This is my first Kickstarter how does this work?
This is my first Kickstarter, what do I do? If you have no idea what Kickstarter is or how it works, this article is useful: https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005028514-What-are-the-basics
If you have any issues or questions about backing the game, read these help articles by Kickstarter: https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/categories/115000499033-Backer-questions
If you still have questions, please send us a message. We’ll be happy to help!
Last updated: October 07, 2025 07:10
How does the $1 VIP offer work?
During prelaunch, we offered a $1 VIP deal to reserve the VIP Founder’s Book expansion. If you claimed this offer and back the game on Kickstarter at any physical tier, you’ll receive the printed Founders Book for free when the pledge manager opens after the campaign.
Please note: it won’t appear in your Kickstarter checkout or basket, but it will automatically be added to all VIPs.
Also note: the Founder’s Book is available as an Add On for $11. You do not need to add it as an add on, that is for non-vip backers who want to buy it.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 07:10
What is in the VIP Founder's Book?
The Founder’s Book is a separate softcover companion book with: 4+ new ancestries 1+ new class New magic items A short adventure Sage spell mishaps (with a Dark Forest theme) A few good Redwallish recipes.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 15:04
How does the 72-hour early backer reward work?
If you backed within the first 72 hours, the add-on reward called “Mini Dungeon Adventures - Early Bird Set” will be added to your order by us automatically. It won’t appear in your Kickstarter checkout basket, so please do not add it if you backed the project before 8am on October 10th.
Please note: if you only back a digital copy of the book, you will receive digital copies of the mini-adventures. You will receive physical printed versions if you back a physical copy of the book.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 15:04
What system does this TTRPG book use?
Dark Forest uses the Shadowdark RPG rules with a few modifications. We highly recommend buying the core rulebook from the Arcane Library’s website, it one of the best versions of D&D to ever come out.
You can also download the free quickstart rules from their website.
Shadowark is D&D, but a rules-light version of D&D that relies on imagination, role playing and common sense as guidance instead of having a million rules to cover every possibility.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 15:04
Do I need to know how to play D&D before I play Dark Forest?
No. Because we are using the Shadowdark RPG version of D&D, you can learn as you go! Shadowdark is rules light and quick to learn. For players you can be up and adventuring in 15 minutes. For the GM, you’ll need to do more tutorials and preparation for your players. But you can get started with our mini-adventures to make things super easy.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 15:04
What will I need to know about Shadowdark RPG to play Dark Forest
As the Game Master, you will need to know the basic character creation rules, the crawling and combat rules and the rules on basic gameplay. It’s easy and light. The Dark Forest book will have everything else you need.
Get the Shadowdark RPG rulebook. It’s a beautiful book that has inspired thousands of players worldwide: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/collections/shadowdark-core-rules/products/shadowdark-rpg
As a player you only need to know the info on your character sheet. But you can download free quickstart rules from the Arcane Library’s website: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/collections/shadowdark-core-rules/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set-pdf
Last updated: October 07, 2025 15:04
Is Dark Forest ready for Solo Play?
Not yet. We’re including 20+ tables for random happenings, encounters, NPC’s, plot hooks and locations. But it’s incomplete. You’ll need the Solo Dark rules (or similar solo engine) to drive the adventure. But even with that, there is a future stretch goal (secret) coming to create the rest of the charts needed to make it possible. So let’s make it happen!
Last updated: October 07, 2025 17:51
How will I receive my digital rewards?
We will be using DriveThruRPG to fulfill all digital BOOK rewards. Every backer gets their own unique redemption code. Backers will need to setup a free DriveThruRPG account to access digital rewards. This allows for an excellent and clean delivery method. It also allows extreme flexibility if our team wants to add surprises or make changes/updates to any digital items. Estimated fulfillment is late Quarter 1 of 2026. Non-book digital items such as the Premade Characters will be fulfilled via Backerkit.
Digital premade characters, mini one-shot adventures, VTT tokens and maps will be make available for download on Google Drive. Estimated fulfillment is late Quarter 1 of 2026.
Last updated: November 20, 2025 13:16
How will I receive my STL files to print?
All the STL files will be downloadable from a Google Drive when they are ready to go.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 17:51
How will I receive my VTT tokens and maps?
When complete, the VTT tokens and maps will be available for download from a Google Drive folder.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 17:51
I backed the digital PDF version of the book why can't I add any physical add-ons?
If you only backed a digital (non-physical) reward tier, Kickstarter will not allow you to add any physical products as an add on. You must back a physical reward tier to add a physical add-on. Note: the physical reward tiers include the digital PDF’s
Last updated: October 07, 2025 17:51
Why does the art print only ship to the US?
The art print uses a local printing service that ships directly from their facility. They do not do international shipping. If you are outside of the US and wish to have an art print, please contact us directly about special shipping accommodations.
Last updated: October 07, 2025 17:51
What is the Hardcover Campaign Setting book quality?
The Campaign Setting book will be Smyth sewn lay flat binding, with a black ribbon. The cover will be faux leather with silver ink. It will be heirloom quality.
We don’t have a stretch goal to improve the quality because we only want the highest quality for our OWN book shelf.
Last updated: October 08, 2025 09:12
Is all the art hand drawn? Do you use Ai?
We do NOT use Ai. We have a team of amazing artists working on Dark Forest. They are some of the best in the Old School Renaissance world. You can see the list in the credits above. Please look them up on Instagram and support their work. As for the writing, the lead designer, John Clark has been writing RPG material, scripts, children’s books and novels long before the advent of AI. The writing in Dark Forest is original and hand written, and thus full of typos. So we have a real TTRPG editor who will be working with us to ensure all the material is polished to near-perfection.
Last updated: October 08, 2025 09:12
What countries do we NOT ship to?
At this time: Afghanistan, Brazil, N. Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Cuba, Belarus, Moldova, Guam, Seychelles, Faroe Islands, Virgin islands, Falkland islands, other regions where standard carriers are currently not operating, most countries in the Middle East and Africa and countries in a state of emergency or conflict.
Last updated: October 08, 2025 09:12
EU Shipping? Do we ship to the European Union?
At this time only the Hardcover Book + PDF, the adventure book and the GM screen are shipping the EU due to EU GPSR codes. The rest would be PDF only.
We wish we could ship all the other little things to the EU, but the new regulations make it almost impossible for a small two-person company to leap through the unbelievable expense and paperwork involved. It’s a nightmare for small businesses like ours, and we deeply apologize to the folks in the EU who would like to receive the accessories. If we can work out a streamlined way to at least get the GM screen to the EU we’ll update everyone.
Last updated: November 20, 2025 13:14
Current Estimated Lock Order Date: June 2026
Current Estimated Shipping Date: July 2026
Last Updated At: 11/20/25What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.
By completing this pledge manager survey, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. Fulfillment & Shipping
You understand that your pledge is not a pre-order, but a crowdfunding contribution toward the development and production of Dark Forest.
You agree to provide a complete, accurate shipping address at the time of survey completion.
You acknowledge that incorrect, incomplete, or outdated addresses may result in additional shipping fees, delays, or loss of rewards.
If your package is returned to Castle Clark due to an address issue or failure to pick up the parcel, you agree to pay reshipment costs to receive your rewards.
2. Shipping Costs & Taxes
You agree that shipping costs, VAT, import duties, customs fees, or other taxes (where applicable) are your responsibility and may be collected by the pledge manager or your local postal authorities.
You acknowledge that shipping estimates may change due to global rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges, or freight issues.
3. Rewards & Substitutions
You understand that product components, materials, packaging, and artwork may change from what was shown during the campaign due to manufacturing, safety, or logistical requirements.
Castle Clark may, at its discretion, substitute equivalent items of equal or greater value if a specific component becomes unavailable.
Digital rewards may be delivered via email or third-party platforms.
4. Production Delays
You acknowledge that manufacturing, cargo transport, customs clearance, printing, or global supply chain issues may cause delays outside the creator’s control.
Delivery dates are estimates, not guarantees.
5. Refunds, Cancellations, and Non-Payment
You understand that refunds are not guaranteed after the Kickstarter campaign has ended and production funds have been allocated.
Failure to complete the pledge manager survey or pay required shipping/taxes by the deadline may result in forfeiture of your pledge without refund.
6. Risk & Responsibility
You understand that backing a crowdfunded project involves risks, and Castle Clark is obligated to make a good-faith effort to fulfill all rewards.
Castle Clark is not liable for delays, loss, or damage caused by circumstances outside its direct control (including carrier issues, weather, customs seizure, labor strikes, or global events).
7. Replacement Policy
Replacement of missing or damaged components will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Replacement shipments may require additional shipping fees for addresses outside the U.S.
8. Digital Goods
Digital items (PDFs, STLs, etc.) are considered delivered once the download link is sent to the email address you provide.
You agree not to redistribute, upload, or share digital files outside your household or playgroup.
9. Survey Deadline
You agree to complete the pledge manager survey and submit payment for shipping and add-ons by the posted deadline.
Failure to do so may result in your rewards being delayed indefinitely or forfeited.
10. Agreement
By completing this survey, you affirm that:
You have read and understood these Terms & Conditions.
You accept these Terms as a condition of receiving your rewards.
You acknowledge that these Terms supersede any contradictory informal statements in comment sections or social media.