June 2024 Update
6 months ago
– Mon, Jun 03, 2024 at 08:57:23 AM
Quickstart Guide Errata, Backer Surveys, Events, and Development Updates
As summer begins, we're excited to bring you an update on several aspects of Born form Ice!
Survey Completion Status
Great news—83% of you have completed your surveys! If you're part of the remaining 17%, here's a quick guide to completing your survey:
How to Use BackerKit:
Check Your Email: Look for an email from BackerKit ([email protected]). If you don't see it, check your spam folder. You can also follow this link to find your survey.
Confirm Your Pledge Level: Once you access your survey, you can confirm or upgrade your pledge level. To upgrade, click on the "Switch your Pledge Level" link at the bottom of the first screen.
Select Add-Ons: You can answer questions about your reward preferences and purchase add-on items. Your initial Kickstarter pledge items should already be reflected in your selections.
Finalize Your Information: After making your selections, confirm your shipping address and enter your credit card information for any additional balance.
Changing Your Survey Responses: You can modify your responses at any time before we close the surveys. This includes changing your shipping address or other details.
Support for Survey Issues: If you need help with the BackerKit process, please use this contact form to contact support. This will be much faster and secure than leaving comments here on Kickstarter.
Full Instructions: Need more details? Full instructions for completing your pledge area available in our previous update.
Pre-Order Store
Miss the Kickstarter Campaign?
For those who missed out or know someone who did, our BackerKit pre-order store is open! Visit Born from Ice Pre-orders to secure your copies of the books or share the link with friends who might be interested.
Upcoming Free RPG Day Workshop with Designer Loren Small
Free RPG Day Festival Saturday
ImaginOn, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte, North Carolina
June 22, 2024
11:00 AM – 3:45 PM
RPGs and Creativity: Making the Game Your Own
Join Loren Small (designer of Born from Ice: Stone Age Role-Playing) in a journey into the creative world of RPGs, where storytelling and imagination come together. Learn how to invent your own game worlds and rules, explore the possibilities of publishing your creations, and discover the joy of collaborating at the game table on epic adventures with friends.
Note: ImaginOn is a youth library, unattended adults (those not visiting with children/youth) fall outside of the scope of this facility's services.
More Information and Registration Link: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Event Page
Born from Ice Development Updates and Quickstart Guide Errata
Significant progress has been made, especially on the Adventure Path. We'll have more to share in the coming months as various pieces of the books are completed.
Quickstart Guide Errata: There are a few clarifications or fixes to the Quickstart Guide. We have updated the files on DriveThruRPG with version 1.2 to include the following errata.
(Version 1.2)
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Strategist's Analyze Target: Text read "choose a creature you can see within range" but there was no defined range. The text “within range” was removed.
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Raven Totem: Negative Spirit Journey table had no result listed for a roll of 11. Lost in the Spirit World now rolls on a 9-11.
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Wolf Totem: Animal Companion's attack bonus was incorrect. The attack is now 2 + PB.
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Gatherer Background: Feat changed to Wilderness Expert. Previous Feat provided was Plant Knowledge, which is not in the Quickstart document. Plant Knowledge is an in development item and will be part of the Herbalism and Poisoncraft system.
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Fighting Style Feats: Prerequisites all changed to: None.
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Marksman Feat: Prerequisite changed to: Dexterity 13+.
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Martial Ranged Weapon - Bola: Prowess property removed. See Special Weapons on page 42 for unique properties of this weapon.
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Martial Ranged Weapon - Net: Prowess property removed. See Special Weapons on page 42 for unique properties of this weapon.
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Martial Weapon - Pole: Weight adjusted to 3 lb.
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Martial Weapon - Warhammer: Weight adjusted to 14 lb. Damage adjusted to 1d10 bludgeoning.
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Equipment - Tinder Pouch: Description updated to the correct text. It now reads: "A small hide pouch containing tinder fungus, flint, and pyrite. These materials are used to strike sparks and create fire in the wild."
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Equipment - Torch: Description updated to the correct text. It now reads: "A bundle of sticks wrapped with materials such as juniper branches, birch bark, pine resin, and deer marrow. The torch projects light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet for 1 hour, and is very smoky. The torch is well suited for travel or exploration, but requires effort to maintain its flame, typically by waving it to keep it oxygenated."
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Final Character Sheet Review Page: Removed page number placeholders.
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A Note on 5e Compatibility: Occasionally in the text we reference some mechanics that are not used in Born from Ice. For instance, the definition of Armor Proficiency on page 46 of the Quickstart mentions you can't case spells when wearing armor you aren't proficient in. Another item is the Heavy attribute for weapons, which only effects Small creatures (there are no small species for players at this point in the design of the game, although some NPCs such as Homo floresiensis may make use of this attribute).
We’ve kept these (and other rule references) within the text of the game for better 5e compatibility. Some groups might use the game with non-Born from Ice species, NPCs, and monsters, and so maintaining rule clarity is essential. For spells and magic, it needs to be clear for anyone who is mixing fantasy 5e material if an element of the game should interact with the magic system. It also leaves the way open if we ever wish to introduce any anachronisms in future material.
Previous Errata
(Version 1.1)
- Added Weapon Specialist Feat.
- Added Weapon Prowess Feat.
- Add Prowess Properties descriptions.
- Changed Prowess Property name from Sundered to Whirlwind.
Pledge Manager is Opening!
7 months ago
– Mon, May 06, 2024 at 06:36:55 AM
The Pledge Manager is officially opening today for Born from Ice. The smoke test (a small test of about 5% of backers to test the survey setup) was successful, and so we have now begun rolling out the survey to all backers.
In this update, we'll talk about some important notes for working through the pledge manager, as well as give you some pointers on using Backerkit if you haven't before!
How to Use BackerKit
Check your inbox and spam filter for an email from BackerKit ([email protected]), or follow this link to find your survey. Note: invitations will roll out over the next 24 hours, so yours may not arrive until this evening or even tomorrow.
Follow the onscreen prompts to confirm your pledge level. If you’d like to upgrade your pledge level, click on the small “Switch your Pledge Level” link at the bottom of the first screen:
Answer the questions about your reward preferences and purchase add-on items if you like. Items you pledged for during the Kickstarter campaign should already be reflected in your pledge level or in your cart. Your total cost should update as you select any Add-Ons.
Once you’ve made your final selections, hit “Next” and confirm your address (for orders that include physical items). On the final screen you’ll enter your credit card to cover any remaining balance, which completes this process.
After you respond to your survey, you can go back later and change your responses (including your shipping address) at any time before we close the surveys and get our final counts.
Shipping and VAT/Sales Tax
Due to the volatility of shipping prices globally right now, shipping fees for this project will be calculated at a later date. We plan to enter & charge backers for shipping a month or two before fulfillment when we have better estimates of what it will cost to ship backers rewards.
VAT or sales tax will be charged during this survey for backers in the USA, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Backers from other countries/regions will be charged any applicable VAT or sales tax at the same time as shipping. Additionally, some countries/locations require shipping charges to be taxed or included in VAT; if this is the case for your location, you will see an additional charge for this fee when shipping is charged.
We will alert backers (via a Backer Update post here on Kickstarter and through an email from BackerKit) when shipping costs and any additional VAT/tax are finalized & before we charge your cards. We will keep you informed all along the way!
Support
If you need help with the BackerKit process, please use this contact form to contact support. This will be much faster and secure than leaving comments here on Kickstarter.
Access to Your Survey:
If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page here.
Facebook Credentials:
If you used your Facebook credentials to log in to your Kickstarter account, the BackerKit survey is sent to the email address associated with your Facebook account. If you have another email address that you prefer to use, please contact support here.
Apple ID:
After surveys are sent, if you did not receive the email, and you Signed in with Apple ID, your email address might be a private relay email address. We can help locate your survey and update your email address, please contact us with your Pledge Number found on your confirmation.
If you need help finding your Kickstarter Pledge Number, please follow the directions here.
You can learn more about your email hiding for your Apple ID here.
May 2024 Update
7 months ago
– Thu, May 02, 2024 at 07:46:42 AM
May 2024 Update
Hello Born from Ice Backers!
First off, we'd like to extend a massive thank you to each of you. All the funds have successfully cleared from Kickstarter, and we're excited to continue work on this project. This journey wouldn't be possible without your enthusiasm and backing.
Survey and Pledge Manager Update
We are in the final stages of setting up the survey on BackerKit. It's currently under review by their team to ensure everything is set up correctly. Once approved, we will conduct a smoke test with a small group of backers to iron out any kinks. Assuming all goes well, we expect to roll out the full survey to everyone within the next couple of weeks.
During the survey, you'll have the chance to adjust your rewards, change your pledge level, and add your shipping information.
For those who encountered payment issues during the Kickstarter campaign, the pledge manager will also allow you to resolve these issues.
Shipping and Taxes
VAT or sales tax will be charged during this survey for backers in the USA, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Please note that shipping fees will be calculated and added later (closer to the fulfillment date) to ensure the most accurate rates. Backers from other countries/regions not listed above will be charged any applicable VAT or sales tax at this later date as well. Before we charge your credit cards for shipping, you will be notified via a Backer Update post here on Kickstarter and through an email from BackerKit. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Estimated Delivery
We are currently on track to meet the delivery timeline we shared during the Kickstarter campaign. We aim to deliver all printed materials by December 2025, while digital materials will be available a few months prior to this (as we can make them available as we finalize them for the printing process). Should there be any changes to this schedule, we will communicate them transparently and promptly.
Pre-Order Store
Miss the Campaign?
For those who missed out or know someone who did, our BackerKit pre-order store is now open! Visit Born from Ice Pre-orders to join the adventure or share this link with friends who might be interested.
Development Updates
We are committed to keeping you in the loop with regular updates. To avoid overwhelming your inbox, we aim to post an update during the first week of each month with progress reports (alongside sneak peeks, playtesting opportunities, and development insights). However, if there is more time-sensitive information (like the survey rollout), we will post updates outside of this schedule to help insure you stay informed.
Once again, thank you for your amazing support and for being part of this exciting journey.
Regards,
The Born from Ice Team
The Hunt Is Over! Thank You!
8 months ago
– Tue, Apr 02, 2024 at 08:59:53 PM
From the moment the Born from Ice campaign launched, I knew something special was happening. The idea of bringing science and an authentic prehistoric experience to tabletop roleplaying seemed to strike a chord. You all made it clear how much this project resonated with you, and your passion and excitement became the heartbeat of the campaign. And now, after 29 days, 816 of you have raised $57,693.
Thank you.
Thank you for every pledge, for every comment or question, and for helping me take an idea and turn it into something real. It means the world to me.
I'm humbled, grateful, and electrified by the campaign's success. You've turned a longtime dream into a palpable reality, and I can't wait to get back to writing and designing, and being able to share the rest of this journey with you all.
What's Next?
The journey doesn't end with the campaign's close. Now, the real work begins—to finish these books, and ultimately get them to you!
Update Your Payment Methods: For the next few days, Kickstarter will process all pledges. It's common for some payments to encounter issues due to credit card problems. To ensure your pledge is successfully processed, please verify and update your payment method if necessary.
Backer Surveys: In the coming weeks, we'll be sending a link to a survey on BackerKit, our pledge manager. This tool will streamline the process for delivering digital rewards, gathering shipping details for physical rewards, and allowing you to select any additional add-ons. We'll provide detailed instructions and support throughout this process, so watch your inbox for updates! You'll be able to make changes to your BackerKit survey even after you fill it out, up until we get ready to ship, so don't wait! Please fill this information promptly!
Development Updates: Over the coming months, we'll continue to share regular updates on our progress, including sneak peeks of things to playtest, development insights, and more.
Community Engagement: Our Kickstarter page will remain active, and we encourage you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and ask questions. Your input is invaluable as we continue to refine and enhance Born from Ice.
Estimated Delivery: We are committed to delivering Born from Ice as per the timeline we shared during the campaign. Any changes or updates to this schedule will be communicated transparently and promptly.
As we close this chapter and embark on the next, I want to extend my deepest thanks once again. Whether you were an early backer, joined mid-campaign, or rallied in the final hours, please know that each contribution, share, and word of encouragement has been pivotal in the success of this campaign. This truly would not have happened without you.
With a heart full of gratitude and eyes set on the horizon,
Loren Small
Designer, Born from Ice
P.S. Missed out on the Kickstarter? Don't worry, you can now pre-order Born from Ice right here!
We've Reached Our $50,000 Stretch Goal: Neanderthals Await!
8 months ago
– Mon, Apr 01, 2024 at 05:18:31 PM
Thanks to your incredible support, we've just smashed through our $50,000 stretch goal! This means Neanderthals will join Born from Ice as an optional playable species!
With this milestone, we're not just adding a new character option. We're expanding the lore, deepening narrative possibilities, and offering a unique perspective on life in the prehistoric world of Born from Ice. The addition of Neanderthals as a playable species opens up countless new stories in the vast, untamed landscapes of the Ice Age.
Thank you for being the best adventuring party a creator could ask for. Here's to the endless adventures that lie ahead in the world of Born from Ice!
