If you use Foundry VTT, you should be hyped for Ember. Currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter, this new project is touting a ton of exciting features, and it promises to be one of the most immersive TTRPG experiences you can have right out of the box.
Features of Ember
Anyone familiar with Foundry VTT knows that it already has plenty of potential, with scores of features built into every game system and more added by mods. However, Ember is packing a set of features that should impress even the most jaded veteran of tabletop gaming.
The Campaign
To start with, one of the highlights of Ember is the campaign. The developers are saying the campaign will “surpass three years of weekly sessions.” Although it may depend upon how long these sessions are, that’s still a hefty amount of content. Sitting at 40 questlines, though, it’s easy to imagine that even twelve-hour marathons wouldn’t be enough to get through the game in any short amount of time.
The Setting
Ember is a fully original world featuring a unique cosmology, creatures, and cultures. Overall, the world is stated to be composed of over 25,000 unique explorable hexes. There will be a total of 16 playable ancestries in the game, which is approximately twice the number of options compared to the core rulebook of D&D or Pathfinder. On top of that, players will have the option of playing an Aster, which allows for character concepts unbound by the other choices, or a Soulbound character, which is denoted as being an added challenge. Each character will also choose from an unspecified number of cultures, as well as their Class, Path, and Attunement.
The Sandbox
In addition to the campaign, the setting of Ember will also serve as a sandbox to host whatever sort of home game you wish. All the lore and tools within the Foundry VTT module will assist you in telling your own stories in the rich world of Ember. This is important, because some GMs might shy away from running published campaigns (no matter how much easier they make life), or might not want to invest in a setting that will be used up once the first campaign is over.
The Tools
Ember will feature a full suite of tools to help GM and players alike. From the seamlessly integrated character builder, animated and interactive maps, event system, and dynamic audio engine, whether it’s getting the game moving or keeping the group immersed, Ember looks to have whatever you need. The biggest new tool, however, is the Vista system.
Vistas presents the players with an opportunity for visual storytelling that traditional TTRPGs simply don’t by letting players see the world from ground level. It appears that there are numerous vistas built into the campaign, but more than that, there’s a comprehensive tool that allows GMs to craft their own Vistas quickly and easily. For GMs looking for a way to keep their players in the moment, this tool alone is worth the price.
Right Now
Currently, the crowdfunding campaign for Ember is live on Kickstarter. With about three weeks left to go, the campaign has raised over $322,000, well over 3,000% of its initial goal. The lowest tier may feel a little pricey to an individual at $90, but if an entire group were to split the cost, it wouldn’t be bad at all. It will require a Foundry VTT license to host a game, and getting one through the campaign will require an investment of $220. If you don’t already have the license and aren’t interested in the other benefits of that tier, the license itself is only $50, and only the GM needs it.
For those unconvinced who would want more of a preview first, the good folks over at the Glass Cannon Network are playing through the first part of the game. They’ll be uploading a new episode every Wednesday for the length of the Kickstarter campaign, so tune in. The cast is entertaining, so at the very least, you can make your commute a little more bearable by listening in.
In Conclusion
Ember really looks to be an excellent opportunity, whether for seasoned groups looking for something new to sink their teeth into, or for new GMs that need something easy to prepare for, and of course anyone in between. The entire thing is even playable either with the D&D 5e ruleset or with Foundry VTT’s proprietary Crucible system, which is currently in development. You have plenty of time to consider it, but if you’re even at a “maybe,” you owe it to yourself to subscribe to the project so that you get a reminder before it closes.
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