45 Are powers developed randomly, or is each Dreamkeeper "meant" to have the particular power they have?
Powers are loosely connected to a core element of their personality or intrinsic characteristics- so I don't think random is the right word. I suppose the answer depends on whether you think we're fated to be the way we are.
38 Do powers leave behind any distinguishable marks or effects on the body? Can you tell by looking at dreamkeeper that they've used their abil
Generally no. If somebody sneakily uses their power, drops the halo, and then strolls back into the room with their buds like nothing happened- there's no obvious visual marker to give them away. They might be tired looking if they were channeling a volume of power near the limits of their endurance.
As with most Dreamkeepers lore, there can be exceptions to this rule- especially if a character's power involves changing their appearance, like the Indigos.
31 Can projectiles based powers be redericted to shoot from other limbs? For example, can Bast throw fire from his feet or *ahem* other extremi
Usually yes. Some powers might *require* the use of hands- but most do not. It's just easier to guide one's focus using physical gestures, and hands are the most intuitive instrument. But if say Bast wanted to incinerate someone to his left, he could leave his hands down and do it with a peeved glance.
28 What is the minimum age requirement for drinking fermentae
21.
28 What is the next great frontier for DK merchandise now that we already have card games, plush toys, and soundtracks?
The big one for me: VOLUME 5. Dreamkeepers has leveled up from Skirmish and Wayward- but I've got to refocus on the main attraction, and knock out the next graphic novel.
That said, there are a few things in the works that don't require much of my time.
Faction War, the free online DK roleplay system, is soonest- I've upgraded the game mechanics and I'll run one last test game this September. Then future story arcs will be in the hands of the players and mods.
Nikolas Albrecht is launching a Kickstarter this September to compose & record the Volume 5 soundtrack. We've just licensed an indie company to create limited runs of 3-D printed DK figurines- plus Liz may create handcrafted goodies once Skirmish figurines are done.
A couple years back I wrote a novella that needs a few hours of final editing, and then I can start sharing that on the side, along with illustrations that have also been done for it.
The video game engine continues to be upgraded in the background- faster surface reflections have been integrated into the rendering gamut.
So, some backburner items and mostly-completed endeavors- but the big thing is to rock out on Volume 5.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
FACTION WAR: Round 2
The game system has evolved from our alpha test earlier this year. There's now a solidified skills list with interlocking strengths and weaknesses- plus inventory. Purchase armor, sniper weaponry, a ryuu-neko companion- some items will aide in combat. Others will give you superior command of terrain, or even an edge when it comes to blackmailing and other social tricks.
The new Faction Wars Discord server is here: https://discord.gg/UCxh7CX
Slots for new players are limited.
Moderators will get the final call on who can participate in the story arc which launches Sept. 13th.
Requirements include submitting a finalized character sheet to them, and demonstrating activity and responsiveness in the server.
There's a Free Play room for people to get the hang of things, and for players to roleplay even if they're not in the official Story Arc.
So jump in, create a character or two (It's way simpler and faster than most rp systems) and prepare for war! I'll see folks in there tonight.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
BGC- White Donkey
The latest Big Geeky Couch review with Dave, Boneitis, Chad, and Keith- thank you to Dan Lee for the great suggestion, this is Terminal Lance: The White Donkey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNe_BzxsDok
Big format change coming for the next BGC!
Friday, August 10, 2018
Dreamkeepers App Scavenger Hunt!
Your phone could be more fun with the free Dreamkeepers app. Read the comic free anywhere, pick a favorite visual theme, and now with the latest upgrade, win hard-copies of the graphic novel saga in the Dreamkeepers App Scavenger Hunt!
Follow the clues, and if you guess correct you‘ll get a code key. Email that code in the subject line to: DKScavengerHunt@latticerose.net for a chance to win a prize. This feature and the app development is brought to us by the fabulous Matt Dieck ( xir1111011 )
Here are the clues to the hidden Dreamkeepers App spots- each clue will award a prize to the first person who discovers it.
For instructions on how to guess, see our video: https://youtu.be/lr3XT7vUjL4
Enjoy the read, and happy hunting!
1. The first appearance of, "Poor" and "Judgement"
2. This marker/signage, with its simplistic design, is only designed to be gazed upon by one creature at a time. Without it, however, Anduruna's transit system wouldn't function.
3. The creators, peddling their wares
4. Chester Copperpot, Esq.
5. A glass of lemonade
6. Two brave, young, sword-wielding warriors
7. Almost par for the course
8. A pink tree, betwixt cousins
9. A trombone case, and a clarinet case, beside each other
10. 34 . Q, primer
11. A pink seashell, next to a warning
12. Eerie Excursions
13. Don't hug Lilith, she's scared
14. According to ThinkGeek, the message of ultimate disambiguation. In this context, the largest display of it.
15. '-.-. .... .-. --- -. --- .-.. --- --. .. -.-. .- .-.. .-.. -.-- --..-- / - .... . / ..-. .. .-. ... - / .- .--. .--. . .- .-. .- -. -.-. . / --- ..-. / -... .- ... -
16. The starfield used for Miriel's character theme
17. The starfield used for Kalei's character theme
18. SBWBU'T GJSTU BQQFBSBODF (1)
19. "A nine foot mollusk? Seriously?"
20. Cooking with a rodent… in a vacuum
21. This small, innocuous recurring creature is seen now and then along Mace and Whip's misadventures. Find its first appearance.
22. The creators, standing around
23. UGxlYXNlIHRhcCBvbiB0aGUgRmFzaGlvbiBEZXNpZ25lcnkgcG9zdGVyIG9uIHBhZ2Ugc2l4dHkgbmluZQ
24. JUOC (3)
25. Calvado's Castle Case
26. Ghost, at the bottom of the stairs
27. z svokufo glnv uli gslhv dvoo-gl-wl drgs
Follow the clues, and if you guess correct you‘ll get a code key. Email that code in the subject line to: DKScavengerHunt@latticerose.net for a chance to win a prize. This feature and the app development is brought to us by the fabulous Matt Dieck ( xir1111011 )
Here are the clues to the hidden Dreamkeepers App spots- each clue will award a prize to the first person who discovers it.
For instructions on how to guess, see our video: https://youtu.be/lr3XT7vUjL4
Enjoy the read, and happy hunting!
1. The first appearance of, "Poor" and "Judgement"
2. This marker/signage, with its simplistic design, is only designed to be gazed upon by one creature at a time. Without it, however, Anduruna's transit system wouldn't function.
3. The creators, peddling their wares
4. Chester Copperpot, Esq.
5. A glass of lemonade
6. Two brave, young, sword-wielding warriors
7. Almost par for the course
8. A pink tree, betwixt cousins
9. A trombone case, and a clarinet case, beside each other
10. 34 . Q, primer
11. A pink seashell, next to a warning
12. Eerie Excursions
13. Don't hug Lilith, she's scared
14. According to ThinkGeek, the message of ultimate disambiguation. In this context, the largest display of it.
15. '-.-. .... .-. --- -. --- .-.. --- --. .. -.-. .- .-.. .-.. -.-- --..-- / - .... . / ..-. .. .-. ... - / .- .--. .--. . .- .-. .- -. -.-. . / --- ..-. / -... .- ... -
16. The starfield used for Miriel's character theme
17. The starfield used for Kalei's character theme
18. SBWBU'T GJSTU BQQFBSBODF (1)
19. "A nine foot mollusk? Seriously?"
20. Cooking with a rodent… in a vacuum
21. This small, innocuous recurring creature is seen now and then along Mace and Whip's misadventures. Find its first appearance.
22. The creators, standing around
23. UGxlYXNlIHRhcCBvbiB0aGUgRmFzaGlvbiBEZXNpZ25lcnkgcG9zdGVyIG9uIHBhZ2Ugc2l4dHkgbmluZQ
24. JUOC (3)
25. Calvado's Castle Case
26. Ghost, at the bottom of the stairs
27. z svokufo glnv uli gslhv dvoo-gl-wl drgs
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Q&A Week 12
29 How did you come up with the names for the characters?
Many came from our research when starting the series. A few Mesopotamian names, since their mythology featured dream guardians protecting the sanity of the dreamer. Lilith, Naamah, and Igrath were presented as a trio of sisters in one of the myths I read. The Mokoi was from aboriginal folklore, a spirit that a shaman could dispatch to kill his enemies. The demon tree Malangi is also aboriginal, and Logos is from the western tradition.
And then there's Bill.
27 Why did you agree with and trust Geo to write a (canon) book based on your comic? In fact, what does it take to impress you enough to publis
Geo's book started as a simple personal project that reflected his own interests. He didn't begin with the goal of publication, and we treated it like other fanfiction: Basically ignoring it. Not out of apathy, but because we've got a very full plate. However over the years, he continued to build his narrative, share with readers, and it organically gained a following. As his work gained prominence, he realized there was a market that would be interested in a hard copy of his book. So he contacted us to inquire if and how such a thing might be permitted, and whether an official licensing deal was possible.
At that point I read through the completed initial draft of his novel, to provide feedback on lore details. Since his work was entertaining readers to the degree that a print run was viable, and since I also enjoyed the book and felt it made a good addition to official DK lore, we agreed to license it.
Part A, reader interest, is totally out of my hands. That's between the author and their potential audience. Part B, my own interest, is something I don't think I can articulate a formula for. Paint by numbers writing to please me probably wouldn't end up pleasing me anyways. I've just gotta be honest when something crosses my radar, and try to do a good job of managing Dreamkeepers. Not all fanart will get a licensing deal, but all of it can bring enjoyment to readers without the need for my approval. I just hope people have fun and write for the right reasons.
26 Are powers in any aspect hereditary? For example is a kid more susceptible to get a high level power if one of their parents does?
This used to be a topic of much debate in Anduruna, and other ancient cultures. Some Dreamkeepers believed power intensity was hereditary, and tried to breed for it- placing high expectations on their children. Sometimes a kid could meet those expectations, and sometimes there was just no way, no matter how hard they tried. And every now and then, a potent power wielder would just come out of left field.
So it appeared to Dreamkeepers that power intensity might be hereditary, but that tendency was littered with counterexamples. So the canon answer? Power intensity is not consistently hereditary, but it can be at at times, and there's a cultural predisposition to believe this is the case.
24 What is one thing that hindered you most when learning art?
Art college.
23 How did you guys get into furry fandom?
After deciding to make Dreamkeepers a comic, we took it around to a few preliminary conventions- anime and comic conventions. A few people said, "Oh look, a furry comic. Neat." So as soon as I realized there was a whole genre of people who liked cartoon animals, I figured it made a whole lot of sense to present our work to them. We started attending furry conventions, and here we are!
Having too much fun.
Many came from our research when starting the series. A few Mesopotamian names, since their mythology featured dream guardians protecting the sanity of the dreamer. Lilith, Naamah, and Igrath were presented as a trio of sisters in one of the myths I read. The Mokoi was from aboriginal folklore, a spirit that a shaman could dispatch to kill his enemies. The demon tree Malangi is also aboriginal, and Logos is from the western tradition.
And then there's Bill.
27 Why did you agree with and trust Geo to write a (canon) book based on your comic? In fact, what does it take to impress you enough to publis
Geo's book started as a simple personal project that reflected his own interests. He didn't begin with the goal of publication, and we treated it like other fanfiction: Basically ignoring it. Not out of apathy, but because we've got a very full plate. However over the years, he continued to build his narrative, share with readers, and it organically gained a following. As his work gained prominence, he realized there was a market that would be interested in a hard copy of his book. So he contacted us to inquire if and how such a thing might be permitted, and whether an official licensing deal was possible.
At that point I read through the completed initial draft of his novel, to provide feedback on lore details. Since his work was entertaining readers to the degree that a print run was viable, and since I also enjoyed the book and felt it made a good addition to official DK lore, we agreed to license it.
Part A, reader interest, is totally out of my hands. That's between the author and their potential audience. Part B, my own interest, is something I don't think I can articulate a formula for. Paint by numbers writing to please me probably wouldn't end up pleasing me anyways. I've just gotta be honest when something crosses my radar, and try to do a good job of managing Dreamkeepers. Not all fanart will get a licensing deal, but all of it can bring enjoyment to readers without the need for my approval. I just hope people have fun and write for the right reasons.
26 Are powers in any aspect hereditary? For example is a kid more susceptible to get a high level power if one of their parents does?
This used to be a topic of much debate in Anduruna, and other ancient cultures. Some Dreamkeepers believed power intensity was hereditary, and tried to breed for it- placing high expectations on their children. Sometimes a kid could meet those expectations, and sometimes there was just no way, no matter how hard they tried. And every now and then, a potent power wielder would just come out of left field.
So it appeared to Dreamkeepers that power intensity might be hereditary, but that tendency was littered with counterexamples. So the canon answer? Power intensity is not consistently hereditary, but it can be at at times, and there's a cultural predisposition to believe this is the case.
24 What is one thing that hindered you most when learning art?
Art college.
23 How did you guys get into furry fandom?
After deciding to make Dreamkeepers a comic, we took it around to a few preliminary conventions- anime and comic conventions. A few people said, "Oh look, a furry comic. Neat." So as soon as I realized there was a whole genre of people who liked cartoon animals, I figured it made a whole lot of sense to present our work to them. We started attending furry conventions, and here we are!
Having too much fun.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
License to Wonka
"He's fictional," they said. "You can't be Willy Wonka when you grow up," they told me. Well watch this. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2083757038/dreamkeepers-skirmish-shadow-wars-of-anduruna/posts/2255639 #DREAMS #DreamsComeTrue
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Q&A Week 11
What are your thoughts on immortals, cliche?
Immortals? Those people don't know when to quit.
How common is it for DK's to have the power of full flight (using wings, etc.) and what sort of regulations must they obey?
The number of DKs who could fly under their own power is pretty small- figure less than 2% of the population. And of that group, only a subset has the time and resources to go through the licensing process.
There are mandatory flight courses that require completion certificates which can take up to a year of weekly classes to complete. Most of those classes consist of desk work, with a handful of test glides and flights being held in specialized gymnasiums with safety nets installed. In addition to Central City fees required to register and take the courses, teachers charge variable rates for their instruction time.
After the expensive and time-consuming process of getting a flight license, the flier must then observe all Anduruna regulations. When inside the city walls, they must use predetermined takeoff and landing sites, and log their departure and arrival times at those locations. An automated system will coordinate their permitted flight times to ensure nobody collides with anyone else. Although with the number of fliers, this has only happened a handful of times in history even during the unregulated days. Registering a flight plan incurs a small administrative fee. There are also fees for any items being logged for transportation, and dozens of rules corresponding to garments and approved satchels or packs for carrying items of various classifications. You can't just carry something all willy nilly.
This means that most fliers are either wealthy, or they have to be serving as specialized private couriers to help justify the expense of flying.
The result is that a lot of licensed flyers will use the takeoff and landing sites- since it's rather obvious to see when someone doesn't- but they'll often skip the flight plan login and fee, and just fly off. It's not enforced very closely, except by other, more zealous, licensed flyers. So it's usually possible to fly whenever you want as long as you use the predetermined takeoff and landing points, and don't run into a snitch.
Outside the city limits is another story- it's still illegal to fly without a license. But if you have one, you can soar essentially anywhere you like as long as you don't leave the overall Anduruna region.
What districts are our guard trio originally from?
Bill grew up in a more mainstream region of Theophanies, Damon is from Norvondire, and Woods is from the farmland just outside the city wall to the south.
What made Vi abandon her fashion dreams? (i suspect this is plot vault)
...Plot Vault confirmed, sorry. ^ ^;
How long can Nightmares live for and what happens to their bodies when they die and respawn?
Nightmares can live anywhere from 10 years to several centuries, based in part on the sort of body they are capable of spawning. Once they die, their spirit is returned to their plane of origin, and the body at that point is just decaying matter like any other dead body. It has no relation to whatever they spawn into next.
How does the Troika determine Power Intensity ratings (is it "eye-balled", is there an objective measurement or a test, etc.) and are non-destructive utility Powers (such as Bobby's light orbs, Nainso's "ignorance field", and Whip's autokinesis) automatically ranked lower on the Intensity scale or is it possible for them to be ranked as high as a 6?
They tried developing objective measurements, but due to the totally differing nature of some powers, realized that they were dumping way more time and effort into categorization and measurement than the utility they could potentially get out of it. So the Troika basically eyeball powers for rating.
They started measuring powers based on general combat effectiveness. If one guy with no training could potentially take out a fire team of shock troopers singlehandedly, they'd peg his power at a "2." Combat effective, formidable, but generally not enough to handle an entire platoon alone. Each rank above that is another order of magnitude higher, so the progression isn't linear.
Nondestructive powers are just pegged onto this conceptual scaffolding, even though they don't necessarily cause damage. Take Nainso's ability, to direct focus. At a level 2, he can direct the focus of a handful of characters rather effectively, especially if they don't notice the influence. If he were a level 6, he could murder someone in the center of a crowded stadium, while every person was obsessing over a sleeping ryuu-neko on the sidelines, and nobody would ever notice or remember him.
So it's a rough measure- not used to precisely categorize anything, but serves to give Troika commanders a quick 'n dirty impression of what sort of punch a soldier might be packing.
Immortals? Those people don't know when to quit.
How common is it for DK's to have the power of full flight (using wings, etc.) and what sort of regulations must they obey?
The number of DKs who could fly under their own power is pretty small- figure less than 2% of the population. And of that group, only a subset has the time and resources to go through the licensing process.
There are mandatory flight courses that require completion certificates which can take up to a year of weekly classes to complete. Most of those classes consist of desk work, with a handful of test glides and flights being held in specialized gymnasiums with safety nets installed. In addition to Central City fees required to register and take the courses, teachers charge variable rates for their instruction time.
After the expensive and time-consuming process of getting a flight license, the flier must then observe all Anduruna regulations. When inside the city walls, they must use predetermined takeoff and landing sites, and log their departure and arrival times at those locations. An automated system will coordinate their permitted flight times to ensure nobody collides with anyone else. Although with the number of fliers, this has only happened a handful of times in history even during the unregulated days. Registering a flight plan incurs a small administrative fee. There are also fees for any items being logged for transportation, and dozens of rules corresponding to garments and approved satchels or packs for carrying items of various classifications. You can't just carry something all willy nilly.
This means that most fliers are either wealthy, or they have to be serving as specialized private couriers to help justify the expense of flying.
The result is that a lot of licensed flyers will use the takeoff and landing sites- since it's rather obvious to see when someone doesn't- but they'll often skip the flight plan login and fee, and just fly off. It's not enforced very closely, except by other, more zealous, licensed flyers. So it's usually possible to fly whenever you want as long as you use the predetermined takeoff and landing points, and don't run into a snitch.
Outside the city limits is another story- it's still illegal to fly without a license. But if you have one, you can soar essentially anywhere you like as long as you don't leave the overall Anduruna region.
What districts are our guard trio originally from?
Bill grew up in a more mainstream region of Theophanies, Damon is from Norvondire, and Woods is from the farmland just outside the city wall to the south.
What made Vi abandon her fashion dreams? (i suspect this is plot vault)
...Plot Vault confirmed, sorry. ^ ^;
How long can Nightmares live for and what happens to their bodies when they die and respawn?
Nightmares can live anywhere from 10 years to several centuries, based in part on the sort of body they are capable of spawning. Once they die, their spirit is returned to their plane of origin, and the body at that point is just decaying matter like any other dead body. It has no relation to whatever they spawn into next.
How does the Troika determine Power Intensity ratings (is it "eye-balled", is there an objective measurement or a test, etc.) and are non-destructive utility Powers (such as Bobby's light orbs, Nainso's "ignorance field", and Whip's autokinesis) automatically ranked lower on the Intensity scale or is it possible for them to be ranked as high as a 6?
They tried developing objective measurements, but due to the totally differing nature of some powers, realized that they were dumping way more time and effort into categorization and measurement than the utility they could potentially get out of it. So the Troika basically eyeball powers for rating.
They started measuring powers based on general combat effectiveness. If one guy with no training could potentially take out a fire team of shock troopers singlehandedly, they'd peg his power at a "2." Combat effective, formidable, but generally not enough to handle an entire platoon alone. Each rank above that is another order of magnitude higher, so the progression isn't linear.
Nondestructive powers are just pegged onto this conceptual scaffolding, even though they don't necessarily cause damage. Take Nainso's ability, to direct focus. At a level 2, he can direct the focus of a handful of characters rather effectively, especially if they don't notice the influence. If he were a level 6, he could murder someone in the center of a crowded stadium, while every person was obsessing over a sleeping ryuu-neko on the sidelines, and nobody would ever notice or remember him.
So it's a rough measure- not used to precisely categorize anything, but serves to give Troika commanders a quick 'n dirty impression of what sort of punch a soldier might be packing.
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