Delay

Removing AI, Raising the Bar. An Update on Veins of Iron, Blood of Fire

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll say it plainly

Veins of Iron, Blood of Fire is being delayed.

Not cancelled. Not abandoned. DELAYED because we''ve made a deliberate decision to remove AI generated artwork from the project entirely and replace it with human made art worthy of the world we're building

This book is about labour, sacrifice, craft, and consequence. About iron worked by hand, blood paid in full, and stories shaped by people, not shortcuts. As development continued, it became increasingly clear that keeping AI generated elements, even as placeholders, ran counter to the values we want this project to stand for. If we're asking players to care about the weight of a forged blade or the cost of a journey, then the art supporting that story must carry the same integrity.

Removing AI isn't free. It means more time, more funding, and most importantly more people.

Why the Delay Matters (and Why It's Worth It)

We could push forward as planned. We could launch sooner, cheaper, and quieter about what went into the book. But that's not the kind of project Veins of Iron, Blood of Fire deserves to be.

Instead, we’re choosing to pause and do this properly

- To secure additional capital so artists are paid fairly

- To bring in illustrators, cartographers, and designers whose voices add texture and soul

- To ensure every piece of art in the book is created by a human hand

This delay isn't about perfection, it's about responsibility. We want backers to know exactly what they're supporting and to feel proud of it.

A Call to Creators

If you're an artist, cartographer, layout designer, or creative who loves dark fantasy, grounded worlds, and work that respects the craft, we want to hear from you.

This project is growing into something bigger than originally planned, and that means opening the door to collaborators who can help shape Allarea into a setting that feels lived in, worn, and real. Details on how to get involved will be shared soon, or reach out to me, but for now know that this pause is about making space for you.

What Happens Next?

Over the coming weeks or Months, we'll be

- Reworking timelines and budgets

- Sharing clearer plans for art direction and collaboration

- Communicating openly about progress and next steps

- Working on other projects to raise funds required

The Kickstarter will return when we're confident it represents the book we want to make, not the one that was easiest to launch.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and your belief in doing things the right way, even when it’s the harder road.

Iron takes time to temper. But we are still at the forge

Sink in to adventure.- GNAW Gaming

Check Out the Prelaunch for now