Between Clouds - A Roleplaying Game of Flying Beasts

Week 24 - Revised Beta is Released!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Oct 12, 2022 at 01:40:12 AM

Greeeeetings Symbiotes! 

How is everyone doing? I'm proud to finally announce that the revised version of the Between Clouds Beta is available! Woop woop!! If you have already accessed the original version of the beta, check your owned products on DriveThruRPG, there should be updated files available for download! I believe that 'owners' of the product may have even been sent an email notification too. If you haven't accessed the beta yet, search back through your emails (or, if need be, I can resend your copy!). 

I'm so so excited for you all to try out this new iteration of the game. It's different from before, but I've been playing it around the table with friends and having an absolute blast. Certain elements of this version are not quite web-friendly yet, so I'll be looking at fillable character sheets and better resources for online sessions. If you play, I would love to hear your feedback (good, bad, or any kind). Come leave your comments and ideas on the discord, or if you like you can send me your thoughts at [email protected]. You can also reach me on twitter, instagram or tiktok too! Love you, enjoy! 

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3 

Week 22/23 - Equilibrium
over 1 year ago – Thu, Oct 06, 2022 at 02:22:34 AM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

How is every doing? It feels like I've been working on this updated version of the beta forever (or maybe just 2 months, but who's counting). Finally, it's ready to be shared! It will become available next Monday, 10/10, via DriveThruRPG. I'm either going to update the existing file or resend copies, but I'll keep everyone in the loop as I do. Some thing to look forward to in this new version: 

• Role-specific character sheets for effortless, speedy creation 
• A printable playkit, including a quick rules page and saddle building sheet
• Location guides to easily create islands, towers and cradles as a ST or with the group 
• Updated weather and encounter tables with biome-specific entries

There's plenty more too which I will include in a change log at the start of the book. I titled this update 'Equilibrium' because it sounds cool, but more importantly because it represents a balance between my evolving wishes for Between Clouds and my original intent. I over-corrected for moment and added or changed too many features, a portion of which have been dialed back. The game may not seem terribly different when you play it (or perhaps it will), but it's experienced numerous iterations behind the scenes. Oh, and the map is colorful now too. Hooray! Anyways, stop by my Twitter and Instagram, tiktok or join the Discord server to chat with others when the updated beta drops! Cheers! :)

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3 

Week 20/21 - Tips and Tricks Galore!
over 1 year ago – Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 06:06:28 AM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

It's been a while, whoops! How is everyone doing? I'm still hard at work on an improved version of Between Clouds (believe it or not). As part of that, the book's chapters are expanding and contracting in exciting new ways that I've detailed below! My goal is to make the game more approachable, more easily understood and to have it require less setup, especially for new Storytellers. As part of this, I'm packing the book with tips and suggestions while leaning away from strict rulings. Some chapters are shrinking: 

• Powers and Mutations (less specific and more adaptable) 
• The Saddle (a more open-ended approach to creation, more opportunities to say 'yes' to players)  

Others are expanding:

• Action (More comprehensive explanations and examples galore!!) 
• The Open Skies (Making room for backer landmarks, factions, and more) 

Anyways, these changes will all be made apparent once I get the updated beta into your hands! I don't have an ETA on it quite yet, but it feels like I'm nearing the end of this second pass. I've also included some new chapter art above (WIP), resized and re-drawn from an existing illustration to fit the book's aspect ratio! Leave a comment here, find me on twitter, instagram or TikTok and come join the discord if you haven't yet. I always love hearing from you! :)

Best wishes,

Andi <3 

Week 19 - Learning to Let Go
over 1 year ago – Fri, Sep 09, 2022 at 11:28:10 AM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

The most difficult part of any project is learning to edit and let go of your creations. Musicians are no stranger to this and will write hundreds of songs for a single album, only to use a select handful of the bunch. Creating games requires this same process of editing, and even if it causes me pain at times, I know that it is an unavoidable part of the journey. Refinement through destruction. The tempering of metal. No pain no gain. Take your pick. This all goes to say, the final release of Between Clouds will not contain everything from the beta. What is necessary or conducive to good play is being slowly revealed to me through testing, but listed below are a few items that may on the chopping block.

• Specific rules for powers and mutations 
• Saddle blocks and specific rules for upgrades 
• Kirin genotypes 
• Seasons 
• The existing Unity Point system 

Was that painful for you? It was for me! None of this is concrete yet, and all of these things will remain available through the current beta version, but all of this removal is being used to make space for new additions! Improvements! Examples of play! The idea is to create a more streamlined version of the game that focuses a doing a few things and doing them well. Anyways, there's some art above and below, what's that all about? :P Follow me on twitter, instagram, or tiktok and join the Discord if you haven't yet. Love you all, cheers! 

Smooth sailing,

Andi <3 

Week 17/18 - Back from vacation!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 10:56:43 PM

Greetings Symbiotes! 

How is everyone doing? Last week I went home to visit my family for a much needed break. The vacation time was a welcome detox from Between Clouds, and now I'm back with the some fresh ideas for the game and a renewed sense of excitement! I did manage to knock out some chapter art while I was gone, visible both above and below. A few notices: 

• I'm still waiting on photo reference for a number of my 'Friend of Beasts' and 'Ruler of the Skies' backers. If that's you, please email me your pictures ASAP! 
•  The beta is undergoing a major overhaul. For those of you who are currently playing the game, you may find that many of its features and even central mechanics have been changed in the newer version. This is happening as I am broadening my design expertise and narrowing in on what BC should be. Due to the extent of the changes, it will likely be several weeks until I can release this new version, but I promise you all that it's worth the wait.

That's all for now. A huge thank you to everyone who was been playtesting the game and sharing their experiences. The little tales and anecdotes that I read never fail to warm my heart! Feel free to check out my twitter or instagram and join the Discord if you haven't yet. Cheers! :)

Smoothing sailing,

Andi <3