Dark Matter (In Progress)
Added 2017-07-01 05:31:00 +0000 UTCThis project was perhaps a little... overambitious.
Dark Matter proved to be a lengthier and more complex book than we could've pulled off in one month. This is the culmination of what we have so far: nearly the entire book, full of races, archetypes, and rules, but missing the all-important Introduction chapter which expands Dark Matter from a series of rules into a full-blown campaign setting. We promise we'll get that done as soon as humanly possible, and package all of Dark Matter together into a single book of unprecedented length. Until then, some things, like the mysterious Old Un and the Maw stations, might seem a little confusing.
The longest books we typically write in a given month are about 50 pages long, at the very longest. This month, we're pushing 90, and with the rest of it to come, the final book will be even longer. There's some really incredible art in here too (and some stunning pieces to come.) Also, we tried a new style for the book itself, so I hope everyone likes it.
Until we release the finished book, I'll be happy to answer any questions, lore related and otherwise, in the comments below. Enjoy!
Changelog:
- 7/1/17: Tons of typos fixed
- Spell lists fixed
- Archetypes: Oath of the Sepulcher: Galactic Knight: Mega damage deals normal damage to you
- Ship Weapons: Costs: Railgun and Star Buster prices increased
- Blaster: Proficiencies: Monk gets proficiency with the sunstaff
- 7/3/17: Spell: Arcane Convolution: Level and school fixed
- Amoeboid: Reform: Heal only up to the amount of damage taken
- Accretion disk: only channel 1 damage type at a time, can end when you dismiss it (no action required)
- Amoeboid: Reform: heal 1d4
Comments
Understandable. I and my group are really looking forward to this release. We're already discussing using this as a setting for a future game.
Kristopher R. Hunter
2017-09-27 13:44:53 +0000 UTCOh, that's an idea! Probably too short-notice to implement it for the final release (I mean, it's going to come out in 5 days, so making an entire character sheet using vector graphics is probably not in the cards.) I'll keep that in mind when we do /more/ things for Dark Matter.
Mage Hand Press
2017-09-27 02:30:06 +0000 UTCCould final Dark Matter release have an updated character sheet to reflect the alternate setting?
Kristopher R. Hunter
2017-09-27 01:43:00 +0000 UTCin addition to its embedded armor?
Cody Butler
2017-08-17 03:50:40 +0000 UTCCan Vect use space marine frame??
Cody Butler
2017-08-17 03:48:19 +0000 UTCHey do the ships have any rules for moving within solar systems? or are you suppose to use warp jumps for that as well?
Cody Butler
2017-08-13 01:55:45 +0000 UTCThat is extremely high praise. Thank you -- we'll try to live up to it as we finish the lore.
Mage Hand Press
2017-08-04 17:15:31 +0000 UTCI'm not sure if this is something I've patched already, but I'm not seeing that mistake.
Mage Hand Press
2017-08-04 17:14:52 +0000 UTCI just caught a type: the description of Arcane Convultion says its 1st lvl, but the spell list says its 4th
Joseph Blanc
2017-08-04 15:04:20 +0000 UTCThink of it in relation to something like the Marvel universe: when Galactus shows up to eat your planet, unless you happen to be living on earth or another place similarly populated with super-powered beings, you're probably getting eaten. Similarly, if an Eternal dragon decided to visit some unlucky planet and King Gidorah itself across the planet's surface, there's not much anyone can do about it.
Jaron Mortimer
2017-08-01 05:43:01 +0000 UTCThis is possibly the best sci-fi supplement I have ever seen for a d20 game, and that even goes for the d20 games that are MADE to be sci-fi. I am so excited for y'all to complete this, and happy that what you released is still totally usable without the finished product. Great job!
Attackins
2017-07-28 14:40:11 +0000 UTCi really love the work you guys do, and i can't wait to see the finished product. in the mean time could you awnser a question for me? in dark matter you introduced the concept of mega creatures and i was wondering how somthing like a eternal dragon interacts with a civilzation and how they combat them? do specias just have large fleets around their worlds just in case this creature shows up and if it goes to a world without any defences the people just have no recourse? is there somthing that stops a mega creture from just laying waste to a world or is that a constant worry for space faring civilzations? also, if the spacefairing dragons are so increadibly poewrful what are the gods like? is there just a certain point in the setting were all the high level monsters have to be fought with spaceships? lots of questions very excited for the full lore section, keep up the great work
Silver Wing
2017-07-26 22:37:09 +0000 UTCI take a lot of the blame for the delay, mostly due to the fact that this book was my baby and I had a few personal issues getting in the way of getting it finished, but we're gonna get it in your hot little hands as soon as we can, I promise!
Jaron Mortimer
2017-07-26 17:27:16 +0000 UTCNot gonna lie... I respect the honesty. A lot of people make excuses for delays and stuff. I respect you guys being up front about it.
John Appleton
2017-07-21 22:01:02 +0000 UTCI mean, we hoped to have it done by now, but we're maybe 75% on the lore right now, not including time to actually make the pages for it. It's possible it might be early next month, since I'd like to keep Men and Monsters on its release schedule
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-17 18:36:55 +0000 UTCOnce again I have to say great work. Dark Matter proved so popular with my group that me and another regular DM are workig together to Co-DM a regular sci fi campain. But I have to ask, what is the current ETA on the lore? Not rushing, just curious.
The Red Priest
2017-07-17 16:01:02 +0000 UTCI dig it! (By the way, we love the Kreen, but since they're not OGL, they won't get an honest entry in Dark Matter.) The roaches inhabit a few worlds -- they're definitely on Rast -- and there seems to be little rhyme or reason why roaches survive on some planets but die off most everywhere else. However, it stands to reason that whatever force that brings roaches to psionic intelligence also sustain a large colony of thri-kreen. If the Kreen are in Dark Matter, they'd almost certainly be suffering from a diaspora, as you mentioned, with humans, elves, dwarves, and orcs kick them off their worlds. They'd find a kinship with Nautilids, who are similarly orphaned. I like the idea of Thri-Kreen Matriarch AI as well; it's definitely a fun branch to go down. I should also mention that even AI can be infected by the N Virus (check the automaton entry for now) -- leading to a terrifying horde of thri-kreen, commanded by a rogue AI. It's a fun plot hook, anyway.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-14 01:33:37 +0000 UTCSo I'm going to be running a Dark Matter game really soon here just because I like this so much, and I want to know what you think of what I've done with the Thri-Kreen. One of my players wanted to play a Space Marine, but couldn't figure out a fun race that would still mechanically augment the playstyle. I told him to check out your version of the Thri-kreen and he loved it. What I did with some of the lore is as follows. The thri-kreen, seeing as they tend to be psionically inclined, call their homeworld the same as the one in which roaches inhabit. Upon discovering this, the Human imperium invaded and captured the thri-kreen, enslaving them on the spot. To better control them, they began to develop synthetic queens; A.I. posing as thri-kreen matriarchs, whom they follow blindly. My player's queen was hijacked by elves, and with it went him and his colony. Lemme know what you think!
Phillip Hopper
2017-07-14 01:22:29 +0000 UTCAmoeboids don't normally wear clothes, but they can wear and benefit from armor (it just kind of sits on top of their bodies -- it's a very funny look.) Very few do, in practice, since it limits their ability to transform. Amoeboids can also wear backpacks and other gear as well. Amoeboids aren't completely oozelike -- they have a network of nerves that run through their bodies. When they get a graft of any sort (which is rare, since that part of their body permanently can't transform), it's simply attached to the nerves at that end of the body.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-14 00:40:03 +0000 UTCAlso: Does your end of the Murder hole need to be on a wall as well, or is it mid air kinda thing
Charles Koeppel
2017-07-14 00:36:23 +0000 UTCSo question about the Jumper subclass: Their Murder Hole class ability is written as a combat only ability. This is due to the portal only being open briefly... But what about throwing an object into it to play keepaway outside of combat, or stealing something by opening the portal (Say a pole with a hook or basket to quickly grab and pull the object through). Further it doesn't state that you need to SEE where the portal opens as it is written for pure combat. Could you open a portal right through a wall to sneak attack then? That'd be an awesome assassination. Rogues are pains in the ass and Id try and rule lawyer that as much as possible.
Charles Koeppel
2017-07-14 00:35:01 +0000 UTCDo Vect and Amoeboids wear clothes? And does armor work the same on Amoeboids? And how do things like Construct Grafts and the Xenoalchemist's Monstrous Grafts work on Amoeboids? And would an Amoeboid wear a backpack or something to carry their stuff or some other way? (Sorry for all the questions, I'm just a little confused on how Amoeboids work. They're my favorite race btw! But I love all of them)
Braden Read
2017-07-10 01:51:31 +0000 UTCMithral Plating should totally be an external component. If you can point out any spelling/grammar errors, I can fix those post-haste.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-09 07:47:22 +0000 UTCThis should totally take an action and refresh on a long rest. That will be fixed next time I update this
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-09 07:46:31 +0000 UTCSo, Mithral Plating should be a body or external component, right? Also, there were a bunch of spelling/grammar errors from pages 17-19. I'll try and come back later with details on that.
Joe Hattery
2017-07-08 00:25:14 +0000 UTCVery well done book! I'm really fired up for a space opera adventure now! Reading through the subclasses I noticed that in cleric's Void Domain Oblivion ability, the action to use (I suppose it is an action) is missing. Also, it seems to be at will, which would allow one to have multiple creatures "banished" to the void with successive uses (and good rools on the d4), is this intended?
João Luís
2017-07-07 03:47:19 +0000 UTCLotta good stuff in here, gonna have to transfer some to my Sci-Fi campaign I'm running.
Alexander Garcia
2017-07-04 03:24:44 +0000 UTCI'm glad you're digging it!
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-03 17:31:50 +0000 UTCAlso, how much do roaches cost? Is the only cost of roachjumping the risk of addiction
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-03 15:26:33 +0000 UTCIs there a cost for ships? If not, how do you buy them?
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-03 14:55:56 +0000 UTCThis is absolutely fantastic, I can't get enough of it, released it just as I was thinking that I need some space D&D in my life! Can't wait to see the next part
Tom Miller
2017-07-03 13:43:23 +0000 UTCAs written, it's all times, like the draconic sorcerer. Since it's only equal to base movement speed, I'm okay with that.
The Nails of Vecna
2017-07-03 09:09:54 +0000 UTCWell, submitted that early. Continuing here: College of Spheres: This reminds me a lot of Fifth Element for some reason. Maybe because I recently listened to the opera from it. But overall I really like this one. Simple abilities overall, but fun and useful. I would love to try this one out one day. Void Domain: More damage options for the cleric is very nice. It often feels like the spells given in the base list have few damaging options, so this has some great stuff. Also the utility is great. The Channel Divinity options are also wonderful, and seem like they can be very useful and just overall fun for this class. The capstone also is useful, even if the creature manages to make the save. Circle of the Obelisk: This is an interesting one. Instead of being a protector of nature as-is like most think druids to be, it is more about using the effects of biological knowledge (well, at least that is my interpretation) and I really like how this works for the class. Space Marine: Modular armor is always interesting, and I rather like this version since the choices arent nearly as overwhelming as some implementations I have seen. This would be a very fun option for my fighter. Space Cowboy: I have not had a chance to really look through the Gunslinger before, but this seems like it could be a very fun subclass. EDIT: Well, there it goes again. But overall, I haven't seen anything that really worries me for balance so far, so while I will continue to read I am rather impressed. This whole thing is really well done. And reading the Ranger Conclave right now, I think I might want to try this one out first. I really like the idea of recon, but its hard to get the chance to with most base classes.
Pioneer1111
2017-07-03 03:10:46 +0000 UTCI am really loving this, and I can see this being very fun to mess around with. I'm actually in a space themed DnD campaign and I will submit this to my DM (Not to ruin his work, but he has hesitated on giving us ships since he couldn't work out the best way to implement them) Ameboid: Really cool, loving the idea of a shapeshifting race. It kind of has the druid's transformations but without the health or the size changing. However, that healing ability seems very concerning. 1d6 healing on any nonmagical p/s/b hit that doesn't kill you? That seems really abusable to me, and the effects of it would be rather huge in a fight against a weapon based enemy. Is that intended? If not, a possible limit could be proficiency + Con mod uses. I love the idea of giving them a lot or resilience against such attacks, and it is more interesting than mere resistance, but it seems quite powerful rather than a resistance, and if someone had a dagger they could get fully healed outside of battle (well unless they rolled poorly) Avia-Ra: I really love this race, and it is interesting to see a bird-like race that doesn't have flight. I actually prefer it this way. The bless is powerful, but not in a bad way. Nautilid: The suit is really interesting, since they have little reason to leave it, but I dont see much of what actually happens if they do? Near-Human: The feat reminded me too much of the Variant human, which has always seemed too powerful to me, but looking at the feats that have been added into this, I am really liking this race. It gives me a very strong feeling of half breeds, and I can't say that I dislike anything about this race or its options. The abilities are all fun and balanced from what I can tell. Vect : Really cool, and I love all the versatility you can get with them, especially the upgrades. We have a robot in our space campaign and the upgrades could be a really fun feature to get! They might be slightly on the powerful side, but I cant say its too much, and definitely not more powerful than the Variant Human. Dreadnaught: Definitely an interesting choice to change how long a character can rage. Can either give more time in rage, or less, but overall is something that is really useful since it can be ended and started at any time, so it feels less of an expenditure to use rage. I like this one a lot.
Pioneer1111
2017-07-03 02:33:46 +0000 UTCCan a 14th LVL Space Cowboy can fly at all times, or is that only while in Zero-G?
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-02 20:13:02 +0000 UTCYou can only use Hunger of the Void once per round, because it costs a reaction and temporary hp don't stack, so you will never have more that LVL+CHA. Also, if you are near your allies, you either don't use Accretion Disk or damage your allies.
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-02 20:02:04 +0000 UTCThis looks awesome. The art is amazing, and the formatting turned out great. I still have concerns about the two warlocks, though. Nova feels like too much sacrifice for not enough payout and Hunger is spammable. That ability to use Hunger at will is extremely powerful when combined with Accretion Disk, because nothing stops you from stacking multiple disk effects.
Grand Moff Xela
2017-07-02 15:56:05 +0000 UTCWhile perhaps not something I will use in its entirety, I can see the massive amount of work and creativity that has gone into this book and it is amazing! Well done team! It's this kind of stuff that makes me look forward to checking your website to see what new things have been done!
Damian Spurling
2017-07-02 03:10:27 +0000 UTCLove, love, love this. Excited to see the rest.
J.M.L.
2017-07-02 02:26:27 +0000 UTCOmg I actually came up with a Nanite and Radiation sorcerer subclass a while back while thinking of Spelljammer, I'm glad great minds think alike! :D
Superdude
2017-07-01 20:11:14 +0000 UTCHuh, you think spellcheck would have caught that. I'll get that fixed soon
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 19:47:01 +0000 UTCFor the Jumper Rogue: You misspelled behind as 'behisnd'
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-01 19:40:49 +0000 UTCThey totally should -- all the divine classes should be proficient with it.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 18:56:28 +0000 UTCWould it make sense for monks to be proficient with the Sun Staff?
Dathan
2017-07-01 18:54:49 +0000 UTCI'm glad you dig it! I was very happy with all of the archetypes in this book
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 18:41:07 +0000 UTCThat is an oversight! I'll fix it promptly
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 17:09:27 +0000 UTCThis is actually an interesting lore point, which you'll notice is reflected in the Void Domain cleric and the Radiation Freak sorcerer: the Void is dimensionless, but is paradoxically filled with hideous lights. From the lore chapter: This realm, which lies between the Planes and at the boundary of reality itself, contains nothing, neither sound, nor space, nor time. It is not just dark, but dimensionless; an infinite pinpoint adjacent to every point in reality. Entering this realm and traveling through it, therefore, warps vessels to an infinitely small size for the briefest possible time, from which they can take a step in any direction to travel great distances in the universe. Longer jumps require more energy, but allow longer steps from the Void through the universe. Doing so, is of course extremely precarious. Paradoxically, the Void is filled with hideous lights. Because it has no substance and it is adjacent to all possible realities, the Void is permeated with light that bleeds in from all other universes. Most, or perhaps all of it, is hazardous to life. Any creature exposed to the Void is irrevocably changed, hideously mutated in a process called the Warp. To avoid the Warp, most pilots jump blind, without any guidance, through the Void, or are assisted only by some tenuous magical assistance. Even technological guides fail and are burned out in the Void; nothing withstands its ravages for even a short time, short of a thick metallic hull.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 17:08:47 +0000 UTCI think there might be a problem with the Galactic Knight: It's HP doesn't increase when it becomes starship sized, so one hit from any ship weapon can take it out and maybe kill it. Is this intentional or an oversight?
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-01 17:08:33 +0000 UTCI feel like Star Breath would be a better name for the Eternal Dragon's Breath attack, considering that it does radiant damage, and 'Void' invokes thoughts of darkness and necrotic damage. As a side note, an Eternal Dragonborn option would be neat
Dathan
2017-07-01 16:54:35 +0000 UTCIt's still uploading. We've reached the point that it takes like 5 minutes to upload a book to patreon.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 16:45:32 +0000 UTCi'm not seeing anything
tyrell hayward
2017-07-01 16:44:07 +0000 UTCOops meant Final Word
The Red Priest
2017-07-01 16:24:40 +0000 UTCGreat book, I have been waiting for a slime/ooze race for ages and the one you present here just hits the spot. Still reading through it, but Last Word is missing a D.C.
The Red Priest
2017-07-01 16:23:57 +0000 UTCIt's Bronze Skeletons that I doubled, but point taken -- I'll fix that asap
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 15:39:41 +0000 UTCGood catch -- let me know if you see any other mistakes!
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 15:39:00 +0000 UTCYou have the description of Silver Skeletons written twice
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-01 15:21:41 +0000 UTCI really love this book, probably my favorite one since the Weird West. I am vert excited about Part 2, can't wait to read all the lore and such. Also as I was reading through, I found an error on page 57 on the Ship Upgrades table. The first item says Arcane Canon when I believe it should be Afterburners. Keep up the great work guys!
R Aiden Marsden
2017-07-01 15:09:10 +0000 UTCThis probably means I need to change that heading from Sorcerer to Warlock -- it's a copypasta error.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 15:05:51 +0000 UTCThere's no one reason for that -- Nautilids were just the last race finished and I couldn't think of any really interesting feats to give them. Most of the other races had some feature I could expand upon with feats, but it wasn't clear what I could do with the nautilids, since so many of their features are tied up in their Aqua Suit.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 15:05:06 +0000 UTClooking great so far! but... at the spells u added sorcerer spells twice... one with a blue line and one without.. also i am guessing you forgot warlock spells? if they get any atleast haha but i still love this!
Patrick van der Linde
2017-07-01 11:40:52 +0000 UTCQuestion: Is there a reason why Nautilids ain't got no feats? or are they coming in later? Merely curious due to every race getting at least 2.
Gavin Coxen
2017-07-01 11:27:33 +0000 UTCMan, I kinda want to make a Space Marine now. It's a very common, very simple concept. Y'all just made it look so good.
John Hoffman
2017-07-01 07:34:46 +0000 UTCI'm with this guy. I actually was just talking to my squad about this.
Cody Butler
2017-07-01 06:39:43 +0000 UTCIm loving it so far, I'm already trying to figure out synergy between the stuff in this module, and the Craftsman. I look forward to interesting characters that spawn from such a union. keep up the good work!
Snowfire
2017-07-01 06:11:25 +0000 UTCHopefully within two weeks. We know a lot about the lore, but the Palm really wanted to be the one to put it together, since originally, Dark Matter was his campaign setting. However, life happened, and it's been a little delayed.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 05:54:39 +0000 UTCWhen will part 2 be out??
Cody Butler
2017-07-01 05:52:02 +0000 UTCHope it was worth the wait!
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 05:51:12 +0000 UTCFinally! I've been refreshing nonstop for past 35 minutes :P
Altanius
2017-07-01 05:35:38 +0000 UTCBetter luck next time haha
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 05:33:30 +0000 UTCJohn, give the man his crown.
Mage Hand Press
2017-07-01 05:33:12 +0000 UTCDamn Yoouuuuu
Phillip Hopper
2017-07-01 05:32:06 +0000 UTCFirst
Joseph Blanc
2017-07-01 05:31:14 +0000 UTC
