We have exciting news to share, including a deep dive into the Old-School Essentials Box Sets Kickstarter, Carcass Crawler Issue #2, Third-Party Old-School Essentials Kickstarters, and more. So let's dig in!
The Old-School Essentials Box Set is Back!
Back in the misty days of October 2019, Old-School Essentials was launched in two formats: a chunky hardcover Rules Tome and a box set. While the Rules Tome has been reprinted several times since then, the now legendary box set sold out by January 2020 and has never been reprinted — until now!
After 2+ years of constant demand, we're preparing to bring the Old-School Essentials box set back into print — and now also to be accompanied by an Advanced Fantasy expansion box set! We have everything lined up: a brand new box cover by the legendary Erol Otus, all new cover art for the books by the amazing David Hoskins, loads of new interior art, an improved structure of the books, and all known errata fixed.
Kickstarter February 23rd / 12.00 EST
There's just one more thing we need: your support! As producing box sets is an extremely expensive business, we're launching a Kickstarter to ensure there's sufficient demand.
The first 48 hours of a Kickstarter are critical to its success, so please jump in early and spread the word to your gaming friends! If you pledge in the first 24 hours, you'll get some extra special freebies as a big thank you for your support — a fantastic T-shirt with art by David Hoskins and a copy of issue #2 of Carcass Crawler, the official Old-School Essentials zine!
Sign up here to to be notified when the Kickstarter is live!
Kickstarter Reward Levels
Classic: The Classic Game Set. A deluxe box set of 5 books, with cover art by Erol Otus. A complete retelling of the classic Basic/Expert game.
Advanced: The Advanced Expansion Set. A deluxe box set of 4 books, with cover art by Peter Mullen. Already have Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy? Expand your game with extra classes, options, monsters, and magic inspired by the 1970s Advanced 1st Edition rules!
Classic + Advanced: Both box sets.
Ultimate Dungeon Bundle: Want to dive into Old-School Essentials in a big way? The Ultimate Dungeon Bundle pledge gives you both box sets, the Old-School Essentials deluxe referee’s screen, plus 6 adventures! (The Hole in the Oak, The Incandescent Grottoes, Halls of the Blood King, The Isle of the Plangent Mage, Holy Mountain Shaker, Winter’s Daughter.)
Prices to be revealed on launch (February 23rd)!
Old-School Essentials Q&A on Facebook
Any questions? Gavin Norman, creator of Old-School Essentials, is running a Q&A in the OSE Facebook group until Friday 18th. Drop by if you have any questions about the Kickstarter or about Old-School Essentials in general!
Carcass Crawler Issue #2 Available March/April
We're pleased to announced that Carcass Crawler Issue #2 is going to print very soon and will be available in March/April!
Issue #2 includes:
• New classes and races.
• Item-based encumbrance system.
• Guidelines for town services.
• Tables and guidelines for hiring retainers.
• Quick equipment tables for starting gear.
• Energy weapon rules.
• New snake cult monsters.
• A mini-adventure in a snake cult temple.
• Advice for adjudicating traps.
Just a reminder, that if you back the Old-School Essentials Box Sets Kickstarter on day 1, you'll receive a copy of Carcass Crawler Issue #2 for FREE!
Third Party Old-School Essentials Kickstarters
There's several third-party Old-School Essentials Kickstarters this month. Here are some of our highlights.
The Toxic Wood
This is a deadly wilderness adventure for Old School Essentials. Five days ago an arcane distress signal reached a secretive council of wizards from the residents of Aldervale. The village was assumed to be destroyed when Ion - a powerful dragon claimed the wood around it years ago. You are part of a team who have been sent on a dangerous quest into this hazy luminescent wood - to rescue the survivors of Aldervale from under the dragon's nose! Campaign runs until 26th February. Pledge NOW!
Rackham Vale: Paintbox Edition
Rackham is a setting for Old-School Essentials inspired by and featuring the art of master fantasist Arthur Rackham, now, for the first time, available as a full-color, Smythe-sewn edition. The Paintbox Edition also features an appendix with 10 pages of brand-new content! Campaign runs until 16th March. Pledge NOW!
The Mirror of Malatesto
The Mirror of Malatesto is an epic low level catacomb crawl (with an overland intro) for 4-7 players in a world of paranoia, prophecy and the looming, world-altering plot of a conspiracy of warlocks scheming to raise an ages-old slumbering evil! Campaign runs until 20th February. Pledge NOW!
Creature Feature Quarterly Vol. 10
Creature Feature presents another volume of fearsome foes and creepy creatures! 16 monsters for use with Old School Essentials. Every creature has a stat page, art page and two fluff pages, Paper minis are also included as high resolution DIY-printable files. Campaign runs until 2nd March. Pledge NOW!
Cavern of Mourning
A whimsical, weird, and dangerous dungeon module for Old-School Essentials. Coming soon, join the pre-launch page HERE!
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