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Pugmire Unleashed -Tariff Free!-

Created by Onyx Path

Pugmire Unleashed: A Player’s Guide presents new options for dog characters, new rules for badger and reptile characters (and more), new location details, and three new adventures.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Final Days Review: Pledge Tiers and Add On Options
10 months ago – Mon, Jul 14, 2025 at 08:53:29 AM

Greetings Good Doggos,

I've got a lot to go over today, so let's settle and prepare for review.

Before we get into it, one more quick note about our current Stretch Goal target!


At $15,000 in Funding - New Map 
A new map of the area around Pugmire will be created and added to the final version of the Pugmire Unleashed PDF.

Lets see if we can't get an expanded map of the greater area added to the final book!

We're in the Final Days countdown for this Crowdfunding campaign. Pugmire Unlashed finishes the crowdfunding campaign on July 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. There's still time to add a few more backers to our pack, but we're definitely getting closer to the finish line. With that in mind, I wanted to touch on some of the basics over these final four days to make sure everyone has the information they need to support this project in the way that works best for them.

Final Days Schedule


  • July 14 - Reward Tier & Add On Review (that's today!)
  • July 15 - Manuscript Preview # 5 - Chapter 5
  • July 16 - Stretch Goal Review
  • July 17 - Final Day Checklist & What Comes Next

Whether you're a rookie pup just setting out for Waterdog Port or a seasoned Badger Basher returning after a hunt, these are some good topics to review over this week to make sure we all end up where we want to be.

(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out our Final Week Countdown / Resource Update. It has links to the manuscript previews,  youtube Actual Play videos, and other helpful information.)




PLEDGE REWARD TIERS

Like it says right at the top of the campaign story page, we've come together to help create a fully developed PDF and Print-on-Demand hardcover version of Pugmire Unleahsed, a book full of new player options, additional setting material, and pre-built adventures for Guides running the Realms of Pugmire roleplaying game. 

PLEDGING YOUR SUPPORT

To borrow an analogy that I've used in past campaigns, this process we're a part of works similar to the "Viewers Like You" support campaign from your local Public Broadcasting Station (while they still exist): There are various levels of support that you can pledge to, and these come with various levels of rewards offered as a thank you. Like getting a tote bag or t-shirt when you give money to public broadcasting to fund them doing their thing, you can get rewards for helping Onyx Path work on this project.

Let's review the Backer Reward Tiers to ensure that you've pledged to a Reward Tier that provides all the rewards you wish to receive.

One Book, Two Books, Three Books

The main reward offered in this campaign is, of course, the main goal of the entire proposition: the finished PDF and a discounted Print-on-Demand hardcover for Pugmire Unleashed. The first decision you need to make is whether you're just looking to add the main book, or want to maybe add the collected Pugmire Fiction Anthology to make it a two-book reward pledge? Or are you going all in and adding the Threats and Curs monster book for the Realms of Pugmire as well?

With that decision in mind, we've got three key reward tiers to choose from:




  • Paw-some Pugmire Pledge: This is the reward tier to select if you're only interested in the Pugmire Unleashed supplement. The PDF will be fulfilled by our partners at DriveThruRPG.com - when it is ready, you will receive a link to add it to your DTRPG library at no cost and be able to download at your leisure. In addition, you will get a special code to order a discounted Print-on-Demand hardcover version as part of your pledge rewards.

  • Pug Life: This reward tier includes the Pugmire Unleashed PDF (and PoD hardcover discount), as well as the Pugmire Fiction Anthology, which will be a massive 400+ page collection of all the Pugmire fiction written thus far. As with the Pugmire Unleashed PDF, you will receive a special discount code to order a Print-on-Demand softcover version of the Pugmire Fiction Anthology.

  • Ulti-Mutt Pugmire Pledge: This amazing reward tier includes the Pugmire Unleashed PDF and Pugmire Fiction Anthology, along with the Threats and Curs enemy book PDF. You will also receive a special discount code to order each of these rewards as Print-on-Demand books.

In addition to these primary reward pledge roles, we also offer the following options:

  • Bare Bones: Not ready to commit, or just looking to offer general support? This pledge role is for you. This does not include any of our primary rewards, but allows you to select some digital optional Add Ons, as well as participating in the post-campaign Pledge Manager as a backer. You'll also be able to read the draft manuscript of Pugmire Unleashed that we post throughout this campaign.

  • Treat Yourself: This pledge role offers a special limited premium reward in addition to the basics: an option to supply a name to be used by an NPC added to the setting.

Right now, the Treat Yourself pledge tier is all claimed, but as we move through these final days you'll sometimes see slots open up as pledges shift and budgets are calculated, so keep an eye on it if that's one you're interested in.



After the campaign is over we'll launch our BackerKit Pledge Manager and invite the backers to set up their rewards via survey. This allows you to confirm your pledge and add on anything that you might have missed, as well as possibly increasing your pledged reward tier, should you choose to expand your reward selection. Funding collected by BackerKit after the crowdfunding campaign does not count toward any campaign Stretch Goals, however.


You'll note that two rewards - Access to the Manuscript Previews and Participation in Post-Campaign Pledge Manager - are included in ALL reward tiers. That's just one of the perks of participating in this crowdfunding campaign!

PUGMIRE UNLEASHED BACKER PDF  - Crowdfunding backers will receive a redemption link for an early version of this book before it goes on sale to the public. This initial "Backer Version" will be used to get feedback from the fans to make the final version the best that it can be. When it has been updated to the final version, it will automatically be added to your DriveThruRPG library and available for download at your convenience.

PUGMIRE FICTION ANTHOLOGY PDF/ePub/Mobi- A massive compliation of all the fiction written for Pugmire thus far, with dozens of short stories about good dogs, excellent cats, swashbuckling lizards, and curious mice.

THREATS AND CURS PDF -an expansion for Realms of Pugmire offering 150 new enemies to be introduced as antagonists, rivals, or allies in your campaigns. Includes expanded rules and new tags to construct exciting new encounters, along with a selection of ready-made encounters featuring enemies introduced in this book. The Realms of Pugmire core rulebook is needed to use this book.

PDF VERSIONS: The Pugmire Unleashed PDF, Pugmire Fiction Anthology PDF/eBook, and Threats and Curs PDF will be fulfilled by our partners at DriveThruRPG.com. Crowdfunding backers will receive redemption links allowing you to add the item to your DTRPG cart at a $0 cost. Once you check out, it will be added to your DriveThruRPG library and available for download at your convenience.
 


PRINT-on-DEMAND BOOK: In addition to the PDF releases, Pugmire Unleashed, the Pugmire Fiction Anthology, and Threats and Curs will available for purchase in Print-on-Demand formats offered by DriveThruRPG. The cost of printing and shipping a PoD book is not part of your pledge amount, however Crowdfunding backers will receive a special link allowing you to purchase the PoD book at a discounted price.



Choosing Your Reward Tier

There has been some churn over this past week - a few Reward Tier adjustments and changes by backers, as budgets changed and people have read the manuscript previews. In these final days it's best to ensure that you've selected the Reward Tier that offers you the options and rewards you want to receive and are ready to lock down. This timing - before the campaign ends - is the absolute most affordable and inclusive these rewards will be, and will save headaches and heartbreaks if fully considered now.

This is just the first step, however, in completing your pledge for this campaign. Funds for additional extras can be added to your pledge by selecting Add On options and increasing the overall funding and maybe getting us closer to a Stretch Goal.

First Step: Reward Tier

To summarize the first part of this post, the absolute best way to ensure that you're getting the primary rewards you want from this crowdfunding campaign is to ensure you've selected the appropriate Backer Reward Tier. Selecting the right Reward Tier covers about 95% of the options available to you. If you want the Pugmire Unleashed PDF only, make sure you've selected the correct reward. If you want the Fiction Anthology and Threats and Curs, double-check your reward tier to ensure the proper option is featured. 

Once you've completed that important step, you're going to want to look at the Add On rewards for any reward "bits" that don't automatically fall into your reward tier. That takes us to the Add On step.

Step Two: Add-On Options

Once you've chosen your pledge tier, you've likely already included the main rewards you want. In addition to the rewards offered as part of the Reward Tier configurations, there are a few other possible PDFs you may wish to add. All Add-On rewards are described in our Add On menu below.

You can select an Add On option, which will increase the amount of your pledge by the listed amount. Add on options will be selected and confirmed again in the Pledge Manager when that's up and running.


In addition to the Pugmire Fiction Anthology and Threats and Curs books detailed above, Onyx Path is also offering PDF versions of the Realms of Pugmire core rulebook and the Curious Cats of Mau expansion.

  • Realms of Pugmire - the second edition of the Pugmire RPG. It’s a fantasy game about evolved pets and other animals with a strong connection to humanity, with dogs as the central characters. These characters live in the ruins of our world, using tools, language, and ingenuity to build a new civilization in their image, with the kingdom of Pugmire acting as a center of dog civilization.
  • Curious Cats of Mau - details the lives of the cats in the city-states that make up the Monarchies of Mau as they explore the world, plan daring heists and feats of intrigue, learn what they can about the Old Ones, and pounce on the sinister entities called the Unseen. You’ll need Realms of Pugmire to play this game.


Pick a Pledge Tier, then Add On Options



Ready to join in? If you're backing for the first time, you can click BACK IT and select your Pledge Tier and finalize funding amount in the next menu.

Using myself as an example, I love the Realms of Pugmire but I'm going to pretend I'm totally new to this game and I'm looking to get every reward I can.  Once I click BACK IT, I see my pledge level options. If I want to know a bit more about each level, I can click Learn More, or if I know what I'm looking for, I can click Back It.



The pledges as detailed earlier. It should be pretty self-explanatory, but you can click on the "Learn More" button to expand the Pledge Level info. For example, Clicking Learn More on the Ulti-Mutt pledge gives you...


This is the reward tier I'm choosing, as it exactly fits my desire to get the whole kitten caboodle. Puns!

Once you're ready, you can click that BACK IT button and go right to Add On options.

For example, I've decided on the $50 Ulti-Mutt pledge path, so I select BACK IT for that pledge, and then I want to add on a few of the Add On optional extras to my rewards list. I'll pretend I haven't already backed the two previous campaigns, and select the Realms of Pugmire PDF and Curious Cats of Mau PDF as Add On extras.


Note that I'm not presented with Add On options for the Fiction Anthology nor the Threats and Curs book, as those are already included in my pledge reward tier.

My total starts at $50 for the Ulti-Mutt Pugmire Pledge tier, and then I add
+ $20 for Curious Cats of Mau PDF
+ $15 for Realms of Pugmire PDF

To bring my final total pledge to $85 USD. Once everything is correct, you can select NEXT and then Confirm Your Pledge. You'll get an e-mail confirmation of your choices.

If you're already a backer but want to update your Pledge tier or Add On choices, here's what you look for:


Select Manage Your Pledge at the top of the campaign page, and then you can Edit Your Pledge



Select "Edit Pledge" on your review page, and then you can revise your pledge tier or Add On selections.



You can select a new Pledge Level from the available option menu, or Change your Add On selection.

As before, you'll confirm all of your choices, and then receive an e-mail confirmation once that's done.

And with that, my pledge level and Add On options are set for your pledge.

You should also be aware that any available Add On options will be made available in our BackerKit pledge manager, so if you're unsure about adding on something at this point, you will be able to adjust your pledge in the post-campaign phase.

Pledging to the campaign also opens up the Stretch Goal rewards as thanks for your participation. We'll review our Stretch Goal accomplishments on Wednesday, but it's important to note that backers who wait and Pre-Order the Pugmire Unleashed book at a later date will not have any Stretch Goal rewards automatically added to their rewards list if applicable.




REWARD DELIVERY

About 4-6 weeks after the campaign has ended, I'll launch our post-campaign Pledge Manager to collect information from all backers and confirm which rewards you'll be receiving. At that point, you'll be able to review your rewards and also also adjust any Add On Options that you may have missed. Once we have everything confirmed, I'll be able to deliver any rewards that are currently available - like the existing titles including the Realms of Pugmire core rulebook PDF, the Curious Cats of Mau PDF, and the Threats and Curs PDF. Backers who have pledged for these options will be sent special redemption links to claim these digital rewards from our partners at DriveThruRPG.com. Clicking these redemption links will allow you to add these PDF titles to your digital library to download anytime. I'll send an update when all of that is happening, though, so you are aware every step of the way.

So, while it will take some time for Pugmire Unleashed and the Fiction Anthology to move from manuscript form to a final product, you won't be waiting a year for PDFs that already exist. (You'll be waiting about 8-10 weeks or so, just enough time for us to set up the reward infrastructure.)



Don't fret if you had forgotten to select additional rewards by the end of the campaign. These Add Ons will be available to select in our post-campaign Pledge Manager for those who participated in our campaign and have full access to the Pledge Manager. So, if you are undecided at this time, you will be able to hold off until we're closer to the final reward shipment goes out.

Step 1: Pledge Tier

Step 2: Add On Options

Again, your first step should involve your main reward selection, and your Add On Options will build upon that. If you selected the PDF-only tier, you can investigate PDF and digital options. If you select a hardcover tier, you will be able to add additional copies of the hardcover. 

Note that all funds are expressed in US Dollars, so take into account your conversion as needed.

It Adds Up!

That should explain the process of Selecting your Reward Level and adding Add On options and confirming your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT. Since increasing your pledge amount increases the overall funding level of the project, add-ons can help us achieve our Stretch Goal funding targets, so it benefits us all to suggest that you double-check to make sure you're getting all of the rewards you want.

Additionally, this may go without saying, please review your personal budget and ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. BackerKit will begin charging your payment method at midnight the day the campaign ends, so ensure you've budgeted correctly. Choose what works best for you now and is affordable at this time, knowing that you can upgrade your pledge level or choose Add Ons in the Pledge Manager at a late date.




Conclusion

As we move through these final days of the campaign, please ensure you've chosen the correct Pledge Level for the rewards you want (at least at this point). And beyond that - please make sure you've investigated and selected any add-ons you wish to receive. If you have any issues with the Pledge process, either selecting the reward tier or figuring out the Add On options, you can reach out to me or to the support team at BackerKit. I've found them to respond quickly and offer great support.

On Thursday, just before the campaign ends, I will send an update detailing the steps that occur after the campaign concludes, including notes about our Pledge Manager and the communication plan going forward.

So, just like always: Spread the word! Share your excitement on social media! Tell your friends! We're about to see some amazing adventures for Realms of Pugmire Guides, so let's make sure that none of our friends miss out!

I'll be back tomorrow with the complete FINAL manuscript section for Pugmire Unleashed, making the complete text available for all backers to review before the campaign ends!

#PugmireUnleashed



FINAL WEEK COUNTDOWN
10 months ago – Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 09:35:48 AM

Hello Good Doggos,

There are moments it feels like we just started this campaign, but in truth we've been running since June and we're now officially in our FINAL WEEK COUNTDOWN!

Next week I'll be sharing a handful of instruction and review-type posts about Reward Tiers & Add Ons, Stretch Goal reviews, and What Comes Next, so if you've got any process questions or are wondering about how the Crowdfunding steps work, I'm hoping to clarify any remaining questions before we finish. Of course, if you're still wondering about something, please ask and I'll help as best I can.

Final Week Program

  • July 14 - Reward Tier & Add On Review
  • July 15 - Manuscript Preview # 5 - Chapter 5
  • July 16 - Stretch Goal Review
  • July 17 - Final Day Checklist & What Comes Next




The Campaign ends on July 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time... sort of.

Between our good dogs, brave badgers, lucky lizards, and remarkable rabbits, we're able to unleash the full strength of our spells and achieve the nearly impossible. In this case, that's called "OVERTIME MODE" and it allows us to keep the campaign rolling as long as backers are pledging.

Overtime Mode

Overtime Mode extends the campaign past its original end time to give backers a final chance to make their pledge and adds an interesting twist to the end of the campaign. How long will it extend? That’s entirely up to backers: The campaign will keep going for an additional 10 minutes as long as pledges keep coming in – a chain of back-to-back pledges is called the Barker... err... Backer Train. The campaign will end only when the Backer Train stops after a period of 10 minutes passing without any pledges.

You’ll know we’re in Overtime Mode when the campaign’s Backer Train counter displays a bright rainbow border and a new countdown that resets to 10 minutes after each new backer joins that final Backer Train ride.

So, we've scheduled the campaign to conclude on July 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, but it'll be extended in 10 minute chunks as long as backers keep pledging. Will we add an extra 10 minutes? An extra 20? Or will it all finish up as planned? Who knows, but we'll find out together! Barking network engaged!



Growing our Pack

I know, this is something I've already said many times (and seem to say during every project!), but for this final week, you are officially a Realms of Pugmire recruiter. It's time to share your excitement for Pugmire Unleashed! Basically, we want to recruit as many curious backers as possible to see how long we can keep our Barker Train running over this final week.

I know I've ended many update posts with "Keep spreading the word! Invite others to join in!" - but what does that mean, and how do you do it?

Easy answer - don't stop talking about Pugmire Unleashed until 2:01 PM Eastern next Thursday July 17th  (and then as long as we continue running in Overtime Mode). Yes, family and friends are tired of me talking about it. But what else have I got to talk about? The state of the world? That gets a little depressing fairly quickly. And -  they've learned to tolerate me during a crowdfunding campaign. But here's the thing - there are others around who haven't heard or don't know about the campaign.

We all know this project is quirky and niche - it's a player options and setting supplement for the Realms of Pugmire game - with some cool stuff for our amazing Guides thrown in as well. This book covers a lot of different ideas and topics, and surely something in there will be interesting to potential backers! Yet those barkers haven't yet heard about this campaign and would love to join in. We're right in the middle of relentless news and events so it's not surprising that new backers are just finding out about the campaign every day. If you have an opportunity to let someone know, please do and let's make sure they have a chance to join in before the end.

For me, one of my main ways of coping with these exhausting times is to dive into a game world with my friends. Reading the Pugmire Unleashed manuscript has been a much-needed escape over the past weeks, and my friends and I will absolutely be designing our own badgers and hares as part of our self-care in the future.

So, let's help out our awesome TTRPG fans and make sure that we've spread the word as best we can and everyone has an opportunity to participate in this campaign!




Resources to Share

If you're inviting new backers, or if you are a new backer (hi new backers!), here are a few key resources to be aware of for this campaign.



Backers are able to review the (soon-to-be) complete manuscript for this book before the campaign closes and any pledges are processed. With the exception of the Adventures chapter coming on Tuesday, the entirety of the rules and options from this book are available for download and review by backers, along with all of the setting information for this fuzzy and fascinating world.

Anyone who pledges to this campaign before the end can read the entire book now AND provide feedback directly to the developers to help guide the manuscript through the final phases of development and editing!

And, if you join now, as I've noted, we'll be posting the final chapters of the book next week before we reach the finish line. These final chapters have advice and pre-designed adventures for Guides, along with new adversaries and possible allies.



Pugmire Unleashed Actual Play

My favorite way to learn more about a game is to see it in action, and you can with this Actual Play using the Pugmire Unleashed expansion for the Realms of Pugmire roleplaying game.




Pugmire Unleashed Fiction


The other fun way to learn about this setting is to read some of the in-game fiction that fleshes it all out! Indeed, a big fiction companion is one of our key rewards! Two new stories have been shared as part of this campaign. Check them out:


The Twilight Bark 

The Discord is particularly lively and fun, but you might be able to gain further insight and some in-depth conversation at any of these Onyx Path discussion zones:




Share the Links!

1) Don't forget to share a link to the Crowdfunding page in any discussion you have (where appropriate) - and feel free to pass any of the long list of links above to those who may need more info (or, just point them to this post!)

2) Don't forget to tell us about any post or review or discussion you write! Come to the comments section and let us know so we can all go and contribute! I know I keep saying it, but really - these last days are key. Keep the enthusiasm high and keep on inviting others to join in, either directly ("Come see...") or just by setting an example of your enthusiasm and interest.

Final Week
We've got one week to go, everyone! Thank you all so much for your support! We work together because it's the right thing to do, and because backers make it better! Let's finish strong! And let's continue exploring this amazingly furry and fabulous setting together, sharing our feedback with the writers and delving into the draft manuscript, and let's see if we can't get another Stretch Goal before we review next Wednesday!


At $13,000 in Funding - Digital Wallpaper
Unleash some great artwork on your monitor with a Pugmire Unleashed desktop wallpaper. Artwork from the book will be used to create a digital wallpaper and will be added as a bonus reward to all backers of this project.



Empire of Good Dogs [Backer Preview Manuscript #4]
10 months ago – Wed, Jul 09, 2025 at 05:53:18 AM

Hello Good Doggos and Terrific Tourists,

Today we're going to explore more of the Realms of Pugmire with the next chapter from Pugmire Unleashed! We've had lots of rules and character options, but now it's time to learn more about the setting for the game and where your characters can get up to hijinks!



Digital and Print-on-Demand Rewards

We know times are hard these days, particularly with rising costs and economic uncertainty, so we’ve designed this crowdfunder to be as painless as possible. We offer a wide variety of digital options for backing, as well as leveraging print-on-demand technology to have physical products printed as close to you as possible to cut down shipping and reduce tariff concerns.


Creating and fulfilling physical versions this way gets you the best price, fastest delivery, and excellent customer support!

DriveThruRPG's printing partners are located both within in the USA and the UK (and expanding), making shipping cheaper and avoiding the tariffs incurred by international manufacturing and shipping!



Draft Manuscript Previews

Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers will receive the entire current draft manuscript for Pugmire Unleashed, but it's not going to come to you all in one go. The previews will come out in bite-sized treats throughout the campaign. This helps me seem interesting over the next 28 days, but it's more about guiding the conversation and helping steer feedback for the developers.

Because they want your feedback! These manuscript previews are of the current draft manuscript – the document in its latest, approved form. This may not be the final form after editing and any additional development, but you can consider it about 95% finished, so keep that in mind.

In fact, you can help guide the team through the next stages of development by providing feedback on these manuscript previews! The Onyx Path team has set up a special Feedback Form just for campaign backers for this very purpose: <Pugmire Unleashed Feedback Form>


You can use this Feedback Form to shrea your thoughts directly with the Pugmire developers and help guide them through the next rounds of development and editing.


DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, these download links are visible to Backers only - you must be logged in and reading this on the website to have access to the manuscript preview links. So, if you're reading this via e-mail, click that "Reply to this Update" or "Learn More" button on the bottom and I'll see you below this title treatment.

Realms of Pugmire Ficiton: A Different Castle
10 months ago – Tue, Jul 08, 2025 at 08:29:27 AM

A Different Castle

Sonya Pyrenees and Damian Borzoi stared up at Castle Transylvania-Hound. Its moldering crimson spire rose into the night sky, like a giant dagger stabbed into the earth by a vengeful sky god. The smell of rot lingered in the air, and dust and webs covered each windowsill and door frame. Beyond the wrought-iron fence, dozens of zombies strolled through the courtyard, oblivious to their presence.

“This is Castle Transylvania-Hound?” Damian asked, gesticulating wildly at the pile with one gloved paw, while the other was held over his long snout in a desperate attempt to keep the stench out.

Sonya glanced at the map in her paws again, although she already knew the answer. “That’s what the people in town say,” she muttered, looking down at Damian. Her white fur seemed to gleam in the moonlight. “Within is the demon they want us to kill.”

“Sure, sure,” Damian said. He flapped a paw dismissively at the suggestion, only to realize he was actually circulating the rot closer to his nose, so he quickly stopped flapping and held his nose again. “Not like we’re demon hunters or anything, but between the two of us I figured at the time the job shouldn’t be too hard, especially since we’re been here before.”

Sonya nodded, and Damian continued. “Except there’s one small detail that makes me think that maybe this isn’t the right place.”

She leaned her head back, so Damian couldn’t see her roll her eyes. They had worked together long enough for her to know where this was going. “Is it because it looks different, Damian?”

“It looks completely different,” he agreed, now pacing back and forth next to the tall pyrenees. “We came here, what, two years ago?”

“It feels like an eternity just standing here,” she muttered to herself.

Damian ignored her. “You and me and that other dog, What’s Their Face, we came here, defeated that monster, chased that pirate cat, whatever, and yet when we were here last it looked completely different.”

“Also,” Sonya pointed out, “it had fewer zombies.”

The ratter stopped pacing. “Well, yes, but I’m still stuck on the fact that it looks like someone destroyed the old castle, put a completely different one here, and then went through a lot of effort to make it look like it’s a million years old. I mean, it’s not even the same color.”

“That’s because it’s cursed,” a voice said behind them.

Sonya had her broadsword in her paws before Damian had a chance to turn his head. By the time he did so, she had her weapon pointed at the throat of a hare standing behind them. He wore light blue armor, and had two swords at his side — one long, one short. His arms were crossed over his chest, as if completely unconcerned about the towering dog threatening him.

“Cursed, you say?” Damian said. He stepped forward, pushing the point of Sonya’s sword down as he did so. She snorted in annoyance and put the sword back in the scabbard on her back as Damian asked, “Cursed how?”

“It depends on what you believe,” the hare answered. “Some say a whole family of hounds ran afoul of a demon, and now they can only die once the castle falls. Others say the castle reforms itself every time the moon is drenched in blood, so that none of the spirits trapped within can ever know rest. Everyone agrees, however, that once you leave the castle, both it and you are forever changed.”

The two dogs looked at the hare as he fell silent. Then he added, “Also, there are corpses walking around in the courtyard.”

Damian turned to look up at Sonya. “I like this guy.”

This time, Sonya rolled her eyes so that Damien could see them. “Great, you and the Sarcasm Bunny here can go wading into a sea of zombies. I’ll head back to town and drink away what’s left of our down payment from the mayor.”

The hare looked between the two dogs. “Do you two always bicker this much?”

“This is a good day,” Sonya muttered.

Damian laughed and turned to their new companion. “So what brings you here, uh… I didn’t catch your name.”
The hare waited a moment, as if considering, and finally said. “My name is Tokki. And I’m here to slay the jackalope that cursed my village.”

After a long moment, Damian glanced at the castle, then back at Tokki. “You want a job?”
 
 

Sneak Peek: Waterdog Port
10 months ago – Mon, Jul 07, 2025 at 06:39:30 AM

Greetings Good Doggos,

The first three weeks of the campaign were all about the new options for your characters, with new dog callings and more information on Badgers, Birds, Lagomorphs, and Reptiles for your Realms of Pugmire game. But these new characters need a place to explore, and this week we'll get more about the setting of the Realms of Pugmire!

Pugmire is more than just a single kingdom. Its realms officially spread to Houndton and some other villages, and unofficially spread as far as Mutt Town, Waterdog Port, and even some other areas at the extremes of what could charitably be called its empire. Whether the kingdom has direct influence on a location, has historically helped establish it, or only have some cultural impact on a place, the Realms of Pugmire stretch fall and wide.

Waterdog Port

Waterdog Port is a unique city in that for a long time it managed to be the main point of exchange between Pugmire and the Monarchies of Mau, using the financial leverage provided by its lucrative trading status to keep it free of control by either nation. If either one got too interested in taking an active hand with the port, they simply favored the other as a trading partner until the offender got the message and backed off. It wasn’t always neat or easy, but it worked well enough to ensure a healthy measure of independence and an unbelievable amount of wealth. 

Although its detractors paint it as a lawless port full of thugs, smugglers, pirates, and outcasts of all kinds, Waterdog Port does indeed have laws and government, even city monitors who keep an eye out for troublemakers. A diverse body known as the Council of Luminaries makes policy decisions and resolves disputes, and there are numerous codes that govern daily life in the city. That said, part of living in Waterdog Port is learning what you can get away with and what you can’t; those who figure it out can become enormously wealthy, while those who don’t soon learn why it’s a bad idea to cross a town with easy access to an acid sea. 

The biggest problem currently facing the city is the recent breakdown in talks between Pugmire and the monarchies, which puts the port in exactly the position they’ve tried so hard to avoid for years — picking a side. Although it can be hard to spot at first given the typical relaxed atmosphere of the city, those who know where to look can pick up on the tension under the surface as everyone wonders what will happen. It’s no secret that neither Pugmire nor the monarchies have been particularly happy with the way Waterdog Port has played them off each other to keep its independence over the years, and now it looks like that bill may finally come due.

Of course, there are those in town who see this not the end of the city’s story, but a whole new beginning — if they’re brave enough to take it. In the taverns talk of finally becoming truly independent is all the rage, and while many of these conversations are more wishful thinking than actual planning more and more of the locals are starting to talk these ideas seriously. Trying to keep the paws of both Pugmire and the Monarchies off the city would be a massive risk, but what are the residents of Waterdog Port if not gamblers at heart? After all, if freedom is on the line, are any odds too high to take the chance?


Species of Waterdog Port

While every species is welcome in Waterdog Port, dogs maintain a small majority of the population. While most dogs are content to be free of Pugmire’s rule, many maintain cordial relationships with family and friends in Pugmire and Houndton. Dogs own more plastic-hulled ships than any other species, benefiting more from the city’s lucrative economy.

Second only to dogs in population, the cats maintain a strong presence. While some retain their loyalties to Mau, most cats are moggies, and renouncing one’s house is mandatory for cats to hold positions of authority in the city (although many cat patriots still proudly hold their allegiances in their surnames). Cats own almost as many plastic-hulled ships as the dogs, gaining similar benefits from the shipping industry. They enjoy significant influence in government, although dogs and cats frequently rely upon others to settle differences when their opinions clash. The cats constantly watch for signs of Unseen activity, ready to pounce at any moment to preserve the security of their home.

The reptiles have found a niche in the city, and their authority far exceeds what their population would indicate. When tempers flare between cats and dogs, lizards and frogs are quick to defuse the situation. Serpents and turtles utilize these opportunities to share advice, steering cooler heads towards mutually beneficial conclusions. As a result, reptiles have become mediators, ensuring the interests of all species are considered, even if they’re unable to ease individual prejudices.

Birds find themselves in an interesting position. While their population has grown large enough to exert influence in the city, they end up clashing most often with themselves. Other species don’t distinguish between sparrows, crows, and parrots, lumping all birds together. Traditionalists don’t approve, while those rebelling against bird norms are delighted at the greater freedom and authority they enjoy. Regardless of neste, birds find their knowledge in high demand, and many find a place for themselves in positions requiring keen memories.

Few badgers call the city home. Most who do live solitary lifestyles, seldom meeting with others of their kind. The exception are otters, who frequently cluster in crews to intimidate rivals. Otters take well to the pirate life, hiring out their services as muscle to other species taking to sea. With the brutal reputation held by the badger clans, many are surprised to discover the fierce loyalty and camaraderie of their otter crew mates. Similarly, lagomorphs generally don’t find Waterdog Port hospitably, although of those that do, hares vastly outnumber the rabbits, with more than a few seeking to include nautical adventures in their travels.

With rumors of equality and opportunity for all spreading, rodents swarm to the city in the hopes of building happy lives for themselves. While some find success, most quickly find the reality doesn’t live up to their dreams. A lack of resources force many to live in the worst sections of the port, squatting in deteriorating buildings and competing for necessities. Rodents readily take to the sea, but the frequent prejudices they experience often lead them to band together into rodent crews. While seldom able to afford plastic-hulled ships, their patchwork wooden ships are frequent sights in Seaport.


Laws of Waterdog Port

While Waterdog Port plays host to many individuals of questionable morality, it does maintain its own laws. Monitors are warriors and observers act as city enforcers and are charged with arresting those who flout these rules, working to preserve a semblance of order and safety for the people. The Council and monitors enforce the laws at their discretion though, and it isn’t uncommon for favored citizens to get away with violations that would see others imprisoned or executed. Any Luminary may pardon a criminal, but the pardon can be overturned by a majority vote of the Council. While lesser laws and regulations change regularly according to Council decisions, the Great Laws have thus far remained inviolable.

Loyalty is Freedom: Waterdog Port glorifies freedom, priding itself in owing no allegiance to Pugmire or Mau. All citizens choose their own destinies, reaping the rewards and facing the consequences of their own actions, and the Council makes it abundantly clear where this freedom comes from. Any allegiance greater than family or guild must be sworn to Waterdog Port and no other. Conspiracy with other nations or organizations to undermine the city’s independence is among the most harshly punished crimes. On a more individual level, gaining the favor of the monitors or a Luminary permits more leeway in behavior, allowing for greater gains and diminished punishments in exchange for loyal service.

Business is Business: Plastic shall eternally flow to the citizens, and through them, to the coffers of Waterdog Port. The Council recommends every citizen pursue a healthy livelihood, encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship. In exchange, every transaction should benefit the city. Interfering with the business of another is strongly discouraged, although competition is considered appropriate. Inadvertent harm to others is often overlooked when it results from business endeavors. While smuggling contraband is officially illegal, rampant bribery ensures the monitors turn a blind eye to such business. In practice, even crime is condoned, provided one has the decency not to be caught. The exception to this is trade in people, as slavery in any form is never tolerated within Waterdog Port.

All are Equal: Everyone has a part to play and should take pride in what they do and likewise deserves respect from others when they know their job and do it well. After all, a captain without a crew is just a lonely dog in a big hat going nowhere — it takes a lot of capable sailors to keep a ship afloat! As such, every person is equal in value, regardless of resources, social standing, or species. Each citizen votes for Governor. Every vote is weighed the same. Anyone may become a citizen simply by taking up residence in the city, and many in untenable situations flee to Waterdog Port in search of acceptance or new opportunities. While the Council includes members of other species besides cats and dogs, however, individual residents retain their prejudices. Citizens often side with each other against outside threats, but in the absence of those, old grudges prevail.

Violence is Personal: Violence isn’t forbidden in Waterdog Port, but it’s expected to involve only the clashing individuals. Causing harm to other people or property is unacceptable. The monitors are slow to enforce this law, and brawls in the seedier sections of town are common. They step in only when making an example of someone, or when the violence threatens to fray the fabric of their society. Attempts to stir up large-scale trouble are harshly punished when discovered, but personal vendettas are tolerated.

The Council of Luminaries

Waterdog Port’s ruling body emerged from a need to bring order in the port’s chaotic early days, and originally it was a council of the most powerful ship captains who called the port home. These days you don’t need to be a ship captain to be a Luminary, as prosperous merchants form the largest group on the Council, though there are still plenty of rough and tumble types to represent the city’s roots. 

The Council of Luminaries consists of eleven seats. While each Luminary maintains their personal life outside of governance, all are expected to gather for matters concerning the city. Each votes in city affairs, with the Governor casting the deciding vote when the others can’t reach an agreement. Luminaries may retire at any time, nominating a replacement, but otherwise the seats are lifetime appointments. The full title of a member of the Council is Admired Luminary, and the proper mode of address is “Your Brilliance.”

Chosen from among the Luminaries by a citywide election, the Governor functions as ruler of Waterdog Port to outsiders, and as the mouthpiece of the Council in local matters. The current Governor is Erwin Sharpei.

  • Noble and loyal to a fault, the cat Asher Mainecoon von Waterdog longs for the seafaring adventures of his youth. Once a member of House Rex, Asher traveled beyond the edges of the map, courageously facing the unknown without a single hair of his gray and white fur out of place. Now dedicating himself to Waterdog Port as Luminary and occasional ambassador, he avidly supports exploration, dreaming of a day when the cartographers have charted every island and when every peril is revealed for the next generation of pirates. His navigational charts note each unexplored region where previous expeditions have failed to return, and it’s only a matter of time before he recruits a crew for one last great adventure.
  • The renowned rat actor Aurelio is famed throughout Waterdog Port for his talent, but more so for his shining golden fur and boundless hunger for luxury. While the Council chose the popular actor to quell the growing unrest among the rodents, few take the rat seriously, believing him shallow and easily manipulated. Worse, Aurelio knows he’s merely a political tool, but he isn’t content with that arrangement. He offers daring missions to pirates in the hopes of gaining respect, but over the years he has been pressured by the other rodents in Waterdog Port to take more radical steps.
  • The newest Luminary on the Council, Bear Pyrenees is extremely popular with the citizens… if not as popular with the other Luminaries. Bear’s towering size and guardian training makes him quite an intimidating figure at first glance — until he opens his mouth, and he rapidly becomes one of the friendliest dogs you’ll ever meet. Quick to smile and quicker to laugh, Bear makes friends easily and has a knack for getting others to open up to him within minutes of meeting, a talent he uses subtly but quite effectively in his work as a private investigator. He is generous with his coin and known for foregoing his cut of the rewards when working for needy folks, which many of the other Luminaries consider nothing more than building a support base for a potential future run at Governor. Bear, however, is simply a good dog that wants to help.
  • The dog Brandi Springer-Spaniel never planned to become a Luminary, but her warm heart and renowned bravery pushed her into the role. While beloved by the dogs of Waterdog Port, she’s prone to disappearing for long periods of time, making her difficult to contact. Her wanderlust traps her between the call to adventure and her duties to her people, and she desires nothing more than to find a suitable successor so she might live out her days upon the road or the waves. Until then, she settles for disguising herself whenever the urge for excitement grows too strong, joining others to aid them on their quests.


Waterdog Port Culture

Waterdog Port is a true melting pot, a place where one can find not only dogs and cats mingling but other species as well, and even though the current political problems have chilled the atmosphere somewhat it’s still a place where what’s different is celebrated rather considered suspicious. Indeed, if anything many residents have embraced their city’s diversity more than ever as a way of showing defiance at the idea that they must soon take sides in a political conflict they feel has little to do with them. 

Perhaps one of the most famous parts of Waterdog Port’s culture is its cherished beverage of choice, which is simply known as “snout” (as in “put some of this in yer snout”). Many different taverns and innkeeps in the city claim credit for inventing snout and all of them claim to have perfected it, causing frequent brawls over its origins as well as who serves the best snout in town. Though recipes vary somewhat from tavern to tavern, there are three things that all snout has in common: it’s always served as chilled as possible (sometimes even magically so), it always contains a mixture of fruits to give it a sweet flavor with just a hint of bitterness to keep it from being too sugary, and it must be served in outlandishly decorated mugs topped with little parasols. Locals swear by its relaxing and restorative properties, especially on a hot day or after a hard night, and often bring their own custom mugs to fill. Comparing mugs is almost as popular a pastime as drinking snout in them, and a prize mug is a source of great pride. 

If Waterdog Port has a beating heart then work songs and sea chanties keep its rhythm. These catchy tunes can be heard at all hours in town, whether sung by carpenters putting up a new house or sailors stitching sailcloth or even just some adventurers relaxing outside a tavern after a perilous mission. Some local classics include the sentimental “Only the Sea Between Us”, the rousing “Set Sails the Dangerous Shores”, or the sorrowful “Buried More Friends Than Treasure”, and when someone starts a tune it’s not uncommon for everyone in earshot to chime in. Although good singers can earn respect and acclaim, no one cares if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket if you feel like adding your voice. As the locals see it, it’s better to sing badly with your crew than stay silent on your own. Anyone who writes a new song that catches on will find themselves the talk of the town in no time.

As far as local lingo goes, it’s as diverse as the port’s inhabitants, but some words and phrases are especially useful for visitors to know if they want to navigate these colorful waters. “Plum” is used as an all-purpose adjective meaning great, useful, or clever. Arrogant or clueless outsiders are mockingly referred to as “bluejays” or simply “jays”, since they make a lot of racket but don’t add much, while visitors who fit in well are affectionately referred to as “berries” for reasons no one can clearly recall. “Dip yer toes” refers to the Acid Sea and can mean anything from a friendly “you can’t be serious” to a rude “shut up” depending on how it’s said. Likewise “ship’s biscuits!” refers to the hard biscuits sailors often survive on at sea, and is a common exclamation of shock, dismay, frustration, or alarm. Someone who shows a lot of wanderlust is called “windy” while a tough character is typically dubbed “hooped” in reference to the metal bands or hoops around grog barrels.

Places of Interest

Waterdog Port is constantly in flux, with businesses closing and new ones opening constantly due to the boom and bust nature of the trade that flows through the city. It’s not uncommon for a resident to go away on a voyage or adventure and return only to find that their entire street looks totally different than when they left (especially if a popular new paint color emerges). However, there are institutions that have stood the test of time in this busy port.

Governor’s Mansion
Overlooking the town square and the central fountain where citywide announcements are made, the Governor’s Mansion serves as seat of government and home to the current Governor. Due to its blocky gray exterior, its palatial and luxurious interior often surprises visitors. Callers are greeted by Myra Pearl, a friendly mouse assistant harried by the struggle to balance conflicting schedules and keep the government running smoothly. 

The Governor’s Receiving Room, which could better be described as a throne room, is where she leads most visitors who seek an audience. The Council Chamber sees fewer outsiders. While each Luminary has their own seat along the round table encircling the room, there are few additional seats available for visitors. Most are never welcomed into the Council’s inner sanctum.

Montana’s Menagerie
One of the most popular attractions in Waterdog Port, Montana’s Menagerie houses rare creatures from all over the world, providing opportunities for travelers and residents to safely see them up close. New habitats are regularly added throughout the city and crews deliver supplies for the care of these specimens at all hours. Despite his obligations to the Council, Montana tenderly cares for many of these beasts personally, demonstrating little concern for the dangers they pose.

The Trophy Hall at the center of the Menagerie’s original location contains the results from Montana’s own hunts and those provided by other adventurers. Sonya Parisachilde, a serpent curator, helps maintain this collection, eagerly regaling visitors with tales about each specimen.

The Rattlin’ Bones
Part tavern, part gambling den, and one hundred percent trouble, the Rattlin’ Bones never opens before the sun sets and always closes when it rises, but for those hours it’s in business it never fails to be packed with a rowdy, dangerous crowd.

The Rattlin’ Bones is operated by a pair of notorious cat pirate brothers, excitable wanderer Roland and sarcastic mancer Poe von Rex, who won the place from a ferret named Harvey Pewter in a feverish night of gambling two years back, but have since proven surprisingly capable at managing it. The spacious establishment connects three different buildings, the variation in architecture obvious to any who enter, and it’s often easy to find tables or booths separate from other customers for clandestine meetings.


We'll get some excellent Pugmire fiction tomorrow, and on Wednesday, backers will have access to the complete draft version of Chapter 4, which has tons of setting material for your game. On Thursday, we'll kick off our final week countdown!

So, please continue to spread the word and let's get ready for a full press next week as we explore more of Pugmire Unleashed!