Director’s Briefing – November 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirty-sixth Briefing and eleventh scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Dragonmeet

We hurtle towards Dragonmeet on 3rd December. We have been fortunate and the shipments of Garden of Rain, Bestiary and Beyond The Veil have been printed, shipped and collected. Fingers remain firmly crossed with regard to the national and London Underground Tube strikes.

ERA for Rolemaster and Shadow World

Every ERA dataset and the ERA software itself were all updated last month. There were also some additional updates to the ERA Essence Companion and ERA Mentalism Companion datasets. Max is currently expanding the Shadow World datasets to include some NPCs from key Shadow World sourcebooks as “creatures” in the software.

Rolemaster and RMU

All the tweaks to RMU Core Law have been completed. I have already sent print masters to DriveThru. Both the hardcover and the softcover print master have made it through the DriveThru checks. The hardcover has also made it through the Lightning Source checks. Bizarrely although there was only 3 minutes difference between the upload times of the hardcover master files and the softcover master files, and I am fairly convinced that our colleagues at DriveThru sent both sets to Lightning Source at the same time (because unsurprisingly I have been regularly checking on the progress of these), the softcover is still being checked by Lightning Source.

As soon as the hardcover was approved, I ordered a proof copy and am patiently (OK, impatiently) awaiting its arrival. I am checking regularly for a notification that the softcover has been approved so that I can order a proof copy. There should be sufficient time for the hardcover to be printed and shipped to me in time for Dragonmeet. It’s getting dicier for the softcover though.

On RMU Spell Law, I have asked most of my Columbo questions. We have some tweaks to make to the front cover, back cover text to finalise and I think I have found two residual tiny errors in the interior.

Colin, meanwhile, has commenced commissioning of artwork for RMU Creature Law.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Director’s Briefing – October 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirty-fifth Briefing and tenth scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Dragonmeet

As I write, it is just over a month to Dragonmeet (3rd December) this year. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the wave of postal strikes in the UK won’t interfere with the shipments of Garden of Rain, Bestiary and Beyond the Veil for sale at Dragonmeet. I am also keeping my fingers crossed that 3rd December won’t be targeted for one of our national rail strikes, although getting from Cambridge to London has been just about possible on the previous strike days.

Shadow World

I have had a few queries regarding Shadow World. I will be turning my attention back to Shadow World and indeed everything else once we have RMU Core Law and RMU Spell Law safely published.

HARP

I indicated last month that Rodd Kleinschmidt, the author of HARP Subterfuge, is determined that the print version be absolutely perfect and was compiling a list of errata. These have now arrived, and I will be working through these shortly. We will endeavour to get the fixes made to the pdf but I think the chances of getting a print master made, approved through Lightning Source, a proof copy back to me and then a chunky order printed and posted in time for Dragonmeet are exceedingly low.

Rolemaster and RMU

Max has made multiple improvements to the ERA software and there are updates to every ERA dataset as a result. Registered customers will see the update emails coming through via OneBookShelf as the updated files are uploaded and become available. For customers, who have not signed up for the emails, just check the ERA main software package and compare datestamp with your existing files. Please download the new files at your convenience.

I have completed my pass through RMU Core Law and we are down to the final tweaks being implemented. Release of RMU Core Law as a pdf is imminent. Can we get a print shipment to Dragonmeet? Too close to call. I will send a print master through to Lightning Source at the same time as we release Core Law in pdf with the goal of having an inspection copy available at our Dragonmeet stand.

I am now moving into “Columbo” mode on RMU Spell Law, and there is a first draft layout of RMU Treasure Law available for my scrutiny in the queue immediately after RMU Spell Law.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Director’s Briefing – August 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirty-third Briefing and eighth scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Gen Con 2022

It was a really good Gen Con. We were ably represented by Aaron Smalley, Nick Morawitz and Monte Iafrate, and shared booth space with Pointy Hat Games.

Although my spies inform me that attendance at Gen Con was down on previous years, doubtless as folk adjust to the new abnormal and the unpleasantness of current economic realities, our booth was a popular destination and our games even more so. Thirteen RMU sessions were run – 11 were sold out. Three HARP sessions were run and all three sold out.

At the booth, there was a brisk trade in product sales with HARP products in particular doing well. This was despite a printing problem with a few of the HARP Bestiary copies which we are in the process of reporting to DriveThru for them to take up with Lightning Source.

A particular draw for the booth this year were four spiral-bound tomes that were not for sale. These were “layout-in-progress” versions of RMU Core Law and RMU Spell Law. I am reliably informed that some fans made repeat visits to inspect them. At the end of Gen Con, the four copies were gifted to four superfans – Charles Town, Donald Forsman, Jacob Forsman, and John Hairsten. Next year, it will be real RMU books and not display copies.

Our place at Gen Con 2023 is already booked.

Rolemaster and RMU

I am moving into my “Columbo” mode with regard to RMU Core Law and RMU Spell Law. This is where I find residual niggles and generally pester layout gurus, line editors, authors, marketing/art commissioners (that’s basically everyone involved) with “just one more thing” to fix. I am not entirely unreasonable and do batch requests up, but I don’t stop until I am happy.

Meanwhile our software gurus are well underway with getting ERA and Fantasy Grounds prepped for RMU.

HARP

HARP Subterfuge made it to pdf for July. I know from review ratings that early adopters are loving it and there’s already been requests about when it will come out in print. If you have found any minor errors in the pdf version, please flag them on the forums and we will adjust the master proof copy accordingly and get the print masters uploaded into the DriveThru/Lightning Source system.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Director’s Briefing – July 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirty-second Briefing and seventh scheduled Briefing of 2022.

HARP

HARP Subterfuge will shortly be available [It is actually availanle NOW via this link] in pdf version at DriveThruRPG and all affiliated sites. This is one of those books that when I read the manuscript, I was jealous of how absolutely brilliant it is.

HARP Subterfuge gives your stealthy and roguish characters new dimensions of skulduggery. HARP Subterfuge is to Thieves and Rogues (and other ne’er do wells such as Scoundrels and Seekers, and even Hunters and Rangers down on their luck) what HARP College of Magics was for magic in HARP Fantasy.

HARP Subterfuge adds three new professions – Ninjas as stealthy martial artists, Nightblades (with nod to Rolemaster Companion I) as the archetypal mage-wielding assassins, and Beguilers as semi spell users specialising in misdirection and manipulation. New Spheres of magic are added for the Nightblade and Beguiler, and there are some additional spells for the Ranger. Rather than adding a host of variant thief or rogue professions, HARP Subterfuge instead provides advice on how to create deadly assassin, swashbuckling pirates, debonair spies and more from judicious choices of professions, skills, and talents.

HARP Subterfuge is also a masterclass on the effective application of subterfuge and influence skills to commit the perfect crimes. There are detailed rules and guidance on thieves’ tools and the art of the poisoner. Despite their best efforts, a Thief or a Rogue can find themselves in a fight to the death, so HARP Subterfuge provides a survival guide to combat and the low down on the martial arts techniques of the Ninja. An edge is an edge, so characters who want to blend stealth and skulduggery with the sorcerous arts are well catered for. There is expert advice on creating thieves’ guilds and other underworld organisations, on crime and punishment, and finally countermeasures for the GM to use to stop the player-characters getting away with murder (too often!).

Gen Con 2022

We hurtle towards Gen Con 2022. A large bundle of new books were ordered, have been printed and these will be available for sale at Gen Con 2022. We have added copies of HARP Bestiary, HARP Beyond the Veil and HARP Garden of Rain, in both hardcover and softcover, and these will have a booth discount. If you are at Gen Con, please do stop by the booth.

Rolemaster and RMU

Unfortunately RMU Core Law will not be ready in final form for Gen Con 2022. However, we are pushing very hard to have a printed copy of nearly final versions of RMU Core Law (and possibly RMU Spell Law) available for viewing by fans.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

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Director’s Briefing – June 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirty-first Briefing and sixth scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Dragonmeet 2022

Yes, I know, we were only talking about our official addition to Gen Con 2022 last month. However Dragonmeet 2022 is now open for early bird tickets and vendors. Knowing that demand on tables would be high, I affixed a “Buy Dragonmeet” post-it note to my laptop so that nothing could distract me from getting our stand booked as early as possible on the first day. It’s booked and paid for.  

HARP

HARP Beyond the Veil has been signed off by Lightning Source and the proof copies have arrived both in the UK and the US. It is now available for purchase in both softcover and hardcover formats from DriveThruRPG, and there is a bundle discount if you buy print and pdf.

Colin and Nick have made a wave of checks to HARP Subterfuge and as soon as I can do my last part of due diligence, we will release in pdf.

I mentioned David Martin’s Banecroft: The Mage’s Tale last time – he has made those various revisions to the manuscript. Once I run through the changes and see that all is in order, I will be sending it off to Colin to commission artwork and maps.

Rolemaster and RMU

You may have seen some extracts from the layout-in-progress of RMU Core Law; excellent progress being made there. We are also seeing progress on the layout of RMU Spell Law. Artwork for RMU Treasure Law continues to arrive. Meanwhile Colin has been commissioning artwork for the first volume of RMU Creature Law.

Will RMU Core Law be ready for Gen Con 2022? More news next month.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,
Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Director’s Briefing – May 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-thirtieth Briefing and fifth scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Gen Con 2022

We are now officially on the list as a vendor at Gen Con 2022, having completed the necessary paperwork to trigger us as being live for 2022 after having to sit out 2021 and 2020. We will be aiming to get as many new books to Gen Con as we can.

HARP

Once HARP Beyond the Veil is signed off by Lightning Source and we have inspected the proof copies, we will make HARP Beyond The Veil available in both softcover and hardcover, and add it to the Gen Con book batch.

Final checks are being made on HARP Subterfuge before its pdf release.

In an unexpected twist, David Martin, a freelancer writer contacted me about working on a HARP SF setting book. It turned out that he had a complete HARP Fantasy adventure manuscript from before Guild Companion Publications took on any of the main licenses. Rather than let this continue to gather electrons, we rescued the manuscript and I undertook an editing pass of the full draft. David is now working on some modest revisions to the manuscript – Banecroft: The Mage’s Tale will see the light of publication in due course.

Rolemaster and RMU

As some of you know scanning of old products is fraught with issues and not all scanned products come out as happily as we would like. Step forward Nick Redding who has worked his magic on Arcane Companion. It is now in a very happy state. If you have previously purchased our pdf version of Arcane Companion, please download the refreshed copy at your convenience.

On the RMU front, the biggest thing is obviously RMU Arms and Character Law, which has been renamed as RMU Core Law to properly reflect that it has Arms Law, Character Law and Gamemaster Law content. Nick Morawitz has completed a first layout pass on the manuscript and we (including myself) have been sweeping through the pdf in progress trying to catch any glitches and then letting Nick update the pdf.

In between our layout checking sweeps, Nick has been seen looking meaningfully at the RMU Spell Law manuscript and considering its layout.

The $64,000 question is will RMU Core Law be ready for Gen Con 2022? Stay tuned for updates.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,

Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Director’s Briefing – March 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-twenty-ninth Briefing and fourth scheduled Briefing of 2022. The world continues to suffer the consequences of neoTsarist imperialism; I hope the effects on you and yours are limited.

HARP

We expect to send the HARP Beyond the Veil print masters to Lightning Source this month.

We also hope to release HARP Subterfuge in pdf soon.

ERA Software

As we mentioned last time, all of the ERA datasets have been updated with training package content. These files have been updated on DriveThru.

The next big thing for the ERA software will be the release of Spacemaster Privateer datasets. I would expect these to start appearing in May, but if they are ready sooner, we will release them as soon as they are ready.

RMU

The artwork for RMU Treasure Law continues to arrive at pace. Colin is organising the artwork for the first volume of RMU Creature Law.

Our first wave of experiments were successful, so Nick has now embarked on the first layout pass on RMU Arms and Character Law. The layout phase has begun.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,

Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd

Rollmasker available now!

Iron Crown Enterprises are thrilled to announce the release of Rollmasker the official Rolemaster dice tower!

Keep yours and everyone elses dice rolls to yourself with this hastily thrown together cut out and build it yourself dice tower!

But how effective will a dice tower be if I have to make it with paper? Our answer – Not very!

Download your free copy of Rollmasker by clicking on the image below.

HARP Beyond the Veil – Out Now!

Iron Crown Enterprises are pleased to announce the release of HARP Beyond the Veil!

Behold! It is the chosen time for all Clerics to step forth on behalf of their Gods and lead the faithful to their ultimate destinies. HARP Beyond the Veil breathes new life into the Cleric and Paladin professions, expanding the range of possibilities for GMs and players alike. GMs will be able to create believable religions for their worlds, shaping them across ten characteristics and drawing upon real-world examples. Players will benefit from more tailored characters, matching religious mode and deity domain to create well defined, three dimensional Clerics and Paladins.

HARP Beyond the Veil is a rules expansion for High Adventure Roleplyaing (HARP) Fantasy.

You can get your copy for just $15 dollars exclusively from DrivethruRPG.

Buy it now

Found within:

  • An analysis of religions in classics of fantasy literature
  • Exploration of religions in the real world
  • Guidance on creating and customising religions for your setting
  • More than 40 domains of powers for Gods and their Clerics
  • Twelve new variant Clerics professions (including the Animist, the Cardinal, the Extirpationist, the Liturgist, the Missionary, and the Oracle)
  • The Paladin (Holy Warrior) profession and its own Spell Sphere
  • Ten new training packages (including the Abbot, Guru, Sacrificer and Sellsword)

Buy your copy exclusively from DrivethruRPG

Director’s Briefing – February 2022

Welcome

To the one hundred-and-twenty-seventh Briefing and second scheduled Briefing of 2022.

Gen Con 2022

Subject to the unpleasant vagaries of the pandemic, we expect to be at Gen Con 2022. We will be sharing a booth with Pointy Hat Games. All being well, our ICE Team on the booth will be the three musketeers of Aaron Smalley, Nick Morawitz, and Monte Iafrate.

HARP

I am very pleased to report that HARP Garden of Rain is now available in softcover and hardcover versions as well as pdf.

Layout attention is now firmly fixed on HARP Subterfuge.

HARP Beyond the Veil

Jonathan Cassie’s sourcebook on religions and the divine has successfully completed layout. It will therefore be published for sale on DriveThruRPG.com very shortly.

What can you expect to find within HARP Beyond The Veil?

A look at how fantasy authors have included religion and the divine in their worlds. A journey through time and space as Jonathan crosses continents and millennia to reflect on the spiritual dimensions of human cultures. Next worldbuilding assistance in how to fashion religions and spiritual contexts for your setting with nine fleshed out examples. Onward into the Cleric profession itself and an extensive collection of domains or spheres of influence for the Clerics of your setting. Twelve variant Cleric professions to specialise your priestly profession – combined with the domains, you will have very individual Clerics – and a full blown Paladin (Holy Warrior) profession complete with its own Spell Sphere. Round off the book with a selection of religiously themed training packages. 

RMU

Aaron has been resourceful as ever and has completed his minor corrections and adjustments to RMU Creature Law volume one. Colin has been busy and I have many artwork contracts to issue for RMU Treasure Law. Once HARP Subterfuge has completed its layout pass, we will be letting Nick Morawitz loose on the layout for RMU Arms and Character Law.

Until next time

Please stay safe.

Best wishes,


Nicholas

Director, Iron Crown Enterprises Ltd