A Jadestorm, that is!
We’ll be starting the Backerkit crowdfunder for the newest fantasy game in the Earthbane Cycle at 2pm Eastern US time on this Thursday the 20th!
Below in the crowdfunding section, you can sign up to be notified when it goes love so you don’t miss it!
As we do, backers will get sections of the manuscript throughout the campaign until by the end y’all will have all the text as it currently stands!
Here’s Matthew Dawkins, lead dev, with some thoughts and excerpts:
It’s Jadestorm week, and that means it’s time to talk about the newest game in the Earthbane Cycle!
Jadestorm is our epic Earthbane RPG using the SPU System present in The World Below, At the Gates, and Monster Kingdoms! In it, you play as Jadebearers – the inheritors of Jade cinders and remnants of the Infernal Sovereigns who once warred in the heavens above the mortal world. You can use Jade to empower yourself, others, and change the world, venture into the Wilds to forge new realms, or liberate the nine realms from their various tyrannies. Of course, you’ll be dueling other Jadebearers to seize their cinders, as they all race to become the most powerful Jadebearer in all of Eos.
Expect tales of masters and apprentices, vengeance plots spanning a continent, melodramatic love stories, and thrilling combat with fistfuls of dice. If you’ve ever wanted to be one man against an entire army, this is the Earthbane game for you!
I weighed up which extract to post to the blog, as we’ve teased various mechanical aspects of the game over the last few weeks. So this time I’ve decided to post an introductory extract from the book’s first chapter, echoing and emphasising some of what I’ve said above:
To Be a Jadebearer
History is important, but more pressing is what you do with history’s gifts in the present. Make no mistake: Jade is a gift. Those who claim otherwise fear you.
It’s up to you whether their fear is justified.
Whether you use Jade to steal more fruit and rice for your family, to kill a hated rival, or to destroy the chains of slavery in a whole realm, Jade is a gift. To deny it is to deny the possibility of a changeable future. Nothing is set in stone. Those who wish it were, are the kinds of people who would embrace a return of the Infernal Sovereigns and the “comfort” of tyranny.
Those people exist. They call themselves Temple Diabolik.
One rarely chooses to become a Jadebearer. Through freak accident, inherited power, selection as a worthy apprentice, or being in the right place in the right time, congratulations, you now possess within you a Jade cinder that once formed one of the Malefic — the Infernal Sovereigns.
Once you bear the Jade, the society you once knew is lost to you. Oh, you can go home to your family, even work a menial profession, but the call of Jade, the desire to wander the Wilds, the desperate need to challenge rivals and monsters for their cinders: it’s a constant buzz that only worsens the longer you spend apart from your fellow Jadebearers.
You may be a martial artist living in the shadow of a mountain, or part of a hidden order in a sacred city. You might be an outlaw, living by their wits and skill in the thick of the Wilds. You could be a wanderer, moving from realm to realm in search of a purpose. Or you might be a driven warrior, sorcerer, or thief, determined to find justice, vengeance, satisfaction, or a combination of the three.
That determination lasts forever, no matter how many bodies fall in your path. Every rival is your last. Until you hear about the next one, one town over.
You exist outside normal folk and wield abilities that make some cower and others fall to their knees in awe. Some might run up to you and beg for your aid against rampaging ashwalkers or villainous bandits. Others might form mobs to hunt you down and scare you from their land, or unleash hellish beasts to tear you limb from limb.
But still, Jade is a gift. Never forget. You can make those fearful, angry people understand that you’re here to help.
Or you can make them pay for treating you as worse than scum.
Extract from The Long Vengeance of Bi-go, Zephyr Thief of Kir Ob-Tani
Bi-go formed his concord of Jadebearers in Shrouded Dale in pursuit of one objective and one alone: to end the life of Jessiolus the Radiant, Child of Elion.
Bi-go could not live knowing Jessiolus had stolen his love and disgraced his name, snaring her heart and taking her from east to west, through danger and into captivity.
And so he and his compatriots ranged through Shrouded Dale and the Flaming Dominion, the Wilds and the Emerald Wastes, slaying monsters and seizing Jade, conquering hearts and ruining temples dedicated to the Malefic, all to gain the power to crush Jessiolus when he found her.
The day came when the two stood toe to toe in the broken Sunlit Land, but Bi-go knew when he looked at Jessiolus that he was staring into a piece of polished metal.
He needed to speak. But his mouth was dry. He was determined to duel. But his words were as silent as his Sovereign.
Jessiolus gently offered the parched Bi-go a flask of water. Bi-go accepted, with humility and gratitude.
Only after this kindness, could the two duel each other as full Jadebearers.
Neither of them heroes.
Neither of them villains.
Matthew has also produced this informative vid about Jadestorm for his Gentleman Gamer YouTube channel:
Hope everybody has enjoyed what we’ve teased so far and will be able to join us for a lot more in-depth looks at Jadestorm on Thursday at 2pm EDT!
Well we did establish that we’re all monsters.
Yes, indeedy! Brainstorming meeting today besides our usual reports, so it ran a tad longer than usual! What were we brainstorming? We’ll let that out of the bag when the time is right, don’t you worry!
Speaking of time, and specifically about it going by: we were just informed that today in 2012 we let folks attending our panels at GenCon that year in on just what we were up to with Onyx Path Publishing! More on that all the way down in the Reason To Celebrate!
As always after a Monday Meeting, here’s some notice about sales we’re involved with: in this case the new Cosmic Horror Sale at DTRPG!
And don’t forget the ongoing Vampire: The Requiem Sale!
Here’s Travis with news about our Twitch programming this week:
This week we have a light programming schedule as Awkward GM Corbin takes a week of downtime for Curseborne: Accursed in Boston. On Thursday at 4 PM EDT Tom Murr brings us more tips for telling tales with Storypath Ultra on a new episode of Guiding the Path. Monday at 9 PM EDT, we will have another episode of Trinity Continuum: Adventure! Air Circus!
Speaking of Tom, he posted a link to one of our Pathcast vids with some surprising …alterations…inside. Thanks for being inspired to check it out because of my post last week, Tom! (I still don’t know what’s getting into those files).
It wouldn’t be an MMN blog without Travis letting folks know how things are going with the Scarred Lands – Savage Worlds Edition, so here’s his cool news:
The Scarred Lands Player’s Guide (SWADE) released in POD and PDF at DriveThruRPG last Wednesday, and the response has been fabulous! As of this morning, the book was the #1 hottest selling Savage Worlds book which has been incredible to see! I’m grateful for the reviews and ratings that people have left so far, and would love to see more! If you have already picked up your copy, thank you so much for your support! If not, please consider checking it out! Scarred Lands Player’s Guide (SWADE) covers all of the lands and peoples of Scarn, with dozens of playable ancestries and culture packages, new Arcane Backgrounds, Edges, Hindrances, Powers, information on the gods, titans, and ushada, and more.
Finally, I thought I’d tease y’all with a piece of art I did for the upcoming Monster Kingdoms core book. Scattered throughout one chapter are descriptions of very powerful denizens of the Kingdoms. So powerful, in fact, that they have been tied to the version of the Tarot used throughout the land by mystics and seers!
From the Kingdom of magicians and sorcerers, the floating realm of Draoidahaek:
I dunno if we’re going to get all the Major Arcana done up for the book, but I hope you enjoy getting a look at one of the almost mythical terrors roaming the Monster Kingdoms! Dum dum dum duuuum!
Love that scary music! And if I haven’t said it enough, thanks for being a part of our community as we have evolved and improved over the years making our:
Many Worlds… One Path!
Blurbs!
Crowdfunding!
Prepare for the JADESTORM!
You can check it out with this link – JOIN US in the STORM!
https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/onyx-path/jadestorm/pre-launch
Onyx Path Media!
Check out our attached media schedule for the videos on our Twitch channel this week!
On this week’s Onyx Path News, Matthew discusses Curseborne Tangled Webs, They Came from the RPG Anthology!, and Jadestorm: https://youtu.be/UXdPLlJszmQ
Over on The Gentleman Gamer‘s YouTube channel, Matthew goes even further and gives us a What is Jadestorm? video!: https://youtu.be/lvCfoZl2YC8
Tales of Pantheons continue their fantastic foray into the World of Scion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRCcGkEUkQ0
Virtual Tabletop!
Check it out now! The Scion Demiplane Nexus! Click here for Early Access:
Campaigns for Scion Nexus went live last week as well. This blog post explains how Campaigns work on Demiplane:
https://www.demiplane.com/blog/campaigns-have-arrived
Scion Demigod Available on Roll20 NOW!
The Scion: Origin and Scion Hero Compendiums are now available on Roll20!
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/publisher/1716/onyx-path-publishing
The first of our official Scion sheets designed for Foundry VTT are now available! https://foundryvtt.co
They Came From Beneath the Sea! on Roll20 VTT!
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/22308/they-came-from-beneath-the-sea
Looking for more virtual tabletop resources? We have a selection of tokens, encounters, and more available now at DriveThruRPG! https://bit.ly/3SnrNJ7
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!
Select Chronicles of Darkness Screens and Monarchies of Mau books, screens, and dice 50% off at Studio 2:
https://studio2publishing.com/collections/onx-onyx-path-publishing
Some more deluxe books have popped up on Studio 2, with more on the way.
https://studio2publishing.com/collections/onx-onyx-path-publishing
As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles in PDF and PoD versions at DriveThruRPG.com!
The Cosmic Horror Sale has launched:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/4261/onyx-path-publishing?promo=1000147
The Vampire: The Requiem Sale is live now:
https://www.storytellersvault.com/en/browse?promo=1000774
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).
On Sale This Week!
Weapons of the Gods – the Jumpstart for They Came From the Cyclops’ Cave! smashes the minor gods of getting started with the PDF and PoD versions available this Weds on DTRPG!
On Sale Last Week!
Examples and terrifying details on all the kinds of liminal spaces in Curseborne – Tattered Webs PDF and PoD versions are available now on DTRPG!
Also at DTRPG, the Scarred Lands Player’s Guide for Savage Worlds in PDF and PoD versions!
Conventions!
Here’s where you can find out more info on physical and virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!
Twin Cities Con – November 20th – 22nd (Game Room demos).
PAX Unplugged – December 4th – 6th (Studio 2 will have our books and more).
Project Status Updates!
Our full list of projects will be available monthly on our blog! Check out July’s full list report here; https://theonyxpath.com/release-roundup-july-2026/
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY!
Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production:
Redlines
SPU Tasty Bit – Martial Arts (October 2026)
- The November Tasty Bit went out last week, and the October Tasty Bit is back in this week! Time for a quick redline, and then off to final drafts!
Development
Essence Enhanced (was Extended) (Exalted Essence)
- Our stretch goal book for the Exalted Essence Player’s Guide is back from final drafts, and ready for development!
Manuscript Approval
Jadestorm (Earthbane Cycle)
- Prepare to duel for your Jade! The manuscript is with Rich for review and goes live on crowdfunding this week!
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
In Art Direction
- Ex3 Sidereals Companion – Comtractomg.
- Curseborne Covenant – Artwork continues to still be coming in.
- Curseborne Seattle – Starting to piece out the mountain of artwork.
- TC Aether Player’s Guide – Fulls are in….
- TC From the Shadows – Contracting the rest of it.
- TWB Underworld Adventures – Art and maps in progress.
- Curseborne PG – More stuff incoming.
- Jadestorm (BK) – Going live on Thursday!
Layout Queue
- Curseborne Compact Edition
- Monster Kingdoms – Art is all in.
- Ex Essence PG – Gonna wrap this up then jump on ATG.
- Curseborne Screen – Still working on it.
Proofing Queue
- Curseborne Community Content Stuff
- TC Danger Skies – 2nd proof.
At Press
- They Came From the RPG Antho – Rewards shipping to backers.
- Curseborne – Getting cover specs so that can get done.
- Curseborne Jumpstart – Getting cover specs so that can get done.
- Making of Curseborne – Getting cover specs so that can get done.
- At The Gates – Working on that errata this week.
- Essence PG Novella 1 – Murder on the Divine Carriage – Approved and going to backers.
- Essence PG Novella 2 – Even the Heavens Will Burn – Approved and going to backers.
- TCF Cyclops Cave Jumpstart – PDF and PoD versions available this Weds on DTRPG!
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
Today at Gen Con in 2012, we announced the onset of Onyx Path, and what we would be doing including the licenses for WoD, CofD (New WoD, at the time), and Exalted, plus the fact that Onyx now owned Scion and Trinity. It was a fun panel, an exciting year, and it’s kind of hard to believe we ever had to announce the company after having made so many great games as Onyx Path since then! If you were there: thanks for coming along this topsy-turvy ride along the path! And if you’ve joined us along the way: welcome!
Oh, I love that take on The Magician. As a Tarot collector, now I want to see a deck from you (like you don’t have enough on your plate already).
Thanks! It’s been a lot of fun combining the classic Tarot depiction with the incredibly flavorful character descriptions that Matthew and team included. As for doing more, it really does depend on time, because I certainly enjoy doing them!