The crowdfunding campaign for Pugmire Unleashed continues to waddle, trot, scamper, and prowl along, with us over 200% funded and having shot (or two) at a brace of Stretch Goals!

Hope you folks wondering about how we’ll be handling projects with all the economic “flux” going on checked out Eddy’s notes last week, as they go into a fair bit of detail on why this crowdfunder is set up the way it is! We’re going to continue to explore other options, but if you’re a backer who often pledges for a PDF, Pugmire Unleashed is the perfect opportunity with a discounted pledge amount that also enables you to pick up other PDFs along with the book itself!

Returning to non-economic thoughts, Eddy has this game-based note for this week:

Hope you enjoyed the look into badgers that Dixie gave everyone last week! This time around, I want to show off another piece that’s brand-new to Realms of Pugmire with this book. Enjoy creating new duck tales (woo ooo) within the Realms of Pugmire!

Duck

“Of all the unusual things I’ve seen on my travels, this may be the strangest. Stand behind me.”

— Galezien of the Screaming Blade

The far-traveling ducks are outsiders even among other birds. More comfortable in the wilderness than in the looming walls of civilization, they seek companionship among other travelers, and few have a permanent place to call home. While some follow regular migration routes through the wild places, many seek new sights, only feeling content in unfamiliar locations. They’re trained from a young age to take advantage of the terrain around them when roaming, and their cartographers’ maps are among the most detailed.

The narrow partial wings attached to ducks’ arms don’t bring them any closer to the sky, but they do grant them greater propulsion and mobility in the water. Many ducks also possess webbed feet, contributing to their comfort in watery environments. Ducks often serve as guides to other travelers, enjoying the opportunity to show off the valuable knowledge gained through their adventures.

Being the hardiest of birds, ducks are more likely to put themselves into physical peril over the course of their adventures. Many become raptors, as there’s often no other options for protection available when danger looms in the distant wilds. Others seek to uncover threats before they become a problem (augurs), but regardless of their calling, ducks wish to see new wonders and live to tell the tale.

Views on other nestes

•           Crows: I bring news from far away to add to your stores of lore. Perhaps you can help me make sense of what I’ve seen.

•           Parrots: You tell your story, then I’ll tell mine. Maybe you can give me some tips to liven it up a bit.

•           Sparrows: No matter how far you see from up there, you haven’t witnessed half of what I have. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for yours.

Character Creation

Attribute bonus: +2 to Vitality.

First trick: Trek.

Duck Tricks

Ducks are hardy, resilient birds. Many of their tricks rely on Vitality.

Strong Swimmer

The character has mastered aquatic environments, gaining a boon on Traverse checks when swimming. Their swimming speed is 20 feet more than their walking speed, and they may hold their breath for twice as long. Additionally, natural adaptations to acidic waters have rendered the character (though not their possessions) resistant to corrosive damage.

Trek

Ducks travel deep into the harshest environments, doubling their experience bonus when using the Traverse skill and maintaining their full speed even in water. They also add their experience bonus to their Vitality when determining how long they can hold their breath. Their insulating waterproof feathers render them ice resistant.

Can’t go wrong with Ducks in TRPGs! IMHO, of course!

F&@% those art m&##les!

Some strong feelings among our Monday Meeting crew about the use of generative AI in creative endeavors! It seems like we slid right through the “maybe this could be a good tool” phase right into the corporate exploitation phase, and I’m personally looking forward to when the usefulness doesn’t come at the cost of stealing the efforts of other creative folks.

Beyond that ethical determination, there was lots of stuff to catch up on (as every time one of us steps away for vacays or emergencies, the rest of us have to wear a few of their hats – like Dixie, who pinch hit with this blog last week: Thanks, Dixie!), but little we can really go into as a majority of it was bookkeeping. Strangely, the forward-facing conversation included tons of sales and offers all happening right now, like these:

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

The big Humble Bundle deal with a couple of our PDFs in the mix just launched:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/roll-big-or-go-home-rpg-megabundle-books

3 of our Core Rulebooks (They Came From Beneath the Sea!, Trinity Continuum Core, Scion: Origin) depending on which level of bundle you get. Plus, a ton of other companies’ excellent games!

The Scarred Lands Fantatical Bundle:

https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/scarred-lands-5th-edition-rpg-bundle

And last but not least, the Fantasy Grounds Summer Sale:

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/?search=Scarred+lands&pagesize=40&minDiscount=0.1&hidecore=0

Thanks to all you folks who answered our social media poll, we really appreciate you taking the time to help us out with understanding how and where our community (communities) interact online! We had a significant amount of responses from one of our newest social media venues, Bluesky, so here again I present Dixie’s blurb about that very place:

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 if I’m going to include social media blurbs and sales notices, well it’s only fair to let Travis have a moment to talk about a couple of initiatives he has going:

Dagger of Spiragos (SWADE) has been released in softcover POD and PDF at DriveThruRPG! This is the second adventure in the Spiragos trilogy and has been converted and reimagined for the Savage Worlds system! Dagger of Spiragos (SWADE) continues the adventure started with Gauntlet of Spiragos (SWADE) in which the heroes discover and must contend with a set of titanic artifacts belonging to Spiragos the Ambusher! As outside forces align to try to steal the relics for their own ends, the heroes are sent on a quest to gather the necessary materials to destroy the Ambusher’s weapon.

In addition to the adventure, Dagger of Spiragos (SWADE) includes detailed information about the city of Fangsfall and the Fangsfall Peninsula, over 60 new creatures and NPCs including a detailed write up of the Carnival of Shadows, with stats for several of the Carnival Krewe and their leader, master of Blood Bayou, the Jack of Tears! This book also contains recommended advances for the six ready-made characters presented in Gauntlet of Spiragos (SWADE)!

—

In community content news, Trinity Continuum: Bloody Boroughs is now available in softcover POD in addition to PDF! This community content collaboration for Trinity Continuum: Assassins details New York City in Shadow! Bloody Boroughs provides an overview of the major Shadow Societies in the city, introduces new minor Shadow Societies, and details Non-Grata — The Anathema Service.Ready to run black boxes, new gear and Masteries, and more!

And if you’d like to write a piece of short fiction involving Assassins in New York (or any other short story set in the games we publish) for the OPP Con Fiction Contest, you’ve got until July 10th to get your submission up on the Storypath Nexus! Full contest rules and details at https://theonyxpath.com/oppcon-fiction-contest

I’m glad Travis mentioned the Fiction Contest, as that’s such a great opportunity to get a bit of publicity out there for whatever entries you manage to get up on the Community Content sites! Every little bit of hoopla helps bring your writing to the attention of our community – where it belongs!

As for me, I came back to finalizing the layout for The Curious Cats of Mau sourcebook, and designed two new Callings symbols for the book, while pulling together my notes and sketches for Monster Kingdoms that I did on vacay. (For me, figuring out visual concepts for a new game IS vacation, so…).

Would you like a teaser of an in-progress design for the game world? OK, if you insist! This is in no way final, but it’s midway through an initial visual “trial balloon”. Not going to tell you what it is, I leave that to your imaginations:

Once I work out how this one works, like what amount of line to color to texture, etc, then I can continue with the other Kingdoms and the various splats (there are a lot), etc, all the while making sure they evoke the “monstrous” setting we’ve created. Still lots of fun visual decisions to be made!

But it’s great to be making stuff, which leads to you making stuff, which leads to all of our:

Many Worlds, One Path!

Blurbs!

Crowdfunding!

Currently running on Backerkit: Pugmire Unleashed!…

Funded in a day, over 200% funded now, and scampering through Stretch Goals!

Join us here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/onyx-path/pugmire-and-beyond-ttrpg-rulebook-tariff-free

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 Pugmire Unleashed and Curseborne! Check it out right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkkS21q8-fM

On The Gentleman Gamer’s YouTube channel, we dive into the latest manuscript update for Curseborne: https://youtu.be/mD1Bej73boc

Awkward GM Corbin continues his Curseborne campaign – Accursed in Boston – right here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTQQTnW1ODiDl7tFgH-qig9tZDlJ4O_nT&si=V08vqI6I4bxFP1B5

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

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!

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 we present the Advance PDF for the Scion Tasty Bit Compilation! We’ve gathered together all of the Scion Tasty Bits from the past coupla of years and combined them into a single volume for your convenience and enjoyment! Coming your way on 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 and is sure to sell out like happened at PAX Unplugged), 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 last Friday of every month! Come play some Essence that night! (But any of our game lines are welcome all day 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 May’s full list report here: https://theonyxpath.com/release-roundup-may-2025/

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY!

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

FINAL DRAFTS

Curseborne – Accursed Adventure Supplement

The Lethean Trilogy returns to its authors! I hope none of you have a fear of needles…

MANUSCRIPT APPROVAL

Curseborne – Curseborne Jumpstart

A full-featured jumpstart for Curseborne has synced up with everything else, and is now in hand for approval!

Storypath Ultra – SPU additional settings

The final two settings have been developed, and are now being reviewed for approval!

ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!

In Art Direction

Ex3 Alchemicals – Confirmed all with Navela and contract finalized. They are also gonna do up the cover dealie guy.
Curseborne – More revisions and finals sending around. Doing a final get together with Maria so she can handle any artist stuff while I’m out.
SCION Dragon Companion – Awaiting finals.
SCION Rock Gods – Sketches and color comps done… awaiting finals.
TC From the Shadows – ADing out this week. Gonna see if we can get DAC to do the halfs.
At The Gates – Getting the map contracted and other fun stuff.
SPU Core Manual – Contracting time.
Pugmire 2e Unleashed – Ongoing.

Layout

TC Aether Screen – Knocking this out Monday or Tuesday… depending on the time I have.
Pugmire 2e Screen
World Below Screen
Essence Novella Omnibus – Travis, to you on Monday morning swearsies.
TC Aether Jumpstart
TC Anima AR
Mythic Shards Ref Booklet
TCPG Wallpaper – I’ll have that ready to roll out Monday.
Ex3 Miracles of the Divine Flame – still working… other things came up. Also the map continues to bedevil Navella.

Proofing

Indexing

At Press

Ex 3 Exigents – Quoting.
Ex 3 Exigents Screen – At Studio 2
Ex 3 Sidereals – Quoting.
TC Aether – In the states… on the way to the warehouse.
Scion: God – In the states… on the way to the warehouse.
SCION God Storyguide Screen – Quoting.
Scion God Wallpaper – Going out to backers.
Realms of Pugmire Wallpaper – Going out to backers.
Ex3 Abyssals – Devs going through errata.
Curious Cats – PDF prepping for backers this week.
TC Aegis
Lore of the Traditions Mobile Wallpaper – Will go out this week.
TC Anima Mobile Wallpaper – Out this week.
Scion Tasty Bit Compilation – Advance PDF on sale DTRPG this Wednesday!

Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

Tomorrow is July 1st, which is one of my kids’ birthdays, and Friday is the 4th, which is another of my kids’ birthdays. The 4th is also the famous American holiday of the 4th of July. We celebrate all of them, and watch 1776 the movie, so here’s hoping you also can find something to celebrate this week as we all comfort our terrified pooches!

Ready To UNLEASH July! [Monday Meeting Notes]