Vestiges of the Ancients

1. OPEN A DOOR TO ANOTHER WORLD

2. IT ALL BEGAN WITH A PULSE

3. YOUR FIRST STEPS IN ARAN

4. THE ADVENTURE BEYOND THE BOARD

5. YOUR MINIATURES. YOUR ADVENTURES.

6. THE GRIMOIRE

7. REBUILD THE ANCIENT MECHANISM

Only a selection of assembly steps is shown here. The complete process is covered in the build guide.

8. PREPARE YOUR WORKSHOP

9. FROM A WORKING PROTOTYPE TO YOUR TABLE

10. THE MAKER BEHIND VESTIGES

FAQ - Automatic Board & Gameplay

What exactly is The Grimoire?

The Grimoire is the DIY edition of Vestiges of the Ancients. It brings together the digital files, software, game content and instructions needed to build and play your own Vestiges, plus one assembled controller PCB.

It includes the board and mechanism files, printable miniatures and scenery, cards, maps, rules, the Castle of Vaelstrom campaign, the app, firmware, Creator Mode and building documentation.

It is not a finished board game, a printed book or a complete kit of physical components.

How much does The Grimoire cost?

The Grimoire costs €159 during the first 48 hours of the campaign and €179 afterwards.

The assembled controller PCB is included in that pledge. Shipping for the controller is charged separately.

The standard components and materials you purchase separately have an estimated additional budget of €180–280.

What do I need to buy separately?

You will need standard components such as stepper motors, linear rails, servos, a belt and pulleys, a power supply, filament and a base panel, plus the NFC reader and tags, magnets, wiring, bearings, switches and fasteners. Cards and scenario sheets also need to be printed.

The Grimoire includes a detailed bill of materials with specifications, quantities and recommended purchasing links, so you will not have to work out which parts to choose yourself.

The €180–280 estimate is based on prices in Spain and the EU. Actual costs depend on your suppliers, location and materials you already own. It excludes shipping, possible import charges, tools, purchasing a printer and third-party printing services.

Is the controller PCB included, and how will I receive it?

Yes. One professionally manufactured and assembled Vestiges controller PCB is included in your pledge.

When the boards are ready, you will receive instructions for arranging delivery through the manufacturing partner. You will pay the applicable shipping charge, not purchase the included board again. Any applicable import charges are separate.

Shipping arrangements and available rates will be communicated before backers need to arrange delivery.

Will there be a fully assembled, ready-to-play edition?

There are currently no plans to produce or ship a fully assembled edition.

I explored that possibility, but manufacturing and delivering complete games is not viable at the scale of this project. For now, The Grimoire is the only edition I am offering.

What kind of 3D printer do I need?

The board, printable components, scenery and miniatures are designed for FDM printing, so you can print them using the same type of filament printer. A resin printer is not required.

Access to an FDM 3D printer with a minimum build volume of 256 × 256 × 256 mm is required whether your own, a friend’s, a makerspace’s or a printing service. The board parts, scenery and miniatures are designed for FDM printing. No resin printer is needed.

Recommended materials, settings and printer requirements will be documented as the printable files are validated. Compatibility with every printer is not guaranteed.

Do I need electronics, soldering or programming experience?

The build is being prepared so that you do not need to solder or write code. The controller PCB comes assembled, and the supplied firmware and app provide the software needed to run the game.

You will still need to print and assemble parts, connect components, install the supplied software and complete the setup and calibration steps.

The guides will explain these operations with clear instructions, images, videos and checks along the way. Basic tools such as screwdrivers and Allen keys are required.

How long will the build take?

I do not yet have a validated build-time estimate for someone assembling Vestiges for the first time.

Printing time will depend on your printer and settings. Assembly time will depend on your experience and pace. Independent test builds will help establish a realistic estimate before delivery.

Do the miniatures really move by themselves?

Yes. A magnetic mechanism beneath the playing surface physically moves the miniatures.

The app resolves the game’s logic and sends commands to the controller. The mechanism then carries out the movement on the real board.

The system moves one miniature at a time. Damage, conditions and other game effects are resolved by the app.

Is the app required? Will I need to use the screen constantly?

The app is required. It runs the game, controls the board, manages events and character information, and provides narration and sound.

During play, physical NFC cards let you communicate actions without needing to use the touchscreen. You can also choose to use the available on-screen controls, such as selecting movement paths.

The screen can show a minimal view of character states, turns and narration, or more detailed information such as dice rolls and explanations of enemy actions. Setup and transitions between scenarios may require screen interaction.

Does Vestiges require an internet connection or subscription?

Local play is designed to work offline once the required software and content have been downloaded. No subscription is required for local play.

Internet access is needed to download files and updates and to access the online library and community.

Remote Play, if unlocked through its stretch goal, requires an internet connection.

Which devices will the app support?

Android and iOS are the planned platforms.

Testing across different devices is part of the remaining development work. Supported operating-system versions and minimum device requirements will be published once validated. I cannot promise compatibility with every phone or tablet.

How many people can play? Is a game master required?

The Castle of Vaelstrom is a cooperative campaign for one or two players.

With two players, each controls one hero. In solo play, you control both Aldor and Bastion.

No game master is required. The app manages the scenario, Denizen behaviour, events and game resolution.

What adventure and printable game content are included?

The Grimoire includes The Castle of Vaelstrom, a campaign set in the world of Aran, with six scenarios designed for approximately 60–90 minutes each. Play time will vary with exploration, decisions and familiarity with the game.

It includes the printable miniatures, scenery, cards, tokens and scenario maps needed for the campaign, together with the rules and lore material.

The initial edition is planned in English. Exact component counts are still being finalised.

What do players actually do during a game?

You guide Aldor and Bastion through exploration, encounters and combat.

You can investigate locations, uncover hidden areas, interact with objects and doors, solve puzzles and use cards for attacks, abilities and defence. Some situations offer different ways forward, such as fighting or solving a puzzle.

Aldor specialises in ranged abilities and control. Bastion is stronger in close combat. During combat, choosing how to spend action points and Aether, where to move and which cards to use is central to your decisions.

The app resolves the consequences, while movement happens on the physical board.

How do the cards work?

Each hero has a deck of attacks, abilities and defensive options.

During combat, you have five face-up cards available from the draw-and-discard deck. Used cards are replenished at the start of that hero’s next turn. When the draw pile runs out, the discarded cards are reshuffled.

Some abilities use a cooldown instead. These remain separate from the five-card selection and become available again after their recharge period.

Cards have action-point and Aether costs, so deciding what to use and what to save is part of the strategy.

Are all Denizens enemies? How do they behave?

No. “Denizens” refers to the other beings you encounter, and not all of them are necessarily hostile.

Their behaviour follows programmed rules that respond to the scenario and your actions. A creature might patrol, become frightened, change its target or continue pursuing its own objective.

You will not necessarily know its characteristics when you first encounter it. Observing repeated encounters can help you learn its behaviour and make better decisions.

What does “speaking to the board” mean?

Certain puzzles and interactions allow you to present the Talk card and speak an answer that the app recognises.

This is designed for specific game interactions, not unrestricted conversation with an AI character. Voice recognition works offline, and a non-voice alternative is planned for these interactions.

Can I save my progress and replay the campaign?

The app saves progress after each player action, allowing you to resume from the last saved state.

During the campaign, you can discover or unlock cards, improve abilities and choose equipment. Different choices, routes and deck builds provide reasons to replay, although you will naturally know parts of the story after your first playthrough.

Creator Mode also lets you build adventures beyond the included campaign.

What is Creator Mode, and is it included?

Creator Mode is included in The Grimoire from the start. It is not a stretch goal.

It is being developed as a visual editor that lets you create adventures without writing code. You can import a map, define traversable spaces and doors, place investigation points and events, and configure heroes and Denizens.

For example, entering a particular space could trigger an encounter or reveal information. You can set character properties such as movement, attack range, damage and targeting priorities, and add narrative text.

Custom voice narration is not part of the initial Creator Mode commitment. Community adventure-sharing tools are also a future development idea, not an existing feature being promised at launch.

Can I use my own miniatures?

Yes, provided they are compatible with the board’s movement system.

Printable magnetic bases are included in The Grimoire. Miniatures must fit the supported size and weight limits, which will be documented following validation.

Using miniatures from another game does not automatically import that game’s rules. You configure their properties and role in your adventure through Creator Mode.

Will Remote Play be included?

Remote Play is the €15,000 stretch goal.

If unlocked, it will allow players in different locations to play the included campaign or adventures created in Creator Mode together.

Only one physical board is needed. One player shares a camera view of their board, while the other uses the app to take actions that the board carries out. If both players have a board, the connection can also be used to interact with each other’s board.

A working version has already been tested. The stretch goal funds the remaining optimisation and testing needed to include it in The Grimoire. Remote Play requires an internet connection.

What already works, and what remains to be completed?

The current prototype moves miniatures, reads NFC cards, communicates with the app and runs the game. Three of the six campaign scenarios are fully programmed.

The remaining work includes completing the other scenarios, further development of Creator Mode, implementing the planned persistent changes to the world of Aran, testing device compatibility and validating the electronics and printed parts.

Preparing the complete documentation and testing the build with other people are also essential parts of the work before delivery.

When will I receive The Grimoire?

October 2027 is the estimated target for complete delivery.

I intend to release finished and validated parts progressively. In particular, I am targeting early-to-mid 2027 for the first printable files, so backers can begin printing while the remaining work continues.

These are estimates and may change as testing and validation progress. Controller production and shipping updates will be communicated separately.

How will I access the files and updates?

You will receive a personal Grimoire Key giving you access to your private Vestiges library, where you can download the released files, software, documentation and updates for this edition.

You can keep local copies of the downloaded files. Local play will not depend on maintaining a connection to the library.

The Grimoire also includes access to the private builder community, where you can ask questions, share your build and exchange ideas.

Can I modify the project or have someone print parts for me?

Yes. The Grimoire is provided under a personal, non-commercial licence.

You can build your own Vestiges, repair it, modify parts and print replacements. You can also have parts printed or manufactured for your personal build.

You cannot redistribute or sell the original project files, manufacture Vestiges boards or kits for commercial sale, or otherwise commercially exploit the project.

PCB manufacturing files are included, allowing you to obtain a replacement controller for your personal build without depending exclusively on future official batches.

Has AI been used in Vestiges of the Ancients?

Yes. During development, I have used AI tools to explore concepts, create prototypes and visualise ideas before establishing their final appearance.

This is why some images and videos of early prototypes or feature demonstrations may show AI-generated illustrations and other visual elements. These were temporary placeholders used to test concepts and explore the overall look.

None of the final artwork delivered to backers will be AI-generated. The final visual design, already visible throughout much of this page, has been created by artists Nikos Gaitanopoulos and Angelica Donarini, and by me.

The final artwork already completed was created without AI generation, and the remaining artwork will follow the same approach. Temporary AI-generated visual assets used during development will not be part of the final artwork delivered to backers.