ASCEND Forge
Stories Forged. Creativity Preserved.
About ASCEND Forge
Creative Publishing with Purpose
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ASCEND Forge is the creative publishing division of ASCEND Pro Systems, established to develop, produce, and publish original tabletop games, books, digital resources, and collaborative creative works.
Every publication is guided by professional standards, thoughtful design, and a commitment to creating lasting value for both creators and audiences.
Whether publishing original intellectual property or partnering with independent creators, ASCEND Forge exists to transform great ideas into exceptional publications.
Publishing Paths
Every Great Project Has Its Own Journey
At ASCEND Forge, we recognize that every creative project is unique. Whether you've completed a polished manuscript, need collaborative production support, or are developing an original world with our team, we offer flexible publishing paths designed to meet creators where they are.
Each path reflects our commitment to professional quality, transparent collaboration, and respect for creator ownership.
Forge Originals
Original Intellectual Property by ASCEND Forge
Forge Originals are projects conceived, developed, and published internally by ASCEND Forge. These works represent our own creative vision and serve as the foundation of our growing publishing catalog.
Examples include:
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Estelia Universes
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Original Tabletop RPGs
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Board Games
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Fiction & Novels
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Digital Publications
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Future Multimedia Projects
Ideal For:
Projects created and developed by ASCEND Forge.
Publishing License
Professional Publishing for Completed Works
Have a finished project ready for publication?
The Publishing License path is designed for creators who have completed their work and are looking for a professional publisher to prepare, distribute, and promote it.
Creators retain ownership of their intellectual property while granting ASCEND Forge a publishing license to distribute their work through approved platforms.
Publishing Support Includes:
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Editorial Review
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Publication Preparation
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Store Listing Creation
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Multi-Platform Distribution
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Marketing Support
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Release Management
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Royalty Administration
Best For:
Creators with completed products seeking professional publishing and expanded distribution.
Publishing Partnership
Collaborative Development & Publishing
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Some projects need more than publication. They need collaboration.
Publishing Partnerships are designed for creators who want ASCEND Forge to become part of the production process, helping refine and strengthen a project before its release.
Depending on the project, Forge may assist with:
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Development Consulting
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Editorial Review
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Game Design Feedback
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Proofreading
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Graphic Design
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Layout & Typesetting
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Production Planning
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Branding
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Store Preparation
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Marketing Support
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Digital Distribution
This collaborative approach allows creators to benefit from professional guidance while maintaining ownership of their intellectual property.
Best For:
Projects that are still in development and would benefit from editorial, design, and production support before publication.
Co-Development
Building New Worlds Together
Some creative projects begin as true collaborations.
Co-Development is our most comprehensive publishing path, where ASCEND Forge works alongside creators from the earliest stages of development to help shape mechanics, worldbuilding, presentation, and publication.
Projects in this category are developed through a shared creative partnership, with responsibilities, ownership, and revenue-sharing clearly defined in individual publishing agreements.
Depending on the project, ASCEND Forge may contribute to:
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Worldbuilding
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Game System Development
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Writing & Editing
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Art Direction
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Graphic Design
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Production Management
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Marketing Strategy
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Publication & Distribution
Best For:
Creators seeking a long-term collaborative publishing relationship from concept to release.
What We Publish
Publishing Categories
ASCEND Forge publishes a growing collection of creative works including:
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Tabletop Roleplaying Games
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Board Games
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Books & Fiction
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Adventures & Campaigns
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Digital Resources
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Maps & Printable Assets
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Creative Toolkits
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Original Intellectual Property
What We Publish
ASCEND Forge publishes a growing collection of creative works including:
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Tabletop Roleplaying Games
-
Board Games
-
Books & Fiction
-
Adventures & Campaigns
-
Digital Resources
-
Maps & Printable Assets
-
Creative Toolkits
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Original Intellectual Property
Digital Distribution
Every approved publication is distributed through the channels that best serve the project and its audience.
Distribution may include:
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ASCEND Forge Store
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DriveThruRPG
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Itch.io
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The Game Crafter (for select print-on-demand projects)
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Additional approved digital storefronts
Physical publishing opportunities will be evaluated on a project-by-project basis.
How We Work
Every publication follows the same professional publishing journey.
1. Discover
We review your project, goals, and publishing needs to determine the best publishing path.
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2. Develop
Where appropriate, we collaborate to strengthen the project through planning, editing, design, and production support.
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3. Refine
We prepare the publication for release through professional editing, layout, branding, quality assurance, and final
production.
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4. Publish
The finished work is released through ASCEND Forge and approved distribution platforms.
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5. Grow
We continue supporting the publication through updates, promotion, community engagement, and long-term publishing opportunities.
Revenue & Creator Ownership
ASCEND Forge believes creators should retain ownership of their original intellectual property whenever possible. Publishing agreements are tailored to the scope of each project, with revenue-sharing based on the level of development, production, publishing services, and ongoing support provided by ASCEND Forge.
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Revenue-sharing is tailored to each project based on the level of collaboration and publishing support provided.
Our goal is simple:
Build lasting partnerships that are fair, transparent, and focused on creating exceptional publications.
Our Publishing Philosophy
Every Story Matters
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Every publication released under the ASCEND Forge name reflects six guiding principles.
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Professional Quality
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Creative Excellence
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Thoughtful Design
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Clear Communication
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Respect for Creators
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Lasting Value
These principles define our publishing standards and guide every project entrusted to the Forge.
Why Publish with ASCEND Forge?
Publishing is more than releasing a product.
It is about building a lasting creative work.
Creators who publish with ASCEND Forge benefit from:
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Professional publishing standards
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Transparent communication
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Collaborative development
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Multi-platform digital distribution
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Long-term publishing support
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Respect for creator ownership
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The organizational foundation of ASCEND Pro Systems
ASCEND Forge
Stories Forged. Creativity Preserved.
Creative Publishing Studio
A Division of ASCEND Pro Systems