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Esteren ruleset becomes a generic game system

We are very happy to announce that the Shadows of Esteren game system will become a generic RPG system so that it can be adapted to other universes! Its working title is the "Narrative Arc System" to emphasize roleplay, emotions and the evolution of the characters, all at the service of storytelling.

We have many projects for the Narrative Arc System and we are very excited to announce one of the first in co-production with our friends from Mighty Boards: the Posthuman Saga RPG! This is going to be based on their flagship character development and narrative board game Posthuman Saga, an ongoing adventure with a very rich backstory that unfolds with every expansion.

" In Posthuman Saga you play as one of the last human survivors in a world where nature is reclaiming the planet and our mutated offspring are working to eradicate us. Just over a year ago all you wanted was to find the Fortress, the last human bastion in a region overrun by mutants. Today, you’re being sent out beyond the safety of its walls on a journey into the uncharted Wilds. There’s a dozen survivors for every mouth the Fortress can feed. It’s time to earn your place within its walls once and for all."

Quite a program, huh? Posthuman's universe, writing and artistic direction are really very inspiring! If you want to discover the Posthuman world, now is the time, because our friends have a Kickstarter in progress for their board game... it ends in a few days, don't miss it! You can check it out over here. 

And here is the complete press release about the Posthuman Saga RPG.

 



Ten Years

Ten years ago, the very first Esteren book was released in France. We had planned a nice party with our friends musicians, brewers and artists... but the current crisis prevented us from making happen this very special date of the Esteren Tour. Of course, it's only a postponement! And we will perhaps celebrate the 10 years of the English version, in 2022?

Thank you for having accompanied us during all these years. Esteren continues to live, it is also thanks to you. We will soon enter the cycle of Secrets as Dearg's cycle comes to an end. For now, we are just happy to be still here.

Take care!


Overview of the Shadows of Esteren series

Many Esteren items have remained unavailable at retail or out of stock for a long time. Since conventions have been canceled, we’ll be making available the stock that was reserved for those dates during the upcoming Kickstarter.

Several books are almost out of stock, such as Book 1 (the core rulebook) or Book 3 (the official campaign). These bundles are 50% off, so don’t hesitate!

Here is an overview of the series:

Book 0 – Prologue: This seminal book includes an overview of the universe, the essential elements of the game system, six pregenerated characters, and three adventures, which stand as spin-offs of the official campaign and introduce some of its main themes. Perfect to get started!

Book 1 – Universe: This core book details the peninsula of Tri-Kazel and contains the complete game system and character creation mechanics. It also includes six unique pregenerated characters, who are central to the Dearg campaign. It is also our most awarded book, having received ENnies for Best Art, Best Production Values, and Product of the Year. It has enjoyed several print runs, but is now unavailable at retail. Through the present Kickstarter campaign, you can order the last remaining copies!

Book 2 – Travels: A book for Game Leaders, Travels is a veritable toolbox featuring: a chapter on noteworthy locations of the peninsula, additional rules and game aids related to traveling, a detailed gallery of NPCs from across the peninsula, a collection of 5 mini-adventures, a mini-campaign titled “A Life Choice,” and a short bestiary.

Book 3 – Dearg: A complete adventure path spanning two volumes, Dearg is the official Shadows of Esteren campaign, a tragic fresco of twenty scenarios that will lead your Players to unearth terrible secrets about themselves and the world. Dearg introduces several unique mechanics, such as narrative arcs and Focuses, for the purpose of more intense sessions and more engaging role-playing. Several of the present campaign’s rewards include the first volume of this campaign, with the second one currently in the works.

The Monastery of Tuath: This book is showcases the inner working and beliefs of the Temple faction and the life of monks. At its heart is the densely packed investigation scenario “Vengeful Words.” This homage to The Name of the Rose can be played as a standalone or as part of the Dearg campaign.

Black Moon Handbook: This supplement is a guide to occultism that can be found in-game by the Player Characters. Written by the NPC Steren Slaine, it offers many game aids to play an occultist, additional rules, 5 mini-adventures on the themes of ghosts and possessions, and a small thematic bestiary.

Hauntings Pocket Book: Some of the pledges include this collection of fiction. Its 5 short stories will immerse you in Tri-Kazel’s life and will introduce you to its occult folklore.

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Learn more: Kickstarter campaign

The Demo of the Esteren Point'n'Click Game Is Now Freely Downloadable

We are making the demo of our point'n'click game, The Mac Lyrs’ Legacy, freely downloadable on DTRPG.

This PC demo (available in French and English) will let you play the game’s first chapter and experiencing its gameplay. You just need to download the .zip and launch the .exe within.

Keep in mind that this is a demo and may include bugs. If you encounter any, our apologies! In this case, please report them on our Discord. If you get stuck, you can also ask for help there! This is our first video game, so don’t be too hard on us :)

Have fun :)




About the Video Game Project

The Mac Lyrs’ Legacy is in line with classic point'n'click games such as Broken Sword or Monkey Island. It is rooted in the beginnings of the Esteren project, back in 2009, and depicts Yldiane upon her return to her native village of Melwan. The game’s events follow those of the Side Path gamebook and Yldiane comic, which are part of the Melwan project. To stay in touch with us and be informed of the launch of our next Kickstarter, subscribe to our mailing list.

We are always looking for people to help us move forward on this project or a publisher with whom to associate. Feel free to drop us a line here.

About Shadows of Esteren

Shadows of Esteren is a medieval world with horrific and gothic overtones in a dark, low fantasy setting. Drawing inspiration from Celtic myths, this universe has a subtle fantastic side hidden under a bleak, realistic surface. With the focus of its adventures being investigation and survival, Shadows of Esteren favors immersion and interaction among the players. 

Shadows of Esteren is the work of Studio Agate. It exists through various media: a tabletop role-play game, music, board games, and even video games.

Innovative and crossmedia project, Shadows of Esteren is the first French creation of its kind to have obtained a dozen of prices internationally, including four Ennie Awards at Indianapolis GenCon in 2013 and 2016. 

Adeliane is on Bandcamp

Our fourth album Adeliane is available on Bandcamp.

Adeliane is one of the mort important figure of Shadows of Esteren's universe.

You take your body on these paths
The rhythm of your heart
Of your steps


This body of pain
You walk further
Deeper within yourself


Travel these landscapes
And travel them again
What do you find on this journey


All becomes clear and so bright
As you fall asleep
And fall again


Is it the time of great changes
The time where things rise
And quietly die


Travel these landscapes
And travel them again
What do you find on this journey


The wind is blowing
Your face
Your gaze


Adeliane
Adeliane
What do you find on this journey



Credits

Composed by François Rousselot.
Performed by Clarisse May and the Budpapest Symphonic Orhestra.
 
released September 19, 2019

Production : Benjamin Torval | Mix : Marc Gueroult | Mastering : Marc Gueroult | Art : Gawain | Layout : Benjamin Torval

Meet us at UK Games Expo

For the 7th year, we will be at UK Games Expo this weekend in Birmingham. We will introduce our new book: Dearg. Please visit us at our booth 1-251 in the main hall.

Looking for Volunteers for UKGE 2018 & Gen Con 2018

Hello everyone,

As you may already know, there will be a Shadows of Esteren booth at UKGE 2018 in England and at Gen Con 2018 in the US, which will be run by some members of the team.
 
However, these big game conventions are a lot for a small team to handle, which is why we are going to need some extra support... a support which YOU may provide!



Running the Booth

You'll have to do what you must have all seen booth holders do: stick around, be all smiles, and be ready to provide a rundown about the universe and answer questions!

► You will remain with us at the Shadows of Esteren booth for the most part of the days. You will be given one hour or two to go around, grab a bite, chat with friends, check out other booths, etc. but we will be counting on you to stay with us most of the time.

► Since the books we've released so far will be our main products, you will be expected to have reliable knowledge about them, so that you can describe them and answer questions about them, the most important one being of course Book 1, the core book.

► What's in for you? You will be given some gift at the Shadows of Esteren booth, and you will be cordially invited to come with us at the end of the day for a few drinks and some merry chatting. You also will get a precious exhibitor badge.

And of course, once more, only offer your help if you are certain that you will be available. Not getting any help would be a bummer, but being promised help that will not come in the end would be a major pain in the butt.

That's it! If you wish to volunteer for a convention, please fill this form and we will get back to you.

For any additional information, do not hesitate to contact us; we'll do our best to provide complete and reliable answers. We hope that we'll have the pleasure of having some of you by our side!

Back from Essen SPIEL


Here we are, back from a memorable journey! This Essen SPIEL was marked by an unforgettable new concert of Adeliane, performed by 4 musicians and singer Clarisse Mây, all lit by candles, with special guest Benjamin Loomes of Syrinscape. Strong emotions...!




A big thank you to the organizers of Spiel who supported us as well as the publisher Matagot. Thank you to our volunteers and friends who participated in the booth throughout the show. You are jewels! Thanks to all our community, publisher friends and great people we met there.

See you nerxt year!


Ticket Sales Open For Shadows of Esteren Concert at the Internationale Spieltage SPIEL - FRI 27th OCT 4PM

This October, enjoy a unique classical music concert at the International Games Event SPIEL! You can book your ticket on Ticketbud. The singer Clarisse Mây and four musicians will be performing Shadows of Esteren’s fourth album: ADELIANE. As of now, this concert is a one-time-only event in Germany.

ADELIANE is a music album inspired by the universes of Philip Glass, Agnes Obel, and David Darling. It is one more window to the universe of Shadows of Esteren, a medieval world filled with dark romanticism, where ghastly horror and awe-inspiring beauty go hand in hand. ADELIANE is composed by François Rousselot, the composer of the OST of MR HUBLOT, which won the Oscar for best short animation in 2014.

The SPIEL concert will feature special guest Benjamin Loomes, renowned composer and creator of Syrinscape, the award-winning sound app for tabletop games, who will be filing the venue with the sounds of vicious storms, vast landscapes and other moody environments.

Note that you will need to attend SPIEL to enter this concert, as it will take place in the Saal Europa room, located inside the Messe Essen convention center.

Buy your tickets for the SPIEL
Listen to the Esteren's first three albums on Bandcamp

See you there 😊🎹🎻🎤🎼


Gen Con 50

We are back from Gen Con and it was intense. We lived unforgettable moments.

Thank you to all the people who came to see us and to participate to make this edition an exceptional year! This edition was our sixth year and it is also friends that we found there: we miss you already! We fell so lucky and we are already looking forward to next Gen Con. Our next conventions abroad will be the Spiel in Essen, Germany and Dragonmeet in London, UK.