Knight Vision Creative Evolving

Hey, Brendan here!

I've been working on a high level architecture for Knight Vision Creative communications. Way too often it feels like I'm casting Sending constantly trying to keep everyone in the loop. I end up repeating information, people are getting different details in different places, and in general it is complicated for me and for you. I spend more time keeping everyone posted on the content I'm building and less time on the actual building.

This wasn't an issue when I was first starting out and there were 20 of us in Discord playtesting the summoner class, but Knight Vision Creative has evolved substantially since then (we just broke 1,800 members!).

I decided to take a step back and approach this more thoughtfully.

There's a hub and spoke concept where people find the information on the spokes (Kickstarter, Discord, Facebook, Email, etc.), but you direct everyone back to the same common source (hence the hub).

I'm exploring using Tome Raider (working title for this site) as the hub.

The plan is to start posting the details, high resolution images, and everything else here where I can control the output and don't have to worry about deliverability issues nor platform constraints. I will then share links to the relevant content to each channel.

Whatever channel you engage with me now will be mostly the same, but rather than writing a killer email, turning that email into a Kickstarter update, highlighting portions of that email on Discord, etc., I'll reference the page on Tome Raider.

This is even more important when updates I share on other platforms, like Kickstarter don't come through correctly.

I posted this work-in-progress on Kickstarter and it looked great!

I checked it later on my phone and it looks like a blurred out dick pick...seriously WTF happened?

I started the revamp with Discord.

I drop multiple updates per day with artwork concepts, mechanics drafts, lore details, polls, etc. This gives you unbelievable access to shape the content literally as it is being built. Because it was a single running thread, it was getting unwieldy for everyone.

I decided to test grouping all of the content into posts in a forum channel. This would keep relevant conversations centralized, provide search and filter capabilities, and when I wanted to review content people shared I only had one post to review, rather than jumping all over the place in the timeline to make sure I caught it all.

Now you can quickly review any topic and get caught up on the details in a few seconds.

Here's an example where you can follow the development of the Apex Chimera artwork and mechanics.

You can use the search bar to find something specific or filter by the tags to look at artwork, lore, mechanics, etc.

Here's an example searching for subclass.

Discord itself is now less chaotic and way easier to find content, but what if you don't want to use Discord, or you don't have time to keep up with the flurry of activity?

I'm glad you asked! That takes us back to the hub, Tome Raider.

I will consolidate all of the content we are working on into an easy to skim summary. You get to provide feedback before even the editor!

Let's dive in!

I'm building an animated digital book.

Here's the latest prototype:

If you missed the Kickstarter, you can still join the party here.

• Hurlbat Updates
  • Current animation prototype is working pretty well (watch the video above)!
• I dropped the first draft of the Stalwart Fighter Subclass (working title).
  • There was a single "build a subclass" pledge, and Jeff Steel snagged it.
  • Everyone who backed the campaign is now getting this new subclass he's bringing to life, which will be included in Creed Shadow Stalker!
  • The subclass really gives vibes of Nobody, John Wick, John McClane, etc. where they are extremely difficult to take down and a pain in their enemy's side.
  • It hasn't been balanced yet (or gone through technical editing).

• Arboreal Arrow illustration progression is here!

• Apex Chimera Ranger Subclass mechanics and illustration

• Divination Sentinel Species

• We unlocked the pre-generated characters stretch goal!
  • These are designed to be easy to run for players unfamiliar with the game and veterans alike.
  • The bonus is that since they are stat blocks, it's extremely easy for the GM to use them as NPCs as well. Rival party anyone?

• Magesmith Background
  • Artwork concepts are coming in. Magesmiths working their craft!

• Convergence Bogie Aberrations
  • Final looks incredible!

• Creed Shadow Stalker
  • The four progressions of Creed turned out great!

Available as an add-on in the last Kickstarter, the Cleric specializing in holy water concept art was dropped for votes.

Version 3 is the top pick at the moment.

Available as an add-on in the last Kickstarter, the Nexus holds a secret. A secret that could destroy the world.

• Body Modifications
  • @surb has been helping me design body modifications for two books now, and this round is also fantastic. I haven't kicked off the art brief yet, so if you want to weigh in now is the time!

• Psion Manipulate subclass is undergoing technical editing

• Working on a giant bas relief sculpture that will play a role in the story

• Ranger Artwork

There was interest in a Halloween witch-themed project. I know it seems crazy early to start talking about it, but if you want to make it happen, the details need to get ironed out.

Here's the discussion on discord talking about what would go in it.

Follow the Kickstarter if you're interested, so I can gauge whether we can pull this off. I'll be on a tight timeline to finish up all the other projects first, so marketing and page building will have to happen while Vault of Aeonian Wisdom is at the printer.

Let me know what you think of this type of update! I will plan to iterate on this and improve each time, and this is way more productive when you tell me what you would love.

Talk soon,

Brendan

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