Tales of the Kytin Age RPG finally  emerges on the World-Wide Web

Greetings from the author!

This symbolic basecamp, over which the fruit of the years of labor looms high above, has been a long way from home. Success, as measured by getting the game published and into the hands of players who will love it, sits upon that tall, still distant summit. We have sturdy climbing equipment.

When I first started writing down ideas in 1990, in my early twenties, I never dreamed that ‘the game’ would still be a massive undertaking some thirty or so years later.. It’s been a part of my families life even longer than our daughter! For fear of coming across as pretentious, it has turned into my “life’s work.” I have poured my heart and soul into this, and I can think of nothing more… precious to me.

(Above) Carbon dating places these documents as 33 years old. So much and yet so little has changed over the decades. I’ve been very stubborn to honour the original vision despite some of the ideas no longer resonating with an older self.

Okay, so there you have it—my own history of the game. Maybe a tad over the top, but that’s typical around here. Greetings from the Kytin Age! We are happy you made your way to our website, and we hope it encourages you to explore this brand-new sandbox universe.

If you enjoy bugs and other creepy crawlies, you’re our target audience. If you detest things with more than four legs, then you’re especially our target audience! Swords, lords, castles and giant spiders. Massive ants ridden into battle, several different guilds to join, unique characters and novel archetypes to create, play and enounter – on an Earth transformed by the folly of humankind into something unexpectedly wondrous, deeply engaging and gravely hazardous.

The bespoke rules system gives a level of gameplay that will satisfy even the most discerning role-players while being simple to understand and play. The gameworld and the ruleset are interwoven and much emphasis is placed on a character as a person rather than numerical attribute values.

A custom-made character can be accurately portrayed with little effort because their personality, idiosyncrasies, and even family backgrounds play an important part in character creation. Due to this, players are compelled to defend their own characters’ responses in a given circumstance, resulting in some genuinely enjoyable and memorable round-the-table game sessions. It’s fantastic, and running the game as DM/GM or “Hivekeeper” (HK) is incredibly satisfying.

So what now? We’re currently getting ready for Kickstarter, but other financing sources haven’t been completely ruled out. Only a fulfillment partner needs to be found now that production schedules and component manufacturers have been established. We’re still a few months away from placing all the imagery because there is so much (great) artwork, but production samples, book layouts, and graphic designs are being worked on every day, so that’s cool.

We’ll gradually build our online visibility and, I guess, “get the hype train rolling” until we decide on a date for our chosen fundraising platform, which we’re very close to doing.

We are working hard to make it the best we can and we hope you enjoy playing it for a very long time.

So, with that said, all the best and happy gaming!

Geoff

Greetings from the artist!

I’m incredibly thankful that out of the countless artists and online portfolios, Geoff somehow stumbled upon mine and reached out to me during the winter of 2019. From that point onward, “Tales of the Kytin Age” and its intricately realized world evolved beyond being a side project for me. It morphed into a place of mind where I could escape from the demands of my main work and the everyday hassles of life.

During our research and the many brainstorming sessions, we delve into various concepts on how to depict this natural-centric, alternate post-apocalyptic setting. This involves crafting the appearance of its occasionally eccentric-looking inhabitants and, of course, the bugs that skitter from every corner of its environment. Although an intricate endeavor, it brings immense satisfaction, given the dedication and years that Geoff has already invested in refining the vision of this world.

I hold the hope that players will discover the setting to be as enchanting and captivating as it continues to be for me. A realm that is familiar in certain aspects, yet remains enigmatic and wonderfully strange. A place where nature has reclaimed dominance and in which newly evolved or mutated life forms have managed to establish a somewhat harmonious coexistence – remaining ever vigilant to avoid the lurking dangers at every turn. May your adventures be filled with wonder as you explore and unravel the mysteries that “Tales of the Kytin Age” has in store, alongside us!

Yasen

Acknowledgements

Reaching this point is a significant accomplishment that would not have been possible without the help of many people. I want to thank the folks who have helped me thus far since I am fortunate to have them in my life. My incredible wife Maxine and my dear friend Yasen, who is an artist par excellence and my partner in crimes against common sense, are the two people to whom the game and I owe the greatest debts of appreciation. Without these two incredible people traveling with me on the lengthy road here, the game would be dead and, in all likelihood, so would I. I apologise, Maxie, I had no idea the way would take this long.

My sincere gratitude and admiration are extended to Martin Cozens and the entire Banc Digital team for lending a helping hand and allowing me access to his digital domain. Only Martin’s above-and-beyond help made it possible for the final preparatory stage before the epic campaign to release—getting online. Thanks, mate!

My good friend Graham Wilson deserves a well-earned shout-out. ‘Our Graham’ has the greatest Inspire Skill Rating I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing – and benefiting from – and is quite likely the sweetest soul one could meet. He emerges like a wizard at dawn to rouse a fatigued mind when the muse has left and dark clouds threaten the horizon. And he (of his own free will) sponsored the cover art, for which I will always be grateful.

Additionally, I’d like to thank the “old schoolers” from the 1990s who were the pioneers of ”Pari”, drawing blades against enormous mutant insects when the game was known as “Venom-X”: Julius, Dave, Craig Green, “Cos” Stevie, Grant Eales, Bill Allsworth, Pete Hilton, “Rodger from the model shop,” Mike Tasker and, of course, my steadfast champion Nick Cornwall; artist, actor and dependably brutally honest playtester. Many bad decisions have been avoided thanks to Nick’s critical opinions. I hope everything is good where ever life has you. Guys, I’m preserving the recollections of our earlier years, when every night was game night!

Last but not least, my daughter Heather and brother Andy. The game is only a little older than Heather, and she has literally known, played, and expressed opinions on the game her entire life (sorry, H). Andy – I think you picked the wrong lifeforms as your passion in life. Even though amphibians are great, invertebrates are far cooler! I appreciate all of your encouragement, man. Love ya.

ps. Spousal tip: If you ever hear a nearest and dearest ask ‘”How fast could a dwarf in full armour and a loaded backpack travel through difficult terrain?” – run like hell, you got a nerd on the loose!