Hello from drizzly Seattle, where a recent Facebook post that got shared ‘round stated “We leave tomorrow for Seattle, our first time there, and it looks like it will be rainin...
6
0
0
Mike Hayes
about 2 months ago
23 - March Vaultness Update
Hello Vaulters! As winter's grasp begins to loosen we bring you an update on the Vault of Mini Things. Action only required if you have yet to fill out your Backer Survey; if yo...
14
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5
Mike Hayes
3 months ago
22 - Start of Year Update
Happy New Year, Vaulters! This update brings another dose of new art as well as a special behind-the-scenes update from founder and president Tinker Lane. No action required.
M...
14
0
8
Mike Hayes
4 months ago
21 - The Turning of the Yuletide
Happy holidays, whichever they are that most appeal to you and yours!
We here at TinkerHouse come into the home stretch of the holiday season with a feeling of immense gratit...
8
0
5
Mike Hayes
6 months ago
20 - Vault au Naturale
Happy ongoing holiday season, Vaulters! This update is a celebration of nature. It does not require any action on your part. That said, as a reminder: if you have not yet comple...
6
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6
Tinkerhouse Games
7 months ago
19 - Vault of Terror
19 - Vault of Terror
Happy Halloween, Vaulters! This spooktacular update of art and kickoff of the adventures of our iconic Vault characters does not require any action on ...
Hello from drizzly Seattle, where a recent Facebook post that got shared ‘round stated “We leave tomorrow for Seattle, our first time there, and it looks like it will be raining all week. I really wanted to visit the parks. Can we still go? Will they close?”
While the parks don't close for rain in Seattle, the Vault Late Pledge will be closing in two weeks. What does this mean? BackerKit’s Late Pledge option has been working well for us, with lots of new backers continuing to pledge, but it also comes with some behind the scenes complications. How do you know if you're a late pledge backer? If you've been receiving a “complete your survey” email over and over, even after completing the survey, you're a late pledge backer (that's a Backerkit bug and we've alerted them to it). Our plan is to close the Late Pledge and move to a Pre-Order-style storefront that you may have seen before on BackerKit. We also plan to update the pricing on Pre-Order to be an "on sale" price of our final retail pricing. If all goes well you should still have access to the pledge manager for late pledge orders.
This update does not require any action if you've already completed your Survey. If you haven't: now's the time to do so!
Marshall Art
The Vault of Mini Things is more than “just” hundreds of gorgeous full-color minis. It also contains starter terrain for Dungeon, Wilderness, and Town environments. And as demonstrated by this projects Add-ons, we're expanding on this sampling of terrain with more extensive and diverse environments in the Vault product line. Every square inch of that terrain is hand-drawn by the Vault's illustrious illustrator Marshall Short. Below, Marshall showcases his recent explorations for the Graveyard environment.
In his own words:
Hey Everyone!
Marshall Short here. You can learn all about me in Update #7. My apologies for the lack of art updates lately, I’ve been working deep in the art mines, growling at anyone who tries to interrupt me. However the team managed to haul me back to the surface to show off and walk through the art process on some of the larger Map Tiles available in the Vault and the Terrain sets.
Quick note before we get started, these images are of my prototypes that I’m working with to visually and tactilely review colors, readability, general vibe (does it feel good) and to playtest general usability. These prototypes don’t have all the bells and whistles of the final product; for instance the large tiles shown below are only 8”x10” while our final versions will be 10”x10”, and I’m just using simple paper bases instead of the fancy clips and pog bases we’ll be using in the final product, some colors may change, etc.
Okay! Let’s dive right in.
We talked a little bit about the smaller map tiles in Update #6, but I’m going to be using the Graveyard set to walk through the art side of the larger map tiles.
Here’s a quick shot of a few bare tiles,
8”x10” are pictured, final tiles will be square 10”x10”
So right off the bat one of the big things that was important to us when we designed our map tiles was modularity - it was important to us that Game Masters are able to rotate, flip, mix-and-match, and rearrange tiles together to create a myriad of different layouts.
For the Graveyard this meant we wanted to provide path segments, grassy fields, transition from path to field, and then a larger structure for narratives to be built around.
Another thing we knew going into making these map tiles is we’d be providing lots of props and terrain pieces for folks to place on top, so it was important that we provide enough space for Game Masters to flesh out their encounters. That also means not painting things like gravestones, coffins, etc. directly into the map tiles because that would limit the use cases (maybe you want to use these graveyard tiles for overgrown forgotten ruins and not a graveyard at all!) and conflict with the gravestone and coffin props the Game Master will be placing themselves..
Here’s a look at the same tiles from above combined with a bunch of the Graveyard props and terrain,
Here things really start to get fun! I always know we’re on the right track when I’m playtesting stuff and my Game Master creativity starts firing,
“Ooo, what if I place an orb here on the dais, and when the character’s enter the graveyard it starts glowing and undead rise up from the ground until the character’s disable the orb?”
And you can already see how even just a few wall segments can really redefine the space - suddenly the lower half of the map is cut off from the top half and only accessible via a choke point at the gate, which can dictate the flow of the characters through the encounter and setup challenges for them to over come - perhaps there’s ranged enemies on the other side of the wall firing arrows through the fence?
Of course, just because we know we need empty space for folks to place props and terrain over the map tiles we still want the map tiles to have enough visual interest to stand on their own, to that end I try to place fun little details here or there that hopefully don’t interfere with any Game Master’s narratives,
Speaking of fun little details, as the sole artist on this project I can’t possibly draw every unique brick or patch of grass (as much as I might want to) in a reasonable amount of time so I have to get tactical. For each map tile set I have to plan ahead for what kind of textures and materials will be present and then draw/paint specific tiling textures I can use to flesh out the space.
Let’s take this map tile as an example,
I knew I’d need multiple brick tiles, something for the main dais, then rough flagstone for the roads. Since we were using more traditional green grass in the Wilderness set I wanted to go with a yellowish-orange dead grass for the Graveyard set, in addition to the rocky dirt ground texture.
Here’s the tiling textures that I ultimately created for this tile,
These textures were created with the same process I use for the miniatures (line art and three tone shading) to keep the art style consistent. The grass is an exception however as I found from lots of experimentation that line work on the grass blades just gets too noisy and distracting, so I drop the black line work and use a highlight color to help define the grass blades.
Once all of the textures are created (with lots of little test collages to make sure they work together) I start blending them together to flesh out the map tile.
Here’s a quick and dirty breakdown of those textures being applied, much like painting except instead of painting with a singular color I’m painting with “mud texture” or “grass texture” and trying to blend them all together so they feel natural.
After the main body of the map tile has been fleshed out with the blended tiling textures I go back through zooming into each section to clean them up - making sure grass blades correctly over grow rubble, and placing little bones or other debris neat little details.
Here’s a close up of that tile that shows how those elements all come together,
Okay, now let's place some miniatures on there and see how it all feels,
Fun right?
As much time as I spend thinking and designing these miniatures, props, and map tiles, it’s really all about how they feel when you place them on the table top and start playing with them. If as I’m picking up and moving miniatures around I suddenly feel the same excitement I did as a kid just discovering D&D then I know I’ve done something right.
Alright, I should probably get back to the art mines, but before I go here’s one last shot of the party encountering a Werewolf featuring the Graveyard assets that I thought was neat.
Thanks everyone! -Marshall (and Mike, Chris, and Lane!)
Hello Vaulters! As winter's grasp begins to loosen we bring you an update on the Vault of Mini Things. Action only required if you have yet to fill out your Backer Survey; if you have not done so, please complete this crucial step today. If you can't find the survey link in your email, go to this page (https://the-vault-of-mini-things.backerkit.com/) and we'll send the survey again. Be sure to check your spam & junk folders if, after this step, you still can't find the survey link. If you're unsure what the survey is: Backerkit calls it a "survey", which makes it sound like an optional marketing-information grab. It's not. It's an essential order-confirmation and option-choosing step, and unless it is completed, we can't send you your Vault.
Marshall Art
The electric pen of Marshall "Printable Heroes" Short has been busy! Let's ooo and aaa together over some of his new creations:
The Mayor of (Down, down to) Goblin Town
Here's a handsome fella fit to judge the most imperious of subterranean interlopers.
There is no cow level
Look, not every mini on the table has to be an appropriately-CR'd monster. The savvy DM will populate the scene with mundane MOBs to bump up the verisimilitude, and therefore enjoyment, of those gathered around the table. And if one of these cow-shaped minis is actually a wildshaped enemy druid, a werecow, or The Thing, well who doesn't like a fun surprise?
Ca-Craw!
Speaking of animal forms: is this the infamous Count Strahd von Zarovich galivanting about the countryside? Or a swarm druid gettin' feathery wit' it? Or maybe it's a representation of a custom-flavored Cloud of Daggers spell! The redrum's the limit!
Fe Fi Fo Fun!
One of the big advantages of the Vault of Mini Things format is that we can include a whole bunch of BIG creatures and easily store them in our patent-soon-to-be-pending Creature Catalog filing system. Imagine wanting to include a Hill Giant in an encounter, and wondering to yourself "hmm, yes, but WHICH of my Hill Giants will I choose to present to my lucky players?" For this particular classification of giants (Hill), the Vault will include three to choose from.
Production Update The back-and-forth with manufacturers continues and we are still on a path to hit our delivery target. The Tinker team is enthused to play some one-shot games using Vault figures and terrain the next time we're all able to physically gather in one place. If and when we do, we'll take some shots of the action and include them in the next update.
Also, I'm happy to share that the Vault community of backers continues to grow! We've been delighted to see that pledges continue to accrue well after the close of the campaign via Backerkit's Late Pledge functionality. Thank you, Vaulters, for your continued advocacy talking up the Vault and linking in your own online and in-person social circles. And if you've heard some folks complain about the time, expense, and transport & storage headaches of plastic minis send them to https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/tinkerhouse-games/The-Vault-of-Mini-Things !
Until next time, Vaulters!
With much appreciation, Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
Happy New Year, Vaulters! This update brings another dose of new art as well as a special behind-the-scenes update from founder and president Tinker Lane. No action required.
Marshall Art
One of the inherent benefits of the Vault is that we can include minis that might be rarely needed, but when you need them it really boosts the fidelity of the game to have them on-hand. For example: a cow, or a murder of crows. Or some of those freaky multi-armed snake demons from the Abyss.
Sketchy
Murder with Milk
Thumb-wrestling champ of the 343rd layer of the Abyss
Tinker Tool Time with Lane
Hey all, this is Lane -- I write the tools that help us try and punch above our weight content-production-wise. In my day job I'm a technical artist in video games, and what that means is I make tools to make production of digital content more efficient and less error prone. If a given piece of content takes say, 30 steps to create by hand manually, generally we want to make a tool to handle at least 20 if not 25+ of those steps. Specifically the tedious, non-creative steps. This lets the content creators focus on the creativity and polish aspects, and not have to worry about the rote technical aspects. As it turns out, that is very helpful in tabletop production as well, because really most of this content creation is done digitally using similar approaches.
How does that work with the Vault? Strap in, it's time for a tools deep dive!
Let's look at a particular type of content we need to make a LOT of: minis. We have to make hundreds of minis, in a way that keeps our die tools (the big sheets of shaped blades that the factory makes by hand to punch out the minis) as inexpensive as possible. Doing that manually involves the following steps:
Create the properly named mini artwork, front and back, including color variants.
Decide the counts and variants that will be used together.
Create outlines for all of the mini artwork, front and back.
Arrange the mini artwork on sheets to maximize page use & minimize page quantity.
Arrange the back artwork flipped horizontally.
Ideally organize those sheets so any minis that have multiple copies share a sheet, so we can arrange one sheet, and then have the factory duplicate it an amount of times to exactly hit the necessary copy count.
Arrange the mini die lines (the curves that tell the factory how to shape the sheets of blades called die tools) to match how the minis are arranged on each front sheet.
Package up the sheet artwork and the sheet die lines in a pdf file to hand off to manufacturing.
That's a lot to do, and some of those steps (specifically the arranging things steps) are very labor intensive and tedious to do manually. Which inherently means they are a prime candidate for human error to creep in. And human sadness. Because it really sucks to do all that work by hand even once, let alone multiple times (as would be necessary to correct errors and the inevitable last-minute adjustments). So those types of labor intensive things are usually the first steps you want to look at for automation.
For Vault support tools that means the following:
We have a validation tool that tells the mini artist if any of their filenames are composed incorrectly. In hundreds of files it's easy to misname a thing or four, and that confuses (and breaks) tools that rely on file names. Having a quick way to identify that early is crucial.
We have a process that automatically adds the outlines and tabs to the minis.
fig 1 - Original art above, mini art below.
We have a process that allows us to make a list of minis to include in sheets, and then automatically arrange them in sheets. Critically, this fits minis as efficiently as possible within the sheet size, and then makes sure the backside of the sheet is perfectly aligned, and the die tool curves are perfectly aligned. This saves literally dozens of hours of tedious manual work, and even more critically if we decide the sheets need to change, we just change the list file and regenerate the sheets again.
fig2 - Example front sheet. Note that some minis are flipped horizontally. We specify this in the list of minis to give us even more visual variety in the final minis.
fig3 - the corresponding example back sheet. The tools perfectly lays out everything.
fig4 - finally, the corresponding die line sheet. The tool perfectly aligns this to the generated artwork sheet as well.
The name of the game here is automation, so that content creators and designers can focus on what matters most. Iterating the artwork to polish it as much as possible, and tuning the final result to be as efficient and quick to produce as possible. If you can let your content creators have those efficiencies, you can give them the best chance of getting the best product to the customer.
I hope that was interesting and informative, I tried not to be too verbose but I can go on and on about tools.
Happy holidays, whichever they are that most appeal to you and yours!
We here at TinkerHouse come into the home stretch of the holiday season with a feeling of immense gratitude and appreciation for everyone who’ve supported our creative endeavors over the years. It’s a real honor to be able to make something you think people will enjoy, and have the people you make it for gather together to support and enable the making. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Though the House of Tinker is winding down for a holiday break with our families we do have some notable updates, in the form of a report on our presence at PAX Unplugged, a production update, some new Marshall art, and the conclusion of our iconic adventurers' journey to the Abattoir of Avarice. This update requires no action on your part.
First: PAX Unplugged.
We asked for a spot "near the minis area." :)
We brought to the show our largest booth ever, measuring twenty feet by twenty feet. We set up a dining-room-table-size battlefield of our TinkerTurf sci-fi wargaming terrain, a fully-functional retail shop, and a dedicated build area where attendees could get their hands on assembling TinkerTurf for donation to the PAX communal terrain library. But the highlight, for those who Vault, was the front-and-center display of early-prototype pieces from the Vault of Mini Things. We figured PAX Unplugged attendees would be the most receptive audience for what we’re offering in the Vault and that turned out to be true.
Chris showing off the Vault, and a view of the "community build" area of the booth.
I tried jotting down the superlatives but it got to be too many. Here’s a sampling:
“Wow! This is the exact thing I’ve been looking for. I’m a DM and I came here looking for an all-in-one platform. I’d left the show and was in my car and ready to go, and then thought I’d go back for one more lap. I’m so glad I found you!”
This was a real comment!
This vivid setup really drew in the crowds!
“Really love the way the colors pop!”
“This is so smart. This solves my storage problem.”
“I wish I’d found this two years ago, before I accumulated my Unpainted Minis Box of Shame.”
“I love that it’s a box of art. And I love that it’s a box of CONSISTENT art.”
“It’s big enough to give me everything I’d need, without having to piecemeal a bunch of stuff from a bunch of sources.”
“Oh wow, this is something I need for my house.”
Dungeon, town, wilderness, and cemetery art samples (not production samples).
We had to caution folks that what they saw on the table were visual prototypes intended to give a sense of art style and scale, rather than production prototypes of retail-quality materials. But even when picking up the minis and mockups that we’d printed at home, on consumer-grade printers, folks were blown away. It was especially encouraging to see so many women turning their heads and making a point to tell us that they enjoyed the vivid art style and female representation among the minis.
There was a sizable sales bump for the Vault post-show, a wave we’re still riding. Which is wonderful, and welcome. But in addition to those late pledges it was wonderful just to hear directly from the intended audience that they were looking forward to what we’re building. Those well-wishes will send us into 2024 with a burst of momentum.
Second: a Production update. Chris wrote a thorough production update as a response to a community comment, and I’ve included it below this paragraph. I just wanted to add that engineering work–though intense and interesting–is not something that’s suitable for sharing until it’s finalized for production. The reason is that unlike in-progress art, some engineering paths will result in nonviable dead-ends. And we’d be doing a disservice to the community if we got folks excited for a particular engineering solution that might not actually make it into the box. It’s better for all if you know that when we show you something, that’s what you’ll see when you open the box.
Here’s that production update In Chris’s own words: As far as production goes here is where we are. While the majority of the artwork is completed, there are still around 50 of the standees that need artwork. As the art progresses we’ve been busy developing our own tools to handle the processing of the artwork into their final layouts for manufacturing. Handling all of the layout production by hand of over 1000 standees and then again segmented into multiple products can be a logistical pain. We have some standees that we issue multiple colors or art styles of that use the same cut tooling. By building these tools to automate the layout process we can eliminate the need for multiple tools and streamline our production process by simply changing out printed sheets. There is quite a bit of complication to this that can be minimized by an automated process.
We are also reworking the engineering of the floor tiles and terrain walls to ensure that they function as we intend them to. As we get further into this process we will start producing additional prototypes in order to show them off here.
Please keep in mind that there are four of us working on this project. And while things seem slow right now we maintain our original position that we plan to ship rewards out around end of summer or beginning of fall 2024. If at anytime things start to slip we will keep everyone updated. As for now we are not concerned.
-Chris
Marshall Art
Two wild updates from Marshall for your viewing pleasure:
No, *you* roc!
Just don't open with "nice legs."
Vault Ventures
This section is a narrative of the community-chosen adventuring band, as detailed in Update 18. Its purpose is to show the Vault used for actual play, and entertain backers over the course of product development and production.
Remme - Human Circle of the Shepherd Druid
Votun - Warforged Battlemaster Fighter
Grecken - Gnome Assassin Rogue
Elora Damn-ed - Archfey Pact of the Tome Warlock
When last we saw our heroes, they’d managed to survive an onslaught of undead by accidentally summoning a terrible spirit: the mighty Krampus. Krampus dispersed the undead horde and, after a titanic struggle, destroyed the personification of the Abattoir of Avarice: a towering grave golem. When the dust settled Krampus regarded our heroes with unknown intention. Given the choice of Attempt to Exert Control, Parly, or Fight, the community chose Parley. Let’s see how that works out for them!
Parley with the Devil
...Parley?
Amidst the shattered remains of the once-menacing cemetery, the party faced the looming form of the mighty Krampus. The full moon cast his shadow toward them, and Elora could swear it capered and taunted even as the actual form of the malevolent spirit stood dead still except for its labored breathing. The ragged breath was the only sound amidst the ruins of the cemetery, and after the crash and tumult of the fight with the grave golem the still silence made the adventurers feel exposed and oppressed.
Krampus shifted his weight, the cloven hooves sending a cascade of broken masonry tumbling down the pile he stood upon. At the sudden sound and motion Votun strode two paces forward, shield set, sword held high and ready. “Stay behind me. Your spells are spent. You should flee. I can impede his pursuit long enough for you to get away.”
Elora gasped and shook her head no, but Grecken was already halfway toward the exit. Remme closed his weary eyes for a moment, then placed his hand on the Warforged’s steel shoulder. “Hold, my friend. It might not come to blows.” The old druid raised his voice, and called out “Parley, Krampus! Parley! What is your purpose here, and can we find common ground that would prevent violence between us?”
Krampus smiled, revealing far too many teeth. “You know my purpose, Remme.” Elora heard the druid flinch to hear the devil speak his name. “You dictated the dusty rites that drive my dark deeds. You spoke them yourself. You called; and I came.” The being’s voice was deeper than a human’s natural range, guttural yet somehow seductive.
Remme shook his head. “Nay, fiend! I called for nature’s salvation for the poor souls interred herein! Rest, for restless spirits too long upon this land!”
Krampus threw back his head and laughed. If it was meant to scare them, it worked, but his harsh guffaws also contained genuine amusement. “Poor souls? The beings buried beneath us had many qualities, but “poor” was certainly not one of them! This is the Abattoir of Avarice, after all! Their craven covetousness conspired to curtail them in the ground here, though the ground groaned and disgorged them!” The beast laughed again, horns sawing through the air as he cavorted in glee. “They languished and lingered here long, harrowed and hungry, and you should remember that for the wicked there is no rest.” At this he shook a large wicker basket tied at his waist, and the group could see glimmering, sickly green light flashing from within.
“Souls…” Elora whispered, unconsciously reaching a hand toward them. Remme shot her a look in alarm, and she snatched her hand back. Krampus jangled the basket in her direction and laughed again.
“Yes, I heard your hearkening and hither I came. I’ll whisk these wicked wisps away to where they’re welcome.” Krampus chuckled, hefting the basket in his gnarled fist. But he didn’t make a move to depart. Instead he let his chuckle die out. Then he said, “Oh yes, I’ll whisk away… but not just yet. For my work is not finished.”
He took a step toward the group. Votun did not move an inch, being already in a perfect defensive posture. But Remme and Elora took an involuntary step back. Krampus paused, considering the armored form before him. He seemed to then notice the absence of Grecken, and shifted his gaze back and forth, searching the toppled tombstones and rubble for the little rogue. “You see…” he mused, seeming to be buying time for himself to spot her. “My pure purpose is punishment. I deliver damnation to darkness. And I spy…” Krampus’s gaze settled on a shadowed form, just barely leaning out from behind a tree stump, bow trained at his heart. He grinned, and prepared to leap. “...a spoiled spot of soot within each of you!”
Just then the air shimmered with magic, and with a burst of festive bells, Santa Claus himself appeared, crashing between Krampus and the party on a sleigh drawn by enchanted reindeer. Dressed in his iconic red suit, Santa surveyed the scene, his eyes twinkling with both mirth and concern.
"Now, now, Krampus," Santa chided, "only I know who's on the naughty list."
Jingle Bells
Ho Ho Hello
The flabbergasted party could hardly believe their eyes. Grecken, hidden behind the stump, was so shocked that her numb fingers released her arrow. It flew straight toward the back of Santa’s head. Before Elora’s scream of warning could escape her throat Santa whipped his hand around his head, snatching the missile out of the air. With a flourish the arrow became a long ribbon of striped red and green, and he busily used it to tie a bow around a huge present he pulled from his sack. As he worked he glanced up at Grecken, who stumbled forward, dumbfounded, to stand with her party.
“Careful, Grecken.” Santa said, with a twinkle in his eye. “You’ll shoot someone’s eye out!”
Krampus stalked back and forth, clearly unsure how to respond to this interruption. Santa, for his part, ignored Krampus as he nimbly leapt from his sleigh and carried past Krampus the large, brightly-wrapped present to a spot in the heart of the cemetery. He placed it upon a plinth there, then stepped back, dusting off his hands with a self-satisfied grunt.
Krampus, who had kept careful watch on Santa’s sojourn, tore his eyes away from the seemingly-concluded spectacle and returned his attention to the party. “Where were we, my weary wanderers? Ah yes…” his bony hands wrung his staff in a tight grip, sending splinters to the ground. His eyes narrowed as he began to say, “My ghastly gaze glimpses a growing gloom–”
“Good evening!” Santa merrily shouted out, politely tipping his hat as he brushed past Krampus on his way back to his sleigh. The reindeer snorted.
Krampus stomped his cloven feet in frustration. “Would you kindly stop perforating my performance?!” he snarled.
Santa clamored atop his sleigh and settled in. He crossed his arms and regarded Krampus, eyebrows raised in a patient and innocent expression. When nothing happened, he gestured with his gloved hand for Krampus to continue.
Krampus warily eyed Santa, then shook his head and regarded the party again. “And this growing gloom that glowers in your heart-”
“Please, continue.” Santa called out, politely.
Krampus rounded on Santa and shouted “Isn’t there someplace you need to be?”
Santa pursed his lips in thought, then spread his hands in a shrug. He then pulled out a watch on a golden chain, looked at it, then replaced it in a pocket of his red suit.
“Waiting for something?” Krampus asked dryly.
“For someone!” Santa replied, helpfully.
What's in the box???
Krampus rolled his lantern-yellow eyes and turned away in exasperation. His eyes settled on the gigantic present, sitting alone on the plinth. “And what of this gift? Who did you prepare this perfect present for?” he asked aloud, in annoyance.
Santa leaned forward. "Only he who is worthy of such an enormous surprise," Santa declared cryptically.
Krampus turned his back on the present in disgust. He focused his attention on the party, who by now had all, except for Votun, settled into a relaxed posture. Krampus clenched his eyes tight. Then, unable to further resist, he leaped backward, landing directly behind the present. He licked his lips with a several-foot long tongue and rubbed his hands together in obvious anticipation. Then he eagerly reached forward with clawed hands to tear apart the wrapping.
Nom nom nom
To his dismay, the present's top opened up to reveal monstrous teeth which clamped down fast onto Krampus's wrists. He yelped in shock and surprise, then the Mimic lurched backward, tossing Krampus into the air. With a shriek, Krampus cartwheeled into the Mimic's mouth and just like that, he was swallowed in one gulp. Santa clapped his hands and openly guffawed, calling out “Oh, you should have known better, old boy! No rest for the wicked, yes, but also no gifts for the greedy, Krampus! Ho! Ho! Ho!” The Mimic/present shook back and forth in response. Then it emitted a large belch, and was still.
After the chaotic spectacle, Elora, couldn't help but ask Santa if what Krampus said was true about the darkness in their hearts. Santa's smile faded slightly as he admitted, "Yes, my dear Elora, there is darkness in each of you. But it's the denial of that darkness, and the goodness you strive for in helping strangers and watching out for each other, that earns you a place on the nice list!"
With a wave of Santa’s hand, a wrapped present appeared at the feet of each adventurer. Grecken eyed hers with open suspicion but Elora picked up her present with a squeal of delight. Her black-taloned fingers shred the wrapping to reveal a small box. She looked at Santa, who gave a nod of permission, murmuring softly, “good things come…” Inside was an amulet of golden links, with a dark shard mounted in the middle of the chain. As she touched it, a glow formed deep within the crystal.
The other party members unwrapped their own presents, and as they did so a light snow began to fall and obscure the horror and ruin around them. Weary faces became cheery smiles as the party rejoiced in their gifts. For Remme, a willow branch adorned with silver bells. For Votun, a high-collared wool mantle adorned with sigils of warding. For Grecken…
“Really?” the gnome called out, glaring at Santa, as she held up a pair of fur-cuffed red boots with up-curled toes. Despite her words, her lips couldn’t repress a grin forming on her face as she felt the boots visibly vibrate with energy.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa called from atop his sleigh, and gathered the reins for departure. The party paused the admiration of their treasures to bid him farewell.
"Remember," Santa called out as his sleigh lifted into the night sky, "it's the kindness and goodwill you share that truly make the season bright. Happy holidays, my friends! And Merry Christmas!"
Season's Farewell
And so, our iconic adventurers, having faced the Abattoir of Avarice and learned valuable lessons along the way, made their way from the dis-enchanted cemetery. Their hearts filled with newfound camaraderie, the joy of the holiday season, and the warmth of magical gifts that would doubtless serve them well in future adventures.
---
Thank you, dear backers, for joining this journey with The Vault of Mini Things. May your holidays be filled with laughter, love–and the magic of adventure!
Happy ongoing holiday season, Vaulters! This update is a celebration of nature. It does not require any action on your part. That said, as a reminder: if you have not yet completed your Backerkit Survey for your pledge, please do so.
PAX Unplugged TinkerHouse Games will be showing up in force to PAX Unplugged! We'll have our biggest booth ever--20 feet by 20 feet--with all of our terrain on sale at convention-discounted prices. We'll also have a mockup of the Vault of Mini Things on display, as well as some art-proof mockups of walls, tiles, and standees. Badges for PAX Unplugged are still available as of this writing, so if you'd like to experience the best three days of tabletop gaming this December 1-3 in Philadelphia, PA: register for the show today!
Marshall Art
Marshall's proud to present some furry friends large and small.
Guess which one's the wildshaped Druid, which one's the polymorphed dragon, and which one's the Wizard's familiar!
Vault Ventures
This section is a narrative of the community-chosen adventuring band, as detailed in Update 18. Its purpose is to show the Vault used for actual play, and entertain backers over the course of product development and production.
Remme - Human Circle of the Shepherd Druid
Votun - Warforged Battlemaster Fighter
Grecken - Gnome Assassin Rogue
Elora Damn-ed - Archfey Pact of the Tome Warlock
When last we saw our heroes, they’d gone into the woods to hunt down an infamous haunted cemetery–but instead became the prey of the unhallowed burial ground. Faced with a ravenous horde of cursed undead, the Vaulter community decided our heroes would rally around Remme and protect him while he attempted a Druidic ritual…
Ritual de lo Druidical
Ring around the Remme.
Amidst the eerie glow of the moonlight filtering through the skeletal branches, the party rallied to defend Remme as he began the druidic ritual. Votun, the warforged, stepped into a leadership role, barking tactical orders that cut through the chaos of the undead onslaught. Grecken danced with her twin daggers, a whirlwind of steel that cut down the horde wherever it encroached while Elora channeled arcane energies to fend off the relentless advance.
Remme, in the center of this maelstrom, focused on his ritual, drawing upon the ancient magic of the land. The air crackled with energy as vines erupted from the ground, entwining the skeletal forms of the undead, slowing their relentless march. Yet, in the rush to defend against the horde, the ritual was completed with an unsettling haste.
The air thickened with an ominous tension as Remme's magic manifested. The avatar of nature he summoned was not the benevolent spirit of renewal he anticipated. Instead, emerging from the twisted energy, a malevolent and capricious figure materialized—the sinister Krampus himself!
It’s beginning to look a lot like KRAMPUS
LET THEM FIGHT!
As Krampus materialized, a twisted smirk on his horned visage, the party found themselves in a desperate struggle to protect the faltering Remme. Votun, ever the efficient tactician, directed the group with precision, exploiting the chaotic terrain of the cemetery to create chokepoints and provide cover. The clash of steel against bone reverberated through the night as Grecken and Elora fended off the relentless undead while shielding Remme from the chaotic swings of Krampus.
The battle escalated into a cataclysmic spectacle. Krampus, fueled by the corrupted magic of the cemetery, tore through the undead hordes surrounding him with terrible efficacy, sending splinters of bone and gobs of decaying flesh against the marble and iron walls of the Abattoir of Avarice. The party dodged through the tombstones, trying to stay ahead of the unstoppable force that was Krampus.
Amidst the devastation, a colossal grave golem lumbered forth to challenge the malevolent spirit. A titanic clash ensued, with Krampus and the golem smashing through crypts and tombstones, sending debris from shattered crypts and the splintered remains of sarcophagi flying through the air. Votun led the party into cover, then popped his head back up to analyze the respective capabilities, strengths and weaknesses of the giant combatants. Whoever wins is who they'll have to deal with. As he observed the combat he couldn't help but compare the golem's composition of wood, iron, and stone to his own body. Such a powerful form, devoted entirely to mindless destruction. The warforged's mechanical eyes flicked down to his hand, securely gripping the hilt of his well-tended and well-used blade. The eyes blinked, then flicked back to the fight.
The brawlers lurched into a tall mausoleum, bursting through the iron doors and bringing the roof down in a cacophony of splintering slate. As the dust swirled, a single hulking body slowly rose from the rubble. Then it threw its head back in a triumphant cackle, and the full moon silhouetted within the mist the horned form of Krampus. Remme, delirious and drained from the corrupted ritual, slumped to the ground, his magical connection with Krampus faltering.
Trick or Treat?
I don't think he's here to play Jingle Bells...
Silence descended upon the ravaged cemetery as Krampus turned to fully face the party. The twisted figure surveyed the destruction surrounding him, his eyes gleaming with malevolent delight. The party, battered but resilient, exchanged a quick conversation about their next move.
"Is he under our control?" Votun questioned, eyeing Krampus warily. "Or is he another pawn of the cemetery?"
Elora, her gaze fixed on the capricious figure, remarked, "Perhaps he has his own agenda, independent of our commands."
Grecken spared a moment to glare at Remme, "Well that was one hell of a magicking, Druid. You’ve brought us a powerful ally... or a formidable foe."
The party stood at a crossroads, unsure of the true nature of Krampus and the implications of his presence. With uncertainty hanging in the air, the adventurers faced a pivotal decision. What shall be their next move in this haunting tale?
Choice 1: Attempt to Control Krampus - Utilize Remme's druidic powers to assert control over Krampus, hoping to bend the malevolent spirit to their will.
Choice 2: Parley with the Devil - Engage in a dialogue with Krampus, seeking to understand his motives and intentions, hoping to discern whether he is an ally or a foe.
Choice 3: Seize the (and roll for) Initiative - Immediately attack before Krampus can regain his strength, choosing aggression over uncertain alliances.
The fate of our heroes rests once again in the hands of our esteemed backers. Make your choice via the poll associated with this Update, and let the story unfold in the next chapter of The Vault of Mini Things' iconic adventures!
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike, Lane, Chris, and Marshall
Happy Halloween, Vaulters! This spooktacular update of art and kickoff of the adventures of our iconic Vault characters does not require any action on your part.
Marshall Art
We've got two spooky creatures to chill your bones for this October update: an ethereal Banshee and a bone-crunching Grimlock.
The monster mash
It's a graveyard smash
Vault Ventures
This section is a narrative of the community-chosen adventuring band, as detailed in Update 18. Its purpose is to showcase the Vault as used for actual play, and entertain backers over the course of product development and production.
Our iconic adventurers have gathered around a table in cozy tavern in an unfamiliar town. The inn is comfortable but costly, and funds have run low.
As the four friends sipped their drinks and savored the warmth of the hearth, the tavern began to fill with the lively chatter of locals, their voices alight with excitement about an upcoming holiday—a time to honor the dead. This celebration, they overheard, was a blend of remembrance and spooky tales, meant to remind the children of very real dangers lurking beyond the borders of civilization.
Intrigued, the party listened intently as a local bard, draped in dark attire and a garishly painted leather festival mask, took the stage. As the tavern hushed in anticipation, the bard began to weave a chilling fable, one that sent shivers down their spines:
The Tale of The Abattoir of Avarice
"You all find yourselves gathered around a table in the tavern..."
In a time long past, in the outskirts of the long-abandoned city whose ruins form the foundations of this town, there lay a cemetery so sinister, it came to be known as “The Abattoir of Avarice." Originally called “Elysium of the Elite” and reserved exclusively for the wealthy and influential, it was a necropolis of those who had it all, yet for all their power could not acquire the one thing money could not buy: life itself.
Not that that stopped them from trying. Strange visitors from lands beyond the edge of maps were brought into town, at exorbitant expense. They brought with them even stranger devices, and exotic materials, and the notion that what cannot be bought might yet be stolen. Over the ensuing years the town gained a reputation for peace and order. At first, the townsfolk celebrated how the local constabulary seemed to be more vigorously rounding up bandits and criminals. The streets were cleared of beggars and thieves. Then they began to comment on how travelers seen entering town tended to not be seen leaving. And that those who took ill, and were taken to the High Houses for treatment by the nobles’ physicians, seldom returned.
Whispers in the night spoke of forbidden rites performed by the aristocrats. Yet even these dark sacrifices could not satiate their unholy hunger. Travelers and merchants began to avoid the town. Desperation took root, and the nobles turned to openly abducting local villagers and even their own servants to prolong their wretched existence.
The commoners could bear this wickedness no longer, and on a night much like tonight, they rose in revolt. With fury and vengeance they unleashed their wrath upon every noble in the city, and cast their lifeless bodies into a mass grave within Elysium. The once-opulent cemetery was sealed, abandoned, and erased from all maps. The estates and their contents were put to the torch. When word of the revolt reached the capital city the King’s Justice fell swiftly, and the empty city fell into ruin.
Some claim this story is naught but a legend, an exaggeration spun over the years to terrify children. Others, however, whisper that the tales are real. They say that the Abattoir of Avarice became a harbinger of doom as the souls of the rich nobles, ruined by insatiable greed and covetousness, seeped their malevolence into the very soil. And that on a night like this, those who wander too far at night become prey for the insatiable spirits that still hunger for more life.
The Hunt Begins
Don't tell Smoky the Bear about this walk in the woods...
The story told, the adventurers engaged in a spirited debate. Votun, his tone blunt, expressed their financial woes and raised the unsettling notion that the wealthy, much like the nobles in the tale, might have taken their riches to their graves. Elora, appalled, couldn't fathom disturbing the deceased, but Grechen pointed out the futility of gold lying with the dead when they, the living, had needs for it.
Remme suggested that gold or no gold, such a place was a dangerous blight upon the land. With a collective nod, the party resolved to determine the truth of the story.
The party spent a frustrating morning attempting to uncover more information about the cemetery or its location. With seemingly little to show for it, the party took a late lunch to discuss next steps.
“I spoke with a pair of mercenaries traveling from the East, heading West tomorrow. They have not seen anything matching the description of the cemetery we seek.” Votun said. “I also spoke with a tinker traveling the opposite way, on the return leg of his seasonal route. In all his years of travel through this region, he has never seen anything like the Abattoir of Avarice.”
“I wonder where the mercenaries were coming from?” Elora asked. “Is there a war nearby?”
Grecken grouched, “There’s always a war, child.”
“They came from Heston, in the province of Kharan” Votun said.
“Helton is well North of here,” Remme said. “Going West would take those mercenaries through rocky terrain. The forest to the north is dense, but even so, would be a much better route.”
“That may be, but there is no road to the North” Votun pointed out.
“No, there isn’t…” Remme mused. “This tinker, was Heston his destination?”
“Yes.”
“And he’s been traveling his route for years?”
“He said so. I see no reason why he would lie to me.”
Remme looked thoughtfully toward the North. “And I see no reason why this town and Heston should not have built a direct road through yonder wood. It’s not much, but it’s something.”
Grecken cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. “Remme, you think you’re the first person to figure out that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line? There could be any number of reasons for that road to not exist. There would be a good tavern along the Western way. There could be an important crossroads. These humans could just be lazy!”
“I agree, there could be many reasons.” Remme stood up. “Let us go amongst the people, and ask.”
As it turned out, not a single villager had a clear answer for why there were no roads–or even trails–heading North out of town. Elora wondered aloud, “But if they don’t have a good reason for why they haven’t built a road, and it’s so obvious that a road would be beneficial, why not just… build it?”
“Because tradition can be more than a guide,” answered Remme. “It can be a jailor. These people have avoided those woods for so long, they’re probably not even aware that they’re avoiding them. It simply never occurs to them to head directly North, especially with such a well-traveled route West.” He pursed his lips, then nodded to himself. “Yes. I think it’s time we go for a hike.”
Elora squinted up at the sun, well past noon. “But, Remme, aren’t we losing the light?”
Remme laughed. “Oh, don’t worry child. Druids don’t get lost in the woods!”
They got lost in the woods. It happened slowly. The party’s initial foray made good time, and they swiftly put miles between them and the village. The ground was firm and the old growth left little opportunity for ground scrub. It also let precious little light through the canopy, such that it was difficult to determine the passage of time. It wasn’t until Elora saw Remme squinting to and fro, in apparent confusion, that she realized the light had dimmed to an extent that his human eyes were finding it difficult to see. Finally, with a sigh and a whispered word,, the druid instantiated a ball of green flame in his open hand.
Grecken sidled up. “What’s the matter old man? Lost the path?”
“That’s why we’re here, Grecken–there ARE no paths.” Remme cast his gaze back and forth, and couldn’t help but notice that the green glow and dancing shadows from his flame brought not cheer, but instead imparted a ghastly look upon the wood. “Despite my best efforts, I can’t seem to get the lay of this confounding land. It seems I have not been able to find our quarry. It’s almost like the cemetery doesn’t want to be found.”
Votun stomped closer to the light. The green flame turned his armored body into gleaming emerald. “A cemetery is not alive. It cannot want.”
“No, of course not,” Remme said. “Well, we’ve lost the light. Let’s get out of this wood and try again in the morning.”
It soon became clear that was easier said than done. A ground mist arose, further limiting the sight of even those with Darkvision. The trees seemed to grow closer together, and the party found itself backtracking when the foliage grew so close as to form a wall. The fog thickened. “And now we’re in an area with groundcover.” Remme thought to himself, as he saw vague shapes, low to the ground, to his left and right. “We didn’t come through this way… I truly have lost our quarry.”
The druid extended his hand to caress the viney growth, but recoiled in sudden pain. Instead of pliable plant, he encountered sharp metal. A brief lull in the fog revealed a twisted fence of jagged black iron. The word “quarry” ran through his mind yet again. “My friends… I took you into these woods for a hunt,” the druid said, with growing alarm. “But I believe it is we who are being hunted.”
The mist parted to reveal a pair of stacked stone towers, spawning ironwork fencing left and right to the limit of their sight. A ruined gate was cast down between the pillars. Beyond was a wide expanse of open ground, seething with ground fog and strewn with tombstones. Larger crypts and sarcophagi loomed out of the mist throughout the unhallowed grounds.
Votun’s armored visage swept left to right. He then strode three steps forward, and turned around to address his companions. “We have found it, or it has found us. It matters not. We are here. We will go within, and we will overcome whatever threats await. Together.” The warforged’s words emboldened the party, and practiced hands confidently gripped blade, staff, and orb. Votun turned, set his shield, and marched through the gate.
The mist roiled in apparent response to the intrusion, then settled. The party moved steadily forward. And then, all at once: a cacophony of grating stone as dozens of marble lids slid open. To their left, a small hill came tumbling down as its mass of occupants clawed their way through to the surface.
Choices in the Mist
Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I... I didn't mean to intrude. No, no, please don't get up.
Faced with a desperate battle against the ravenous undead, the group is forced to make a choice:
Choice 1: Ritual de lo Habitual - Form up and protect Remme, and push to the heart of the cemetery where he can perform a ritual of purification to dispel its malevolent presence.
Choice 2: Crypt Keepers - Dash towards a nearby crypt with an open door, where the party could defend the narrow entrance and limit the advantage of numbers.
Choice 3: Run To the Hills - Flee into the dense woods, where the undergrowth would disperse the undead horde, offering a chance at escape.
The fate of our heroes lies in your hands, dear backers. Choose wisely, and together, we'll continue to uncover the next thrilling chapter of The Vault of Mini Things' iconic adventures!
This mid-month update shares some notable works-in-progress, including new art and Dungeons & Dragons 5e character sheets for our winners of the Battle of the Bands. No action required.
Marshall Art
Marshall’s recovered from PAX and is hard at work bringing the creatures of the Vault to life. Or a mockery of life, as the case may be.
Foreshadowing...
Can't you see I'M ROTTING HERE?!
"You've all gathered at the local tavern..."
They say “never meet your heroes”, but we say “but what if youdo? In this very update?” We’ve worked up complete 5th level character sheets for each of the members of the band of heroes the community selected in the Battle of the Bands (Update 16). But before we properly introduce them let’s start with a bit of Boxed Text–in accordance with the Old Ways:
As the tavern's door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior hazy with the scent of ale and the sound of boisterous laughter, your eyes are inexplicably drawn to a corner table bathed in an aura of intrigue. At its center sat a curious quartet, each a distinct embodiment of the fantastical world that surrounded them.
Grecken, a female gnome with a mischievous glint in her eye, reclined comfortably on her seat, her dark leather armor accentuating her petite frame. Twin daggers rested within easy reach, one on each hip, their pommels ornate with intricate carvings. Her raven-black hair cascaded like a shadowy waterfall, framing her soft, rounded features.
Next to her, an older human named Remme leaned thoughtfully on his gnarled walking stick, the lines of wisdom etched deep into his face. He wore robes of earthy green, attuned to the rhythms of the natural world, a stark contrast to the bustling tavern around him. Salt-and-pepper hair crowned his head, and his dark skin bore the wisdom of countless seasons.
Votun, the towering warforged, radiated an imposing presence. Gleaming plate armor encased his formidable frame, while a massive sword rested against his chair, its blade polished to a mirror-like sheen. A round shield leaned against the table, bearing the scars of past battles. His glowing blue eyes, unblinking and vigilant, surveyed the room, a silent guardian in the midst of revelry.
Seated opposite Votun was Elora, a striking tiefling with crimson skin, whose formidable horns twisted majestically from her brow. Her red and black robes whispered of arcane power, and a skull-tipped staff stood by her side, exuding an aura of ominous mystique. An eyepatch concealed one of her eyes, lending an air of enigma to her presence.
The quartet appeared deeply engrossed in conversation, their voices blending with the tavern's din. Grecken's hands animatedly gestured as she spoke, her eyes twinkling with wily humor. Remme's expression was one of thoughtful concern, his weathered hand resting on his walking stick. Votun maintained a stoic vigilance, occasionally nodding in agreement. Elora, her single eye focused intently, punctuated their discourse with cryptic insights.
Amidst the mirth and merry-making of the tavern's patrons, this unusual group exuded an air of purpose, as though they were bound together by a shared quest or destiny, their presence a testament to the extraordinary tapestry of the world they inhabited.
Remme, Grecken, Votun 967, & Elora Damn-ed
Grecken, gnome rogue (Assassin) https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/107033609/NiITbv One fateful day, while exploring a hidden underground chamber, Grecken stumbled upon an inert warforged, its metallic form devoid of life. The innate curiosity that drove her rogue's heart led her to tirelessly tinker and restore the warforged, whom she affectionately named Votun 967. Whether it was a spark of gratitude from the rekindled construct, a latent sense of loyalty in its programming, or perhaps even an unspoken friendship that bound them, Votun 967 chose to follow Grecken as she ventured forth into the world.
Curious about her enigmatic companion's origins, Grecken sought out a sometime-client/sometime-customer named Remme who was renowned for possessing knowledge beyond the borders of civilization. To her surprise, she found Remme accompanied by a fellow foundling, Elora. Recognizing the strength that came from pooling their talents and resources, the two pairs decided to unite their fates and embark on a shared adventure, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding their wards and to explore the endless opportunities that lay ahead.
Grecken does not suffer fools, dispute her understanding that she's the only person on the planet that doesn't qualify as such. She never saw much distinction between plundering an ancient tomb or plundering a pristine mansion, and over the years recognized that it's healthier and more lucrative to serve as middleman for the goods procured by like-minded entrepreneurs. Her bond with Votun 967 and growing friendship with Remme have recently caused her to re-think her priorities.
Travelling with Grecken means travelling with a nonstop litany of foul-mouthed observations about the world. The constant patter is seemingly an odd character trait for a rogue, but she has the ability to hold her tongue and switch to an internal monologue for brief periods of time. Her Assassin skills are more about maximizing efficiency than indulging in bloodthirsty headhunting. Her rough exterior does not hide a heart of gold; Grecken is every bit the irritable opportunist she presents as. The sole exceptions for her ire are her traveling companions. She's fascinated by and protective of Votun, respects Remme's commitment, and knows that whatever's going with Elora, it'll be BIG.
Votun 967 has only vague memories of his past life serving as an archaeologist's research assistant and bodyguard. Which is ironic, since his inert form was unearthed by Grecken in the ruins of an ancient tomb complex. Votun 967 took an instant liking to his rescuer--even though she initially wanted to sell him as parts--and his reliably optimistic demeanor is a necessary counter to her dour moods. He dutifully follows her lead in day-to-day matters, though he often has to step in to softly smooth things over when the grouchy gnome's sharp tongue lands the group in hot water. In matters of battle the dynamic switches, and his booming voice commands the entire group.
Votun 967 likes to begin each day by inspiring his allies with a recounting of a heroic myth (spending Superiority dice on Rally), then planning a route to their next destination while the others make breakfast and handle other morning biological functions (take a Short Rest to recover Superiority dice). His towering bulk and gleaming armor help him impress his will over social obstacles (Commanding Presence maneuver). In battle he interposes his armored form to protect his band (Interception style) and knocks foes to the ground (Trip maneuver) to make them easier for Grecken and the rest of his band to dispatch.
Remme, human druid (Circle of the Shepherd) https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/107044450/zV88EV
Remme's upbringing was an unconventional one, shaped by the rugged wilderness where he was born as an outlander. From a young age, he immersed himself in the teachings of the Old Ways, absorbing the ancient druidic traditions that connected him intimately with the natural world. While charisma might not have been his strong suit, Remme's wisdom shone brightly, earning him the role of emissary when his tribe required interaction with the outside world for trade. It was during one of these expeditions that he first crossed paths with Grecken, a gnome rogue with a sharp wit and a knack for surviving in the urban jungle. She was abrasive, but also seemed to be the one "civilized" person who was completely honest with herself. For her part, she seemed to appreciate his unfettered viewpoints and complete lack of desire for material wealth. Over the years, a deep and unspoken bond formed between them, and each found themselves looking forward to the time when the changing of the seasons caused their paths to cross.
But fate took a cruel turn when Remme was plagued by nightmarish visions foretelling disaster. Returning from one such trade mission, he arrived to find his tribe and home reduced to ruins, leaving him in a desolate wilderness of grief. Remme wandered aimlessly for weeks, drowning his sorrows in drink, until a twist of fate intervened. It was in his bleakest moment that he stumbled upon Elora, a mysterious tiefling, in dire need of his protection. Rescuing her from imminent danger breathed new life into Remme's weary spirit, igniting a renewed sense of purpose.
Recognizing that the Archfey sending a Tiefling agent into the world right at this time could be no coincidence, Remme reached out to his trusted friend Grecken for advice only to discover that she, too, had taken a foundling under her wing. United by their shared commitment to unraveling the mysteries surrounding their respective wards Grecken and Remme set out on a quest to identify the looming threat and, with any luck, thwart the dark future that continued to haunt the druid's sleep.
Remme actively tries to balance his nightmarish evenings by with with a positive attitude during the day. He makes an effort to be kind and generous, and set a good example for his sometimes amoral companions, desperately hoping that these efforts will push back against his dark visions. He leans heavily on Grecken, who for her part tries to save Remme from negativity by collecting it all onto herself. Remme is fascinated by Votun, as it's indisputably alive and yet indisputably artificial. And Elora, representing her lost human family, her found fey family, and her unique tiefling self, has firmly taken the place of his lost tribe. The weary druid shepherds them all toward an uncertain future, yet he's confident their tight bond will see them through. In combat the druid used Create Bonfire and Thornwhip to shape the battlefield to Votun's liking, and to pull enemies away from Grecken or Elora if they get pinned. Out of combat Remme enjoys using his druid powers to explore the area, confound enemies, and bolster allies.
Elora Damn-ed's origins are shrouded in mystery, beginning with her abduction as an infant by capricious fey creatures who were initially fascinated by her otherworldly tiefling heritage. Raised as a captivating enigma within the ethereal realms of the Feywild, she yearned for a connection that transcended her mere existence as a curiosity. It was this profound longing that led her to seek communion with the Archfey, a being of boundless power and whimsy. The Archfey, intrigued by Elora's unique lineage and her yearning for true purpose, saw an opportunity for their own amusement and granted her the pact of warlockhood, thus intertwining their fates in a dance of mutual intrigue and mischief.
Her adventure in the Prime Material plane almost ended as soon as it began, when she sought refuge in a borderlands village as a bewildered newcomer from the Feywild. It was there that a group of suspicious villagers, mistrustful of her exotic appearance and far-fetched origin, surrounded Elora with palpable hostility. Just when violence seemed imminent, Remme emerged from a nearby outfitter's shop and quickly used his druidic powers to diffuse the tension and shield her from harm. Sensing in Elora a vulnerable soul in need of guidance and kinship, he offered his hand in friendship as a guide to the perils of the mundane realm.
Elora is amused and delighted to take on the role of the lost sheep for Remme. She joyfully allows him to ramble on about local flora and fauna, teases him about her personal connection to the wild (in the form of the Archfey), laughs at his "dad jokes," and genuinely appreciates it when he tries (and usually fails) to show her how to care about other people. She picked the "Damn-ed" title herself, and gleefully introduces herself as such just to see the reaction it inspires.
—
Now that you’ve properly met we can get to the community-participation part: coming up with a name for the band! Post your ideas in the Comments, and we’ll run a poll for the next update.
Oh and to pre-empt an FAQ: why are we doing this? Because Pathfinder, D&D, Pokemon, and Magic have shown the wisdom of creating Iconic characters for a setting or product. Even BattleTech has the Locust, Marauder, Warhammer, Atlas, and Mad Cat (Timber Wolf). These are ours, chosen by the community and built by the resident Tinker with the lifelong passion for D&D (and no technical or artistic skills to contribute to development). We’ll be taking these folks on a bit of an adventure in future updates. Stay tuned!
Greetings Vaulters! Today’s update recounts TinkerHouse’s excursion to our home festival: PAX West. No action required.
TinkerHouse @ PAX West
The entire Vault of Mini Things team trekked to downtown Seattle for the biggest game festival on the West Coast: PAX West. Admittedly it wasn’t much of a trek, being just 30 minutes down the road for Lane, Mike, and Chris (or 3 hours up the coast from Portland for Marshall). :) TinkerHouse hadn’t been out to PAX since the pandemic and it was a genuine delight to return; “Welcome Home” indeed.
Shiny!
We set up in the newly-built Summit building. Tinker Mike was one of the founders of PAX and recalls when he and his pals moved PAX from Bellevue to Seattle in 2007, the Convention Bureau confidently told him that the expansion building would be built “within the next 2 years.” This prediction was repeated for almost two decades, but hey: better late than never! The new building was truly a marvel, with open modern architecture, green building techniques, a rooftop garden, and appreciated conveniences such as carpeted exhibition space on the second floor and those little water-bottle-filler stations like you see in airports.
The TinkerHouse booth was ideally located directly through the main entrance to the Tabletop area and we had steady traffic all four days of the show. Most of our booth was dedicated to a display of our TinkerTurf Sci-Fi wargaming terrain.
Full color, easy assembly, battlefield terrain.
The battlefield setup was augmented by Tinker Chris’s LED-modded Grey Knight space marines. It was fun watching the glowy visors of his Knights literally turn the heads of attendees passing by.
Not a Cylon
Sales of TinkerTurf were brisk, and that’s always a relief after the hard work of setting up and staffing a booth, but even better was the morale boost of seeing folks smile with joy upon seeing and handling TinkerTurf in person. "It's way sturdier than I thought it'd be!" "This stuff is perfect for Warhammer 40k!" "Oh wow, I don't have to paint it? Sold!" Next time, we'll bring a camera and film testimonials.
As mentioned above, Marshall was in town for most of the show and it was a blast hanging out with him over the weekend. Believe it or not, PAX West 2023 was his first-ever convention and he took it like a champ, though apparently the bright show lights got the better of him:
Pictured left to right: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde
Wait a minute... What’s that in the lower right? Enhance!
Marshall's art is even more impressive in person!
That’s right: the Vault of Mini Things made a surprise appearance at PAX! Chris mocked up a box proof-of-concept and Marshall brought up some of his home-made proofs. Lane made a point of clarifying that these are art samples, not production samples–the form-factors and print quality are not representative of what we’re making for retail–but nevertheless people lost their goddamn minds when they saw the standees and terrain pieces up close. We got a TON of late pledges from folks who missed the campaign and it was gratifying and energizing to see such a positive response to what we’re making. Huzzah!
That’s it for now. We’ll have another update real soon with art-in-progress and details on the outcome of the Battle of the Bands. And if you missed us at PAX West, we’ll be attending PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia this December. Badges are still available at https://unplugged.paxsite.com/ !
Ahoy Vaulters! Today’s mid-month Update shares new art progress, invites y'all to say hi in person at PAX West, and presents the Vaulter community with a battle of the bands. No action required, unless you haven’t completed the Backer Survey. And if you haven't completed the survey--please do so! A link to it was sent to the email you used for your Backerkit account.
Marshall Art Showcase
Marshall’s got some fresh art to share. Behold two classic D&D tricksters, a versatile cart to maximize adventure efficiency, and tables to fill out the hometown tavern.
The name's Ganger. Doppelganger.
Now streaming on Disney+
At least it wasn't an apple cart
Decor for every hive of scum and villainy
Battle of the Bands
The previous update proposed an old-school adventure setup to the community:
“You and your companions have arrived at the last village on the edge of civilization. Beyond is only rampant wilderness and the crumbled ruins of failed empire. Beyond is where the faded map promises fabulous adventure. Beyond is where you must go. Your group is:”
The overwhelming response to the party composition poll–to the tune of 79%--was “a diverse band.”
Alrighty then, let’s get specific. The new poll presents four galleries of heroes for your consideration. Choose your own adventurers!
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
The link to the survey is attached to this Update. Looking forward to see which band rises to the top!
PAX West
The entire Vault of Mini Things team will be at PAX West this labor day weekend, Sept 1-4, in booth TT30. That's in the tabletop area on floor 2 of the new Summit facility in downtown Seattle. Fun fact: Tinker Mike was one of the original four founders of that show, 19 years ago. If you're attending PAX we'd love to see you, and you can tease Mike that the show is old enough to vote!
Hello Vaulters! Today’s update confirms hitting the final Community Achievement/stretch goal, shows some alternate art of last update’s creepy-crawlies, and prods the last few folks to complete the Survey. No action required unless you are among that small group.
Oh! This update also introduces the start of an experiment. Read all the way to the bottom for some context for the poll. :)
Final Achievement Unlocked!
Thanks to y’all’s efforts upping your pledges and promoting the late-pledge campaign to your communities, the campaign has raised an additional $27,000 in late pledges and thereby has surpassed the threshold for unlocking the final stretch goal! Huzzah! Everyone here is so excited that we scored 100% on the Achievement test. Well, except these fellas, who are destined to fall at the hands of brave adventurers across the world:
Hey there big fella(s)
But for real: we at Tinkerhouse (and Printable Heroes!) are grateful for the Vaulter community’s enthusiasm and evangelism. We’ve never seen a late-pledge surge like this. Let’s keep the momentum going by continuing to link and post about the Vault in your online communities and The Socials. Onward!
Alternate art
Marshall wanted to show off some of the alternate art he’s created for the creepy critters showcased in the previous Update. Behold!
Alt gross
Speaking of alternate art, Sharon D asked about the Flaming Skull version of the Headless Horseman and whether that version of the Horseman will be included in the Vault. The answer to that question is: yes! And it brings up an important point, related to DessieD’s post about getting an update to the What’s In the Vault sheet: over the next few months we’ll be making numerous tweaks to the Vault’s contents. Tweaks like including this or that alternate art, or bumping up (or nudging down) quantities of particular minis. It’s a process influenced by constraints we discover as we go through the manufacturing process and by gut-checks as we review and integrate stretch goals into the retail Vault product. Updating the What’s In the Vault sheet in real-time would introduce an extra layer of churn and potential for error. That’s why our intention is to show the final Vault contents list only at the end of the process. When it’s really, truly final. :)
Survey solicitation
90% of backers have completed the survey, which by our math means 10% have not. If you’ve responded: thank you! If you’re reading this and have not responded to the survey–or don’t know what that is–then please read the FAQ section and in touch at [email protected]
Something extra
We’ve included a poll question to this update. Something extra to the campaign; something a little different. If y’all are up for it, we’re curious to see where it goes…
Survey update Backerkit's handy Dashboard feature informs us that 87% of you have completed your Surveys. Huzzah! However, that means 13% have not completed this crucial step. If you are among those 127 backers, please check your spam filters & folders. And if you have any questions or concerns about the process or your pledge, you are welcome to get in touch at https://the-vault-of-mini-things.backerkit.com/faq#contact-us and we'll be happy to help.
Production update We've all been busy at work getting the Vault ready for production. For the moment, much of that work is actually getting ready for getting ready: we're overhauling and improving our communication and task-management processes, and building tools for data management and validation. The intent is that by spending a bunch of time on such matters now we'll increase throughput, be generally more efficient, and reduce errors going forward. The rest of our time has been spent tidying up backend Backerkit bookkeeping and prepping the post-campaign "late pledge" marketing push.
B-o-o-o-r-i-n-g!
But never fear: we do have some excitement for you in this update. Marshall has continued to instantiate amazing art from the top of his dome and we've got some tantalizing images to tease you. Behold these beautifully terrible creepy-crawlies!
Gross.
Super gross.
That's all for now, Vaulters.
Oh! One more thing: we've determined that there's no functional reason to "close" access for late pledgers, so please continue to tell folks about the Vault of Mini Things whenever your in-person or on-line conversations wander down the path of "I want to have minis at my table, but they're so expensive to collect, cumbersome to store, and time-consuming to paint! If only there were a better solution!"
There is, imaginary & articulate lamenter. There is.
We are going to start rolling out the pledge manager tomorrow morning. Some of you may be familiar with this, but BackerKit starts its' pledge manager rollout with what they call a smoke test. The smoke test is basically where they send the pledge manager out to just 5% of each segment–we have two segments–in order to make sure there aren't any issues. You will start seeing the pledge manager hit your email boxes tomorrow, and all of you should receive it before Friday of this week. If there are any issues we will post about them here to keep you informed. If you haven't received the pledge manager by Friday afternoon please reach out to support and we will figure it out and resolve any issues.
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that BackerKit offered us the ability to add a new feature to our pledge manager. They can roll out this feature for us that will effectively add all of your add-on items from the campaign to the pledge manager so you don't need to reselect them in your account. This would be awesome as back in the olden days of 2020–it feels like a decade ago–when we last managed a crowdfunding campaign, you would have pledged for an amount and then had to select the add-on once you got into the pledge manager. We wanted to check in with everyone before we went down this path as it will take a bit longer
Oh and spoiler alert, we are giving those of you that added the "Hardwood Dice Tray" or "Worldbuilder" four color options for the hardwood dice tray liner. So some of you may have to select options.
Note: All of you will be able to change or add to your add-ons even if we use this feature.
I created the poll below to see what you all want. I figure majority rule works for all, right?
Hello backers of The Vault of Mini Things! Soon–early the week of June 26th–you’ll receive an email from us with a special link to your BackerKit survey. It’s essential to respond to your survey as quickly as possible since we need this information to fulfill your rewards. BackerKit calls this crucial step in the process a “survey” and while we will be asking you a couple questions the functional purpose is for you to enter shipping information and select the add-on items you pledged for. When you receive the email just click the survey link to respond. Consider this a heads-up and a request to whitelist emails from BackerKit so it doesn’t get lost to spam filters.
Due to the volatility of shipping prices globally right now, shipping fees for this project will be calculated and charged at a later date once we have the best estimates for everyone. We plan to enter & charge backers for shipping a month or two before we start fulfillment. You will have the ability to change your address up until this point, but if you plan to move to a different country please notify us as soon as possible. We will send out an alert to backers before we lock in your address and charge the cards you’ve entered in your BackerKit survey!
At any time along this process you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under “Lost your survey?” on our BackerKit project page at https://The-Vault-of-Mini-Things.backerkit.com.
Thank you for your diligent attention to this procedural matter!
We launched this campaign to fill a need in the tabletop game community: the need for good-looking & durable minis representing the wide variety of creature types you’d find in the Monster Manual, at quantities sufficient for typical encounters. Ideally, the minis would be quickly discoverable, easily portable, and conveniently storable. All at a per-mini cost vastly below that of anything else on the market. And full-color, of course, because we each only have a preciously-finite amount of time in this world.
Also: a whole bunch of terrain in the same art style for those minis to explore.
Well, you sure demonstrated that need was real. As a direct result of the enthusiastic support of this community the campaign for The Vault of Mini Things gathered $169,650 in pledges from 967 backers. Huzzah!
Thanks to you, people around the world will be no longer have to overcome the obstacle of finding, assembling, basing, priming, painting, basing, and sealing the minis their games call for–often, minis that won't survive a single round of combat. With the Vault, hundreds of wondrous creatures–friends, foes, and fantastic beasts–will be at their literal fingertips.
How many creatures, exactly? A lot more than was originally proposed! Let's take a look at the total with all the Community Achievements you've earned:
My god...it's full of standees!
That's a ridiculous amount of value packed into a box that can fit inside the cubby of an Ikea Kallax bookshelf. And to double-confirm: yes, the Vault has more than enough room for all those additional minis. With room to spare for all of the minis from every Pouch of Mini Things, should you choose to expand your menagerie with those Add-ons.
Well done, everybody. Each of us should be proud of the part we've played to bring this game-changing toolkit to life. We did it!
Campaign: The Campaign has ended; Long Live the Campaign!
Though the crowdfunding campaign for The Vault of Mini Things has concluded, our work has only just begun! We here at TinkerHouse (and Marshall, up from Portland!) are gathering tonight to eat a juicy steak, drink some wine, play some games, and collapse into slumber. And then the very next day we continue the hard work of preparing each and every individual standee and terrain piece for production. And you'll hear all about it!
One of the reasons we chose the BackerKit platform for this campaign is its integrated suite of tools for pledge management and ongoing communication. You’ll use those tools to finalize your pledge, make any changes to your shipping address over time, and stay informed as we post updates about pre-production, manufacturing, and shipping. And of course the Discussion area is the means by which you can continue to engage with us and the community we’ve created together.
Our journey will continue on BackerKit until the anticipated delivery window of Summer/Fall 2024. And it continues with one more task for you:
Your very next step is filling out the Survey from BackerKit. The Survey is where you’ll confirm your pledge, buy add-ons, and enter shipping and payment information. You’ll find it in the inbox for the email associated with your BackerKit account, and you can also access it through your BackerKit account. We encourage you to complete this step as soon as possible, so that it doesn't get lost amidst the other tasks of your busy life.
While you're going through the Survey I encourage you to consider jumping up to the Vaultstrider pledge level–the level with the custom nylon bag–so you can comfortably carry your Vault to wherever adventure may lead you. Because as a wise hobbit once said:
The Road goes ever on and on, Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say.
Community:
How can we possibly properly express our gratitude to this wonderful community for their support and enthusiasm? It is impossible for us to say. How about we instead listen? Let's hear from BackerKit's founder first:
maxwell salzberg says:
"Personally, I was thrilled to see all the excitement and ideas surrounding Vault of Mini Things , and especially your thoughts about how BackerKit was helping (or hindering) the project's success."
Oh Max. Thank you for stopping by for a listen. We've really enjoyed working with your platform.
JulesVH says (after the Peculiar Pairs and Wrecking it with Rex goals knocked down):
"Wow, even the extra achievements unlocked. Congrats on this wonderful campaign. Great start and a nice push in the end!"
That big surge at the end was a huge (and welcome) surprise. Much love to the community for increasing their pledges and spreading the word.
Sharon D says:
"This campaign has been a blast, soo much fun! Really looking forward to seeing all of these wonderful minis and terrain up close and personal next year. Thanks for an amazing campaign, MIke! And thank you to Marshall for your amazing talent, it's the most fantastic minis art I've ever seen! Cheers, everybody! 😊"
It was fun! We had some crucial and insightful advice from our friends at Greater Than Games on how to plan and structure this campaign, and that advice really helped reduce stress and give us room to adapt and engage with y'all. Crowdfunding can be scary and stressful but your positivity, enthusiasm, ideas, and support made this one a joy. Thank you! And while Sharon called out me and Marshall, let's also spread some love to Tinkers Lane and Chris! The behind-the-scenes work was tremendous, and you saw the fruits of Lane's labors in the 3d engine mines to artfully arrange those wonderful images, and Chris putting the entire campaign together and applying his design skills to make everything splendid and comprehensible.
And that's a wrap! Be sure to keep an eye out for that Survey, stay tuned for additional updates on our ongoing labo(u)rs, and if you've got friends who missed out and want to back–we'll have Late Pledge functionality up for a limited time.
Again, thank you for the support. Everyone over here believes the Vault will give Advantage on all DM checks, and with your help we’re bringing it forth!
