Monstrous Heroes - 5e Monster Classes

Finalized Cover for Monstrous Heroes, PDF Version Launching Very Soon
4 months ago – Sat, Jun 01, 2024 at 02:59:15 PM

Hello one and all!

The monsters are at the gates! They’re howling and stomping and gnashing and clawing. They’re about to bust through.

I’m thrilled to unveil the official cover for Monstrous Heroes …

It is definitely a proper brother of EEE now, and it maintains the same brand aesthetic of a mythic world and oldschool-meets-newschool. The initial image for the Kickstarter/preview pdf was cool to get the ball rolling, but it never fully won my heart. Then a new inspiration struck a few months ago, and I was hooked!

I also uploaded a youtube video a couple days ago talking about the book and my process (which has been crazy, to say the least).

My work focus on Monstrous Heroes continues to be strong. It’s just down to the final revisions, then it will be done!

Here’s the plan of action:

• Launch the pdf version here in just a week or two.
• Send the print files over to the print company. They’ll probably take about 2 months for printing, so the hardcover books should be shipping out in late August or early September.
• During the wait for the hardcovers to print, I’m going to turn my focus to the adventure modules (Eldritch Castle and Trials of the Neophyte). Then, I’ll get them and the Map Pack finalized and launched.
• Start working on my next project, which currently is looking like it will be an adventure module (something awesome to build upon this world of Ichoros I’m developing and that I can produce quickly).

There’s so much I could say. I can hardly contain my excitement.

Talk to you all soon!

Esper

Update May 2024 - The Home Stretch
5 months ago – Mon, May 13, 2024 at 01:19:00 PM

Hello everyone!

Rugged determination fuels my work day by day. Monstrous Heroes is now in the home stretch of creation, and the to-do list is getting smaller and smaller: Finish some lore for a few NPCs. Edit some illustrations. Finish the front and back covers. Put the page numbers in place as well as the finalized table of contents. Proofreading and finishing touches.

I’m trying to not let excitement or eagerness get the best of me. Trying to stay focused. Though I have to say that seeing the whole book on screen in its almost-finished form is really cool. You guys are in for a titan of a book!

The sheer amount of characters and NPCs that could be created from Monstrous Heroes is vast. VAST. And along with the hoard of options is a surprising amount of lore and world building for Ichoros. Going into this project, I knew there would be a decent amount, but I did not expect that this book would end up developing and fleshing out my campaign setting this much. It is my joy to share the setting with you all and to know that you are either running it or adapting bits from it for your own adventures.

In my recent youtube video about creating NPCs, I even showcased a couple NPCs from Monstrous Heroes. Special thanks to boss monster backers Knut and Sean, who provided the concepts that these NPCs are based on.

There is some much more I could say, but I’ll contain myself for now. Back to the grind for me! Thanks all, I appreciate ye!

Esper

Update - April 2024 - We're Getting Close :)
6 months ago – Tue, Apr 16, 2024 at 01:55:29 PM

Hellooo! I can hardly believe it is already the middle of April! This is going to be a very quick update. 

I have my nose to the grindstone, and my determination is immense. Monstrous Heroes is getting closer and closer to finishing. The initial layout is done, which is a major milestone (we're looking at 248 pages total). Basically, I'm down to fleshing out more lore, finishing the Plots & Settings section, editing some illustrations, proofreading, and the final pass of edits.

Here's a screenshot of Hebutown, which has many pages jam-packed with world building, lore, NPCs, and plot hooks (plus a few maps). The adventure ripeness is mouthwatering. The aim here is help GM with locations that are especially suitable for monstrous characters.

OK back to writing and editing for me. Thanks a million guys. I can't wait to get this project wrapped up, shipped out, and to move onto the next one!

—Esper

Update - March 2024
7 months ago – Wed, Mar 13, 2024 at 10:34:50 AM

Hello everyone!

This is a quick update to touch base with you all. I have continued keeping my nose to the grindstone with Monstrous Heroes. The book has entered the initial layout phase, so the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger. My estimate is still for a Q2 launch. Staying focused and determined and with monstrous motivation pushing me onto reach a strong finish.

I will have a few more announcements regarding Monstrous Heroes before this is all wrapped up.

Behind the scenes: There are still some secondary aspects of MH that need fleshing out. The artwork is getting close to completed. The layout will go through a couple refinements and proofreadings. Then the book's print file will go to the print company to get slotted in the production queue.

Looking ahead: And with the latter phases of the book, I am also setting my sights on projects to come in the near-to-medium future. Getting excited there, for sure. See my recent newsletters and bardstreams for more about all that.

Until we meet again,

Esper

Progress Report - February 2024
8 months ago – Thu, Feb 08, 2024 at 10:26:50 AM

Hello everyone!

This project has been another huge learning experience for me. The lessons I have learned are many, and even a bit harsh at times. For sure I'll be applying what I learned to my future projects—which I am eager to move onto before long. I love this book, and the development process has been great in many ways, but I am so ready to get this monstrous ship sailing out into the world.

Here is the current progress report for Monstrous Heroes. I am essentially down to working out some kinks from a few subclasses and fleshing out some miscellaneous parts of the book. Also, a number of Boss Monster tier backers still need to send in the concept details for their NPCs. If you are one such backer, please send a reply email as soon as possible.

The illustrations for the book are coming along very well. I estimate that it's down to the final 10–15 illustrations. The exact number is always flexible, because once the book's layout is done, there are usually a couple spots that have an open space, which an illustration can fill in.

Here is a look at a few recent pieces completed by the fantastically talented Israel Botelho.

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little brighter and a little closer! As always, many thanks to you all!

—Esper