A high-fantasy TTRPG setting module in the isolated and frozen wastes of Arcton, a dangerous nation ruled by oligarchic liches and their cohorts. Will you aid in fueling the chaos, or explore and perhaps rebuild this nation from its undying rot?
An uncontested and insurgent undead army laid waste to the frozen nation of Arcton centuries prior. Now, 8 oligarchical Liches oversee their respective regions, sending their Officers to craft their undead labor force out of their own living citizens. These powerful and arrogant entities consume and destroy the land that once held a vast resource of wild and unpredictable magic.
However, the story is not truly about them. Arcton is a vast and distinct nation with various cultures, people, customs, and beliefs that remained isolated from region to region. This is the story of the details, the inhabitants, and the dangerous, but beautiful, land, as complicated and nuanced as it can all be. But most importantly, this story is about you.
This is the guide for you, as both a DM and a player, to use as an addition and setting for your campaigns.
Book 1 is a 106-page book that covers an overview of the nation: it offers a summary of its regions, history, fauna, flora, citizens/NPCs, and other starting points found in this cultural iceberg that will be expanded upon in later books. This initial book. completed in early April, can still work as an idea guide for DMs and players to set their campaigns or their characters' origins in this setting, and it encourages you to expand and fill in the gaps based on your imagination and the themes you'd like to explore.
Arcton is a fantasy system-agnostic setting for tabletop roleplay gaming. It urges a critical, but empathetic view, at the messy, horrifying, and destructive nature of existing in an imperial core where your worth is valued by your output in labor-- living or not.
You, as the storyteller, are granted the tools to either build or destroy this land in your campaigns, do with them as you will.
Part of the concept art section at the end of the book
No AI was used at all, not even for "brainstorming". Most of the art has been curated by me through the years, or drawn exclusively for this book. My partner, Stellartoons, also contributed some wonderful pieces.
I've played TTRPGs for almost a decade at this point, and played a lot of indie and homebrew systems designed by my friends and partner. Because of this, I've found the setting for a certain popular TTRPG necromancy nation to be somewhat outdated and very short-sighted. It explores interesting ideas, but dehumanizes the location to an oversimplified "bad people, bad leaders, and a bad system" lens with little nuance and interest.
I'd like to offer an alternative setting that explores a nation run by liches and where necromancy is normalized through a multi-layered storybuilding lens. Who are the key characters? What are the details of this culture like? How did we get here? Why did this nation descend into a death cult? What seeds, literal and metaphorical, are growing in the background?
For the past 7 years, I've been experimenting with short campaigns and stories set in this Arctic nation where the undead run amok. Some exploit this reality, others ignore it until the danger is at their doorstep, and a hopeful few fight for a better outcome. The story is about all of them, and your role as writer or player in this setting.
The land of Arcton is also alive to some degree, and the setting offers another potential world where the magic has been kept secret from prying eyes. The deeper you explore, the more chaotic this primordial haven becomes.
Arcton From Ingala to the Wastes will be available as part of Pocketopia on Backerkit. The goal is to allow the first edition of the book to have worldwide distribution for a limited time. I’d also like to try to unlock bonus items for you to use in games, including character/NPC and item cards, setting and encounter prompts/tables, and maps in both physical and digital formats.
The NPC cards are a visual representation of important enemies or characters you might find on your mission. Some are allied with the Liches and will have a stamp on the side of which lord they represent and which item cards they carry.
There are an estimated 24 cards total, with the possibility of adding more cards if both Hulse Booklet and the Ingala and Fraye book are unlocked.
Up next are the item cards:
Item cards help players remember items and details they've collected on their adventure. Cards include trophies, personal weapons of Officers, flora, fauna, and minerals that might help or affect gameplay.
There are an estimated 30 cards total, with the possibility of expanding to 45 if the second book is unlocked.
For clarification purposes, whenever you see the "Arcton Encounter Kit" Rectangle, it's a generalized image to encompass the kit in its entirety:
If there's enough interest, a stretch goal would help fund the next book that covers Ingala and Fraye, my recommended suggestions for first-time explorers. The Ingala and Fraye book is already halfway done.
As mentioned, the kit will be an addition to the main book and offer item and NPC cards, encounter and complication tables, and other material that assists DMs in their Arctonian adventure. The encounter kit is a booklet that contains the tables, prompts, and other material that add even more details to the gameplay. Because the game is System-Agnostic, however, it only provides information for you to adapt to your system and stats of choice.
Samples, design and tables not final
Solo Campaign Guide
My co-artist, fellow DM, and partner, Stellartoons and I want to work on a short solo campaign guide using a 52-standard deck to design your encounters, complications, and ideas that allow you to explore your character traversing through the frozen wilds in search of an ancient relic. You are, however, not the only one in this race. This would be included in the Encounter Kit for free.
The Arcton Metallic Coin
The coin resembles the currency in Arcton. It can be used in key moments of gameplay, for example, when activating a Complication Table to spice up and make your encounters more problem-solving than just a typical hack-and-slash. It also works as a good worldbuilding prop.
Hulse Companion Booklet
The books mention the southern nation of Hulse, an enemy country whose economy is known to be "necromancer hunters". Oftentimes, the nation sends hunters or even members of the Wijsheid family to Arcton to find and extradite Officers and slavers to face trial in their nation. However, due to their own prejudices and generalizations, extradited Arctonians are sometimes those of common citizenry.
The companion booklet elaborates on the nation of Hulse to include in your story. It also offers the details of the Wijdheid family, the politics of Hulse, and the details of the Monster Hunting guild that sets forth onto Arcton.
The booklet is an add on, however the NPC and item cards will be included in the companion kit.
Arcton Music Soundtrack
Background music soundtrack created by different local artists in Puerto Rico. The short songs will be loops you can play during your campaigns. We're estimating 10 songs, with the possibility of expanding.
Book 2: Ingala and Fraye
Ingala and Fraye are the southernmost regions of Arcton, and ones I personally consider the best starting point when you start your campaign. The region of Ingala is considered the least intensive area with plenty of farming towns and a connection to nature that isn't seen anywhere else in the nation. Its Officers are also the least interested in enslaving its population, as their focus is on keeping the enemies of Hulse at bay. The town of Bacher provides a list of most citizens in the town, as this can provide small one-shots you can explore with the colorful cast, or even set out to experience the horrors a vengeful nature has to offer.
Fraye, on the other hand, is the capital of Arcton, oftentimes considered a "front" to the rest of the world. It is the city where its most famous universities, theatres, and museums are located. Where the nobles flaunt their wealth with the latest fashion, and where the darker, more narrow alleyways deep into the city present a seedier underbelly of the true happenings behind the curtain. Next to Fraye lies the metallic city of Ironnorth, a prison city excluded from the rest of the world. In this setting, you can either tackle the horrors of big city life or plan out a prison escape. Whichever choice you make doesn't matter. Its Lich, Hakon the Conduit, will not tolerate acts of rebellion.
Ingala and Fraye Enamel Pin Set
What better way to celebrate the release of Book 2 than to create an enamel pin set for the occasion? The pins represent the emblems of the two liches of the region: Wemyss the Merciful and Hakon the Conduit. Their Officers wear these emblems with pride, and any enemy slaver wearing either of these is a sure sign they are working for the dreaded lich. Proceed with caution. It's a good worldbuilding prop, and would set up the next pin set when the third book is completed.
1.5" metallic pin with black nickel plating, multiple pin backings.
Design Not Final
More stretch goals?
Other potential Stretch Goals can be released depending on interest and future polls. I'd love to work with other DMs to provide compatibility for other TTRPG systems such as 5e. Powered by the Apocalypse or Daggerheart, but I can't make promises since I don't know any hardcore DMs that would be able to make these kinds of adaptations. But if you are a DM who has had this kind of experience or with another system, hit me up and we could work something out!
Shipping will be charged after the project ends with the pledge manager.
Estimated Shipping costs*
Book package to PR & US: $6-$8
Book package for International: $22
*These are estimates, and costs will depend on amount of items added and shipping location.
FulfillmentTimeline
I'd like to send all add-ons and pledges in one package, so admittedly, things won't be sent the moment the backerkit ends. The goal is for all packages to be sent by October, at the latest.
My name is Eliana Falcón-Dvorsky, and I'm known online as Cosmographiarte. I publish my own award-winning webcomic, Cosmic Fish, and have worked on two Eisner Award-Winning anthologies (Ricanstruction and Puerto Rico Strong). My current job as a freelance artist allowed me to work as the Art Director for Puerto Rico's first completely animated musical series, Rockolandia, which won a Suncoast Emmy for Art Direction and in 3 other categories. My previously backed project, the Planetary Guardian Enamel Pin Set, was funded in under an hour.
Even in my free time, I'm a storyteller. I volunteer in a lot of creative groups online and RP or play TTRPGs with my closest friends.
My partner and fellow creator, Stellartoons, also contributed to the book. She is a Suncoast Emmy Award-Winning Art Director and nominated for Editing in 2025. She publishes a webcomic named Weekend At Benny's, where the setting of the comic is in the world of Arcton. Part of her illustrations can be found in the first book as well.
Because this is a book and print project, I'm working strictly with the local print shop that I have used for my webcomic for the past 10 years with great results. Receiving the printed copies is low-risk since I don't have to worry about ordering from overseas, and shipping would be relatively quick once whatever we unlocked has been finished and sent out to print. The last backerkit I ran was back in January and it was my first, it's currently in the shipping phase, so it's already something I've gained experience with. I'm also working with other artists who have a long history with Backerkit to help me along the way, as well! In short, I have placed several safety nets to ensure this project succeeds!
Other than what we're raising funds for, every other piece of merch like stickers and keychains are already in my hands and ready to ship with your pledges! The goal is to make this project as low-risk as possible.
Final Notes:
Arcton is a terrifying and broken country that’s been exploited and controlled by Liches who have divided their territories through different means. This book aims to introduce DMs and worldbuilders to this morally ruined nation by going through the history, region, culture, and the people of this desolate and isolated country where Necromancy and its worshipers control all. Players can take it upon themselves to build communities, find the phylacteries, and fight back against the necromancers, or do the exact opposite. As a creator and storyteller, you aren’t obligated to follow this prompt, but to at least know that the politics of this nation do not reflect those of its players or its writer. Remember to go over Lines and Veils, and/or look up tabletop safety tool kits.
Communication in needs, wants, and with players potentially impacted by similar oppressive systems in the real world are key! You are free to play this setting however you want and are encouraged to improvise or make changes according to the story YOU want to tell! The inspiration for Arcton has its roots in medieval Nordic and northern Europe, unchecked modern capitalism, and deep-rooted colonialism. Arcton was born from a revolution, and it fell back into its own oppressive ways, slowly destroying nature and its people in an effort to ensure the selected few on the top could live in their delusional luxury.
I present the following sensitive topics that may be discussed in these books:
-Slavery -Child abuse -Isms (Ableism, Classism, Ageism, Racism) -Colonialism, Capitalism and Power Systems. -Torture, murder, and pillaging of towns -Body horror and desecration of corpses -Loss and dehumanization of the self/Kidnapping -A religion strongly influenced by Christianity/Minor depictions of religious persecution
As the author of this book, I strictly follow the Olivia Hill Rule. Arcton is not a nation to condone its actions, but rather a terrifying place people push against it to do more than just survive. Remember, there is also beauty in Arcton and its people: nature flourishes, citizens push back against violence or can show kindness to those in need. Empathy and justice are part of human nature, not an irregularity. Not everyone feeds their ugliness onto this world, no matter how tragic their past is.
Also, as a final, final note to be extra clear, I do not use AI in any part of the process. This is the compilation of art I've been working on for years.
The Gravekeepers are citizens who fight the undead and Officers.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of Pocketopia!
Tabletop Tavern
Welcome to Tabletop Tavern at Pocketopia 2026 A gathering place for tabletop roleplaying games, where a wide range of TTRPG projects come together under one banner. From original settings and adventures to new systems, tools, and supplements, Tabletop Tavern showcases games with different styles, mechanics, and ways to play.
Back 3+ Tabletop Tavern Campaigns, Unlock Free Digital or Physical Content! Back 3 or more Tabletop Tavern campaigns to receive FREE digital or physical content from each participating creator you support.
The more Tabletop Tavern creators you back, the more bonus content you unlock.
Some creators may also be offering extra cross-collabs, exclusive rewards, or additional campaign-specific bonuses, so be sure to explore the full banner and see what each project has to offer.
FREEBIE: El Duende is a game you play by yourself to meet an imaginary creature. Fairy and demon, dream and nightmare, the thrill that leads to art and death. El Duende is all this. What will you do when it comes to visit you in the dark of night?
FREEBIE: A Chaotic DND 5e One Shot. A quick job turns into a chain of events no one is fully in control of. Somewhere along the way, the party meets something that doesn’t follow the rules.
FREEBIE: a free Tabletop Tavern STL. All backers of any physical pledge of the Legendary Dice Bags season 3 will additionally get a free dice set with their pledge too!
FREEBIE: A bestiary packed with eerie, folklore-inspired creatures that haunt the slopes of Wytch Mountain. Perfect for dropping straight into play, these strange horrors bring new threats, omens, and dark possibilities to every coven’s tale.
FREEBIE: A sticker drawn lovingly by Rook for all physical backers, and a digital version of the sticker if you want to print it at home for the digital backers.
