Role Playing in the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (1450 BCE)
Only five days left in the Kickstarter and we're doing well so far. It would be great if we could reach $7500 and more Social Media posts will be forthcoming as we near the end. Thanks again to all who are supporting this effort and please promote the campaign.
Players may encounter a variety of creatures within the world of Valley of the Pharaohs. Here is some information on one kind, the Great Serpents.
The aa-ketfi are large solitary serpents which come in a variety of sizes and colors. Generally they appear as large cobra type snakes but some have more slender ‘mamba’ or ‘pit viper’ type heads. Some are highly intelligent and can speak and have knowledge of and use magic. These creatures inhabit very desolate regions throughout the world, mainly in the mountains. Some have been found along the Nile but this is extremely rare. The intelligent serpents are fond of polished stones as well as treasure and will spare those who are good at spinning yarns (and show proper respect). Although many are Agents of Isfet not all are.
If a Great Serpent is defeated and slain in their lair then much treasure and artifacts will be found. The major types of the aa-ketfi are:
Kheteb Ketfi is blue in color, ranging from sky blue to almost navy. Some have patterns (diamond shaped) of darker blue on a lighter background. Their eyes and mouths are a bright yellow; they are always found in cobra form. These serpents are capable of spitting their venom up to 20 meters in a 2 meter diameter blob which acts as an acid.
Ksantha Ketfi is about 50-60% yellow with black patches along the back and head. Its eyes are black and mouth flesh colored. These are the most intelligent of the aa-ketfi. These ‘snake mages’ also prefer to travel in human form using long term enchantments. If they know magic they will be able to fly.
Shau Ketfi are sand colored with pale, whitish mouths. This variety prefers sandy regions and will bury itself in a dune or large mound when hunting for prey. They also are able to move under the sand of the desert at half normal speed should they so desire. They have a 25% chance of being able to breath fire as an attack. Fire attacks do no damage to these creatures.
Tesher Ketfi is dark red in color with jet black eyes and crimson tongue. They never appear in cobra form. Its lair will be normally adorned with skeletal remains of its victims. This type of great serpent has a 20% chance of magical flight. They generally will not attack while in flight.
Tekait is a brilliant yellow serpent with orange lines separating the yellow into irregular blotches along its back and sides. It has blood red eyes and black mouth. There is an 80% chance of being able to breath fire as an attack. These are particularly blood thirsty creatures and will normally try to drag prey back to their lairs where they will drain the blood into a pool for them to bathe in. These serpents will never willingly aid others except the most vile and corrupted.
Fully funded! Thank You All for your support!
Thanks for making this book a reality. Still have over a week to go so let's see how far we can go! Please continue to promote the project on your various social and gaming feeds. The more funds we can raise the more the art budget can be increased (good thing).
Thanks to the intricaciesof the Kickstarter platform and my own lack of experience with it I added a Online Game with the Author Pledge when that should have been an Add On. I've expired the Pledge (expires today) and created the Add On for you to use.
Here is another concept illustration of the Sam (cattle people) in their Natural form and human form.
Over 90% backed! Thank you all SO much.
By request I've added a 'Game with the Author' reward. This would allow you and a group of your friends a 4-ish hour online session with me to discuss the game, play a scenario, or whatever you choose. Note that this level does not include the book, you need to get that with whichever level you choose.
So I spoke with my friend Kevin Siembieda (of Palladium Books fame) yesterday and he convinced me to add a hardbound edition to the project. I like the idea since it won't be any more work since preparing the book has to be done anyway. However, to make it even more special I decided to add an extra sixteen page section which will be an additional adventure. The standard book will have four.
Consider changing your pledge if you would like the hardbound version.
Scope of Time
One of the challenges with a book like this is the large amount of time (1000 years) the Egyptian Civilization existed AFTER the setting it concentrates on. There is a tremendous amount of archaeology and information on later pharaohs (Ramesses the Great is a notable example) works but this shouldn't be included. The temple complex at Karnak was heavily modified by many kings after Thutmose III and, of course, maps made in modern times include these additions.
Gamemasters may choose to alter the time frame of the game to suit their needs and interests, and moving up into the Ptolemaic era or back into the Middle Kingdom wouldn't really change much.
The Nile flows to the sea, the sun rises in the east, the Pyramids watch and wait.