Hudson and Brand, Inquiry Agents of the Obscure.

33, Golden Square, Soho, London
over 7 years ago – Thu, Aug 03, 2017 at 12:51:28 AM

For your immediate enjoyment, an A3/double Letter sized map of the offices of Hudson & Brand at 33, Golden Square for you, as a Keeper, to familiarise yourself with. There's no reason you can't print this in preparation for the release of the book (hopefully by October).

Here's the 2-page spread in low-resolution. Clicking the image will take you to a OneDrive folder containing a high-resolution JPG for you to use. The map is for personal use only.

A player's version will be available in the book and in the separate resource PDF.

The plans themselves are by the enormously talented Guillaume Tavernier so go show him some love on his Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2302708). The tradedress was by myself and the business 'brand' (ahem) is by Leigh Woosey.

 

A further peek...
over 7 years ago – Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 07:25:53 PM

Some more of Badger's work. Based on the layout elements started by Leigh Woosey, Badger has captured our view of a grimy London and the book is starting to shape up nicely! Bear in mind that this is a test, sent to me for approval. Apart from adding a caption to the images featured, I'm really happy with how it's turning out (further cementing my faith in having Badger do all our layout work) and he'll be proceeding as normal.

Roll up! Roll up! #AnachronisticButApt
over 7 years ago – Sun, Jul 23, 2017 at 09:11:45 PM

 Dean Engelhardt esquire has excelled himself with these pages from the Thames Sentinel. These pages will appear in the rear of the book but provision will also be made so that the interested patron may download larger versions at their leisure to serve as full-size printable pages of this august periodical. The watchful reader may also notice a certain number of possible cases within the columns. Enjoy!

The State of Stygian Fox Report
over 7 years ago – Mon, Jul 17, 2017 at 12:33:50 AM

Hi everyone, 

It's been a while since an update and for that, I apologise. The reasons this has happened and why the delays have occurred, and also, why they are less likely to occur in the future are elaborated on further down this update. I know you've all been very patient and I am so grateful for that, but you'll start to see real progress over the next few months.

Below are the current projects we are involved in, their current state of progress, and also why they have been delayed so long.

The Things We Leave Behind

This book is complete and done. It's available at DrivethruRPG/RPGNow in PDF, softcover, and hardback. It is currently nominated for two ENnie awards (Best Adventure & Best Electronic Product). Please vote for us! The physical books and PDF are 25% off while voting continues (click the cover image to be taken to our DTRPG store)
http://www.ennie-awards.com/vote/2017/

 

Distant Realms

My fantasy world is having an image rehaul. We're now using more suitable images. The regional maps are at 50%, the illustrations are all in apart from 2 city maps by Jon Gibbons (they are for Lar-Tarambar and Sinabal) which are currently being drawn.
Badger is laying out the completed chapters and adapting as the work is done.
 
This project was delayed by myself (Stephanie). Until recently I was still a map artist for clients and that was taking not only all my time but also all my energy. A few months ago I was diagnosed with an Adrenaloma (a small growth on the adrenal gland-my left one- which needs to be investigated). Needless to say, this is worrying me quite a bit and the stress has made an impact on my schedule. The good news is I've now retired from working for clients, handed over the smaller maps to my friend Jon Gibbons, and the only maps I will be doing now will be for my Patreon page and for Stygian Fox projects. The art 'bible' and placement will be finished by 4 weeks time. Click the map image below to be taken to the Distant Realms/Leviathan facebook page.

 

All the art is in, the layout elements are done, I need to make one final pass on the text and change one small sentence and a paragraph and then it's off to Badger to layout. This project is delayed by editing/manuscript changes and layout.

Fear's Sharp Little Needles

All the art is finished apart from the location maps (that's my fault). Text, editing, and illustrations are all done. It is awaiting layout and Badger has made a start. Quite rightly, as it's the spiritual successor to TTWLB, he's using a similar style but in colour.

The Book of Contemporary Magical Things

The text is complete. The images need to be 'placed' in a resource document (in the same way Distant Realms is) and then laid out. This should take no more than 4 weeks. I'm doing the layout and anticipate the PDF should be out for people to check/enjoy shortly after that.

A Life Worth Living/The Near Heavens
This hard sci-fi setting and adventure powered by the Cepheus Engine is written and is currently being laid out by myself. It'll take a while but as it wasn't created via Kickstarter I can let other projects take priority. The art is complete.

Occam's Razor  

This is a selection of horror scenarios for Call of Cthulhu and is currently being written. This is another non-KS project and can wait.  

The Advocacy  

The modern day equivalent to Hudson & Brand set in DC. It is currently being written. Again, this can wait.  

 The Book of Contemporary Magical Places
Another book that is being written and can wait.

 The Book of Contemporary Magical People
This is at the planning stage.

 There are other projects such as 'The Brotherhood of the Tapestry' that are at various stages of being complete but are waiting on others (the 'Brotherhood' book is waiting on the release of a book by Chaosium).

One of the major problems has been my working on clients projects rather than my own. While that has now changed, it has kept Badger back from laying out the books he's been given. He's had to wait on art from me or for me to send him art by others.

I trust Badger implicitly and when you find a talent you can work with in this industry, you never want to let them go and also to give them work so your books have the same feel. Unfortunately, this has had the knock on effect of adding to delays. Badger is a genius but he's not Superman. Having a few books to layout, especially when all the assets haven't been available, can be frustrating. The fault is entirely mine. I've hampered Badger but hopefully, things will be different from here on out. I can now devote my full working week (and more if you know what self-employment is like) to sorting these issues and getting your books to you. Apologies can seem cheap when given often, I can only assure you that I'm going full tilt into production.

Stephanie.

The ENnies
over 7 years ago – Tue, Jul 11, 2017 at 04:49:55 PM

Hi everyone, please vote for my book The Things We Leave Behind for Best Adventure and Best Electronic Product, also my company 'Stygian Fox � Publishing' for fan favourite company. My friends at Chaosium are also up for awards for their 'Doors to Darkness', 'Call of Cthulhu Investigators handbook', 'Call of Cthulhu Keepers Kit, and 'Pulp Cthulhu' (I helped a little with the last three) so please vote for me and my friends at Chaosium here: http://www.ennie-awards.com/vote/2017/ You dont need to log in or know all the products so please vote for us! Our book is also at 25% off at Drivethrurpg while voting continues. Thank you!