Trench Crusade is a new, dark sci-fi miniatures game that brings a unique spin to the wargaming genre, designed by former Diablo concept artist Mike Franchina and Mordheim co-creator Tuomas Pirinen. Inspired by World War I with an alternate history twist, the game reimagines the First Crusade, where Templar forces accidentally open a portal to Hell, unleashing a demonic apocalypse. Set in grim trenches, players engage in free-form combat with six distinct factions, including demon-worshipping Heretic Legions, rotting demon-spawned armies, and the religious Trench Pilgrims. Gameplay includes risk-reward mechanics and encourages player creativity in customizing miniatures, backed by a detailed rulebook and high-concept artwork. Notably, legendary Games Workshop artists, such as John Blanche, contribute to the game’s aesthetic. Available through a Kickstarter campaign, Trench Crusade offers both physical miniatures and digital files for 3D printing, aiming to foster a dedicated community around its free-to-play rules and rich lore.

The cast of Baldur’s Gate 3 reunited for a live D&D session at Comic-Con London in a show titled What We Do in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. The event featured actors portraying Astarion, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Karlach, with Jeremy Crawford as the Dungeon Master, bringing these characters to life in a new D&D adventure. This show marks a return to live D&D events, reviving the D&D Live experience with audiences after the pandemic shifted events to virtual. The show also provided a first look at the new 5.5E ruleset in action. Originally streamed on October 27th, the episode is now available on D&D’s YouTube channel for fans to experience the adventure and the updated gameplay mechanics.

Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying, known for its Gothic horror themes, is expanding with two new campaigns: Mythic Carpathia and City of My Nightmares, along with a new Starter Set. Funded on Kickstarter, this campaign reached significant support from nearly 4,000 backers. Mythic Carpathia explores Central and Eastern European folklore with encounters featuring creatures like Vampires and Baba Yaga, providing players with a rich backdrop of Prague and nearby regions. In City of My Nightmares, players investigate horrific events in 19th-century Stockholm, navigating eerie alleys and ancient secrets. Both expansions are crafted with detailed illustrations, maps, and richly written lore, designed for fans of supernatural horror. For newcomers, the updated Starter Set includes abridged rules, custom dice, and an introductory mystery. Additionally, the Core Rulebook has been updated with minor adjustments, making gameplay smoother. Backers of the Kickstarter campaign will have early access to the expansions and modules for virtual tabletop platforms. This project brings together notable creators, including artist Johan Egerkrans and writers from across Eastern Europe, underlining the game’s international appeal and immersive horror storytelling.

The Bludgeon TTRPG System is a tactical, mechanics-rich tabletop role-playing game created by a team of Indian designers and artists who wanted an alternative to traditional RPG combat systems. This system focuses on varied power sources like Martial, Chakra, Primal, Arcane, and Divine, and uses a scaling approach that enhances character versatility rather than just increasing stats. It aims to integrate robust role-play elements, giving players numerous options through adaptations, abilities, and skills. What started as a casual project in 2013 evolved into a comprehensive RPG, grounded in principles that prioritize storytelling and tactical depth. Designer Tejas Oza will discuss the game on Not DnD, a show featuring non-D&D RPGs, available Mondays on YouTube, Twitch, and podcast platforms.

#trenchcrusade #vaesen #baldursgate3 #bludgeonttrpg

Vaesen: Mythic Carpathia:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/mythic-carpathia-and-city-of-my-nightmares-for-the-vaesen-rpg

Trench Crusade Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1405364378/trench-crusade

Bludgeon TTRPG System:
https://tacticsnchai.itch.io/bludgeon-the-ttrpg

Submit to Wharf Rat Games:

https://wharfratgames.com/submissions

Alien 2E Kickstarter Campaign URL: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol

4-Hour Dune RPG Review:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/review-dune-in-106781242

Humble Bundle (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner=upturnedtable

Check out our new shirts on Red Bubble:

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/161648028?ref=studio-promote

Try Fantasy Grounds VTT (affiliate link):

http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/360148/15958

Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:

https://youtu.be/IYDyzNvQQKo

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)

https://www.nobleknight.com/affiliate/aw.asp?B=3&A=1312&Task=Click

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418106/Dragonbane-Core-Set

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):

https://www.drivethrurpg.com?affiliate_id=2081746

Matt’s DriveThruRPG Publications:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:

https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:

http://www.abusecartoons.com/​​

https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons

​​Support Us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/upturnedtable

Give us a tip on our livestream:

https://streamlabs.com/upturnedtabletop/tip​

Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe

https://kokoronome.bandcamp.com/

 

The upcoming Revised Player’s Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons is set to be released in 2024. The new handbook will be the largest ever, featuring more pages and 48 subclasses (four for each of the 12 classes), along with new spells, feats, and weapon rules. Notably, the backgrounds will now impact a character’s starting ability scores and provide a special feat at first level. The Revised edition is designed to be compatible with the current fifth edition material, allowing players to use it alongside existing products. There will also be an upcoming Revised editions of the Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual in 2024, providing a campaign setting, adventures, and over 500 monsters, including new creatures and tweaked versions of familiar ones. Additionally, it highlights other D&D books expected in 2024, such as updated classic dungeon crawls, an anthology called “Quests from the Infinite Staircase,” and an all-new adventure called “Vecna: Eve of Ruin,” featuring the return of the iconic villain. These releases coincide with the 50th anniversary of D&D’s publication and the Year of the Dragon in 2024.

Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast (WotC), has announced layoffs of 1,100 employees, in addition to the previously downsized 800, just before the holidays. This decision is part of Hasbro’s strategic transformation to modernize and streamline its organization, citing challenging market conditions in the toy industry. Despite record years for Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, the restructuring aims to refocus Hasbro on “fewer, bigger, better brands.” The layoffs include various roles, such as game designers and art directors, sparking criticism for the disparity between the company’s success and the job cuts. Wizards of the Coast’s upcoming releases for 2024, including Dungeons & Dragons’ 50th-anniversary celebration, remain unaffected. The move is part of Hasbro’s broader effort to optimize costs and reshape its organization. Critics question the company’s priorities, emphasizing CEO Chris Cocks’ substantial compensation and raising concerns about the impact on game development and support.

Talsorian Games has revealed the upcoming release of “Shadow Scar,” an anime-inspired RPG scheduled for 2024. Created by Cody Pondsmith, lead designer of The Witcher RPG and co-designer of Cyberpunk RED, the game revolves around the Shadow Scar Agency, a covert group of ninja defending multiple dimensions from interdimensional monsters. Drawing inspiration from anime series like Naruto and Demon Slayer, the game features a diverse range of dimensions, each influenced by Japanese folklore, pulp noir, steampunk, and alternate history. The unique character creation draws from six shinobi clans, resembling the monster-hunting schools in The Witcher. The game introduces a new d6-based system called Mosaic, designed for a quicker and lighter gaming experience compared to the Interlock system. Cultural consultants are being consulted for the Japanese setting to ensure an authentic portrayal. The release is anticipated in 2024, starting with a Starter Set and followed by a full launch line, including the core rulebook, miniatures, and accessories.

Free League Publishing has announced a new campaign book for Alien: The Roleplaying Game called “Building Better Worlds.” Set in the Alien universe, the campaign involves exploring a moon turned into a colony, facing calamities and mysteries. The $47 book is available for pre-order and is set to be released digitally and physically on January 16, 2024. The campaign includes new characters, gear, ships, and alien species, offering an expanded experience for players. The campaign book aims to provide tools for running a full open-world campaign within the Alien RPG universe, featuring exploration, colonization, and encounters with extraterrestrial creatures.

#hasbro #dnd #alienrpg #shadowscar

Pre-order Building Better Worlds:
https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/alien-rpg-2/building-better-worlds/

Help Jennel Jaquays:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennell-jaquays-has-a-long-road-back

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
https://www.nobleknight.com/affiliate/aw.asp?B=3&A=1312&Task=Click

10% off First Purchase from Modiphius:
http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vhbUPnHm6tIp

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418106/Dragonbane-Core-Set

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
https://www.drivethrurpg.com?affiliate_id=2081746

Matt’s DriveThruRPG Publications:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

Chris on social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​
https://twitter.com/hyvemynd​​
https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman​​

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
http://www.abusecartoons.com/​​
https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons
https://twitter.com/abusecartoons

​​Support Us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/upturnedtable

Give us a tip on our livestream:
https://streamlabs.com/upturnedtabletop/tip

Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe
https://kokoronome.bandcamp.com/

Free League Publishing is releasing two new game licenses for community creators – a Free Tabletop License (FTL) for the Year Zero Engine and a third-party license for the upcoming Dragonbane fantasy RPG. The Year Zero Engine FTL comes with a massively updated Standard Reference Document (SRD). Feedback can be posted on their forum on all three documents before they are finalized and officially launched.

Did Greg Stafford receive the first ever copy of Dungeons and Dragons directly from Gary Gygax?

Dungeons & Dragons’ 2024 Player’s Handbook won’t contain Ardlings. D&D lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford stated that the Ardlings, a proposed species with celestial origins and animal heads, did not test well in the most recent playtest. “There are a lot of fans of the Ardling, but the Ardlings’ time has not yet come.The Ardling is moving out of the playtest for now and maybe in some future year we will return [to them].”

Celeste Conowitch, Kobold Press’s Senior Game Designer posted on their Design Diary that “ It’s Time for the Monopoly on D&D to End… This is a wildly exciting time to make TTRPGs as we stare down the possibility of an RPG future not ruled by one master game under the control of one master company (The Lord of the Rings taught us this is bad)… This game has meant too much to us for too long to let it remain owned by just one company.”

FreeLeague DRFT Licnese:
https://freeleaguepublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Year-Zero-Engine-License-Agreement-Discussion-Draft.pdf?mc_cid=b763dc8590&mc_eid=5d8af4c50e

Year Zero Engine Revised SRD:

https://freeleaguepublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/YZE_Standard_Reference_Document.pdf?mc_cid=b763dc8590&mc_eid=5d8af4c50e

Project Black Flag Design Diary:

https://koboldpress.com/project-black-flag-friday-design-diary-1/

#freeleague #dragonbane #blackflagrpg #gregstafford #ardlings

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
https://www.drivethrurpg.com?affiliate_id=2081746

Chris social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​
https://twitter.com/hyvemynd​​
https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman​​

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
http://www.abusecartoons.com/​​
https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons
https://twitter.com/abusecartoons

​​Support Us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/upturnedtable

Give us a tip on our livestream:
https://streamlabs.com/upturnedtabletop/tip

Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe
https://kokoronome.bandcamp.com/

Tabletop Simulator runs into trouble as their global chat moderators block users. Free League releases the first boxed expansion set for Twilight 2000 Fourth Edition, Urban Operations. Monsters of the Multiverse collects 33 playable monster types from various sources already in print. This will be first available in a slipcase set of expansion books. It also marks the beginning of Wizards of the Coast removing default alignment from monsters and racial bonuses similar to the changes made in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. The Dune pre-production book of the unfilmed Jodorowsky Dune movie was sold at auction to a Dune-loving DAO. They tweeted their plans to develop an animated series and digitally scan, and then burn the book to be made into NFTs.
#tts #dune #wotc #twilight2000 #freeleague

Twilight 2000 (affiliate link):
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/358090/Twilight-2000-4th-Edition-Core-Set?term=twilight+200?affiliate_id=2081746

Free League Webstore:
https://freeleaguepublishing.com/en/store/?collection_id=270655783061&mc_cid=ff32e97c3c&mc_eid=2c6c1fb572

Tabletop Simulator Chat Transcript:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17kBMorbq59Izsu5gYA1B3pQfbyoaG102_p0pEWZx4Hk/edit

Chris on Itch.io:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/​​

Chris on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/hyvemynd​​
https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman​​

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
http://www.abusecartoons.com/​​
https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons​​
https://twitter.com/abusecartoons​​

Support Us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/upturnedtable
https://streamlabs.com/upturnedtabletop/tip

Intro song is “Chips” by Kokoro No Me
https://kokoronome.bandcamp.com/