Final Days: Add-Ons
about 6 years ago – Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 06:58:42 AM

Hello Continuum Community!

We are now in the 3-day countdown! This is another entry in my final days updates on:

• Reward Tiers 
• Add-Ons 
• Stretch Goals 
• Next Steps

Yesterday, I sent an update all about Reward Tiers. I hope everyone has had a chance to evaluate each Reward Tier and decide what the perfect level is for what you're interested in. Today, I'm going to write about small tweaks that you can make to your Pledge to ensure you've got everything covered.

First Step: Reward Tier

The absolute best way to ensure that you're getting all of the available rewards you want from this kickstarter is to ensure you've selected the appropriate Backer Reward Tier, as detailed yesterday. Selecting the right Reward Tier covers about 95% of the options available to you. If you want PDFs only, you're selecting the [ALPHA] or [BETA] options. If you want hardcover copies, you're looking at the [DELTA], [GAMMA] or [OMEGA] options. If you want the TRINITY 1E PDF BUNLDE, make sure you've got a reward tier that includes it.

Once you've completed that important step, you're going to want to look at all the extras or any reward "bits" that don't automatically fall into your reward tier. That takes us to add-on rewards.

STEP TWO: ADD-ONS

95% of the time, the items you want are included in your reward tier, and that's the best building block to start with. But for those edge cases, or for those few items that aren't part of the "core rewards," you may want to look at adding an extra reward on to your pledge.

Each add on includes an extra amount to add on to your total pledge amount. Remember that your total pledge amount includes all shipping charges and not just your reward tier level.

Using our myself as an example, my [GAMMA] + BONUS REWARDS + ÆON ÆXPANSION reward tier is a $90 level, but my total pledge amount is $100 (inclusive of +$10 shipping charges to Canada).

So any add-ons that I wish to include, I need to add on the appropriate amount to my total pledge amount.

Note that physical rewards (hardcover books, physical reference screens) can only be added to Reward Tiers [DELTA], [GAMMA], [OMEGA] that already include physical rewards and shipping charges.

The add-on amounts for this kickstarter are:

ADDITIONAL PDF COPIES

• Add $15 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the PDF version of the TRINITY CONTINUUM CORE rules.  
• Add $25 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the PDF version of the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting.   

ADDITIONAL HARDCOVER COPIES (Note options for US/Non-US residents)

• Add $35 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the traditionally-printed hardcover version of the Trinity Continuum Core rules. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier for backers within the US only.
• Add $55 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the traditionally-printed hardcover version of the Trinity Continuum Core rules. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier for non-US residents.  
• Add $50 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the traditionally-printed hardcover version of the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier for backers within the US only. 
• Add $70 to your pledge total to receive an additional copy of the traditionally-printed hardcover version of the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier for non-US residents. 

REFERENCE SCREENS - Physical versions

• Add $20 to your pledge total to receive a sturdy, three-panel screen featuring a collage of Trinity Continuum Core art on the outer side, and a selection of charts and other reference info on the inside to make running a Trinity Continuum Core game session a little bit easier. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier. 
• Add $20 to your pledge total to receive a sturdy, three-panel screen featuring a collage of Trinity Continuum: Æon art on the outer side, and a selection of charts and other reference info on the inside to make running a Trinity Continuum: Æon game session a little bit easier. Can be added to any [DELTA], [GAMMA], or [OMEGA] reward tier.

REFERENCE SCREENS - PDF Charts (the inside of the Reference Screens)

• Add $5 to your pledge total to receive a PDF copy of the reference charts used in the Trinity Continuum Core reference screen.
• Add $5 to your pledge total to receive a PDF copy of the reference charts used in the Trinity Continuum: Æon reference screen.

TRINITY FIRST EDITION BUNDLE

• Add $15 to your pledge total to get PDF copies (via drivethrurpg.com) of each title included in the Trinity (Aeon) 1st Edition bundle. Can be added to any reward tier. Note: The PDFs included in this bundle are the current scans of the original books available on DrivethruRPG.com.

For our example, if I want to add the Trinity First Edition Bundle to my reward, I need to add +$15 (from the add-on list) to my total pledge level ($100) to get a new total pledge level of $115.

To do this, I click the MANAGE MY PLEDGE button on the top right, above the reward tier list. The system displays my current pledge, and with another click I can decide to CHANGE YOUR PLEDGE.

I'm urging everyone to be very careful and not hit that sneaky Cancel Pledge selection by accident!  

Now I simply update my total pledge amount from $100 to $115 in the amount box:

Note that the display only has room for two digits, so I make sure I haven't set it to $10015 or anything crazy!

It's important to note that there is NO PLACE in your kickstarter reward tier pledge to indicate which add-ons you wish to include, or give any reason why you are adjusting your pledge to a new amount. You aren't adding items to a shopping cart in this scenario - instead, you're adding pledge dollars that you will assign once the campaign ends. With this in mind, you may want to make a note of which add-on items and the associated add-on dollar amounts you've included if you're forgetful like I am.

Once the campaign ends and Kickstarter processes the payments, I will send out a survey via Backerkit - a complex system of tools used to manage the back-end of the kickstarter fulfillment process. When you receive the survey, you will confirm your Backer Reward Tier and assign your pledged dollars to any add-on items that you wish to include. I'll repeat and expand on this information in an upcoming post about "What Happens Next?" on the final day of the campaign.

ADD-ONS AFTER REWARD TIERS  

 Again, your first step should always be choosing the proper reward tier. In my example above, rather than adding the +$15 for Trinity First Edition Bundle to my $90 Reward Tier (+$10 shipping), I can instead change my Reward Tier to the $105 [GAMMA] OPTION + ALL STRETCH GOALS Reward Tier (+$10 shipping), which already includes the [GAMMA] options, [BONUS REWADS], Æon Æxpansion AND the Trinity 1E Bundle.  

Similarly, rather than adding second copies of each of the hardcover books as an add-ons, I'm better off selecting the $180 DOUBLE [GAMMA] reward tier, which includes 2 copies of each. 90% of the time there will be a reward tier already including the items you want.

(I've already changed my pledge to the [GAMMA] Option + All Stretch Goals because I want the Trinity 1E Bundle, and now that I have everything selected up-front, I don't have to remember which Add-Ons I wanted when I get my BackerKit survey!)

THE HARD SELL

That should explain the process of increasing your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT to account for any additional rewards you wish to receive. Since increasing your pledge amount increases the overall funding level of the project, add-ons can help us achieve stretch goal targets, so it benefits us all to suggest that:

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING THE TRINITY CONTINUUM: ÆON SETTING, I suggest you strongly consider a reward tier that includes the Æon Æxpansion PDF supplement as one of the rewards. At this point, I can't even tell you much about the book - it's being built via stretch goal expansion. But, it'll contain more options for the sci-fi psionic setting, and that's always a good thing, in my opinion.

IF YOU ARE THE STORYGUIDE FOR YOUR GROUP, you may want to look at selecting a reward tier that includes the Reference Screens, or think about including one or both as an Add-On to your pledge. Quick reference tables and charts never go out of style, and you don't want to slow your game as you hunt for a modifier in the middle of an exciting scene.

TRINITY 1E PDF BUNDLE - The best deal offered. At the time of this posting, this essentially translates into 15 PDFs for $15. Since the overall bundle grows via stretch goal, however, this could easily end up with 16, 17 or more PDFs for less than a dollar each. And as mentioned in some of the kickstarter comments, while the system and setting may have had an evolution from first edition, the sheer amount of ideas contained in this PDF bundle should fuel gaming for years to come. Plus you'll have something to read while the second edition products are being worked on.

CONCLUSION

As we move through this final days of the campaign, please ensure you've chosen the correct Reward Tier for the rewards you want. And beyond that - please make sure you've adjusted your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT to include the additional funds that will cover any add-ons you wish to receive.

On Tuesday evening, I will send another update detailing some information about Stretch Goals and what we've achieved so far, and what we hope to achieve in the final few days. Just before the campaign ends, I will also send an update detailing the steps that occur after the campaign concludes, including how and when to confirm your add-on rewards.

SO, just like every update: Spread the word! Share your excitement on social media! Tell your friends! We're about to enter the rapid race to the finish line, so let's make sure that none of our friends miss out!

HOPE. SACRIFICE. UNITY.

#TrinityContinuum

FINAL DAYS: REWARD TIERS
about 6 years ago – Mon, Feb 26, 2018 at 09:00:04 AM

Hello Continuum Community!

We are officially in the 4-day countdown! It's been a roller-coaster ride and we've hit a ton of Stretch Goals, and there are still more to come!

I'm expecting things to pick up even more over these final days as we approach the end of the campaign. With that in mind, I wanted to touch on some of the basics to make sure that everyone has got all of the information they need to support the project in the way that works best for them.

Over the next few updates, in addition to the final manuscript previews, I'll be covering:

• Reward Tiers
• Add-Ons
• Stretch Goals
• Next Steps

BACKER REWARD TIERS

Like it says right at the top of the campaign page, we've come to you to raise money to help create, publish, and distribute a new edition of Trinity Continuum, including the Trinity Continuum Core rules and the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting. To steal the analogy that I've used with my father-in-law, this works similar to the "Viewers Like You" support campaign from your local PBS Station (for those who get American television channels): There are various levels of support that you can pledge to, and these come with various levels of rewards. Like getting a tote bag or t-shirt when you give money to public broadcasting to fund them doing their thing, you can get rewards for helping Onyx Path work on this project.

Let's review the Backer Reward Tiers to ensure that you've pledged to a Reward Tier that provides all the rewards you wish to receive.

 Click HERE to see a larger version of the Reward Tier table.

FIRST DECISION: PDF ONLY vs HARDCOVER+PDF

The main rewards offered in this campaign are, of course, the main goal of the entire proposition: the TRINITY CONTINUUM CORE rule book and the TRINITY CONTINUUM: ÆON setting book. The first decision you need to make in figuring out your reward tier is whether you want to receive a digital PDF version or if you want the physical hardcover book.

PDF ONLY: All Reward Tiers named [ALPHA] and [BETA] are PDF-only rewards. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space, these are the reward tier options that you should begin with. The PDFs will be fulfilled by our partners at Drivethrurpg.com - when they are ready, you will receive a link to add it to your DTRPG library and be able to download at your leisure. 

HARDCOVER+PDF: Reward Tiers named [DELTA], [GAMMA], and [OMEGA] include the traditionally-printed physical hardcover versions of these books. That means they are produced in a large print run at one time, and will have the best production, from color clarity and appearance to binding and materials. In addition, all of the hardcover versions will also include the PDF version, so you will get a digital copy as described in the awards above.

SECOND DECISION: CORE RULES ONLY vs CORE RULES + ÆON SETTING

CORE RULES ONLY: If you're just here for the Trinity Continuum Core rules, which form the foundation for any further Trinity Continuum settings, then it's possible to just focus on one main book. The Trinity Continuum Core uses the Storypath System and a contemporary setting to explain the world of the Trinity Continuum and includes rules for playing Talents - gifted individuals - within this game universe. 

For PDF-only versions of just the Trinity Continuum Core rules, focus on the [ALPHA] Reward Tiers. 

For HARDCOVER+PDF versions of just the Trinity Continuum Core rules, you should select the [DELTA] Reward Tier.

CORE RULES + ÆON SETTING: If you want the rules and setting foundation found in the Trinity Continuum Core rules IN ADDITION TO the sci-fi setting and psionic rules of Trinity Continuum: Æon, then these Reward Tiers are for you:

For PDF-ony versions of both books, select one of the [DELTA] Option Reward Tiers.

For HARDCOVER+PDF version of both books, select one of the [GAMMA] or [OMEGA] Reward Tier options.

So, your first two decisions break down like this:

 Once those primary considerations have been finalized, you can seem that some tiers offer additional rewards beyond the Trinity Continuum Core rules and Trinity Continuum: Æon setting: Manuscript previews, an "at cost" POD Option, as well as the three Stretch Goal inclusions are detailed below. 

Conversely, we've also included bare-bones "NO FRILLS" options that reward you with just the PDF copy of the final book(s), as a budget-friendly means of supporting the campaign while still growing the player network.

ADDITIONAL REWARD DESCRIPTIONS

Access to Manuscript Previews: Throughout the campaign, we have posted previews of the Trinity Continuum Core rules and Trinity Continuum: Æon manuscripts as updates for all backers. You must pledge to a Reward Tier that includes this option in order to receive these updates.

"At Cost "POD Option: Select reward tiers will include an option for "at cost" Print on Demand physical books you can choose to purchase from DriveThruRPG.com, usually some time after the PDF has been released. This option allows you to purchase a PoD version of the Trinity Continuum Core book and Trinity Continuum: Æon setting supplement without paying for the content already included in your reward - it will be as close to covering just the actual print cost as possible. 

You will only receive a PoD Option for a PDF you are receiving as a reward (you will not get a PoD option for Trinity Continuum: Æon if you are not receiving that book as a PDF).  You DO NOT need to take advantage of this PoD offer as it does not affect in any way your pledge rewards. Note that there will be a shipping charge issued by DriveThruRPG.com whenever a PoD product is ordered.

Reference Screens: Two sturdy three-panel screens, one for Trinity Continuum Core and one for Trinity Continuum: Æon, featuring a collage of relevant Trinity Continuum art on the outer side, and a selection of charts and other reference info on the inside to make running a Trinity Continuum game session a little bit easier. The interior charts will reflect the rules required for either the contemporary setting or sci-fi Æon setting and will have as little repetition as possible. The reference charts for both will also come in PDF form. 

STRETCH GOAL ADDITION DESCRIPTIONS

BONUS REWARDS: Certain reward tiers include [BONUS REWARDS] that will be grown via Stretch Goal achievements. These additional rewards currently include:

• "DAWN" - a novella set in the timeline of Trinity Continuum: Æon 
• A Trinity Continuum D10 unlocked on the OnyxPath dice-rolling App (iOs/Android) 
• Two digital wallpapers 
• A scenario supplement PDF called “IN MEDIA RES” for the Trinity Continuum Core contemporary setting, with the following scenarios: 
• CAPER, INCORPORATED –When the system doesn’t work, these con artists put their thumbs on the scales of justice to even things out. Inspired by: Leverage, Ocean’s 11, Inception. Related Allegiance: Les Fantômes. 
• CODENAME: AQUARIUS – Working for an independent intelligence agency, a team of special agents investigates, infiltrates, and eliminates global threats. Inspired by: James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Jason Bourne. Related Allegiance: 9.

Achieving additional Stretch Goal targets may add further rewards to the [BONUS REWARD] list.

ÆON ÆXPANSION: A PDF supplement for the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting. The Æon Æxpansion will contain sections which will be added to this PDF supplement via Stretch Goals, as detailed below. The supplement currently contains sections on:  

• VARGS (large battlesuits) and VARG rules 
• Additional Aberrants and Aberrant Cults 
• New Noetic Biotech 
• New Cyberware and New Espionage-Related Hardtech 
• Using psions in the modern day with the Trinity Continuum Core book

Achieving additional Stretch Goal targets may add further sections to the [Æon Æxpansion] contents list.

FIRST EDITION TRINITY PDF BUNDLE: In addition to the new edition of the Trinity Continuum game, you will receive all titles included in this first edition Trinity PDF Bundle. Note: The PDFs included in this bundle are the current files available from Drivethrurpg.com, created from scans of the original books. The Trinity 1e digital bundle currently includes:  

• Trinity Rulebook 1E PDF 
• Trinity Player’s Guide 1E PDF 
• Trinity Technology Manual 1E PDF 
• Trinity RPG Quickstart 1E PDF  
• Trinity Field Report: Extrasolar Colonies 1E PDF 
• Trinity Field Report: Alien Races 1E PDF 
• Trinity Field Report: Psi Laws 1E PDF 
• Trinity Field Report: Media 1E PDF 
• Trinity Field Report: Oceania 1E PDF 
• Trinity: Hidden Agendas 1E PDF 
• Luna Rising: Psi Order ISRA & Luna Sourcebook 1E PDF 
• America Offline: Psi Order Orgotek & FSA Sourcebook 1E PDF 
• Terra Verde: Psi Order Norça and Sudamérica Sourcebook 1E PDF 
• Shattered Europe: Psi Order Æsculapian & Europe Sourcebook 1E PDF 
• Stellar Frontier: Psi Order Upeo wa Macho & Extrasolar space Sourcebook 1E PDF

Achieving additional Stretch Goal targets may add further titles to the [1E BUNDLE] contents list.

 REWARD TIERS NOT DESCRIBED ABOVE

Those decisions and break-downs cover the vast majority of options available to backers of this project.

• PDF or HARDCOVER + PDF
• CORE BOOK or CORE BOOK + SETTING
• MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS, PoD OPTION, REFERENCE SCREENS
• BONUS REWARDS, ÆON ÆXPANSION, 1E PDF BUNDLE

There are, however, a few Reward Tiers that are not as straight-forward.

NO FRILLS MANUSCRIPT PREVIEW: This tier grants access to the Manuscript Previews we've shared through backer-only updates but comes with no further rewards. Perfect if you want to follow along during the campaign. 

CONTINUUM COALITION: Perfect for gaming groups - receive 5 copies of each hardcover, [BONUS REWARD], [Æon Æxpansion], as well as one set of Reference Screens for the Storyguide. Consolidating shipping to one location may make this a more affordable option to those distant from the US. 

RETAILER REWARD: For Qualified Retailers Only - 5 copies of each hardcover book as well as 5 copies of each reference screen, at a retail-specific discount so you can sell in-store ** Contact [email protected] to confirm your retailer status.

[OMEGA] OPTIONS: These premium reward tiers offer limited quantity rewards, including: 

• A "fancy sticker" book plate signed by as many of the creative team as possible
• Naming a character in an upcoming Trinity Continuum Core or Trinity Continuum: Æon product.
• Acting as an art model reference for a character in an upcoming Trinity Continuum Core or Trinity Continuum: Æon product.
• Being a Consulting Developer, and being included on e-mails during the development phase of an upcoming Trinity Continuum Core or Trinity Continuum: Æon product.

See each reward for further description. Limited quantities available.

REWARD TIER SUMMARY

So, while there are lots of options and many growing rewards, I hope the information above makes the path to choosing your Reward Tier simpler and more straight forward. It all starts with those first two decisions, and then is about what spices you add to your dish - which additional options you want to receive.

There's been a lot of churn - a lot of Reward Tier adjustments and changes by backers throughout the campaign, as various stretch goal additions grew and reached tipping points, or budgets changed, or options were contemplated. However, in these final days, it's best to ensure that you've selected the Reward Tier that best offers you the options and rewards you want to receive and are ready to lock down. This timing - before the campaign ends - is the absolute most affordable and inclusive these rewards will be. 

And, with that, the final countdown begins. Let's lock in our Reward Tiers and keep working towards growing the project so everyone has a chance to join in. DO NOT MISS OUT!

HOPE. SACRIFICE. UNITY.

#TrinityContinuum

Backers Only - Manuscript Preview Part 8
about 6 years ago – Fri, Feb 23, 2018 at 12:57:49 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

FINAL WEEK DISCUSSION: BE AN AMASSADOR
about 6 years ago – Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 09:15:42 AM

Hello Backers!

We're officially in the FINAL WEEK of the kickstarter campaign. I've still got THREE manuscript preview posts to share over the next week, and possibly another hologram message, but I'll also be sharing a bunch of book-keeping-type posts about Reward Tiers and Add-Ons, and Stretch Goals, and What Comes Next, and this one, which is all about recruiting new backers during this final phase of the campaign.

First, let me say - we're SO CLOSE to hitting our SIXTEENTH Stretch Goal Achievement. That's remarkable. I'm excited to keep adding rewards to this project, and hope to add even more! The final week usually picks up speed as we go along, and there's a ton of potential to add another 5, 8, 10 or even more rewards! But to get there, we've got to increase the number of backers pledging to this campaign. Thus, the topic for today's update:

BE AN AMBASSADOR

Or, perhaps I should say ÆMABASSADOR. Nope, that looks really weird.

For the next week, you are officially a duly-deputized ambassador for this kickstarter project. I know I end every update post with "Keep spreading the word! Invite others to join in!" - but what does that mean, and how do you do it?

Easy answer - don't stop talking about the Trinity Continuum kickstarter until 12:01 PM next Thursday EST (when the campaign has ended). Yes, family and friends are tired of me talking about it (believe me!), but everything will go back to "normal" in just one week, and they've learned to tolerate me during a kickstarter campaign (for now). But here's the thing - there are others around who haven't heard or don't know about the campaign.

I've attempted to explain the kickstarter process and what we're doing to my father-in-law on a few occasions. I've handled it best by saying it's loosely like the PBS "Viewers Like You" pledge drives. Anyway, he's not a gamer and not likely to join the campaign. But I got an email from my wife's cousin a few days ago, who heard through the family grapevine, and he's looking for more info and interested in kickstarter and what's going on here. Maybe not this project, but it's the first he's learned of this whole crowdfunding thing (I love the surprise when you tell people how big this platform is. $3.5 BILLION raised since it's inception!). You never know where your conversations will carry, and potential backers are EVERYWHERE!

Most of us, though, aren't going to be hearing from family in Montreal or talking with strangers over the next week, or have already spread the info as best possible in the real world, and that's where we take to the online arena.

What Excites You?

Thumbs up to everyone who's shared a link to the kickstarter in an online forum, or posted an "I just backed this project" message to their social media - you've done all of the first steps that are critical during the first weeks of the campaign. Now, it's time to let others know why you are backing this project (and, therefore, why they should consider it as well).

That's the thing - for the next 7 days, you don't have to tell people the kickstarter exists. Instead, tell them what's got you excited about the game. What are you planning for your Continuum camapign? What kind of Talents or Psions are you thinking of creating? What sources of inspiration are you running with? At this point, people have seen the "Kickstarter now live!" posts. But the ones that always pull me in are things like:

• Here's my take on the A-Team using the Trinity Continuum Core rules!
• What sorts of forgotten Nova Tech should I include in my Æon campaign?
• My Æon world will be as presented in the new edition, except with these three things carried over from First Edition...

This is the stuff that I love to read online, and the stuff that inspires me in my game. I am delighted when I read about an idea or campaign that I'd never thought of or considered. When I see someone talking about being a "bad luck nexus" to describe a Talent, or how long you could run a contemporary Trinity Continuum game using plots stolen from Scooby-Doo before your players notice - those are the moments that dial me in.

When I start seeing conversations like that, I get intrigued about the game. And that's when I click on the link. So, share your ideas! What parts of the manuscript have stirred your imagination? What pop culture touchstones do you want to adapt for your game?

I mean, check out THIS THREAD on rpg.net that hasn't left the front page since this campaign launched! Or, our regular FORUMS at Onyx Path! Or fellow backer Agis showing off his 20-year old paint job on Trinity (Æon) minitures and sharing the kickstarter info on the Lead Adventure Forum! (awesome job, by the way!) 

There are tons of websites related to rpgs or sci-fi or gaming in general. Now, all of those may not have forums for you to post on, or be an appropriate venue to share your ideas. But, if you are a member of any of those and feel like sharing your ideas about a new Trinity Continuum game, the next 7 days are the time to do so!

Beyond that, here's an easy social media post: GET 14 PDFs for $15! That's right, we've hit enough Stretch Goals so that the 1E PDF Bundle now includes 14 PDFs for Trinity first edition. Just post that info with a link to the kickstarter on your social media and let's see if we can get the bundle up to 15 or 16 or even all 21 titles!

Share the Links!  

1) Don't forget to share a link to the kickstarter in your post (where appropriate).  

2) Don't forget to tell us about your post! Come to the comments section and let us know so we can all go and contribute! I know I keep saying it, but really - these last 7 days are key. Keep the enthusiasm high (hitting stretch goals certainly makes that easier!) and keep on inviting others to join in, either directly ("Come see...") or just by setting an example of your enthusiasm and interest.  

We've achieved so much already - 15 Stretch Goals! - but on these final days, we can take it to the next level!  

So, celebrate! Share the love! Share your enthusiasm! And be an ambassador for the next 7 days... and then we'll all be exhausted and get a rest! And, if you're like me, re-read the Trinity Continuum Core rules manuscript again!

HOPE. SACRIFICE. UNITY

#TrinityContinuum

ÆON DEVELOPER NOTES
about 6 years ago – Wed, Feb 21, 2018 at 05:20:44 AM

Hello Backers,

Yesterday I sent out a long rambling update about how we'd hit 14 Stretch Goals so far... and now I can send a short note that says we've now hit 15! That's right, an essay on how to incorporate the Psion rules from the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting book into your contemporary Trinity Continuum Core game will be added to the Æon Æxpansion. Keep up the good work!

And, speaking of Psions and Æon, I'd like to share an update from John, the developer for the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting. Take it away, John:

***

Æon Developer Notes  John Snead here: 

I still remember my first encounter with Trinity 1st edition, way back when it was called Æon. I still treasure that wonderful book with its weird plastic cover and plastic spiral binding. This was a setting I instantly loved – psychic powers, aliens that were actually alien and not just people with bumpy foreheads, as well as living starships and psychic technology. In addition, it was a game that featured characters and organizations from all across the globe, which I also loved. It seemed like a wonderful mixture of old and new space opera ideas. 

 However, I also had a few problems – the psi powers were in general weak, limited, and expensive to use and Psi Order and psionic Aptitude were too closely linked, meaning that parties consisting of members of a single psi order mostly didn’t work. Also, while deliberately eliminating cellphones and wireless data was common in a number of late 90s SF games, all of these problems seemed like wasted opportunities to me. 

When I first started considering a 2nd edition in late 2012, I realized there were other problems – the Legions being mercenaries reminded me too much of exceptionally dubious organizations like Blackwater Security Company, and so the Legions needed to change. I also remember wincing at how Norça were essentially a psi order of South American drug lords, and feeling ashamed that my portrayal of Nippon in the unpublished Asia Ascendant book relied far too much on orientalist cyberpunk clichés and having read sensationalist books like Speed Tribes too many times, and far too little on anything real about Japan. So, I knew some changes were needed. 

In addition to all that, China, the UAN and India had been woefully neglected in terms of what they were actually like in the 22nd century, and while the original proxies of the Psi Orders were half women, the game started out with one of the three women of color dead, and another missing, so that also needed to change. I wanted to make certain that Trinity Continuum: Æon was a game that I could still be proud of in a decade or two. 

Finally, the Æsculapian Order felt too much like “the clerics”. I wanted to refocus their powers on both healing and human enhancement, and to make them general first responders – partly because it seems like a more awesome idea, and partly in honor of my great uncle, who had recently passed away at age 99, and had been a firefighter and then a fire chief for almost his entire working life.  

However, in reviewing the setting, I also realized how much I still loved, and how much of the setting was still wonderfully solid world building. The four different groups of aliens were all fascinating and pretty darn alien, many of the changes in Earth’s politics seemed even better today than they did 20 years ago, and a setting dominated by China, South America, and Africa remained very nifty indeed. From the Leviathan jump ships, to labor unrest on Averiguas, the high tech UAN, the fascist FSA, and the alien Qin, this setting had a lot of awesome material that I wanted to celebrate. With that in mind, my first notes on the setting were:

• The Æsculapian Order are generalized first responders 
• The Legions were originally UN troops not mercenaries 
• Norça started out as ecological activists not drug lords 
• Wireless data and augmented reality are ubiquitous on Earth 
• Any type of psion can belong to any Order. No more than half of any Order consists of psions with the associated Aptitude. Every Order has psions from most of the Aptitudes 
• Everyone knows about novas, a few details were lost in the Crash, but people have the basic outline. The main focus of Project Rewrite was to secure all records of nova inventions, because Nova Age tech can be really dangerous. However, some nova tech is still in common use – including grav crystals and hyperfusion, and various forms of human genetic engineering. 
• Unformatted biotech has no tolerance cost and can be used by anyone. Also, everyone can format and use most biotech, but the most powerful biotech (like Psi-enhancing bioapps) are only usable by psions. As a result, biotech is widely used by everyone. 
• Any low-level psi powers that duplicates tech you can buy, like IR googles, a cellphone, or a warm coat should not cost any points to use and should be useable at will. 
• Psychokinetics are supposed to be the best combat psions, so a moderately high powered Psychokinetic should be able to go one on one with a fighter jet and have a good chance of winning. 
• Include rules for all eight psionic Aptitudes in the Æon core book. 
• This is basically an optimistic setting. None of the major positive seeming organizations like the Æon Trinity are inherently corrupt or evil and merely hiding that fact well. However, greedy, corrupt, and uncaring people, including outright sociopaths sometimes work in otherwise good organizations, so the setting's optimism is tempered with a mixture of realism and the understanding that conflict drives story. 
• Last, but far from least – every organization that PCs can belong to must be awesome. All of the psi orders and the Æon Trinity must be groups that players would love to have their characters be a part of, and where characters have the chance to be amazing heroes.

I also talked to a good friend who does high-level computer security and asked him what actually solid future computer security would look like and how it could be compatible with fun gaming. The answer turned out to be easy – for anything that’s really secure, you need physical access to, or (at minimum) to get into close physical proximity to the machine holding the data you need to steal, so hacking can be fun for the entire PC group.

Then, I looked at all this and realized that while many details of the setting had changed, the basics were largely identical, and that it still felt like the same setting, just a bit more modern, less limited by the conventions of 90s RPGs, and somewhat more polished. Both versions of the setting are full of the qualities that I love to see in all SF. They have solid world building, interesting social commentary (because all science fiction is at least partly social commentary), sensible optimism, and most importantly of all, are settings where a multitude of very different but equally excellent campaigns can happen. I hope you all come to love Trinity Continuum: Æon as much as I do.

***

Thanks John! 

See more of John's hard work when we post the next manuscript update on Friday, which will include the next two chapters in the Trinity Continuum: Æon setting book. And, now that we're at 15 Stretch Goals Achieved... let' see if we can get to SIXTEEN by the next update on Friday! It's a Wednesday Challenge! (That's a new thing I just made up!)

HOPE. SACRIFICE. UNITY

#TrinityContinuum