Shmorbo!

The silly RPG of crazy customisation and limitless possibilities! 

What is Shmorbo!?

Shmorbo! is a TTRPG all about creating strange creatures to act as your characters. Forget elvish mages, dwarf clerics, human fighters and hobbit thieves*-- why not just be a floating eyeball instead? Or a trans-dimensional slug of terror. The possibilities are endless**! 

*Please do not forget about them. I don't have anything against any of those people.

**The possibilities are not entirely endless.

Shmorbo! doesn't take place in any particular setting, and your adventures won't fall into any particular genre. A lot of trust is placed in the game master (the Shmorbo) to keep the game fun and balanced for everyone.

Shmorbo! eschews classes and races entirely*, aiming to be as open-ended as possible. It's great for good, clean, silly fun, as opposed to serious, dark, or rules-heavy games. Please don't donate if you only like dark, serious, rules-heavy games. It's not that I wouldn't appreciate the funding, it's that unless you let joy into your heart you will be disappointed with the end product.

*Not like with Communism. Different type of class.

Mechanically, it is fairly uncomplicated, using only D6 and 2D6 for resolving actions, and a simple turn-based combat system, which takes place on a grid of Squares like other popular TTRPGs, such as Chess and Snakes and Ladders (though the game can be played without a grid).

 Spells are all entirely custom, made by combining different spell effects (with more powerful spells costing more Mana), ranges and restrictions (such as only being able to cast the spell on a full moon) to create your own entirely unique spells. For example, here we have Graham the Wizard's favourite spell, Graham's Complete Darkness.

• Graham's Complete Darkness -- 4 MP, Aura 4. The entirety of the spell's range is shrouded in complete darkness for D6 turns.

Graham is only level one. His spell only has one effect. Please be nice to him. Here's what a more powerful spell might look like:

• Shmuckles' Deadly Shmuck -- 8 MP, Aura 4. Bite a creature. It takes 2D6 * 5 damage. Heal(X), where X is half the damage you dealt by casting this spell. (The reason the damage is multiplied by 5 is because this is a level 5 character)

Let that be a lesson to you-- do not allow Shmuckles to come close, or he may Shmuck you.

The character creation system works by spending TP (Trait Points, not Toilet Paper) to mix and match Traits and Flaws to augment your character in different, unique ways. You are encouraged to make up your own Traits, Flaws and spell effects, but there will be a large catalogue featured in the zine.

Included in the zine, which will be somewhere around 48 pages, will be the full rules for the game, including a whole load of sample spell effects and character traits to provide inspiration, as well as a GM advice section.

Your Rewards

Incorporeal Shmorbo: For £5 (around $7), you'll have access to a .pdf file of the zine, which will be delivered to your inbox when we're finished.

Corporeal Shmorbo: For £10 (around $14) plus shipping, you'll be mailed a physical version of the game, and will also receive a digital version.

Multidimensional Shmorbo: For £25 (around $34.50) plus shipping, you'll be mailed a signed* physical version of the game, and will also receive a digital version, as well as some custom pink-and-purple Shmorbo! dice! You'll also receive the Shmorbotastic ability to rewrite the laws of the lands of Shmorbo(!) by having the opportunity to create your own spell effect, trait, flaw, or magic item featured in the final print! (or, your own monster featured in the Menagerie of Shmorbo!) 

Literally Become Graham the Wizard: For £50 (around $68.50) plus shipping, receive all benefits from the Multidimensional Shmorbo tier as well as the Hat of Graham the Wizard and a handwritten note from Graham the Wizard himself.

*Please let us know if you do not want your copy signed.

For an additional £3 (around $4), you will receive a digital version of the Menagerie of Shmorbo!, a catalogue of strange creatures that may prove invaluable to game masters looking to spice up their sessions or to players looking for inspiration. You can receive a physical version of this for £8 (around $11), provided that you are already receiving another physical reward.

Stretch Goals

£400 - Introductory Adventure: I'll be able to deliver a .pdf file of an introductory adventure to ALL backers! Only the boldest adventurers will be brave enough to face Maxim at the heart of his Storm Fortress to stop him from stealing the world's rain to fuel his dark backstory.

£600 - More Maniacally Meddlesome Monsters in My Monstrously Magnificent Menagerie: We will increase the number of monsters in the Menagerie from 30 to 50. How monstrous!

£800 - Two More Introductory Adventures: I'll be able to deliver two more .pdf files of introductory adventures to ALL backers! Few heroes will be strong enough to defeat the evil Ice Wizard Thaw, embittered by being overshadowed by his second cousin, the Thunder God Thor, and even fewer will best the dastardly Puppeteer before they turn the helpless villagers into their vintage miniature collection.

£1000 - I Will Include Wizard Hats In All Physical Orders: I think everyone wishes they could be a wizard from time to time. Those receiving only digital content will receive a high quality photo of a wizard hat in case they feel like they're missing out. All physical backers will also receive a note from Graham the Wizard himself with their zine. If we somehow get this much funding and you paid for the Literally become Graham the Wizard tier, your note will become a full letter of at least two pages.

If we can somehow acquire further funding, more stretch goals will be created!

Shipping

As of now, we only plan to ship to our homeland of the United Kingdom, our 7,000km-from-home land of the United States, and our neighbours in the European Union. Shipping costs will be added on to your pledge.

Who Made This?

My name is Will, but in the magical land of the Inter Net I am known by my wizard name, waldofoce. Above you can see me wearing an awesome hat and in general seeming cool and wizardly. While I am designing the game and illustrating the book, the finances (a strange thing non-wizards use to attach value to things) are being managed by my father, Simon the Very Big Owl (Chris). He also has a wizard name but it is too powerful to divulge here. The voiceover in the video is by Oswig Long-Arm. 

Layout Preview

These two pages won't be right next to each other in the full book. One of them is the cover (which is like page zero) and the other is page three, and three does not come after zero. I think. The cover illustration is also likely to change. I'm not sure where this illustration came from, I was just in a "smiling moon" mood. The second page might also be a different colour! We have only just started page layout so we're not entirely certain yet.

As I write this I'm also regretting including the word "full", since I realise that implies the existence of a handbook that is not full. If we raise £10,000 I will print un-full handbooks for you all.