No and no. SYMATYOV has only a few rules, and the game won't break if you mess 'em up. Anyone can play this regardless of their experience with TTRPGs or the original Thousand Year Old Vampire. For reals.

International shipping is just the worst. The book will be printed in the USA, but I plan to have a fulfillment service in the EU and will try to find someone in Australia. Shipping is hard to predict and VAT... I have zero understanding of VAT and, as a one-man shop, I don't expect to ever have one. My guess is that I will be able to deliver this large book to the EU for 27USD. If shipping turns out to be much more we can refund your pledge until we find a cheaper way to get you the book. That doesn't include VAT, customs fees, or anything else. Rest of the world... Same goes for you. I'll ship as cheap as I can, and I can refund your dough if the shipping is impossibly high. I don't know how to handle shipping any better.

The fundamental scenario is different: Your character is a mortal who has come to the attention of a dangerous, ancient predator. Different scenario demands different game rules. The game is fundamentally the same: You semi-randomly encounter Prompts, answer them, and build a narrative. But there are lots of differences beyond that. These are two separate games.

Sure, but "import" isn't the right word, but the Prompt system will allow for you to bring in an existing character and use them in the story. Just remember that you are here to play a hapless mortal and not the vampire—it is going to do things that you don't want it to do.

No and no. SYMATYOV is a self-contained game book that contains new-but-familiar rules. You do not need to own or have played Thousand Year Old Vampire or anything else in order to "enjoy" So You've Met A Thousand Year Old Vampire.

I am kind of up in the air about safety tools in solo games. Not that they shouldn't be there, but I don't know what they should look like to be truly effective. This game can definitely be dark if you give it its head. Be aware. If you can play Thousand Year Old Vampire then you can play this, I think.

You'll want two ten-sided dice, a six-sided die, and a cup or box to conceal one of the dice in or under. You'll also want a pen and paper, pencil and journal, computer text editor, or a hammer, chisel and a smooth new pediment on a handy Greek temple. You technically only need a single ten-sider, really, but that's not a fun way to play.

The game is self-contained, and you can enjoy it dozens of times with the material just in the book. Later there will be a Book of Worms, which are little scenarios, but you won't need it.

Heck yeah! Share your papers, make a video, stream it, whatever. Have fun! Just tag me in on whatever social media you're using so I can admire your work.

This game system isn't optimized for multiplayer as-is. Some of the worms will support multiplayer though. And, regardless, LOTS of people play it multiplayer in different ways: sharing characters, epistolary exchanges between characters in the same setting, etc. Formal multiplayer rules might get an appendix; we'll have to see. Combining TYOV and SYMA for simultaneous isn't something I think I'll address, though. But I certainly encourage you to fumble your way through it on your own.

The books are printed in the US.

No, this is absolutely 100% not recommended for young people. TYOV and SYMA both deal with themes of dehumanization, victimization, and general awfulness. I've been recommending "a mature 21+", and I'm serious about it. You can go find a copy of 500 Year Old Vampire at CMICH Press or an adult can moderate SYMA/TYOV play for a child. To be clear, 500 Year Old Vampire needs a facilitator.

BackerKit Crowdfunding is an all-or-nothing collaborative funding platform. Creators share their project ideas and set a funding goal with a deadline. Backers pledge money to help make the project possible.

If the project meets its goal by the deadline, pledges are charged and the creator moves forward. If it doesn’t, no one is charged.

Pledging in crowdfunding is a commitment to support the creation of a new product or project. Unlike a traditional purchase, you're not buying an item that already exists. Instead, your contribution helps bring a creative idea to life, and in return, you typically receive rewards (such as the product itself) as a thank you for your early support.

1. Select a pledge level with the reward(s) you would like to receive
2. Select any add-ons
3. Confirm your pledge!

• You are charged only if the campaign meets its funding goal.
• Charges happen when the campaign ends, not when you pledge.

After the campaign ends, you'll receive a survey to pay for any applicable shipping fees, calculated based on your shipping address.

Pay Over Time allows you to split your pledge into multiple payments over a set period. Your card will be charged according to the payment schedule (four monthly payments). Only available for projects that enable this feature. Learn More »

Only the project creator and the BackerKit Support Team can see your pledge and contact information. Other backers and the public cannot see your individual pledge amount or personal details.

You can change or adjust your pledge level and add-ons before the campaign ends. After the project concludes, cancellations or changes are at the creator's discretion and may depend on what stage the project is in.

Overtime Mode extends your campaign past its original end time to give backers a final chance to make their pledge. It will add an additional 10 minutes past the end time as long as pledges keep coming in. The campaign will end when there is a 10-minute period without any new pledges.

For specific questions about your pledge or the project, you can view the Project FAQ below, search for your answer within the project, or send a message to the BackerKit Support Team or to the project creator.