We love highlighting projects that bring a unique and personal touch to the gaming world, and “Tales of the Kytin Age” by Geoff Gray is certainly one of those. This fantasy roleplaying game has been meticulously crafted over the past 35 years by Gray himself. Gray has spent decades creating a unique rule system carefully built around his novel setting. This October 25, the game is finally set to launch on Kickstarter, marking the culmination of an epic journey that started more than three decades ago.
Gray has dedicated himself to every aspect of the project, from writing, proofreading, and graphic design to book layout, website design, video production, and miniature design. Geoff describes himself as very much a “beer and pretzels” kind of player, disliking game systems where fun and immersion are obscured by overly complicated rules and superfluous detail. In Tales of the Kytin Age, players will find just enough rules to enhance role-play without sacrificing the story. Where detail truly shines is in the lore, the setting, and the narrative—the elements that breathe life into the game. It’s not often we see such an all-encompassing labor of love, and it makes “Tales of the Kytin Age” stand out as a special project.
Tales of the Kytin Age invites players to a distant future of Earth, one transformed into a sprawling landscape of massive fungi-forests and barren badlands—a world almost destroyed by the hubris of mankind. In this new world, insects have risen as the dominant force, evolving into colossal monsters that loom over the surviving remnants of humanity. While civilization as we know it is gone, humanity persists, adapted into four distinct forms: the neotype, the metamorph, the telempath, and the insectile—each adapted to thrive in a post-apocalyptic ecosystem shaped by the folly of their ancestors.
Set amidst a richly detailed landscape, “Tales of the Kytin Age” promises players an adventure where characters are more than archetypes—a chance to craft their own stories beyond the classic fighter or mage. Players will take on the roles of refugees fleeing a sinking island, embarking on a journey to start anew in a world that demands resilience and ingenuity. The game draws players into a setting full of complex social dynamics, ecological challenges, and the ever-present threat of giant insect overlords.
At its core, this game represents a love letter to the genre, with an astonishing level of world-building. It’s clear that Gray has poured his heart into every aspect of the project—crafting lore, designing mechanics, and even dreaming up the game’s intricate illustrations. To bring these visions to life, he has collaborated with talented Bulgarian artist Yasen Stoilov, a veteran of the genre who has worked with some of the most successful IPs in the hobby. Stoilov has embraced the weird and wonderful denizens and locales of the Kytin Age, showcasing his vibrant individual style through over 130 original pieces of artwork, adding depth and visual immersion to the gameworld. The depth of “Tales of the Kytin Age” is a testament to Gray’s devotion, with its nuanced approach to character creation, a classless system that offers nearly limitless character growth, and evocative storytelling that echoes the resilience of humanity.
The Kickstarter campaign offers two main pledge tiers for backers to choose from: the Standard Edition and the Deluxe Edition.
The Standard Edition includes the Core Game Book, which is a hefty combination of rules manual and encyclopedic lore tome. It features premium production quality, including a heavy casebound hardcover. The 340-page book is printed in full color throughout, with ‘printer-friendly’ player aids such as an equipment list, character creator note sheet, 4-page Character Sheet, and Hivekeeper’s player character and NPC record sheets.
The Deluxe Edition offers an expanded experience, envisioned as a boxed set packed with additional content. This edition includes:
- Core Game Book
- Adventure Book: “The Ing Saga’s: Ribvale”, which begins the player’s adventures in the Age of Kytin.
- A2 Poster Map: A large map of the Western Kingdom.
- Game Screen: Includes common tables and rule tips, such as the Combat Summary.
- Deluxe Character Sheets: A set of heavy paperstock, faux-parchment, four-page Character Sheets to record character development in style.
- Slipcase: A robust, gloss laminated slipcase designed to store all the items intended for the campaign, plus a bonus art card.
As “Tales of the Kytin Age” prepares to launch on Kickstarter, it’s clear that the dedication and effort put into the project make it a standout in the world of fantasy RPGs.
If you’re ready for a world where giant insects rule, where human beings have adapted to survive, and where adventure is a constant call—mark your calendars for October 25. The Kytin Age is about to begin.
Source: Tabletop Gaming News
