Update #29: Past the Glass Door...
over 6 years ago – Thu, Sep 14, 2017 at 12:16:07 AM

You near the frosted glass door at the end of the hallway. The etching across the glass swirl around small figures of nude women as they fall in columns down the length of the door, as if representing gusts of wind buffeting the figures on their plummet to death. Or perhaps, the wind is scouring the women—for the further down the door they are, the less flesh shows on their bones. At the bottom of the glass door lies a pile of etched skeletons, perfectly symmetrical. The door’s silvered knob, shaped like one of these falling women, extends her hands out to you.

You reach out, your own fingers wrapping around her abdomen, her hips, her thighs. The knob is warm, as if someone had just held it for a long time before passing beyond the glass. You turn the knob, and the door opens.

And here is your update, your litany of the horrors you find beyond... 

Updated Play Materials 

We appreciate all of your feedback on the PDF of the Core book! We’ve incorporated your comments and sent it off to the printers, where it is currently being printed with brilliant golds, gleaming crimson, and, of course, the most curious shades of blue.

We present to you now the updated play materials, including the Bride sheet, Moves, and Sisters, as well as sheets for the Groundskeeper’s use. We’ll be updating the digital core book soon, but between the .pdf version of the Core book you should already have and these updated materials, you should have everything you need to run your own games of Bluebeard’s Bride!

As before, though, we still need your help to make sure these come out as pristine and perfect as possible. Please send any typos or errors you spot to [email protected].

You should be able to download the play files as their own file from Backerkit, just as you did the Core PDF.

If you didn’t get an email, you can download it directly here: https://bluebeards-bride.backerkit.com/backer/digital_rewards

And if you don't see it in your Backerkit, email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you sorted out.

We are still on track to have the printed books in October, and we can’t wait to get them into your hands! We know some of you are planning games soon - please tag Magpie Games when you post so we can see the terrifying, beautiful things you’re making. 

Convention Schedule

Both Whitney “Strix” Beltran and Sarah Richardson are Guests of Honor at U-Con, a gaming convention in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It will run from November 17th through 19th, and both Whitney and Sarah will be running games and presenting on panels.

Pre-registration will begin this month, and you can find more information here: www.ucon-gaming.org. U-Con includes Games on Demand, an OSR (Old School Renaissance) track, LARPs, a game library, scavenger hunts, and more.

While Whitney and Sarah brave the cold in Michigan, Marissa Kelly will be at Pax Unplugged in Philadelphia, PA. She will be at the Magpie Games booth when not presenting on panels.

We’ll post a detailed schedule once we have it, so you can come find us there!

Update #28: The Library Begins To Fill
over 6 years ago – Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 08:48:23 PM

You pass through the carved wooden door, and the room beyond assaults your senses. A cloying feeling sticks to your skin. Dust motes drift lazily past your vision, glowing in the light from the enclosed lanterns around the room. The scent of old paper and burning incense leaves you lightheaded. You run your fingers across the endless rows of books lining the walls, each one a knobbly creature with its own engraved letters and binding idiosyncrasies.

So many stories hidden in this room. So many dark or hopeful tales. You could spend the rest of your life in this room, you know suddenly, and you would never, ever read all these books. You would drown in their words, in their endless tales. You would lose yourself in an abyss of story, and never even realize it was happening, the whole of your being sucked away into the narratives of other lives. Would that be so bad? the books whisper to you. Would that be so awful?

No, it wouldn’t, you realize. You pull down a single gorgeous book, and you settle yourself into a dusty leather armchair, and you begin to read.

Soon enough...you are gone.

So here it is, your update, and your own means to lose yourself. This one is a little short, but it does have something you’ve been longing for... 

The PDF Is Here! 

While this is not the final version, the book is here in its entirety. Everyone who gets a PDF copy of the book should receive a notice about the digital copy, and should be able to download it from Backerkit.

If you didn't get an email, you can download it directly here: https://bluebeards-bride.backerkit.com/backer/digital_rewards

And if you don't see it in your Backerkit, email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you sorted out.

A few things to note: 

• Anything that is a bright red will be metallic gold in the print version, and either a dark red or blue in the final PDF. The current red is for the printer’s specifications; we’ll alter it before finalizing the PDF. 
• We are working on the index, and that will be in the final PDF. 
• The play materials, including the full playbooks, will be in the book, and are in the process of final edits.

While we’re incredibly proud of the work we did here, and we’ve gone over it time and time and time again, we know that we always miss something, so we need you to tell us about any typos or other discrepancies you find. This is our last chance to make any changes before we go to print. If you find any errors, typos, or mistakes, please send your feedback to [email protected] by Friday, August 18th.

We hope you love it, and that it comes close to meeting your expectations. We are blown away by the artists’ work, as well as the amazing work Thomas has done on the layout. There is a lot of information in here, and we hope every dreadful detail helps you run your very own game of Bluebeard’s Bride. 

Other Secrets Lie Ahead 

After checking in with the printer, we hope to have the Core book (both regular and limited edition) printed and in your hands in early October. You’ll have everything you need to run the game before then, but you’ll be able to linger over the details of the art and look for the horror hidden within the printed words at your leisure then.

Afterwards, we’re planning on bringing you the Book of Lore early next year, with subsequent tomes following. And we haven’t forgotten your lovely baubles and trinkets. The wooden tokens, custom dice, and, last but not least, the ring have all been ordered; we’ll finalize ordering the last few components as soon as we finish ordering the text. We’ll keep you posted as we have more news. 

Deeper Into the Twisted Library 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support, patience, and interest. We’re nearing the end for the Core book, and we both couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out and can’t wait to get the final version in your hands.

If you’ll be at Gen Con 50 in a week, please stop by the IGDN booth (#2437) to say hi!

Keep watching for more information, and contact us at [email protected] if you have questions. Thanks!

Update #27: And Further Into The House...
almost 7 years ago – Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 11:30:39 PM

You close the ornate iron door behind you, heart pounding under your skin. The deep breath you take to cleanse yourself of what you just saw is tinged with the faint scent of spices. There’s a whisper, a quick movement out of the corner of your eye, but when you whip your head around, the hallway is empty. There is the low rumble of thunder, and the house shudders in response.

You feel drawn to a door further down the hall, and fumble through the keyring until one key catches your eye. You push the strange key that flutters in your grasp, into the keyhole, and turn. The tumblers sigh and murmur inside the door, as if some soft, fragile creature stretched inside. Your hand shakes as your fingers grasp the knob, the metal warm and moving against your flesh. And with one final twist of your wrist, the door swings open. The darkness beyond reaches out to you, like a loving caress...encircling you. Showing you its endless secrets.

It is time for an update, is it not? But first—exciting news for Magpie!

Epyllion and Masks: A New Generation are both up for an ENnie Award! They were nominated for Best Family Game, alongside a bunch of other excellent games. We’re honored to be nominated, and are thrilled to be on the list for Fan Favorite Publisher as well.

There are only a few hours left to vote, so if you haven’t, please go vote for Epyllion and Masks: A New Generation in the Best Family Game category, and vote for Magpie Games in the Fan Favorite Publisher category! Thanks for your support! 

Backerkit Update 

We’ll be locking down Backerkit on Monday, July 24th. This means your rewards will be locked down and you will be charged.

If you need to make any last minute changes like updating your shipping address, you’ll be able to do so within the Backerkit system. You can login here: https://bluebeards-bride.backerkit.com/

If you have any questions or issues filling out your Backerkit, please just send us a message at [email protected].

Project Update: July

Core Book 

The core book is laid out and undergoing a review before we release it to you, our backers, first. We hope you love what we’ve come up with, although we know the PDF won’t showcase the loveliness of the printed book (eeeee metallic ink). We are planning the release very, very soon. Keep your eyes peeled here and in Backerkit.

To tide you over, here’s a hint of what’s to come:

Book of Rooms 

The Book of Rooms is next in line after the core book, and here’s a peek at one of the chambers that await you:

The redwood double doors are embedded with rubies in a pattern that reminds you of a pomegranate split in half. They glitter in the light, while the black iron handles sport thorns that threaten to pierce your skin.

The room beckons. You enter, and the door closes behind you.

A large bedroom contains a low, wide bed made up with fox furs and red satin sheets. Gauzy red drapes flutter from the ceiling to surround it. A red vanity with a mirror stands against one wall, and a bowl of fruit sits on a low redwood table. Torch-shaped gas lamps light the room, embedded at even intervals in the wheat patterned ivory wallpaper. A perfect deer skeleton stands in the corner, tied together with golden wire and posed to look as though it was grazing.

These Rooms are all set up so the Groundskeeper can use them for inspiration, or simply read the text from the book to introduce the Room—the bold and italicized line in the middle is the ritual phrase for entering a room in Bluebeard’s Bride, so it works great read aloud. Just like the room above, each one comes complete with mysterious objects to investigate.

Book of Mirrors 

The text is underway. Here’s a rundown of the new playbooks you’ll be getting and how they replace the core Sisters, as they stand right now: 

• Condemned Asylum will bring you the Nurse, replacing the Mother and speaking to themes of healing, control, and care
• Boarding School will bring you the Mistress, replacing the Virgin and speaking to themes of dominance, guidance, and forbidden fruit
• Correctional Facility will bring you the Authority, replacing the Animus and speaking to themes of power, rank, and order
• Dark Carnival will bring you the Diva, replacing the Fatale and speaking to themes of celebrity, showmanship, and stardom
• Vacant Hotel will bring you the Devotee, replacing the Witch and speaking to themes of obsession, commitment, and sacrifice
• Bluebeard’s Legacy will bring you the Heir, replacing the Witch and speaking to themes of masculinity, arrogance, and inheritance

We’re still polishing and refining all of these playsets to make sure they sing, but each one of these playbooks will add a new angle, a new mirror, to the core Bluebeard’s Bride Sisters that will pull the game into a new direction.

Book of Lore 

The text is all done and ready for layout, so here’s a sample of the horror contained within our version:

Tarot of Servants and Deck of Objects 

Our artist is hard at work bringing our Tarot of Servants to life. The art for the Deck of Objects is done, and we can’t wait to show you the full deck! In the meantime, here’s a peek of an object:

Further Down the Hallway 

Thank you so much for your continued interest and support! It means a lot to us to have so much support, and we can’t wait to get the books into your hands. If you’ll be at Gen Con 50 in August, please stop by the IGDN booth to say hi!

Keep watching for more information, and contact us at [email protected] if you have questions. Thanks!

Update #26: Into The First Room...
almost 7 years ago – Wed, May 31, 2017 at 07:42:34 PM

Your feet carry you across the dusty floor, your gown whispering across the wood with each step, until you stand before the vast, ornate iron door. You push the strange key, adorned with a book-shaped bow, into the keyhole, and turn. The tumblers creak and shudder inside the door, as if some terrible beast were stirring. Your hand trembles as your fingers grasp the knob, the metal cold against your flesh. And with one final twist of your wrist, the door swings open. The darkness beyond reaches out to you, like a welcoming blanket...embracing you. Showing you its abyssal wonders. 

All of which is to say...time for an update! 

Backerkit 

We know you have questions, and we want to make things as transparent as possible. Below are some commonly asked questions we’ve seen: 

When will you close down Backerkit? Around the middle of June. 

I backed at the Wine Cellar level. Can I get the Limited Edition book in the slipcase? Yes! Simply add on the other three books, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

I lost my backerkit link! Help! You can login here: https://bluebeards-bride.backerkit.com/ 

My friend missed the Kickstarter! Can they still order stuff? Send them here: https://bluebeards-bride.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders. They can’t get everything (some things are just for our backers), but they can preorder the book and some other items there. 

If you ever want to update your shipping address, you’ll be able to do so within the Backerkit system. So keep a hold of your Backerkit link, just in case. 

If you have any questions or issues filling out your Backerkit, please just send us a message at [email protected]. 

Project Update: May 

As for the overarching project, we’re still hard at work! Trying to handle all the books and the slipcover all at once has been trying, and it’s led us to make some adjustments to the production timeline. But in the end, we’re very happy with how things are going, and we’re excited to keep moving forward! 

Core Book 

The text for the core book is through writing and editing, and it’s going to layout! Check out a sample here: 

And the art for the core book is all done! Here’s another taste of the awesome images coming at you from the pages of this tome: 

Book of Rooms 

The Book of Rooms is moving along, as well. Here’s a sample of the art you can expect in this compendium of twisted chambers: 

Book of Mirrors 

The distorted reflections of the core game are underway for the Book of Mirrors, and they’re looking great! In the meantime, we have the art rolling in for the playsets! Here’s a peek at what lies in store: 

Book of Lore 

The Book of Lore will take the story of Bluebeard and embellish upon it in interesting ways, and we’re super excited to work on this unique book in depth. For the moment, here’s a bit of the awesome art for the cover:

Tarot of Servants 

The rules and advice for using the Tarot of Servants to add new servants to your game during play will be included in with the Tarot. The artist is also hard at work creating the incredible pieces that will adorn the cards themselves. 

Deck of Objects 

Each object will come with its own evocative description, mysteries, and category for usage and placement within your game of Bluebeard’s Bride. And each object will come with its own haunting piece of art.

We’ve gotten all of the backer input on the Deck of Objects, so now we’re just finishing up the art and the descriptions. Here’s a sample of the art to show what you can expect: 

All in all, every piece of Bluebeard’s Bride is moving along, and we’re pretty happy with how much progress we’ve made. We’re well on track (and excited) for getting these books into your hands as soon as possible! 

Around Every Corner 

As always, thank you so much for your continued interest and support! It means so much to us to continue to have an invested community, and we’re excited to get the game into your hands. If you’re not already part of it, remember you can join the Bluebeard’s Bride Google+ Community to keep in touch with other fans and join the discussions. 

Keep watching for more information, and contact us at [email protected] if you have questions. Thanks!

Backerkit & Pre-orders
about 7 years ago – Tue, Feb 28, 2017 at 11:23:15 PM

The door swings open...an ill-lit gleams through, hazy and inconsistent, a will-o’-wisp summons into strange realms... and you follow, practically in a daze, your feet carrying you forward in a stumbling half-step... and then, revealed before you, limned in that eerie yellow light…

Backerkit.

Backerkit is coming.

Backerkit!

We are finalizing set up the Backerkit surveys for Bluebeard’s Bride! That means that you should all be getting a message in your inboxes THIS WEEK with a link to your own individual survey. It will already be linked up to your Kickstarter account, so the Backerkit survey should automatically have in it your initial pledge. You’ll just have to fill out additional details like your shipping address.

If you pledged for add-ons past your initial reward tier, you’ll select those add-on items here, in Backerkit, to make sure they’re included as part of your rewards. If you want to add other items to your rewards, you can add them here, as well, and pay for them through the Backerkit system.

If you ever want to update your shipping address, you’ll be able to do so within the Backerkit system. So keep a hold of your Backerkit link, just in case.

If you have any questions or issues filling out your Backerkit, please just send us a message at [email protected].

Project Update: February

Meanwhile, the work continues! As we’ve mentioned previously, this project is a little different from many of the others we’ve done—we really need to get all our books done at the same time to get them all printed and shipped out with the slipcases. So we’re working on bits and pieces of each to ensure they are all ready to go to you together.

For the core book, the text is fully written and going through editing to refine it and get it ready. We will finalize the play sheets once we have the text fully set, so getting them all kitted out is a priority as soon as the text is fully finalized. Meanwhile, the art for the core book is all but done, save for a few of the complex and amazing chapter pieces from Rebecca Yanovskaya, and we’re putting together layout samples.

For the Book of Rooms, we’ve already got a slew of rooms written and set up, and we’re editing them as we go, as well. Each room will come on a full two-page spread, with art on one side and text on the other, and we’re incredibly excited for how this book is turning out.

For the Book of Mirrors, we’ve charted out all the different permutations of the myriad playsets—the different stories involved, the themes, the rules tweaks, and so on. Our goal, in the end, is to produce a book that also functions perfectly for printing—meaning, all you have to do to run a playset is to print that chapter from top to bottom, and you’ll have all your materials ready. We’re hoping that will make the process of play as smooth as possible so you can dive into all these strange and horrifying mirrors!

The Book of Lore is different from the other volumes, in that the art and the text are going to be interwoven throughout to really make the book as gorgeous as possible. We’ve charted out the structure and text of the book, but it’s requiring intense work with the layout artist—Thomas Deeny—who is hard at work on some of the other books, so this will likely be the fourth completed book out of the set.

For the Tarot of Servants, we’re putting together some rules on how to use the Tarot at your table. We’re hoping to be able to make those rules into a booklet and we’re getting the art for all the cards in the deck started to make sure it’s done at the same time as the books!

The Deck of Objects is coming along well, too! In the process of getting art in and writing these objects up, we’ve really refined the rules for creating your own objects, which is going to be great for everyone across the board.

All in all, we’re on track for getting the whole set of Bluebeard’s Bride books and items done by this summer, with the core book most likely to be done first. For all these pieces, we’ll be giving you PDF files as soon as they’re ready—and we’ll be doing that through Backerkit.

Through Dusty Halls