Hard to believe, but the crowdfunder for Pugmire Unleashed is now in its Final Days! Now more than ever we need to stay focused, on target, and get the word out to everybody we can! Let’s pop over the 300% funded milestone and be Good Dogs and Excellent Cats!

I also get a big kick out of that illustration above, as those monsters are based on my art in Threats and Curs, the Realms of Pugmire monster manual (which is also available as PDF and PoD versions on the crowdfunder)! It’s so cool to see them re-imagined in color! Plus, this is a great reminder that not only are there bonus add-ons to the main Pugmire Unleashed book, but that backers gain Stretch goals that you can’t get along with the book once it goes into public release!

And speaking of Stretch Goals, here’s Eddy with his final message before the campaign is over:

We’re in the final stretch for Pugmire Unleashed! That’s close to 300% funded, but we still have more potential stretch goals to unlock, so get in while you can. Speaking on stretch goals, one of them was a new appendix allowing people to roll characters up using the new material. Here’s a sneak peek at a couple of those tables!

Species (1d20)

First things first, choose which species appeals to you. If you can’t decide, roll 1d20 and use the table below.

1-6. Dog. Go to the Dog Templates section.

7-9. Cat. Go to Curious Cats of Mau, pp. XX-XX, and use those templates. If you don’t have access to that book, use the material in Realms of Pugmire, pp. 215-218 to make a custom character, roll again, or choose dog.

10-12. Rodent. Use the material in Realms of Pugmire, pp. 218-220 to make a custom character, roll again, or choose dog. (Rodents may receive their own supplement in future. If they do, and you have access to that book, you can use that instead of the material in Realms of Pugmire.)

13-14. Badger. Go to the Badger Templates section and start with step A (Upbringings).

15-16. Bird. Go to the Bird Templates section and start with step A (Upbringings).

17-18. Lagomorph. Go to the Lagomorph Templates section and start with step A (Upbringings).

19-20. Reptile. Go to the Reptile Templates section and start with step A (Upbringings).

Dog Templates

Follow the instructions below, starting with step A.

[skipping steps A-C for this preview…]

D) Background (1d20)

For background, you can pick one from the options provided below, or roll 1d20.

1. Acolyte. Write down the skills Know Religion and Sense Motive. Add a prayer mat and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Acolyte of Man. Go to step E (Calling).

2. Common Folk. Write down the skills Handle Animal and Survive. Add a cooking pot and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Folk Hero. Go to step E (Calling).

3. Crafter. Write down the skills Notice and Search. Add a tool related to your craft and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Patron of the Arts. Go to step E (Calling).

4. Criminal. Write down the skills Bluff and Sneak. Add a crowbar and dark common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Friends in Low Places. Go to step E (Calling).

5. Diplomat. Write down the skills Know Culture and Sense Motive. Add an official symbol of authority and fine clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Strange Bedfellows. Go to step E (Calling).

6. Entertainer. Write down the skills Perform and Persuade. Add a tool needed for your performances and festive clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Superstar. Go to step E (Calling).

7. Free Dog. Write down the skills Know Nature and Survive. Add a bedroll and worn common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Respected by Strays. Go to step E (Calling).

8. Marine. Write down the skills Intimidate and Sense Motive. Add an official writ granting permission to patrol the seas and fine clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Seafarer. Go to step E (Calling).

9. Medic. Write down the skills Heal and Know Nature. Add some medical supplies and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Bedside Manner. Go to step E (Calling).

10. Merchant. Write down the skills Bluff and Sense Motive. Add a set of scales and fine clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “some coins,” and add the trick Customer Base. Go to step E (Calling).

11. Noble. Write down the skills Know History and Persuade. Add a signet ring and fine clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “many coins,” and add the trick Good Breeding. Go to step E (Calling).

12. Sage. Write down the skills Know Arcana and Know History. Add a magnifying glass and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Nearby Expert. Go to step E (Calling).

13. Sailor. Write down the skills Know Nature and Survive. Add a map and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Seafearer. Go to step E (Calling).

14. Soldier. Write down the skills Intimidate and Traverse. Add an insignia of rank and common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Rank Has Its Privileges. Go to step E (Calling).

15. Watcher. Write down the skills Notice and Sneak. Add a map and dark common clothes to your rucksack. On the plastic track, mark off “a few coins,” and add the trick Web of Informants. Go to step E (Calling).

16. You are a citizen of the streets. Choose or roll 1d6 to determine if you are a Criminal (1-2), an Entertainer (3-4), or a Watcher (5-6), and copy the information from the relevant entry above. Go to step E (Calling).

17. You are a commoner. Choose or roll 1d6 to determine if you are Common Folk (1-2), a Crafter (3-4), or a Soldier (5-6), and copy the information from the relevant entry above. Go to step E (Calling).

18. You are an intellectual. Choose or roll 1d6 to determine if you are an Acolyte (1-2), a Medic (3-4), or a Sage (5-6), and copy the information from the relevant entry above. Go to step E (Calling).

19. You are a traveler. Choose or roll 1d6 to determine if you are a Free Dog (1-2), a Marine (3-4), or a Sailor (5-6), and copy the information from the relevant entry above. Go to step E (Calling).

20. You are upper class. Choose or roll 1d6 to determine if you are a Diplomat (1-2), a Merchant (3-4), or a Noble (5-6), and copy the information from the relevant entry above. Go to step E (Calling).

Thanks, Eddy! This whole crowdfunder has very much been an experiment for us, and we’re all incredibly excited to see how it all turns out on Thursday!

Irregardless, Curseborne is great, as the cursed intended! Needless to say, I had the last laugh.

That’s the result of a sort of round-robin during our meeting today as we searched for the best all-purpose answer to professional questions. YMMV.

The Community Content Fiction Contest is moving past the submissions phase and into judging – good luck to all the talented writers who entered!

Here is an extremely related and more detailed note from Travis:

The OPP Con 2025 Fiction Contest entry window has ended! All entries needed to be put up for sale by July 10th, with today as a deadline to submit your entry via the form at https://theonyxpath.com/oppcon-fiction-contest-part-2/.

This week I will be verifying the submissions and constructing a voting form, which will be posted on our website and shared on our social media and discord. Voting will remain open for one week from the day the form is posted and we will announce the winners on the following Monday Meeting Notes.

Thank you so much everyone who submitted a story! I look forward to seeing how this all shakes out! In the meantime be sure to promote your stories on your social media and in the appropriate channels on the Onyx Path Publishing discord!

Again, good luck to everybody who wrote up a storm and posted your stories!

As always, in the MM we covered what sales are running this next week, which are covered in our respective Sales Partners sections down below, but which include these new options:

Coming soon on DTRPG, the CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE!

Humble Bundle is still going strong with all sorts of great games – ours and other companies’: https://www.humblebundle.com/books/roll-big-or-go-home-rpg-megabundle-books

And the Scarred Lands Fantatical Bundle has less than 5 days to go:

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

We also have a bunch of new Curseborne news, starting with this announcement that we’ll follow up with more official language: we have signed the deal for a Spanish Language translation of Curseborne via the great folks at Cursed Ink!

Here’s the link they’d like to share (in Spanish): https://www.cursedink.es/2025/07/09/11099/

And also their social link: @cursedink.bsky.social

We have several other translation partners we are working out CB deals with for other languages, but Cursed Ink was the first to finalize, so they get the spotlight this week! With more to come as they develop their translation, I’m sure – so more news as we have it!

Yep, folks are reading and playing Curseborne all over the world now, sharing their excitement and ideas. We’re thrilled that so many returning fans are getting wrapped up in our return to horror gaming, and we’re equally thrilled to introduce new players to it!

Here’s an example from Kim Godwin, who ran an extremely awesome CB game in Japan at KaijuCon!

Hello!

I just got back from Nagoya, Japan where I was running my Curseborne scenario “Like Scattered Leaves” for a group at Kaijucon put on by the indie ttrpg company, Sons of the Singularity on Saturday. (https://sonsofthesingularity.com/kaijucon/)

This scenario was unique in a couple of ways: this was the first time anyone out here in Japan had even heard of Curseborne, though some of them had heard of Scion and They Came From the RPG Anthology (they had a copy) and this was a very tactile game with heavy props. I’ve been blogging about the development progress on my tumblr blog (https://www.tumblr.com/blog/studiohnh) for the past couple of weeks but I wanted to feature how Storyguides could use https://painful.love as an adversary in their games and use modern technology to make the experience more immersive.

This was the pitch I sent the organizers to advertise the game:

“Scenario name: Like Scattered Leaves
System: Curseborne

Language: English

GM: Kimberly Godwin Scenario pitch : Your little sister has gone missing after visiting a strange website called painful.love. You know the site is more than what it seems and people are dying to discover the truth. Can you find your sister before it’s too late? You are Accursed, people who have been cursed with supernatural powers and magic but afflicts you with a damnation that reminds you that you are no longer an ordinary human. Play as a Hungry (Vampire), a Dead (Ghost possessing your own body), a Primal (a werewolf), a Sorcerer, and an Outcast (Demon) as you work together to investigate your sister’s disappearance and the mysterious website that seems to haunt all those who visit.”

This was a lot of work to set-up, I coded painful.love and hid secrets and easter eggs all over the site during the Curseborne crowdfunding. I bought a cheap Japanese laptop and set it up with context clues about the owner – the background, stickers on the back of the laptop, google skin, spotify favorites, browsing history, reddit, gmail, and instagram accounts were all made or selected specifically for this. I made a journal with multiple journal entries in character. I went and grabbed a full outfit with shoes from a thrift store. There was a make-up bag and make-up. There were also 2 different types of cologne / perfume to add another layer of senses. And 3 songs original for this scenario. I also got a commission of an important encounter done just in time for the convention.

It’s always a concern at a convention if you’ll get enough players and interest with a new game, especially one in pre-release in a foreign country. I actually had a full table with more people interested in jumping in. And even before the convention people were asking me a lot of questions about it.

It was a wonderful experience! My players were fully committed to roleplaying and actually solving every single puzzle. They went deep into the investigation, digging into every single clue to the point of even trying to analyze the writing on the make-up for almost the full three hours and wanted to have more. They had a blast and I got a lot of compliments. They called this an “Escape Room ttrpg”. I was complimented by the organizers who said it was the most memorable game at the convention which is just amazing to me with so many great games being run and stories being told all day. I’ve been invited back and asked if I could run this again for the Tokyo TTRPG group. It’s always a blast to run a game in a different way. I’m a big fan of physical props so I’m happy everyone committed to the bit and went through everything, so I didn’t feel like I overdid it, from the reception, it almost felt like I could’ve done more if I hadn’t run out of time.

I answered even more questions about the unsolved mysteries of the game, so I might need to adjust this scenario to have less clues or to be more of a proper campaign. I look forward to refining this scenario and running more games in the future. I also got a chance to play some wonderful Call of Cthulhu, Sutra of the Pale Leaves with the scenario writer during the convention.

The name of the artist for the computer monitor in the attic is Slobodan Jovanovic. Attached are pictures of my player handouts – tarot cards, character sheets and write-up, and the original art I had commissioned for this scenario. And many of my physical props.

Sounds like a fantastic experience and a very fun convention overall! Thanks, Kim, those hand-outs and all the prep you did are extraordinary – but really seem to have paid off in player enjoyment!

No sneak peeks at Monster Kingdoms heraldry this week, as we had a long meeting going over the art needs for the crowdfunder and that ate up my “get a graphic ready for the blog” time! There’s planning, and then there’s doing, and both are important as we ramp up a crowdfunding campaign – but hopefully I’ll have new visual candies for next week!

Until then, thanks for reading, thanks for playing, thanks for contributing, and thanks for everything you do that makes us love creating:

Many Worlds, One Path!

Blurbs!

Crowdfunding!

LAST DAYS on Backerkit: Pugmire Unleashed!…

Funded in a day, almost 300% funded now, and scampering through Stretch Goals! Ends on Thursday the 18th!

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

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 Pugmire Unleashed and Exalted: Essence! Check it out right here: https://youtu.be/iQap6y3Rga4

On The Gentleman Gamer‘s YouTube channel, we find out about the Zeds in Curseborne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aqfyovFWzQ

The Gentleman Gamer also 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://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTQQTnW1ODiDl7tFgH-qig9tZDlJ4O_nT&si=V08vqI6I4bxFP1B5

We have a Pugmire Unleashed AP Session Zero up here: https://youtu.be/H4ZCQk8HT30

Session One of the Pugmire Unleashed AP is set to go live on Monday at 10:30 AM EDT at https://youtu.be/QjLxU5UOChA

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!

Keep an eye out for the famous Christmas In July Sale – coming soon!

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 final PDF and PoD for the Scion Tasty Bits Compilation! All the Scion Tasty Bits from 2021 and 2022 combined into a single volume for your convenience and enjoyment! Coming your way on Weds on DTRPG!

We also are offering the awe-inspiring Scion God Wallpaper on DTRPG this Weds!

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 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:

REDLINES

The World Below – The World Below Delver’s Guide

I’m currently in the midst of redlining a glorious section on how to build your own settlement, complete with name generators, environmental features, dangers, and more! This book’s going to be a lot of fun.

The World Below – Secrets of Kalm and Kaos: The World Below Storyguide’s Handbook

Don’t be mistaken into thinking the Delver’s Guide will be the only one with new playable options. I’m reading some from Secrets of Kalm and Kaos and they’re delightfully horrible. But delightful too.

DEVELOPMENT

Curseborne – Accursed Adventure Supplement

Now to tie the three adventures together (for those who want linkage) while making them strong enough to stand alone!

POST-APPROVAL DEVELOPMENT

Curseborne – Curseborne Fiction Anthology

The anthology came in, and the stories look fantastic! Just a few notes to get it into exactly the right shape sent back, but we’re hoping it’ll knock your socks off!

EDITING

Earthbane – Monster Kingdoms

Farewell, my beloved Gewinn, as you sail into the waiting hands of Lady Dixie and her editing magic…

Curseborne – Curseborne Antagonist – Weeping Scars (Aug 2025 Tasty Bit)

Have you ever seen a scar weep? it’s an unpleasant sight. And smell. And it’s even worse when you get stuck in one.

POST-EDITING DEVELOPMENT

Exalted – The Exalted Essence Player’s Guide

This came back from editing and has been handled over to the development team, who will no doubt eagerly review each painstaking edit!

ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!

In Art Direction

Ex3 Alchemicals – should be rolling along with Navella.
Ex3 Exigents Champions of the Divine Flame – Should be rolling along with HIVE.
Curseborne – Doing a get together with Maria to get the final art push done.
Curseborne PG KS – Working on getting art and art notes for it.
SCION Dragon Companion – Still awaiting all finals.
SCION Rock Gods – Still awaiting all finals.
At The Gates – Getting the map done.
Monster Kingdoms – Art mind meld to get ready for the crowdfunder.
Branch Riders – Gathering up assets so it can get started in layout.
Pugmire 2e Unleashed – Ending on Thursday.

Layout

TC Aether Screen – Got quotes. knocking it out real quick.
Pugmire 2e Screen
World Below Screen
TC Aether Jumpstart
TC Anima AR
Ex3 Miracles of the Divine Flame – still working…
TCPG Wallpaper – I’ll have that ready to roll out this week.

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.
Lore of the Traditions Mobile Wallpaper – Out to backers.
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 – Doing up errata.
Curious Cats – Errata incorporation.
Mythic Shards Ref Booklet – Going out to backers.
Exalted Essence Novella Omnibus – Prepping PoD.
Scion God Wallpaper – Files out this week on DTRPG!
Scion Tasty Bit Compliation – PDF and PoD versions out this week on DTRPG!

Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

Some Tasty Bits from history that happened on this date: 1789 – Storming of the Bastille in Paris. This event escalates the widespread discontent into the French Revolution. 1874 – The Chicago Fire of 1874 burns down 47 acres of the city, destroying 812 buildings, killing 20, and resulting in the fire insurance industry demanding municipal reforms from Chicago’s city council. 1881 – American outlaw Billy the Kid is shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in the Maxwell House at Fort Sumner, New Mexico. 1902 – Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovers Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. 1943 – In Diamond, Missouri, the George Washington Carver National Monument becomes the first United States National Monument in honor of an African American. 1965 – Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet. The photographs take approximately six hours to be transmitted back to Earth. 1983 – Mario Bros. is released in Japan, beginning the popular Super Mario Bros franchise. 2015 – NASA’s New Horizons probe performs the first flyby of Pluto, and thus completes the initial survey of the Solar System. There was also a bunch of Hitler stuff, but that didn’t seem worth putting up here.

Stay On Target…[Monday Meeting Notes]