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Four Elements Podcast

Ancient elemental fantasy fiction podcast set in a detailed, multicultural world.

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Four Elements Podcast

Four Elements Podcast

Four Elements Podcast

Four Elements Podcast

Four Elements Podcast

Ancient elemental fantasy fiction podcast set in a detailed, multicultural world.

Ancient elemental fantasy fiction podcast set in a detailed, multicultural world.

Ancient elemental fantasy fiction podcast set in a detailed, multicultural world.

Ancient elemental fantasy fiction podcast set in a detailed, multicultural world.

Tommy Schuberth
Tommy Schuberth
Tommy Schuberth
Tommy Schuberth
1 Campaign |
Chicago, United States
$1,353 USD 24 backers
33% of $4,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Brief Summary

Four Elements is in essence a storytelling podcast. This story is told via roleplaying, using a game system developed just for this project called Destiny RPG. The podcast features a diverse, queer cast of characters navigating deadly obstacles in an intricate world filled with danger and supernatural power. 

The World

The Land of Mezara has a human history spanning 1000 years, from the time the refugee tribes first set foot on Mezaran soil, fleeing from that which they had left behind. Since then humanity has expanded over the once-wild land, inhabited previously only by spirits and wildlife. Cultures formed, empires rose and fell. Most notable among these empires was Zhougo, also known as the Earth Empire. Today's calendars are dated from the fall of this Empire, which spanned Mezara's largest continent. This marks the start date of the podcast's timeline as 118 years After the Empire, or 118 AE. 

Listen to a few minute Lore Episode at https://anchor.fm/fourelements/episodes/The-Lor... for more on the world.

The Overarching Story

Four Elements tells a universal story about the role humanity has in the fundamental balance of nature, and how it effects us all when that balance is broken. 

It is a cautionary tale of the rise of fascism in times of great crisis, and the role that hope plays in both giving rise to and defeating evil.

Through storytelling, we strive to approach real-world issues in a setting that is completely disparate from the real world.

The Personal Story

Four Elements follows a cast of young heroes on a journey of self discovery, exploring the relationships between people forced into an impossible situation. 

The story explores the boundaries between hero and antihero, asking the difficult questions that come with heroic figures.

Moments of great strength and of great weakness accompany moments of levity, a reminder that laughter can be found in the hardest of times.

The Cast

Tommy Schuberth (he/him) is the Creator, Storyteller, Editor, and Game Developer for Four Elements. Born and raised in Chicago, Tommy has always been fascinated by stories. He also has a background in theatre, music, and gaming, all of which have been combined to create Four Elements. At 20 years old, this is his first professional project, which he has been working on for the past year. Tommy can be found @WaywardTommy on Twitter.

Aram Vartian (he/him) is a producer, writer, and game designer from Washington, D.C. He writes and edits the actual play podcasts Godsfall and Rise of the Demigods, and is planning a superhero podcast called Eveolution Earth for late 2020. Aram can be found @vartian on Twitter.

Kari Betton (they/them) is an arts educator, actor, music composer, and audio engineer for independent films and games. They hold their Master of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Their most recent collaborations have been with Storycatchers Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and the Chicago Lyric Opera. In their spare time they love computer programming, hiphop dance, raising plants, and volunteering with local mental health centers. 

Arvey Basa (he/him) has played D&D and other ttrpgs most of his life. He recently made his podcasting debut as Janus de Cassiel in Rise of the Demigods. Arvey has a background in Classical and Ancient Greek archaeology, and has a passion for researching and developing fantasy worlds steeped in ancient real-world cultures. Arvey can be found @TheEscapistRPG on Twitter.

Seraphina Violet Cueller (they/them) is a playwright, director, and performance artist. They enjoy producing avant-garde and absurdist works rooted in activism and post-modern philosophy. They have worked in productions with Runaway Labs, High Concept Labs, and No Nation Tangential Space, and are a resident poet at several local poetry events. They are a proud member at the Pilsen Art House, where they host storytelling events and emcee for the Pilsen Unplugged series. Seraphina can be found @seraphinavioletcueller on instagram.

Budget Breakdown

Overall Budget: $3800, plus the 5% for IndieGogo = $3990

Total Actor Budget: $1260

  • Team Unity: $15 per episode with 3 actors for 13 episodes = $585
  • Team Peace: $15 per episode with 3 actors for 13 episodes = $585
  • Intro Episodes: $15 per episode with 1 actor for 6 episodes = $90

Total Art Budget: $1440

  • Map of Mezara: $750
  • Character Art: $115 per character for 6 characters = $690

Total Editing Budget: $1100

  • Editor/Storyteller Pay: $960 for 29 episodes
  • Music Loops: $80
  • Reaper Software: $60

Levels of Support

Acolyte

"Those who choose to join The Order of the Allweaver must first become an Acolyte, a trainee who assists and learns from the Disciples of The Order in order to become a working member."

As an Acolyte,

  • you get your name listed in the Four Elements Book (Coming 2021) as one of the early patrons of the project. 
  • HD versions of all 6 pieces of Character Art. (Coming Early 2020)
  • HD Worldmap, depicting the world of Mezara in all its glory.

Disciple

"Disciples are the every day members of The Order. They spread the word, and will fight in the armies of the Allweaver when the time comes."

As a Disciple, you get all rewards from previous levels as well as 

  • A personal thank you on the podcast,
  • Early Access to the PDF for "Destiny: Four Elements", the TTRPG Game System developed for the podcast,
  • Small metal pin with Four Elements Logo.

Adherent

"Adherents are the veterans of The Order. They will serve as officers in the Allweaver's armies, and each Adherent has sworn to die in the name of defeating That Which Comes. Adherents conduct rituals to strengthen Mezara's connection to the spirit realm, having practiced these rites over the course of their entire lives to attempt to undo the damage humanity has done."

As an Adherent, you get all rewards from previous levels as well as 

  • White T-Shirt depicting the Four Elements Logo,
  • Blooper reel from all episode recording sessions.

Elder

"Elders are the Elite of The Order, forming the core of the Allweaver's advisers and teachers. The title of Elder is only granted to the most worthy Adherents, those who have truly devoted their lives to The Cause."

As an elder, you receive all rewards from previous levels as well as

  • Limited access to learn the Destiny: Four Elements TTRPG from the storyteller himself in a 4-player oneshot where you will get to create your own character within the world. 

If you would like someone else to play in the oneshot in your place, just email fourelementspod@gmail.com with the person's info.

The Game

Destiny RPG is a tabletop roleplaying game system developed by Tommy Schuberth, Creator of Four Elements. This system uses elements of chance and character building to create an environment built for improvised storytelling. 

Destiny focuses on Heroes, who are essentially any character with a full set of stats. Heroes accumulate Destiny over time, which allows them to reach new Levels of Destiny and become more powerful and skilled. 

Destiny uses d8s, d6s, and d4s to represent the three main categories of statistic: Essence, Abilities, and Skills. Each of the 3 Essences, (Mind, Body, Spirit) have two Abilities which stem from them, and each of the 6 abilities have two Skills which stem from them, resulting in 12 skills total.

Each roll uses the relevant Essence dice (d8s), Ability Dice (d6s), and Skill Dice (d4s). On any die, a result of 4 or higher is a success. An 8 is a double success. The number of successes compared to the difficulty of the check decides to what degree the Hero was successful.

The Gamebook for Destiny: Four Elements is in development, and will be launched in 2021.

Other Ways You Can Help

  • Follow us on Twitter @FourElementsPod
  • Follow our creator on Twitter @WaywardTommy
  • Share this page on your social media of choice
  • Visit https://anchor.fm/fourelements for the podcast feed! Subscribe and review on your favorite podcasting app
  • Get the word out! 
Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Friend of the Show

$5 USD
Support the Show without getting any perks!
Included Items
  • Support the Show
Estimated Shipping
March 2020
1 claimed

Acolyte

$15 USD
"Those who choose to join The Order of the Allweaver must first become an Acolyte, a trainee who assists and learns from the Disciples of The Order in order to become a working member." Name in Four Elements Book (Coming 2021) HD Worldmap (March 2020) HD Character Art (March 2020)
Included Items
  • Name in Four Elements Book
  • HD Worldmap
  • HD Character Art
Estimated Shipping
March 2020
4 claimed

Disciple

$30 USD
"Disciples are the every day members of The Order. They spread the word, and will fight in the armies of the Allweaver when the time comes." Rewards from Acolyte Level as well as Personal Thank You on the Podcast. Early Access to the PDF for "Destiny: Four Elements", the TTRPG Game System developed for the podcast. Sticker featuring the 4E logo.
Included Items
  • Name in Four Elements Book
  • HD Worldmap
  • HD Character Art
  • Personal Thank You on Podcast
  • Early Access to Destiny TTRPG
  • Four Elements Pin
Estimated Shipping
August 2020
3 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Adherent

$50 USD
"Adherents are the veterans of The Order. They will serve as officers in the Allweaver's armies, and each Adherent has sworn to die in the name of defeating That Which Comes." Rewards from all previous levels as well as Blooper Reel from all the episodes, T-Shirt featuring the Four Elements Logo.
Included Items
  • Name in Four Elements Book
  • HD Worldmap
  • HD Character Art
  • Personal Thank You on Podcast
  • Early Access to Destiny TTRPG
  • Four Elements T-Shirt
  • Four Elements Pin
Estimated Shipping
October 2020
4 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Elder

$100 USD
"Elders are the Elite of The Order, forming the core of the Allweaver's advisers and teachers. Very few Disciples ever reach the title of Elder." Rewards from all previous levels, Limited access to learn the Destiny: Four Elements TTRPG from the storyteller himself in a oneshot where you will get to create your own character within the world.
Included Items
  • Name in Four Elements Book
  • HD Worldmap
  • HD Character Art
  • Personal Thank You on Podcast
  • Early Access to Destiny TTRPG
  • 4-Player One Shot
  • Four Elements T-Shirt
  • Four Elements Pin
Estimated Shipping
November 2020
5 out of 16 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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