Beast of Gévaudan: the Boardgame of Influence, Mystery and Terror / Print and Play Version

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Rulebook / What Do You Get / Add-Ons / Background / Print and Play / Tabletop Simulator / Achievement Levels / Social Media / Mental Health / Hounds and Jackals / Team / Risks and Challenges / FAQ

The Board Game of Influence, Mystery & Terror

In Beast of Gévaudan, players take on the role of hunters, competing to become the most famous, and ultimately hold the greatest influence over Gévaudan. There are many dangers in the wilds of Gévaudan and players will find themselves facing a variety of different threats, whilst attempting to win through:

• Serving the interests of one of the Four Estates and Secret Patrons
• Battling to sway the public opinion of what the Beast is
• Inflicting and avoiding intrigues
• Acquiring special weapons, hounds, and horses before their rivals do
• Exploring the dangers and wonders of the land
• Investigating the nature of the Beast to face it at the climax of the game
• The true nature of the Beast is not known until the Final Confrontation unless players seek out its identity

The player with the most Influence Tokens (IT) at the end of the game is the winner. Influence Tokens are earned, acquired, lost, and spent throughout the game. Influence is the currency of the realm, and one must ensure it is not squandered.

The Nature of the Beast is randomly set at the start of the game and revealed at the climax. Discovering the Beast’s identity allows changes in strategy crucial to winning. Players are also assigned a secret Loyalty; promoting the interests of that party may reap huge rewards at the end of the game.

The game mechanics also emulate the psychological effects that Hunters develop after surviving a horrible hunt or suffering in a devastating intrigue. Reactions of Horror and Terror impair a Hunter’s abilities. In the 18th century, one of the only healthy ways to cope with trauma was having an animal companion, such as a loyal Hound or a trusty steed.

Each player takes on the role of a hunter. Each hunter has a unique Ability and special Forte.

The current hunters include: An upstart Heir, a Veteran of the Seven Years War, a wily Forester, a deductive Naturalist, a mysterious Zealot, and an Agent Provocateur.

Each hunter also starts with two Allies who also have unique skills and abilities.

Over time, adding animal companions such as a faithful hound or trusty steed, and perhaps trading Allies results in the creation of a richly diverse Hunting Party.

No Two Games will be the Same!

Between 24 different possible Beasts to battle, 24 Secret Loyalty Agendas, 6 Asymmetrical Hunters, 12 unique Allies, and numerous options to make use of Encounters and launch Intrigues… the replay value of the Beast of Gévaudan is one of its greatest features!

PRINT-ON-DEMAND: For this campaign, you will have the option of using DriveThru’s Print-On-Demand (POD) service to purchase a physical, printed copy of the complete set of cards for the game (108 Poker sized cards), as well as a Hardback "Book of the Beast" directly from their POD partners, at discounted cost. When the POD versions are available to order, you will receive links to purchase these versions of the books/cards from DriveThru.

The reason this is being offered is that some people do not like having to prepare cards from printouts (there will be 108 cards in total). The other reason is that some people like to add some panache to their game; and thus in addition to the card deck, the "Book of the Beast" is also being offered to be printed at cost, in a hardback version. The "Book of the Beast" contains not only essential game elements, it also gives more background / historical context to the saga of the Beast of Gévaudan.

Please see Update #2 for more information regarding the costs associated with using the DriveThru platforms. As mentioned, you will be able to print at cost, with no mark-ups on our end.

We are most honoured to have artist Gaël Hemery add his support for this project!

Through music and songs, Gaël Hemery, singer-songwriter, suggests following the thread of the terrifying and fascinating story of the Beast of Gévaudan, from the first attacks in 1764 until the official end of the Beast in 1767. The use of the d'òc language is a way of paying homage to these denigrated peasants and their children who were the main victims of this affair.

Listen to the music to get into the mood for playing the game!

• MARJARIDA – Durée : 2:57
• GARDAVE LA CABRIDA – Durée : 3:40
• LIS UBACS – Durée : 4:39
• MALABESTIA – Durée : 3:42
• PORTAFAIS – Durée : 3:34
• LOP – Durée : 3:25
• INSANIA LUPINA – Durée : 1:30
• LOPANTAI DAU PALHEIRA – Durée : 5:8
• ABSOLUCION – Durée : 1:55
• FIU DE LA MASCA – Durée : 3:29
• A LA SANHA D’AUVERS – Durée : 3:21
• DOL DOÇ – Durée : 2:56
• PARA LO LOP – Durée : 3:12

Historical research was not spared for content or style!

Part of the vision for the Beast of Gévaudan is to create a product that pays tribute to the style and form of 18th-century board games. Imagine if this game was actually from the 18th century, found by the antiquarians at Hounds & Jackals, who have updated and restored it to a blend of the modern and the historic. A massive amount of time has been spent researching the history of the Beast and insuring as much accuracy as possible could be used to develop the essence and rules of the game. So too has been the consideration of the final forms of the components.

This game has gone through extensive playtesting to ensure that rules make sense, are cohesive, and the game an enjoyable experience. In fact, the creator has been working on this game for five years, with multiple versions evolving into what it is today.

We look forward to receiving your feedback once you have the game in your hands! We will listen to suggestions for new rules or changes to existing rules. Through our web-based community, we will provide regular updates, allow house rules to go up for votes, and provide other forms of constant support for our games. We know how important it is to be heard by a game company when you find a rule that doesn't work. We will listen and react quickly to all forms of feedback and suggestions. Let your voice and suggestions be heard! We look forward to it.

This campaign has the aim to determine if there is enough interest to proceed with producing a full physical version of the game. To that end, by making it Print and Play with access to the Tabletop Simulator Version, and with the option to get cards and a book at cost, it is hoped the Beast of Gévaudan can be distributed as widely as possible. The goal of this Crowdfunding campaign is to introduce Beast of Gévaudan to a wide audience and to bring a community together around the game. If the Crowdfunding campaign succeeds and feedback is positive, we will then have more confidence to prepare a campaign for the physical version of the game. We look forward to your feedback, and significant contributions will be given credit in the final product!

One of the biggest challenges as a one-man operation (who makes use of excellent freelancers and volunteers), is that creating a good game is a lot of work! My goal is not to make a profit from this game, but to promote and educate the public about mental health awareness, through the gaming experience. However, the steps to go forward and market, print, and distribute physical copies of a game require a considerable expenditure with no real guarantee that a crowdfunding campaign will be a success. Thus, this PnP “Soft Launch” was suggested by the people I trust in the gaming community, to determine if there is enough interest to invest in mounting a campaign for a physical version of the game. Input from backers of this campaign will be key before a full physical copy.

The funds raised here will be for further proofreading, graphic design, and time devoted to reviewing backer feedback, making possible tweaks, and fulfilling rewards and prepping files at the DriveThru platform.

Once the final touches are made to the content from backer feedback, the TableTop Simulator version will follow suit and then be made available for backers. We made this version to facilitate easy playtesting, but it also enables people restricted by COVID-19 to play remotely, with friends. Backers will have early access!

Each achievement completed will grant backers more influence in shaping content; and if all achievements are completed, the creator will provide a special social good reward for backers to feel great about!

* Puppy Training program donations will come from a separate fund, not related to this Campaign.

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The game is designed as entertainment that includes the goal of helping educate/raise awareness of the issues surrounding psychological trauma.

Although playing the Beast of Gévaudan can be entertaining, the topic of psychological trauma is a serious matter, and the game never makes light of the subject. In fact, it is the use of the game that allows learning about psychological trauma to be more subtle, nuanced, and appreciated due to the subject not being overtly forced on participants. Experiential learning is the process of learning through reflection on doing. The learning is active versus passive. People construct their own understanding of the world by experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. When encountering something new, the person must reconcile it with their previous constructs, maybe changing what they believe. Hence why experiential learning is a powerful method to address stigma and dispel the myths surrounding mental health issues.

Although this game has the intention to also teach and educate regarding the mental health issues related to psychological trauma, it is in no way intended to replicate exactly the experience of people with trauma and stress-related disorders. The elements within the game are more of an emulation/simulation to help people empathize and understand these conditions, dispel myths, and battle the stigma surrounding them. The game includes images from the 18^th century depicting the Beast and the world at that time; no modern graphic violence, nudity, or profanity is contained in this game. It has been designed for youth and older audiences.

The game mechanics were all developed from adhering to the theme history of the Beast of Gévaudan, as well as contributing to showcasing aspects of psychological trauma. The material in the “BEHIND THE BEAST” booklet is for optional use, intended for players to reflect on their experiences of gameplay, and through such reflection, be able to emphasize and understand more about those who deal with psychological trauma.

The game is intended for the general public or education and mental health awareness and is not intended to be used as a therapeutic modality. It may be that some people who play the game, after reflection, have had undiagnosed psychological trauma issues of their own, or realize a friend or family does. It is hoped that anyone affected this way would seek out appropriate health care providers to assess and provide support if that is the case. Included at the end of the "BEHIND THE BEAST" Booklet is a list of resources for those who wish to find out more about these conditions or wish to seek help.

Hounds & Jackals was launched to explore the use of tabletop board games to:

• Raise Awareness of Mental Health issues in society
• Meld modern and historical elements into gameplay to promote reflection on the human condition
• Engage the imagination through immersive themes and settings
• Address the age of the Digital Reckoning by providing engaging social experiences Off-Screen (although due to COVID-19, we did engage in making the tabletop simulation version as well!)

Of course, first and foremost, any Hounds & Jackals game must provide an innovative and entertaining experience for players! The above goals would always be incorporated to promote subtle learning and reflection while having fun!

Attention to detail is a core value of any Hounds & Jackals product. This is in reference to content as well as style.

Due to Hounds & Jackals being a very tiny independent game producer (i.e. currently really a 1-person operation!), most games will be of the “one-off” nature via platforms such as GameOnTabletop

To find out more, click on the Logo above

RISKS & CHALLENGES

The risks are low to produce the Print and Play versions as it is 95% complete.

The risks are low to complete the Tabletop Simulation version, as it is 95% complete.

DrivethruCards is a well-respected company that has vast experience in printing and fulfilling orders.

Thus, barring for various natural and unnatural disasters, backers should rest easy that receiving their rewards will not be fraught with danger.

By pledging, you acknowledge and accept that the final appearance, materials and content of the rewards are susceptible to change and may differ from what is displayed on this page.

Refund policy – no refunds, as the rewards are all digital documents / files for Print and Play

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