I'm James Wylder, a writer from Indiana, and I'm a huge fan of tabletop roleplaying games. During the last year my partner and I have suffered a number of serious crises involving our health. We've been pushing through as much as we can, but with a recent hospital trip its finally become too much: to keep up with medical and medicine costs while continuing to eat and pay rent, we need to reach out and ask for help in a big way. We've had amazing care from a lot of wonderful professionals, but healthcare isn't cheap, and the time that our health has taken away from work doesn't help either.
To that end, I am opening donations for designing a city for fantasy RPG campaigns. Like a Kickstarter, as donation goals are reached, I’ll write new parts of the city. Anything made for this, barring any commissions requested to be left private, will be posted here for free, and compiled in a free PDF when this project ends. And it'll remain free to use. If you don't have anything specific to request when you donate, that’s okay! You'll still be contributing to make something special for other people, while helping me and my loved ones.
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The Roadmap to Our Needs
Update: 12/22/25:
What a road it's been so far. We've had a long year of hospitals, doctors, and thankfully, recovery. I've also taken on a big professional responsibility with Cwej: The Series 30th anniversary celebrations. In the new year, once I've finished with Cwej30, I'll be starting again on building this city for rewards. I'm excited to get back to it.
That being said, I am going to ask for one last push here with the end of the year, to help us get over this final hump. I know its a time when finances are tight for many, but if you can help out, please do. I'll add some new locations as we get going based on if we can meet our needs:
Goal 1: $90 - We add in the City's Casino hall, a den of inequity and vice, run by a mysterious Dragonborn.
Goal 2: $190 - We add in details on running a heist in the city's Casino.
Goal 3: $350 - We add in the city's colosseum, a space for sporting and gladiatorial events.
Goal 4: $400 - We add in write ups of some of the gladiators known throughout the city.
We're keeping these goals smaller than before. We already have a lot to do as we catch up, but I still wanted to provide something exciting. Look for the first drop of what's going on in Neris in the new year.
Thank you for all your support so far. This year has been a real test, but we're still here. Thank you for believing in us. We'll do our best to reward that trust. -J
PS: If you want to check out Cwej: Odyssey, its a free introduction to Cwej: the Series I've been the editor of. People seem to like it. You can read it here: http://www.arcbeatlepress.com/cwejodyssey
What a road it's been so far. We've had a long year of hospitals, doctors, and thankfully, recovery. I've also taken on a big professional responsibility with Cwej: The Series 30th anniversary celebrations. In the new year, once I've finished with Cwej30, I'll be starting again on building this city for rewards. I'm excited to get back to it.
That being said, I am going to ask for one last push here with the end of the year, to help us get over this final hump. I know its a time when finances are tight for many, but if you can help out, please do. I'll add some new locations as we get going based on if we can meet our needs:
Goal 1: $90 - We add in the City's Casino hall, a den of inequity and vice, run by a mysterious Dragonborn.
Goal 2: $190 - We add in details on running a heist in the city's Casino.
Goal 3: $350 - We add in the city's colosseum, a space for sporting and gladiatorial events.
Goal 4: $400 - We add in write ups of some of the gladiators known throughout the city.
We're keeping these goals smaller than before. We already have a lot to do as we catch up, but I still wanted to provide something exciting. Look for the first drop of what's going on in Neris in the new year.
Thank you for all your support so far. This year has been a real test, but we're still here. Thank you for believing in us. We'll do our best to reward that trust. -J
PS: If you want to check out Cwej: Odyssey, its a free introduction to Cwej: the Series I've been the editor of. People seem to like it. You can read it here: http://www.arcbeatlepress.com/cwejodyssey
As we get donations, we'll chart how we're progressing, and what we'll be adding.
(Work on the goals met is on the way! Keep them coming, and thank you so much for the support so far. Genuinely humbled. But much further yet to go!)
- DONE! $10: We start at the tavern, and get a write up of one of the city's primary watering holes.
- DONE! $45: We learn about the City's mayor, and City Hall.
- DONE! Major Goal: $80: We secure some needed short term funds, and I write the entrance to the City's Dungeon and its opening level.
- DONE! $150: We add a write up about the city's magic school, which may be further expanded with interest.
- DONE! $200: Sean Dillon will add a special guest piece--a gander through the city's hellish equivalent of the DMV!
- DONE! $250: We'll further expand the Magic school, and add more staff members and secrets hidden in its halls!
- DONE! $300: Aristide Twain will add a special guest piece--A curio shop that specializes in one kind of strange object--and only one--in many variations and its eccentric owner.
- DONE! $350: A haunted park where a ghost can be seen every night at midnight. What keeps them there?
- DONE! $450: A write up of the city's different guilds for quick use in different scenarios (which may have new additions later) including one larger write up about the Adventurer's guilt.
(Work on the goals met is on the way! Keep them coming, and thank you so much for the support so far. Genuinely humbled. But much further yet to go!)
Specific Commissions
You can also make a donation to add something you'd like to the city. Want to see something specific, like a Dolphin themed Casino, or add something that would be particularly useful to your own campaign? I'm game.
Small City Location: A short write up of a location, including an NPC either located there or interested in the location if no one would be there.
$50
Expansive City Location: A longer write up of a location of your choice, featuring at least two NPCs, and an organization or artifact hosted there.
$100
Dungeon Room: Under the city lies a dangerous dungeon, and you can get a room added to the dungeon featuring a theme or concept of your choosing. The room will feature a trap or monster as appropriate.
$75
And outside the normal project scope...
Maybe these still don’t tickle your fancy, but you still want to commission something. I’m also game to do the following:
$5 + 8 cents per word: DnD Character Commissions : I’ll write a short story about your character. When commissioning this, you’ll need to provide details about your character. I’ll ask you some questions about your character and what you'd like from the story.
$10 + 8 cents per word: Other creative commissions: Do you want to commission something else, like a coffee shop AU story about your favorite TV character? Or a non-canon story set in one of my own worlds like 10,000 Dawns? Then this commission tier is for you.
You can also make a donation to add something you'd like to the city. Want to see something specific, like a Dolphin themed Casino, or add something that would be particularly useful to your own campaign? I'm game.
Small City Location: A short write up of a location, including an NPC either located there or interested in the location if no one would be there.
$50
Expansive City Location: A longer write up of a location of your choice, featuring at least two NPCs, and an organization or artifact hosted there.
$100
Dungeon Room: Under the city lies a dangerous dungeon, and you can get a room added to the dungeon featuring a theme or concept of your choosing. The room will feature a trap or monster as appropriate.
$75
And outside the normal project scope...
Maybe these still don’t tickle your fancy, but you still want to commission something. I’m also game to do the following:
$5 + 8 cents per word: DnD Character Commissions : I’ll write a short story about your character. When commissioning this, you’ll need to provide details about your character. I’ll ask you some questions about your character and what you'd like from the story.
$10 + 8 cents per word: Other creative commissions: Do you want to commission something else, like a coffee shop AU story about your favorite TV character? Or a non-canon story set in one of my own worlds like 10,000 Dawns? Then this commission tier is for you.
So we’re asking for your help—and besides the warm feeling you’ll get from helping us out, you’ll also get the satisfaction of not having to design an element for your RPG yourself! Now, if you want to donate but don't want anything in return, we're glad to accept any money you can send our way. Times are tough, and so we appreciate your help, whether or not you want to build a fantasy city.
How to Help
You might be wondering how to help. At the links below, you can find places to donate via Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp. If you need to contact me to give further information on a specific commission, you can use the contact form or email me at [email protected]. Thank you for your support.
Copyright 2024, James wylder
