Secret Garden Games is Rob Martin. They love tabletop gaming. For over 30 years, they’ve played D&D and other fantasy games and frankly have grown bored with the tired old European-based settings. Over those decades, they’ve seen gamers and nerds become a more and more diverse community, and yet the settings in which they’re playing are still filled with straight, pale shining knights worshipping approximations of Celtic gods. Other cultures, genders, and worldviews are beginning to get representation here and there, but they have so much more work to do and they want to help. They decided that they wanted to make a fantasy setting in which their European ancestors’ cultures were moved aside to make room for other peoples stories. They don’t want to appropriate anyones’ cultures or experiences, so they knew they couldn’t, shouldnt, and wouldnt do this alone. So they started Secret Garden Games. They’re a botanist by trade and the company is named for the book that began their love of plants. As a gardener, it is their job to make a space that brings together a diverse array of beauty and provide them all of the things they need to grow and thrive. That’s the goal of Secret Garden Games. So their first project will be a 5th Edition-compatible setting inspired by non-European cultures and mythologies. They have utterly fallen in love with the dizzying diversity and rich history of the Philippines, so it is there that they begin their adventure. In the real world, the Philippine archipelago has historically been a crossroads for so many cultures in Asia and is home to a bewildering array of people, languages, islands, and spirits. They have joined forces to collaborate with Filipino and Indonesian writers, artists, and mythologists to begin forming the islands of Bukana. Meaning gateway, this prosperous, magical archipelago is the commercial hub of their blossoming world where a visitor can see travelers inspired by cultures throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and even Meso- and South America. They plan on launching a Kickstarter for the initial books in 2021, so they need art, stories, and game design. What you are sponsoring: – Art. They LOVE art. They have already commissioned pieces from Filipino artists such as Brian Valeza and their Creative Cultural Consultant Ash Alapay. They really want to keep giving them money as well as finding even more diverse talent so they can help the beauty of Bukana bloom. – Writers. Even if they could write the whole thing themselves, as an outsider they couldn’t do justice to the people and culture that is inspiring them. And they would never try to tell someone else’s story for them. They want to hire Southeast Asian authors to nourish their setting and narrative. – Consultants. They want authentic, respectful diversity and the only way they’ll get that is with input and oversight from diverse experts. They already are making this setting with the help of their Senior Cultural Consultant Kal Gaverza of the Spirits of the Philippines Archipelago project. Your pledges will give their characters the room they need to grow. – Engagement. They would love to bring you along on their adventure. Your support will allow them to offer insight in the creation process with articles and podcasts that let you behind the scenes. They will ask for your help in making some decisions as well as give you other opportunities to share your opinions and unique perspectives. They would love for you to walk in their gardens. – Garden Metaphors. Most important of all, your patronage allows them to come up with even more corny plant puns, metaphors, and similes to subject you to.
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