Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Yes, we missed the set up for backpack and characters. There is no hard and fast rule for introducing the characters, but as you do it, each other player adds an item into the character's backpack. We created an FAQ/Errata which you can find here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15PzBY3WpMc6vzCh_SMtV9Lvk9f-DMIejJMApszZ62No/...
Regarding the ghostly encounter, some mysteries have explicit ghosts in either the paranormal events or as NPCs, and some are more vague. As the game is designed to have prompts that are a bit less specific, most groups will choose when a paranormal event is a "ghost" and when it's not. Regarding information about the other character, the player in question would answer the question (so as not to step on any player's agency) but you can think about the ghost as acting as a conduit/accessing their memories/etc.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
Alicia Furness
Creator of
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this system was based on the original rules of Brindlewood Bay, which did not include a keeper reactions list.
For missed rolls, the group should agree on an appropriate outcome. How has the situation been made worse? Conditions are common. Lost items from the backpack have been done. The sky is the limit.
you should update the tax information page then, which explicitly says the tax interview only needs to be done once.
I hope that pending payouts for people in this situation will be made a priority, as some of us have already been waiting for several weeks.
I would also suggest that notices be sent to people when they need to redo their tax information, which is something that other platforms do.
My payouts have been delayed and when I went to see why, I discovered that my tax status has suddenly changed to invalid. I completed the tax interview originally in 2019, and have had monthly payouts since with no issues.
Now I can’t get any payouts and the ones that are pending suddenly have the 30% withholding applied as well (previously it was 0).
I was prompted on the tax page to redo the tax interview so I did. But now it only says pending validation, and support won’t answer emails.
How can I get this escalated so I can get paid? I ran an Itchfunding campaign and need access to that money to pay my freelancers.
I know of at least one other Canadian with the same problem that seems to have developed at the same time. This is not isolated.
ack! sorry, itch ate the notification for this question it would seem!
I know you are already done and released, but in case anyone else sees this:
My tip, as a person who is bad at layout and pays other people to do layout, is to keep it simple! Simple and clean is always, imo, the best way to go. Try not to split sections over pages if possible, because that helps readability and accessibility (but sometimes that just isn't possible, so don't fret too much).
Include symbols for the cards where you can, because I find that helps reinforce the correct suit.
But importantly, have fun and don't stress about it too much. If the layout is clear and easy to follow, you are doing fine!
How are everyone's mysteries going? We are halfway through the jam, and I cannot wait to see what everyone is working on!
Personally, I am in the process of finishing mysteries for the new supplement that I will be itch-funding (coming SOON I hope!).
If you have any questions about the process: mystery writing, layout, setting up itch pages, feel free to leave your questions here!
Because of it's GM-less nature, the best Paranormal Inc. mysteries provide multiple options for prompts. Obviously each card needs to have at least 1 prompt for it, but most will have more than that!
As a general rule, I like to provide a minimum of 2 paranormal events and 3 clues per card. Also remember to keep the prompts vague enough that they can be easily slotted into the game!
For example, a clue like "A passionate fight between Mr. Pants and Ms. Blouse" is highly specific, but a "a passionate fight between two people" can be slotted into more games. If the players haven't drawn the NPCs above, its not super helpful as a clue. It also helps to keep them vague for the Theorize move.
Players will fill in the blanks and give context to prompts, so you don't need to. You just need to provide enough general frameworks for them to be able to integrate the prompt into their game!
Paranormal Inc. Mystery Tip #1: Charge for Your Mystery!
I know, putting the cart before the horse, but my first tip for this jam is to CHARGE FOR YOUR MYSTERY!
We all deserve to be paid for our work, so slap something on that! Looking for a guideline? I charge $3 for my individual Brindlewood Bay mysteries. But you can charge more. Or less. Just ask for cash!
Looking to make things accessible? You can create Community Copies to provide free copies for people experiencing financial hardship! To create a community copy, go to the rewards section of your game and create a new reward. Give it a title and description. Set the price to 0.00 and set the number of copies you would like to make available!
So you want to create a mystery for Paranormal Inc. and don't know where to start?
Your key resources are going to be the core book found here. Additional Community Copies have been made available for participants in the jam who do not have the game yet.
There is also an SRD that you can review, and which includes a logo for mysteries. You can find that SRD here.
I am available to answer questions about mystery creation and rules! You can find me on twitter @aliciafurness or in the Gauntlet Discord in the Paranormal Inc. channel!
Happy creating!
Hi everyone, I wanted to jump in and let you know about some new jam updates!
Due to a health issue, I haven't been able to be as attentive to this jam as I would have liked, so I've extended it. Now you have until December 31st to get your entries in.
Also, although this jam isn't judged, I will be randomly selecting someone who enters to win a physical copy of Paranormal Inc.
Finally, the SRD is actually finished! You can get the official copy of it here.
Hi everyone, so excited to see so many cool people joining the jam! I am just putting the final touches on the SRD. But I wanted to make the draft available to anyone who wants to get started right away!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L64hV6FgrodVdPn52d1Q5zFY31SYLHVqgxi6b2q3rnk/...
I would love to submit Camp Flying Moose for Girls of All Kinds, a family-friendly summer camp RPG. https://afurness.itch.io/camp-flying-moose