Hello! I recently saw the 11Dragonkid video for this. I must say, this is a fun idea, and officially labeling adventurers as meddlers AND them forming guilds around the practice is a genius little twist on a familiar concept.
Now, I have a question. In the hope that I can one day run this game, I would like to play a movie that would give my friends an idea of what to envision. Something to get them in the mindset of this world. Would you happen to have any suggestions for Southeast Asian-themed fantasy films? I can't imagine there is one that captures this idea perfectly, but I have to imagine there is at least one that helped in inspiring it!
Oof, this is a bit of a tough one. The project came about from not having enough Southeast Asian fantasy media, but there are a few that I really liked and inspired me for this project. Nang Nak (1999) really shows the mood of the jungle, of living beside the river and how dark it can get. Also how spirits can be just so adjacent in SEA.
Wiro Sableng captures quite a bit of the fun and campiness that I sometimes step into, the wuxia-ness of it also feels similar to what I imagine for Kala Mandala.
Both films are easy to find, youtube and dailymotion.
I (and at least another Malaysian friend) also think Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away is relatively SEA coded.
Oh ya! Of course! I would love to see you make something inspired by the rice terraces (it doesn't even have to be related to Kala Mandala, would love to see it happen no matter what)
I need to give this a read-through STAT. Can't wait to see the "final" version. Just know if you ever want to bring it to print, I'll be in line to back it.
I'd love to run this for my players, but I don't see any stats for monsters in this book. I see that it's built and inspired by OSR titles, do you think Cairn/Into the Odds bestiary would work with this? Thanks! Much love from Indonesia
Hi! Thank you so much! Halo from Malaysia! I haven't worked on monsters/bestiary other than the ones in my short adventures. Though I've heavily referenced/followed whatever is provided by Cairn, so those stats should work well!
Hi! I’m from Indonesia and I really love the art and lore — it perfectly captures the Southeast Asian atmosphere. I’m planning to run this at my table next Friday. Would it be alright if I print it out to share the rules with my players?
Hello fellow SEAian! :D So glad you think the vibe works! And yes! Please print it out, that would be so so cool. The files should be hi-res enough for a decent print. Please let me know feedback or if you ever have photos or share anything of your session. Thank you!
Pig-folk? So the blending of Western orcs with East-Asian pig-folk is what gives us the Japanese pig-headed orcs. That makes a lot of sense.
I read in an Afterward that if Japanese fantasy centered on Japanese culture instead of Western culture, it would inevitably result in the United States mapping to the invading realm of demons. (I read a lot of Japanese light novels.)
The game definitely looks interesting. I hope it does well!
I kind of that podcast of the history of japanese TTRPGs about the pig-headed orcs. And also how kobolds are basically dog faced! Though this project is centre-ing on Southeast Asia rather than East Asia. :)
So, so fantastic! The art, the setting, the writing, the system itself—all immaculate. I’ll be running this for my group as soon as we’re done with our current game.
looking at the equipment list and illustrations makes me want to cry it makes me so happy its so beautiful and fun i want to make a character and draw everything in her backpack.
without question my fav system right now, and i'm even hacking it together wjth cairn for my own personal setting (i wouldnt release it publicly) :p
any plans for a physical release? i suppose not now since its still esrly access, but it would be so nice to have in physical form!! (and easier to read)
Oh! So exciting to hear that you would hack this for your own games, cos it's how I started this with Cairn/Mausritter too. (don't get pressured into making it "something public" but if you ever do, please let me know!)
I have physical books for Malaysia/Singapore cons, but will deal with logistics to ship this to the Americas after I'm done with my next adventure (or two).
What an absolute joy it has been to see Kala Mandala develop and having a small part in this. Munkao kills it with the visual storytelling. 44 pages of absolute flavour (literally). Not only is it amazing to play in a world that feels close to home (Malaysia, Southeast Asia), but it's great for beginners and anyone who wants to try something new without a huge learning curve!
Another hit from Munkao! If this game doesn’t inspire you to reimagine what adventuring could be, I don’t know what will. Exquisite vibes, fun innovations on Odd/Cairn derived procedures. Encouraging Singing, dancing, and sharing food? Brilliant.
My home game is set in a sort of JRPG-ified version of the cultures around the Bay of Bengal and this is such good grist for the GM mill. So wonderful to get a different cultural perspective on Fantasyland.
As a Westerner worried about appropiration I don't go "all in" for obvious reasons. I take the climate, politics (Tamil dynasties or Mughal Empire for ex.), and some general truisms of human cultures that develop closer to the equator using more vibrant colors in their folk craft/spicier foods. I leave the actual cultures and religious beliefs alone.
I completely missed that this wasn’t solo (no idea how I got so confused! It’s 1am so let’s blame that) but I had such a good time reading the rules that I'm smiling ear to ear and excited about being a meddling bearcat healer. I don’t know if you’re thinking of doing a solo mode but I will keep my fingers crossed just in case! Thank you for all the work you’ve put in!
I'm glad you dig it! Solo is something I want to explore. (The appeal of playing with going near my social anxieties is very exciting) But I haven't read too much of solo games yet to have found what feels right for me.
Fantastic as always, Munkao! The adventurer as professional meddler is brilliant, especially in competition with other guilds with different approaches. I'm about as white-bread Midwestern America as possible, but it certainly seems to fit with my mediated understanding of Southeast Asian cultural contexts. :-) It certainly would feel weird in a "Western" setting.
I'm hoping to give this a try at a small con this weekend, using one of your other scenarios--if so, I'll report back.
While I certainly get this is a WIP, I'm really feeling the need for some monsters/gods to fill things out (more gods than people, and more monsters than gods, after all!) Any resources off the top of your head (besides just randomly googling)?
Thanks Aaron! If folks with little understanding of SEA culture can vibe with it, that is like... oooof... dream outcome. :D So fingers all crossed for that!
These are not TTRPG books and also not fictional(in a way) but are completely fascinating books on Malay supernatural, written by British administrators decades ago. They are a fascinating read.
Love the feel of this and it has definitely jumped to the top of my list for games/setting to mess around with. Love how clean and readable the design is.
Reading through the skills there is so much flavor, it's all excellent!
This is SO full of flavor and awesome little tweaks to the familiar Mark of the Odd style, it’s incredibly inspiring!! Gorgeous art, masterfully snappy text, and I’m in love with every single skill. I’m so excited to see where this goes in future versions.
Yes! Thank you! So glad you like it. I've got a Trello of stuff I want to do with the Rulebook/World. Maybe I'll tidy it up and put it public as kind of roadmap. We'll see. :)
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Hello! I recently saw the 11Dragonkid video for this. I must say, this is a fun idea, and officially labeling adventurers as meddlers AND them forming guilds around the practice is a genius little twist on a familiar concept.
Now, I have a question. In the hope that I can one day run this game, I would like to play a movie that would give my friends an idea of what to envision. Something to get them in the mindset of this world. Would you happen to have any suggestions for Southeast Asian-themed fantasy films? I can't imagine there is one that captures this idea perfectly, but I have to imagine there is at least one that helped in inspiring it!
Hey! Glad to hear you dig that idea!
Oof, this is a bit of a tough one. The project came about from not having enough Southeast Asian fantasy media, but there are a few that I really liked and inspired me for this project.
Nang Nak (1999) really shows the mood of the jungle, of living beside the river and how dark it can get. Also how spirits can be just so adjacent in SEA.
Wiro Sableng captures quite a bit of the fun and campiness that I sometimes step into, the wuxia-ness of it also feels similar to what I imagine for Kala Mandala.
Both films are easy to find, youtube and dailymotion.
I (and at least another Malaysian friend) also think Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away is relatively SEA coded.
Hope that helps a little!
Are you open to third party content? I’d love to make something inspired by the rice terraces of Southeast Asia.
Oh ya! Of course! I would love to see you make something inspired by the rice terraces (it doesn't even have to be related to Kala Mandala, would love to see it happen no matter what)
I need to give this a read-through STAT. Can't wait to see the "final" version. Just know if you ever want to bring it to print, I'll be in line to back it.
I am in the process of doing that! Shipping the physical copies and setting up the webshop literally right now!
I can't believe I missed it. Please update the page with the webstore whenever it's live.
Fantastic piece of work, I especially like the art work, keep it all up, please!
Thank you very much! :)
This is beautiful!
I'd love to run this for my players, but I don't see any stats for monsters in this book. I see that it's built and inspired by OSR titles, do you think Cairn/Into the Odds bestiary would work with this?
Thanks! Much love from Indonesia
Hi! Thank you so much! Halo from Malaysia!
I haven't worked on monsters/bestiary other than the ones in my short adventures. Though I've heavily referenced/followed whatever is provided by Cairn, so those stats should work well!
Hi!
I’m from Indonesia and I really love the art and lore — it perfectly captures the Southeast Asian atmosphere. I’m planning to run this at my table next Friday. Would it be alright if I print it out to share the rules with my players?
Hello fellow SEAian! :D So glad you think the vibe works!
And yes! Please print it out, that would be so so cool. The files should be hi-res enough for a decent print.
Please let me know feedback or if you ever have photos or share anything of your session.
Thank you!
Pig-folk? So the blending of Western orcs with East-Asian pig-folk is what gives us the Japanese pig-headed orcs. That makes a lot of sense.
I read in an Afterward that if Japanese fantasy centered on Japanese culture instead of Western culture, it would inevitably result in the United States mapping to the invading realm of demons. (I read a lot of Japanese light novels.)
The game definitely looks interesting. I hope it does well!
I kind of that podcast of the history of japanese TTRPGs about the pig-headed orcs. And also how kobolds are basically dog faced!
Though this project is centre-ing on Southeast Asia rather than East Asia. :)
Priiiiint. I desire print.
Haha! Soon!
Echoing this, I will support you for sure! Your work is incredible.
So, so fantastic! The art, the setting, the writing, the system itself—all immaculate. I’ll be running this for my group as soon as we’re done with our current game.
Thank you for your kind words! Let me know how it goes if you do, and how to make it better. :)
looking at the equipment list and illustrations makes me want to cry it makes me so happy its so beautiful and fun i want to make a character and draw everything in her backpack.
hah thank you! :)
I'd love to see that drawing.
without question my fav system right now, and i'm even hacking it together wjth cairn for my own personal setting (i wouldnt release it publicly) :p
any plans for a physical release? i suppose not now since its still esrly access, but it would be so nice to have in physical form!! (and easier to read)
Oh! So exciting to hear that you would hack this for your own games, cos it's how I started this with Cairn/Mausritter too. (don't get pressured into making it "something public" but if you ever do, please let me know!)
I have physical books for Malaysia/Singapore cons, but will deal with logistics to ship this to the Americas after I'm done with my next adventure (or two).
okay yay!! i'll totally let you know if i ever make it public (the first draft is quickly nearing completion!) looking forward to your next works!
i'm giving this five stars purely for the reference to Lofi Hiphop Radio.
haha. YES!!
I reviewed Kala Mandala and omg I love it: https://batts.substack.com/p/kala-mandala-a-review
Thank you for the lovely review!
What an absolute joy it has been to see Kala Mandala develop and having a small part in this. Munkao kills it with the visual storytelling. 44 pages of absolute flavour (literally). Not only is it amazing to play in a world that feels close to home (Malaysia, Southeast Asia), but it's great for beginners and anyone who wants to try something new without a huge learning curve!
HAH YOU PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT(NOT SMALL) PART IN IT! But thank you thank you. Deeply appreciate your thoughts and support right from the start. :)
Another hit from Munkao! If this game doesn’t inspire you to reimagine what adventuring could be, I don’t know what will. Exquisite vibes, fun innovations on Odd/Cairn derived procedures. Encouraging Singing, dancing, and sharing food? Brilliant.
Thank you! So glad you like the additions. :)
I absolutely LOVE the vibes of this!!!
My home game is set in a sort of JRPG-ified version of the cultures around the Bay of Bengal and this is such good grist for the GM mill. So wonderful to get a different cultural perspective on Fantasyland.
Also, DAMN your art is beautiful.
Thank you! Bay of Bengal culturally overlaps with this region quite a bit! I'm really glad you like it. thank you!
It does for sure!
As a Westerner worried about appropiration I don't go "all in" for obvious reasons. I take the climate, politics (Tamil dynasties or Mughal Empire for ex.), and some general truisms of human cultures that develop closer to the equator using more vibrant colors in their folk craft/spicier foods. I leave the actual cultures and religious beliefs alone.
Anywoo, again - great work!
This rules
Thank you! :)
Hope you don't mind. I made a perchance name generator for the game! Hopefully it can come in handy.
https://perchance.org/kala-mandala-name-jm
OMG JACOB THIS IS SO COOL. I know nothing about Perchance.org so thank you so much.
Have you shared this on Bsky yet? I want to share. haha
I haven't. I'll post it there!
Wow—that’s great! “Anja the Angry” 🤘
oh hex yeah
🤘🤘❤️
This is Brilliant!
Thank you!
Awesome, I like the rules light system and the inspirations and (spiced) flavour!
Yes to spice (and everything nice).
I completely missed that this wasn’t solo (no idea how I got so confused! It’s 1am so let’s blame that) but I had such a good time reading the rules that I'm smiling ear to ear and excited about being a meddling bearcat healer. I don’t know if you’re thinking of doing a solo mode but I will keep my fingers crossed just in case! Thank you for all the work you’ve put in!
I'm glad you dig it! Solo is something I want to explore. (The appeal of playing with going near my social anxieties is very exciting)
But I haven't read too much of solo games yet to have found what feels right for me.
This is really good stuff. Just bumped to the top of the pile for my regular table!
I am so stoked you dig this! ❤️❤️
Fantastic as always, Munkao! The adventurer as professional meddler is brilliant, especially in competition with other guilds with different approaches. I'm about as white-bread Midwestern America as possible, but it certainly seems to fit with my mediated understanding of Southeast Asian cultural contexts. :-) It certainly would feel weird in a "Western" setting.
I'm hoping to give this a try at a small con this weekend, using one of your other scenarios--if so, I'll report back.
While I certainly get this is a WIP, I'm really feeling the need for some monsters/gods to fill things out (more gods than people, and more monsters than gods, after all!) Any resources off the top of your head (besides just randomly googling)?
Aa.
Thanks Aaron! If folks with little understanding of SEA culture can vibe with it, that is like... oooof... dream outcome. :D So fingers all crossed for that!
These are not TTRPG books and also not fictional(in a way) but are completely fascinating books on Malay supernatural, written by British administrators decades ago. They are a fascinating read.
Malay Magic: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47873
Malay Poisons, charm cures: https://archive.org/details/Malaypoisonscha00Giml
There are also quite a few contemporary Filipino books on their monsters!
I can smell and hear these rules. Love it!
Yess. I hope it smells tasty!
Like the best Rendang you can imagine. ❤️
hahaha
Amazing worldbuilding!
Thank you so much!
Love the feel of this and it has definitely jumped to the top of my list for games/setting to mess around with. Love how clean and readable the design is.
Reading through the skills there is so much flavor, it's all excellent!
Thank you! Really hope you do find useful stuff and mess with it! :)
My mind is blown.
❤️❤️
amazing
Thanks Tony! ❤️
Instant classic
❤️❤️
Couldn’t have asked for better time to try this out! Getting ready to run more SEA adventures soon.
Yay!!! ❤️
This is SO full of flavor and awesome little tweaks to the familiar Mark of the Odd style, it’s incredibly inspiring!! Gorgeous art, masterfully snappy text, and I’m in love with every single skill. I’m so excited to see where this goes in future versions.
Yes! Thank you! So glad you like it. I've got a Trello of stuff I want to do with the Rulebook/World. Maybe I'll tidy it up and put it public as kind of roadmap. We'll see. :)
spectacular work!
Thank you! ❤️
This looks incredible! I can't wait to play it!
❤️❤️❤️
This looks very good. Some really interesting and fresh takes on MotO - the skill system is excellent!
Thank you for your kind words! :)
fantastic fantastic, may you bring it further into manifestation! so i can hold it in my claws!
haha thanks! I will I will, just need a bit more time!
This is amazing! So much packed into 44 pages!
Thank you! Glad you like it! :