeuss's original) and this has been ported to 3.5E (as a direct port of the 4E extension) and Savage Worlds (as part of Ikael's extension). I believe people are working on converting this excellent extension to C&C and Rolemaster as a minimum.

[dr_venture]

The C&C port is high on my "drool" list, but I'm so overwhelmed with work on just the base ruleset itself that I can't even think about porting this right now. After the current C&C dev work is done and is available to folks, I'll post a wish list like Moon's for C&C folks to suggest/vote on future dev work... this will be one of the first things added to the list!

[Shockbolt]

Today is the second day of fulltime work on the Fantasy art kit project. This day is spent preparing the various images that goes into the Minimap art kit. I noticed I had intentionally left out the various trees for the exterior tileset, so that will be taken care of very soon.

What I'm about to post on the rpgartkits.com website is that backers should receive a download link to a "beta" version of the Minimap art kit this week. It's named "beta" because I intend to add more content to the final version, but there should be more than enough to get people started and finally get something, if just a tiny portion, in return for their pledge money.

[heyhogan]

I did not get in on the Kickstarter, so I was wondering if you plan to release the this through another site for purchase and download?

[Shockbolt]

I did not get in on the Kickstarter, so I was wondering if you plan to release the this through another site for purchase and download?

Yes, as the art kits are completed, they will be made available for purchase through a handful of rpg related websites. I've signed a few contracts for selling my art kits already and a few are being signed in the near future.

I will keep you guys updated on this matter.

[Harbinger]

The tiles look nice, and I agree with Bennis1980 about the C&T, also a fan of MERPs.

[heyhogan]

Yes, as the art kits are completed, they will be made available for purchase through a handful of rpg related websites. I've signed a few contracts for selling my art kits already and a few are being signed in the near future.

I will keep you guys updated on this matter.

Great! I will stay tuned to hear which RPG sites these will be available from. In case you have not looked into it yet, you might also reach out to ProFantasy, the makers of CC3, a map making program. https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp Your product has the feel of a Symbol set add-on or one of the monthly annual style packs.

[Shockbolt]

And the Minimap art kit beta is released to the backers of my kickstarter campaign!
Next up is the creation of the base Fantasy art kit.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/?page_id=65

[Ardem]

Fantastic Work is all I can say the level of detail and the amount in the pack could make any fantasy map maker druel.

I think with a Fantasy Cartography program, you could put out quality maps within 1 hour or 2 maximum.

My creative juices are already following how to use this soon.

[damned]

Shockbolt!
I havent opened the file yet - its still downloading :)
The mini-map art kit is 650MB - and that is just part 1 of this pile of goodness!
You rock!

[Dakadin]

It's awesome!!! I've been thinking of all the ways I can use it in my current campaign. I should have at least something together for my game this weekend. :D

[JohnD]

Yes - even with my limited ability I'm sure I can put something together in Paint.net with these. Very nice.

[Shockbolt]

The overall feedback has been great it seems :)

I registered a new facebook page for the art kits today, for those of you who are facebook users. You'll now be able to track down the creation progress there as well as on www.rpgartkits.com.

-------------------

Fantasy art kit on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Game-Masters-Campaign-Fantasy-art-kit/241738329292935)


-------------------

[Shockbolt]

I'm not sure if this is time limited, but Adobe seems to be giving away free downloads of Photoshop CS2 and other older adobe softwares here:

https://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

[Tiqon]

I'm not sure if this is time limited, but Adobe seems to be giving away free downloads of Photoshop CS2 and other older adobe softwares here:

https://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

Thanks alot! :).

[Shockbolt]

I'm not sure if this is time limited, but Adobe seems to be giving away free downloads of Photoshop CS2 and other older adobe softwares here:

https://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

I had people rushing at me saying it's not entirely free after all. The release of the downloads and serialnumbers are supposedly only for those who already owns the software. So, download and install at your own risk :)

[bennis1980]

Here is my first attempt at making something with the minimap kit. I made a castle based on an image I had from before. Notice the remarked improvement in quality :D . Hope someone finds some use for them.

EDIT: I did need to make a down stairs myself - Raymond, can I suggest this for the next release?

[Shockbolt]

Here is my first attempt at making something with the minimap kit. I made a castle based on an image I had from before. Notice the remarked improvement in quality :D . Hope someone finds some use for them.

EDIT: I did need to make a down stairs myself - Raymond, can I suggest this for the next release?

I'll add more tiles overall, including new variants of stairs :)

[Tiqon]

I had people rushing at me saying it's not entirely free after all. The release of the downloads and serialnumbers are supposedly only for those who already owns the software. So, download and install at your own risk :)

Hmm ok. Did dl it but never got around to install it. Thanks for the update :).

[damned]

i downloaded and installed PS on one computer - installed fine and happily accepted the license key. i have found several forum posts and articles suggesting Adobe's initial statement was wrong (or misunderstood) but havent found a clarifying one yet!

[Shockbolt]

I've had a few backers come into the project, after it ended on kickstarter. They have had any of the non-limited pledge rewards made available to them. The question that came up this week is when the limit is for still being able to become a backer. I've not stated this anywhere yet, as I never thought of the possibility of coming into the project after it ended on kickstarter, but money is money and every dollar helps.

What I've decided to be the limit, is the release of the base fantasy art kit, when that one is out (maybe in a months time or even less), then it's too late to jump onboard the project as a backer. :)

Non exclusive licenses for using the artwork with commercial projects will be available after that also, but at a higher price.

[bennis1980]

Can't get fairer than that...

[Trenloe]

I suppose it all depends on how you view Kickstarter from a backer's point of view. Either that you're helping someone get their ideas/products off the ground or you're in it to get lots of stretch goal bonuses and save money from that. I'm the majority of the former and a bit of the latter...

If new backers had come onboard during the kickstarter then higher stretch goals could have been met and most of the heavy backers would have benefitted.

To be honest - I don't care too much, I backed the project to the level I did because I wanted to see this great art be produced for everyone (not just me) and some of the amazing stretch goals were just bonuses.

Another point of view though - if people are allowed to jump on the kickstarter after it ends for the same pledge cost as people who supported the kickstarter while it mattered, then that's not really fair on the up-front supporters and it might result in people sitting on the fence in future knowing they can join a couple of months after - save their money until closer to the release date and so reduce their risk and up-front costs. I'm sure this is not the case for the majority of people, but there is that danger.

I want you (Raymond) to continue to make money on this - so I'd make a suggestion: if you are letting people join the kickstarter months after it has finished, then let them but charge them more... :)

[Shockbolt]

It's the first kickstarter project for me so it's a touch and go situation really, trying to keep everybody happy kinda failed a little while ago (how can you when you're dealing with over 100+ people, had a few issues that I can't really take the blame for). I guess all I can do, is my best at getting the stuff out there and learn from the experience, and use that experience if I should ever do another kickstarter.

*edit: I do see your point about the stretch goals and that they should have joined in when the project was live. Most, if not all of the people who have pledged towards the project, after it ended on kickstarter, have stated that they learned about the project afterwards/missed the project for some reason.*



I suppose it all depends on how you view Kickstarter from a backer's point of view. Either that you're helping someone get their ideas/products off the ground or you're in it to get lots of stretch goal bonuses and save money from that. I'm the majority of the former and a bit of the latter...

If new backers had come onboard during the kickstarter then higher stretch goals could have been met and most of the heavy backers would have benefitted.

To be honest - I don't care too much, I backed the project to the level I did because I wanted to see this great art be produced for everyone (not just me) and some of the amazing stretch goals were just bonuses.

Another point of view though - if people are allowed to jump on the kickstarter after it ends for the same pledge cost as people who supported the kickstarter while it mattered, then that's not really fair on the up-front supporters and it might result in people sitting on the fence in future knowing they can join a couple of months after - save their money until closer to the release date and so reduce their risk and up-front costs. I'm sure this is not the case for the majority of people, but there is that danger.

I want you (Raymond) to continue to make money on this - so I'd make a suggestion: if you are letting people join the kickstarter months after it has finished, then let them but charge them more... :)

[Trenloe]

It's the first kickstarter project for me so it's a touch and go situation really, trying to keep everybody happy kinda failed a little while ago (how can you when you're dealing with over 100+ people, had a few issues that I can't really take the blame for). I guess all I can do, is my best at getting the stuff out there and learn from the experience, and use that experience if I should ever do another kickstarter.

I know where you're coming from... Kickstarter seems to have gone from a crowdsourcing help like minded people get funding to do projects they wouldn't be able to do normallly, to now have lots and lots of people who see it as just another way of preording a product from what they expect to be commercial companies - and then insist on individuals delivering on their original schedule, even if there are now lots and lots of stretch goals.

I suppose though, as soon as anyone forks out some of their own money the viewpoints change for some people and they want to see the return products ASAP and also get regular updates to keep them happy that their investment is not lost or they're going to have to wait more than they originally thought.

[bennis1980]

I say just do your thing and give the scheduled updates at your own pace. You don't need to earn anyone's trust now, you already have it or otherwise we wouldn't have pledged on kickstarter. That's what the game is.

But if you need to spend time dealing with keeping people happy all the time, you aren't getting on with your artwork (which is what you do best - and which keeps people happy). Don't take any comments to heart.

To everyone else who has pledged, my advice is leave Raymond to it and don't rush him.

[Trenloe]

I say just do your thing and give the scheduled updates at your own pace. You don't need to earn anyone's trust now, you already have it or otherwise we wouldn't have pledged on kickstarter. That's what the game is.

But if you need to spend time dealing with keeping people happy all the time, you aren't getting on with your artwork (which is what you do best - and which keeps people happy). Don't take any comments to heart.

To everyone else who has pledged, my advice is leave Raymond to it and don't rush him.
Hear, hear. :-)

[Harbinger]

I understand others point of view but for someone that loves this program and just go started on it, I was very happy that Ray allowed me to be apart of it, and hope to continue to support it in the future.

[Tiqon]

While I do understand all the points of views, I really do, don't get me wrong, I just feel kinda sad for Raymond. Trying to please everyone Raymond becomes a target for confusion, disappointment and probably rage as well, when it perfectly clear all he wanted to do was trying to please and share his greatest passion. I can only begin to imagine how frustrated you must have felt so many times in this project.

Now go make some art, and know that next time you will be a level 10 kickstarter. :).

[Shockbolt]

Some of you, not all of you, might be curious to see the progress of a token from start to finish. It's not the best of examples and it does not try to cover the methods of painting a token in photoshop. It simply shows 9 saves along the way from start to finish, when painting the most recent token, the Siren.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/Example_Siren_A_01.jpg

[bennis1980]

I watched some of your "making of" videos during the kickstarter, namely for a floating eye and a sword, and I'm amazed at the vision you have to see the object you're creating before you start painting in photoshop. It's pure genius.

Do you sketch at all in RL before beginning in photoshop.?

[Shockbolt]

As some have pointed out to me, the Siren has no nipples(!) I know, this first version doesn't, and many other nude or semi nude tokens will also lack/have covered genitals and nipples. I've been involved with artwork for ToME/Tales of Maj'Eyal for over a year now, where I painted two of the main story characters for it's load/splash screen, a female spellcaster that had visible nipples under her gown/robes. That set the community on fire and they demanded to have her non-visible nipples removed. So me and the developer had to do that.

This is the main reason for not painting dangerous nipples on the first versions of these tokens, to avoid any conflicts :) There will be a second set though, where you see everything that has been hidden from the first set, but it will be marked with "use at own risk"

To answer bennis1980's question, the last time I sketched anything must have been a couple of years ago, when I had a thing for space ship concepts. Made several pages of various spaceship constructions in one of my sketchbooks and a few of them ended up as game art for a scroller shooter game project that hasn't gone anywhere in a long while now. I tend to fill my sketchbooks with story parts, characters and personalities, special abilities for new races, plots and so on instead of actual sketches.

I prefer to take the initial idea straight into photoshop, where I blob out the thing I want to paint, using solid colors, then I add lighter colors into those dark blobs, to achive a 3D like shape in them, and I work with those shapes from there. Adding more colors, details, textures, adjust their shapes etc until they start looking like what I had in mind, or better. Some artists start with drawing outlines of what they want to paint, I also did that many years ago, back in the 90s, then I found that the current method I use allows me to be faster in creating the artwork I do.

I'll try to make more screenrecordings of me painting tokens during this project, I just have to find a better software to do it with.


I watched some of your "making of" videos during the kickstarter, namely for a floating eye and a sword, and I'm amazed at the vision you have to see the object you're creating before you start painting in photoshop. It's pure genius.

Do you sketch at all in RL before beginning in photoshop.?

[Shockbolt]

I've put together a new preview, of tokens created recently. This preview shows medium sized versions of the tokens. The final base Fantasy art kit, and the addon art kits will contain 3 sets of graphics: one small set, one medium set and one large set meant for printing purposes.

Seen here are the Naga archer, the Hippogriff and the Naga Spellcaster:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/BFAK_preview01.jpg

[Harbinger]

Nice tokens!

[Shockbolt]

Nice tokens!

Thanks Harbinger!

I've finished the monster & creature tokens for the base Fantasy art kit now, painted the Earth elemental last night before collapsing into bed. So far, 150-160 tokens (including animals and some characters, excluding items, weaponry and everything else) has been created, once I've made some final touch ups, added more details and arranged them, I will send out download links to the backers that are entitled to receive the finished tokens.

This weekend and a part of next week will be spent creating additional content for the Minimap art kit, based on own ideas and suggestions for more content. Download links to the final version will be sent out soon.

[Zygon2004]

Is to too late to become a backer and if not, how do I do it?

Thanks. :)

[Shockbolt]

Still a tiny bit of time left, once I make the content of the base Fantasy art kit available to the backers, it will be too late to jump onboard as a funder. I've sent you a PM with details about the project. :)


Is to too late to become a backer and if not, how do I do it?

Thanks. :)

[Shockbolt]

Download links to the monster/creature/animal tokens were sent out just a few minutes ago :)

The next batch to be sent out, will contain fantasy characters, items & object tokens.

[Harbinger]

nice details on the animals and creatures, they look great!

[Shockbolt]

nice details on the animals and creatures, they look great!

Thank you! Hoping to keep up the standard or do better with the rest of them :)

[JohnD]

Very nice Raymond... and I've already put together a map for my next adventure from the earlier content.

Happy I put my $ in to your Kickstarter.

[Shockbolt]

Very nice Raymond... and I've already put together a map for my next adventure from the earlier content.

Happy I put my $ in to your Kickstarter.

Thanks JohnD :D

[Shockbolt]

Dwarven females - with or without beards?

[JohnD]

Any chance of both?

[S Ferguson]

Nope. Females wear handlebar mustaches. It's the most common uncommon question to ask about the game.:)

[bennis1980]

Love the first installment of tokens. I anticipate my gaming group s**ting themselves when they see the finer detail of what they are fighting next session. Giants and dragons have at thee!!!

Hope you don't mind this small criticism: I always pictured the Black Reaver as clad head to toe in demon armor and wielding a huge axe, not the grim reaper (although I will have uses for him - especially when I kill off the party next time)

***EDIT*** For those who don't appreciate swearing: "s**ting" stands for "sitting" as in "I hope you are all sitting down, because this is what you'll be fighting now" :D

[Shockbolt]

Hope you don't mind this small criticism: I always pictured the Black Reaver as clad head to toe in demon armor and wielding a huge axe, not the grim reaper (although I will have uses for him - especially when I kill off the party next time)



Thanks for pointing it out, it's a naming error on my end. It should be black reaper. :)

*edit: originally, the black reaper was to be added to the crypt addon (as it was seen in the crypt sample map created during the kickstarter campaign)*
*more undeads, more versions of the reaper and the true dark reaver will be created later on*
Thanks for the feedback, it's appreciated!

[Harbinger]

Without, how else to tell they are female since they wear armor, make the other methods hard.

[Shockbolt]

A few character token previews, before the release of the next part of the base Fantasy art kit this weekend:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/charactersPreview01.png

[bennis1980]

Looking good Raymond. Can't wait to get my hands on them

[Resonance]

Hail Shockbolt

They look very nice indeed.

I'm curious... Will the set contain some germanic/nordic/babaric looking warriors, or some dark ages style soldier types, for citywatch and army scenarios? (ie ultra simple uniforms, such as a unicolor flat hat, cape and shield w various skins, leathers and armors beneath, is what I'd be looking for, there)

And how many tokens do you plan for a batch?

[Shockbolt]

Hey Resonance!
Thanks for the feedback and questions. The base Fantasy art kit contents are fixed, containing pretty much everything listed during the kickstarter campaign. In addition to the base Fantasy art kit, there will be many addon art kits, these will contain everything from high fantasy tokens to ninjas/samurais, templar knights, vikings and more.



This first and largest kit will contain the following "character tokens", treat the "professions" as a general description, a beggar might as well look like a homeless or vagabond:

-Human male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Human female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Dwarf male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Dwarf female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Gnome male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Gnome female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Halfling male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Halfling female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Half-orc male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Half-orc female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Elf male
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar
-Elf female
-adventurer/fighter
-spellcaster
-cleric
-rogue
-noble
-beggar




Hail Shockbolt

They look very nice indeed.

I'm curious... Will the set contain some germanic/nordic/babaric looking warriors, or some dark ages style soldier types, for citywatch and army scenarios? (ie ultra simple uniforms, such as a unicolor flat hat, cape and shield w various skins, leathers and armors beneath, is what I'd be looking for, there)

And how many tokens do you plan for a batch?

[Resonance]

Thanks for a fast and thorough response. :)

I see that the above is defined as a base.
I think that a low fantasy base kit might also be an idea - for efficient expansion of your customer base, that is?

Thing is, judging from the names, then very few, if any, of these tokens would look appropriately for use in a lowfantasy (and exclusively human) roleplaying campaign (such as my own, set in 5th cent Europe).

I want to stress that I think your art quality is, as you probably know, excellent.
I just still wouldn't be a customer for this particular base kit, due to the choice of content. I'd simply be unlikely to find any use for at least about 80% of those tokens.

Best regards

Res

[Shockbolt]

The base Fantasy art kit is what it is, that's all I can say :)

[Resonance]

All right. :)
Feel free to give me a holler, if something low fantasy/historical style comes around...
I'd be most interested!

[Harbinger]

Nice looking tokens Shockbolt!

[Shockbolt]

All right. :)
Feel free to give me a holler, if something low fantasy/historical style comes around...
I'd be most interested!

This is the current list of planned addon art kits, for the base Fantasy art kit, you'll find several realistic art kits in it:

base Fantasy art kit
Minimap art kit
Tavern/Inn themed kit
Castles & siege engines+ torture chamber
Holy places theme kit
Nautical theme kit
Wizards & spellcasters theme kit
Monster & item master kit

Characters 1 kit - new NPC/character tokens, ranging from beggars to kings
Characters 2 kit - new NPC/characters showing new professions
Elves master kit - new terrains, new tiles, new decals, new tokens - all in elvish style
Dwarves master kit - new terrains, new tiles, new decals, new tokens - all in dwarven style
Orcs & Goblins master kit - new terrains, new tiles, new decals, new tokens - all in orcs & goblins style
Good & evil theme kit - tiles, tokens, decals featuring both Good & Evil forces
Iron age kit - weaponry, clothing, armor, shields, treasure and more from the Iron age.
Picts kit - weaponry, clothing, armor, shields, treasure and more of pictish origin (both historical and Conan the barbarian style)
Vikings master kit - new tiles, new tokens
Weaponry 1 kit - a new batch of weaponry - elvish style
Weaponry 2 kit - a new batch of weaponry - dwarven style
Weaponry 3 kit - a new batch of weaponry - orcs & goblin style
Magic weapons 1 kit - Good wibe weaponry tokens, both warrior and spelluser type
Magic weapons 2 kit - Evil wibe weaponry tokens. both warrior and spelluser type
Magic items 1 kit - Good wibe magic items & components
Magic items 2 kit - evil wibe magic items & components
Armor 1 kit - elvish armor and clothing
Armor 2 kit - dwarven armor and clothing
Armor 3 kit - orc & goblin armor and clothing
Artifacts 1 kit - Ancient artifacts: treasure & objects & items
Artifacts 2 kit - weaponry, armor, helmets, shields, magic items
Treasures 1 kit - various gold, silver, gems, chests, piles, items
Banners kit - banners of elves, humans, dwarves, halflings, orcs, goblins etc
The Undead kit - more undead tokens
Demons kit - more demon tokens
Otherworld theme kit - terrains, tiles and tokens for constructing various otherworldly locations
Airships kit - construct various types of airships or use precreated airships, new tokens, new tiles new characters
Dragons kit - lairs, dragons of all ages, all types, nests, eggs, treasures
Mounts kit - usual and unusual mounts, without saddles, with saddles and with armor
Winged monsters kit - winged monsters such as flying sharks, winged panthers, royal unicorns etc
Cavern kit - terrains, tiles, tokens for constructing locations under the ground or under the mountain, including undeground watersources, new plants, various new ores and more
Pirates kit - monkeys, pirates, new ships, new terrains, new tokens and a nasty bunch of characters
Desert addon kit - new terrains, new tiles, new tokens
Templars kit - new character tokens, new weapon & item tokens etc

[Shockbolt]

Nice looking tokens Shockbolt!

Thanks Harbinger!

[bennis1980]

Woweee! That is one impressive list. My hands would fall off if I attempted less than half of it (and they still wouldn't be of such quality craftmanship!

May the gods be with you and guide your hand!

[Shockbolt]

Woweee! That is one impressive list. My hands would fall off if I attempted less than half of it (and they still wouldn't be of such quality craftmanship!

May the gods be with you and guide your hand!

I had to make it worth the pledge rewards that promised all future addon art kits would be received for free :)

In addition to these, there will be stand alone tokens or really small "kits" containing 1-5 tokens.

[Resonance]

[...]

Iron age kit - weaponry, clothing, armor, shields, treasure and more from the Iron age.
Picts kit - weaponry, clothing, armor, shields, treasure and more of pictish origin (both historical and Conan the barbarian style)
Vikings master kit - new tiles, new tokens
...
Mounts kit - usual and unusual mounts, without saddles, with saddles and with armor

These ones certainly look to be about my core interests, as far as tokens go. :)

I don't suppose you'd arrange for some kind of one time investment to get all 'low fantasy/historical realism' style tokens upon release?
(got the idea from reading that you've had some kind of kickstarter offer going.
I'd be keen to kick for some focus in the style I can use, of course. ;) )

Regards

Res

[Shockbolt]

I had the option open for people to become part of the project, up until 28. Feb this year, it had to end sometime and I felt it was time to set a date.

Beyond that date, the art kits will be found in various online rpg webstores later on when they are released, such as here on www.fantasygrounds.com :)

[Shockbolt]

Tile art progress is going great, over halfway through the list of tile shapes to be included with the base Fantasy art kit, which will also serve as a base for any new tilesets such as wood, cave, rock, glass, metal or other. There will be larger circle shaped tiles, for even larger circle shaped rooms, and I'm working on creating diagonal hallway tiles as well.

To avoid too much work, I decided to create the light/shadow coming directly top-down. This minimizes both the time needed and the result is still looking great..
What you see in this screenshot are the various tiles created so far, to the left you see some tiles with a separate floor placed under them and to the bottom there are drainage tiles, intended to be placed ontop of the floor so they are located near walls etc, or you could infact place them anywhere you'd want.

Doors, grates, holes, stairs up, stairs down, traps, statues and everything else will be made so that you can place them where you'd want them to be.

This is a downsized screenshot, true size is 512x512 pixel pr tile, in reality each square in the grid is 256 pixels:
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/tiles_preview_01.jpg

[Shockbolt]

The previous tilesheet posted looks crappy as a standalone image, so I thought I had to make something where the graphics are seen in action.

This is a test map made last night, using some of the tiles and tokens made so far:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/test_map_02.jpg

[Shockbolt]

It's getting close to a release of the next addon art kit, the Tavern art kit. I should have the rest of the artwork for it created this week, mainly the character tokens. I've been working on a bunch of sitting characters today, made in a way so that you may place them onto anything you'd like (no chairs stuck to them). The Tavern art kit will contain new chairs and a pair of benches for use with them, or stick them ontop of a barrel or dead body if you like.

I've been posting regular updates on the website and facebook page, but here's a tiny preview, containing a small portion of the artwork found in the Tavern art kit:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/tavern_preview_a_01.jpg

[Shockbolt]

A tavern, created using parts of the contents found in the Tavern addon art kit. In this example, I've used sunlight shine through the door and windows and a shadow overlay, seen in the top right corner of the tavern. I finished this addon art kit earlier tonight, going over everything now before I start sending it out to the backers.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/Tavern_addon_preview_01.jpg

[Shockbolt]

I've started working on the 3rd stretch goal(counting in the Minimap art kit).
This is a work in progress preview of the castle wall and moat tileset for the Castles & siege engines addon art kit. The finished version of the moat will look a lot better, when details have been added to the set.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/castle_wip01.jpg

[acuarion]

Hello!

I'm a new member of fantasy grounds community, i'm starting a 4e game with my friends and i'm the dungeon master, this will be our first time using a VTT and this looks like a really awesome kit to use on any fantasy game, i came across this thread a few days ago and i've been wondering if there is a way to buy this fantasy art kit, i want to the kickstarter web site but the pledges are not on anymore, i read in this thread that the kit was available in the fantasy grounds store but i couldn't find it, i have a full license and i got some monster and char tokens, but i'm really interested in the item and tiles tokens, so i wonder if there is a way to buy this pack?

[Tiqon]

It will be available later when it done ;). He's working on it at the moment. What you see here in this thread is his constant updates on how the tokens are coming along.

oh and of course WELCOME!

[Shockbolt]

Heya acuarion,

The full art kits should become available in the FG webstore later on I hope. I do not think that FG currently supports using many layers to create maps, which is why we only have the characters & creatures available to us as modules yet.

I'm also awaiting a few answers from the Norwegian government regarding placing VAT on these kits or not(on my end, having to pay 25% of the income in VAT in addition to 28% personal tax), the fact that I'm being told that I'm the first person in Norway to create and sell artwork the way I do doesn't help speed up the process as I bet they want to make this case as an example for future similar cases. Until those questions are answered, I'll have to put a hold on sales of the full art kits.

You'll find more info about the kits, prices and project progress on this website: www.rpgartkits.com (https://www.rpgartkits.com)


Hello!

I'm a new member of fantasy grounds community, i'm starting a 4e game with my friends and i'm the dungeon master, this will be our first time using a VTT and this looks like a really awesome kit to use on any fantasy game, i came across this thread a few days ago and i've been wondering if there is a way to buy this fantasy art kit, i want to the kickstarter web site but the pledges are not on anymore, i read in this thread that the kit was available in the fantasy grounds store but i couldn't find it, i have a full license and i got some monster and char tokens, but i'm really interested in the item and tiles tokens, so i wonder if there is a way to buy this pack?

[acuarion]

Thanks for the answers :D and i hope everything works out well for you, i think you are an amazing artist and i'm pretty sure i'll be buying this kit once is available for purchase, good luck! :)

I forgot to ask..... by any chance are you planning to include winged npcs to your token char/npc list? like celestials char or demon char, besides those found among monster tokens

[Shockbolt]

I forgot to ask..... by any chance are you planning to include winged npcs to your token char/npc list? like celestials char or demon char, besides those found among monster tokens

There should be plenty of new content, including types like you've just mentioned, in future addon art kits. This is a list of the planned addon art kits, in addition to these, you'll have smaller art kits that would contain 5-10 npcs/characters or 5-10 items/objects. These art kits have not been listed yet but will be included once they're planned: https://www.rpgartkits.com/?page_id=456

[acuarion]

Sweet! i'm really exited about this :D keep up the good work, you're the best

[S Ferguson]

Good show. When FG catches up to your work, look out! :D

Cheers,
SF

[Shockbolt]

I made a few torture devices today, among other items and objects:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/torture_devices_example_a_01.PNG

[Shockbolt]

A few animal tokens, bird tokens and a castle dragon, all will be part of the Castles & siege engines addon art kit that will be released very soon. Next up is completing the character tokens for this art kit.

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/castle_animals_preview_a_01.JPG

[bennis1980]

I don't fancy that dragon's chances. That owl looks deadly!

[acuarion]

oh god! i can't wait to get my hands on this :D excellent work

[Shockbolt]

These are a few Castles & siege engines addon art kit character token previews, just a few of the batch that will be in the complete art kit:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/castle_characters_preview_1.jpg

[Ardem]

as usual awesome work

[bennis1980]

Its not fair that one person be this talented, all to themselves without sharing: there must be anti-trust laws against it

[Shockbolt]

@acuarion , @Ardem : thanks :)


Its not fair that one person be this talented, all to themselves without sharing: there must be anti-trust laws against it

If I could, I'd spread a few of the skill points over to programming, I've got so many game ideas I'd like to turn into finished projects. :)

[bennis1980]

@acuarion , @Ardem : thanks :)



If I could, I'd spread a few of the skill points over to programming, I've got so many game ideas I'd like to turn into finished projects. :)

Ha ha, if only it was shared XP and some of us could level up our artistic ability like you have :)

[Ardem]

I did level up my artistic ability, however it cost be more points then programming cause I chose the Tech Class.

[bennis1980]

I chose a healer, and now I want art and techy skills. Can I make a new character? :(

[Dakadin]

That's fine with me but it might be a painful process for you. :D

[bennis1980]

I'll just have to mould my kids into what I always wanted to be: they won't hate me for it, and in 10-20yrs time, I'll just blame a man call Raymond Gaustadnes and his enviable talent. "That's what happened your honour... lock him up for unlawful greatness"

[Tiqon]

I did not chose until late, so I guess I'm a no-profession, which means EVERYTHING is expensive to learn, and I cant do anything really good... I did take a tech package later but still...

[bennis1980]

I did not chose until late, so I guess I'm a no-profession, which means EVERYTHING is expensive to learn, and I cant do anything really good... I did take a tech package later but still...

I'll tell you a skill you are very good at:

Category: Raiding and Pillaging

Skill Specializion: Jumping in your longboat and sailing to a little peaceful island (just past that bigger not as peaceful one) and robbing what you can from innocent monks living in round towers.

You aren't the only one with that skill either :D

[Tiqon]

I'll tell you a skill you are very good at:

Category: Raiding and Pillaging

Skill Specializion: Jumping in your longboat and sailing to a little peaceful island (just past that bigger not as peaceful one) and robbing what you can from innocent monks living in round towers.

You aren't the only one with that skill either :D

Those are racial bonuses... ;).

[bennis1980]

Ha ha ... and hobbies!

[Ardem]

Well my racial bonus did not help me "Stealth Mechanics". Cause I chose a Lawful Good character. However I often smile at the dumb arse that try without that bonus.

Why break down a door or window when the house is made of fibro, and you can kick in 10mm fibro and the 10 mm gyprock to gain entry, and create a lot less noise then a huge door or glass breaking.

[bennis1980]

And my racial choice certainly doesn't give me a bonus to RR against inebriation. If I drink two pints I'm on the floor.

[damned]

Anyone catching this email that hasnt been on the boards for a while - there are still seats available at the Virtual Con running this weekend at www.fg-con.com
Want to get on for a free one shot gaming session - sign up now.

(so maybe Im trolling a little - hijacking popular posts - but hey, its all for a good cause)

[bennis1980]

Anyone catching this email that hasnt been on the boards for a while - there are still seats available at the Virtual Con running this weekend at www.fg-con.com
Want to get on for a free one shot gaming session - sign up now.

(so maybe Im trolling a little - hijacking popular posts - but hey, its all for a good cause)

Hey, trolling about the FG-con on the FG forums is not trolling. Shame on any moderator who calls you up on it.

But do troll other RPG forums too as penance. :D

[Shockbolt]

It's been a while since my last post so I figured I'd let people know I'm still alive and kicking :D

I'm working on the "Holy places" addon art kit for the Fantasy art kit project, doing my best to deliver it to the backers in October. Selling the art kits on various online marketplaces is still a no go, sent another e-mail to the tax department today to try and find out why it's taking so long to get an answer from them, been waiting since May this year now to hear from them.

Two weeks ago I quit my daytime job, not because I earn enough from the artwork, but it gave me brain rot and left me little choice but to leave after 13 years of working for them. The company is going downhill with the management that is inplace there now and it wouldn't surprise me to see them go bankrupt in a little while...sadly.

I know people hate seeing excuses for not meeting expectations, and I'm one of those. But the company issue, quitting, the time before deciding to finally quit and much more has had my mind occupied with other stuff than artwork these last few months. But rest assured, everything will be made and delivered to the backers as fast as I'm able to.

[Harbinger]

Nice to here your ok! Also I've been seeing more and more of your works around in Pathfinder stuff now to on FG. I even thought I recognized your works on a Game announcement for Nov1-3. It is nice to see that more people are using your great art work.

[S Ferguson]

Don't kick too hard, it might upset your tablet.:) Good to see you're alive and well, though. Looking forward to some more great work!

[Ardem]

We all need to eat, Raymond.

Don't be too hard on yourself you have got through and extraordinary amount of work already. Good luck with it all

[AstaSyneri]

I absolutely agree (glad he's still alive - and I am sure we'll still see great things from him). Soon it's going to be dark up there and he won't have anything to do but chain himself to the desk/tablet and create. ;-)

I hope this and future Kickstarters will give him a good financial baseline.

[Skellan]

Your tokens are great. I always choose to use them first. I will certainly be buying stuff from you

[Harbinger]

Yea I like your token too, and it does make a difference when playing in a game. The level of detail is great on these.

[Ardem]

Great work with your holy kits, looks fantastic.

Well done again on doing this enormous undertaking

[damned]

the Holy Places Characters in particular - are awesome.

[Shockbolt]

Thanks guys :)

[damned]

Ok guys - yes Im posting this reply to a few threads - cos - well its worth it.

If you were a part of this kickstarter and received the awesome minimap art kit but have been struggling to find the right tool to make use of these awesome tiles and havent quite worked it out (like me) then you shoudl look at this app that Qai posted today.

https://www.mapeditor.org/
you may or may not also have to install Python from www.python.org
now this app is not at all intuitive (to me anyway) but read this page: https://gamedevelopment.tutsplus.com/tutorials/introduction-to-tiled-map-editor--gamedev-2838 and import the interior tilesheets and suddenly life is starting to look good...

[hawkwind]

Looks good

[damned]

Anyone going to run a RMC or BRP session for FG Con?

https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/fg-con-newsletter.png

FG Con 4 is here!

FG Con is back for our 4th event. This time around FG Con will span 100 hours from the evening of Thursday May 8th (AUS/NZ time) to late night Sunday May 11th (US/CA Time).

We’ve got 38 sessions available for registration right now and several more close to being published. Visit the site here: https://www.fg-con.com/events and get started.

Players – now is the time to sign up for your games – but first you need to make sure you have your timezone set in your user profile – see instructions here: https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FGCon_UserRegistration.pdf All players play free! Of course you still need to have installed a copy of Fantasy Grounds and TeamSpeak but you can still play even with a demo license.

GMs – there is still time to get your game listed – but don’t leave it too late as it will get harder to fill your game. Instructions for GMs here: https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FGCon_GMGuidelines.pdf All Full Licenses will be bumped to Ultimate licenses for the duration of the Con so you can get those friends involved who haven’t yet committed to a license.

If you need any help – either as a player or a GM please contact the FG Con team by email: [email protected] All feedback is welcome. Suggestions regarding the site, regarding recruitment, regarding emails – whatever – the FG Con team want to hear from you.

[Shockbolt]

Hi guys, I'm still alive and working on the Fantasy art kits :-)
I'm thinking about moving this thread into a proper category in these forums, hiding it in the Rolemaster section doesn't seem the right place
for the art kits parts.

The last stretch goal is being created these days and I've updated the website www.rpgartkits.com (https://www.rpgartkits.com)

[Trenloe]

I can move it to the Armory -> Tokens forum (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?91-Tokens), or just the Armory?

[Shockbolt]

I can move it to the Armory -> Tokens forum (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?91-Tokens), or just the Armory?

I started a fresh thread in the Armory section, before I noticed your post Trenloe. Came back here to post the link to the new thread when I read this :-)

[Trenloe]

I started a fresh thread in the Armory section, before I noticed your post Trenloe. Came back here to post the link to the new thread when I read this :-)
No worries - I can move this one over there and delete the one you've already created?

[Shockbolt]

No worries - I can move this one over there and delete the one you've already created?

That should be better perhaps, please go ahead.

[Trenloe]

That should be better perhaps, please go ahead.
Done. Welcome to your new home! :)

[kane280484]

Gonna go for base kit soon. Looks nice! Those are meant to be placed upon readied map (walls/rooms) via Adobe Phostoshop or another third party software like Gimp?

[Shockbolt]

Gonna go for base kit soon. Looks nice! Those are meant to be placed upon readied map (walls/rooms) via Adobe Phostoshop or another third party software like Gimp?

You could use any photo editing software that handles PNG/images with transparency, and allows you to work with layers, or you could import the quartersize sets directly into Fantasy grounds for example. There should be at least 1 or 2 fantasy map tools that you could use with the images found in my art kits as well, though I haven't checked out any of these.

[Shockbolt]

I've added a new page to www.rpgartkits.com today, the "Art kit fix list" that contain known issues with the various art kits. If you come across anything that doesn't look right with my art kits, don't hesitate letting me know about it.

I've also updated the Future addon art kits page, some art kits have been renamed, other art kits have been added to the list.

[damned]

Gonna go for base kit soon. Looks nice! Those are meant to be placed upon readied map (walls/rooms) via Adobe Phostoshop or another third party software like Gimp?

I used Tiled to placed the walls and then Gimp to drop it on a background and to resize/scale. probably 15mins.
https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dagour.jpg

[Shockbolt]

Spent some time these last 7 days to fix several known issues with the art kits. Fixed files will be added to the art kits for future buyers, patches will be sent out to those who already own the art kits.

At the same time I'm also working on the next addon art kit to be released, the last stretch goal from the kickstarter named "Monsters & items booster kit 1".
To really cut into my hours of sleep, I'm also working on a Bilbo's Mithril chainmail replica these days, should end up with anywhere between 20.000 and 30.000 rings when it's done.

[Blackfoot]

I used Tiled to placed the walls and then Gimp to drop it on a background and to resize/scale. probably 15mins.
https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dagour.jpgThat looks interesting.. but... aren't the outer walls kinda thick? I suppose if you made each of those squares 10' (doubling up on the grid) then there would be a little room for the tokens to move around in there... I guess my point is.. while visually interesting... for playability purposes... reducing the width of the walls might be a good idea.

[Shockbolt]

That looks interesting.. but... aren't the outer walls kinda thick? I suppose if you made each of those squares 10' (doubling up on the grid) then there would be a little room for the tokens to move around in there... I guess my point is.. while visually interesting... for playability purposes... reducing the width of the walls might be a good idea.

The minimap kit were never intended to be used as a game map in the way that tokens would be moved around on it, like with the rest of the art kits. My intention with this kit was to have tiles and art to create "treasure maps" sortof. This is probably why the walls might feel like they're stealing space :-)

[Blackfoot]

For FG purposes.. I know folks are eager for ways to build functional maps that they can use as 'battlemaps'. While tiling is not something that is easily done on the fly in FG.. building the map from tiles in photoshop or another graphic program isn't that big a reach for a GM. A layout map (as opposed to an overland map) that isn't intended to be used as a battlemap doesn't seem to serve a real purpose. Hence my suggestion for enhancement. Take it as you will. :)

[Shockbolt]

For FG purposes.. I know folks are eager for ways to build functional maps that they can use as 'battlemaps'. While tiling is not something that is easily done on the fly in FG.. building the map from tiles in photoshop or another graphic program isn't that big a reach for a GM. A layout map (as opposed to an overland map) that isn't intended to be used as a battlemap doesn't seem to serve a real purpose. Hence my suggestion for enhancement. Take it as you will. :)

That might be the case for FG..I regret to say that I haven't had a chance to try out roleplaying using FG yet, I was promised to participate in a few private test runs for Iron Crown back in 2012 but that didn't happen.
I do see your point though and I would like to add that I thought of making one or more kits that are similar to the Minimap but in the style of the other kits, that come with walls, floors, doors and other details already added to them. I might put this kit to the top of the list if it's something that is desired, for use with FG. I know other VVTs make use of visual props, such as making "treasure maps" for handing out to the players, I don't want to mention names as that has caused me some trouble in the past in other forums.

[Blackfoot]

Don't all VTTs use battlemaps to one extent or another? It was my understanding that was a big draw to using them as opposed to running games via Skype or something. Certainly they are pretty vital in the games I run. Ultimately the whole point behind all the tokens you've made is to place them onto some sort of battlemap.

[Shockbolt]

I assume so, though a set of tiles as mentioned in my previous post, similar to the minimap kit, would perhaps speed up the process of making battlemaps directly in FG?

[AstaSyneri]

That might be the case for FG..I regret to say that I haven't had a chance to try out roleplaying using FG yet, I was promised to participate in a few private test runs for Iron Crown back in 2012 but that didn't happen.


You know you can change that! ;-) Invited you via mail and PM to my All for One test session. I'll be happy to include you anywhere else, it's the least I can do, after all the great work you have done for me!

[Blackfoot]

With FGCon rapidly approaching.. there will be lots of one shot games available to play as well.

[Shockbolt]

Too much to do, too many plans and less time than wanted to execute those plans has kept me from any type of gaming lately. The only gaming I've done this last 6 months is a few nights of tabletop gaming with the X-wing miniature game and DungeonQuest I believe it's called.

Thanks for the invite Arne, I'll send you an e-mail when I get home from work later today.

That's true Blackfoot, I might make an effort joining some of those, the big fear is being hooked on rpg'ing again :-)

[AstaSyneri]

Thanks for the invite Arne, I'll send you an e-mail when I get home from work later today.

That's true Blackfoot, I might make an effort joining some of those, the big fear is being hooked on rpg'ing again :-)

I can understand that fear. ;-) But a one-shot can't hurt, can it? :P You'd be playing with a Dane and a German, afaics.

[AstaSyneri]

double post, please delete

[damned]

Blackfoot - I use maps made with similar size walls very often and I never find it an issue.
So the token might overlap the wall by 5% every now and again - theyre just aids - and to my eye they still look damn good, theyre quick to use and they work for the games ive been running.
Many other similar tilesets have similar thickness walls - Im not seeing the issue tbh.
Its a good thing the internet is big enough for all our differing opinions! :)

Oh yeah - Raymond - stop making excuses and come and play in at least one game!


https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/fg-con-6-150-1.jpg (https://www.fg-con.com/events/)
FG Con 6 – April 17-19th 2015 - register at www.fg-con.com (https://www.fg-con.com/) for all the latest info.

[Shockbolt]

Got back home finally and made a preview of the Quick map tileset, where walls, floors and other details are already put into the tiles. I imagine a wide range of different looking tiles for each of the pieces,
as a nicer looking alternative to using the Minimap tileset for the same purpose:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/quick_map_test_04.jpg

[Blackfoot]

Definitely much cooler than the other.

[tlavalle]

to bad there isn't any sci fi or modern tile sets.

[Shockbolt]

to bad there isn't any sci fi or modern tile sets.

There are strong plans for scifi/modern/futuristic and horror themed tilesets...but I'd like to finish this one last stretch goal for the kickstarter before I open up those doors :)

[Shockbolt]

These tiles and tokens are part of a game project that has not been fully developed or released yet, and I would like to point out that they are to be treated as concept art rather than 100% finished art.
The scifi art kits would contain better art in the end :-)

https://www.rpgartkits.com/div/test_map001.jpg

https://www.rpgartkits.com/div/test_map002.jpg

https://www.rpgartkits.com/div/test_map003.jpg

https://www.rpgartkits.com/div/test_map004.jpg

https://www.rpgartkits.com/div/test_map005.jpg

[Blackfoot]

Nice.

[Dakadin]

Very impressive looking. I can't wait for a full set. :)

[tlavalle]

There are strong plans for scifi/modern/futuristic and horror themed tilesets...but I'd like to finish this one last stretch goal for the kickstarter before I open up those doors :)

the final kits are what i would be looking for.

[Shockbolt]

Painting tokens, this is a fresh screenshot of one of the creatures that will be in the next addon to be released, working on finishing this one and several others tonight. Seen here, it's about 60-70% finished.
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/animal_giant_snake_a_05.jpg

[Skellan]

The detail is amazing. It must take you ages to do each one.

[Shockbolt]

The detail is amazing. It must take you ages to do each one.

It takes between 30-60 minutes for a new creature/character token. Scales is always a pain in the behind to paint and takes a bit of time :-)

[Shockbolt]

256x256 version of the finished token:

https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/animal_giant_snake_a_06.jpg

[Dakadin]

Wow! Great job!

[Shockbolt]

Thanks Dakadin :D

[Shockbolt]

More tokens being made for the next addon art kit to be released, the 3rd token about to be finished tonight is the chest mimic, seen here approx 70% complete:
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/chest_mimic_a_05.jpg


-------------

And the finished version:
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/chest_mimic_a_07.jpg

[Shockbolt]

Updated versions of the Tavern addon art kit + Castles & siege engines addon art kit are being sent out tonight, containing the original art + corrections as some errors were discovered earlier this year. The Castles & siege engines also contain additional artwork, all explained in the fixlist document inside each of the downloads.

[Nylanfs]

awesome!

[Ardem]

Did not get a link Raymond for the updates, not sure if you sent it out yet.

[Shockbolt]

Did not get a link Raymond for the updates, not sure if you sent it out yet.

I've had 2-3 other people that did not receive their download e-mails too, let me send them out once more for you Ardem.

If the two e-mails did not get to you this time either, do let me know and I'll send direct links via my personal e-mail :-)

[Shockbolt]

A tiny content preview for the Monster & item booster kit 1, before heading to bed for tonight:
https://www.rpgartkits.com/Previews/magical_eye_beast_b_10.jpg

[Zacchaeus]

I just came across the website for this when I was looking for something else. All of it looks pretty amazing etc but what is lacking is some solid information on exactly how this can all be used within Fantasy Grounds. There is something which says that maps can be made within GIMP which I use (although I have no idea what I'm really doing with it). So the question is exactly how do you use these things to make maps?, Is there a map making tool included in the package? Can they be used within Fantasy Grounds? Can the tokens be used in Fantasy Grounds? Just how much artistic talent is required to make anything half decent? (And don't anyone dare say that you can quickly and easily make maps - if you have zero artistic talent, like me, there is never anything quick or easy about making something that requires artistic talent :) )

[Trenloe]

Can the tokens be used in Fantasy Grounds?
Absolutely! All of the Characters, Creatures and Monsters from the Base Fantasy Kit are already included in Fantasy Grounds.

The tokens from the other kits come in a format (.png) that can be easily added (copy/paste the files) to your GM (host) or shared tokens directories in FG and used straight away: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Tokens#Loading_Locations

[Zacchaeus]

Absolutely! All of the Characters, Creatures and Monsters from the Base Fantasy Kit are already included in Fantasy Grounds.

Oh, I didn't know this. I was looking at this as more of a map making product, but really I don't need it. I've had Campaign Cartographer from back when it was issued on Floppy Disc, and I really should be more proficient with it. However I don't use it often enough for it to become second nature - I find myself relearning it every time that I decide I need to make a new map. I was looking around for something easier but from what I've seen it's still pretty much the best one around.

[Trenloe]

I find myself relearning it every time that I decide I need to make a new map.
Yeah, me too. I go in fits and starts.


I was looking around for something easier but from what I've seen it's still pretty much the best one around.
For free form maps, I agree. But for more tile based maps not so much. If you have a set of tiles, like the ones in these kits (or various others available around the internet. Here's one example: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?22537-Dungeon-Map-Tiles) then you can import them into applications like tiled, Pyromancer's tools, etc. and pretty quickly throw a map together just by adding the tiles and joining them up.

[Dakadin]

Making maps using the tilesets and GIMP works out pretty well.

Determine how many tiles long and wide to make the image
Determine what size tiles you want to use (128, 256, 512) from the Art Kits
Create a new image and size it by multiplying the number of tiles for each dimension by the tile size you are using
Configure the grid in the Image menu to be the size of the tiles
Select show grid and snap to grid from the View menu
Drag a tile from Windows explorer on to GIMP. This adds the tile as a new layer.
Select a portion of the tile that isn't transparent and drag it to the appropriate grid location
Continue the previous 2 steps until you have the basic layout
Use some of the other images to add details to the map


The part that slows me down the most is trying to figure out which tile I need.

[Zacchaeus]

Thanks, Dakadin and Trenloe. That's very helpful.

[damned]

Oh, I didn't know this. I was looking at this as more of a map making product, but really I don't need it. I've had Campaign Cartographer from back when it was issued on Floppy Disc, and I really should be more proficient with it. However I don't use it often enough for it to become second nature - I find myself relearning it every time that I decide I need to make a new map. I was looking around for something easier but from what I've seen it's still pretty much the best one around.

I love Tiled from https://www.mapeditor.org/ for using tilesets.
Or Pyromancers awesome online tool.



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FG Con 6 – April 17-19th 2015 - register at www.fg-con.com (https://www.fg-con.com/) for all the latest info.

[Shockbolt]

A major milestone was reached today:

The last stretch goal found within my 2012 kickstarter campaign has been created and sent out to all the receivers today, the GMC Monsters & Items booster kit 1. The stretch goal part of the kickstarter is complete, but there are still custom tiles/token rewards left to take care of as they come in. I would like to point out that the addon art kits will not stop here, more will be created, both fantasy, scifi and horror themed kits and more. And they will come out more frequently as most of them will be more focused on a single subject.
I would like to use the opportunity to thank every backer of my project, without you this would never have been possible in the amount of time spent so far!
Stay tuned for more addon art kits!

[Shockbolt]

Thanks Dakadin, Trenloe and damned for helping me out with the most recent questions regarding the use of the tiles and tokens! Sorry to say, I've been too occupied lately to drop by the forum and check for new posts... :)

[damned]

Thanks Shockbolt for your awesome and amazing tokens - I love em all!
Even the Gnoll!

[Dakadin]

Thanks again Raymond. They look great!

[Shockbolt]

Thanks damned & Dakadin ! Even the Gnoll eh :D