Actually, thinking about today’s headline, that’s two separate things we do. The putting our work into a store for y’all to buy, that’s one bit of what we do here at Onyx Path overall. We have a whole lot of examples of that process in the rest of the blog down below, including links to our storefronts.
What I’m really going to go into here, is the second part: the idea of a workshop. Or even more accurately, the work-shopping process as we’ve recently applied it to Curseborne specifically.
You’ve probably heard about this in limited form when we’ve talked about our game creation process in the past: “all of writers got together and ran ideas past each other”, “the team did a bunch of meetings to brainstorm the important parts of the game”, “we sent the art to the devs to go over it before sending to the licensor for approval”. Those are all sections of our overall process that involve a lot of feedback from a bunch of different interested parties; all with the intention of taking a lot of ideas and using those to improve the final creation.
Thinking about it, playtesting is another form of workshopping. And like playtesting, the use of workshopping for most projects is during a very specific stage of the project. That helps keep the input and focus on that stage and is therefore manageable by the creators. Bopping back and forth and all around to tweak and make changes can be exhausting for creators, especially the bigger the project is. So, normally, we do it in places where it bests assists the project, and best allows the creators to think through the ramifications of the change, or new direction, or whatever.
At least, that’s the way our bandwidth has allowed us to use workshopping, up until Curseborne.
With Curseborne we knew we had some big challenges right from the get-go: the first book for a brand new horror TTRPG brand, but one where we wanted (and needed) to create things beyond what all of us who worked in our two licensed horror IPs had done before. Not because those things were bad in any way, but because we weren’t writing a game in 1991, or 2001, or even 2011 – we were creating a game that we wanted to be inviting to those folks who enjoyed our previous work, but that was about living our unlives today. That resonated with people who had seen an explosion of different kinds of horror media – old fans and new folks.
Then there was the scope of the project. Most of the “inner circle” (which changed over the time we worked on the project, but nevermind that) agreed that they wanted to present the PC splats all in the main book. That’s such a big ask that I can only say that I was leery of it logistically really until by going back and forth in a whole bunch of meetings we realized that if we focused on the initial, “what happened to me and how do I survive the night?” themes and power-levels that the array of supernatural types and their history, and lore, and abilities, became manageable.
Because again, we had always worked on a single type of supernatural at a time. Doing Curseborne all-in-one called for a different process than we would do on a single supernatural type book where all involved had a single archetype to stay focused on. We just couldn’t do it that way, but needed a process that maximized creativity and where we accepted, albeit grudgingly sometimes, that we would refine and hone those big initial ideas – and second-guess all of our well-earned horror game creator assumptions.
Which gave us this “workshopping” process that was inspired by improv or theatre where you can adjust between skits or from one evening to the next. “Inspired by” is the best we can do, though, because it’s not a simple port into our medium. It requires a willingness to keep at it, to try and improve the material each step along the way (which we always try to do), but also to go back and change things over and over again.
And that is freaking exhausting, frankly. It took us years to get the game pulled together and honed; sacred cows were sent to their final rewards by the truckload. And whatever was connected to that part of the text also had to be changed, modified, fixed, or also booted out the door. Then apply the same workshopping spirit to the illustrations, the graphic design, the marketing. Every single phase had creators involved that collaborated on and workshopped the pieces they were working on. All to get us to the Kickstarter reveal, and to move to the next phase: the one that is most like improv or theatre. The one where our audience “indicates their preferences”.
(I’m keeping this to the big picture generalities in the interest of space: there are going to be a lot more specifics in the Making Of Curseborne book when it comes out).
With most KSs we expect errata, pings and tweaks to fine-tune a book, but there’s a limit to what sort of changes we can indulge in. Making major changes based on KS feedback has proven to be a bad thing in the past in a variety of ways. But with Curseborne, we knew that the material had to resonate with our audience. If something that was in the KS didn’t, if it stood in the way of getting folks engaged, we needed to be open to really continuing the workshopping process after seeing “how the audience reacted”.
Obviously, there were outliers. If a reader wanted to know how to port in their favorite Malkavian from years back, that wasn’t something the book could directly address. But providing enough thematic connection for the feeling that this player had while playing their favorite character, that was something we could make sure felt right to that player. After all, there are sometimes things that people put on input or errata sheets that just are not what we’re creating. But mostly, the comments allowed us to perceive where a bit more fine-tuning could help engross our audience and so we concentrated on staying fresh even after months/years with a topic, theme, ability, or piece of lore.
Which was then followed by the errata process for the Backer PDF. It was there where we could judge whether our “script and performance changes” had provided the audience with an experience that hewed closer to our intentions. Right now, today, it really seems like it has – and we’re so thrilled to hear folks really engaged with the game world. It was A LOT to get to this stage, and we’re glad that we don’t have to go through the same grueling process on every project, but we’re also really glad that we pushed as hard as we did!
If, this idea of helping us fine-tune our books has inspired you, then just a warning that you can still hand in your thoughts for the Curseborne Player’s Guide up until this coming Friday – now’s your chance!
Some Shop-Working Here:
We announced the Monarchies of Mau Bundle of Holding deal last week and it’s still going! Check it out for incredible bundles of Pugmire projects – including physical books:
https://bundleofholding.com/presents/Monarchies
Speaking of Realms of Pugmire, the Teach Your Kids to Game sale at DTRPG has tons of Pugmire PDFs on sale!
DTRPG has also gone fully active with their physical book offerings from various publishers, including Onyx Path. You might remember my mentioning that we were in the alpha-test a few months ago. So now, for selected books, you can order traditionally printed copies on the same DTRPG page as the PDFs and PoDs! Pretty convenient!
Big news is that we’re ending our crowdfunding year with the Exalted Infernals campaign on BackerKit, which could be starting as early as next Tuesday the 18th! Still a few details that need to be put in place, but here’s a link to the pre-campaign sign-up sheet: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/13111d66-b3cd-4af1-8981-a1857089de78/landing
Please do sign up, if you can, as BackerKit needs to see that there’s an excited group of backers out there, apparently they don’t know y’all! I’m also hoping to be able to give folks good news by this time next week, for absolutely sure, about how we’ll be getting the traditional and deluxe books printed and shipped!
With all this crowdfunding talk, here’s Travis to let you know all about the exciting last week of his Scarred Lands Savage Worlds Kickstarter:
We are entering the final days of the Scarred Lands Player’s Guide for Savage Worlds Kickstarter! The campaign ends at 2PM EST on Saturday, November 15th! As of this writing, we’ve raised over 320% of our initial goal, and unlocked five Stretch Goals! This will permit us to not only fund the Player’s Guide, but to create cards detailing new Edges and Powers, adapt multiple adventures from 3.5 and 5e to Savage Worlds, and create a T-Shirt for the campaign! It’s been a wild month and seeing the interest in this Kickstarter carry through the previous days has been exhilarating! Even though the end is drawing near, we’re keeping the momentum going with several events.
On Thursday at 1 PM EST I’ll be running the final installment of Scarred Lands: Cities in Dust over at Dork Tales (https://www.twitch.tv/dorktales)! When we left our party they’d just discovered the lair of the Dustwrack dragon! Will they survive their encounter with this creature of legend? Tune in to find out!
On Friday at 2 PM EST Alain Giorla will return to the Onyx Path Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/theonyxpath for Scarred Lands: Hammer and Blood in which his band of adventurers continue their quest to fight against tainted creatures in the Titanshome mountains!
Stop by these games and see the Scarred Lands Savage Worlds system in action!
On Friday at 7 PM Eastern I will be on the Savage Universe stream, broadcast live at The Pinnacle Entertainment Group YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Peginc and Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/peginc where I’ll be talking with J-M Defoggi a few other ACES publishers who have active Kickstarters in a roundtable interview! If you have any questions about Scarred Lands or Savage Worlds, you won’t want to miss this!
In closing, I’d like to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has supported the Scarred Lands Player’s Guide for Savage Worlds Kickstarter. Whether you’ve backed it financially or simply shared the link, you’ve helped bring us this far and I am incredibly grateful. If you haven’t had a chance to get involved yet, now’s the time! Help us bring the Scarred Lands to Savage Worlds! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/oando/scarred-lands-players-guide-for-savage-worlds
Whew! This was a big week for the blog text-wise! Lots to say, and lots more to still do! But that’s OK, some really awesome projects are allllmmmmoooost ready to move into your hands, and that’s a very good thing here, there, or on:
Many Worlds, One Path!
Blurbs!
Crowdfunding!
Coming in November: Exalted: Infernals!
Use this link to be sure you’re informed when the campaign goes live!
https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/13111d66-b3cd-4af1-8981-a1857089de78/landing
Onyx Path Media!
Check out our attached media schedule for the videos on our Twitch channel this week!
This week on the Onyx Path News, Matthew discusses the new Curseborne fiction anthology Accursed Tales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05QbDjIFN2k
Matthew (the Gentleman Gamer) has also made a video explaining a competition in which YOU could win a copy of The World Below: https://youtu.be/40v007iBxMg
Virtual Tabletop!
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
Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books, dice, and screens? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/
Some last chance/clearance titles at IPR:
https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Last-Chance/
As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles in PDF and PoD versions at DriveThruRPG.com!
Starting today! Teach Your Kids to Game starts today at DTRPG. Most of the Pugmire/Realm of Pugmire PDFs will be on sale.
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!
The Scion Dragon Companion streaks across the skies and sets the world alight with PDF and PoD versions on sale this Weds on DTRPG!
On Sale Last Week!
Accursed Tales, an anthology of horror short stories for Curseborne, spreads its delicious frights for all on DTRPG in PDF, PoD, and eBook versions!
Featuring authors: Richard Lee Byers, David Castro, Hiromi Cota, Joshua Alan Doetsch, Linda M. Evans, Kimberly Godwin, Michele Masala, Spider B. Perry, Lauren Roy, Monica Speca, Frances Stewart, Melissa Wong!
Conventions!
Here’s where you can find out more info on physical and virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!
Coming soon in November in Philly is PAX Unplugged, where we’ll be at the Studio 2 booth with books, screens, etc.
Game Night With Onyx Path Publishing at StartPlaying is the last Friday of every month and through that weekend! Come play some Curseborne that night! (But any of our game lines are welcome all weekend long!)
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 Octobers’ full list report here: https://theonyxpath.com/release-roundup-october-2025/
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY!
Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production:
Post-Editing Development
Curseborne – Curseborne Antagonist (Nov 2025 Tasty Bit) – Invader AND Curseborne Antagonist (Dec 2025 Tasty Bit)
- The November and December Tasty Bits are zooming through to get ready for layout. We’ll be ending the year on a high note!
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
In Art Direction
- Ex3 Infernals (BK) – all the final art should be in… wrapping up the graphics for the crowdfunder…
- Ex Essence PG – Getting art buy over to Eddy and probably gonna contract Gong to do the artwork.
- TCF the Danger Zone – Trying to wrap up contracting.
- Curseborne Accursed Adventures – Contracted.
- SCION Wargames – sketches reviewed and finals are in the works.
- SCION Gifts of the Titans – Getting art buy together and then contracting asap…
- Scion God Divine Inspiration – Contracting.
- Scion God Jumpstart – Contracting.
- Pugmire 2e Unleashed – Configuring art buy to get artnotes in progress.
- TWB Ed Greenwood Book – Configuring art buy.
Layout Queue
- Ex3 Alchemicals – Some tweaks being made to artwork.
- SPU Core Manual – Gonna get started on the layout…
- TC Anima AR – getting map info over to cartographer. Pretty sure we have all the other artwork.
- Heroes of Action and Wonder – With Ron Thompson.
Proofing Queue
- RoP fiction Omnibus
At Press
- TC Aeon Fiction Compilation – PoD proofs ordered.
- SCION God Player’s Guide – Errata input.
- Curseborne – Wrapping up the errata and getting the PoD process rolling.
- Branch Riders – PoD files uploaded.
- Scion Dragon Companion – PDF and PoD versions for sale Weds on DTRPG!
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
Ennio Morricone was born today in 1928 – an Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, trumpeter, and pianist who wrote music in a wide range of styles. With more than 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as more than 100 classical works, Morricone is widely considered one of the most prolific and greatest film composers of all time. His filmography includes more than 70 award-winning films, all of Sergio Leone’s films since A Fistful of Dollars, all of Giuseppe Tornatore’s films since Cinema Paradiso, La Cage aux Folles (1978), Le Professionnel (1981), The Thing (1982), and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989). He received the Academy Award for Best Original Score nominations for Days of Heaven (1978), The Mission (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Bugsy (1991), Lolita (1997), Malèna (2000) and The Hateful Eight (2015), winning for the last. He won the Academy Honorary Award in 2007. His score to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) is regarded as one of the most recognizable soundtracks in history. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. (I’m listening to his Best Of album as I write this blog).
Signed up for Infernals and eagerly waiting Curseborne. I missed the original Kickstarter, but got on the player’s guide and made sure the pledge for the corebook bundle.