This campaign has been successfully funded. You can still place a pre-order for Dead Letter Society via this page until March 17th. The campaign will close after this date to finalise print quantities.
Dead Letter Society is a GM-less epistolary and journaling game for 1-2 players. Take on the roles of vampires exchanging letters via a secret society, pursue your ambitions, and delve deep into the world you create together. It can be played together or apart, in a single session, episodically, or asynchronously. It's also a zine, made for Zine Month, that I couldn't let lie until it reached its final form. By supporting this campaign you will help me bring this book to print. Each pledge also contributes free digital copies to the TTRPG community, so everyone has a chance to play.
Try it out!
Download the free preview on itch.io or DriveThruRPG today!
| Table of Contents |
A journaling game where letters drive the action
This is a journaling game with a difference: choose your genre, describe your world, and then be guided by what you write. See How to Play for a detailed gameplay breakdown with examples, and/or take a look at the Preview .
Artwork sample: The Ace of Wands
Stay on the same page with world building or playsets
Set expectations about the world your vampires live in, and always have something to talk about.
- Choose a genre and theme that captures the essence of the experience you’d like to have.
- Define what it means to be a vampire by choosing descriptors that you can elaborate on, or subvert, together.
- Discuss the features of humanity and vampiric society that form the backdrop of your story.
- Or choose a pre-written playset to dive straight into the action.
You’re never left waiting
A well-crafted letter takes time, which is why there’s always something to do while you wait for the post.
- Uncover the secrets of the Dead Letter Society.
- Write your vampire’s chronicle and follow where their interests take them.
Bear the scars of your ambitions
There are no statistics, skill modifiers, or dice to roll in Dead Letter Society . Your vampire is not defined by their strength or wits, but instead by the assets they can bring to bear in a situation.
- Develop (and forfeit) a cast of enigmatic allies, sinister rivals, enthralling locations, and otherworldly items
- Pursue your ambitions, negotiate setbacks, and be guided by your principles
- Feel the consequences of your decisions as you sacrifice one asset to save another.
Journaling prompts that work with your intentions
When chronicling your vampire’s life, decide your actions, set your intention, and see what awaits you with the tarot.
- 22 Major Arcana prompts related to the motivations and actions of the Dead Letter Society.
- 56 branching Minor Arcana prompts, for a multitude of ways to complicate your unlife.
- Choose between your assets. What will you sacrifice to see your goals accomplished?
Make game night fit around you
Play Dead Letter Society at your leisure, in person, online, or by post.
- Asynchronous gameplay means you can play on when schedules clash.
- Play in one sitting, or spread it out over the week.
- Four two-player game variants to suit different play styles.
- Four solo options.
- A Discord bot to draw and track tarot card prompts for easier online play.
Book mockups from the preview pdf (linked below)
But really, what is the Dead Letter Society?
A network for the discerning vampire who values their privacy. The Dead Letter Society enables the secure exchange of ideas between its members, and matches them perfectly according to their goals*. Depending on the genre you play in, it could be a physical 'dead letter' office that processes envelopes branded with archaic designs, an ever-changing arrangement of dead drops, or a secure means of electronic communication. Regardless of its form, one thing is certain: it's true purpose, operators, and long-term goals are unknown to new initiates.
*Meaning the Society's goals. Occasionally aligning with the vampire's goals.
How to Play
If you'd like to learn more about all aspects of the game, take a look at this in-depth walkthrough. I talk about everything from setting up the game, building a world (or using a playset), making a character, and the phases of play.
Alternatively, you can listen along to one of my solo play-throughs of this game, which is also available as a blog post.
Testimonials and Reviews
"The atmosphere of this game, which is supported beautifully through the examples of play, art, and layout choices, is excellent." -- @ms_winford, TTRPG Reviewer & Performer. See the full review here
"It is not only a wonderfully well thought out game with
insightful prompts and a plethora of potential settings (really, it
can work with anything, anywhere), but one that provided me with a
whole heap of enjoyment, and I am sure a lot more to come."
-- @GothHoblin,
TTRPG and Creative Writer. Check here for the full review
and playthrough
"If I could only play one game ever again it would be probably be this one." -- @PennyBlake1827, TTRPG Writer and Reviewer. See the full review here.
Content Warnings
This game includes content warnings. Journaling games can be immersive experiences, and it is essential you look after your mental health and that of your fellow player. Some journaling prompts touch on grief, depression, overwhelm, anxiety, isolation, feeling trapped, and despair. A full list of cards covering these themes is given, so they may be removed ahead of time.
There are two options for rewards if you support this campaign. All options contribute one digital community copy to https://montfordtales.itch.io/ as soon as digital rewards are ready. Note that shipping is not included in these pledge prices (see Fulfilment).
 | Digital Only (£12)
|  | Print + PDF (£20)
|  | It Takes Two (£38)
|  | "Dead Art Society" (£100)
|  | Retailer Tier (£100)
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Fulfilment
Note: Shipping is NOT included in pledge prices.
|  Print fulfilment |  Digital fulfilment |
I've partnered with Peregrine Coast Press and Ratti Incantati to fulfil physical rewards for this campaign. Once the books are printed and ready for shipping, you'll go ahead and visit the relevant store to get your book shipped. Your choice of fulfilment location will be collected post-campaign.
Current (as of 04/Feb/23) shipping prices with Peregrine Coast Press are
- UK: £5
- EU: £6.50
- RoW: £9
and similarly with Ratti Incantati
- Canada: CAD $4.19 to $6.47+tax
- USA: $6.75
- RoW according to Canada Post's International shipping rates
Dead Letter Society is a chunky book, and is expected to weigh 230-280g depending on the final page count if you wish to estimate a shipping cost to your country.
Digital rewards will be fulfilled through both itch.io and DriveThruRPG.
Stretch Goals
- £1350: Yay! We funded! - Done!
- £1500: Two more worldbuilding playsets (for a total of six) - Done!
- £1800: Two pre-gen characters for each playset (total of 12) - Done!
- £2300: Initial contact letters from each pre-gen character - Done!
- £3500: Scenario for a specific playset (playset to be determined by vote!)
If we (somehow!) reach those, we can have a nice long discussion about other supernatural creatures and the stories we might tell. I have no desire to compromise the print run timeline, so these stretch goals will be planned primarily as digital expansions for anyone with a digital or physical reward tier.
Artwork sample: Temperance
 |
Rori is a former physicist who switched to freelance illustration and writing for TTRPGs. You can find her work in several third-party supplements for games ranging from D&D to Call of Cthulhu, and she is developing unique games of her own. She also has a toddler, who can instantly locate the most dangerous place to climb, and a cat who loses mice under the sofa. |  | Editor - E. R. F. Jordan
E. R. F. Jordan is an author, editor, and layout designer for tabletop roleplaying games. She has worked on successful Kickstarters such as Skullkickers: Caster Bastards by Jim Zub and Eidol: the Endless Dungeon by Compass Publishing House. She hopes to continue writing and playing tabletop games until the robot uprising eliminates the concept of fun. |
I'm crowdfunding for the amount needed to finish editing the text and print physical books. If the campaign exceeds its goal, I get paid too.
- Printing: £530
- Includes buffers for: increase in page count, printer delivery to fulfilment
- Remaining editing: £600
- Approx 2/3rds of the game has been edited, and paid for, in advance of this campaign. This part of the budget covers the remaining text.
- Includes a buffer for increased word count due to preview feedback.
- Platform fees: up to £127
- This is a "nearly free" campaign. You may choose to cover the platform fees with your pledge, in which case this part of the budget adds to the buffer
- Buffer: £93 (this also makes the goal a round number)
- NB: foreseeable increases have a buffer already included (e.g. print costs increasing as page count increases)
Status at campaign launch
The writing for Dead Letter Society is complete, and all of the text in the preview has been edited. Approximately 1/3rd of the book remains unedited as this campaign begins. The page layout is complete, subject to feedback from the community. All art is complete for the preview.
During the campaign
While the campaign is open, I will continue to create additional art and consider feedback received regarding the preview document. All text will be finalised before the end of the campaign.
Post-campaign
This campaign closes on March 10th, 2023. From then the expected timeline is
- Post-campaign survey sent by March 14th. Closes mid-April.
- Art and layout finalised by March 28th 2023
- Editing completes by March 28th 2023
- Early April: Digital rewards sent
- One week allowed for feedback on digital copy in case of proofing errors (there's always something)
- Mid-April: Order print proof copy (there's always
something!)
- End-April: Order a second proof if things went really wrong
- Early May: Order print books
- Mid-End May: Books available at fulfilment partners
- June 2-4th, see me at UK Games Expo!
Risks
This is my first crowdfunding campaign, which carries its own risk. However, the writing is complete, and a significant portion (2/3rds!) has been edited. My art commission schedule will remain clear until this project completes to reduce the risk of overrun in that area.
I intend to see this project through to a digital release regardless of the outcome of this campaign. It might take a bit longer, but it will happen.
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Perks
- 18 claimed
- 2 remaining
A pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each Digital-only pledge also contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
A pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each Digital-only pledge also contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
- 10 claimed
- 0 remaining
A print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this
level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
A print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
Two print and pdf copies of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes two digital Community Copies after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
- 4 ordered
- 1 remaining
Choose a tarot card to include in the game's art, and receive the original inked artwork along with a print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes. See the terms in the FAQ before choosing this reward.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
Ten print and pdf copies of Dead Letter Society at a 50% discount on the standard retail price. Contact me about larger orders and/or further rates.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
Highlights
See all activity138FAQ
How does the "Dead Art Society" reward work?
I'm offering five rewards at this level. This is not a commission, but you will receive the original artwork. If you've followed any of my recent art giveaways on Twitter, you'll already know how this works.
The role you play
If you choose this reward, I will reach out to you once the campaign funds. You will get to:
- Choose a card from the Major or Minor Arcana that I haven't already illustrated that you'd like me to draw.
I will then make an A3-sized, traditionally inked illustration of that card in a style that fits with the rest of the art in the book. The art direction of the card is my decision. I'll consider any suggestions provided when you choose the card to be drawn and accommodate them where I can, but there will be no consultation process as with a normal commission. The artistic freedom you grant me allows me to meet schedules, ensure the art has an appropriate home in the book, keep your costs low, and still provide you with a beautiful, original piece of art.
What you get
You will receive the following:
- One A3 artwork, inked in either black or dark red (my choice), on 300 gsm Arches hot press watercolour paper. (Frames/mounts are not included.)
- A high-resolution digital scan for your personal use only.
- To see the card you chose appear in the book.
- If desired, credit for supporting the "Dead Art Society" in the book.
I maintain all rights to the artwork.
Shipping
Shipping is not included in this reward and will be collected during fulfilment. This reward will be shipped directly from me, not a fulfilment partner, unless we agree otherwise. You are responsible for shipping costs and customs fees. Alternatively, you can collect it in person at the UK Games Expo (June 2-4th).
Art samples
The art you receive will be in this style. If you'd like to see other examples of my work, you can find my portfolio (and standard commission rates) here.
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Activity
- 18 claimed
- 2 remaining
A pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each Digital-only pledge also contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
A pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each Digital-only pledge also contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
- 10 claimed
- 0 remaining
A print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this
level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
A print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
Two print and pdf copies of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes two digital Community Copies after the campaign closes.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
- 4 ordered
- 1 remaining
Choose a tarot card to include in the game's art, and receive the original inked artwork along with a print and pdf copy of Dead Letter Society. Each pledge at this level contributes one digital Community Copy after the campaign closes. See the terms in the FAQ before choosing this reward.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
Ten print and pdf copies of Dead Letter Society at a 50% discount on the standard retail price. Contact me about larger orders and/or further rates.
NB: Shipping is not included. It is collected during fulfilment.
