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Titmouse Animation Studios may be most famous for producing successful Critical Role TV shows like The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein, however after a wildly successful backer drive in the previous year, the company's first-ever board game is set to launch on Nov. 28.

Delinquents, Druggies, & Drunkards is described as a “consciousness-shifting fantasy role-drinking game” for gamers of every skill level and intoxication degrees. Picture a streamlined version of Dungeons & Dragons where instead of HP, you sacrifice “gulps” or “hits” every time you take damage. (Although the developers have said participants are invited to use anything from exercises to hot wings or candy as a replacement — whatever that causes you to experience some kind of largely harmless physical “injury.”)

The humorous part about this loud new game, however, is that it all started out as a prank.

“Annually we produce a quirky client gift, a special product that we distribute to all our clients,” the studio's founder and Chief Executive Officer the founder shared during a video call. “A few years ago, I wanted to make a GM screen.”

Based in Oakland illustrator the artist, who specializes in “trippy artwork,” created the bright artwork for the shield. Yet Prynoski said they wanted the interior of the shield to say some text. Thus he recruited Titmouse Creative Director Alexei Bochenek to quickly assemble content intended to read “highly detailed and precise” as if Gary Gygax had authored a boozy pastime in the fashion of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

“I didn't anticipate anyone to try it,” the CEO admitted. “I only assumed it would be a entertaining joke present. Yet a bunch of individuals tried it and suggested we could do this.”

Prynoski said it was Luke Gygax, Gary Gygax’s son, who ultimately encouraged the development group to crowdfund a more developed iteration of the title.

After launching on Backerkit previously, the game was fully funded in just two hours, ultimately exceeding extra milestones to collect a total of $over 100k. (Regrettably, that left it $17,000 shy of releasing the Winomancer class.) The game has multiple character types based on ale, booze, or marijuana — like the Ale Warrior, Booze Mage, Herbal Druid. Along with standard skills, the majority have common features you see in alcohol-based games. The Pontificator must constantly execute a monologue narrative during play in extensive depth, and should they stop, they must drink.

The game includes pre-made character cards participants can utilize detailing how all personas has base stats, a pair of moves (a mix of melee and magic), a Special Skill, and a Individual Characteristic. But you can also customize with these elements to design a fully unique character. Useable objects and equipment additionally adjust assorted strategies, such as the Water Pipe Rod that makes any foes it affects to receive twice the harm for a brief period.

“This isn't designed for the complex plot,” the CEO explained. “This combat system is basically a chaotic clash, so it’s designed for character roleplay and fighting.”

The whole game system is centered on utilizing a single d12 provided in all versions of the title (that can also be employed on a set of charts to create the atmosphere). During each turn, the current Drunken Master throws that d12. Depending on the result, they select an enemy tile from a limited selection (multiple enemies in all) to put on the playing field. Could it be the playful Weed Monarch that reflects spell damage? Or perhaps the fearsome Flesh Golem that makes all opponents roll an extra d12 for strikes?

Every creature assaults as directed by the active leader, then each player.

“The main distinction separating this title and traditional TTRPGs is that there is no one dungeon master,” the founder said, clarifying that as with a standard tabletop game, the position rotates around the table with each leader managing the creatures for that period. According to him, this is a key aspect that make it accessible to new players.

Assault checks are measured against a player or creature's armor: Should the Mummy launches a strike and rolls an 11 with the two d12 plus four, it does not deal any damage on a Beerbarian’s 12 defense. But if it executes a similar assault versus a Booze Mage with 6 armor, the {player|gamer|participant