Privateers Press are Taking Us to The Iron Kingdoms
/We here at Apotheosis Studios know to show our love to the great creators we rub shoulders with every day. We're doing our own work in the world of unique settings for 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons, but by no means are we alone in that big wide world.
The fine people at Privateer Press have sunk their hearts and souls into their latest Kickstarter, to glowing success. Funded in 73 minutes, their ambitious Iron Kingdoms campaign setting has just a few short days to go, and near all of its stretch goals met. There's much to be excited about in this gritty steampunk vision.
Iron Kingdoms Logo by Privateer Press
The Minds Behind the Metal
Privateer Press has been a mainstay in tabletop gaming since they started in 2000. They’ve hit their personal motto of “producing the best games possible“. They’ve achieved this in many strides, with their Warcaster and Warmachine miniatures games, and the numerous board games.
Well this looks like a heist gone wrong? or right? - artwork by Privateer Press
The height of their work comes in their world of magic and technology. For the first time, their setting Iron Kingdoms: Requiem is available for Fifth Edition. We can trust seasoned veterans of tabletop gaming to know how to handle their world in the most played roleplaying system right now, but what can we expect from this beloved and quickly backed Kickstarter project?
Keys to the Kingdom
The Iron Kingdoms setting is steeped in ancient magic, strange powers, true grit, and steampunk flair. Readers can expect a blast of rich, layered world history of warring nations tearing their continent to take a foothold of what is rightfully theirs. There’s a tenuous peace, but everyone knows that a change in the power dynamics can tip on a moment’s notice.
Gone are the days of serene natural vistas, and peaceable kingdoms discussing things over political debates. This is a world with dragons attacking steam trains, and the world’s scum and villainy will shoot you in the face with a magical flintlock. As a fancier of the mighty steampunk nation myself, this is a place I’m intensely eager to visit.
The team at Privateer have put their own spin onto the beloved and familiar about fifth edition. The fantastical races of current Dungeons and Dragons are always a welcome mainstay, with their own twists to reflect the vast and detailed kingdoms of the setting. The consistent classes are welcome and have their own special place in this world, but Privateer have very special inclusions to offer. New classes include, among others, gun mages, arcane mechanics, combat alchemists, and warcasters. A unique world of magic and machines needs their own explanations, but they have us covered. Extensive rules for the arcane technologies of the setting dominate a chapter all to themselves.
your average adventuring party isn’t average in the iron kingdoms - Black Dogs by Privateer Press
All to Play For
“We’ve waited a long time to return to roleplaying, and with recent narrative events in the IronKingdoms and the popularity and availability of 5e, now was the time to come back,” says PrivateerPress’ owner and Creative Director Matt Wilson. This return to the tabletop RPG world is welcome and celebrated. I can’t think of a better return to the form. This is a drop that has me immensely excited and eager to take my trip to the Iron Kingdoms.
Now we want to hear from you. Have you put your name to the Kickstarter? You don’t have long to go! What kind of adventures and stories are you looking to tell in the Iron Kingdoms? Let us know in the comments below or on the Apotheosis Studios discord server.
Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com, he writes about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out himself. On Youtube, he can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes, or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere. Follow his Twitter @IzzetTinkerer.
