Eureka!

The M20 Lore of the Traditions Kickstarter funded last week, and we rocketed past 1000 backers and are over 300% funded in less than a week! Needless to say, we’re all thrilled over here at Onyx Path central! Our sincere thanks to everyone who has backed so far, and for all of you saying such great things about the chapters that have been revealed to backers so far!

As an aside, some people wonder about – and others grit their teeth over – the way we put the M20 in front of the full titles of Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary books. Or V20, or W20, etc. Our reason is that many in our community start their searches on DTRPG with those very numbers and letters, and we want folks to find our projects up there as easily and quickly as possible. To be sure we’re doing it right for searches, we try and keep doing it wherever mentioned for consistency’s sake.

But nomenclature aside, we are really hoping that folks enjoy M20 Lore of the Traditions – as our team are long-time fans and creators who wrote their sections utilizing every ounce of their hard-earned (on the fiery fields of the Mage flame–wars) lore-knowledge, and love of the Traditions.

Here’s developer Travis Legge with just a hint about what he thinks is special about creating for this book:

I’ve been overwhelmed with joy to see the response to Lore of the Traditions so far! Bringing this book to fruition is especially exciting for me, as I feel the writing team has truly captured the voice of each Tradition. Their examinations of the past and summaries of the current state of affairs of these groups provides rich and abundant material for both the setting and the system while laying ample foundation for Storytellers to carry their games into the future. I am incredibly proud of the work these writers have done in tackling the material and bringing fresh — and in some cases long overdue — perspectives and approaches to the Nine Mystick Traditions.

Every chapter in the book is incredible and it’s very challenging to choose, but I’d have to say my favorite chapter is probably the Dreamspeaker/Kha’vadi chapter. I feel the approach that James took in crafting that chapter conveys the practices and cultures of the Tradition in a way that respects real-world analogues for the Kha’vadi and captures the struggles and the strengths of the Tradition. It’s full of plot hooks, interesting characters, and has a distinctive voice that represents a Tradition that has at times been underrepresented or misrepresented. It was a delight to see it come together. I think it will not only satisfy fans of the Dreamspeakers, but will give those who’ve maybe overlooked the Tradition in the past a new, welcoming, and exciting perspective on their practices and history. 

From what I’ve heard, the same approach of delving deep into the lore, providing storyhooks and examples, and then showing how all that informs the Tradition now – today – was followed by the whole team. There’s definitely going to be something for everyone as they peruse the chapters for their favorites.

Taking that same creative philosophy, the Kickstarter has unlocked the first section of an additional M20 project called M20 Forgotten Ones & Forbidden Orders that is a collection of lesser known but no less potent orders, traditions, cults, and gatherings of mages. The Ahi-i-Batin and the Ngoma are just some of those included, and the KS is roaring towards unlocking the next stretch goal that will expand the book even more!

Finally today, if you get a chance and haven’t already, you can listen to an interview with some of the writers, including more from Travis Legge, Hiromi Cota, James Sambrano, and the ever-Mage-ful Satyros Phil Brucato! Your can check that out here:
http://magethepodcast.com/lore-of-the-traditions-author-and-dev-interview-akashayana-dreamspeakers-and-ecstatics/

HERE WE TALK ABOUT THE MONDAY MEETING:

Hey hey! Once we got past Kickstarter talk – both excited about M20 Lore as above, but also looking at the next several months and which ones we will be doing next – we moved into 10th Anniversary discussions.

First, we’re looking to finish off our first month’s celebration of our game lines by ending the Dystopia Rising: Evolution core book sale but then starting a 10th Anniversary sale for this week that covers the DR:E supplements!

Four of them, in fact!

Those are: 1. Helnau’s Guide to Wasteland Beasties, 2. Trouble on Steel Pier: A Dystopia Rising Jumpstart, 3. Heroes of the Wastes, and 4. The Storyguide Screen and Reference. All at 10% of their usual price – 90% off – in honor of our 10th Anniversary as Onyx Path!

This sale will run until next week, and then we’ll have a new bunch of games that will fall under the 10th Anniversary Sale as January ends and February starts. Which ones?

Well, there’s a bunch of game lines, and they all fall under an uber-title that starts with a W and ends with a D. It’s too short an acronym for Wordle, but I’m guessing you all can guess what it is. More details next week at the very last of January as we look at Feb!

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there’s also an interview coming up this week on Sunday the 30th on our Twitch channel with DR creator Michael Pucci and Catie Griffin where they discuss the origins of Dystopia Rising, how it works with DR:E, and what’s coming next!

And while you’re watching vids, Matthew reports that the return of the Onyx Path News has pulled stellar numbers! Which is great – we’re very glad that so many of you are checking out what Matthew has to report about our comings and goings! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m44_r2LQOk

We discussed panels and such for the 3rd Onyx Path Virtual Convention, which we expect to occur in June, and are looking for suggestions. We’ll probably be putting up a poll for those in our community who intend to attend, so keep an eye out for that.

And, of course, do feel free to post your ideas for panels right here in the Comments section. I’ll make sure they get added to the mix of ideas!

We think that Impish Ian’s solution to the problem of linking to the latest MMN blog from our website has worked, so please give it a try and let us know. And if you’re not one of the folks who had a problem getting here, let your friends know!

I talked with Mirthful Mike about putting together more concept art for Trinity Continuum: Aether, as we need to have the Martian technology designed and consistent for our illustrators – and just what do our Aether-powered guns look like in the Victorian Era? Well, I’m drawing that out this week. I’d say “figuring it out”, but honestly, it’s “drawing” and letting the hand inform the brain.

That’s “artist talk” – don’t feel like you need to take it seriously. 🙂

Finally, for all of our V5 friends out there, please check out the Renegade Games storefront – their own and/or their page on DTRPG – for V5 Forbidden Religions starting this Wednesday! I know a lot of you asked and were looking for it on our DTRPG page, but our V5 stuff has been being sold by Renegade for a while now, so look for it there!

And with that, I’m gonna add some art to this thing and set it to go live. Remember to let me know how the new Product Status Updates format is grabbing you in the Comments, and let’s have more fun – like we have had for:

Ten Years, Many Worlds, One Path!

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BLURBS!

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Kickstarter!

The Kickstarter campaign for the Deluxe Mage 20th: Lore of the Traditions is not even a full week running and has already been funded, then funded again, then funded at 300%, and has over 1000 backers and rising! Stretch Goals are falling before the power of the Traditions!

Join in at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339646881/lore-of-the-traditions-for-the-mage-20th-anniversary-ttrpg

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Onyx Path Media!

This week: The Trio look into fictional belief systems in RPGs (focus on the Dystopia Rising: Evolution religions, but also the Code of Man from Pugmire, Noddism from Vampire: The Masquerade, etc.)!

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

Onyx Path Media now has its own blog on Tuesdays! We’ll continue posting our highlight of the week here, but Tuesday will be the day to visit if you want to catch up on actual plays, interviews, deep dives, and other assorted Onyx Path media!

Please check out our attached media schedule for the impressive number of videos on our Twitch channel this week! In particular, keep those eyes open for our Storypath Showcase, where we give an excellent profile of our various Storypath games and how to play them!

MEDIA HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Check out our creator roundtable for Dystopia Rising: Evolution over on the Onyx Path YouTube channel. Hosted by Travis Legge and including several guests from the line-up of Dystopia Rising creators, this roundtable is an insightful treat: https://youtu.be/kxVjZAC2mBc

Come take a look at our YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/theonyxpath, where you can find a whole load of videos of actual plays, dissections of our games, and more. Please subscribe and click the bell icon if you want to be notified whenever new news videos and uploads come online!

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Virtual Tabletop!

The first of our official sheets designed for Foundry VTTis now available!

As they say:
Direct Link: https://foundryvtt.com
“Foundry Virtual Tabletop is a self-hosted roleplaying
platform with support for hundreds of game systems with modern
features and a developer-friendly API. Foundry VTT is a one-time
purchase where your players connect for free using a web browser.”

We’re offering first the character sheet for Scion Origin and Hero, featuring:

• A whole platform as a new place for Storyguides and Players
• Fully integrated and up to date character sheet
• Familiar to users of the paper sheet
• Handles all needed rolls
• Officially created and supported

More VTT offering and projects will be arriving this year!

A Quantum Leap (A Trinity Continuum: Jumpstart),The Adventures of Teen Tomorrow (A Trinity Continuum: Aberrant Jumpstart),Quantum Entanglement (A Trinity Continuum: Aeon Jumpstart),are all on Astral TableTop.

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

Check out Astral TableTop for 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

On DrivethruRPG, here is the main filter for all of our current VTT content:

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

A few highlights of our platform agnostic DTRPG 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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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!

50% off Dystopia Rising: Evolution Hardcover corebook and screen on S2 is live now:
https://studio2publishing.com/collections/onx-onyx-path-publishing

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

As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles in PDF and PoD versions at DriveThruRPG.com!

Today starts our week-long 10th Anniversary Sale on Dystopia Rising: Evolution supplements in PDF for 10% of the cover price! That’s 90% off!

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).

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On Sale This Week!

This month’s Tasty Bit PDF brings Animal Encounters to your They Came From…! games, this Wednesday on DTRPG! (AKA They Came from the Snake-Filled Submarine!)

Remember: the Pre-Order page for Trinity Continuum: Assassins is open on DTRPG! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/379041

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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!

Right now, we’re planning our first plans for the 3rd Onyx Path Virtual Con later this year. Can we pull it all together a third time? Wait and see!

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And now, the new project status updates!

Our full list of projects will be available monthly on our blog!

Development Status from Eddy Webb!

(Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production):

First Draft

TC: Anima – Anima: DLC (KS Stretch Goal)

• Eddy: Hired two very excited writers to work on this. It’s just the one stretch goal, so it’ll be on the level of a Tasty Bit, but we’re going to cram as much into that space as we can!

Post Approval Development

Chronicles of Darkness – The Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks

• Dixie: Super excited about this setting book! It has seven locations across the globe for Contagion Chronicle players to set their game in, including Antarctica if you want to do The Thing meets Chronicles.

M20 Victorian Mage – Weird Wonders and Revolutionary Magick

• Matthew: One of two M20 Victorian Age stretch goals to move this week! I’m incredibly happy with the work Hiromi’s team did on the new Rotes in this book. I think it neatly encapsulates our take on the era. Likewise, the chapter on the many revolutions and wars of the period is captivating reading.

Editing

Scion – Wild Hunt

• Eddy: This was an easy approval process, and thus an easy post-approval process. Still, Lauren turned it around quickly, which I always appreciate! .

W20 – Howls of Apocalypse Scenario Book

• Matthew: Brace yourself for Skull Pigs, nasty Pentex experiments, War Wolves, Yeren, new Fetishes, and the possible return of Turtle! By the end of this book, Circinus Brands will have convinced you to start smoking again.

M20 – Victorian Mage – Bizarre Tales and Unusual Characters

• Matthew: I love a book that covers a range of material, and this one flies all the way from the alleys of London’s East End to the depths of the Umbra and contains a helpful number of supporting characters, antagonists, and inspirations for your chronicles. Again, Hiromi’s team did excellent work here.

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Art Direction from Mike Chaney!

In Art Direction

• Dead Man’s Rust – AD’d. Scrambling to get some ref material for some of the more niche stuff.
• TC: Assassin – Finals rolling in.
• Mage20 Lore of the Traditions (KS) – KS running.
• Dead Man’s Rust – Artists contacted… artnotes going out.
• Ex3 Eight Directions – Art breakdown complete.
• Ex3 Adversaries of the R – Artnotes in.
• W20 Apocalyptic Record – I’m doing up a roster for Maria.
• TCF Cyclops Cave/Classified KS – Durwin’s artwork is in, Larry’s should be in, Leblanc’s is in, just waiting on Farri to finish up.
• Novas Compendium – Getting Lee O’Connor on the fulls.

In Layout

• Squeaks in the Deep – Layout happening, symbols finished.
• SCION Demigod – Getting files over to Josh for this. Got sidetracked last week, but doing that today.

Proofing

• TCFGtG! Heroes in a World of Horror – 2nd proof tweaks being input.

At Press

• M20 Technocracy Reloaded – Deluxe printing soon.
• Mummy 2e – Printing soon.
• Mummy 2e Screen – Printing.
• Deviant – Printing soon.
• Deviant Screen – Printing.
• Technocracy Reloaded Screen – Printing.
• TGFBtG! Screen – Printing.
• WoD Ghost Hunters – Printing Soon.
• WoD Ghost Hunters Screen – Printing.
• Legendlore – KS book shipping to fulfillment shipper.
• Legendlore Screen – Printing.
• M20 Rich Bastards Guide – PoD proof ordered.
• TC: Aeon Novella: Dawn – PoD proof arrived.
• TC: Aeon Novella: Meridian – PoD proof arrived.
• They Came From Beyond the Grave! – KS book shipping to fulfillment shipper.
• Ghost Hunters Jumpstart and RMCs – PoD proof ordered.
• They Came From Camp Murder Lake! – Waiting to order PoD proofs.
• TC: Prometheus Unbound – Gathering errata.
• Hundred Devils Night Parade – PoD proofs ordered.
• Trinity Continuum: Assassins pre-order is live on DTRPG.
• Animal Encounters – They Came From…! Tasty Bit (AKA– They Came from the Snake-Filled Submarine!) PDF on sale this Wednesday on DTRPG!

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Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

Impish Ian, our Keeper of the Records, tells me that there are NO anniversaries of releases or anything else important in retrospective this entire week. Nope, nothing important this week, Rich. Seems he may have extremely innocently forgotten that tomorrow is my birthday… Yeah, so there’s that – I know I’m celebrating having made it through another one!