Riding wildly down that Onyx Path into adventure! Yee-Haw!!
But since I clearly was referencing Pugmire Unleashed‘s crowdfunder in the title, let’s take a look at that post-campaign. We pushed this one as “tariff-free” because the reward options did not include a traditionally printed book, but focused on PDF and PoD rewards. Thus avoiding the current outrageous tariff situation. It’ll be a lot less likely to be delayed, and, in fact, we should get the book and the additional stuff out in months rather than years!
We went over 300% funding, and had over 400 backers, which was a good turn-out for an unusual project like this – and huge thanks to all of you who backed! It was not a great turn-out, ie: surpassing expectations, but a solid representation. Which means we didn’t get to the really meaty Stretch Goal rewards, but that’s OK because we definitely accomplished the point of the crowdfunder.
Now, are we likely to do another non-trad printing crowdfunder? I’d say that this campaign didn’t really give us a huge amount of data to make an absolute call. It funded and did OK – would a different game line have done more? We don’t have the info to know that. If you are someone who looked at the Pugmire Unleashed crowdfunder and didn’t back it for reasons beyond not liking Pugmire the game-line, we’d love to hear from you. More data-points are good data-points!
Which brings us to our next crowdfunding campaign: Monster Kingdoms! We’re gathering graphics and art even as I type this, so expect that you’ll be seeing more about this game – the third in the Earthbane Cycle of fantasy games using the Storypath Ultra system – in the weeks to come!
I’ve been doing some very minor teases of some of the graphics, and figured: why not deliver one of them today? So here’s another of the shields featuring the heraldry of one of the Monster Kingdoms:
Any ideas as to which kinds of monsters rule this Kingdom?
No interim header this week, so let’s ride right into Sales! The big news is that the Xmas in July Sale has started at both DTRPG and Roll20, and they are offering almost our complete catalog at 30% or more discounts! Included, but worth special mention, are 75% off of the Dystopia Rising: Evolution and They Came From Beyond the Grave! core rulebook PDFs on DTRPG, and over on Roll20 the same discount for the Scion: Origin and They Came from Beneath the Sea! VTT compilations! Links here:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/featured_promotions?promotion_id=25_DTRPG_XMas
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/featured_promotions?promotion_id=25_DTRPG_XMas2
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/4261/onyx-path-publishing?filter=31815
https://www.drivethrufiction.com/xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=4261
https://www.storytellersvault.com/xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=4261
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/36460/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/22308/they-came-from-beneath-the-sea
So if you’ve been wondering about those gamelines – now’s your chance!
We’re also still bundled up with the Scarred Lands Fantatical Bundle that has a few days left:
https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/scarred-lands-5th-edition-rpg-bundle
Similarly, this is a super opportunity to grab Scarred Lands PDFs at excellent discounts! We’ve involved with a couple more bundles for charity that I’ll let you know about as I get the links!
We reviewed the results of our Social Media (and YouTube) Survey today, and we’re thrilled to see some confirmation of our thoughts about where a lot of you reside in the social media space, although things like some responders pointing out that they don’t consider YouTube a social media venue were really interesting as we hadn’t considered that way of seeing it.
We did see a lot of growth on BlueSky, so I’m compelled once again to return to our BlueSky blurb! You know it, you love it, you can’t live without it:
For those who aren’t aware, Onyx Path is now on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/)! Bluesky is a microblogging app similar to the old days of Twitter. One of the features on Bluesky is Starter Packs, which allow you to follow multiple accounts at once, so we’ve made one for our freelancers you can follow here: https://bsky.app/starter-pack/theonyxpath.bsky.social/3laz43eiw3u22
We’re continuing to update it as freelancers let us know their Bluesky handles, so never miss a skeet (that’s what they’re called) from the Onyx Path team! You can also just follow us for company updates at @theonyxpath.bsky.social
Hope to see you all in bluer skies!
And while we’re blurbing, here’s one from Travis about the Community Content Fiction Contest!
The OPP Con 2025 Fiction Contest has entered the voting phase! If you haven’t done so yet, head over to Thursday’s blog post where all the entries are listed and linked. You’ll also find a voting link, voting rules, and instructions to vote for your favorite stories! If you haven’t picked up these stories yet, they’re priced very affordably, and some are on a PWYW basis for the duration of the contest! Voting ends Thursday at 11:59 PM EDT, so get your ballots in now! Thank you to all who have voted so far, and thanks again to the wonderful authors who have contributed to this year’s fiction contest!
If you’re going to GenCon this year, and it’s coming up really soon, here’s a heads-up: We’re thrilled to announce that our Curseborne games at GenCon are almost all sold out! There a just a few spots left, so if you were hoping to get a play session in, please considering registering ASAP! Link down in the Conventions section below!
If you want to play our games, but aren’t headed to Indianapolis, this coming weekend is Onyx Path Weekend at Startplaying – so you can sign up to play virtually!
Travis has more about this weekend to add, and though he doesn’t mention it – he’ll be running a raft of the games listed, so you know you’ll get a super-friendly, fun, and knowledgeable host!
This upcoming weekend is Onyx Path Game Weekend via Startplaying! Each month we partner with StartPlaying.Games to encourage folks to run and play in our games via that platform. We have dedicated spaces on our discord server for running games if you need, so if you’re interested in being a Storyguide, it’s a simple matter of signing up and posting a game. Details on how to do that can be found at this article. If you want to play, it’s simple to start up a profile and sign up for your first game! You can even get a $10.00 credit to offset the cost of playing in your first game by signing up through this link! We currently have several games listed for the weekend here and would love to see more pop up! If you’ve always wanted to try one of our games but have not had the chance to bring it to the table, this is a perfect opportunity to do so! I hope to see you there this weekend!
That’s about it for this week: most of our meeting today was scheduling meetings around everyone’s Summer obligations – somehow I’ve got stacked up meetings all week! Gugh, I hate meetings! But they are necessary as we ride, boldly ride into the second half of 2025, and prepare to leap our metaphorical steeds into 2026! Much like the Rainbow Bridge, riding the Onyx Path takes us to a fascinating cornucopia of:
Many Worlds, One Path!
Blurbs!
Crowdfunding!
Coming Next: Monster Kingdoms!…
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 the Christmas in July Sale, Scion, and more! Check it out right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4U1KLfXjf8
On The Gentleman Gamer‘s YouTube channel, we delve into the Outcasts’ Damnation: https://youtu.be/NNkPZsI4neU
The Gentleman Gamer delves into The World Below once again, with advice on how to start your story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYQTpZ9NJC0
Awkward GM Corbin continues his Curseborne campaign – Accursed in Boston – right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3qbtAVH2hs
Session Two of the Pugmire Unleashed AP is LIVE right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gqe_qAnLms
Virtual Tabletop!
XMAS IN JULY SALE on Roll20:
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/36460/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/22308/they-came-from-beneath-the-sea
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
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!
Now live! It’s the famous Christmas In July Sale on DTRPG and the Roll20 Marketplace! Fantastic deals on all of our projects, with up to 75% off!
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/featured_promotions?promotion_id=25_DTRPG_XMas
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/featured_promotions?promotion_id=25_DTRPG_XMas2
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/4261/onyx-path-publishing?filter=31815
https://www.drivethrufiction.com/xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=4261
https://www.storytellersvault.com/xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=4261
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/36460/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/22308/they-came-from-beneath-the-sea
The first part of the print shopping experiment is live on DTRPG:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/browse?format=1000240-book-printed-publisher-fulfilled
This is limited to the USA only at first, but will expand later after data crunching and review.
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!
This week The Curious Cats of Mau come sneaking in on little cat feet! Coming your way on Weds in PDF and PoD physical book versions on DTRPG!
We also are offering the magickally delicious Lore of the Traditions Mobile Wallpaper for sale this Weds on DTRPG!
Conventions!
Here’s where you can find out more info on physical and virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!
Envoy will be running multiple demos of Curseborne at Gen Con, Thu, Jul 31, 2025 – Sun, Aug 3, 2025 in Indy, so sign up and get to actually play the game if you’re curious (but do it as soon as you can because Curseborne has been getting a lot of attention is almost completely SOLD OUT), and we’ll have books and screens for sale at the Studio 2 booth. Here’s the signup link:
https://www.gencon.com/events?c=indy2025&host=Onyx%20Path%20Publishing
Game Night With Onyx Path Publishing at StartPlaying is the this Friday the 25th! Come play some Essence that night! (But any of our game lines are welcome all day long!) And check out Travis’ listings above!
Here’s a link to give anyone $10 credit to play games on Start.Playing:
https://startplaying.games/referral/clog9y0v10006ju0968iev95m
Please spread the word about GMing games as much as possible! Details on how list a game are at the bottom of the page in the FAQ:
https://startplaying.games/event/game-night-onyx-path
Project Status Updates!
Our full list of projects will be available monthly on our blog! Check out June’s full list report here: https://theonyxpath.com/release-roundup-june-2025/
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY!
Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production:
FINAL DRAFT
The World Below – The World Below Delver’s Guide
- Let’s tease a little something from The Delver’s Guide… How about the upcoming Gen Master and Soulweaver Callings? Or the Nahal Dialectic? Or perhaps the underwater settlement of Hzetik? This book is going to be magnificent.
DEVELOPMENT
Curseborne – Toil and Trouble: Curseborne Player’s Guide
- Even though our freelancers are trading horror stories of losing drafts (“and then Dropbox didn’t sync! OooOOOooOO!”), we have everything in, so we’re moving ahead to development!
POST-EDITING DEVELOPMENT
Curseborne – Curseborne Jumpstart
- The Curseborne Jumpstart is back from editing, and I’m looking forward to diving into it!
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
In Art Direction
- Ex3 Alchemicals – Sketches for the fulls sent to devs.
- Ex 3 Sidereals Companion – Working up art buy.
- Curseborne – Getting last art bits done… starting on laying some sections out.
- Curseborne PG KS – Pinging various artists…
- SCION Dragon Companion – Still awaiting the last finals.
- SCION Rock Gods – Still awaiting the last finals.
- At The Gates – Dealing with Map and other stuff.
- SPU Core Manual – contracting time…
- TWB Underworld Adventures – Contracting.
- Monster Kingdoms – Contracting out crowdfunding artwork and looking for a font for Kingdoms.
Layout
- TC Aether Screen – Adding last bits to booklet and then send out to press.
- Pugmire 2e Screen
- World Below Screen
- TC Aether Jumpstart – Assets with Ron Thompson.
- TC Anima AR
- Ex3 Miracles of the Divine Flame – Finishing up layout and straightening out map b.s..
- TCPG Wallpaper
- Branch Riders – Ron Thompson doing templates/format.
Proofing
Indexing
At Press
- Ex 3 Exigents – Quoting.
- Ex 3 Exigents Screen – At Studio 2
- Ex 3 Sidereals – Quoting.
- TC Aether – In the states… at Customs.
- Scion: God – In the states… at Customs.
- SCION God Storyguide Screen – Quoting.
- Scion God Mobile Wallpaper – Out to backers this week.
- Realms of Pugmire Wallpaper – Going out to backers.
- Realms of Pugmire Mobile Wallpaper – Going out to backers.
- Curious Cats of Mau Wallpaper – Going out to backers.
- Ex3 Abyssals – Prepping PoD.
- Mythic Shards Ref Booklet – Prepping PoD.
- Exalted Essence Novella Omnibus – Prepping PoD.
- Lore of the Traditions Mobile Wallpaper for sale this Weds on DTRPG!
- Curious Cats of Mau – PDF and PoD versions for sale this Weds on DTRPG!
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
1969 – Apollo program: At 02:56 UTC, astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. I stayed up way past my bedtime to see this special broadcast on our small b&w TV (following a showing of Jerry Lewis’s The Nutty Professor). A lot of folks have theories on the reality of what we saw that night, and we’ve added layers of myth to the event, even in Changeling: The Dreaming, but the reality of it or not doesn’t change the drive and energy that empowered people for a good long time afterwards. If we can put a man on the moon, we can….
I didn’t back this campaign because I am not interested in Pugmire, but I will say that the main reason I back Onyx Path crowd funding projects is because it’s the only way to get a traditionally printed book and I value those much more highly than PoD books. I have backed some projects at PDF-only level if I didn’t want the physical book regardless (ie, the Exalted 3e books, because I find the physical books too expensive, I don’t like the deluxe covers, and I prefer Essence, so I just want the PDFs of the 3e books as world-building information) and I might continue to do that for projects I want that are PDF and PoD only. But not having a traditionally printed books means I’m also just as likely to wait and get the book + PDF from DTRPG some day down the line when I really want them rather than feeling like I need to get in on the crowd funding.
Thanks! Really appreciate your thoughts here. For you, is there any value to participating in a PDF/PoD-only campaign because a)as a backer you’ll get the PDF and PoD links earlier than the general public, b) as a backer you get access to extra material via Stretch Goals, and/or c) as a backer the cost is less than buying it later?
There is value to all of those things for sure. It will be more or less valuable depending on my level of excitement for a project. But the truth is that the delay between an OPP crowd funding campaign finishing and getting even the final PDFs is so long *and* the delay between backers getting the final PDFs and them going on sale to the public is so short (what is it, 1-3 days between backers getting their final PDFs and them going up on DTRPG?) that I’m not sure how much value there is in that aspect.
I used to want the manuscripts and PDFs as early as possible, but these days, I don’t read them at all until the final PDF is released.
Getting extra stretch goal PDFs for free is a good value, if there are a decent amount that get unlocked or if the companion book gets built up enough. But if it’s just a quick start or a collection of characters, it’s worth much less to me.
But if the only way I can get a traditionally printed copy of the book is to crowd find, I will make it happen one way or another (sometimes with a small pledge during the campaign and upping it in the pledge manager later, if I’m short on funds).
That felt rambly. I hope that helps.
Once again, thanks for taking the time and effort to get your thoughts down. We really do appreciate it!
Just a quick thank you for advertising the sales at DTRPG, as I was able to get the 5th Ed of Werewolf the Apocalypse for a fraction of its normal cost. I probably wouldn’t have gotten into the 5th Editions at all, but you put out the first several books for VtM5 and they were all excellent!
No problem! Glad you found it at discount, even though we had nothing to do with that book, but super glad you liked our earlier V5 efforts. We think they were great, too!