Hey, folks,
I haven't posted about it here b/c I don't want to step on the Trolls' toes (particularly since I freelance for them as well as running my own gig).
The boxed sets are very nearly sold out on pre-orders--I've only done a 30-copy run, entirely by hand, to help finance a full print run of the book versions.
BD and my partner Tim each got special advance copies, Tim due to being a partner in the venture and BD because he's gone way out on a limb for me more than once.
I have 25 of those 30 already sold on pre-orders, and two game stores potentially interested in carrying a few, which will handily take care of the last 5.
I may, in the future, do a non-limited version which won't have all the amenities of the limited one (which includes character sheets, reference sheets, dice, and a signed, numbered card), though it may have some (a photocopy-able character sheet and maybe reference tables) but there is nothing set in stone. Also, it's probable at this point, given the distributor I'm using for boxes, that future sets I do will be 1-piece boxes instead of 2. But that's all way up in the air right now. Assembling 30 of these by hand has been a nightmare; I'd hate to think what 200 would do to me.
I will say that content-wise the book versions are completely identical to the boxed sets, and they have more art. We've got them out in "Standard" 6x9 hard and softcovers, and "Pocket" 5.5 x 8.5 softcovers. Personally I like the pocket editions best (and they're slightly discounted, despite having all of the same art and text of the full-sized versions).
Anyway, that's where we stand right now. I'm going to use the funds from the boxed sets to do a print run of the book versions, which hopefully I can get into stores through distribution. We're planning a free download "quick start" set of rules, but I've just landed a major freelance gig that is going to consume a great deal of my time over the next few months, so those may have to be on the backburner unless Tim wants to try and tackle them.
Essentially, however, the game works somewhat similar to C&C, in that it uses Ability Checks to resolve most things. In this case, however, an Ability Check uses 2d6 and has a target number of 11; to the die roll you add your Ability Bonus (the familiar 6), +1 at first level and every multiple of 3 thereafter (3, 6, 9, etc.)
Combat is based on weapon vs. armor (essentially, you--very quickly--reference a table to see what your weapon's target number is against your opponent's armor). As you go up in level, rather than getting better at hitting, you get more attacks. Combat also uses 2d6 + modifiers vs. a target number. All weapons deal 1d6 damage.
There are four classes: Warrior, Wizard, Priest, and Thief, with "Elite Paths," which are sub-classes. The core book has Paladin (Warrior) and Assassin (Thief). Elite Paths give you additional abilities but require high ability scores for entry and require 10% more XP per level to advance.
There are four races: Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Halfling, though in the Monsters and Magic booklet there are guidelines for using gnomes, goblins, orcs, and a few other critters as PC races at the Referee's discretion.
It's designed for freeform play, but there is an included (optional) miniatures system for those who prefer to use minis.
The core game is all you need. The first sourcebook, Monstrous Mayhem gives a ton of optional rules, including new Elite Paths--the Ranger (Warrior), Druid (Priest), Bard (Thief), and Necromancer (Wizard). It also includes mass combat rules, rules for disease, underwater adventuring and naval combat, a host of new monsters, and more. I wanted to do more magic items in there, but I ran out of space.
BD already posted the Lulu link. Here's our forums (which are a bit quiet at the moment, but I'd love to see more activity there)
http://elflairgames.proboards.com/
Please note that with proboards you can't have spaces in your user name, only alphanumeric characters.
[EDIT]I should also mention that the three booklet-form (Swordsmen and Spellslingers, Combat and Conflict, and Monsters and Magic) available on the Lulu store is nearly identical to the 3 booklets in the boxed set. The only difference is that the ones on Lulu are slightly shorter and wider (5.833" x 8.264") and use different paper stock (a higher quality, glossy stock) for both the interiors and the covers.
I'm also considering offering just boxes to those who buy the three booklets off of Lulu at a nominal cost (I'd have to cover my costs, at least). Haven't made any hard decisions on that, though.
