Talking Fantasy Coins w/ Lords of Adventure and Wargames Podcast

This week I talked about fantasy-themed coins for RPGs on the latest episode of Lords of Adventure and Wargames Podcast with Wayne Brekke (Dungeon Crate). This was a really fun show, and we covered an wide range of topics, uses, and ideas for metal coins as they relate to gaming. I had a blast, and a few new ideas as well.

Thanks for inviting me to be on your podcast and for the great conversation, Wayne!

Related Links on some of the topics discussed:

• Rare Elements -- https://www.rareelementsfoundry.com/
  Shire Post Mint -- https://www.shirepost.com/
  Campaign Coins -- http://campaigncoins.com/
  Fantasy Coin LLC -- http://www.fantasycoin.com/
  Minion Games -- http://www.miniongames.com/…/futuristic-metal-coins-collect…

AAW Games New Bundle Deals!

I've created over 20 new bundle cover designs for a series of Bundle Deals being offered by AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com. These bundles cover a wide range of products and equally wide range of prices -- all of them fantastic deals for the content included. There's even a bundle that includes EVERYTHING for Pathfinder RPG that AAW Games has published. These Bundle Deals will be rolling out a few at a time.

Check out the currently available bundles here on DriveThruRPG.

AetherCon V: The Mysteries of Graphic Design (Panel)

"In the Margins: The Mysteries of Graphic Design" was another fun panel I spoke on at AetherCon V (AetherCon Online RPG Convention) along with Rachel Meyers (Drop Dead Studios) and Travis Gasque (The Drunk and the Ugly). Talking about graphic design, layout, and presentation trends in the tabletop RPG gaming industry.

Midgard Campaign Setting Kickstarter by Kobold Press

I'm doublly excited to see the Kobold Press Midgard Campaign Setting Kickstarter launch this morning. First, because Midgard is an awesome campaign setting and I'm excited to see it updated and revised for 5th Edition D&D. Secondly, because I had a blast doing the graphic design for the campaign. Already backed the project myself, and I'm looking forward to adding another classy leatherette special edition book to my gaming library.

Click here to check out the active Kickstarter campaign! 

AetherCon V: Creating Game Table Ambiance (Panel)

AetherCon Online RPG Convention just published the video from the online panel about creating game table ambiance. This was a really fun panel to take part in, and the conversation with Brian Fitzpatrick (Moebius Adventures) and Matt Finch (Frog God Games). The panel was moderated by Devon Kelly (Sharkbone Podcast).

New Massive VTT Map Pack - 120+ Maps Included!

AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com has released a brand new Virtual Tabletop (Fantasy Grounds, Roll20, 3D VTT, RP Tools, d20Pro) Map Pack containing several dozens of my Mini-Dungeon maps. The collection includes over 120 maps in all!

This cartography collection is currently available for purchase via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, and RPGNow.

The Art of Into the Wintery Gale

The entire "Into the Wintery Gale" series marks the first time I have had full autonomy and creative control as the creative and art director for such a major publication (about 20 products including 5 books, 5 additional adventures, three decks of cards, tokens, miniatures, GM Screen, battle mats, and more). And, I must say that it has been an absolutely amazing experience.

From the powerful featured cover artwork for "Wrath of the Jötunn" by Jason Rainville (which he amazingly manifested based on only a few provided paragraphs I wrote up) to the amazing interior artwork crafted by Mates Laurentiu (who seemed to immediately conceptualize my visions and make them a reality). 

I literally could not have asked for higher quality work. Watching these two forces of creativity ply their trade has been an absolute privilege.

Never let an art director fool you -- while it is a ton of work and a scheduling nightmare -- it is an amazing job unlike any other. I truly hope that I have the opportunity to hold the position again sometime in the future.

This is why I felt compelled to showcase the artwork done for the Vikmordere Saga in its very own book with each piece of amazing artwork featured on its very own page. I put together "The Art of Into the Wintery Gale: Full Color Art Portfolio & Concept Sketch Catalog" initially as a "bonus" book in thanks to the amazing Kickstarter backers who supported the project, and it can be a fantastic companion to the mega-adventure series as each page makes for fantastic visual handouts at the game table.

In addition to over 90-pages of full-color art, the book also includes over 30 pages filled with concept sketches providing a unique glimpse into the design process. It has already been provided to all of the project backers, but the PDF is also currently available for purchase with a print version in the works.

 This massive artbook is currently available for purchase via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, and RPGNow.

5-Year Anniversary! (AAW Games)

Five years ago today I started beta testing as a customer for Adventureaweek.com. At the time, little did I know that five years later AAW GAMES would be publishing my writing, cartography, and design work. It's been a true adventure, and I'm excited to see where the next five years lead.

5-Star + Seal of Approval (+ 2016 Top 10 Candidate) for Winter's Roar

I'm excited to announce that "Winter's Roar: Vikmordere Bestiary" (AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com) has received a 5-star + seal of approval rating from Endzeitgeist! The title was also made a candidate for the Top Ten of 2016.

"Justin Andrew Mason and developer Stephen Rowe are both names that I associate with quality; in this instance, however, they delivered something that exceeded my expectations... This book represents one of the best bestiaries I have read in quite a while and its creatures will make plenty of appearances in my games... My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars + seal of approval and this is furthermore a candidate for my Top Ten of 2016. Get this!" -- EZG 

You can check out the full review on Nerdtrek.com:

• Winter's Roar: Vikmordere Bestiary (5-Stars + Seal of Approval)

 This bestiary can be purchased via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, and Paizo.

5-Star Review for The Unreachable Terror

I am very excited to see another 5-Star review for an adventure I wrote from prolific RPG reviewer, Endzeitgeist! Many thanks for the fantastic thorough review!

"The Unreachable Terror" is a Mini-Dungeon adventure designed for 4-6 PCs of 9th - 10th level. It was a fun experiment pushing the Mini-Dungeon format beyond the typical "dungeon/encounter" style by creating an sandbox environment to be explored including an overworld map, settlement information, a trail of clues to investigate a mystery, and challenging encounters to help bring the experience to life.

 You can check out the full review on Nerdrek.com:

• The Unreachable Terror (5-Stars)

This adventure can be  purchased via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, and Paizo.

Wrath of the Jötunn

Into the Wintery Gale: Wrath of the Jötunn, the 200-page mega adventure I authored for AAW Games / Adventureaweek.com, has been released for purchase. The Pathfinder RPG compatible PDF is available for purchase now, and the print version is pending press proofing (so hopefully available in a couple weeks). This mega adventure is designed for 5-6 PCs levels 9-10 with intent to advance them to roughly 15th level.

The arrival of the celestial event known as the Ohjaslange heralds the return of the dreaded Jötunn—skeletal ice giants—and with them a curse of endless winter.

The adventurers have unwittingly stepped into the role of saviors to the Vikmordere people as the curse descends around Serpent Lake. Summoned by an ancient goddess, the adventurers join forces with the tribes of the Vikmordere to uncover lost artifacts necessary to triumph in this classic battle of good versus evil.

A war must be waged against the mighty Jötunn as they march down from their great stronghold on the towering peak of Ighdenholm. If the adventurers are not up to the challenge, then winter may forever reign in the valley.

This massive mega-adventure book includes:

• 5 full-sized dungeon adventures including top-down and isometric cartography
• A highly-detailed overworld, including over 30 ready-to-run encounters
• Hundreds of prepared read-aloud descriptions
• Optional rules for handling hypothermia and frostbite
• Detailed Vikmordere culture information, including new gear and equipment
• Rules for magical runepainting, including new feats and skills. Comes with a runepainter’s record sheet
• A new spell, Arurún’s Durable Dwelling
• 10 new magic items including: the hero’s receptacle, the legendary sword Vlfberht, the ancient aegis known as Skjold Rustning, and the Wintyrsyrd
• New detailed traps and hazards including “The Growling Lake” and deadly “Ice Fog”
• Dozens of complex puzzles to challenge both players and player characters
• Nordic-style hauntings, including “Sounding of the Jötunn,” “Brimnar’s Haunt,” and “The Wrathful Witch”
• A dozen all new monsters, including ice maidens and skeletal ice giant berserkers, as well as villains like the Ice Queen of Meyla Isle and the dreaded Jötunn King, Krumma

 This adventure is currently available for purchase via Adventureaweek.com, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, and Paizo.