Bastards of Foreven: Fleet Book 1

Currently in process, Fleet Book 1 will be a bit of a departure from the other ship books in the Quick Decks line, being more of an homage to CTs Fighting Ships book (although with more detail).  Currently, there will between 14 and 18 ships of various sizes, ranging in size from 10 fighters to 1000 ton mini-jump tenders.  The book will include black and white line art (a newish technique I've been working on), short descriptions, deckplans, and full stats for the base ship types.  Here are some sample pages, still WIP.

I'm hoping to have the PDF available in the next week or so, with softcover and hardcover versions available as soon after that as I can get proof prints. 

Quick Decks 5 released, next projects in the pipeline.

DSL Ironworks is proud to announce the release of Quick Decks 5: Salient-class Patrol Frigate!  This 500 ton workhorse is an alternative for the Type C cruiser, with much heavier weaponry and armor at a similar performance.  Available on DriveThruRPG.com!

We've also created a bundle deal, including all four of the current Bastards of Foreven products - Stories from the Frontier, Planetary Reference Cards for the Halverdi Cluster, Kankur-class courier, and the Salient-class patrol frigate.  Buy all four, save 25%!

Works in progress...the Salient-class Patrol Frigate and G-carrier.

Well, now that the internet is back up, I can finally post a few of the things I've been working on this week - a 500 ton J-3, 4-G patrol frigate and its G-carrier.  Soon to be out in Quick Decks 5: Salient-class Patrol Frigate.

It's done! Book 0, Stories from the Frontier released.

Book 0: Stories of the Frontier serves as the indtroductory guide to the DSL Ironworks version of the Foreven Sector setting, referred to as The Bastards of Foreven. Included within is an introduction to the setting, an explanation of the standards and assumptions used in this Alternate Traveller Universe, a history of Foreven, a sample vehicle, a sample starship, a sample world, and basic information for one of the subsectors. It also includes a discussion of major powers found in Foreven, criminal groups, mercenaries, and a short introductory adventure with enough story hooks to launch an entire campaign. It is designed to allow players and referees hit the ground running with the framework of a rich, immersive setting on the fringes of the official Traveller universe. It also paves the way for future supplements, world and ship books, and complete adventures and campaigns.

You can get it exclusively on DriveThruRPG.com

Book 0: Stories from the Frontier

100 ton Yacht in Book 0: Stories from the Frontier

Just a quick update tonight, with more to follow tomorrow.  Two test renders of a 100 ton yacht that will be detailed in Book 0: Stories from the Frontier.

Planet cards, 1st Subsector, just about done!

Well, that was fun. I sat down Thursday night and started setting up some cards to figure out how long it would take to lay them out. Just finished the 27 worlds of the first subsector (P, just across the border from the Five Sisters). I still need to work up 4 more images for card fronts, but the data is all there. I just need to run through everything and make sure the database, subsector map, and card data all agree, then I'm going to send them off for pre-press to make sure they're good to go by end of day tomorrow. Then finish Book 0 and get started on the subsector book that will have these worlds more detailed (with maps, timelines, etc).

Experimentation - Yea or nay?

This is a rough draft of (essentially) trading card sized reference cards for the Bastards of Foreven.  Currently the prototypes include NPCs, small craft, starships, vehicles, and planets.  This could (potentially) be expanded to animal encounters, organizations, criminal groups, equipment, and more.  I'm currently seeking input on the idea to see if it has any interest.  Comments and criticism welcome.  3.5 x 2.5 inch (standard poker size) cards, pic above shows the front on the top row, with the back below it.

I'm starting to set up a full blown video sequence and testing various things. Tonight, testing missile and laser speeds and glow FX. Also working on explosions, jump grids, and a few other nifty things.

Uploaded to my YouTube channel, crossposted to the DSL Ironworks page.

A shot of the Starstrider-class jump carrier, from the front quarter looking back.  The front section contains quarters, bridge, sensors, and cargo bay.  The aft is all drives and fuel, and the central ring has 6 docking collars to carry up to 1000 dtons of ships through jump.

A test render of the Khoensaeger orbital shipyard, Colleda.  Eventually to be used in a 2-3 minute video introduction to the Bastards of Foreven line.  It should coincide with the release of Book 0: Stories from the Frontier, hopefully in the next few weeks.  Book 0 is in the writing stage currently; I've covered the brief history of Foreven, I'm about half way through the major players, and I still need a sample world, some sample ships (mostly all modeled and textured, just need to finish deckplans and writeups), and an introductory adventure (outlined).  This model is just a rough at the moment.  Also pictured are a 200 ton Skipjack class shuttle and a 1000 ton jump carrier exiting the shipyard at the top.  I have to say, I'm having a blast working on all of this - it's been a few years since I've built up this much info from scratch.

New Years Sale!

In order to kick off the New Year, DSL Ironworks has taken 30% off the sale of the Quick Decks Bundle (normally a $10.50 value!) that includes all three of the Quick Decks packages for one low price, $7.00.  In order to get this special price, simply click on this link.  New Years Quick Decks sale!  This sale runs through the end of January, so head over to DriveThruRPG to get yours!

Well, the holidays are finally past us, and I have a little time to update things here.  To start with, a couple of noteworthy things from the last few weeks.   The first book for the Bastards of Foreven ATU setting from DSL Ironworks is out.  So far, we've gotten one 5-star review on DriveThruRPG, and sales have been brisk.  

The second book is already in the works as well, which will serve as the official introduction to the Bastards setting.  It will have sections on the philosophy and design behind the setting, some engaging fiction to help tell the story, and samples of everything to come - starships, NPCs, planets, and even a short adventure to help get things started.

While looking around on DriveThruRPG.com, I see they're going to start offering POD cards (poker sized to start, then working up from there), and I was intrigued.  As an exercise to see how difficult such a feat would be, I worked up a few sample cards just to get a feel for it.  It turns out it's very easy to do; once they go live with cards, I'll probably have a sampler pack put up for people to try out.  I'm not sure poker size is big enough to get enough data on, but it does a good job of hitting the high points.

As always, you can find us on Facebook, either at the group The Bastards of Foreven, or the DSL Ironworks page.  A quick search will bring you to either one.