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Serenissima Obscura & The Magical Renaissance

Created by Vortex Verlag

Serenissima Obscura is a setting guide & modular adventure in a dark version of Renaissance Venice. • Play with 5e, Ars Magica or your favourite system! • Combine with "The Straight Way Lost – Adventuring through Heaven and Hell" for years of exciting roleplay! This pre-order store will close soon. After that, all add-ons will only be available in their digital versions. So: Don't miss your chance to get the print editions of the Ars Magica conversion guide, the maps and the 5e Player's Guide.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Serenissima Obscura – Pledge Manager opens shortly
about 2 months ago – Tue, Jan 20, 2026 at 01:24:26 AM

Dear backers.

There is good news!

I have completed the setup of the pledge manager and am now waiting for the Backerkit team’s review. If all goes well, we should be able to open it by tomorrow or the day after.

This is where you can find a PDF with instructions how to fill out the pledge manager.

Please note: Not everyone will receive their invitation at the same time. We will begin with what’s known as a “smoke test,” during which 5% of the surveys are sent out to ensure that the pledge manager is working correctly and without issues. Shortly after that, we’ll send out the remaining surveys. Once the process begins, it can take 24–48 hours for your survey to arrive. 
 
The main book is now fully laid out, and the final round of error checking will begin this week. We will stay below 420 pages, which means the book can be shipped in a 2 kg package – yay!

The layout of the supplements will commence this week. So, all is on track. 

However, there is also bad news for our US-American backers:
President Trump has announced a potential new 10% tax affecting certain European countries, including Germany, in connection with his plans regarding Greenland. Should this tax come into effect, it would unfortunately be payable upon delivery. We will, of course, do everything possible on our end to declare the value in a way that helps keep the impact as low as we can, though our options are limited.

So... As always, I’ll continue focusing on the work ahead and moving things forward step by step. I’ll keep you regularly updated as we reach the next milestones, so you’ll always know where things stand.

Thank you once again for your patience, trust, and continued support – it truly means a lot and makes this project possible.
 
Have a nice day,

Melina
for Vortex Verlag





Serenissima Obscura – New Year's update
2 months ago – Fri, Jan 09, 2026 at 03:54:13 AM

Dear backers! 

First of all, let me wish you a Happy New Year. I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season and are not already too stressed from work.

There is good news:
  • I have finally gathered all the shipping quotes. Unfortunately, prices have risen significantly since the end of the campaign – especially for shipping within Germany and Europe. However, we will still stay within the original estimates, or exceed them only slightly, because we are taking part of these additional costs on ourselves.
  • So far, books and printed paper maps remain exempt from import tax when shipped to the USA. There are a few minor tariffs, but these will be covered by the shipping fee.
  • The layout of the main book is almost complete. We’re not yet 100% certain that it will stay under 1.7 kg, but it’s looking promising. We should have a final confirmation by the end of next week.
  • The physical add-ons are "unproblematic" for the calculation because all packages with more than one physical item will fall within a higher shipping category anyway. 
  • I have  finished the more fiddly parts of the pledge manager and am going to send it for review to the Backerkit people by Monday. 

=> I expect to launch the Pledge Manager on January 20.

So, the wait is almost over.

Ok, yes, we still need to finalize the layout of the add-ons and move into printing, but everything is on track. Our anticipated shipping window in April is still solid.

I will update you soon!

Melina Sedó 
for Vortex Verlag


Serenissima Obscura: Year’s End Progress Report
3 months ago – Fri, Dec 26, 2025 at 02:30:58 AM

Dear Backers,

As we approach the end of the year, we want to share some progress on Serenissima Obscura and a little behind-the-scenes reality, too!


The Good News — Lots of Progress!

We have been working non-stop to bring this darkly enchanting Venice to life.

  • Main Book: The final layout phase underway! Only two sections are still being placed in layout: the 73 stats blocks and 3 of the 27 adventure modules. Everything else is in this massive book!
  • The 5e Player’s Guide to the Magical Renaissance: The content is fully assembled and prepped for layout. 
  • The Ars Magica Guide to the Magical Renaissance: All content is now complete! This has been so much more work than anticipated but you are getting a fabulous supplement with lots new and exciting content. Just one final proofreading pass needed before layout. I am anticipating 120–140 pages. 
  • Our schedule is still on track: Printing is scheduled for March and fulfilment to begin in April.
  • A chapter from the Setting Guide about Magic in the Magical Renaissance and Venice
  • A short adventure module related to the Shadow Side World

We cannot wait to get all the material into your hands!


The Complicated News – Shipping Math

What remains is opening the pledge manager. We are almost there, but waiting on two crucial pieces of information:
  1. Final shipping prices from our logistics provider
  2. The final weight of the main book

Here’s why this matters:
We have created much more content than expected and the book is currently at a very delicate threshold:
  • Up to ~400 pages → approx. 1.6 kg → ships as a 2 kg parcel
  • Over ~400 pages → tips just over 2 kg → must ship as a 5 kg parcel

It’s truly a question of single pages and grams now!

Most backers pledged at levels including multiple books + supplements, which are already in the 5 kg category. But for those who pledged only the main book, we want to ensure shipping stays efficient and fair – and that depends entirely on the final page count. Once the layout is finished, we will finally know where the balance lands and can launch the pledge manager. 

Thank you for your patience while we make this as smooth as possible!


Holiday Wishes

Your enthusiasm, support, and faith in this project have been our compass all year. Thank you for believing in Serenissima Obscura and for waiting just a little bit longer while we polish the last details.

We wish you a joyful end of the year, and a bright start into 2026!


Melina Sedó
for
Vortex Verlag



A Little X-Mas Gift
3 months ago – Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 03:02:48 AM

Hello everybody!

As the year draws to a close, we want to send heartfelt thanks to all of you – a wonderful community of players, storytellers, game masters and creators. It has been an exciting year full of imagination and new adventures for the Magical Renaissance.

To thank you, we have a little X-Mas-gift for you:
A 6-pages setlet from Serenissima Obscura

The “trouser clubs”, or compagnia della calza, are a phenomenon particular to Venice but can be used for any fatasy setting. Rock the tightest stripy trousers, organize better carnival entertainments than your many backstabbing rivals, and maybe engage in some even riskier pursuits on the side!

Download it before December, 31!

And if you have not backed our Serenissima Obscura... you can still pre-order it here.

Info for backers:
I am hoping to open the pledge manager next week. Cross you fingers that all goes well with this complex manoeuvre!

A presto,

Melina
for Vortex Verlag





Serenissima Obscura – Project update and content for backers
4 months ago – Wed, Dec 03, 2025 at 04:23:44 AM

Ciao, amici!

I've just returned from Florence and want to send a quick update from the Magical Renaissance. (And some exclusive content for backers.)

Pledge Manager
We’re happy to confirm that the pledge manager will open later this month. You’ll be able to adjust your reward selections, add any last-minute items, and confirm your shipping details.

Production Timeline
Everything remains on schedule. Printing early next year and shipping remains scheduled for April, exactly as planned. We’re deeply grateful for your patience and enthusiasm during these final steps toward bringing Serenissima Obscura to life.

Main Book Progress
The core tome of Serenissima Obscura is now three-quarters fully laid out by Thorsten Janes, and it’s looking absolutely gorgeous. The blend of Renaissance Venice and creeping shadow is coming together better than we could have hoped.

Ars Magica Content
Our Ars Magica material is almost complete. We still need to run final tests on the Gonneslinger and the Iniziati of the New Way, and I am still waiting for the last of the 80 character stat blocks. But the Murano covenant, the magical items and the adaptation of the background are finished. This is going to be a dense, rich book that we’re excited to share with troupes eager to explore the Magical Renaissance.

5e Player’s Guide
We’ve finalised the full contents of the 5e Player’s Guide to the Magical Renaissance. Assembly begins in January, with layout following shortly after. This book presents all our renaissance player options from The Straight Way Lost and Serenissima Obscura. 

Pre-Order Store
If you missed our campaign, you can still support the project through the pre-order store. Please keep in mind that only the main books (The Straight Way Lost and Serenissima Obscura) will remain available in print later on. This is your last chance to secure the extra Ars Magica and D&D content, as well as the printed map set. After the pledge manager closes, these supplemental items will be digital-only. Click here! 

Thank you again for your incredible support and your patience. This project has grown into something truly special, and we can’t wait to place these books in your hands.

A presto,

Melina Sedó
for Vortex Verlag