That's a Lucky Number
almost 4 years ago – Fri, Jul 17, 2020 at 06:09:35 AM

888 Backers!

One element of Chinese numerology used in the game is the benefit of the number 8. You can see it played out in the dice mechanics of Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall. Since we've just reached 888 backers, we wanted to do something special for all of you which we hadn't originally planned.

Now included in all copies of the game will be what we're tentatively "Defeating Jiangshi: 101" card. This player aid will be give to the player who is playing the grandparent. This represents the knowledge they have picked up over they years through stories, songs, books, etc, and is generally information only they would know. This player aide can be a very useful reference since there are going to be players of the game who may not have hardly any experience with historical Jiangshi, but their characters most certainly would. 

We'll make sure to get the product image updated sometime soon, but we again wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who have show your support and made this possible.  

We're Setting Another Place at the Table, and Then Working on Dessert
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 07:34:08 PM

Jabari Weather's Scenario UNLOCKED!!!

It's been a crazy day on our end, but there has been a flurry of activity here the Kickstarter page. We've had a number of comments from you all, and even added a bunch of stuff to the FAQ section of the page. And while all that was going on, we were inching closer to unlocking another scenario, this time by Jabari Weathers!

Up next we have two more Restaurant Cards to add to the Restaurant Deck. We may add some more if we reach some other stretch goals, but before then we have a lot of other cool things in store. 

We have another surprise and addition coming up shortly too. It looks like some good luck is heading your way...

That Couldn't Have Been Real...Right?
almost 4 years ago – Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 09:19:04 AM

Two more Mung Cards UNLOCKED!!!

You all are simply amazing! Your support has added two more cards to the Mung Deck for all versions of the game. The great thing about the Mung Cards that torment players throughout the game is that they encourage the family members to talk to each other about the horrors plaguing their minds. These could provide hints about the Jiangshi that some characters would recognize and point out, especially to those who are more skeptical about the physical manifestations they may see in the streets. 

What's coming next? A scenario by artist and writer Jabari Weathers!

Jabari Weathers

Jabari (they/them) cannot confirm or deny their suspected status as an exiled goblin regent who has escaped beyond the veil. They presently reside in Baltimore, Maryland, making fantasy and sci-fi art to keep up their glamour (and because it’s fun). Other things that they enjoy are pen and paper role playing games, singing in public places, and the thoroughly uncanny. You can follow them on Twitter and Instagram and contact them at [email protected]

Another Stretch Goal Reached!
almost 4 years ago – Wed, Jul 15, 2020 at 07:13:25 PM

Kienna Shaw Scenario UNLOCKED!!!

It's been a pretty busy few days with multiple goals reached, interviews shared, and live stream appearances. This most recent goal sees us unlocking an extra scenario by the awesome Kienna Shaw!

As you can see, the next goal will see some more Mung Cards added to the Mung Deck. Not all Mung Cards are nightmarish horrors though. Throughout the deck you'll also find some gorgeous color work which represent good, hopeful dreams for your character. There are some additional scenarios by some of the most talented writers in the industry also on the horizon. 

We've been asked about other Stretch Goals and things we have planned, including Virtual Table Top play sets, and other component upgrades. We don't want to spoil anything, but almost everything that has been mentioned in the comments has been a part of our conversations too. We know you all will be pleasantly surprised as we keep moving forward. You have out continued thanks, since we couldn't do this without you!

You May Have Noticed...
almost 4 years ago – Wed, Jul 15, 2020 at 08:21:44 AM

After receiving some feedback about some of the hairstyles portrayed in the artwork by our amazingly talented artistic team, we have decided to make some changes.

From a historical perspective, while the tonsure/queue hairstyle (bianzi 辮子) was a part of Chinese culture since well before the Qing Dynasty, it was during their rulership that it was imposed upon the Han Chinese. Men who did not have their hair styled in that manner risked being executed for treason. When Sun Yat-Sen led the Xinhai revolution in 1911, the haircut almost immediately fell out of favor across mainland China and in Hong Kong.

For people who emigrated from China, however, there may have still been men who maintained the queue for several reasons. They may have supported the imperial family - Puyi, the so-called the Last Emperor, didn’t cut his queue until 1922 - or feared that the Emperor would be restored and they would face persecution if they returned to China; there had been several threats made in the late 1800s and early 1900s to repatriate Chinese citizens if they were found to have cut their queue. Even a decade after the imperial regime collapsed, people may have been motivated to keep the hairstyle for whatever reason - some men immediately cut their queues in defiance upon hearing that the imperial family had been dethroned; some continued to wear a queue, but stopped shaving their crown; others kept both.

Despite these differences, the queue is very much a sign of imperial China and, thus, still a sign of oppression to many Chinese. As such, we are re-commissioning our artists to make changes to reflect the nature of this game, which is very much about fighting against oppression in whatever form it takes.

For a really interesting history of how hair has spoken volumes in China (and other parts of Asia) historically, check out:
http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/features.php?searchterm=027_queue.inc&issue=027

or read the short story Storm in a Teacup by author Lu Hsun.

Thank you all for the great feedback as we move forward to create the best product we can!