EEEK!

The sound you make after looking in your inbox after a week’s vacation!

Lots of stuff to deal with, including a bunch of things I let wait until I was refreshed from vacay, so I’m going to share a selection with you here today. Some good, some bad – so I’ll start with a good one.

EEEK!

Last week, we wrapped up the Squeaks in the Deep Kickstarter with a healthy amount of pledges and backers! Thanks to everyone who backed – and if you missed it, just sit tight for a few weeks and James will have the Squeaks BackerKit site up and running so you can order the book and join the fun!

Eddy has already put together the Squeaks Companion and the Jumpstart‘s outlines and started reaching out to writers, so expect some rodent and rabbit goodness coming your way as fast as…well, a bunny!

EEEK!

Now, unfortunately, we need to look at one of the bad items. For a couple of months, at least, I’ve been mentioning how awful the current situation with shipping and printing has gotten due to ramifications of Covid. These bits of concern were based on items posted by other tabletop companies, particularly those who had projects – often Kickstarted ones – being manufactured and then shipped from China.

One game company reported that their shipping costs have increased x10, and that’s before getting it to their warehouse and shipping out to backers. Nobody has that much extra in their budget, or could have planned for it when setting up a KS. I heard tell, and this is totally a rumor I heard, that one game company trashed their products because shipping them to the US would have ruined them.

Again, I stress that this is, as of this writing, just a rumor. But it is indicative of the ratcheting up of stress and concerns the situation has bred. And the situation of shipping to and from Europe and the UK ain’t an easy option either with confusing and expensive new procedures for customs fees and taxes.

Now, fortunately, I stopped working with Chinese manufacturers and printers a few years ago, so that specific set of problems was something I thought we’d avoided.

EEEK!

As you might have guessed with this getting its own EEEK!, we actually have been impacted. Because nothing happens in a vacuum, our North American printers have experienced increased demand as game companies have gone to them instead of China. Just at the time that the printers have reduced capacity because they haven’t yet filled all of the press positions depleted by Covid concerns. AND the raw materials of their trade, like paper and ink, are experiencing shortages for the same reasons.

So, here’s how that hit us: right now, we have the Deluxe M20 Technocracy Reloaded, Mummy 2e, and Deviant books at the printers, and they are doing pre-press (ie: getting the files ready for the printing process) when they have the personnel. But the lack of paper, etc, and press time mean that they aren’t able to print until January and ship out the books until February to our KS fulfillment partners.

Which sucks, big time. I am trying to keep this positive with the EEEKS! and all, but this is a very serious and frustrating situation as we were expecting to get this batch of books out to backers around September, and then we re-planned for pre-Xmas, and now here we are. It’s been a moving problem that changed even as we came up with strategies.

The printer believes that this is a temporary situation, and they are real heavyweights in their industry, so I’m hoping their past experiences have given them a better perspective on this than me, who shrieked and ranted when the shipping date crossed my desk.

I mentioned in previous MMN blogs that we were working to resolve some issues with them, and that even before we got the shipping dates, but we have worked out a few ways that we can moderate some of the impact of this late shipping date. First, they assure us that we can add books to the three they currently have already as we finish them, and they’ll print the new book or books at the same time as the first three. This means that this current delay should be the longest, and will be reduced timeline-wise as we add additional projects to be printed.

Second, we’re going to prep and put on sale any PDF/PoDs for books going to traditional printing as soon as possible rather than holding off for those books to finish. That means KS backers will be able to choose to use their discounted PoD links much earlier. I just ordered the PoD proofs for Deviant, as a matter of fact.

Third, we’ve let our KS fulfillment shipping partners know that this is happening, and James will be working with them and BackerKit in order to have the least amount of time for those KS reward books to sit before going right back out to backers. Backers, please keep an eye out for the appropriate KS Updates from James where he can go into more detail as things progress.

So, to return to a lighter note:

EEEK!

A shout-out to our old friend and writer/developer Chuck Wendig, whose new book, “The Book of Accidents“, I read in like two days over my break. Very much one of those books so masterfully crafted that you just have to keep reading – turning those pages to see what happens next. It’s horror genre and horror-filled, but with a big dollop of the same down-to-earth grittiness that Chuck brought to Hunter: The Vigil first edition.

That feeling of being in a real-world situation really helps anchor the weirdness and nastiness. I well recommend checking it out as Chuck continues to define his own territory in horror in a way that is absolutely no surprise to any of us that worked with him in the past.

EEEK!

Besides the sale going on at IPR, particularly the Deluxe Changeling: The Dreaming 20th and Changeling: The Lost 2e rulebooks and other items, including dice, there’s also: Best of Under $5 Sale at DTRPG:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/sale.php?manufacturers_id=4261
Jumpstarts, Fiction, Community Content, Adventures, and more are 33% Off.

Not really scary, but more of an excited yelp!

EEEK!

I also came back to the layout for They Came From Beyond the Grave!, which has a bunch of design challenges including the book needing to reflect in its design the overall aesthetics of the They Came From…! line, but have its own look as well. One that is 70s horror, but also the 70s version of the Victorian Era.

So, scary in one regard, but I am glad to be back to it. Right now, I’m wrapping up Chapter 8, with a couple more chapters to go. Then I need to gut-check the design as to whether it works and holds together throughout an entire book. If not, if tweaks are needed, then that all needs to happen before we create the first PDF proof. Already, I think I’ll return the footer font to the one in They Came From Beneath the Sea!, as in thinking about it I think there’s value in keeping that consistent through all the books.

Yep, we really do get into that level of detail as we pull together all these awesome projects for you depicting our:

Many Worlds, One Path!

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Blurbs!

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Kickstarter!

Our next Kickstarter is slated to be The Apocalyptic Record for Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition!

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Onyx Path Media!

This week: Hooking New Players! The Titanic Trio detail ways to get players invested in the game you’re running, both before the game starts and while the game’s running!

As always, this Friday’s Onyx Pathcast will be on Podbean or your favorite podcast venue! https://onyxpathcast.podbean.com/

Matthew’s on holiday right now but will provide a wide media update later this week on the blog! Stay tuned for an excellent array of actual plays, reviews, and podcasts!

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Electronic Gaming!

As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is live! The dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is awesome! (Seriously, you need to roll 100 dice for Exalted? This app has you covered.)

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Virtual Tabletop!

NEW on Astral TableTop is the Secret of Vinsen’s Tomb for Realms of Pugmire!

Play Now on Astral TableTop!

The Secret of Vinsen’s Tomb module comes with all the maps and encounters, ready to play, along with pre-generated characters and character sheets wired up for automated rolling. It also offers the GameMaster some guidance on playing the scenario on Astral for those GMs new to the platform or entirely new to virtual tabletops (VTT).

Create a free account first, then the Quickstarts will be available on the Home page. If you are getting this via DTRPG, after checkout, look for the link to unlock your adventure on Astral.

Also on Astral TableTop, we have two free projects: Scion 2E: A Light Extinguished and Scarred Lands: Gauntlet of Spiragos and this Dagger of Spiragos module for sale: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/336406/Dagger-of-Spiragos-5e–Astral-VTT

Astral TableTop is the easiest way to play any tabletop RPG online, free. Astral already supports popular systems like D&D and Pathfinder, and Astral can support virtually any tabletop roleplaying game. Get started quickly with built-in support for most popular game systems. Whether you’re brand new to TTRPGs or a veteran tabletop gamer, Astral‘s ease-of-use and built in automation is designed to streamline gameplay.

https://www.astraltabletop.com/

How to guides and FAQ: https://help.astraltabletop.com/

Here is the main filter for all of our current VTT content on DTRPG:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4261/Onyx-Path-Publishing?filters=0_0_0_45317_0

A few highlights of our platform agnostic content:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/309127/Scarred-Lands-Creature-Collection-VTT-Token-Pack
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/317690/Trinity-Continuum-Hunt-for-the-Red-Widow-VTT
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/340327/Trinity-Continuum-Aeon-VTT-Tokens
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/311578/Scarred-Lands-VTT-Separation-Anxiety
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/311580/Scion-2e-VTT-Origin-Signature-Tokens
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/311579/Scion-2e-VTT-Hero-Signature-Tokens

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On Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).

If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue from which you bought it. Reviews really, really help us get folks interested in our amazing fiction!

Our selection includes these latest fiction books:

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Our Sales Partners!

We’re working with Studio2 to provide our traditionally printed books out into your local game stores. Game stores can order via their usual distributors, and can also contact Studio2 directly. And individuals can check out our projects via the links below!

You can pick up the traditionally printed Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau main books, screens, and the official dice through our friends there! https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire

Now, we’ve added Chronicles of Darkness books such as Changeling: The Lost Second Edition products to Studio2‘s store! See them here: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products/changeling-the-lost

Scion 2e books and other products are available now at Studio2: https://studio2publishing.com/blogs/new-releases/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin-now-available-at-your-local-retailer-or-online

Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/

And you can order Pugmire, Monarchies of Mau, Cavaliers of Mars, and Changeling: The Lost 2e at the same link! And now Scion Origin and Scion Hero and Trinity Continuum Core and Trinity Continuum: Aeon are available to order!

In celebration of Changeling the Dreaming’s 24th anniversary, select Onyx Path Publishing books, screens and dice are 40% off through August 29 8pm PDT! https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Deals-and-Specials

As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles at DriveThruRPG.com!

Best of Under $5 Sale at DTRPG:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/sale.php?manufacturers_id=4261
Jumpstarts, Fiction, Community Content, Adventures, and more are 33% Off.

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On Sale This Week!

The titans of Teen Tomorrow thunder towards triumph this Wednesday as the PDF and PoD versions of the Adventures of Teen Tomorrow Jumpstart for Trinity Continuum: Aberrant arrive on DTRPG!

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Conventions!

Because dates for physical conventions are subject to change due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, we don’t yet have a list of upcoming physical conventions. Instead, keep an eye out here for more virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!

Gen Con Online!

Friday, September 17th, 11am EDT: Storypath Q&A! Join the Onyx Path crew for a Q&A about their in-house system and the games powered by it, including Trinity Continuum, Scion Second Edition, They Came From!, and Dystopia Rising: Evolution. https://www.gencon.com/events/198118

Friday, September 17th, 1pm EDT: Trinity Continuum: Anima Playtest! Eddy will run a three-hour playtest of the Anima rules! https://www.gencon.com/events/197482

Saturday, September 18th, 11am EDT: What’s Up with Onyx Path? Join some of the Onyx Path developers and employees while they talk about what they’ve been working on recently! https://www.gencon.com/events/198116

Saturday, September 18th, 4pm EDT: They Came From Beyond the Grave! Matthew will run a three-hour introductory scenario to a game of 1970s Hammer Horror-esque chills and thrills, and not a little ham and comedy with it. https://www.gencon.com/events/199400

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And now, the new project status updates!

Development Status from Eddy Webb! (Projects in bold have changed status since last week.):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep.)

• Exalted Essay Collection (Exalted)
• Weird Wonders and Revolutionary Magick (M20 Victorian)
• Bizarre Tales and Unusual Characters (M20 Victorian)
• Scion: Dragon Jumpstart (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Scion: Dragon Companion (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Terat Novella (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• Tasty Bit: New Team (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• Squeaks in the Deep Companion (Realms of Pugmire)

Redlines

• Dragon-Blooded Novella #2 (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Tome of the Pentacle (Mage: the Awakening 2e)
• The Hedge (Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition)
• Scion: God (Scion 2e)
• With Great Power (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• Trinity Continuum: Aether core book (Trinity Continuum: Aether)

Second Draft

• No Gods, No Masters (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Panopticon Novella (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Development

• Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks (Chronicles of Darkness)
• Adversaries of the Righteous (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Wild Hunt (Scion 2nd Edition)

Manuscript Approval

• They Came From the Cyclops’s Cave! core book (They Came From…!)
• TC: Adventure! Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Adventure!)

Post-Approval Development

• Exigents (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Kith and Kin (Changeling: The Lost 2e)

Editing

• Lunars Novella (Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• The Book of Lasting Death (Mummy: The Curse 2e)
• Dead Man’s Rust (Scarred Lands)
• M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
• Mission Statements (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
• The Clades Companion (Deviant: The Renegades)
• CtL2e Novella Collection: Hollow Courts (Changeling: The Lost 2e)
• Heroes in a World of Horror! (They Came From…!)
• Dystopia Rising: Evolution Fiction Anthology (Dystopia Rising: Evolution)
• Legacies of Earth (Legendlore)
• Scion Fiction Anthology (Scion 2nd Edition)
• They Came From Beyond the Grave! Jumpstart (They Came From…!)
• Across the Eight Directions (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• TC: Aeon Novella: Meridian (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
• Exalted Essence Edition (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Crucible of Legends (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Proteus Nova Compendium (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• TC: Aeon Novella: Dawn (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
• Trinity Continuum: Anima
• Tales of Depravity! (They Came From…!)
• They Came From [Classified]! (They Came From…!)
• They Came From [Classified]! Jumpstart (They Came From…!)
• Realms of Magic and Mystery (was Terra Incognita) (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Trinity Continuum: Adventure! core (Trinity Continuum: Adventure!)
• Vigil Watch: The Kelder Mountains (Scarred Lands)
• The Paranormal Investigator’s Handbook (WoD 20th)
• Once and Future (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Apocalyptic Record (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
• M20 Lore of the Traditions (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
• Many-Faced Strangers – Lunars Companion (Exalted 3rd Edition)
• Tasty Bit: The Autocracy (Scion 2nd Edition)

Post-Editing Development

• Masks of the Mythos (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Scion: Demigod (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Scion: Dragon (Scion 2nd Edition)
• N!ternational Wrestling Entertainment (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• Squeaks In The Deep (Realms of Pugmire)
• Novas Worldwide (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
• They Came From Beneath the Sea! Jumpstart (They Came From…!)
• Saints and Monsters (Scion 2nd Edition)
• Trinity Continuum: Assassins (Trinity Continuum Core)
• They Came From Camp Murder Lake! (They Came From…!)
• Prometheus Unbound (was Psi Orders) (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
• Ghost Hunters Jumpstart w/RMCs (WoD 20th)
• The Devoted Companion (Deviant: The Renegades)
• Contagion Chronicle Ready-Made Characters (Chronicles of Darkness)

Indexing

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Art Direction from Mike Chaney!

In Art Direction

• Scion: Dragon
• Masks of the Mythos – Maria has some artists that might fit this.
• TC: Adventure! (KS)
• M20 Victorian (KS)
• Dead Man’s Rust
• Exalted Essence (KS)
• TC Mission Statements
• TC Aberrant N!WE – Maria ADing Digital Chefs.
• M20 Technocracy Dossier/Companion – Artists working.
• Squeaks In The Deep (KS)
• TC Prometheus Unbound – Finals looking sweet.
• They Came From Camp Murder Lake!
• Realms of Magic and Mystery
• Saints and Monsters
• TC: Anima (KS) – Awaiting art fixes.
• TC: Assassin – Getting interior art rolling.
• Legendlore: Legacies of the Earth
• Novas Worldwide – Getting art notes out to artists.
• W20 Apocalyptic Record (KS) – Artwork at Paradox for approval.
• They Came From Beyond the Grave! Jumpstart

In Layout

• V5 Forbidden Religions
• They Came From Beneath the Sea! Jumpstart
• They Came From Beyond the Grave!
• M20 Technocracy Jumpstart
• Hundred Devils Night Parade – Mine again!
• Aberrant VTT
• Scion: Demigod
• Squeaks in the Deep Screen
• WoD Ghost Hunters Screen
• Legendlore Screen
• Tasty Bit: Pets for Trinity Continuum: Aeon

Proofing

• Hunter: The Vigil 2e – Sending to Paradox for approval.
• Spiragos Collected Adventures
• M20 Rich Bastards Guide
• Dearly Bleak – Deviant: The Renegades Novella – Out to backers this week.
• Legendlore – Inputting fixes on proof.
• WoD Ghost Hunters – At Paradox for approval.

At Press

• M20 Technocracy Reloaded – Deluxe getting ready for press. See above.
• Mummy 2 – Getting ready for press. See above.
• Mummy 2e Screen – Files sent to printer.
• Deviant – Getting ready for press. See above.
• Deviant Screen – Files sent to printer.
• Technocracy Reloaded Screen – Files sent to printer.
• Heirs to the Shogunate – Prepping PoD files for printer.
• TC Aberrant Jumpstart: Teen Tomorrow! – On sale this Weds.!
• Players Guide to the Contagion Chronicle – PoD files uploaded.

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Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

It was 14 years today that Changeling: The Lost hit GenCon, and also 14 years ago was the premiere of Monte Cook’s World of Darkness. I green-lit both projects, and both were designed to expand our ideas of what horror gaming could be. That’s the biz, sweetheart!