Book 2 is in the works! Well, the rough draft is complete, but now the editing and artwork continue. Like the first book, this one will also have lots of interior artwork. Here is the intro blurbs and a rough art sample. If you were to take Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz and throw them into the blender with Harold and the Dreadful Dreams, you would get Grumpy Pumpkins as the result.
“In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die; Ever drifting down the stream, Lingering in the Golden Gleam; Life – what is it but a dream?” – Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass “That proves you are unusual,’ returned the Scarecrow; ‘and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed.” – L. Frank Baum, The Land of Oz
“The snozberries taste like snozberries!” – Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Years ago I wrote a little story about a faery (or “fairy” if you prefer – same thing) named Wisp and her journey from a freshly born ball of light to a winged girl fey. It was eventually expanded on and lengthened into a short novel and published, but sales were poor and it was eventually shelved. But the story that went out wasn’t really the one I wanted out there, for various reasons, so I’ve had it mind for a while to rewrite and reedit Wisp closer to my original vision. I don’t have a timeline for this, and it might not reach fruition, but I’m going to put a link on the blog for continuing chapter updates. The idea is that it will be periodic chapter posts, but without a set structure. Many of the chapters work fine as is; others need heavy rewriting or complete scrapping and toss in the garbo-bin.
The book was broken into three parts originally and actually published as three small tiny books with artwork. Each one focused on a different character (Wisp, Puck, and Nobb) although there was character overlap. I tentatively had the idea to write a series set in that world based around the mythology, the series being called Tales From the Nowhere & Neverwhen. Now, I seriously doubt anything will evolve from that now, but the idea interested me for a while.
So, if you’re curious, some of Wisp’s initial chapters can be found here.
I have to admit I’m somewhat excited about this. As a DM who has run 5th edition D&D since the beginning around 2014, while I do like the game, I feel it has run short of options and could use a new coat of paint. I’ve been slapping new paint on it for a while already, and it works well enough. 5e is simplistic in that adding or modifying rules doesn’t really unbalance it much (if at all) so you can house rule to your devious heart’s desire. But lots of people don’t want to take the time, or players themselves don’t trust someone’s house rules unless there is an official codified book they can turn to for answers and clarification.
From Enworld Publishing and Enworld, one of the world’s most popular websites for Dungeons & Dragons the past 20 years, Morrus and his team have been busy crafting Level Up with extensive feedback from gamers and playtesters. When released summer of 2021 it will be fully backwards compatible with original 5e (O5e) so you should be able to have a regular fighter and LU fighter side by side in the same party and not have any trouble.
CHANGES & UPDATES
There are far too many to list in this blog, but refer to the publisher’s page for a full rundown of changes A5e is bringing to the game. A few highlights include:
A detailed exploration system that utilizes a new Supply mechanic, so that PC supplies dwindle as they explore the lonely and forgotten moors and roads of their world.
Combat Maneuvers – to give martial fighting characters a wide range of options similar to spellcasters.
Knacks – which are akin to mini-feats that characters acquire as they level up.
Monster Legend & Lore, Signs and Behavior; traits the PCs can notice or learn or observe about a monster prior to meeting it or during an encounter.
And much more. That’s really just a very brief notation on things that Level Up will be addressing. So, if you are a DM or Player who has wanted your 5e game to be a little more complex, a little more challenging and a little more detailed, A5e might be right up your alley.
JM Hauser 