No, The Hidden Isle is its own standalone IP. Started with a board game, mutated into a Tarot deck and now becomes a TTRPG. Maybe we do a webcomic next ;)
The deck was not made for the Hidden Isle specifically but for their first kickstarter board game Sefirot. Which is kind of a solitaire style tarot card/board game.
So while not made for this game specifically, the creators of the game also made the deck and the art styles are the same.
The deck is lovely and I followed its development from when the Sefirot kickstarter first launched.
I gm'd a session at the local gaming club, and we all enjoyed it a lot.
Though I have to warn you, since I'm an Italian living in Italy, "Dioscoria" really sounds like a blasphemy, and might want to reconsider it, at least for the eventual localisation.
On the other hand, a couple friends of mine reminded me in Venice people swear a lot, so maybe it isn't that much out of place.
Seriously, though, you're making a gorgeous game, and most Italian players are quite lazy, but I'm sure would love your game, and it'd be a shame if such a small detail would compromise the diffusion of your game.
Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it. We actually have an Italian in the team, but he's from Alto Adige, so his Italian is special. Upon talking to our Italian translator (from Milan) the "Dio Scoria" topic came up and she said: "Oh do not worry, only a slightly drunk wordsmith from Tuscany would use that as a curse." Dioscoria being an island of heretics makes this actually quite funny. But maybe also a distraction, so we'll keep this in mind.
Again, thank you so much for this feedback and for testing the game!
How dare she call me a slightly drunk wordsmith from Tuscany?
Jokes aside, while it might not be used for swearing in that specific form, that doesn't mean it doesn't sound like a curse. "Dio scoria" would roughly translate to "God is toxic waste", anyway, so you can see how that sounds (it would also feel like the isle is called "God's dross/refuse", by the way).
Again, I think it's a minor inconvenience at best, but it sounds a little ridiculous in Italian, and it clashes with the game's tone, in my opinion.
About Sine Requie, while it's not my kind of game, and I don't follow it very much, another roleplayer I asked told me, and I quote: "Sadly, yes, it still is."
Yeah, Sine Requie never really caught on in our central European realms, because of its unsavory take on the region ...
Thanks again for providing detail on Dioscoria. While God's Refuse would be spot on, I get what you mean. We had someone in the team that just wouldn't play Germany's highly popular "Das Schwarze Auge" TTRPG, because the title's Spanish translation was just so obscene and hilarious. We will definitely keep that in mind.
It's interesting how the perception of names can vary significantly across languages and cultures. In the case of "Dioscoria," the word can remind Italians of a blasphemy because of the recognizable root "Dio" (God). Using "Dioscoria" can distract an Italian reader and make the context seem less serious. It would be better to suggest alternative names like "Disoria" or "Discoria."
A similar example is the German word "Fahrt," which means "journey," but in English, it sounds like "fart."
Oh and here's another fun detail from the ethymology of the word: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_and_Pollux The Dioscuri were regarded as helpers of mankind and held to be patrons of travellers and of sailors in particular, who invoked them to seek favourable winds. Their role as horsemen and boxers also led to them being regarded as the patrons of athletes and athletic contests.[5] They characteristically intervened at the moment of crisis, aiding those who honoured or trusted them.
Very cool resolution system, art, and flavour, looking forward to playing it.
Bit of a silly question: roughly where is the Hidden Isle? Is it meant to be in the Mediterranean? Meant to be in a different realm of existence like the faerie realm?
I ask because the book says "Adventures across Europe and the Middle East" and I'm curious as to why it is limited at all? Is there any reason I, as a Seer, shouldn't have a game go to Africa, Asia, and the Americas?
Very good question! Dioscoria is in the western parts of the Indian Ocean. Its traditional spheres of influence are the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the East African coastline. There are more ephemeral connections to other planes of existence , but also to other hidden isles, many of which are closer to Europe. Since ancient times rumours persist that these isles have secret passage ways to each other …
The year being 1562 the entire world is theoretically at play! One can always leave the places where Dioscoria has networks and contacts, its enemies have spread across the globe and so the fight needs to follow them.
I love this game so much already, me and my party had a blast so far playing it. The game is great for new players with easy to grasp basic rules, while also having a level of complexity that allows experienced players to really get the most out of it. Also love how you can both prepare a session or do it spontaneously depending on your needs with a lot of support and freedom giben by the guides. Definitely recommending this one.
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Is this from a book or a webcomic?
No, The Hidden Isle is its own standalone IP. Started with a board game, mutated into a Tarot deck and now becomes a TTRPG. Maybe we do a webcomic next ;)
The Sefirot deck kinda confused me?
In what way? It might remind you of Heart of Gold, a webcomic of the artist also working on Sefirot and The hidden Isle.
Was the deck specifically made for this game or was it a collab?
The deck was not made for the Hidden Isle specifically but for their first kickstarter board game Sefirot. Which is kind of a solitaire style tarot card/board game.
So while not made for this game specifically, the creators of the game also made the deck and the art styles are the same.
The deck is lovely and I followed its development from when the Sefirot kickstarter first launched.
I gm'd a session at the local gaming club, and we all enjoyed it a lot.
Though I have to warn you, since I'm an Italian living in Italy, "Dioscoria" really sounds like a blasphemy, and might want to reconsider it, at least for the eventual localisation.
On the other hand, a couple friends of mine reminded me in Venice people swear a lot, so maybe it isn't that much out of place.
Seriously, though, you're making a gorgeous game, and most Italian players are quite lazy, but I'm sure would love your game, and it'd be a shame if such a small detail would compromise the diffusion of your game.
Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it. We actually have an Italian in the team, but he's from Alto Adige, so his Italian is special. Upon talking to our Italian translator (from Milan) the "Dio Scoria" topic came up and she said: "Oh do not worry, only a slightly drunk wordsmith from Tuscany would use that as a curse." Dioscoria being an island of heretics makes this actually quite funny. But maybe also a distraction, so we'll keep this in mind.
Again, thank you so much for this feedback and for testing the game!
P.S.: Is Sine Requie still a thing?
How dare she call me a slightly drunk wordsmith from Tuscany?
Jokes aside, while it might not be used for swearing in that specific form, that doesn't mean it doesn't sound like a curse. "Dio scoria" would roughly translate to "God is toxic waste", anyway, so you can see how that sounds (it would also feel like the isle is called "God's dross/refuse", by the way).
Again, I think it's a minor inconvenience at best, but it sounds a little ridiculous in Italian, and it clashes with the game's tone, in my opinion.
About Sine Requie, while it's not my kind of game, and I don't follow it very much, another roleplayer I asked told me, and I quote: "Sadly, yes, it still is."
Yeah, Sine Requie never really caught on in our central European realms, because of its unsavory take on the region ...
Thanks again for providing detail on Dioscoria. While God's Refuse would be spot on, I get what you mean. We had someone in the team that just wouldn't play Germany's highly popular "Das Schwarze Auge" TTRPG, because the title's Spanish translation was just so obscene and hilarious. We will definitely keep that in mind.
It's interesting how the perception of names can vary significantly across languages and cultures. In the case of "Dioscoria," the word can remind Italians of a blasphemy because of the recognizable root "Dio" (God). Using "Dioscoria" can distract an Italian reader and make the context seem less serious. It would be better to suggest alternative names like "Disoria" or "Discoria."
A similar example is the German word "Fahrt," which means "journey," but in English, it sounds like "fart."
See discussion above, our Italian editor said: ""Oh do not worry, only a slightly drunk wordsmith from Tuscany would use that as a curse." ;)
Also, why not have a blasphemous name for an island of heretics that are in open war with the Vatican?
Oh and here's another fun detail from the ethymology of the word:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_and_Pollux
The Dioscuri were regarded as helpers of mankind and held to be patrons of travellers and of sailors in particular, who invoked them to seek favourable winds. Their role as horsemen and boxers also led to them being regarded as the patrons of athletes and athletic contests.[5] They characteristically intervened at the moment of crisis, aiding those who honoured or trusted them.
Hello, do you plan to translate the rulebook ? I would love to play but i don't have the level to play in Shakespare language :D
We definitely plan translation and already looked into German, Italian, Spanish and French versions! What language(s) would you require?
French ;) did you know the wand🥢 also mean 🥖 in French ?
8 years of French in school and Tarot terminology was never discussed. I'll file a complaint with the board ;)
Seriously, French is high on the list. We just need the right funds to afford it, the book already has 230+ pages.
Very cool resolution system, art, and flavour, looking forward to playing it.
Bit of a silly question: roughly where is the Hidden Isle? Is it meant to be in the Mediterranean? Meant to be in a different realm of existence like the faerie realm?
I ask because the book says "Adventures across Europe and the Middle East" and I'm curious as to why it is limited at all? Is there any reason I, as a Seer, shouldn't have a game go to Africa, Asia, and the Americas?
Very good question! Dioscoria is in the western parts of the Indian Ocean. Its traditional spheres of influence are the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the East African coastline. There are more ephemeral connections to other planes of existence , but also to other hidden isles, many of which are closer to Europe. Since ancient times rumours persist that these isles have secret passage ways to each other …
The year being 1562 the entire world is theoretically at play! One can always leave the places where Dioscoria has networks and contacts, its enemies have spread across the globe and so the fight needs to follow them.
I love this game so much already, me and my party had a blast so far playing it. The game is great for new players with easy to grasp basic rules, while also having a level of complexity that allows experienced players to really get the most out of it. Also love how you can both prepare a session or do it spontaneously depending on your needs with a lot of support and freedom giben by the guides. Definitely recommending this one.
Thank you so much for your kind words, really appreciate that you tested it and made this comment!