D&D enhanced: A 350+ page tome of kaiju battles, crafting mechanics, and player options inspired by ancient folklore and yokai legend. Published by Loot Tavern.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Ryoko's Completion Update and a Goodbye Gift!!
about 2 months ago
– Tue, Apr 14, 2026 at 09:03:10 AM
Aight, time to hit the road for the next adventure!
Ryoko's Is Officially Completed! But There's More...
Hey everyone, this is almost certainly our final "major" update, because Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms is delivered! Some of you in the Middle East may be dealing with delays due to the recent war affecting shipping and deliveries in the region, but we're working with suppliers in to get material to folks as soon as it is safe and possible. If you haven't recieved your package yet, it's absolutely time to get in touch with us so we can resolve it! As always, we're here to support you with your order, reaching out on the Loot Tavern Discord is the best way, or you can hit us up over email at [email protected].
A Parting Gift from Mythozoology!
Unbelievably, our current Kickstarter, Mythozoology, which features the sequel to Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms, passed Ryoko's final funding total last night, reaching over $3,327,235 in the early hours of the morning as we entered the final stretch to grab it on Kickstarter!
As a special celebration, we're going to create an updated version Ryoko's Guide to allow for direct compatibility with D&D 5.5e, as well as 2014 5e! And everyone who backed Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms will recieve that PDF for free when it's done, likely in early 2027. You don't need to back Mythozoology to get the updated Ryoko's 1, although if you do grab Mythozoology while it's on Kickstarterwithin the final 48 hours, you will get some special bonus rewards in addition to Kickstarter discounts, such as...
A LOT of Dice & Onimushi!
If you're seeing this, you get the mini and the dice FREE with Mythozoology - just be sure your order includes a physical element so we can add them to the package!
Anyone who backs Mythozoology using the same email they used to back Ryoko's Guide and who's order includes a physical component will receive the badass Onimushi as a physical mini familiar AND as an STL (if you want to print more friends) PLUS a cool Onimushi d20 and d6! A mini AND free dice, just for returning backers who back during the Kickstarter campaign!! But wait, there's more...
There's now even more free dice! Mythozoology's $2,700,000 Stretch Goal unlocked a stunning set of FREE monster-hunting "mythstery" dice for everyone who backs at a Physical Tier (or who's order includes both Ryoko's Forbidden Myths and Heliana's Forgotten Monsters). They're so pretty, and they're free only to those who back on Kickstarter - we're in the final 50 hours now, so this is the last chance to grab these for free with your order!
Project We Loved: Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms
Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms is a 350+ page tome of kaiju battles, crafting mechanics, and player options inspired by ancient folklore and yokai legend. It changed my life. The creators and storytellers involved inspired a lasting love of folkstories and legends from across the entire world, it introduced me friends and collaborators who are now like family, and most importantly, it let me share this journey with you, the people who made it happen.
I've been part of many wonderful projects and fundraisers, for awesome TTRPGs and increidble charities, but this one, Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms, will always be the most special and important to me.
We're always here to hang out on the Loot Tavern discord if you need us, and remember to grab your copy of Mythozoology before it leaves Kickstarter on Thursday! You can expect minor updates in the future for any significant things, like claiming your free 2024 PDF of Ryoko's Guide when it's completed! That aside, for maybe the last time on Ryoko's Guide to Yokai Realms...
Thanks, Will + the LT Team
Free Bonus D&D Adventure! Mythozoology Is LIVE!
3 months ago
– Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 09:42:23 AM
This is the final fulfillment of Ryoko's 1 - we pledged a sequel, and this is one MONSTER of a sequel! It's a dual-tome, epic expansion to 5e, a sequel to both Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms and the legendary Heliana's Guide to Monster Hunting.
Anyone who backs with the same account they used to grab Ryoko's on Kickstarter also gets FREE DICE and this badass Onimushy familiar STL (or a printed mini, if you get a physical pledge) to add to your games!
Over 99% of orders have been fulfilled for Ryoko's, but in rare cases where your local delivery services have faced delays, or a something was missing from your order, or anything of the sort, we're still here to help! You can reach out to us in the #ryokos-guide-general channel on the Loot Tavern discord, or hit us up at [email protected].
For maybe the last time, thanks for everything! You are amazing, and this journey together with you has been one of the most incredible of my life. Thank you <3
Will and the Team
The End of the Journey! Ryoko's Guide Final Shipping Update!
3 months ago
– Tue, Mar 03, 2026 at 10:26:28 AM
The Final Shipping Update
Hey everyone! At present, about 97% of all Ryoko's shipments have been delivered! It's been amazing to see so many pictures of unboxings and so much incredible feedback from y'all enjoying and exploring the books, dice, handouts, and minis!
More epic shots from y'all recieving your books and minis!
With deliveries all but completed, I just wanted to remind everyone that we're here to support and help with anything. If you've not recieved your order or a tracking email, now is the time to reach out. The best way is either on the Loot Tavern discord in the #support-requestschannel or via email at [email protected]!
Fulfillment Support!
If you need any help at all with your order itself, we're happy to help, once again, please reach out either on the Loot Tavern discord in the #support-requestschannel or via email at [email protected]!
Shots of Ryoko's taken by Yo's brother (who actually got Ryoko's before Yo did!! Designers get no respect smh)
In the unlikely event of any fulfillment errors, please contact us with pictures as it will speed up the process. We need pictures of the shipping box your order came in with the shipping label. If the box was damaged please take pictures of that damage.
If there is an issue was a damaged item in your order, please include a picture where we can clearly see what the item is. I.E. if your inside cover was damaged on your Ryoko's Core Book please include a picture with the cover so we know which book you are talking about.
By providing these pictures with the request it lets us get right to work processing it and getting any replacements you might need!
Everyone who backed Ryoko's or Heliana's Guide to Monster Hunting gets the FREE Onimushi package when grabbing Mythozoology - a badass familiar STL and a special d20 and d6! All early backers also get the FREE Crystal Myth dice, so be sure to follow along with the project so you don't miss it!
In the meantime, check out some of the awesome stuff we've made ready for the launch on the 17th!
Deluxe Covers for the two core books! Heliana's Guide to Forgootten Monsters and Ryoko's Guide to Forbidden Myths!
Mythozoology includes serveral soft-back expansions, including the epic Mech Manual, introducing mechanics for piloting, battling, and building mechs and vehicles!
Awesome STLs for all the bosses in both core books!!
Awesome monsters, awesome art! Check out these gorgeous designs from the Zodiac Cycle of Dragons!
Thank you for supporting Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Reams
Our journey is coming to a close, just as another begins! Thanks so much for travelling together with us on this adventure, we're forever indebted to your belief, kindness, and support!
As above, if you need any support at all with your order or you just have any questions, we're happy to help! Catch us on the Loot Tavern discord in the #support-requests channel or via email at [email protected]!
Thanks once again!
Will and the Team
Ryoko's Shipping Update + A Free Bonus Species!
4 months ago
– Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 08:19:55 AM
Free Bonus Species - The Kappa!
First thing's first - grab this new species! Introducing the Kappa race from the upcoming Ryoko's 2! This was one of the most requested species after the first book dropped, and it's been a blast translating such an iconic Yokai into something you can play across a full campaign! Will you be a close-quarters Wrangler, or a water-wielding Tide-weaver?
Many of you already have Ryoko's Guide, but for those who are still waiting on your packages, here's the latest information from each region!
North and South America deliveries are continuing! There was a large winter storm across northern USA, which may impact local delivery services slightly, but Whalebacker, the distributor for all of the Americas, haven't faced any significant disruption. They're sending packages out in waves, and are still on track for every single package to be delivered this month!
EU & UK reported first deliveries this week! Games Quest are sending out more and more packages as we speak, with UK fulfilment expected be complete by early next week, and EU fulfilment expected to be fully completed the week after!
Australia / New Zealand are sending out deliveries in multiple shipments, as was the case for Canada. Deliveries are ongoing, but because they're coming in multiple shipments, you may receive your bundle across two packages, depending on your order. E.g. if you ordered the books + the GM Screen, Cards, and Dice, the books may arrive in a separate package! Once again, all deliveries are on track to be completed this month!
Asia + Rest of the World deliveries are happening right now! As above, we're expecting all deliveries to be completed this month!
More fan submitted pictures of unboxed Ryoko's in the wild! Deluxe cover looking BEAUTIFUL up on the shelf!
If you need any help at all, we're here to support with any queries at anytime, either on the Loot Tavern discord in the #support_requests channel or via email at [email protected]!
A Sneak Peak at some... Animation??
What could be going on here?? Could this be something to do with the acronym TotU? Buckle up, y'all won't believe what's on the horizon!!
To all those who have received Ryoko's already, or are still waiting these final couple of weeks for your package to arrive, thank you so much for being on this journey with us! We're always here to help, if you have any issues with your order, please don't hesitate to reach out! We're on discord, or available via email at [email protected]!
Take care out there y'all!
Will and the Team
Free D&D Materials, Finding Your Ryoko's Tracking Number, and Full Ryoko's Deluxe Unboxing!!
5 months ago
– Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 09:08:22 AM
Firstly, Free Stuff!!
Hey everyone! As you know, our $3,000,000 stretch goal was to produce a sequel to Ryoko's Guide, and to give you all the early access materials so you can have a say before the project even launches on the direction you want it to go!
Heliana & Ryoko face off against new, incredible terrors!!
The first group of playtest materials is now out! A new subclass: Circle of the Blade Druid, a nature warrior that battles with weapons WHILE wild shaped. A new species: the Konomin, kodama plant folk native to the Yokai Realms - adorable, and packing some serious yokai power! Plus, some dope monsters and magic items too!
Meet the Konomin! A plant species with three subspecies and a LOT of yokai magic!
My Ryoko's Guide Deluxe Box + Dragon Mini arrived, so I did an unboxing! If you're interested in getting an advanced look at what's on its way to you now, check it out! (Yes, even with mine being airshipped, Canadian backers recieved their boxes before me!)
USA, UK, and EU Tracking Emails
Those of you in the UK and EU will have received emails from Gamesquest, the distributor for the region, confirming your address before they ship - I believe the deadline to change address if you're in the UK is literally today (18th) before they send it to you, so please check if you haven't seen that email. It may have been filtered into spam if it didn't appear in your inbox! So just keep checking your inbox and if you need any support, we're always here to help in the Loot Tavern Discord Server!
Incoming Ryoko's Guide!!
For those in the USA and South America, Whalebacker, the distributor for your region, are sending out the packages in waves. Many people have received their emails already with tracking information, but if you haven't, don't worry - they're working through orders all the time, so all you need do is keep an eye out for that email when it comes through so you can track the delivery to your door!
For folks in Australia and New Zealand, Let's Play Games, the distributor for your region, have let us know they will start sending the physical packages on January 23rd (this Friday!). For those of you in Asia, packages are already on the way, and are arriving all the time!
More fan-submitted photos of Ryoko's arriving!
The Past And Future of Ryoko's Guide!
Now that final tracking numbers are being sent and more and more people recieve Ryoko's Guide and share their unboxings and excitment on Discord, I think it's time enough to confess that this last year was incredibly challenging. The global trade-tariff war delayed shipment by 7 months, which was devastating. Naturally, we're among the lucky ones who didn't immediately go out of business, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a rough year to just be waiting and waiting for our chance to actually get the boxes to you.
However, there are silver linings. Mainly, I'm incredibly proud that we were able to cover 100% of the tariff costs ourselves, and the other bonus is that we are now in an incredible position moving forward. This was a trial by fire, and we passed - we're now immune to fire damage!
A metaphor: us fighting the tarrifs in 2025
Not only has the trade war ended, but we have contacts and backups in place to handle literally anything for any future projects. In short, the Ryoko's delays forced us to forge new connections and partnerships that mean any future projects, including the upcoming Mythozoology, will be much, much faster to deliver (faster even than if there had been no trade war at all, on account of our new contacts and couriers)!
With that in mind, please do check out Mythozoology! Anyone who backed Ryoko's who also backs the sequel gets the free Onimushy Mini STL and the Onimushi d20 + d6! Plus, all early backers get the free Blue Crystal Myth dice set as well! All of that, on top of a project that goes deeper, wider, and FASTER than anything we've done before!
You're awesome, please remember to check your emails regularly for those tracking links and final confirmations of your address if you haven't recieved Ryoko's yet. As always, we're here to help over on the Loot Tavern Discord Server!
