The Story Behind Previously Pluto & Magusha
Magusha: Clash of the Commanders is a tactical battle card game set in a rich, original Afro-Fantasy world. But before it was a game, it was a world built from imagination and necessity
James Ellerby is the creator and lead writer for Magusha. Growing up as a foster kid with a deeply active imagination and a strong sense of wanderlust, James used storytelling as a way to navigate an ever-changing world. He was a massive fan of fantasy and admired how creators like J.R.R. Tolkien could weave diverse European mythologies into entirely new worlds. However, as he grew older, James realized that very few characters in these beloved fantasy settings looked like him.
He knew he wanted to build a world of his own, but from a different lens.
Magusha is the result of fusing his childhood imagination with extensive adult research into African fairy stories and mythologies. More than just a game, this Afro-Fantasy universe is the culmination of his life experiences and a tribute to the amazing people he knows and loves.
The Team
Bringing Padun to life took a village. Published under Previously Pluto, Magusha is a labor of love crafted by an incredible independent team of designers, artists, and playtesters.
- Creator & Lead Writer: James Ellerby
- Producer: Ken Oum
- Game Designers: David Forbes, Alex Sierputowski, and Nicholas Apostolou
- QA & Playtesting: Stuart Collins, Lindsey Brown, GameDirection, Philly Game Mechanics, and everyone who endured our alpha and beta tests!
- Artists: Ama Washington, Amethyst Bentley, Ell, Sharon Gatheca, Nicole Braccili, Sean M Donovan, Catherine Epps, Koi, and Alex Sierputowski
- Special Thanks: Rebkah Ellerby, Anna, and our amazing Kickstarter Backers who made this possible!
It is an absolute honor to share this world with you. Welcome to the Vanguard, we hope you enjoy your time in Padun