For some reason, today feels like catch-all day. This month has been crazy and fulfilling in terms of releases, both for sale and to backers of our many Kickstarters, and now we end it with putting the Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras on sale in both PDF and PoD versions!
Once again, this is a biiiig book. Totally my fault as I just couldn’t resist adding too many of the Dark Eras voted in by backers of the Kickstarter. The thing is, the sequel book, the Dark Eras Companion, is going to be pretty much as big! So we’d have had to have done three books coming out of the KS, and maybe we should have, but my head was about adding value for the original book with extra Eras, and then a cool and meaty overflow book. Singular.
So it was a failure of mental flexibility, I’m afraid. I try to leave room in our plans for the unexpected, and this time I didn’t run with the concept as far as I could have.
Nevertheless, and despite my self-perceived flaws, there are going to be two whoppin’ cool big books of Dark Eras coming at you, the first starting Weds!
Now, Dark Eras going on sale was as one of the things we talked about today, but hardly the only thing. Let me touch on them in order, so you can get an idea of the kinds of subjects we roll through each Monday.
As we tend to do from Jan 1 on, we started with Gen Con prep. For those of you who have never had the life-altering pleasure of attending Gen Con, or any other convention, I know we sure do go on about it. Let me say, though, that while I know it might seem like we obsess over Gen Con beyond the point of reason, there are actually strategies (or strategeries) that represent further into our plans for Onyx Path that we have keyed off of this convention.
First off, because Gen Con is our best single event to talk to folks that aren’t aware of who Onyx Path is, what games we create, or how we relate to the White Wolf of yore, we design our presence at the con to inform folks of that. Our booth, the brochure we release each year, our panels, and our gaming events, are all set up to catch somebody’s eye and then inform them about our stuff.
The first time we had our own booth, the effort was towards catching the eye with familiar White Wolf imagery and design, and last year we shifted that a bit to include Pugmire images and discussion. This year, a new added part of our conversations will be about Scion 2nd Edition and its Kickstarter slated for after the con.
These things take time to work through exactly how we want to proceed. We don’t want our devoted World of Darkness fans to think we are only focused on new gamers, and we don’t want folks excited about our new games to think we only create Vampire: the Masquerade books because our friend Martin as the Tzimisce Dracula signature character is on our signage. We want to see and talk with everybody!
And we also try and improve folks’ experiences with us each year. For example, this year we’re emphasizing playtests and demos at the booth in order to better show the different play experiences our variety of game worlds can deliver. So that means a different booth set-up and a different set of skills we need from our crew in the booth.
Actually, here’s a good time to ask before I move to the next topic: let me know in the comments if you have a specific aspect of one of our games you’d like us to be demoing at the Gen Con booth. The throwing rules in Scion 2nd? Pugmire combat? Mage 2nd Edition investigation rules? Let me know, as we are just setting those things into our plans.
W20 Shattered Dreams art by William Obrien
Next, we discussed reaction to my blog last week about Gender Inclusivity for panelists at the Gen Con Industry Insider panels as well as gaming in general, as well as some reactions to the various related FB and other posts by such luminaries as Monica Valentinelli, Eddy Webb, Matt McFarland, and others of our freelancers. They actually seemed to get more nasty comments than my blog (where I only had to trash one very long post , always a warning sign, ranting about SJWs and the like).
So thank you all for that.
In general, and as always, I want our Onyx Path social media venues and forums to be places where folks feel comfortable hanging out and talking, regardless of their individual political, racial, gender, religious, and any other persuasions. I want folks to be able to post without getting attacked for any reason, so long as their posts aren’t attacks themselves.
Nobody needs that.
We also took a look at everyone’s schedules for the next couple of weeks. Both LisaT and myself have a hellacious end of the school year couple of weeks where we will be in and out constantly going to kids’ events – thank Steve Jobs for our iPads so we can still keep in touch and do some work. Eddy will try and keep up with our meetings, but his schedule is red hot with demands on his time outside the tabletop RPG area. Our weekly meeting is the right place to spread this info among our core Onyx team, so folks can adjust their thinking and schedules.
As always, we end our general meeting topics with very specific looks at the weekly project status reports. Our info is the same as most of what I post in the Updates below, but we tend to delve into the whys and wherefores. So and so is late, because of this reason, which will affect that, etc. First Rollickin’ Rose presents her list that covers the ideas right through each stage of the text until it gets handed over to Mirthful Mike for art direction and layout and all that. And the Mirthful One fills us in on his area after Rose.
With that, we have some last minute “I almost forgot”s and we head out.
And I write this blog.
Every week!
🙂
BLURBS!
ON SALE!
Here’s the link to the press release we put out about how Onyx Path is now selling through Indie Press Revolution: https://theonyxpath.com/press-release-onyx-path-limited-editions-now-available-through-indie-press-revolution/
There has always been…Darkness. Coming at you through time itself, Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras PDF and physical book PoD versions will be going on sale on Wednesday (after 2pm Eastern US time)! 16 Dark Eras brought together by our CofD creators as well as our awesome Dark Eras KS backers.
Those howls you hear? The pack is on your trail! The Pack for Werewolf: the Forsaken 2nd, that is! The Advance PDF is selling at DTRPG.com! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/181760/The-Pack
Alone you die. Together you will feast on the blood of your prey.
This book contains:
- The pack from within and without, including a number of sample packs.
- Other organizations of werewolves, including protectorates and Lodges.
- New systems for pack creation, hunting nature, and pack tactics..
- Three new hunting grounds that show different sides to the pack.
NOTE: This is the Advance PDF version. A final PDF version and PoD versions will be available at a later date. If you have purchased this Advance PDF, you will be automatically updated to the final PDF and receive a link to enable you to purchase the PoD at a discount designed so that your total price matches our usual PDF and Print combo offer.
You must have your DTRPG account set to accept messages from Onyx Path Publishing before the link messages are sent out, though, so please adjust your settings if you want that discount.
Mage: the Awakening 2nd Edition Advance PDF NOW available at DTRPG.com! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/181754/Mage-the-Awakening-2nd-Edition
You are a mage, one of the Wise. You see, know, and explore what others can’t imagine, from the depths of the human soul to the hidden corners of reality. Armed with your spells, driven by an addiction to Mysteries, you delve into the secrets of the world. Knowledge has a price, and the dangers are many.
This book contains:
- The complete guide to playing a mage in the Chronicles of Darkness.
- Reimagined Paths, Orders, and powers to create your Awakened characters and their allies, including an updated version of the most comprehensive free-form magic system in gaming.
- Five example settings across the world, from Los Angeles to Salamanca, each with a central Mystery.
- A brand-new look at all the strange places of the Fallen World, from the Lower Depths to the Emanation Realms, and what mages might find within.
NOTE: This is the Advance PDF version. A final PDF version and PoD versions will be available at a later date. If you have purchased this Advance PDF, you will be automatically updated to the final PDF and receive a link to enable you to purchase the PoD at a discount designed so that your total price matches our usual PDF and Print combo offer.
You must have your DTRPG account set to accept messages from Onyx Path Publishing before the link messages are sent out, though, so please adjust your settings if you want that discount.
Children of the Unconquered Sun arise!
Exalted 3rd Edition in both PDF and PoD versions is now on sale at DriveThruRPG.com: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/162759/Exalted-3rd-Edition
This is your tale. This is Exalted. What legends will they tell of your deeds?
Exalted 3rd Edition depicts both a revitalized and expanded Creation, and the triumphant return of the Solar Exalted—but whether their rebirth will herald the salvation or destruction of the world, none can say. The system redesign takes the best parts of the previous editions and streamlines the mechanics for maximum playability.
Exalted 3rd Edition includes:
- New Fiction – Read a new tale by original Exalted developer and author Geoff Grabowski.
- New Artwork – See the Realm in a new light with stunning artwork by both new and classic Exalted artists working under the direction of Maria Cabardo.
- Expanded Locales – Expand your campaigns with a detailed overview of the sprawling and decadent Second Age of Man. In addition to classic locales such as Chiaroscuro and Nexus, find many new locations not detailed in previous editions, from the treacherous intrigues of Port Calin to the proud warriors of the frigid plains and forests of Medo, held in check only by the iron hand of the Realm.
- Intrigue and Mystery – Discover a revitalized Realm, still standing at the brink of civil war, but more dangerous than ever before; and the Lunar dominions which harry its borders, seeking redress for ancient crimes while pursuing modern ambitions.
- Expanded Character Creation – Create and play Solar Exalted characters and compelling mortal heroes with more information and fleshed out details.
- Combat System – Fight with a new cinematic combat engine, primed to deliver dynamic, exciting, and easily resolved battles between heroes, gods, and armies.
- Charms – Explore a vibrant new Charm set encompassing both classic Solar powers from previous editions and all-new powers to shift the course of Creation.
- …and much, much more!
The Black Hand returns! V20 The Black Hand: Guide to the Tal’Mahe’Ra Advance PDF is available on DTRPG! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/179023/V20-The-Black-Hand-A-Guide-to-the-TalMaheRa
Beware the Beast: the Primordial PDFs and PoDs NOW on sale at DTRPG.com! http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/162443/Beast-The-Primordial
- The complete guide to playing a Beast in Chronicles of Darkness
- A game system designed for crossover with the other Chronicles of Darkness lines
- A look at the Beasts and their broods all around the world, from Vancouver to Tokyo
- Rules for Heroes, the deluded individuals who think that this is their story
CONVENTIONS!
Gen Con 2016 Onyx Path events registration has now been posted on the Gen Con site! A LOT of our events have sold out already, so please jump in ASAP if you’d like to attend: https://www.gencon.com/event_finder/Host/Onyx%20Path%20Publishing
These don’t include the demos and playtests we’ll be having at the booth.
Here’s a con Fast Eddy Webb will be attending! Talk to him about V20 and Pugmire and Sherlock Holmes and Oxford Commas:
- MomoCon (May 26-29, 2016, Atlanta, GA)
And now, the new project status updates!
First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)
- M20 Book of Secrets (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Exalted 3rd Novel by Matt Forbeck (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- CtL fiction anthology (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- Ring of Spiragos (Scarred Lands)
- VtM Endless Ages fiction anthology (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- BtP Building a Legend (Beast: the Primordial)
- Trinity Continuum Core Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
- Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
- M20 Gods and Monsters (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
- VtR A Thousand Years of Night (Vampire: the Requiem 2nd Edition)
- Scion: Origins (Scion 2nd Edition)
- Scion: Hero (Scion 2nd Edition)
- BtP Mortal Remains (Beast: the Primordial)
- BtP Player’s Guide
- Pugmire Core Book
- Ring of Spiragos (5e)
- Dagger of Spiragos (5e)
Redlines
- Dagger of Spiragos – Pathfinder Version (Scarred Lands)
- EX3 Quickstart (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Scarred Lands Player’s Guide 5E: Ghelspad (Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- V20 Dark Ages Anthology (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
Second Draft
- Arms of the Chosen (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- The Realm (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Dragon-Blooded (Exalted 3rd Edition)
- Cavaliers of Mars
- Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition
- Wraith: the Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition
- V20 Dark Ages Companion (Vampire 20th Dark Ages)
Development
- W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
- W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
- Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
- Night Horrors: Conquering Heroes (Beast: the Primordial)
- SL Ring of Spiragos (Pathfinder – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- SL The Wise and the Wicked (5e – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- SL The Wise and the Wicked (Pathfinder – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
- SL Dagger of Spiragos (Pathfinder – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
Editing:
Nothing here this week?! A rare sighting.
Post-Editing Development:
- The Prince’s Gambit (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- V20 Lore of the Bloodlines (Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition)
- CofD Hurt Locker (Chronicles of Darkness)
- Beast Ready Made Characters (Beast: the Primordial)
Indexing:
ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:
In Art Direction
- W20 Shattered Dreams
- Dark Eras Companion
- Necropolis Rio
- W20 Kinfolk
- Beckett’s Jyhad Diary
- CofD Hurt Locker
- Mummy Novel
- V20 DA Tome of Secrets
- V20 Lore of the Bloodlines
- Beast RMCs
In Layout
- Promethean: the Created Second
- V20 Ready Made Characters
- Secrets of the Covenants
- Ex 3 core book – From RichT: Prepping the actual deluxe traditionally printed files.
- Scarred Lands PG
- Dark Eras Screen
Proofing
- V20 Ghouls – At WWP for approvals.
- Curse of the Blue Nile – At WWP for approvals.
- Ex 3 Screen – At WWP for approvals.
- EX3 Backer Charms – At WWP for approvals.
- Mage: the Awakening 2nd – Waiting for errata from DaveB.
At Press
- Beast Screen – At shipper.
- Beast Prestige Edition – waiting for printer proofs this week.
- Dark Eras – PDF and PoD versions on sale this Wednesday.
- V20 Black Hand – PoD files.
Special- projects on hold in the art and production area until an external factor is resolved
- Wraith 20 – Art direction and layout can’t go further until art notes come in, still being developed by Rich Dansky.
TODAY’S REASON TO DRINK: Hold The Door! <dust in my eye, hold on>
Dark Eras makes me wonder what Onyx Path could do if you kickstarted products instead of just kickstarting deluxe editions of products. I obviously don’t have the numbers, but I’m assuming that kickstarting Dark Eras as a PDF-only product would have given you more margin to work with on stretch goals, and you wouldn’t have had to deal with the logistical problems of deciding which eras should go in the deluxe book and which should go in companion. I only pledged for a PDF, but I still felt a little bummed out that not all the eras could make it into the deluxe book.
I’m assuming you wouldn’t be able to do this with White Wolf properties because of how the approval process works, but it might be something to consider for Scion or Trinity. Ex3 was the kickstarter I invested the most in financially, but Dark Eras was by far the most fun I ever had in any kickstarter, and I’d really like to have a chance to support the format again.
I think we will try out a variation of the Dark Eras KS method for more KSs. We’ve only just touched on doing a KS for traditional print runs, and I think we’ll explore that for a bit before doing anything that doesn’t result in a physical book. Bear in mind that KSs are realllllly hard work, which is why there are so many that seem “poorly managed”. We only have so much bandwidth for them.
Good job on publishing, Rich! You seem to know what you’re doing, but as a rando on the internet it’s my job to tell you otherwise.
If you are going to make more Dark Eras style books, please enjoy this handcrafted list of titles I have made for your use.
Darker Eras
Yet Still Darker Eras
Even More Dark Eras
Yet Still Further Dark Eras
Dark Eras 3: The One With Time Travel
Like a Rainbow in the Dark Eras
DarkerER Eras (DarkerEras?)
Dark Errors: Tales from the Dark Web
Dark E-Ra: Eclipse of the Digital Sun God
Duck Eras: Fowl Monsters
DARKEST OF THE BLOODIEST OF ERAS (OC, DO NOT STEAL)
Garth Marenghi’s Darkeras
You forgot also the reboot “Dark” and the weird cyberpunk reimagining “D.E.”
Also forgot:
Dark Ears: Songs to Stalk By
Yup gonna need Like a Rainbow in the Dark Eras. Internet demands it.
YESSSS!!
Also:
Dork Eras
Dark Eras Unleashed (Any Era but in space)
Darth Eras (Star Wars crossover)
Dark Souls Eras – You died
Rich – you could probably retire on Dork Eras t-shirt sales. This should be a thing.
I would further like to suggest,
What We Do in the Dark Eras (a guide to everyday life of the creatures of the world of darkness. Also includes anachronisms and tips for playing centuries old creatures living in a modern era.)
No Swearwolves, though.
Okay, but actually. Freelancer here. Star Wars Dark Eras is my life.
Actually actually. My Star Wars Fanfiction–what I write when I don’t have OPP contracts–is about institutional failure from the Old Republic through the Empire and the New Republic and it is my baby and I would probably die from excitement if there were any way for OPP to have any control over the SW IP, thought I highly doubt it’s even moderately possible.
But I want it.
So…we can use all these, right?
But of course!
How far along will you want Dragon blooded to be before you start the kick starter for it?
Personally, I’d like it ready for editing. So all the writing finished with only tweaking of sections by developers left to do, but no expected text unfinished. We will see how close to that the developers can deliver.
“The thing is, the sequel book, the Dark Eras Companion, is going to be pretty much as big!”
But the Dark Eras Companion ddn’t had as much Eras as the main book. Does that mean that new eras have been added to that book?
I know one of the eras got an additional expansion that was unplanned after the release of the Advanced PDF. I think mummy.
My comment is based on remarks by Mirthful Mike, but I do know we have a bunch of the expanded Eras in there.
At least one era was added to the companion as part of the Beast Kickstarter.
Yaaaay! My Chronicles of Darkness Across Time campaign is getting closer and closer to fruition!
…just gotta figure out if the open Dev materials available for CtL2 is enough to get by or if I’m in it for the long wait.
Hmm… if I were to come to Gen Con (I’ve been meaning to make it back for several years). I think I’d like to see Demon, because I’m somewhat unsure of how best to run the “espionage” aspect. How do you play deep cover without being boring while still touching on the Deep cover.
Mage might be interesting because of the complexity of rules…
Beast would also be interesting because it feels more like playing the antagonist. Which is a different mood.
Investigation rules should definitely be demo-ed… grok them I do not.
Thanks- your choices are helpful.
I wish all the panelists success with handling this important part of existence. May you all receive more positive signals than negative ones. I hope your endeavors will help in making this as self-evidence as breathing.
Certainly, it is a step forward in having a venue where people are actually able to relay their experiences.
Great post as always.
I must say this will be a busy time for my wallet with all the great CofD titles!
First: The Pack, and now Dark Eras and Hurt locker? Keeping us busy are we?
And that Araya artwork for Promethean is sick!
It is a busy time!
And being busy is a very good thing 🙂
” […] we don’t want folks excited about our new games to think we only create Vampire: the Masquerade books because our friend Martin as the Tzimisce Dracula signature character is on our signage.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
🙂 Of course not – you release new Vampire books because he’s your new corporate overlord 🙂
And he can watch us through his images.
VtM Endless Ages fiction anthology? What what what!?! What’s this going to be?
Also, GoT. Damn. Can I take a moment to be both sad at a character’s passing, and angry at writing that felt really heavy-handed in his ending? I mean, really, the way that was played out, it felt like how a twelve year-old might tell it. Feh.
Why would you think you would get a contrary opinion? Onyx Path falls slightly short of fascism when it comes to dealing with opinions they don’t like. People seldom waste their time expressing an opinion when they know it will be ignored or censored. I know that is why I didn’t try to point out the hypocrisy in your blog. You think any opinion you don’t like is an attack. Your detractors know that and leave you to your echo chamber. The case in point would be censoring a rant against you. I would let it stand on its own. I didn’t see it, but if it was garbage then it would be self-evident. The best way to deal with ignorance is to expose it for the world to see, in my opinion. I think your way hurts the company and the product, but you have the right to damage both. You either believe in free speech or you don’t. You don’t. I do, so I let people say whatever idiotic thing pops into their head, unless they then go on to pat themselves on the back for it.
Um….kind of a nitpick…. free speech only applies to government censored speech, it has nothing to do with what a private company does.
That aside, my experience has been different from yours. I’m no fan of many of the new rules for StoryPath, and have said so, multiple times. My points have been (in a friendly manner) argued against, but I’ve not felt censored in any way. I’ve found the OPP team to be pretty reasonable……when treated that way themselves.
I have often talked through issues with critical posters on these very blogs, as well as on the forums and on the old WW Live Journals back in the day. I posted those discussions either because the poster was polite and willing to talk, or was nasty but their point was worth debunking in public. But I have no obligation to allow insulting or otherwise nasty posts on any Onyx Path venues. You come to my house and piss on the couch, you’ve chosen to act in a manner I’m not going to accept. Your “free speech” argument only goes so far, as all that spewing of “idiocy” still means that folks here have to wade through that stuff. For you, it may provide you with more grist for your idea mill, but for a lot of people these sorts of posts we’re talking about are scary, negative, and off-putting.
The thing is, every time we tell one of our forums that we’re clamping down and expect them to abide by the rules of our forums, we get some rage-quitters who spout some version of fascists! and hypocrites! But I also get personal messages thanking me for pushing for forums where anybody can post and not get attacked, and the forum numbers go up. So, there you go.
And here is another thank you for making Onyx Path a safe place for all. You are championing free speech by doing so, allowing voices to be heard that otherwise might go silent. Free speech used to attack, intimidate, and silence others is neither free or speech – it is verbal abuse and assault. When contrary opinions are debated in a respectful manner, Onyx Path has always been receptive and responsive in a like-wise respectful manner. White Wolf, and the torch passed on to Onyx Path, has always stood as an example for respect to all in their books and gaming. Keep up the good work.
When I was a moderator on stackexchange I ruled with an iron fist if I thought someone was causing a problem. So I approve of this.
That said it occurred to me I have noticed a potential issue in self policing. I have occasionally noticed a moderator or freelancer acting less than there best. Or a user getting shut down for a conversation one of them was contributing to, but nothing appears to have been said to them.
I’m not trying to attack your mods, contractors, employees here, and I’m not saying I’m perfect. It might be worth looking at though. Making sure that if someone who is tangentially seen as a representative, they also should get called out if they are not behaving appropriately or are heating up. This needs to be transparent too otherwise it looks like playing favorites.
Anyways, just an observation. Keep up the good work.
Our mods will and have impose sanctions on anyone who posts in ways that violate forum rules. When our freelancers are out of line, we talk to them directly to get them to modify their on-line behavior, but bans have occurred in the past.
What’s going on with V20 ghouls? Did someone leave it in the white wolf break room and forgot about it?
Being tweaked.
Again?
No. I’m lying to you. It was finished months and months ago, but we’re enjoying it so much we don’t want to show it to you. 😛
Well that’s better then your usual chestnut followed by a sarcastic Thanks!
My straight Thanks! is a sincere thanks for asking. A Jeez Thanks! is sarcastic.
Except when I’m replying to you, Dwight, then the sarcastic stances are reversed.
Presumably you can’t give all the details, but what didn’t the new WW like? Was it a question of tone or theme, or was the material going into territory they didn’t want explored until some future project?
I’m not going to give any of the details of those conversations, actually. There’s not a good thing that could come out of talking about what is changed (if anything) and why.
Hrmmm Dark Eras. Curiously will the companion be getting a different cover art or will it retain the core Dark Eras cover. And is there any chance we could get a sneak peak at the chapter list of the companion? The KS graphic is a little jumbled, and I might just be sleepy but something is not clicking for me as I’m going over the stretch goals.
Different cover art based on the different interior art. And no, not unless Matt has a list he has time to share. Thanks!
Cleopatran Egypt – Mummy
Forsaken by Rome – Werewolf
Black Death – Vampire/Promethean
Mutapi Empire – Mummy/Mage
Roanoke – Geist
Thirty Years’ War – Promethean
Year Without A Summer – Promethean
US Reconstruction – Beast (added in the Beast KS)
Spiritualism – Second Sight
Russion Revolution – Demon
Awesome awesome. Thanks guys.
>big books of Dark Eras coming at you, the first starting Weds!
Finally! Been waiting a long time for this 🙂