No, Domains at War and the Auran Empire are separate releases. The relationships between D@W and AE are:
AE will present the kind of detailed setting backdrop that goes into using D@W: Campaigns. You won't need the AE book to use D@W: Campaigns though; you'd naturally build up this backdrop through play by the point you get to PCs leading armies, or you could create it from scratch using the worldbuilding section of ACKS.
D@W backers will get previews of AE to help make sure it does satisfy their need for a campaign setting ready to use in D@W play.
The only thing that we can't give PayPal backers is access to the Kickstarter updates. (Everyone can read the public ones, but backers are notified when they come out and have access to backers-only ones). Since I've often used backer-only updates to provide notification of new drafts (since this often involves reminding people how to access them), it's harder to keep people informed outside the system.
There's been a lot of requests for a hardcover. We want the softcovers to be the main event - in this case we think they're more useful in play at the table - so we're thinking about doing the HC as a special deal, signed by Alex and maybe with some deluxe printing options we haven't had the chance to indulge before now.
Yes, the wipe-erase map will be available separately with any reward level. Shipping is a big headache, I'll look at how Fate Core handled it - learning from Evil Hat has always been a good strategy :)
I’m interested in the Centurion or Primus Pilus level. The books themselves are the most important thing for me, followed by easy access to the “pieces” (a printable hex map, counters, etc.), followed by pdfs of the books. The rewards look good to me. The only suggestion I have is: if it is possible to provide any images/examples of listed rewards, then do so… a picture really is worth 1,000 words.
I’d explicitly mention the backers acknowledgment for the simple fact that it may curtail you being asked that question many times over the course of the KS.
I take it that hardcover copies are off the table even as a higher tier reward?
We've asked McNaughton & Gunn for a quote on hardcovers, just waiting for them to get back. There are some other options out there to do them as well but McN&G has been good to us so far and I'd like to stay loyal if possible.
For people who are interested in the hardcovers - would you want them to be in addition to the softcovers (following the usual logic that a higher level reward gets all the lower level stuff as well), or would it be instead of softcover?
I’d expect HC instead of SC, although I found that when I was waiting for the PC HC I really missed the proof SC like we got for the Core book (since I do more when I have a book in front of me instead of a PDF).
I do like hardcovers, but I’ll acquiesce to your wisdom regarding softcover usability. That said, if I got a hardcover, I’d have no use for a softcover as well. As it stands, I suspect I’ll pledge at PRIMUS PILUS, or maybe a step or two higher, depending on the price.
I keep checking the status of this. As the internet memes say, “TAKE MY MONEY!”
I saw some printer/manufacturing options for boxes, so that is something we could pursue. What we're thinking about right now for the Complete Set is a portfolio like the Orcs of Thar gazetteer where the books, counters, and maps fit inside the pockets of a shrink-wrapped folder.
I’m probably just way out of the loop here, but the hex map… is it just a blank hex map or is it the outdoor map that was talked about a bit recently in the Dwimmermount G+ community? (I’m assuming it is an actual map, because blank vinyl hex mats are already pretty readily available, but I just wanted to check)