The one with the Exclusive ORACLE! And a Cloud Spirit!
almost 5 years ago
– Tue, Jul 02, 2019 at 12:05:47 AM
Hi everyone - thank you for all the love! Your support of this project is HUGE. This big of a game is only possible via Kickstarter. ...And it's only getting better! In this update:
- Shipping prices to Asia improved!
- Chaos final puzzle now available!
- Unlocked stretch goals - Avians, 2v2 Mode and Exclusive Oracle!
- Upcoming stretch goals - FINALLY COLOR MINIS and much more!
- Another Legendary Monster reveal - The Cloud Spirit!
- DICE TOWER Con - we will be there!
- FB/YOU TUBE LIVE - need your vote!
- Campaign Page Updates!
SHIPPING IMPROVEMENTS!
Backers asked for it, and we have listened, and found better shipping prices using VFI! We have changed the shipping chart to reflect new shipping estimates, which offers VAT free prices to many regions of Asia. Thank you to everyone who helped us source this solution. We're not done attacking shipping yet! We will continue to look at all our regions and see if we can make other improvements.Thanks for your feedback!
Group Pledge research is still underway. This will take some time and communication with each fulfillment center, but know that we are looking into it.
CHAOS PUZZLE & MINOTAUR REVEAL
The Minotaur has a name, can you find it? Those who speak the name of this mythical beast will unlock the miniature. Now how do you do that? Well you don't go shouting it around in your home, or workplace. (Although if you do that, please record it and send it in). No, instead you keep the final code word somewhere and you'll use it on the Kickstarter pledge manager to discount the mini to Free.
The story and riddle continues here:
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the team that made these puzzles and story possible. Richard Malena-Webber is our puzzle master and together with our lore writer Doug Eboch, they created a fantastic journey for Ratlings of the Swarm, full of thematic game elements! Our graphic designer whiz Steve Lambert helped give the puzzles a fun look and Matthew Humphrey put them up online to enjoy. I enjoyed the puzzle series - I hope you did too -they have made a compelling reason for many of us to interact on social media leading up to the Kickstarter. If you enjoyed the puzzles, speak up in the comments and mention it so the team hears you enjoyed it.
If you are still looking for puzzle hints, we have great helpful groups of people on Facebook and BGG!
UNLOCKED STRETCH GOALS!
THE SKYBORN AVIANS! (Illustration by Sergio Chaves). High above Eldervale, the AIR ELEMENT just gained double the power! This means that when you choose the air starter card, you can actually flip your player mat to either the Storm Horde side or now to the Skyborn Avians side. The Skyborn Avians have a special warrior and special workers which makes them unique. This faction is a favorite in our test groups, because... flying workers!
Designer tip! Fly you fools! The Skyborn Avians should have early advantage to some of the best resources. Flexible for Dungeon or Dwell strategy, or both - Dwell near the Dungeon and bring in your Swordbringer.
All of the factions will be updated on the page, with powers and tips. Until then, you can visit the forums at BoardGameGeek (BGG) for a post on every unlocked faction!
ALSO UNLOCKED AND EXCLUSIVE - THE ORACLE is a bonus tile (another fantastic illustration by Sergio Chaves!) that we have decided to make Exclusive to Kickstarter versions for all your hard work! (Same caveats apply to conventions, contests, BGG and BG store). You can include the Oracle with the game at any player count. For games under 4 players, we recommend removing swapping 1 elemental tile from the initial map build, and for 4-5p games, we suggest substituting the Oracle for the second Dungeon. What the Oracle does is it allows either a Magic card draw, or a single Adventure purchase - that is NOT tied to the reveal of new map tiles.
What does this mean? For players who like tableau building and a bit longer to see those combos play out, it means it is time to rejoice. The Oracle is a fun twist to the normal flow of gameplay. The magic card option makes this spot useful to all worker placement, and increases flexibility, and the adventure option won't replace the optimal dungeon, but may give you some ways of getting your engine going sooner.
ALSO UNLOCKED - 2v2 MODE - This was covered in our last update, but suffice to say, it's an epic mode of play. We'll be updating the rulebook download soon to get up to date with this and other changes added, and we'll upload video of a 2v2 game when possible.
NEXT GOAL - COLOR MINIS!
This is personally a very big deal to me. I don't paint minis usually, and I used to get games with grey miniatures and wonder why they aren't in color... Then I found out how much that costs! I can see why companies normally make minis small and grey now. Seeing as we are already making HUGE minis, why not HUGE AND COLORFUL?! Right?! This will upgrade your deluxe and legendary pledges to minis in color, coded by the elements. The minotaur will become brown, to match the neutral ruins. We will make any stretch goal minis that unlock this same ruins color if they are not tied with an element specifically.
Be sure to share the KS PAGE, our minis are going to be the best!
LEGENDARY MONSTER REVEAL
What is this? A long lost air elemental has awakened, and it is legendary! We'll post a sound to the page of just what this epic creature sounds like when you fly it around the board from it's lair!
Dice Tower Con
Thanks to backer Jim Pridgen, Dwellings of Eldervale will be at Dice Tower Con 2019! This is exciting news. We have an event on our FB page to help you find Jim, but he tells me that as of Thursday he will have the copy with him and can teach groups and sit nearby for any help. This is the latest and greatest prototype copy which means it gives you a sneak peek at the trays (in 3D print form), AND rumor has it that Vernon Piper, painter and ally to the Dice Tower will possibly give our black primed and unpainted 3D printed minis a makeover. If you're there at Dice Tower Con, you gotta find Jim and Vernon and unlock Eldervale!
TONIGHT - LUKE LAURIE BOARD GAME REVOLUTION ON FACEBOOK! - 6pm PST
Stay tuned for more events coming up!
FACEBOOK/YOU TUBE LIVE
We need your input on good times/dates to go live, stream and answer questions! While we're taking votes, we'll go ahead and make one to start: SAVE THE DATE our first live stream will be:
It's time for Peter (that's me) to go on camera and show the latest and greatest version of the game, explain some mechanisms, answer any burning questions (also ones not in the Fire realm!), challenge Luke to a match officially, etc.
There will be more streams coming up - we need your vote on best times!
Cheers and thank you!
Peter and the entire Breaking Games Dwellings Team
p.s. COLOR MINIS!!
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Journal of the Storm Horde visit to the Oracle
Verily, I say, I do love the smell of lightning in the morning! It smells like… victory. I have discovered a structure of clearest ice high in the mountains. It refracts the light, revealing paths to glory and treasure. It has shown me the way to a grand portal named the Sunken Vortex an entrance to a realm of water. Who would immerse themselves in the seas where wind cannot blow and lightning cannot strike? I shall brave the deep, for I do not fear death! And if I do not return, they will sing songs of my valor for centuries to come. So give me a tankard of ale and a kiss from a beautiful maiden, for I am off to meet my destiny!
Ofar of the Storm Horde
The one with the ATLANTEANS. And... release the Kraken!
almost 5 years ago
– Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 12:25:21 AM
Hello Dwellers of Eldervale. We're going deep into the Water realm this update. Wizards, please cast your Liquid Form spells at this time and prepare for more adventure!
UNLOCKED - Atlanteans - a new playable faction!
THE ATLANTEANS! Deep within Eldervale, the WATER ELEMENT just gained double the power! This means that when you choose the water starter card, you can actually flip your player mat to either the Pirates of Nightmare Cove side or now to the Atlanteans side. The Atlanteans have a special wizard and special workers which makes them unique. This faction is on the challenging side when playing because the worker power takes work to orchestrate.
Designer tip! You might seek to avoid Battle in order to demonstrate your Advanced Civilization, and be sure to amass potions for your Alchemist.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS/ADD-ONS ANNOUNCED
We have secured two exciting new partnerships - with Game Toppers and DogMight, each of these excel in making high quality products!
LARGE SCALE GAME MATS
Game Toppers make the absolute best looking huge scale mats and tabletops out there on the market and they are great people! Check it out - they are on Kickstarter right now with Game Toppers 2.0, crushing it! And we thought - here we are with worker placement 2.0 and engine building 2.0 and they have mats 2.0... an epic game needs an epic mat, right??
We are thrilled to announce a limited edition Eldervale specific mat, (design in progress, see mockup above). It fits the sea theme of this update because well, it focuses the mat on the water element (useful for more games than this one) and the design is coming to you from our cover artist and illustrator for all things water, Saša Radivojevići
The mat is produced at 3mm thick neoprene with edge stitching and delivered/fulfilled by Game Toppers, we are confident that this quality mat will pair amazingly with Dwellings of Eldervale. These mats are unique to this campaign and will not be offered anywhere else. Right now, we are opening these up to orders for US and Canada only, more countries offered if there is enough interest!
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ELEMENTAL DICE TRAYS
Next up, we've partnered again with our trusted ally from our Rise of Tribes campaign, Dogmight. Dogmight are also great people, gamers at heart, and they craft absolutely the best custom wood accessories. And they have a "KICK ASS GUARANTEE" on their site! Since Dogmight crafts products in unique woods and bold colors and thus they are the perfect partner for ELEMENTAL DICE TRAYS! - You can buy one tray or get all the elements. These trays are unique to this campaign and will not be offered anywhere else. Domestic and International shipping available.
NEXT GOAL - 2v2 Mode!
Speaking of partners... you can have one at the table if we reach our next stretch goal! We are so excited to share 2v2 mode with everyone! In this gameplay mode, there's at least one player not trying to destroy you!
How to play 2v2 - You'll sit on the same side of the table as your ally and you can look at each other's magic cards and even swap spells as a free action, at a 1 to 1 exchange. You are allowed to acquire Dungeon cards for your ally, gaining them elemental power. And you can also spend swords on their behalf in combat. You are still both playing your own game - adding your scores for a final tally. There is friendly fire, and limited resources in Eldervale, so you'll have to figure out ways of both accommodating your friend while fighting off your foes. Which one of you needs that prophecy, and who could use a lightning bolt to secure that awesome Dwelling location!
LEGENDARY MONSTER REVEAL - RELEASE THE KRAKEN!
What is this? A long lost water monster from the depths of Eldervale has surfaced, and it is legendary!
And this is what it sounds like when the Kraken emerges from it's lair!
We know a lot of you are wondering about these mystery monsters in the Legendary tier, and we'll be revealing these secret denizens of Eldervale along the way!
It is true that these do not come in standard Eldervale, no standees will exist for them, and they are a limited edition item made for this Kickstarter which may not be found again - they are absolutely extra, not required to play but something we conceived during development for a fun elemental twist. We couldn't resist to expand the world just a bit more for those who want to dwell in Eldervale all the way.
EPIC Giveaways Right Now!
In our Facebook group, we are giving away signed copies of Luke's first published worker placement game, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire - a highly ranked title on BGG. All you have to do to enter is join the group. More copies given the bigger the group grows: Dwellings of Eldervale on Facebook
Also, the McGuire Review of Dwellings of Eldervale PART 2 released yesterday, and one lucky channel subscriber and commenter can WIN A LEGENDARY PLEDGE!
Thanks for reading along and for backing!
Cheers,
Peter and the entire Breaking Games Dwellings Team
Journal of an Atlantean Alchemist:
"Verily, the land of Eldervale is overrun by primitive creatures. They squabble like spoilt children, vexing me at every turn. But the elders were not so unsophisticated. They have left behind much knowledge from which we may build a better Atlantean civilization.
In our exploration of the Great Dungeon, we discovered a rotting bog. The alchemist Aquas harvested the herbs and weeds that grow there and crafted many potions. What need have we to seek for tools or swords, gems or gold? With his potions, Aquas can change any material into any other!
We were quickly achieving our empire, dominating the barbaric factions. Until the accursed Ogres acquired the spell of flood. Whether they were jealous of our success or merely revel in destruction, they sent a wave of water into the bog, obliterating it completely. Now our supply of potions grows meager, and we are reduced to digging up treasures like savages."
For more fun Lore and Flavor, visit us on BGG!
The one with the THANK YOU. And the Goblins.
almost 5 years ago
– Thu, Jun 27, 2019 at 12:01:12 AM
Hello there.
Greetings from this side of the portal! Welcome to Dwellings of Eldervale!
There are quests to go on, and adventure to be had. There are deadly monsters to discover. Whether you are Worker, Wizard, a Warrior ... or a Dragon! We are excited to have you here!
THANK YOU to everyone for funding this dream of ours. Luke Laurie and I discussed this game 5 years ago, on a car ride home from a game convention. At the time, certain factors key to this game's inception had not yet occurred. I had not started at Breaking Games, Luke still had worker placement and engine building breakthroughs to discover, and this epic scale game was but a twinkle in our eyes.
Now it is here, and it is FUNDED, thanks to YOU. Breaking Games is excited to publish this great game and get it to your tabletop!
Thanks also to all the wonderful artists, modelers, puzzle makers, lore writers, developers, community managers and more working with us on Dwellings of Eldervale - we are lucky to have a great crew. I will be highlighting these people on the KS page shortly, but first we have some big NEWS to share...
STRETCH GOALS - UNLOCKED!
We've reached $150,000+ in funding and are climbing. You are all amazing! We have so many things we want to add to this game, you're going to love it! We've got miniature upgrades (dyed in color anyone?), new factions, magic cards, adventures, component upgrades, new gameplay modes, brand new hex tiles and so much more!
We were so excited to launch we entered the portal without our trusty map in hand. Our graphic designer Steve Lambert has worked on the Lord of the Rings movies, so I asked him to doodle me a map to explore, and now we have this! You'll see meeples on it - tracking progress or visiting unlocks - one which is found at our current stop. The goals are marked with locked and unlocked. As a general rule - all stretch goals are for all 3 versions of the game. When something is specifically related to deluxe or legendary, we will call that out.
Not surprisingly, we've already crushed a few! Namely:
FIREWITCH GOBLINS! Fire is found in Eldervale! This means that when you choose the fire starter card, you can actually flip your player mat to either the Embercrush Ogres side or now to the Firewitch Goblins side. The goblins have a special dragon and wizard power which makes them unique. They are subjectively a little harder to play than the Ogres, just because you'll have to balance your hand of magic cards during the game.
Designer tip! Magic is your strength. Summon your Wizard, and go to the Mage Tower, or build an engine that will give you a steady supply of Magic cards.
And we've also unlocked a new type of magic card, QUESTS!
AND a set of 8 Adventure cards, known as BLADES. The Blade cards introduce the first cards of any type that you can acquire for swords. All of the other cards in the Dungeon Trays have been specifically tied to the resources of that element - tools or scrolls in ORDER for example, or potions and gems in CHAOS.
But now - there's a little taste of SWORDS in the costs. What this means is, if you are losing battles - whether intended or not, you may find great value in those swords from the underworld. Or perhaps now you will rush to place in a realm with a double sword token!
This is 8 new cards in the game! We'll share art for these on the page soon, but this includes a Buccaneer's Cutlass (Water), a Flaming Sword (Fire), A Woodcutter's Axe (Earth), A Blade of Ice (Air), An Enchanted Broadsword (Light), an Assassin's Blade (Darkness), the Peacemaker (Order), and the Poisoned Scimitar (Chaos) featured below:
NEXT at $160,000 - the Atlanteans faction, unlocked for team WATER. We are almost there everyone!
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NEW VIDEOS, LIVE PLAYS!
There are new previews and play throughs of this game happening daily right now. We'll tell you about most of these on the wall, but I wanted to call two out today. First, part 2 of the McGuire review just posted AND we're worked out a giveaway of a LEGENDARY PLEDGE. Yes, you read that correctly - a Legendary pledge tier!!
Check out his page for all the details
LIVE PLAY TONIGHT
And TONIGHT, LIVE PLAY on HEAVY CARDBOARD - 9pm EST, we're very happy to have Heavy Cardboard play the game on their stream. They have a link for everyone already: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=airVYJY8Pcc
In addition to these, you can ALSO check out designer Luke Laurie talking about the game on Facebook and on various podcasts, publications. Here are some recent ones:
Board Game Spotlight (FB) - Derek Funkhouser interviews Luke Laurie
Board Game Exposure (FB) - Nick Welford interviews Luke Laurie
Board Game Design Lab (Podcast) - Luke Laurie interviewed -this one is particularly good for any designers, it is about crafting worker placement games
The origins of Dwellings - Gamenite Magazine article - on BGG here
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK, DISCORD OR BGG
On Facebook, we have a great community working on the puzzles, and some folks who have worked with us on development and tested the game are there. Here's a link if you want to join in: Dwellings of Eldervale Facebook Group
On Discord, there's a great Kickstarter Games channel, and there's a dedicated chat to Dwellings of Eldervale.
Finally on BoardGameGeek (BGG), we have tons of content, from designer diaries to puzzle solving tips to game lore, and we'll post a lot more there about specific factions or game rules questions.
QUESTIONS?
Better Shipping to Asia - working on it. Clarification on tiers - coming right up! More info on Legendary sound fx to come. Thank you for bearing with us as we bring you more updates and a clearer page. We'll have more to share, including a FAQ, and we'll continue to work on shipping improvements, group pledges, more add-ons with partners. We will get you all of this in updates to come. In the meantime, ask us anything in the comments.
THANK YOU FOR BACKING! Please share the page with someone else you think might like the most epic worker placement game ever!
-Peter and the entire Breaking Games Dwellings Team
