Deluxe Books Update

It's been a while since we spoke about the Deluxe books we promised at the beginning of the year. A lot has been going on lately and things have definitely been moving in a good direction. We started off getting everything in draft, trying to get an idea of where we wanted to take these books. We know we want them to have everything a player will need and then some to help them understand the world from the point of view of their character. So I sat down with our Creative Director, Seth Chamberlin and we discussed a plan of action. Thus far the news is good and the feedback has been phenomenal within our community. Each book will be done with new artwork, new layouts, we'll breathe some new life into them as well as more roleplaying hints and tools.

One thing our fans have always told us is that they love our game world and they love how the books are everything they need to play their character. They're detailed and they take you into the game world in a way that makes you feel like you're a part of the world. Fans will also get to experience more from the world they love with the release of the Deluxe books as Seth puts his spin on the series, bringing with him our talented staff.

I leave you all with a teaser since I know it's been asked by certain people, our Celestials: War of Ages Corebook was delayed because our staff have been going over it with a fine toothed comb. As Seth put it in his blog anything he puts his name on is going to be done right. In the meantime, the world of Damnation has been expanded by the release of the Fallen Sourcebook: The Devils of Hell which is available on scribd.com.

Fallen Sourcebook: Lies & Truth Excerpt III

“As my mind raced through the memories of my host, I tried diligently to block out his memories. Those he held dear to his heart only clouded my mind. I needed something to hold onto if I was going to survive these nights. I focused my will and sharpened my mind like a razor. I could feel within the very depths of my soul the Darkness which calls to me. Though Kerubiel exiled me and my kind to Tartarus, my resolve has never been stronger. Reaching into my being, I can feel a part of me that lies dormant, like an ocean waiting to burst to the surface like a volcano, Darkness consumes me, at first tearing at me and just when I feel as though it might destroy me, power erupts from my host body, magnifying my abilities, focusing my will and unleashing my might. The shadows bend at my call as Darkness spills forth, empowering me with my former glory.”

Fallen Sourcebook: Lies & Truth Excerpt II

“I walk these streets, feeling the black roads underneath my feet. Although this was not my body, these were my shoes. My head throbbed from the memories or the spirit who was here before me. All I feel now is the hunger, deep within me, telling me I need to find Darkness. I struggle to find the dark, any shadowed place away from the light where I can relax for just a minute. Thoughts rush through my head like a current in a river. It won’t stop as smells rush through my senses. I can smell the grass, the dew and the trees. I feel like I’m losing my mind and all I can think of is that the Heralds will know I’m here and the other creatures must be losing their mind right now. My entrance into this world was a painful birth that comes with a price. A shudder must have been felt from the eldest to the youngest. As I gaze out from behind the mask of his mortal’s body, noticing the subtle features of his face, looking through his eyes, I notice the grass begins to turn sickly and yellow. I look up at the light nearby and the street lamp dims as the pole begins to rust. Although I conceal my presence, the world knows something unnatural is near, poisoning the natural order. Gathering my wits I begin my journey. It’s time to find the Host and bring order to this territory….”

Fallen Sourcebook: Lies & Truth Excerpt

"You thought you were alone? You thought we'd send you back on your terms? *snickers* you thought wrong. You are not fit to be sent back on your own. That is why Master sent me. I keep you on your toes, I keep the world turning. You are just an insignificant piece of meat. We have planned for you since the beginning and you will always be within our control. Feed on the sins of mortals and cleanse the world. Do your job and we'll do ours. Believe it or not, keeping the Heralds at bay is not an easy task. Haven't you wondered by now why they haven't come out of the sky and cut you down? You really should have.

I am your Prince and you shall be ruled by my laws while you exist on this plane. The Master sent me here after so many years of planning so I may mold you and guide you. You will be a soldier for us and end this war if it's the last thing we do. The Heralds are starting to wake up as we gain our footing over this world. Kerubiel may be an asshole but we're winning. The Darkness will recede in the face of the light and that masquerader will not get away with this. Once the Creator returns, we shall be redeemed in his eyes. In the meantime, just remember the goal. Keep your eyes on the prize. Cut them down, keep them off of our plane and we can cleanse the world of the Darkness that plagues it. And you little worm? You'll be rewarded for your service. Don't you worry your head about that."

As May Comes To A Close

With May coming to a close, we'd like to start off by saying, "Thank You" to our many supporters. The Dark Phoenix Facebook page has seen some new "Likes", we recruited some new talent which is going to start churning out art and editing some of the books to help get books out faster and increase the quality of the material.

So what's new at Dark Phoenix? Well, in case you missed it, the Fallen Sourcebook: The Devils of Hell was released! We posted the reviews and we're still hearing about how awesome the Sourcebook is. The Obia Sourcebook came in right behind it with just as much praise. Each reviewer seemed to love the powers as well as the idea of vampires who were living shadows feeding on the souls of their victims. The Fallen Sourcebook also tied into the Vampire Undeath Corebook showing us that vampires and demons have more in common than the Vampire Corebook would have originally let on. The next books to be released will be the Fallen Sourcebook: Lies & Truth and the Celestials Corebook.

As things continue to develop we'll keep you all in the loop. In the mean time, show your support by giving us "Likes" on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter. If there's anything we can do in the meantime to show our support please let us know! In closing, if you're interested in obtaining a license to write novels based on our material send inquiries to mykal@dark-phoenix-publishing.com.

Celestials Excerpt: Ankle Deep In Decay

Welcome to the war. This is the front lines. Of course, they told you what you wanted to hear. You know of the war. You heard the propaganda. That Lucifer challenged God for the throne and Michael and those loyal to God kicked out Lucifer and those who followed him. You never even bat an eye at the story did you? I bet you didn't. Now look at you. Down on Earth with the mud and the muck. Don’t go running to the churches and whatever you do, get good at hiding. Most of us are in the alleyways, concealing ourselves as the homeless. Others sleep in hotels and stay wherever we can. The truth is, we’re losing the war. Heaven will tell you we’re winning and that each Angel who comes to earth could be a member of the First Sphere someday -but that’s all bullshit.
Crime has never been higher. Did you know someone is murdered every 30 seconds? A mother or daughter is raped every minute? If you close your eyes and concentrate you can almost smell the rot in this world. Walk into any church and you’ll hear the cries and wails of the mortals as they cry out for a savior. Does one come? No.
We are alone. Heaven pats you on the back and kicks you face first in the mud. No one cares that the Fallen own this world. It’s a strange concept for one who has personally stood in front of God, felt his grace and power and witnessed his might. Now the world we helped create is without the face of God. Mortals destroy each other and creatures twisted by creation hunt them down and feed on them like some sort of sick game.
With God gone, spirits don’t know where they’re going. Demons claw out of the prisons and possess mortals. Vampires walk the Earth drinking mortals to death. There are a few on our side but the Mandate states we are to stay out of it. Like some sort of sick joke we’re not allowed to interfere with the divine plan.

The Obia Sourcebook

There's been a lot of chatter about the Obia Sourcebook. One reviewer said it reminded him of his old Vampire: The Masquerade days saying it was like a mix between Losambra and Wraith. Others said it was more in-depth than any rpg they had read and they loved that the gaming world expands with every Sourcebook. Many initial thoughts that the Vampire: Undeath Corebook shared similarities are shed with the release of each Sourcebook and that doesn't end with the Obia Sourcebook.

The fact of the matter is, Obia aren't vampires in the way the vampires presented in the Vampire: Undeath Corebook are. Obia feed off of the Shadow of a person's soul. They are Shadow People, who move through shadows, can become invisible when in shadows and slink through the smallest cracks. They are cold, calculating and chilling to the bone but they're so much more than that.

As you read through the pages of Obia you'll discover vampires who manipulate and control shadows and darkness but more importantly, they also repair damage between the worlds. When the barrier between the worlds thins, creatures known as Darklings attempt to escape into the mortal world. This happens from time to time causing devastating damage often at the cost of thousands of human casualties. Unlike the vampires of the Vampire Nation, Obia work with many of the unaffiliated vampires such as the House Nicolai and have been known on occasion to work with other supernatural creatures in order to protect mortals from the real reality -that there are monsters out there you should rightfully fear.

We asked many of you to go over a rough, preview and the feedback we got was priceless. Tim, thank you always for your kind words, advice, direction and friendship. As Tim reviewed the material one notable thing he had to say was, "I like the idea of these vampires so far removed from humanity that they are in essence just shadows. They are to vampires what vampires are to humans in terms of their ties to undeath."

Inside the Obia Sourcebook you discover a connection between Obia and the world of the Fallen. Discover a new source of magic known as Tenebrous which allows the Obia to craft Darkness to create items, constructs and objects. Tenebrous is a power which builds upon a secret which is slowly presented throughout the Sourcebooks.

Again, we'd like to thank all of you wonderful people who took the time to read the preview and let us know what you thought. The world of Damnation is truly expanding and we appreciate each and every one of you!

To leave you with another John Mascola quote: "This is a more pronounced game. I thought they [the books for the series] were just articulate and creepy as Hell . I didn't need to see a horror movie. I have something that would be on par as Edgar Allen Poe or Mary Shelly. Hell, these people would love to play these games."