Gauntlet Runner

Gauntlet Runner - Update May 2026
12 days ago – Tue, May 26, 2026 at 04:46:48 PM

Hello everyone! The heat is rising, with summer blazing on the horizon (or for those in the southern hemisphere, a promise of less hot temperatures).

I continue making progress on Gauntlet Runner, and things are looking better and better. I’m currently getting into the design and development of the final dungeon, and after that, it will be onto the next big playtest phase (can hardly wait to see runners attempting to survive once again). 

The illustrations are pretty much all finished, other than the few final pieces that inevitably are needed during layout. I just emailed New Energy Printing to check in with them and make sure things are looking good for an estimated late summer printing. And the community campaign is going strong. We’re actually about to kick off the next Applicant GMs season. For those who haven’t joined yet, come check it out:

1. Join the Discord: discord.gg/zZ3J2Hn
2. Watch the Player Orientation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdFURFPUJ9c

I’ll leave you with some images to feast your eyes upon. Until next time!

—Esper

Gauntlet Runner BIG UPDATE - Apr 2026
2 months ago – Tue, Apr 07, 2026 at 05:33:01 PM

Hello one and all!

I'm here to give you a big progress update ...

The book is turning out really well, even better than expected, though it's taking a bit longer than anticipated. There are two main reasons for this:

1. Quantity of Content. The amount of content is higher than initially estimated. For example, instead of around 40 monsters and NPCs, there will be around 50; instead of around 30 magic items, there will be around 40; and instead of around 40 traps and puzzles, there will be around 75. Plus there are the stretch goals that unlocked an extra subclass and an extra dungeon.

2. Community Campaign. If you haven't checked out Myriad Legends yet, I highly encourage you to do so. The community has developed into a robust and in-depth experience, a living world campaign with lots of players and 33 quality GMs. Hundreds of adventure sessions have already been played over these past months—gauntlets, traditional D&D adventure series, and more. The reality is that developing our community, Discord, and website to the point that it's at has taken a TON of work. I will continue to be active in Myriad Legends, though my work focus has now shifted more intensely onto finishing Gauntlet Runner.

If you're interested in participating in the community campaign:
1. Join the Discord: discord.gg/zZ3J2Hn
2. Watch the Player Orientation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdFURFPUJ9c

My current estimate on when Gauntlet Runner will be complete is August. It will take a lot of consistent dedication to hit that, but it is doable. Here is a breakdown of the progress on the project.

—Development Stages—
Initial Concept: Ideation
Early: The foundational work has begun
Mid: Midway in, a number of main components are in place
Advanced: Well developed, awaiting final revisions and polish
Finalized: Complete

GAUNTLET RUNNER

• Rules: Mid
• Plot and Setting: Mid
• Subclass: Fleshforged Barbarian: Advanced
• Subclass: Zealotry Cleric: Early
• Subclass: Gladiator Fighter: Advanced
• Subclass: Legendary Warrior Fighter: Advanced
• Subclass: Way of the Dragon Monk: Advanced
• Subclass: Shrouded Specter Ranger: Advanced
• Subclass: Gatecrasher Rogue: Advanced
• Feats: Mid
• Items: Mid
• Spells: Mid
• Lore and Roleplaying: Early
• Monsters and NPCs: Advanced
• Dungeon 1 (Ratsfray): Advanced
• Dungeon 2 (Conflux Crucible): Advanced
• Dungeon 3 (Algophobia): Advanced
• Dungeon 4 (Vicious Gates): Advanced
• Dungeon 5 (Hideous Tunnels): Advanced
• Dungeon 6 (Masmorra): Mid
• Dungeon 7 (Halls of Ill-Omen): Early
• Dungeon 8 (Xenophant Temple): Early
• Dungeon 9 (Maze of Insanity): Early
• Playtesting: Mid
• Book Layout: Initial Concept
• VTT Modules: Early

MONSTROUS CONTENDERS

• Rules: Mid
• Plot and Setting: Initial Concept
• Arachnir: Advanced
• Minotaur: Advanced
• Revenant: Advanced
• Troll: Advanced
• Feats: Mid
• Items: Mid
• Spells: Mid
• Dungeon: Initial Concept
• Playtesting: Initial Concept
• Book Layout: Initial Concept
• VTT Module: Initial Concept

So, a lot has been accomplished, and I just need to keep my nose to the grindstone. My commitment to delivering a high-quality product remains strong. I will persevere until everyone has their book in hand (or onscreen) and feeling proud of what we created.

Thank you all for your amazing support, in all the ways that you show it. I'll see you on YouTube or around Discord soon!

—Esper

Gauntlet Runner UPDATE - Feb 2026
4 months ago – Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 09:54:39 AM

Hello one and all!

I hope you have been weathering the winter storms and keeping your hearths stoked. And for those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy the radiant warmth while you can.

Progress

Development on Gauntlet Runner is progressing well, though a bit slower than I would like. I expect the pace to pick up now though. There is not any groundbreaking news in this department, it's simply the mid-haul phase of development: create, playtest, revise, repeat.

This is a good opportunity to show off some of the fantastic illustrations that I've been directing with the talented G. Pawlick (images below). This is just a glimpse—many other pieces are done, and many more to come.

Collaborator Backers

I'm still waiting on a few collaborators to send me their concepts. If you have not done so yet, please check your email or message me.

Myriad Legends

In related news, I've been able to develop the community campaign Myriad Legends into a wonderful state, with the aid of many others. It has taken a lot of work, but things are really rolling now. This is a living world D&D campaign with lots of GMs and players adventuring in the mythic world of Ichoros—including lots of gauntlet runs happening in Bazagon City. If you have not joined yet, come play some sessions with us!

Instructions
1. Join my Discord.
2. Watch the Player Orientation video.

BackerKit Orders Locking

Also in related news, orders on BackerKit will lock within 24 hours. This means add-ons selected on BackerKit and pre-orders will get locked in and cards charged. If you have an address change at some point, contact me or BackerKit Support with your new address, and we'll be glad to update it.

Then later this year, once Gauntlet Runner is completed and printed, the shipping charges will run.

Thank you everyone for all your fantastic support. I'll see you around on YouTube and Discord as usual.

—Esper

Subclass Vote Winner - Monk
6 months ago – Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 03:01:01 PM

Greetings one and all,

Coming in just a knuckle ahead of the paladin, the monk has won the subclass vote. I would have been happy with any selection, though I do think that the monk has some great potential for a Gauntlet Runner-style subclass. There are a couple different ways I could go with it, one leaning into the setting lore a bit and taking inspiration from the Mithral Emperor—who himself began as a monk competing in the fighting pits of Bazagon. The other idea is a monk trained in a vicious and brutal form of martial arts, with exotic weapons and bloody "finishing moves."

Thank you to everyone who participated in the vote. Be on the lookout for more updates to come.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

—Esper

Subclass Vote - Which do you want?
6 months ago – Mon, Dec 15, 2025 at 12:32:55 PM

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