Hail friends of glory and welcome to the first Hearthfire newsletter. Here you will find news on the latest releases, third party supplements (if anyone makes them), lore and new ideas for your game. 

First of all, thank you so much for being a part of Hearthfire. I've been so pleased with its reception over the last week and it's something I want to continue building on. 

Why Hearthfire is vanilla fantasy

One thing people have noted is the game's vibe. I've intentionally wanted to form a vanilla setting in the vein of traditional fantasy worlds. For me and many others these are comfy places to which we retreat - the fiction of the Wheel of Time, Middle-earth and Dragonlance. The music of Rhapsody of Fire, Twilight Force and Blind Guardian. Films like Willow, Lord of the Rings and Dragonslayer. The paintings of Elmore, Nicholson and Caldwell. Familiar tropes are comforting and we generally know how to use them and their limitations. This is why I love vanilla high fantasy.

Hearthfire is a response to the growing number of grimdark and gonzo OSR games. I love these subgenres, but feel like we're losing the type of world where dwarves eat mutton by the campfire and knights meet unicorns in sunny glades. Of course, Hearthfire does things a little differently with the usual "races" we see. The Dwarrim are almost classic dwarves from folklore - woodland dwellers, much more like fey beings than stout mountain people. Elfin folk are forged of celestial light, intentionally created to battle the shadowkin of chaos. They are new to the world and as a player exploring what it means to be new and crafted for war is an interesting prospect. Humans are ancient, though not as old as dragons. They are city folk who have come together in friendship and diplomacy against the shadowkin. All these bloodlines are familiar yet new. 

I hope as GMs and players you will have fun in the Sundered Realms, adding your own fingerprints to the world. 

Print copies coming soon

I'm getting a first print run created, which should be on sale in around a week all being well. These will be available to buy on the Hearthfire Itch page. 

Dwarrim hotpot 

Mulsha is a dwarrim specialty - a one pot concoction of root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and purple marrow, with lannish stout and a kick of redseed root. Typically these are boiled in bronze pots called mulshas (where the dish derives it's name) and served during most occasions but a special "hen mulsha" is created for seasonal celebrations. It's customary for dwarrim elders to have the first spoonfuls as a sign of respect. Hen mulsha has particular restorative properties, replenishing D4 hit points. Sleep comes easily that night, which earns the dish's nickname slumberstew. 

Lamentation - a new type of moment

After a friend has passed away you spend a Moment singing a lamentation of woe. Gain the benefit of the Moment. In addition, gain +1 to saves for the remainder of the day. 

Until next time

Scott