Greetings OUTLANDERS,

Jon here with a quick explanation of what is a OUTLANDS WORLD EVENT??.

The simply answer is an extra set of rules that you can use during your OUTLANDS games that give bigger rewards …...but have higher risks. You as the player do not need to play the world event if you don't want too....but I can't imagine why you wouldn't.

Limited Time Only: World Events run for a limited time. For example 'Shattered' is LIVE from the 1^st Sept 2021 to 30^th Sept 2021. During that time you can apply the extra rules. After the 'limited time' the World Event is removed. We cannot stop you from playing the World Event outside the pre-determined time period...but that's entirely upto you.

If you miss a 'World Event' do not worry. The event will goto rotation and will appear at a later date.

World Events are planned for every other month starting Sept 2021....so the next World Event after September '21 will be November '21....and so on.

What rewards do you get from World Events? The answer is 'each world event has a different reward system'. For example 'Busy Earning' World Event is based on expanding Credit rewards per game, as where 'Shattered' is around doubling your Spice Crystals.......that's if they don't explode before you capture them of course. Higher rewards=Higher risk.

What is the running list for World Events?? I know...you won't. The 1^st six World Events have already been secluded. After the initial 6 World Events the release order will be randomised with additional Events added.

Will each World Event run for an entire month?? Yes and No. Some World Events may change during the course of it's run but the general rule is that a World Event is 'Live' for 1 month.

Where can I find the 'live' World Event?? A PDF of the event will be made available on our Facebook ((1) OUTLANDS UNIVERSE Community | Facebook) and via Wargames Vault. A link will be provided the day (and during) the Event. After the event has ended the PDF will be removed. Here is the meat of it. We cannot stop you from using the world event 'outside' of its 'limited time'...that's entirely down to you. But if you do use the extra rules I would have the extra rules as part of a 'special' for your campaign....that's what I would do.

World Events??....I didn't expect that!!! The sad truth of the matter is that World Events had been planned for 2020. But, due to Covid and no solid play-testing due to lockdown, the whole project was put on hold. During the height of the pandemic I saw a sharp down turn in player engagement. Some player could play...some couldn't. To release the World Events during that time would have been wrong. As it stands and the uncertainty of the current 'world' situation, World Events will release every-other month as planned even if more 'lockdowns' are enforced. We simply have too much content for you guys to play!!!

Will it cost money for the World Events??? NO. World Events are Free. The World Event PDF on Wargames Vault will be 'Pay What You Want'...which is Free but also allows you to make a small donation if you wish (which is always welcome).

Other Stuff!!!!

Goodbye Outlands Chronicles....Hello OUTLANDS UNIVERSE!!!! So why the group name change?? The simple answer is to collect all Outlands related content under one banner. We have a lot more than World Events to share with you over the next 12 months. This includes more background stories, more missions, different game modes.....maybe a new game set in the Outlands Universe.

What about Relic Items? Again, due to Covid new Relic Items have been put on hold (didn't seem much point as very little games were being played) However, the forges are coming back online and Relics are due to return in January 2022 with a nice format making it easier to get your hands on some epic loot........and it might just coincide with the January '22 World Event.

And what about the Psychic Rules!!!! Its still happening. The plan was to release a separate rulebook to include Psychic rules, a narrative campaign and more Special Abilities. But, looking forward the new plan will be to release each of the fore-mentioned as separate suppliments to the core rules....... as PDF/s and under the 'Pay What You Want' format. Putting a book together is a lot of work (the core OUTLANDS rulebook only took 5 years). By pulling apart the 2^nd book and making each section its own entry into OUTLANDS allows for the team to continue to add to the game without long periods of content drought which is something we have all been suffering from. FU Covid!!!!!

Well thats about it for the moment. I will be making regular updates just to let you guys know what is going on and what to expect....and when.

Until next time Outlanders....stay safe,

Jon M

Relic:- Overloaded Tooter

 

Relic: Necklace of Shattered Dreams

 

Relic: Armour: Better Than A Band-Aid

 Better Than A Band-Aid (barely). The 2nd Relic piece of 2021 is a bit rubbish to be completely honest. But, at only at 210 Credits (or 10 Relic Fragments) and having Mesh it may be handy as a blood sucking opponent. Lets hope the dice gods are more giving next time.

 Blood, Beer and Bullets is a 'just for fun' bolt-on for OUTLANDS. What do your Spice Hunters get up to when not fighting it out over a fresh crop of crystals??? 

Blood, Beer and Bullets contains a D66 system of random tables that is rolled after the table has been set ....but before deployment. The result of the dice roll can have an affect on the game. Did your warband forget to stock up on ammo, partied until the early hours or become the unfortunate victims of a bandit attack?? 

Some of the 'events' included:-

As you can see from the examples above its not always a bad affect. Which leads me to Esmeralda 'The Fallen Sister'.

Esmeralda was once a member of the 'Sisterhood Of The One Eyed Snake', the cult started by Solomon Khan to fight injustice for those with 'Psychic' powers. Esmeralda has 2 forms. One is of a beautiful young woman who is full of life and good will.

 The 2nd form is or an old hag, hell bent on causing as much my misery as possible.

Esmeralda wanders the badlands and townships bestowing Blessings or Curses depending on what type of mood she is in (we all know someone like her....right). When rolling on the random events table you may get a visit from Esmeralda, who will demand tribute for a Blessing......or to stop a curse. Its wise to have some backup Dolla (Outlands slang for credits) just in case. Blood, Beer and Bullets includes a short story for Esmeralda as written by our resident background lorekeeper Kev Beachus.

Blood, Beer and Bullets is now available as a 19 page PDF for 0.75pence (£1.00 normally) on Wargames Vault. CLICK HERE.

So that's a quick look at the 1st OUTLANDS content for 2021. 

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter (somewhere near the top of this page) and keep upto date with all the OUTLANDS content for 2021 (its a lot!!)

Jon M

Chestplate Of Dripping Acid

 

Only 16 Relic Fragments until 7th Jan 2021.

 Preview for 2021.

So 2020 wasn't the greatest year. The impact of Covid 19 was felt around the world and still continues today with many of our 'considered' normal lives disrupted. This unfortunately included my plans for OUTLANDS. Shades Of Chaos Games is a very small fish in a very big pond and as such our budget does not cover for a world wide epidemic. Our main source of promoting OUTLANDS is you. Most of the gaming events in the UK were cancelled which means myself, Adam and Ross couldn't get out to meet you guys and play a few games. Gaming clubs and venues were forced to close leading yet again to a lack OUTLANDS games. With 2020 in tatters my plans for OUTLANDS took a backseat. But, it also gave me a chance to look at the direct of OUTLANDS and to work on more content. 

2020 really sucked and 2021 is looking to follow in its footsteps. Does this mean that OUTLANDS comes to a stop for another year??? HELL NO!!!!! 

Its time to break open the Armour, load up on Ammo and return to the galaxy's most dangerous planet. Paradise.

So what's planned for OUTLANDS in 2021. Well its..... starts with a bang.

 Jan 2021 will see the release of 'Blood, Beer and Bullets' a 19 page 'Just for fun' pre game events supplement. Wanna know what your warband gets up to during 'off the clock' gameplay. Well now's your chance to generate some out of game events that will affect your warbands in the next battle. Blood, Beer and Bullets includes 30 different 'events' and 12 Blessing/Curses including turning up drunk to a battle.....or catching a nasty STD. It also includes an introduction to Esmeralda The Fallen Sister, who may bless or curse your warband...depending on what kinda mood she is in.

BLOOD, BEER and BULLETS will be available as PDF  and only 0.75pence.

WORLD EVENTS:- What are World Events??? The simple answer is an OUTLANDS event that all players can take part in over a selected real world timeframe. Each 'event' offers different or increased in game rewards.....and the more you play the more chance of picking up something epic. Sounds good right!! The downside is World Events only last a certain time. After which the event is removed. The 1st OUTLANDS WORLD EVENT 'It Belongs In A Museum' runs from Feb 1st to Feb 28th 2021 and includes a whole load of new 'Relic' items that are available during the event. Of course 'World Events' are completely FREE for players.

SOLO PLAYER MISSIONS:- During the course of 2020 I was asked many times if OUTLANDS can be played solo (curse you Covid 19). The answer is NO. OUTLANDS is designed as a PvP (player verse player) game. However, with a few loose changes to the core rules it can be adapted to a single player game. If taking command of a single warband and facing some new missions is your only way of playing games at the moment (curse you again Covid 19) then SOLO PLAYER MISSIONS will help you get some great loot. Did I mention dedicated 'Loot Tables'??? I don't think I did....or that SOLO PLAYER MISSIONS will be completely FREE TO PLAY.

NEW EXPANSIONS and CAMPAIGNS:- When I released OUTLANDS is was my intention to keep adding extra pieces and expand the 'lore'. This is still the plan. Expansions are a way to get more out of your OUTLANDS game, but you as a player shouldn't feel the need to purchase new material to keep up with the latest. That's why each new expansion for OUTLANDS will not change the 'core' rules. You as a player can add the expansion to your games or not.  Over the course of 2021/2022 a whole host of expansion and campaigns are due for release that will enhance your OUTLANDS experience......some you may not wish to include....and some you will WANT to play. Did someone mention Psychics???

I think you will agree that OUTLANDS 2021 is gonna be a great year for the game. Keep upto date with all the OUTLANDS news you can sign up to the newsletter (top of this page) or join the team at our Facebook community page by CLICKING HERE.

All that's left for me to do now is to wish you all a very Happy New Year and to thank you for your continued support.

Jon M