6/28 Backerkit surveys, Answers to Immediate Problems, Centaurs!
almost 7 years ago – Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 11:21:24 PM

Pandoras   Box

As you may have noticed, the backerkit survey is out. This was our first backerkit email, so we are learning each persons needs as we go along. Around a 1/3 have completed their survey, which is awesome, but I thought I would share just in case it is your first time.  

The surveys are a way to communicate your needs to me.   Each link is a custom portal to add bonus stuff after the pledges, and or tell me personal prompts.  

The biggest two things from the surveys we needed were: shield pack instructions and for those who pledged during kickstarter as a custom order, to tell us what you added on during your kickstarter run.  

Links are not finalized until October 1st, so you are free to adjust as you like. If for any reason you lose your recovery link, use https://faunmodels.backerkit.com/.

Shield Packs  

So far this hasn't been an issue. The one thing that people have asked, is photos of the fauns with the shields. We are currently at the point of 3D printing, and having them prepared for a pewter molding session. Surveys will close in October, so there should be plenty of time to see before finally committing. Hang tight! 

Custom Pledges  

This has caused a bit of a muck up in regards to add ons and weight shipping. To answer this issue we had to come up with a few solutions,

Pledgers who put in for add ons during kickstarter, add items to the prompt box in the beginning of the survey. It will avoid triggering the added weight cost. If you have a base pledge, it will factor in a shipping rate for you.

Adding add ons beyond the custom form does trigger the added weight cost. So at first it can seem offputting for a few items, but keep in mind that those without a base pledge cost still need to be able to have their costs addressed. 

It was hard to find an ideal solution to mix and match shipping costs in the backerkit columns. For the most part, it was those in AUS/NZ and the EU countries that had problems. If you feel you need attention to a problem, let me know at [email protected] or pm me. My job here besides coordinating the project is to address customer service as well! 

Centaurs

This week Tim has given us some generous renders of torsos he made for the centaurs, and we have some updated plans that might interest you. 

Breastplate

Tim brought it to my attention that we can take the centaur bodies, and create 4 poses out of them using 4 mix and match body halves. The drawback of the plan was we needed a "surfboard" for the horse. We did surveys before where it was mixed, but the issue of running poses is the engineering and standing department. So we will have to fit in two to the sprue. 

Muscle Cuirass

As a space gesture, backers suggested weapon heads that were interchangeable on a rod. This is our first example of the prototype render, along with a soon to be made lance (to be done with feathers). 

The basis of the torso is set around the male faun, so male parts will work well here. We are hoping to compensate for the females with the bonus torso, but ill get into that more later. What is promising is that with the backwards compatibility, weapon choices could be altered using the main sprues...and promising units can then have 2H weapons or heavy armor to act as leaders (if kitbashing is your goal). 

Females

No details this week, which was unfortunate. What I do know is that the tweaks can sometime be needed in the plotting arrangement. The mold deposit is in for the females, so we should be able to start soon. The month of July is our big finishing point for plastic sculpts, and to get molds all paid up. Then we need to turn to pewter packs for those waiting on slings, minotaurs, etc.                    

Thanks for sticking with us, and if you ever have any problems, [email protected] is your source to answer them. Backerkit has also been given leeway in regards to refunds, and help with your backer kit problems. 

Robert Dunham

6/21 Sprue to be laid out next week
almost 7 years ago – Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 06:34:41 PM

Another short and sweet

This week transfer of kickstarter funds are finalizing around the 23rd. The first sprue should be finalized for layout this coming week, to address any noticeable space issues. Also giving us a chance to show what to expect. 

The first female mold will then begin with the initial mold deposit, the process should take 3-4 weeks if promptly started. 

Backerkit Notice

You'll be noticing some updates from Backerkit soon. We are preparing the late pledge segment, initially as a means to get addresses started, and to help those who have missed the kickstarter for various reasons. July is our big month to get things molded for the extra parts sprue and the centaur. It will follow in a similar manner, 3-4 weeks once the deposit hits. Tests shots as normal. 

Plastic is the biggest priority for being readied, as we can use the time in between for pewter upgrades. 

Sprue Count

Based on the counts we have an initial batch of 3k sprues we need to make before the late backers come in. 2k just for fauns. This is before retail to. So we will be metal heads for a bit. 

Centaur Sprue

Noticeable tweak. Centaur torsos we make will also be cross compatible with fauns. Thus, if you have extra, and desiring some heavy plate, or leather garbs, you'll be in business. I would like to fit in 4 torsos, but we will see how that goes. For those desiring traditional torsos, we will see about naked flesh.                 

Tim has been asked to create an initial axe and lance for the set. 

For now, enjoy your weekend

Robert

6/15 Update Centaurs and Layout Idea
almost 7 years ago – Sun, Jun 16, 2019 at 01:24:12 AM

Visualizing Next Sprue

Hello everyone, going to keep it pretty sweet this week. Me and Tim have finalized some tweaks on the female files and have turned them over to official layout. Until we get those back, I've gone ahead and put the STL files on a 3D printing grid map, in similar style to the first sprue. The biggest notes are the change of the wicker shields to include one of each of the bark and Thracian, the inclusion of the bone club, and bird sword (at angle looks like a long beaked bird), and bow drawing pose for the female. There is at least one single handed weapon for bracing, overhand, and at rest postures.

Centaurs

Darius finally pulled out some art concepts for the centaur torsos, and eventually how we can work on the upgrade pack for the centaurs and weapons.  Please take this as an idea session for now. We ideally like the plate mail concepts, and an extension of the muscle cuirass in hide/leather. 

Monday, Time to Work
almost 7 years ago – Tue, Jun 11, 2019 at 01:43:54 AM

Update

So we have the kickstarter reports for emails, and pledge break downs, they successfully crossed over to backer kit just fine. From what I gathered the majority of pledges went through on CC, but there are some stragglers. Kickstarter will be sending you an email to help update any cards on files. They continue to charge for up to 14 days from the day of the ending. 

I believe more then 95% are accounted for, so we can continue like normal while that is figured out.

Sculpting

Today me and Tim convened and we are preparing the files to go over for layout. Of note we had to tweak the 6th head to fit the slot. 

I am having a difficult call with the shields in the second frame, as we now have three types to play with. I am leaning in favor of one of each of the new ones to give the females a bit of variety. Backers having the choice to supplement whatever style soon. 

Also of note,

To offset the faun male with bow, we integrated a female faun with hand drawing arrows for her bow. 

Also the inclusion of the bone club. 

Concept Work

Darius is been given notice to draw up concepts for the centaurs in plate mail, and in muscle cuirass. In addition, weapon poses we can emulate with the two handed creations. Knowing him, he will have that up in a day or two.

3D Prints

Satyrs and shields are being sent over for mold prep in pewter, we have the Minotaur Brute, Male Shaman, and Female shaman on standby. 

Backer Request

Some folks have different objectives when picking their add ons. If you would like to switch up shield packs with an equivalent pack value, make a note to yourself for later so we can address it in the survey emails (the point where we are getting goods together). 

For now, stay golden as we get to task. 

Robert

Warbands, Followers of Pan, Hear Me! The Hooves of the Horse Beat!
almost 7 years ago – Sat, Jun 08, 2019 at 07:54:32 PM

Last Day!

In honor of the last day, all warband, and war party pledgers will receive bonus centaur sprues. Two to the warband, two more for war parties, two more to the army in a box pledgers. In ADDITION, Army in a Box pledgers will get the first crack at a soon to be developed traditional centaur armor and head kit.

Based on backer feedback, we received many requests to create torsos and interchangeable lance weapons. You also requested more traditional centaur heads. So we will oblige! 

First up a sample will be like so,

For those into Narnia, it will give you a chance to go with an iron or bronze decal. Below, you see the amazing opportunity to create pole arms. This would imply us creating two handed weapons, first as a polearm, and then a way to connect different weapon heads. 

Now, to avoid confusion, I have added the summary of where we are at right now, in terms of bonuses. 

Warband

• Fauns 12 Male, 9 Female
• Minotaur
• Centaur Horses (2)
• Shield Pack (10 shields)

At 15K 

Bonus sprue of 4 bodies for each faun box set

Warparty 

• Fauns 24 Male, 18 Female
• Minotaur
• Centaur Horses (8)
• Shield Pack x2 (20 shields)
• Satyrs x3

At 15K

Bonus sprue of 4 bodies for each faun box set

Army in a Box

Fauns 48 males, 36 females

Minotaur Brute- 1 minotaur

Minotaur Trio - 3 minotaurs

Satyrs 6

Faun Shaman Male 

Faun Shaman Female

Centaur Horses 22

Shield Pack x4 (40 shields)

Centaur Upgrade Pack

At 15 K

Bonus sprue of 4 bodies for each faun box set

Whatever we do, echoes in eternity !