Summary
VIDEOS AND IMAGES OF THE BOOK ARE IN THE GALLERY
![Angelus Cyborg]()
This is a project being launched by the Sydney-based Designer of Eidolon: Angelus Morningstar. His works and style have been heavily influenced by a number of modern authors, who approach narratives in unique and complex ways, which have then been moulded by his studies in international relations, politics, diplomacy, jurisprudence, and sociology.
The Book
This campaign aims to help launch and distribute the upcoming book “Eidolon: The Electrodyne Opera”; an artistic masterpiece that is the result of more than four years of research and writing.
As a work of art, the object of this venture is not profit, but opening a rich setting to the world in hopes of inspiring others; aiming to provide a rich tapestry against which other authors, artists, and designers can create for themselves. In bringing out this setting, it is hoped to make a statement about the viability of story over systems, of the value of art as a venture for its own enjoyment.
Eidolon is predicated on the idea that narrative itself is a causal principle similar to natural laws; from this emerges an alternative history where fact and fiction converge, providing a near-contemporary era analogous to Europe in the 1900s.
![Hardcopy]()
Content: Over 180,000 words all dedicated to setting, society, technology, people, and metaphysics.
Artwork: Over 200 distinct illustrations
Size: 400 coloured pages
Map: Full-coloured glossy poster
INTRODUCTION BOOKLET OF EIDOLON
VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE BOOK
A supplementary booklet, which will contain the official ruleset for Eidolon, will be printed off with this run; it will be available for free as a pdf download, but this is your opportunity to get it printed with a glossy format.
It is important to note that it is intentional for the rules to be published separately; this allows more setting content in the core book, and explored in greater detail. Further, the setting should be independent of any system, as not all systems appeal equally.
Funding
![Slipcase]()
I'm printing this book no matter the end funding level; so regardless of what perks you choose, it will be honoured.
The base funding for this goal is modest; being the commissioning of a print-run of hard-copy books.
All profits raised from the sale of these books are being re-invested into the setting; to explore Eidolon in mediums beyond the core book in ways designed to complement it:
- A uniquely designed tarot deck, using the elaborate illustrations of Krista Brennan, and drawing upon the complex mythology of Eidolon. These cards can be used as a deluxe mechanism for telling stories in the setting.
- The composition of an opera throughout 2013, by eminent composer Cameron Lam, one episode being released each month.
- The creation of a board game, with pieces and board that can be used as props for the setting.
Stretch Goals
As mentioned above, the main ambition over the next year is to compose a official sound track for Eidolon, with twelve songs, using Cameron Lam's talent, and real chamber music sound. The following stretch goals will help fund that project over the next year. The intention would be to produce 12 original pieces of music, one for each month of the year, to be released each month.
The composition would follow two dramatic arcs, a romantic arc across the seasons of spring and summer, and a tragic arc across the seasons of autumn and winter; these arcs tie in heavily to the themes and movements within the setting.
Funding target $7,000 Overture: Cameron Lam will compose and record an overture (one piece).
Funding target $10,000 Season: Cameron Lam will compose and record a season of the music for the setting (three pieces).
Funding target $13,000 Arc: Cameron Lam will compose and record a season of the music for the setting (six pieces). If this target is reached, everyone who has donated $25 or more will receive a free copy of the music as mp3s.
Funding target $20,000 Opera: Cameron Lam will compose and record a season of the music for the setting (all twelve pieces). If this target is reached, everyone who has donated $15 or more will receive a free copy of the music as mp3s.
Signal Boost
I am also a reviewer for ipadboardgames.org and frequently review game-related funders. If you have a game-related funder and become on of my funders, I'll refer to your project the next Friday.
Ipadboardgames.org receives over 20K unique visitors a month.
Schedule
The soft-copy is scheduled to be completed for December 13th; if you purchase a copy of the pdf with any of the perks, it will be provided to you as soon as it's ready.
The hard copy print run (for maps, books, and slip cases), is intended to be completed by the end of January.
Shipping
Production is taking place in Australia, with shipping being sent boxed via post; shipping costs are currently being negotiated and this will be updated with comprehensive details as soon as they are finalised. As this funder is successful, shipping will be included.
Cohort
A list of the credits for all those who are working on the project can be found here:
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Author & Developer: Angelus Morningstar
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Editor: Kurtis Wakefield
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Proof Readers: Christine Page-Hanify
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Cover Design: Peter Gifford (Universal Head)
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Graphic Design: Peter Gifford & Herbie Peppard (Bone Daddy Designs)
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Composer: Cameron Lam (Momentum)
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Makeup Artist: Colin Wilson (The Creative Stroke)
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Emblem Design: Brian Luk (Brian Luk) & Herbie Peppard
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Map Design: Robert Altbauer (Fantasy Maps) & Michael Wenman
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Illustrators: Chris Parlin (The Art of Chris Parlin), Claire Pacheco (Deviant Art Link), Colin Wilson, Dmitry Burmak (homepage), Epona Schweer (Indie Bits), Forrest Imel (Blogspot), Katharine Hawkins, Jessica van Hulle (Hourglass 1875), Krista Brennan (Woven Lines), Krum (Absurdo Studio), Liga Klavina (Deviant Art Link), Lino Dreighe (Lino Drieghe Art), Lucas Pandolfelli (blogspot), Mateusz Bielski (Deviant Art Link), Maud Brausser (Deviant Art Link), Nospherato (Deviant Art Link), Rich Longmore (Rich Longmore Art), Roberto Quintero (Deviant Art Link), Socar Myles (Gorblimey), Soturisi (Deviant Art Link), Tom McGrath (Tom McGrath's Art), Tomasz Bełzowski (Deviant Art Link), & Vadim Voitekhovitch (Deviant Art Link)
Testimonials
Kurtis Wakefield (Editor):
Someone asked me "what is this Eidolon thing you keep talking about?" I had a lot of trouble coming up with a response. This is what eventually came out:
I am far from certain how to start describing Eidolon. As an editor, we’ve had something of a troubled relationship, which I suppose is fairly common. If writing a book is like having a long bout of illness, then I suppose editing one, particularly one such as this, is not unlike attempting to provide succour to one suffering a degenerative disorder, without the aid of instrument one, and nothing but a piece of mouldy bread and a bowl of leaches on hand.
What I am saying is that I love this project: a sprawling epic, very nearly all-encompassing, occasionally baffling or inspiring by turns. It is one small step away from being a hundred different things – an alternate history of humanity, apart from the fact that it clearly is not in any way such a thing; derivative, yet somehow avoiding such and being simply broadly inspired, integrating elements of very nearly myriad mythoi; an opera waiting to happen, which it just might be; an heroic poem, in the finest tradition of ancient dead dudes; and many other things – and yet it defies description or definition.
What I can tell you is that it is a joyous exploration of the boundless beauty of the English language; occasionally tongue-in-cheek, other times deeply moving, but always, always with layers of meaning to delight the mind and heart. It is storytelling as art and craft both, for the simple magnificence of a tale well told, and for the sake of charting new territory. It is a game for role-playing purists, and unashamedly so, making no apology for being less-than-perfectly accessible, but still seeking to welcome all who would partake.
Seriously: read this book.
Krista Brennan (Illustrator):
As I'm drawing to the end of my current round of illustrations I've had a good look at the work I've produced so far and thought about how much I've enjoyed working on this project.
There is a great breadth of imagination and vision in this work, so much that the images I've painted form almost instantly in my mind when I read the descriptions. It is an enjoyable world to enter into; the text is detailed without being cumbersome and majestic without pretension.
More than anything there is an exuberance and joy in all aspects of this work, which is never weighed down by the deep philosophies and powerful themes it aims to explore and celebrate.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing my copy in print: I'm sure it will be an excellent setting to explore in games as well as a delightful artefact to browse.
Peter Gifford (Cover Design):
It was a great pleasure and a privilege to design the cover for Eidolon. It's not often you are offered a project that is a true creative collaboration, and with a client whose main concern is quality and artistic integrity. From the moment I met him, it was obvious to me that Angelus is utterly obsessed and in love with this universe, and dedicated to making this work of art - and it is a work of art, not just a book or a game - the best that it can be. That's a rare thing and deserves support and recognition.
Tim Scriven (Content Reviewer):
Congrats Angelus on creating a work of aesthetic panache. While I may not agree with every aspect of its style, I think it has bought to the fullest possible point a tendency in contemporary fantasy narrative, and that's why I jumped at the opportunity to help support this project, which (having read it) is at once deeply reflective of the Zeitgeist, while having an undeniable untimeliness and real uniqueness about it. The best way to describe it perhaps is like the discworld series in its frantic borrowings from history, if the discworld series aspired to drama rather than humour. It's European history, through a glass darkly where narrative, not physics, is the fundamental engine of reality. It's an articulation and defence of the idea that roleplaying games are about stories more than dice. If you believe in geninue independent art, and see roleplaying games as being such art, support Eidolon.
Cameron Lam (Composer):
Happily and entirely biased on this project, but Eidolon for me is the perfect synthesis of world building, story telling, art, music and magic. I’ve been seduced away from the world, but I can’t bring myself to mind.
Robert Altbauer (Map Designer):
When Angelus asked me to do the map for Eidolon and gave me the first details about the setting, I was immediately fascinated: 'Not a standard flat or globe map, but a disk world? Great!' It became even more interesting when I received the pdf with all the detailed information about the geography/mechanic of this world. It was real fun to bring the details to life and to imagine how such a world would look like. I can only recommend this project - a rich and detailed world with a lot of excellent art!
Kitty Hawkins (Illustrator):
The first thing that struck me from the beginning about Eidolon was the exquisite and painstaking attention to detail. This project (the work of more than four years) is clearly a labor of love and the richness and intricate nature of this elaborate world is fascinating and intriguing rather than intimidating - as I have found with many roleplay games. The style is poetic and lyrical without being verbose, and the entire work is tied together beautifully in an aesthetic that is dramatic without being pretentious.
Forrest Imel (Illustrator):
The work I did for Eidolon wasn't just fun to do, but was a unique genre to work with and I feel that the artwork and setting of this game will really attract the players.
Brian Luke (Font and Logo Designer):
It was a pleasure working with Angelus and being able to contribute to designing a custom logo and font. Eidolon is a story about romance, power, with a twist of neo-Victorian. The detailed illustrations are a treat to look at. For any fans out there who love steampunk and fantasy, I think they would enjoy reading Eidolon.
Socar Myles (Illustrator):
The Eidolon project was a pleasure to work on. It combines elements of many of my favourite things: theatre, opera, science-fiction, and a touch of the whimsical. I thinnk some of the best work I've done has been for this project, simply because there was no shortage of inspiring material to draw upon.
Tom McGrath (Illustrator):
There are a lot of recommendations in favour of Eidolon, so many in fact that I’d say that all the bases may have been covered already. Being unable to provide anything that someone else hasn’t already said more eloquently - I shall instead offer a summation of the previous testimonials:
It’s rather good.
If I were to state one thing that I really enjoyed about working on this project, it would be the originality and creativity of the world I was tasked to portray. Rarely do you get the chance to work on something genuinely original.
Lucas Pandolfelli (Illustrator):
It was a great experience working on Eidolon. I had complete details for the descriptions of architecture and character I needed to create illustrations, suitable for the mood of this amazing steampunk and fantasy world.
Angelus' concerns of quality and art makes this a unique project, and it will be a pleasure to have this book on my shelf.
Krum (Illustrator):
Working for Eidolon was a commission as I like them. The author was highly knowledgeable of his universe, and every little detail has its place within it! Designing buildings and places for this world was a great adventure I’d like to experience more of!
This is a project being launched by the Sydney-based Designer of Eidolon: Angelus Morningstar. His works and style have been heavily influenced by a number of modern authors, who approach narratives in unique and complex ways, which have then been moulded by his studies in international relations, politics, diplomacy, jurisprudence, and sociology.
Content: Over 180,000 words all dedicated to setting, society, technology, people, and metaphysics.
I'm printing this book no matter the end funding level; so regardless of what perks you choose, it will be honoured.
