[Legendary Games] Book of Exalted Darkness coming soon for 5E!


5th Edition (And Beyond)

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Who needs heroes when you can be VILLAINS! Check out the first preview for the upcoming Book of Exalted Darkness campaign setting project for 5E, launching this month!

This Decopunk compendium is a detailed campaign setting that caters to PCs running the gamut from antihero to omnicidal maniac, with companion adventures, rules for running evil PCs, and a bonus goal of an extra book for those lily-livered so-called heroes that would dare stand in their way. Check it out coming soon!

Long ago the world’s “heroes”–Tucker the Great & Co., The Order of the Shining Stone, and The Golden Redeemers–smote all of Askis’ evils, beating back corruption and nearly purging it from the planet. Centuries have passed since their victory and life has prospered, the modern world developing into a drone of well-meaning bureaucracy staffed by do-gooders and enjoyed by simpletons. All of their wonders are powered by a gift from deific beings that dwell in other realms, a substance known as inaequa that extends the lifespan of creatures with good in their hearts.

You, however, are not among them.

Your heart is as black as the night and twice as cold, the lengths to which you will go to achieve your goals much further than any of Askis’ weak-willed heroes would even consider. It is your destiny–no your right–to tear it all down, destroying civilization as a means to gain great power, exact terrible revenge, simply revel in the chaos of mayhem, or take the reigns of authority by force.

More previews coming soon, but you can check out the first teaser poster right here!


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Is this going to be produced for Pathfinder and then converted? Or is it being specifically written for fifth edition?


Steve Geddes wrote:
Is this going to be produced for Pathfinder and then converted? Or is it being specifically written for fifth edition?

The Book of Exalted Darkness is designed for 5th Edition OGL. There may be some conversion room for Pathfinder, but that would ultimately look like and be something different (and much more tame than the downright vile things I set players up to do from the get-go in the first free PDF, Killing the Golden Twins). I wouldn't rule out Pathfinder but it's starting off in 5E specifically so we don't have any restrictions on how evil things get (which can sometimes conflict with the Pathfinder compatibility license).


Thanks, Mike.

I've been disappointed by a number of products "for fifth edition" which are actually conversions of Pathfinder products. Or which are advertised as "being written for both" but which are actually written for Pathfinder and then converted.

I wouldn't mind that in principle, but people seem to think that a 6th level Pathfinder module has to be a 6th level 5E module when in my mind "level" means something quite different in each system (so a 1-1 translation is rarely going to be right). Similarly with magical items, spells, class features and so on being listed which don't exist in 5E - the latter being sloppiness really but it's surprisingly common, in my experience.


Steve Geddes wrote:

Thanks, Mike.

I've been disappointed by a number of products "for fifth edition" which are actually conversions of Pathfinder products. Or which are advertised as "being written for both" but which are actually written for Pathfinder and then converted.

I wouldn't mind that in principle, but people seem to think that a 6th level Pathfinder module has to be a 6th level 5E module when in my mind "level" means something quite different in each system (so a 1-1 translation is rarely going to be right). Similarly with magical items, spells, class features and so on being listed which don't exist in 5E - the latter being sloppiness really but it's surprisingly common, in my experience.

I hear you there sir! We got that conversion stretch goal for Hypercorps 2099 and I realized about halfway through the work that we just couldn't completely replicate what we were doing with the Pathfinder version ("make anything!") in the 5E version ("make..some things!"). That's actually why I went after 2099 Wasteland--sometimes the distinction is too great for a true port so why fight the current?


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Hmm.. preview link doesn't seem to work...


Loptop the Goblin wrote:
Hmm.. preview link doesn't seem to work...

Oy! I'm awfully sorry that I didn't see that earlier Loptop! This is where I've been putting the preview stuff: https://mikemyler.com/book-of-exalted-darkness/.

Launching later today! :D


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It's live. :)


Woot! There's still more than 8 hours left in our first day and we're more than 20% funded with over $1,000 in pledges!

If you haven't checked out the Kickstarter yet (and its 2 free PDFs!) get on board while early pledge levels are still around!


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Alsooo, both the free PDFs have gotten facelifts and tweaking based on folks' feedback :D


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Day 2 is going great--more than 50% funding achieved from almost $2,600 in pledges!!! ^_^


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Good to have some free decopunkin' evil primer and gold twin adventurin' previewin' stuff out there. ;)


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Here4daFreeSwag wrote:
Good to have some free decopunkin' evil primer and gold twin adventurin' previewin' stuff out there. ;)

Especially when the covers are so damn pretty!

I did a Q&A about the Kickstarter and talked about how evil things are going to get--I think some people were disturbed. ;)

Over $3,000 raised so far! More than 60% funded! :D


The first week has ended and we are over 70% funded thanks to 95 backers!

To celebrate the great launch and because we're getting up close to it, I've announced what gets unlocked when the project has 120 pledges: Book of Celestial Heroes, a supplement for do-gooder adventurers and GMs in the world of Askis.

Check out the project update for more information!


120 fantastic backers have unlocked the do-gooder BOOK OF CELESTIAL HEROES supplement!

  • 30 pages devoted to the holy decopunk utopia of Askis and its three continents: contiguous Ouranios, Samovi, and Zakuthombo.
  • 27 pages covering the 9 Spheres of Askis, great workings of the Celestial Heroes that rule over the world. By undertaking epic quests the PCs will solidify these global magics, making certain they last long after their creators pass away.
  • 33 pages of Player Options including Innate Beliefs, the new exemplar class, holy and technological class archetypes, feats (including troths for those devoted to celibacy, charity, hardship, truth, and more), inaequa equipment (like automobiles, blimps, and even jetpacks!), the holy magic tradition, and holy relics to give holy PCs an edge in their fight against evil!
  • 30 pages of powerful Mad Scientists, ruthless evil adventurers, and vile monsters for the party to hunt down and fight against!


Anyone curious as to what EXACTLY is inside the Book of Celestial Heroes need look no further than today's guest post on World Builder Blog: the EXEMPLAR CLASS PLAYTEST! Build a true hero and let us know how you liked it, where you think the class can improve, and whatever other thoughts you might have about it. Thanks!

Scarab Sages Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games

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Updated preview PDFs are up at DrivethruRPG! Plus the Mad Scientist is coming soon! Check out the latest here at Legendary Games, and download the preview PDFs right here!


The last week is upon us and we are just $222 from funding! :D


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As of this post the project is just 5% away from funding and to help get the word out this last week of the Kickstarter we've released a third free PDF: the Mad Scientist Class Playtest!

Check it out and if you dig it, pledge to the Kickstarter! :D


The last day is finally here! Check out the Kickstarter page and pledge before it's too late!!


The Shadow of the Demon Lord conversion has been unlocked!

Next up is Fiendish Lords and the 9 layers of Hell at 165 backers or $6,000! :D


The last 2 hours have started and we're $223 from unlocking the 9 layers of Hell! :D


30 minutes left and $163 from unlocking the 9 Layers of Hell!


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Don't panic! The Kickstarter truly is over and barring queries, this is my last post about it for several months while I sink my teeth in to make the actual books.

Late pledge emails have started to come in and if you are only finding out about the project now, you can shoot me a message at mike.myler.adventures|at|gmail.com and we'll see about including yours.

Really I just wanted to thank everybody that read my thread, checked out the project, or pledged. You are awesome and have my gratitude--thanks! :D


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Good to see some free mad scientific stuff and some free peekings of exemplary stuff out there- and congratz on the Kickstarter funding too. ;)

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