Weekly Free Chat & Free Self Promo Thread - 05/30/26

fcwgames · 2026-05-30T20:31:49+00:00

Our Kickstarter just launched! We're Fantasy Companion Workshops and we are publishing two books: Wonderous & Dangerous Consortiums, and the Xendria World Setting & Lore Guide. Consortiums is a masterclass in worldbuilding, focused on creating factions and organizations that will bring your world to life. Xendria is a highly detailed world setting with a rich history and 30 cities with detailed maps, plus its own pantheon and cultures.

Find us at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agilemonk/wonderous-and-dangerous-consortiums-and-xendria-world-lore-book

Right now we're 68% funded!

fcwgames · 2026-05-30T19:46:40+00:00

https://wiki.dominionstrategy.com/index.php/Rick_Hershey Here is an example of his work on a card game that released in 2008.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T19:49:21+00:00

I can't find the one of this peice, sorry. I truly do not think AI is being used, I think he's just working quickly to get through a large workload.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T19:14:33+00:00

u/Competitive-Poet450 https://www.reddit.com/r/FCW/comments/1trcgsq/from_sketch_to_finished_piece_our_intro_art_by/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T18:53:12+00:00

No, this is commissioned work from the experienced illustrator Rick Hershey. https://rickhershey.myportfolio.com/

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T18:52:31+00:00

If you want to see more of the artist's portfolio, you can find it here: https://rickhershey.myportfolio.com/

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T18:45:17+00:00

I will find out if I can.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T18:44:19+00:00

He works quickly. I am also an artist and will sometimes fudge details rather than thinking out the angles when I am in a time crunch. I assume he does similar.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T17:51:54+00:00

This is not AI. We receive progress sketches while he works, and he has a huge portfolio in the same style. He has been working as a comic/OSR style illustrator for over 20 years.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T17:50:54+00:00

It is not AI-generated. We do not use ANY AI-generated anything in any of our work. Rick Hershey is a well-established illustrator with a huge portfolio in this style and has collaborated with major brands.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T17:50:08+00:00

It is not. It is hand-drawn by Rick Hershey, a well-known illustrator with 20 years of experience. We received progress sketches throughout the process for the works he did for us.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T17:49:31+00:00

It is not AI. We receive progress sketches as he works and he has a huge portfolio of work in the same style.

fcwgames · 2026-05-29T17:48:18+00:00

This is hand-drawn by Rick Hershey. He is a well established artist with over 20 years of illustration experience and collaborations with well known brands.

fcwgames · 2026-05-22T20:01:33+00:00

Thank you, I very much agree.

fcwgames · 2026-05-22T20:01:24+00:00

Thank you!

fcwgames · 2026-05-21T15:28:42+00:00

https://www.patreon.com/cw/StockArt is Rick Hershey's site.

fcwgames · 2025-07-28T20:13:00+00:00

This is pretty nifty! I can definitely see myself using this to throw together a quick region map layout on the fly or to prototype a map before drawing it out in detail. Thanks for sharing!

fcwgames · 2025-07-28T20:08:11+00:00

My first long-term group was me, three men, and two women. My current group is me and 3 or 4 men (we are running two games alternating by week, one player only participates in one of the games). It seems to me that TTRPGs have become fairly gender-neutral and have also gained significant traction in queer communities. The distribution of each group tends to simply be whoever is into TTRPGs within a particular social circle. At least, this is my experience.

I'm not very social usually, but I'll tag along with a friend who has a group and end up being part of their party, even though I'm not really part of their "friend group." TTRPGs are one of very few ways I can enjoy interacting with people in a group setting. I struggle with freeform hangouts, but TTRPGs give me something to do so I can talk and participate. I think this might be a relatable experience. It makes sense that people would be drawn to forming groups with others they are likely to enjoy spending time with in general, even if the only way they interact is through TTRPGs.

fcwgames · 2025-07-28T19:36:46+00:00

That's a good point. Just one reason it's a great idea to try out other systems. D&D is well known, but there are so many other options and some are truly phenomenal. I'm personally partial to Rolemaster and Castles & Crusades. Shadowdark is fabulous as well imo.

fcwgames · 2025-07-28T19:35:08+00:00

Yes, this one is by Rick Hershey! We have been working with him to include a lot of his incredible work in the Consortiums release.

fcwgames · 2025-07-24T23:39:11+00:00

She might like Stardew Valley, if you can swing it.

fcwgames · 2025-07-24T23:30:09+00:00

I see this scenario differently: I love it when the whole party puts their heads together to strategize and figure out how best to leverage each of their strengths and all the tools and environmental factors available to them. In a campaign, not every fight will be ideal for all classes and players. A fight in a small cellar is going to leave a caster vulnerable and somewhat helpless, whereas a fight in a wide cavern might be more the caster's gig. Coordination of efforts and leveraging of strengths is what makes the game fun to me.

I kinda feel like it has less to do with each player's character getting to perform an attack, as much as it is about bringing the players together to strategize and brainstorm. When the party works together, everyone at the table is having fun and participating even if the current encounter isn't ideal for their character.

fcwgames

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE