I alluded to this project in my last post, but with the start of 2024 it's time I talked a bit about my mimic project!
Some content context: mimics are a type of monster that originated in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. They're creatures that disguise themselves as inanimate objects, tricking their prey into touching them so it can't escape. Mimics are incredibly sticky, you see—once you touch, you're stuck! Most often you'll see a mimic conceal itself as a treasure chest, hoping a curious adventurer will reach out and open it up. Once that adventurer looks inside though? They're only going to find teeth, acid drool, and a tongue that's ready wrap around them and drag them inside like the meal they are!
So what do mimics have to do with me? Well, after GenCon last year, a friend of mine introduced me to a friend of his. That friend was Angela Lammie, social manager extraordinaire and creator of her own online community known as Litlcord. Angie, as I came to know her, had a vision for her first breakout project in the TTRPG space after graduation: an anthology of mimics for any tabletop setting, intended to make players suspect everything when they entered a new room in game. Personally, I love a good surprise mimic, and the challenge of creating a variety of mimics unlike anyone had seen before was exciting to me. A few discussions and a team meeting later, and I had joined Project Mimicnomicon as one of three monster designers and the project's lead editor. The other two were Angie and the friend who'd introduced me to her, Garrett Scherff. Our goal? To release dozens of mimics over time in digital packets that would ultimately culminate in the Mimicnomicon itself: a physical book filled with all the delicious fruits of our labors.
At the time of my last post here, we'd just released Mimicnomicon: Kitchens and Taverns. It was our first foray into digital packet releases and we wanted to start with a bang! The packet contained two locations for the price of one, with mimics that resembled everything from microwaves to kegs of ale to pianos. Each entry included multiple locations to feature each mimic, alternatives to modify them for different levels of technological advancement, and even their own special puns. Yes, that's right, our team loves puns. If you know me, I'm sure it's no surprise that the pun requirement was part of what sold me on this project from the start!
Creating that first packet was quite an undertaking. Our three-person team worked extra hard to complete everything before Thanksgiving, and the results were met with a very warm reception. At the time of release, our product was given shoutouts by the likes of Kobold Press and the DriveThruRPG staff! It was an honor and incredibly humbling to be acknowledged by such established presences within the industry, and much of that was thanks to the efforts of Angie, networking and promoting our work with a tirelessness and dedication that can't go unacknowledged. I'm beyond grateful for her efforts.
As of this month, we've released the next installment in the anthology, Mimicnomicon: Grocery Store. This packet definitely leans more into the modern, with things like shopping carts and cash registers, but also has its share of timeless foodstuffs like apples and bread loaves. As before, there are ways to adapt newfangled mimics to suit an older setting, too, so if you're a fan of medieval settings (like me), don't be deterred!
We're going to release 10 packets in total before we reach the final book, across this year and next year. Already there are over 40 unique mimics we've made for you to enjoy, spread across the existing packets, and there will be many more to come in our future releases. If any of this catches your interest, you can buy them individually or invest in a purchase of the whole set to get each packet delivered to you upon release!
This is a long-term project with all sorts of fun side elements to it (we've even got a pride adventure cooking for this June), so I'm sure production will continue to be a wild ride. It's an honor to be a part of something bigger than any one person, and growing bigger by the month! I know for a fact the final product will be something we're all proud of for years to come.
That's all for now! Thanks, as always, for taking interest in all my zany projects. Here's looking forward to everything yet to come this year! As a bonus, have a picture of me and my mimic friend, sending you our fangs!
~Hannah
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