Echoes From Beyond (Solo RPG Gamebook)

WHAT IS ECHOES FROM BEYOND?

ECHOES FROM BEYOND brings together two of the most critically-acclaimed modern gamebook series in a much-anticipated collaboration. A story that crosses dimensions and worlds to fuse DESTINY'S ROLE GAMEBOOKS with LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS and create a truly memorable gamebook experience. Designed and written by MARK LAIN and JAMES A HIRONS, both highly-regarded as gamebook authors in their own rights, ECHOES FROM BEYOND will see the worlds of Pneuma and Silvastria collide as two of the most popular characters from each series, Malinkar Lord of Enmity and Penelope Redcap the Mistress of Sorrows, join forces to bring about the definitive cataclysm. For collectors of these series, sequentially and canonically, this book will be DESTINY'S ROLE #8 and LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS #7.

THE CONCEPT...

To make this a collaboration for readers who are familiar with either LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMESBOOKS or DESTINY'S ROLE GAMEBOOKS (or both, of course), ECHOES FROM BEYOND will be produced in TWO versions, one using the DESTINY'S ROLE system and branded for that series, the other branded as LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS and using that series' system. Naturally, we are also offering BOTH versions at a competitive combined price.

The DESTINY'S ROLE version will feature a full colour cover by DARRAN HOLMES (of SAVAGE REALMS, DESTINY'S ROLE and LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS fame) and 30 internal black and white illustrations by Gary Ward (DESTINY'S ROLE, FIGHTING FANTASY), whilst the LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS iteration will be the reverse of this with a full colour painted cover by Gary Ward and 30 internal black and white illustrations by Darran Holmes. To add to the sense of coherence over the two versions, the covers and internal art will follow the same briefs, as will the internal illustrations, resulting in two interpretations of every scene illustrated over the two books. With these two artistic talents on board, this is sure to be a pair of books which will be a real visual treat for those who like quality fantasy art.

WHAT ARE THESE SERIES AND WHO ARE THE AUTHORS?

DESTINY'S ROLE GAMEBOOKS have an intentionally old school look and feel and are influenced by the classic fantasy gamebook series of the 1980s and 1990s such as Fighting Fantasy, Lone Wolf and Golden Dragon, to name but a few of the series that have inspired the author to create DESTINY'S ROLE GAMEBOOKS, a series created by Mark Lain. The DESTINY'S ROLE series of adventure gamebooks launched in 2018 and currently stands at fourteen titles with a further two currently in pre-production.

LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS is a more open and genre-crossing series, but is still fundamentally inspired by the sames series as DESTINY'S ROLE GAMEBOOKS and is the brainchild of the well-known and influential gamebook community figure James A Hirons. LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS released its first title in 2020 and presently runs to six books with a seventh on the way.

Both authors have also contributed titles to the globally popular SAVAGE REALMS GAMEBOOKS imprint: James A Hirons having penned THE TAVERN ON GALLOWS HILL, RETURN TO THE TAVERN ON GALLOWS HILL, and RAIDERS OF THE IRIDIUM CAVES, with Mark Lain having written SUBTERRANEA: EMPIRE OF WRATH.

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING OUR SUPPORTERS?

The purpose of this Kickstarter campaign is to raise funds to pay for internal artwork, manufacture of rewards, and the printing of Kickstarter-exclusive hardback editions of both versions of the book, neither of which will be available through retail outlets. Additionally, every copy of both hardback editions will be individually numbered and signed by the respective author. The hardback editions will be printed to 9" x 6" size format. Naturally, standard soft cover editions will be released through Amazon once Kickstarter rewards are fulfilled. 

For those who like to be on-brand, we are also offering custom branded dice as an ADD-ON at all physical reward levels. Two backers can also get the opportunity to write a scene for the book by selecting the WRITE A SCENE ADD-ON (this is available to both digital and physical backers).

Additionally, we are are offering FOUR BACKERS the opportunity to be immortalised in an illustration in their chosen version of the book (that is, two backers per version) and become a permanent part of DESTINY'S ROLE or LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS history. Choose your version to decide whether you wish to be illustarted by Darran Holmes (for the LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS version) or Gary Ward (in the DESTINY'S ROLE version). One backer at the highest tier on offer can even be drawn into BOTH versions by BOTH artists (this will be the same image but drawn by the applicable artist for each version).

STRETCH GOALS

These will be gradually announced if we are fortunate enough to exceed the initial £2000 funding goal:

STRETCH GOAL #1 (UNLOCKED) - if we reach £2500 all backers at physical levels will receive a stats bookmark which serves as both a placeholder and a handy tool for recording and tracking your stats as you play through the book. Anyone backing to receive the DESTINY'S ROLE edition will get a bookmark which uses the DR system, backers for the LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS edition will receive a LIG system bookmark, and anyone who backs at tiers to receive BOTH versions of the book will receive both bookmarks

STRETCH GOAL #2 - if we reach £3000 all backers at physical levels will receive A4 art prints of BOTH versions of the cover (Gary Ward's and Darran Holmes') plus a set of DESTINY'S ROLE and LITERALLY IMMERSIVE GAMEBOOKS stickers

WHAT ABOUT P&P COSTS?

All physical rewards to UK backers will be sent by Royal Mail Tracked 24. International backers will receive physical rewards by standard Tracked Air Mail. Shipping cost is not included in the pledge price and will be added before you confirm your pledge. 

Shipping is dependent on backer tier due to weights and also the backer's location. 

We make no profit on P&P costs but please understand that we have to set them at realistic price points.