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Thank you everybody. Our campaign is now over. ✕
The Librarian's Apprentice: a solo journaling TTRPG
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$1,873 pledged
250% of $750 goal
105 contributors
0 days left
Ended Aug 2, 2023
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By Almost Bedtime Theater
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Verified organization All or nothing Urbana, IL, US
  • Story
  • Highlights
  • FAQ
  • Updates5
  • Activity105
  • Perks6
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    • Story
    • Highlights
    • FAQ
    • Updates5
    • Activity105
    • Perks6

Almost Bedtime Theater hasn't added a story.

The Great Library Infinite, ever-shifting, and sometimes dangerous, the Library exists in the space between worlds and times. Among the many who call it home are the Librarians, and only those who truly understand it may join their ranks. You seek to do so.

The path of a Librarian’s apprentice is a long one. Your current task is designed to test your skills at traversing the Library and finding information. Retrieve the six documents requested by your Librarian before the day is out and you will have completed one more step on your journey.

Good luck.

 

The Game The Librarian's Apprentice is an all-ages solo journaling game based on the Firelights game system by Fari RPGs.  You play as the titular apprentice, tasked with finding six documents in the Great Library and discovering places, patrons, and secrets along the way. 

Touchstones:  The Stygian Library by Emmy Allen, the Interstitial Library Circulating Collection, Terry Pratchett’s L-space, and various works from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, including Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the  Wind, and Princess Mononoke

  

Content

All game rewards include access to the digital game files via itch.io, which includes both English and French documents.

There are also two versions of the physical game: Core and Deluxe. They are only available in English and the only difference between them is that the Deluxe version comes in a cardboard box designed to look like a thin book. Unfortunately, including that box significantly increases the cost of shipping, so I made it optional. (See the FAQ tab for shipping costs.)

Thanks to the unlocking of the applicable second stretch goal, both versions of the game now consist of THREE full-color, double-sided trifold brochures printed on thick, 120 lb. cover stock and four full-color copies of the character sheet, printed on 100 lb. cover stock. These will be printed by Mixam.

  • Volume I contains the game rules, actions you can take, and character creation. 
  • Volume II contains the bestiary and roll tables for fleshing out areas of the library (descriptors, features, content categories, and document formats), events and secrets to discover, and complications to encounter. 
  • Volume III contains roll tables to help flesh out patrons and inhabitants of the Great Library, including descriptors, quirks, library duties, and what information they are seeking.

The Character Sheet bookmark gives you a space to document your stats, fatigue, resources, and familiar. It also has library-related quotes on the back.

 

Stretch Goals

$1000 USD: Library Card [UNLOCKED!] - A full-color library card for the Great Library will be added to the game. A digital version will also be provided so you can print another if yours gets eaten by The Thing Below.

$1250 USD: Volume III [UNLOCKED!] - A third trifold brochure will be added to all versions of the game, with content for generating patrons and inhabitants of the Great Library.

$1500 USD: Actual Play Write-Up [UNLOCKED!] - I'll grab my dice, shuffle my cards, and write up a sample play-through! This will only be provided digitally.

$1750 USD: Internal Box Print [UNLOCKED!] - The box of the Deluxe version of the game will be upgraded to have a full-color interior.

Stretch Goals

Library CardVolume III

Timeline

End of July: Campaign ends.

Early August: Digital fulfillment of the game will begin. Backers will receive an email with links and instructions to access digital copies of the game on itch.io. Physical content will be ordered.

September/October: Physical fulfillment begins.

   

Reviews "This was a really fun game to play, and I loved the setting and how the cards and dice worked in tandem with each other to create a very unique difficulty scale and challenge each round.  The prompts were great and engaging, and the mechanics were complex enough to be interesting without being too complicated to explain to kiddo." (Full Review)

- Steph C | TTRPGkids.com

"This was a wonderful, somewhat cozy solo game, with whimsy and a little Pratchett/Henson-style spookiness. The character sheet is a bookmark, people. Put it in one of your favorites, and find it again years later!"

  - Galen Pejeau | Assembly Requisite

"The Librarian's Apprentice expands on the Firelights system in both highly thematic and efficient ways.  One pamphlet includes the rules, while another is full of interesting tables for you to use as you explore the library while the character sheet is laid out in the form of a beautiful bookmark. Staying true to the Firelights ways,  the game provides just enough information to get your mind going, but includes many tools to truly experience a wonderful journey alongside your familiar. Additionally, the layout of the game is beautifully achieved.  Stellar work from start to finish."

- René-Pier Deshaies | Fari RPGs

"Dan has written a masterpiece for us  with each piece of the game fitting together perfectly. A joy from the first word, The Librarian's Apprentice gives players all the tools needed to get lost deep in the infinite library on a spectacular adventure.  Packed within the trifold pamphlets are tables brimming with secret knowledge, lore, and mystery to get lost in.  This is a fantastic game."

- Andrew Boyd | Pandion Games

"Everything about this journaling RPG appeals to me.  From the theme of a ever-shifting library, to its engaging narrative prompts and even the inventiveness of its folding pages to resemble ancient books."

Rich (HatchlingDM) | Hatchlings Games

About the Author

Headshot of the author and a puppetDan Bronson-Lowe is a dad and a creator who delights in having those two roles intersect. Over the last few years he has worked with his daughter - now age 12 - as Almost Bedtime Theater, with the aim of introducing families of all kinds to TTRPGs and creating content appropriate for players of all ages.

Risks & ChallengesWhile this is my first crowdfunding project, the digital version of the game is complete and the files for printing the game are ready to send to a well-established printing company. Printing companies have already been identified to create the physical stretch goal content, if applicable.  I have also limited shipping destinations to avoid some of the more complicated issues that can arise on that front.

As with any campaign, there are risks and potential delays. I will keep you informed of anything that occurs and will work to address those issues promptly.

   

Thank You!

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Highlights

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I'm a retailer / distributor. How can I order copies?

Please contact me at AlmostBedtimeTheater@gmail.com with your information and I'll work with you from there.

 

I'm a reviewer / podcaster / streamer and I'd like to cover the game.  Where can I learn more about it?

Awesome! A press kit is available and/or you can contact me at AlmostBedtimeTheater@gmail.com.  PDF press copies are also available.

  • The Librarian's Apprentice - Press Kit

 

Why are you only shipping to US, Canada, and the UK?

This is my first crowdfunding project. I want to prevent certain aspects from getting too complicated... and full international shipping was decidedly complicated. That said, if you would like a copy of The Librarian's Apprentice sent somewhere else, contact me at AlmostBedtimeTheater@gmail.com and I'll see what I can do.

 

How much is the shipping?

The shipping costs per copy, in USD, are:

Core Version

  • US: $2
  • Canada: $4
  • UK: $6 + VAT

Deluxe Version

  • US: $6
  • Canada: $16
  • UK: $19 + VAT

Please note: You will be responsible for paying VAT or import taxes that may be incurred.

 

Do you have any other games?

Yes! You can find them digitally on my itch.io page. 

 

I'd like to translate the game to another language. Can I do that?

Absolutely! The Librarian's Apprentice was released under CC-BY-SA 4.0 and I grant you permission to translate it and post it for download or sale. You may also print the translated version for sale. If you do create a translated version, I would love to hear about it!

Perks

Library Renovation Fund
$2 USD Suggested

Donate to the effort to create a physical version of The Librarian's Apprentice.

More Less
Digital Only
$5 USD

Receive a download key for a digital copy of the game on itch.io. This will include any digital stretch goals.

More Less
Core Version
$10 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the core version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Early Bird - Deluxe Version
$10 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the deluxe version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Deluxe Version
$12 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the deluxe version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Fae Team Shenanigans
$100 USD Suggested

I'll run an online one-shot of The Fae Team for you and up to three other players. All players will receive a digital copy of The Fae Team through itch.io.

More Less
Show Discontinued Perks
Discontinued
Early Bird - Core Version
$8 USD
  • 8 claimed
First 24 hours are up!

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Activity

Show more
Library Renovation Fund
$2 USD Suggested

Donate to the effort to create a physical version of The Librarian's Apprentice.

More Less
Digital Only
$5 USD

Receive a download key for a digital copy of the game on itch.io. This will include any digital stretch goals.

More Less
Core Version
$10 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the core version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Early Bird - Deluxe Version
$10 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the deluxe version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Deluxe Version
$12 USD + shipping
Ships to these countries

Receive a physical copy of the deluxe version of the game plus a download key for a digital copy on itch.io.

More Less
Fae Team Shenanigans
$100 USD Suggested

I'll run an online one-shot of The Fae Team for you and up to three other players. All players will receive a digital copy of The Fae Team through itch.io.

More Less
Show Discontinued Perks
Discontinued
Early Bird - Core Version
$8 USD
  • 8 claimed
First 24 hours are up!
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