Dregstone Book Upgrade Stretch Goal - The Factions Underground
about 2 years ago – Wed, Mar 09, 2022 at 09:37:01 PM

One Man's Trash is Another Rat's Treasure

As you may have guessed from the cover of Disciples of Dregstone some of the inhabitants are in fact ratfolk. A series of occurrences has turned once normal sized rats into ones of near human size. But not all rats are born equal. One rat rules over Dregstone with an iron paw. Rongor Half-Tail, The Rat King.

The Rat King's claim is founded mostly on him being the strongest (and some might say the most cruel) of his kind. None would dare to test his strength as he has amassed a huge following to his creed. All of Dregstone act in service to his master plan some even following him with cult like reverence. The upgraded endpapers for one side of the Disciples of Dregstone book will feature the sigil of the Rat King himself.

But not all of those who call Dregstone home acknowledge the Rat King as their leader. Some wish to cast him low and end both his rule and his schemes. The endpapers for the other side of the Disciples of Dregstone book will feature their emblem of resistance!

 We'll also be adding a suitably luminous ribbon to fit the feel of the Dregstone Book as well. We'll be back soon with some more updates where we will return above ground for some more about Spireholm!

Blood is Thicker than Water - The Ruling Families of Spireholm
about 2 years ago – Tue, Mar 08, 2022 at 10:12:15 AM

Like all families they too have their secrets...

Spireholm is ruled over by five major factions. Three of these are key families, each of which play a part in how the city came to be where it is now. Either through a long founded inheritance or through more modern means.

The Pontwhistle Family

The oldest family in the city, and also the oldest money. Once the height of sophistication and grace the Pontwhistle family has seen their fortunes fall foul as of late. They have fallen somewhat behind the other ruling elements of the city when it comes to keeping their coin purses full, but they do have one thing in abundance. Influence.

The Bullworth Family

If the Pontwhistles are the old money in the city then the Bullworths are their opposite. They have embraced others from outside Spireholm's walls, engaging in lucrative trade deals to bring goods in and out of Spireholm. These noveau riche own the docks and love to flaunt their wealth, but unlike the other families they are not as well established, or as well connected.

The Silvari Family

The Silvari family are both old fashioned but also forward thinking. Long time custodians of all things valuable in Spireholm they control the city's financial world. This iron hold over people's valuables is largely due to the family's patriarch, whose clockwork inventions are mechanical marvels. He has put his talents to use engineering to make elaborate safes & vaults for the people of Spireholm to store their treasures. Unfortunately the rest of the family don't share his prodigious gifts and the family's future remains uncertain.

The Ragged Lords

Sometimes family is what you make of it, and this is no truer than the ragged lords. This gigantic 'criminal' organisation control The Stacks, the run down and poorest district of the city. But they are by no means small time criminals and their roots run deep within the city. Often other parties will enlist their help when problems require a heavier hand to solve. Especially if one of the families cannot be seen to be involved.

The Divine Order

Founders of the city who built the great walls which protect Spireholm from the monsters of the Alderwood. This collection of religious zealots have in the past kept to themselves occasionally involving themselves in matters of the city's running that must be brought into line with their creed.  Of late things have changed, holy knights wander the streets, & cardinals make their presence known. Something has changed in the city that has brought the Order out from their grand cathedral and into the light, but what is it?

These are just some of the key players in the city of Spireholm, you'll also find a great deal of other factions vying for wealth and power within the walls. 

That's all for today's update but we'll be back soon and we'll be delving even deeper into the city and talking about the various stories you will find within its walls!

The Home of the Missing & Discarded - Dregstone Explored
about 2 years ago – Tue, Mar 08, 2022 at 10:10:13 AM

Down Down to Dregstone Town

Underneath the bustling surface of Spireholm is network of tunnels, pipes, and caves. This sprawling labyrinth, if navigated correctly, will eventually eject a subterranean wanderer into the underground society of Dregstone. A city for the outcast and unwanted. Dregstone's existence is largely unknown to the 'top side' population, but its citizens have been becoming brazen of late. Venturing to the surface to acquire all manner of things. The reason for this boldness is unclear but something is afoot!

Dregstone is certainly not the safest place to live. Especially if you're used to the relative comfort of Spireholm. Monsters lurk in the darker tunnels, warring factions fight for power, and the rivers of bioluminescent toxic sludge run freely.

But the environment isn't the core threat to outsiders in Dregstone. adventures under Spireholm's cobbled streets The ruling powers of the Dregstone have a bone to pick with the people of Spireholm and they do not take kindly to visitors. Politics and unrest run rampant as much underground as they do on the surface, just make sure you don't get caught up on the wrong side.

We'll be showing off a bit more about Dregstone and the story that takes place there in a future update. For now we must remind all readers that there are no Ratmen beneath Spireholm. This is ludicrous propaganda brought from those evil ungodly scientists at the university (more on them later).

Around the World In Several Monsters
about 2 years ago – Tue, Mar 08, 2022 at 03:04:25 AM

A new monstrous ruling class

The city of Spireholm has become host to a collections of somewhat unwelcome guests. Strangers from foreign lands have come to the city, their motives unclear and their methods bloody. One thing is for certain, they have not come to Spireholm idly, they are after something. Will you discover what that is before they bring all within the walls to ruin in their quest?

One such character you may encounter who has made her new home within The Stacks is known by many names. But the citizens of Spireholm only know her as 'The Mistress'. The once bustling pleasure district, Red Lantern Lane, has grown quiet as of late as the clientele have begun to disappear. The start of these occurrences almost perfectly coinciding with the rumours of Her presence in The Stacks.

Strange cults have also begun to rise within The Stacks, lauding the arrival of 'The Mistress' as a moment of salvation for the people of the city and committing atrocious deeds in her name. Proving as always that humans can be just as monstrous as the monsters themselves.

'The Mistress' is but one of a larger coterie of monstrous characters who have taken up residence in Spireholm. We hope you enjoyed finding out a little more about some of the enemies you might face on your adventures within the city and we'll be sharing some more of these terrifying antagonists in some future updates. 

Extra Gothic Themed Backgrounds - Stretch Goal 3
about 2 years ago – Sat, Mar 05, 2022 at 11:45:51 PM

Many a tragic back story...

The worlds of  Gothic horror are packed with characters from all walks of life. Each with interesting and unique back stories that have developed their identities. SHIVER's backgrounds let you add the final bit of flavour to your characters to give them that really specific identity. 

In SHIVER Gothic we have added a number of classic Gothic backgrounds, but thanks to your help unlocking stretch goals we'll be adding even more. These stretch from the loveable urchin, to the unseemly graverobber and provide a broad tapestry of options to choose from. Here are just a few examples of the backgrounds you'll find in SHIVER Gothic:

The Occultist

Knowledge of all things esoteric makes identifying and interacting with the more peculiar things you might find in Spireholm a breeze. But your love for the unknown can sometimes be your downfall. You must engage your intellect to resist your natural urge to uncover occult mystery and if you fail the consequences will be worse than you can imagine.

The Monster Hunter 

Folk hero,  or a slayer of evil creatures for the good of the people? Or perhaps a skilled individual in need of the coin the city can provide? Whatever your motives if you're going to go hunt monsters then beware, as most monsters won't sit idle being hunted. Watch your back as the hunter may end up becoming the hunted.

 The Night Watchmen 

The city of Spireholm never sleeps and neither do it's resident law-keepers. Members of The Watch have a keen eye in the darkest of alleys and can sniff out a crime from miles away. But all those late nights can take their toll, some who are long in the tooth in the service might find themselves weary and not at peak performance.

 The books will be absolutely teeming with backgrounds to really amp up the Gothic feeling of your characters but we're keeping some a secret for now! We'll be back soon with more updates on everything SHIVER Gothic.