Our Voyage to 3rd Edition
Swashbuckler! has been a long time in the making - here's how we got here:
The 1970s
Seeds of adventure
Mike is growing up and becomes hooked on stories of swashbuckling adventure like The Three Musketeers and The Crimson Pirate.
1980
A brave new world
Mike discovers roleplaying games and falls instantly and irrevocably in love with the hobby.
1988
If you want something done...
After watching the movie Yellowbeard Mike and friends lament the lack of swashbuckling TTRPGs... so Mike decides to write one.
The first draft of Swashbuckler! is born. The game is unleashed on an unsuspecting group of Mike's university friends, and is big hit.
2010
A new generation
Mike starts running games for his kids, one of whom is Layla. They invite their friend Sean to play.
2012
Going public
After much urging from his friends and players, Mike finally sets out to convert his notes, tables and scenarios into a usable system.
Swashbuckler! 1st Edition is published on Lulu.com
2019
New horizons
Mike runs some Swashbuckler! games at various RPG conventions. The game is well recieved and feedback is positive. With this new feedback work begins on the 2nd edition of the game.
2020
Progress and setbacks
Swashbuckler! 2nd Edition is published. The global pandemic puts a halt to convention games, but play continues remotely as new ways to game online are discovered.
2022
Out and about again
Lockdown ends and coonventions begin to reopen. Mike runs more games and feedback for 2nd Edition highlights some changes that could benefit the game.
Having played Swashbuckler! now for years, Sean and Layla show interest in developing the rules and are invited to the design team and work begins on 3rd edition.
2023
Forging ahead
Swashbuckler! sees a massive rewriting of the system. new design ideas and a better, clearer vision of the final product paves the way for what will be 3rd edition.
2024
Journey's end
The draft is finally finished, proofread and revised. With the last of the edits, the book is ready at last and Swashbuckler! 3rd Edition is published on Lulu.com in October of that year.
That was our journey, now set sail on your own swashbuckling adventure!
