Yes, after some blood, sweat and tears from everyone here at WorldWorks games (and a very patient audience) our first release in the world of Arcraetia series of is now at hand.

The World of Arcraetia marks merely the beginning of a journey that will place WorldWorks on a much more ambitious path. It has always been our dream to harmonize our model sets with RPG adventures and now that dream has become reality. With a whole department of dedicated writers and artists our Arcraetian adventures are set to raise the bar and finally infuse some vigor back into this industry. We will be pushing ourselves in fresh directions that will hopefully reinvigorate the love of the game that we all share. Our modules have a focus on extremely high production values and we will be including MUCH more than your typical run-of-the-mill adventure. In each of our adventures you will find an engaging story, professional illustrations, standees (paper miniatures) of the key characters and last but not least extra model pieces to compliment our preexisting model sets.

The world of Arcraetia is not only a foundation for future adventures, it is a roadmap for our model creators to design new and exciting model sets within this world. Writers, artists and model makers are working together to realize a common vision of what is possible. This harmony between adventure and model set will set WorldWorks apart from an industry that has for the most part coasted on fumes.

It is time to take a bold new step in RPG gaming. Time to shake out the dust and show a new generation why we love this game so much. With your support and feedback we will do just that. This is only the beginning and we have many new modules already well into production. We can’t wait to talk to everyone about Arcraetia and our future together!

Visit the Arcraetia homepage here: http://www.worldworksgames.com/arcraetia.html

View Bob Coopers first release for Arcraetia 'Something Below' here: http://worldworksgames.com/store/index. ... ucts_id=37

Keep tabs on the Arcraetia community here: http://www.worldworksgames.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=15

The Arcraetia site looks very nice Denny. I like how the cardstock figs look in Something Below; very reminiscent of Patrick's figures in design without the cartoony look. I'll probably get it for the extras, but the adventure premise isn't setting me on fire. I'll read it and hopefully swallow my words.
I didn't have a huge interest in Arcraetia but my interest is piqued.

An important thing to note is that we have five writers each developing unique aspects of Arcraetia in their respective modules. Each of these writers has their own flair and style which will play to individual tastes. There is a rich body of work coming your way and this is just the tip of the iceburg. I don't expect everyone to like everything we put out but we will be setting out to exceed content expectations. We'll most definitely be offering far more than standard RPG module fair, which should be a pleasant surprise for most gamers. The world will take some time to sink in as we flesh it out in coming months but we have a really exciting story arc that is very original at its core

I can dig it. The important thing for me is the "hook". What's that something "special" that sets one world apart from another? A stereotypical adventure can be so much more if it has that little "hook". I'm hoping I'll find that here. I love good old fashioned fantasy so I'm looking forward to seeing what you guys have cooked up.

DAI-UM!!! I almost wet my nickers I was so excited by the cool graphics and the Flash movies. Can't wait till Christmas is over to pick these up.

Heck I might not even wait till then

Thanks. More hard earned OT out the door!!!!

CCotD'

Wow! There's so much cool stuff in that movie. Leo's artwork is amazing!

The map is great, too. I grinned like an idiot when I saw Himmelveil on it!

I'm not too into the module buy...but with extra piece for cave works...and that intro...Well I'm stuned...I need it...I'm dowloading it...- I needed a "dungeon" adventure for my next Evernight play but if It wins my heart I would keep it to run as the Arcraetia world...
Good work...more after looking at it

Thought i'd treat myself to a chirstmas prezzie a little early. all i can say is WOW.

You do realise that i'm going to have to stop wrapping my childrens christmas presents and any other holiday season related stuff to put this extra stuff together so i can play....

Mr Blackhammer

As someone new to WWG, this will actually be the first product I buy (with CaveWorks next on my list, of course). I'll be happy to report on how well this works as an introductory product, even if it isn't necessarily meant to be one. On top of that, I'll be converting it to Savage Worlds.

I agree with Count_Zero in that I'm not too impressed by the cliche "job tacked on the tavern wall" adventure hook. On the other hand, the best hooks are created as a group effort by a gaming group, so it is really just a good, solid default.

Dang, I think I need to buy a bigger USB memory stick...


*edit: Sadly my downloads wouldn't start. Now I have zero attempts left and nothing but a bill. Support request has been submitted.

*follow-up: My attempt count has been restored and I've successfully downloaded it. Talk about fast, worry free support. Thanks, you guys rock.

Hey guys...thanks for the comments and compliments. I sincerely hope you enjoy the adventure.

Yes, the intro is a bit cliche (assuming, of course, you don't find an alternate approach). I'd be quite interested to know how you find the rest of the adventure.

Here's one of the promo shots that didn't get out in time for the release, made with elements of CaveWorks and Something Below:

Wow.

W_O_W this stuff is cool!

Nice work guys. I cannot wait to see the WWG:Arcraetia world develope. I've been looking forward to a new world I can sink my teeth into.

Is the world being discussed (round table for example)??Or is it more of a "ok here's the framework" you guys flesh it out as you see fit?

Andorax, I wasn't going to puchase Caveworks until I had everything else. But since I am buying your Something Below tonight, I've got no choice!

And man that water looks cool in the photo above.

-Floyd

ps. I know it was mentioned on another thread. but a (possible)conversion for SW system for the stats would be really cool.

If you haven't already done so, be sure to download the 'Arcraetia History' document on the Arcraetia homepage. Beyond that we do have a basic framework of what key events will unfold in the larger world of Arcraetia. We also have some fairly specific ideas about each of the races and how they differ from typical fantasy RPGing. Beyond that though many aspects of the world are open to interpretation and the guys are having a great time filling in the blanks.

All of that said I think it's really important that we get some active feedback from the community during Arcraetia's evolution. Just like our model set development we will do our best to listen to the wants and needs of the group here

I haven't read through much of the adventure (seems like a solid typical low-level crawl), but I would like to request that printer-friendly versions be included in future releases along with the screen versions.

The artwork is quite a step beyond what was in Eye of Capellasis. Nice job.

The adventure itself is in a printer friendly greyscale (excluding the front and back page which are in color). Can you be more specific?

A version with no background would be ideal. Keep the art, just have a white background. A lot of companies are doing this and I think it shows as a nice bit of "extra effort". I know from buying and printing a lot pf pdfs that my ink cartridge appreciates it. Other than that it looks terrific and with all the extra bits is definitely worth $15.

Thanks for the suggestion, we'll definitely try to work that in on the next module.

Thanks, all! I'm really happy to see my first outing being received so well.


I'm sure you noticed, but the Dark Water tile is perfectly tileable, too.

I learned a ton making that piece!

I'd just like to offer my congratualtions to everyone on the Arc/SB team. That's some fantastic work!

Denny and crew,

I expect each piece of work to contain the flare and flavor that each author or group of authors has to offer, that's what makes items from WWG so great. Sure there are things that people won't like, but so what? I collect Roleplaying and Wargames. I only play 2-3 out of the hundred or so that I own. Why? Because they inspire me or give me ideas to include in the games I do play. My SO thinks it's a waste of $$, but I don't. It is $$ well invested if I get an idea or inspired to attempt new and bolder things with the games I do play.

It will be interesting and fun to watch this new world grow and mature. I'm giddy.

I look forward to all of the modules that will be developed and I will purchase them for 3 reasons 1) to gain ideas for the games I play, 2) to actually have a module to play, and 3) support a small business that I want to see succeed.

Thank you Denny and crew.

CCotD'

Well after reading it that night I have an opinion (like I have of everithing of course...)

The writing, art, details, maps, standees and all is wonderfull...but...ant there is allways a but if you search...the adventure per se let me flat !! ... It's a typical Dungeon (worldworks style so is better that the typical one). I supose that is only the begining...but I'm not too much in the D&d 3.5 (I buy to be Savaged) so 7 pages for PC are too much for me (but I understad)...

So don't misunderstand me ... I love it all only that I hope a bit more in the use for me...and appart from a wonderfull design to build to fill it with my own adventure in terms of playability is nothing special - hope in the next modules all make a bit more of sense...but happy of havin buyed it

I'd only like to thank everybody for your kind words and your support.

Enjoy!

Granted, it's a low-level intro model, but it is a bit flat. After reading it in its entirety I realized what was nagging at me. It doesn't feel any different from any other d20 modules out there. It can be plugged into any setting and work fine. When you're trying to build your own world I don't know if that's such a good thing. I'm sure we'll see that growth in the next modules.

The only limitation I see is keeping the modules as vehicles for the model sets rather than letting them go beyond that scope. Still, they look pretty, have shiny new bits, and aren't half bad for a quickie adventure. I'll be getting them.

Sounds like I haven't quite held up my end of the bargain. I'm not entirely sure what you guys are looking for in "doesn't feel any different", but I'll certainly keep an eye to trying to improve on that down the line. Suggestions are certainly welcome.

I can't do too terribly much about the D20 content for non-D20 customers. That's the ruleset it's written to. I did, however, try to account for converters as best I could, which is why the creature stats and such are all in the appendix instead of in-line in the text. That's less D20 material you have to print...just leave those pages off entire, and the module you're left with doesn't have as much to steer around. I hope the SW GMs find that helpful.

As for the issue of "plug into any setting"...that's a difficult question. It's a balancing act. If an adventure is too generic, obviously, it loses the attraction and shine that you folks are looking for. On the other hand, if the adventure is too specific, a lot of people who are looking for adventures, but not necessarially Arcraetia whole-cloth, won't be able to use it.

Please, everyone give a shout out as to where you fall on this matter. If you guys value uniqueness over transportability, we need to hear about it!

I didn't want to give the impression that I think it's bad. It's a nice little crawl. I guess it's difficult to convey the feel of a setting through a mine. The Man In Black I liked and it gives the sense of greater things to come. This is a success IMO. I think a ruin may have been a better backdrop, however. With this you can tell the same story but work in the setting's history through the scenery. It breathes more life into the world and gives the players the feeling that they are somewhere unique.

Here we are ! ... that's one of the thinks that I like from you...you have allways your ears ready for criticism...and want to improve...

The d&d pages is a minor complaint...is what is expected from a 3.5 module...only that to me is not of use (but is well put as you said a the begining the PC and at the end the NPC...) nothing to say...

And I'm with Count-Zero maybe we where expecting much "Arcraetia" color in it..and I don't see it...but as you say if you make it a lot Arcraetia the will be no use for others (I don't thing that I use the adventure as written...but only for the maps and the idea of the monks with the Silver cave...could be adapted to my needs...). I think but that if you aim to Arcraetia the shoot full for it...maybe we after all this waiting expected more information about the world and not a "simple" cave...

But the package is quite good (and was a good lecture, not boring..not left me cold...)

Hope I'm able to make myself understood...and of course you will have a second chance to get me more hooked (and I supose a third one) - Hey I can't complain, you have seen my writting (think that the only submision in the portal is mine) so I can't say nothing about it - I'm 100% sure that you (not you, you...all) will get all better and better with every one...

As always, we appreciate the feedback on all of our projects. It enables us to design for the future.

Something Below was designed as a basic dungeon crawl for low level characters and in that I think it's a very solid adventure. It represents the beginning of Bob's quintet, and the focus on the PC's arsises from their steady evolution through the quintet. To Bob's credit, it was written long before the Arcraetia mindset and retrofitted for that new design objective. As his quintet evolves, and the other adventures are produced, you'll see a steady growth of Arcraetian material. You'll also begin to see the development of an overall backstory of plots and events which will grow with the modules to both flesh out Arcraetia and the soon to be seen saga of that world.

I'm really vey excited about the module development team we've put together at WWG, and I think as adventures are produced you too will see the wealth of talent and experience in writing modules we've gathered. Not to mention the exceptional quality of artists and model sets.

The criticism regarding d20 3.5 is appreciated, but at this juncture unavoidable. The very nature of the industry, and the ready availability of the OGL, force us down this road (for now). Though I can't specifically commit right now, we are looking at other avenues for module development, but negotiations in these areas are very slow. We are definitely looking at Savage Worlds conversions in some future modules, and though serious in this approach I can't guarantee anything right now.

As I mentioned, however, we do appreciate the interest and feedback, and you may even see some of your suggestions for various projects included in futue development. As well, you'll see the ever-increasing development of the world of Arcraetia as the adventures are produced and the various plots and events developed.

regarding transportability, I'd rather see a module with lots of world specific bits. for those of us who want to drop it into another setting, it's always easy to adapt, but we want to know what direction the world you are building is going in.

I don't mind the 3.5 rules. The d20 system got my gaming group back in to RPG's and despite the intention of it being a one system fits all, we have been exposed to new systems like Mutants and Mastermind (OGL), Warhammer Fantasy Role play 2, and Savage Worlds. Such as it should be.

I haven't read the module, but if I understand the comments correctly, I think a great example of infusing a new setting within an adventure would be the Iron Kingdom's Witchfire Trilogy. Not only did we have a great series of adventures, but we lived in the world. The background was not only told to the players, but they lived in it.

Anyway, I look forward to the adventure.

I was going to bring the WFT up as well. It's a perfect example of introducing a new setting. Beautifully done. Honestly, I think the only thing that will hinder WWG's modules is the fact that they are a vehicle for the model sets. The scope will eventually need to widen outside what's available as a model.
I'm looking forward to seeing whats ahead, however. It's new territory for WWG after all.

That's a good thing - we'll be able to know what we're twitching for!