Alexander Huddock and Parhelion Games have launched Astral Hunt on Kickstarter and set a challenging debut goal of $49,300.
Geek Native had a sneak peek, and the Kickstarter pitch brings the tabletop game to life a little more, but desperation and challenge seem a suitable combination. You can see how well the project is doing over at the pitch page.
Astral Hunt will use its own system. Players take the role of powerful Astrals who are outclassed, it seems, by the world they fight in.
Parhelion Games gets to the crux of the matter and quickly calls out six things they do to create a feeling of desperation.
The setting pushes players into difficult situations, the society shuns the PCs despite/because of their power, and the game mechanics have an exhaustion system. I can imagine that even catching your breath as an Astral might be a challenge.
There’s chaos magic in Astral Hunt, as Astrals can blend spells powerfully but dangerously. The game also has both physical and mental trauma systems to punish mistakes, and then some diseases can ebb at the PCs’ power.
Astral Hunt shines brightest with the hunts that take place within the game as battles against the greatest beasts of Oros are where all of the mechanics come to a head. In order for a hunt to be successful, players must learn about the monster through roleplaying investigative work, speaking with survivors who were attacked or witnessed an attack. Learning behaviors of beasts through multiple probing attacks against it, and finally preparing gear, and spells to finally bring down something that is beyond reality.
Backers can support this first project by sharing it or offering cash; $ 1 is enough to be brought into the loop. At $20, backers get the full digital core rules.
Then, doubling up to $40, backers also unlock the Astral Hunt Game Masters Guide as an additional reward.
$65 tier backers get the core rules, the GM guide and the Astral Hunt Bestiary.
Alexander and the team estimate that the project, if successful, will be delivered around July 2024.
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