The Post-Op
over 1 year ago
– Sun, Jan 22, 2023 at 09:13:46 AM
Greetings retainers,
We know a lot of Post-KS Pre-Order folks were checking the KS for news, so this is a quick update to say we finished sending out pre-orders over the holidays, as well as worked our way through the email backlog to catch other mishaps. To the best of our knowledge we have gotten back to everyone who has reached out to us directly, but it's been a mess toward the end, with folks saying we've missed their messages.
If you haven't received your physical copy yet, please email us directly at aCoupleofDrakesAToutlook.com with the name and email associated with the pledge or pre-order so we can get you sorted ASAP. We're holding back plenty of the KS-exclusive edition books to make sure anyone we missed due to changed address or segmentation mishap, is taken care of. We respect your right to vent your frustrations, but comments are not an effective means of helping us get your order fixed, so be sure to also email us.
We are also aware that a handful of folks got duplicate orders. If you happened to get an extra copy, please feel free to keep it, give it away, or donate it to your local library. We hope, wherever it ends up, that it brings joy with it.
We're sure everyone will be relieved to know, after tangling with the unexpected complexities of distribution and making every rookie mistake we could, we've found distributors to handle future projects. Whew! We are truly, profoundly, apologetic to everyone who has been disappointed by a late or missing shipment. It has been a learning experience and in keeping with Ilrien tradition, we've learned much through our underestimation of the hidden complexities of our aim. There is always another layer and another challenge lurking just beneath the surface.
Lot of weak hits on this project. And my how that does drive drama.
On a personal note, we know it's easy to forget we're just a team of two at the end of the day, so the number of you who have been infinitely patient this winter as we've dealt with every disaster from severe illness, to a wrecked vehicle, to multiple losses in the family, on top of navigating our first mass distribution--wow. Your kindness will stay with us, you all have truly been a light in the darkness, and a reminder that indie folks are the best. We endeavor, as always, to repay your kindness.
All our love,
Shawn & Navi Drake
A Couple of Drakes
Court of Blades: Kickstarter Fulfilled
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Oct 27, 2022 at 01:16:56 PM
Greetings Retainers,
We hope, as ever, that this message finds you enjoying your time in Ilrien. This is a bit of a bigger update so we've broken it into sections; let's dive in.
Regarding Physical Copies:
It has been a slow, steady climb since that enormous pallet of books arrived on our doorstep (which is two flights of terrifying stairs above the level of our front door), but this message marks the completion of our Kickstarter fulfillment. All of our backers who have not yet received their book should take heart. The last stragglers went out today, and our legion of couriers should be ferrying them to your doorsteps in the next two weeks or so (domestically at any rate--we have no idea about International, but we hope). If you don't see your copy arrive in the next few weeks and you're worried, reach out and we'll get it squared away together.
Regarding BackerKit Pre-Orders:
BackerKit Preorders that were not attached to a Kickstarter pledge are currently being prepared for shipping, so our journey is not yet done. Pre-oders will be shipped out during the month of November. As ever, we are committed to getting books into the hands of our Retainers.
Bonus Game Materials:
We've also been hard at work making some additional nice-to-haves for those of you who haven't yet gotten the game to the table, in hopes of maybe changing that. Or just enhancing your current experience.
- Our Quickstart guide has been published to BackerKit and Itch.io, condensing the rules and references to only what you need to get the game to the table quick, fast, and in a hurry.
- One of our Paramours put together a Character Keeper to help run the game online while minimizing struggle, which you may find here (Thanks @WookieeGunner!).
- Oh, and those Roll20 character sheets we've been teasing about? Those are done, and available for use RIGHT NOW. Thanks, @TJ_TiaTia. They look absolutely gorgeous.
Thank you, as always, for making Court of Blades a reality. We shall see you at the Masque.
Shawn & Navi Drake
A Couple of Drakes
The Distributioning!
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Oct 05, 2022 at 10:53:35 PM
Greetings Retainers,
We're checking in briefly to let everyone know we are flying through distribution, and there are only a few hundred books left to get out the door. A bunch of you have already begun posting photos and videos of your unboxing and we absolutely love to see them all. We're elated to discover it has been worth the wait for so many of you.
But! If you ordered an offset copy and haven't gotten yours yet, don't worry, we're still going. We had a few days setback over this last week as the flu tore through House Drake, but we've taken the requisite tests to be certain it's a typical seasonal bug so we can safely return to wrapping things up here. Next update will come when the last parcel is out of our hands, and will coincide with releasing version one of the Court of Blades Quickstart we're presently putting the last touches on formatting.
We've also just added a softcover version of Court to Amazon, if you've been hoping for a paperback, definitely check it out. We'll also be making them available through our usual alleged storefront in the next few weeks, after we've finished the Kickstarter distribution and had a nap. Thanks for sticking with us!
En garde!
A Couple of Drakes
They're HERE!
over 1 year ago
– Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 02:03:32 AM
Update: Exciting News Edition
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Sep 07, 2022 at 11:44:50 PM
Greetings Retainers,
We had some exciting news in our inbox this afternoon and had to rush to tell you all. The offset printed Court of Blades books have arrived at our port, and we have just finished filling out all of the paperwork. Next step will be having them shipped overland and then distribution is already set up to begin immediately.
The next update will likely be to let you all know distribution has begun, and we're anticipating distribution will take our team about two weeks to complete once the pallets are received in good condition. We'll be hyper-available during this period and the following weeks to help with any shipping mishaps (lost or damaged books, and so on) to get you your books as quickly as possible. If anyone has had a sudden change of address since we collected them, be sure to reach out to us as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your patience and flexibility as we navigated this gauntlet. Your encouragements and kind words continue to be the light that guides our way.
-Shawn and Navi Drake
A Couple of Drakes
