Better Backstories for RPGs
A project in Baltimore, MD by Jay Stilipec000days
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00hours
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00minutes
Funding Successful
Improve your role-playing characters with this easy-to-use card-based backstory generator! Works with any RPG system.
Backers: 1357
Average Pledge Per Backer: $19
Funded: $25,743 of $3,000
Dates: Nov 15th -> Dec 30th (45 days)
Project By: Jay Stilipec
Backers: 1357
Average Pledge Per Backer: $19
Funded: $25,743 of $3,000
Dates: Nov 15th -> Dec 30th (45 days)
Project By: Jay Stilipec
$25,743
current pledge level
Last Updated: December 30 @ 14:01 -0500 GMT
858%
of goal
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Latest News
Final Countdown! 
December 30th - via: kickstarter.com
Facebook Live stream in the last hour of the campaign! I'll start at 1 p.m. EST. Find me on Facebook: Jay R Stilipec (I'm the only one). <3 -Jay (Read More)
Only 24 hours remain!
December 29th - via: kickstarter.com
Thanks for your support! Expect a Facebook Live link on Monday around 1 p.m. EST. I'll be counting down and taking questions. <3 -Jay (Read More)
$20K? Seriously? Challenge Accepted!
December 27th - via: kickstarter.com
Okay, one more Stretch Goal: $30K for Better Backstories Bookmarks! Here is a mock-up of one of the bookmarks. There will be 16 in total, two for every category: One lightside, and one darkside. Inspirational quotes will be provided by my... (Read More)
D&D adventure powered by Better Backstories!
December 25th - via: kickstarter.com
Tabletop For the End of the World (TFEW) Returns! I'm so happy to have met the team from Tabletop For the End of the World. Not only did they love the concept of Better Backstories, but Mitch the DM realized he could use the cards to create 'story... (Read More)
Happy Holidays and Thank You, Everyone!
December 25th - via: kickstarter.com
Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Winter Solstice, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God bless you with prosperity and happiness. For those who don't realize, this is my very first Kickstarter, and I am overjoyed with the... (Read More)
Downloadable PDFs for Everyone!
December 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
It has taken some time to make it a reality, but a downloadable PDFs of all 88 cards in the Better Backstories Big Bundle is on the way! First of all, ALL TIERS will receive a copy of the PDF once the campaign is finalized, and a new PDF-only... (Read More)
Three Characters developed with Better Backstories
December 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
As per a backer's request, I present three of my characters (out of 194). The life histories of these characters were developed by me using random suggestions from Better Backstories. Illustrations by Blazbaros Stat Blocks created with the... (Read More)
New 'How to' video for Better Backstories
December 22nd - via: kickstarter.com
Tabletop For the End of the World (TFEW) lends their support I first met the TFEW crew at BlerDCon 2019, and when I showed them Better Backstories, they were immediately excited for the product. Their DM Mitch was the first to suggest using the... (Read More)
$15,000!! Welcome 100+ new backers!
December 21st - via: kickstarter.com
It keeps getting better for Better Backstories Coming soon: Printable PDFs You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play Replay with sound Play with sound 00:00 00:00 All my thanks to my wonderful backers! <3 -Jay (Read More)
400% funded?! *mind blown*
December 19th - via: kickstarter.com
Thank you all for $12,000 and counting! You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play Replay with sound Play with sound 00:00 00:00 Keep on sharing! <3 Best Regards, -Jay (Read More)
Delivery Dates, 88 cards per box, Extra funds, More rewards
December 17th - via: kickstarter.com
As Better Backstories moves into it's final two weeks, I wanted to thank everyone for their support! Additionally, I wanted to explain a few frequently asked questions. Variable Delivery Dates I first created the campaign in mid-2019 and set the... (Read More)
Blaz-tastic 2: Electric Blaz-a-loo goes live at 4 p.m., Dec. 14th
December 14th - via: kickstarter.com
Seven more illustration slots opening soon! You'll have to be quick on the draw to get one of these full-body, full-color commissions by Blazbaros. <3 -Jay (Read More)
More Rewards!! (by popular insistence)
December 14th - via: kickstarter.com
More Personalized decks, Holographic decks, and Illustrations! I thought hitting 300% funding, busting five stretch goals, and unlocking 20 extra cards would be enough, but that's what I get for underestimating the backers of Better Backstories! New... (Read More)
307 RPG Podcast about Better Backstories
December 13th - via: kickstarter.com
Patrick interviews Jay about Hometowns, Gaming, and Kickstarter I was honored to be on this podcast with a high school friend, Patrick Cossel. To be warned, it's about 37 minutes and a lot of me rambling. 307 RPG - Podcast 64 "Where we talk with... (Read More)
Development of Booster Packs
December 13th - via: kickstarter.com
As most of you likely know by now, Better Backstories has grown from a 64-card deck to a 68-card basic deck and two 10-card booster packs for a total of 88 cards! Also, thanks to your pledges and support, we will be able to combine the basic deck... (Read More)
300% Funded! 5th Stretch Goal!
December 12th - via: kickstarter.com
Edmund Michael Kera knocks out the fifth stretch goal with his pledge! $9000 is gone just like that! Now the two booster packs will come bundled in the same box with every deck printed through this Kickstarter. That means all pledge levels... (Read More)
More Card Features (already included)
December 9th - via: kickstarter.com
Alignments, Weather, and Land forms (oh, my) The back of every card in Better Backstories is full of details to help any game master or creative struggling with writer's block. Each card features icons for alignment (1), number (2), weather (3),... (Read More)
Dazzling Pledge Increase: More Holographic Decks!
December 7th - via: kickstarter.com
The more you order, the cheaper they get! Based on my initial numbers for the holographic decks, I planned to sell 60, plus 22 for the Epic pledges, plus 12 for the Blaz-tastic pledges. This makes a total of 94 cards. I figured I'd round up to... (Read More)
233% Funded! 4th Stretch Goal!
December 7th - via: kickstarter.com
22 days left! More Epic Pledges now open! $7000 crushed only three days later! I'll be working on the new cards and expanding the number of Epic Pledges to put your personal quotes on the chartless cards in the boosters. We've only just now... (Read More)
Biggest Stretch Goal Yet
December 7th - via: kickstarter.com
300% means 33% more cards in the box! As we keep blowing through stretch goals, we have set a higher threshold for this one. If we can hit 300%, we can combine the regular deck and the two boosters into a special 'Kickstarter Only' edition for all... (Read More)
200% Funded! 3rd Stretch Goal!
December 5th - via: kickstarter.com
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! $6000 and still going! You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play Replay with sound Play with sound 00:00 00:00 Feel free to submit your stretch goal ideas in the comments or messages! <3 -Jay (Read More)
New Stretch Goal
December 3rd - via: kickstarter.com
Impending Success Leads to Further Encouragement With such a wonderful reaction to my live demonstration at Third Eye Games & Hobbies today, I've decided on our next stretch goal. Every stretch goal is about providing more cards or improving... (Read More)
200+ Backers & 175% Funded in 18 days
December 2nd - via: kickstarter.com
Seriously? I mean ... Really? I'm overwhelmed by the success of Better Backstories so far. I thought getting $3000 would be a stretch, hence giving the campaign 45 days. But to hit the goal within a week, the first stretch goal in 11 days, and... (Read More)
Additional Product Plans
December 2nd - via: kickstarter.com
Here at Better Backstories, we're always thinking of ways to improve the life histories of your characters. Beyond the basic deck featured in this Kickstarter, we've got a few ideas to expand your options. Future Booster Packs Beyond the Kickstarter,... (Read More)
Blaz-tastic Backers begin fullfillment
December 1st - via: kickstarter.com
Blaz-tastic Backers can send their illustration details now A message has been sent out to all 12 Blaz-tastic Backers asking for the details of their illustrations. Blazbaros will be working exclusively on these images for the next few weeks, and... (Read More)
Demo at Third Eye Games in Annapolis
November 30th - via: kickstarter.com
Better Backstories will be LIVE on Dec. 3rd Come see a live demonstration of Better Backstories with it's creator this week at Third Eye Games & Hobbies in Annapolis, Maryland from 5 to 8 p.m.... (Read More)
First official demonstration goes well
November 30th - via: kickstarter.com
Thanks to Gamers-Corps for hosting Better Backstories I went to Gamers-Corps in Ellicott City, Maryland yesterday and set up a small area to demonstrate Better Backstories. They were holding their Black Friday sale, and had a steady stream of... (Read More)
Limited Time Bulk Pledge! 4 decks: $30
November 29th - via: kickstarter.com
The Bulk Pledge is now available to get more bang for your buck. Four basic decks for the price of three! Perfect for all the gamers, writers and creatives in your life. (Read More)
150% Funded: Happy Thanksgiving!
November 29th - via: kickstarter.com
Drew Pendracki crushes our second stretch goal with his pledge! Second Stretch Goal Funded This stretch goal will fund a prettier box and more detailed instructions for the decks. You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play Replay... (Read More)
Lost a Backer - I'm listening
November 27th - via: kickstarter.com
So the campaign has lost it's first backer. I wish I knew why they recalled their pledge. Perhaps it was because they couldn't afford it? Perhaps they lost faith in the concept? Perhaps they found another backstory generation system they like... (Read More)
Understanding the 'Epic Pledge'
November 26th - via: kickstarter.com
I thought I'd take some time to explain the 'Epic - Quote in Flavor Text' pledge level. First of all, the deck has 60 cards, and 22 of them do not have charts. They only have flavor text that gives some suggestions and ideas for how the card might... (Read More)
135% funded and counting!
November 25th - via: kickstarter.com
Rickard Malm hits our first stretch goal with a purchase of an Epic Pledge! Thank you to all my backers, but special thanks to Rickard for the pledge that put us over $4000. First Stretch Goal Funded My graphic artist is hard at work updating the... (Read More)
Counting Cards
November 25th - via: kickstarter.com
Thank you all for your continued support of Better Backstories. With 34 days to go and three potential stretch goals, I need to discuss some changes that will be happening to Better Backstories as we move forward. At launch, the deck had 64... (Read More)
Stretch Goals Revealed!
November 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
#1 Stretch Goal - $4000 The first goal isn't very far away. This will allow us to include eight extra cards in the deck to describe the icons, explain the layout of the cards, and include four blank cards for making your own random backstory... (Read More)
Thank you soooooo much!
November 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
TL;DW - Thank you to Tim, David, Blazbaros, Shaneh, and all my wonderful backers! Next up, stretch goals for specialty cards, better packaging, and our first booster pack! You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play Replay... (Read More)
What's next for Better Backstories?
November 22nd - via: kickstarter.com
Okay. I'm calm now. :) I'm so thrilled that we are now fully funded. The campaign isn't over until the end of December, so keep telling your friends and getting the word out. Next I'll be putting out stretch goals, new content, and I'll... (Read More)
100% Funded!
November 22nd - via: kickstarter.com
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (Read More)
Pledger looking forward to using the deck
November 21st - via: kickstarter.com
I'm so excited! One of my pledges sent me a message saying how much they were looking forward to incorporating Better Backstories into their game. Jennifer -"All my players think a little differently, and sometimes we struggle with where we come... (Read More)
The History of Chronicle Cards ... er ... Better Backstories
November 20th - via: kickstarter.com
Words first; Images below While I have been working on Better Backstories for about two years, I've always liked giving my characters detailed backstories before I played them, even if I never played them. My favorite backstory generator is the... (Read More)
Beta Testers Speak Out
November 19th - via: kickstarter.com
I couldn't have gotten here without these guys Shady O'Grady - "This is a great tool to use for your games. I have used it numerous times to enhance my NPC's and my quick one-shot characters. I highly recommend this!" Shady is only of my... (Read More)
More than just backstories
November 18th - via: kickstarter.com
Better Backstories can be used to create a character's life history from scratch, build upon an already established one, or develop plot beats for a quick game session. If your campaign is starting at a higher level, you can use the cards to create... (Read More)
Five More Illustration Slots
November 17th - via: kickstarter.com
All Hail Blazbaros! Our wonderful artist has authorized the expansion of our 'Blaz-tastic Pledge'. As of right now, FIVE more pledges are available. This tier includes a holographic copy of the deck, and your very own full-body, color... (Read More)
The Fantastic Art of Blazbaros
November 17th - via: kickstarter.com
We've already got our four Blaz-tastic Pledges! I was expecting to have to plug this tier a little more, but I suppose Blazbaros' work speaks for itself. Blaz has drawn more than 55 D&D characters for me and was gracious enough to offer his... (Read More)
"How ... uh ... How does it work?"
November 17th - via: kickstarter.com
Finally, a demo that shows how to use Basic Backstories to inspire a more complex life history for your RPG characters. (Read More)
Close-Up on Cards
November 16th - via: kickstarter.com
But what do they look like? I realize the video didn't get terribly close to the cards, so here is an example. The cards are standard poker-size for ease of shuffling. They are printed on traditional playing card stock from... (Read More)
8 hours in and we're 25% funded!
November 15th - via: kickstarter.com
Wow! I'm so thrilled to be off to such a good start, especially with 44 days left to go. Stay tuned for a demo video, a new PDF tier, card images, and extra details about the cards to come very soon! I've already updated the main description... (Read More)
If you have additional news that doesn't appear here, shoot us a link!