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ABOUT US
No Short Rests! Is an aspiring independent publisher based in the UK. Our goal is to craft incredible stories into products that are as accessible to pick up and play as possible. We are lifelong RPG fans, with a mix of industry experience and creative talent that we hope will lead to a diverse range of self published works that will span all of our favourite genres and settings.
OUR STORY
The initial idea for One Room One Shots began when we needed a pause between our group’s main campaigns. We had just heroically failed in our battle against Strahd and decided to play some one shot adventures to try out different character classes. One of these one shots was titled Mage Battle Royale. Having a specific theme to the one shot, set in a singular environment, with encounters designed specifically around the idea of a magical contest led to a brilliant session which we then took further.
It was around this time that Matt had his first experience with an escape room. With so much atmosphere and player interaction built into a single room, this got us thinking about how it could translate into a TTRPG experience, but involving elements that you just can’t do in the real world (deadly combat, casting magic, shameless flirting with eldritch-beings etc.) all while being far more story driven than an escape room can be thanks to the involvement of a Game Master.
We started the project in 2023, using our own money to fund the first steps. We focused on three initial adventures spending all of our spare time writing, editing and formatting, as well as commissioning illustrations and maps for these adventures. This was so we had a clear understanding of what the books would cost before taking it to crowdfunding: learning with our own money what works and what doesn’t, with focus on delivering an amazingly presented collection that you would want to keep on your bookshelf.
With those first steps completed, we plan to bring the project to a crowd funding platform later this year in order to raise the funds needed to complete the books to the high standard we have set ourselves. We are excited and very thankful that you would consider joining us on this journey and help us bring our passion to life.
"DISCLAIMER: MATT IS NOTORIOUSLY BAD AT GIVING HIS PLAYERS THE OPTION TO REST. HE THEREFORE DECIDED TO WRITE AN ENTIRE COMPENDIUM OF ADVENTURES SIMPLY TO SATE HIS HUNGER FOR UNRESTED HEROES."
- an Unrested Hero
MEET THE PARTY
MATT LLOYD
Lead Designer & Writer
Matt first started ‘playing’ Dungeons & Dragons when he was 12, making his own character sheets and monster cards to print and play with. Matt is the ringleader who first introduced our group to 3rd edition, inspiring a lifelong obsession within the group.
He had the initial idea of a book of one shots set in a singular room, and is the Elder Brain behind the majority of our adventures. Matt studied screenwriting at university, is a father of two boys (welcoming his second future adventurer September last year) and hates the idea of a short rest in the middle of
a dungeon.
ALEX POWELL
Art Director
Alex was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons by Matt over 15 years ago and has never looked back since, playing weekly games and taking on the role of Dungeon Master from time to time.
Alex is an artist, graphic designer and prop maker that has worked at an industry level for a AAA games company for almost 10 years. Whilst acting as Art Director with our fantastic illustrators, he is also making use of his decade of experience by designing the entire layout of the book.
He loves short rests and eldritch horrors.
GARETH WRIGGLESWORTH
Business Manager
Gareth’s love affair with Dungeons & Dragons started with the classic 5 CD-Rom disk copy of Baldur’s Gate. It wasn’t until the three met as teenagers that Gareth turned his hand to table-top gameplay and the stories and characters created together.
This deep love of storytelling grew and grew, and now he spends (perhaps to his partner’s chagrin) three nights a week playing or running games. When not prepping for sessions, Gareth operates his own company of rental river boats and always provides both short & long rests in his games.
"DISCLAIMER: WHILST WE ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE USE OF STONE CUNNING, INCLUDING SPECIFIC READ OUTS AND UNIQUE ITEMS, WE CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR THE TERRIBLE ROLLS OF PLAYERS WHO CAN ONLY CONFIRM THAT, YES, THIS OBJECT IS IN FACT STONE."
- No Short Rests!
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