Now on Kickstarter, “The Kingdom of Keshanar” is a D&D 5e campaign setting that presents a fantastical take on ancient Egypt. It delves into a world where the powerful magic, influential gods, and terrifying monsters described in myth are tangible elements of life.
An international group comprising writers, game designers, artists, and historians has shaped this setting, which has also been reviewed for authenticity by a PhD Egyptologist. The campaign has smashed funding goals, and you can see progress on the pitch page.
On offer are;
- 12 new subclasses
- 5 new lineages
- 50 new monsters
- 25+ new spells
- 25+ new magic items
- A campaign for levels 1 through to 10
- An interactive 3d map
- 200+ locations
The primer of The Kingdom of Keshanar is a free download.
I don’t feel ancient Egypt and D&D are a new combo but The Kingdom of Keshanar‘s expansive 3d map is the innovation.
We have two great loves at Orthane Productions: Ancient Egypt, and storytelling. Our guiding principles revolve around these passions. Your table matters, your story matters, and we are dedicated to giving you every tool possible to tell legendary tales…including an expansive new world inspired by one of the most legendary cultures this world has ever known.
I spoke to “Storymancer” Leo Andrade about the project.
Why is the Egyptian setting so popular with tabletop gamers?
Ancient Egypt has a sense of overwhelming mystique that has fascinated people for centuries. I think it’s a mixture of how advanced they were, technologically, and the very iconic gods. They are also important for the history of other historical civilizations like Romans, Greeks and the Byzantines, all of which ruled Egypt but were in turn changed by this contact. The Romans took Isis worship with them all the way to the British Isles!
Is there anything about the setting that you need to be mindful of?
We work with a PhD Egyptologist, and our art director is a dress historian. We also work with sensitivity consultants and people of varied ethnic backgrounds. These combined ensure we are faithful and respectful to the source material while not perpetuating any wrongful notions.
Are you surprised at the success of the Kickstarter?
We spent a long time community building, touring cons and honing stuff like copy and adds, so while I wouldn’t say we’re surprised, we’re grateful and relieved haha.
What’s next?
Ra-Memnon & The Book of Gates is the first half of an intended adventure path taking players all the way to level 20, so the other half is already planned. We would also like to expand the world of Orthane by exploring other regions like Kemzin, Ahlanroel, Orthandryl, all Orthanic lands we briefly touch upon in The Kingdom of Keshanar. Keshanar City is very cosmopolitan, so players will be able to meet folks from larger Orthane in it.
Backers at $5 can buy into a build their own bundle offer and $30 backers secure the PDF of The Kingdom of Keshanar and the UNREAL Engine (Windows only) 3d map of Keshanar.
Those supporters who can step up to $50 also get the campaign Ra-Memnon and the Book of Gates.
The featured tier, called “Armored Dusker”, costs $60 and gets the campaign setting for The Kingdom of Keshanar in hardback and the 3d map of the city.
$90 unlocks the VTT experience, which means the PDFs, the map, the VTT assets, music and STL packs for monsters and NPCs.
The “Judge of Anubis” tier is there at $120 and adds both books in hardcover.
There’s a $295 offer with a GM screen, printed maps, a “Canopic Jar” with 10 Blue Scarab Mythic Inspiration points, a cloth tapestry map, dice, printed minis and cards. The top tier is $750 and has more than 50 backers.
The tiers have deliverable dates that range from September to December 2025, and the campaign runs until May 9th.
