A folk horror roleplaying game set within Solemn Vale, an isolated town in Southwest England.
For more information on the game and the products on offer, check out the Kickstarter page linked below.
Solemn Vale Kickstarter
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Latest Updates from Our Project:
Solemn Vale Project Update - 2022 wk21
over 2 years ago
โ Mon, May 30, 2022 at 03:17:37 PM
Hi Folks,
Today's update covers the general state of the project and some details on why I'm missing the deadlines.
First and foremost, I'd just like to thank everyone for their patience and support as I work towards completing the remainder of the book. It really means a lot.
A few updates back I mentioned that I've been facing mental health issues. I've struggled with mental health issues my entire life but only last year was I actually diagnosed as being Bipolar with overlapping ADHD and, apparently, cPTSD. As you can imagine, this was a lot to take in. I wasn't ready to discuss it on a public platform like KS though I've been more open on my private Facebook account. Doing so has given me some time to get to grips with my diagnosis and be more open talking about it. It's a process, that's for sure.
I don't want to come across as Wyrdo Mr Sad Sack so I won't go into too much details but on a high level these struggles have had a tumultuous impact on my life and career thus far. This last year being one of the roughest to date with long periods of mood cycling which have put me out of action often, sometimes weeks on end.ย
I understand some folks may not necessarily want to read these kind of posts or have the time for it. From that angle, not much I can do. I am all about transparency so I sincerely hope that most folks will understand and continue to be patient as I work to get this wonderfully wyrd book out to everyone.
Timelines to getting the PDF released
It could be one month, it could be three. What I'll continue to do is post project updates as before with art previews but the core focus for me will be solely on Solemn Vale. I've been spreading myself too thin with trying to run Dirty Vortex and move multiple projects forward putting a massive, and unnecessary, burden on my shoulders.
I feel a bit weird discussing this all in a KS update but it's part of who I am and I'm still in the process of figuring it all out. Implementing coping mechanisms, reducing stress and introducing healthier work habits are all part of the process to ensure I can get this book out to everyone as soon as possible while being mindful of my ongoing mental health.
A big thanks to everyone for their continued support and patience.
Thanks and regards,
Mark
Solemn Vale Project Update - 2022 wk17
over 2 years ago
โ Mon, May 02, 2022 at 01:36:59 AM
Happy Beltane, folks!
Here is the DV update for week 17.
Art is moving along at a good speed with multiple chapters fully finished. I don't want to build stress by committing to a hard deadline on when the PDF will be ready due to recent and continued mental health struggles. With that said, great progress is being made and it'll be soon.
A fiery night in today's artwork preview. Hope you all brought baked potatoes wrapped in tinfoil (we don't do smores down solemn vale)
If you are interested in the games we're making over at Dirty Vortex, be sure to check out The Sigma Syndrome Primer that we have available over on Itch. 130+ plus pages. Our core rules for Solomn Vale (the Wyrd Abacus) and The Sigma Syndrome (the OS) are free on our Itch and will remain so.
Solemn Vale Project Update - 2022 wk15
over 2 years ago
โ Tue, Apr 19, 2022 at 07:56:58 AM
Hi Folks,
Here is the DV update for week 15.
My goal with the games form Dirty Vortex was to have all rules for our games freely available for folks to download and use. ย Solemn Vale and Summer of Strange use the Wyrd Abacus rules, which cater to a group narrative driven approach, while games such as The Sigma Syndrome and Nights Bleak use the Operating System aka the OS for standard roll playing. ย It's a little bit more "crunchy" than the Wyrd Abacus and designed for longer campaigns. ย System-wise, in terms of complexity, it's similar to World of Darkness, Call of Cthulhu and Delta Green.
The Sigma Syndrome Primer was released on Friday over on Itch. 80s psychic warfare on the streets of Los Angeles inspired by movies like Scanners, Videodrome, The Fury, Firestarter and many more. ย Check out the rules linked below. ย It's a work in progress doc and it will remain free for folks to download. ย Once the pending artwork is complete, we'll also be offering via PoD.
As the art is the only pending content for Solemn Vale, this part is going to be somewhat repetitive of me stating I'm knee deep in the art till it's done. ย That said, I'll continue to post art previews in each update :) This week's art preview is another illustration from "The Boundaries" chapter. Hope you like it.
someone should have stayed away from the treacherous cliffs
That's about it for this week's update. ย See you all in the next one.
Solemn Vale Project Update - 2022 wk 13
over 2 years ago
โ Tue, Apr 05, 2022 at 10:05:40 AM
Hi Folks,
Here is the project update for week 13.
Stage Rule cards are designed to help support play and track challenges, encounters and such for a scene. ย We offer a wide range of examples in the core book's appendix plus the blank template for folks to create their own. With that said, we also offered those same rules in a print and play PDF format and physical cards. We've got the full set now finished layout and would be interested to get some feedback from folks. ย Since the cards are a paid item, I'd like to keep this review to those who purchased cards, whether in PDF or physical format. ย If you were someone who purchased cards and would like to look them over and provide feedback, send me a message on here or directly to my email at > [email protected]
I released the full Wyrd Abacus rules chapter in the 2022 wk 9 update. The rules are also used for Summer of Strange which is available as a $1 trashcan version. ย The rules can be used for your own stories and settings so check them out and maybe give them a test drive ย ย > Wyrd Abacus LINK ย ย ย > Summer of Strange LINKย
As far as the artwork goes, I'm still knee deep and chopping away. ย Below is another spread preview from "The Boundaries" chapter.
Solemn Vale Project Update - 2022 wk 9
over 2 years ago
โ Mon, Mar 07, 2022 at 01:34:28 AM
Hi Folks,
This week we have the preview of the Wyrd Abacus Rules chapter and the story module, Footprints. ย It's 50+ pages of content that will give you an idea of what's in store for the final version of the book.
I've decided to host the PDF on itch.io for now for ease of tracking and implementing any errata. ย The expectation is we'll have all the content also on DriveThruRPG at a later date. The file is free but shows minimum donation value of $1 as for some reason it can't be set to $0 while keeping the donation functionality. ย The intent is for you to get it for free so be sure to select the "No thanks, just take me to the downloads" options after pressing Download.
I'd love for folks to have a look and try out the system and the story if so inclined. ย Any feedback, always welcome. ย Feel free to spread the word as the download is open to everyone. ย Be aware that the content is pulled directly from the core book so some pages will show xx or refer to content not shown in the free PDF.
