We’re not quite two weeks into our Exalted: Abyssals crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo, and while we are burning through the Stretch Goals, we’d sure like to do more! So if you can take the time to check out the campaign and pledge, all of the minions of the Underworld would be eternally gratefully.
Like, literally eternally. 🙂
In fact, here’s a handy link they’ve forged out of Soulsteel: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/abyssals-sworn-to-the-grave-for-exalted-3e/x/25772954#/
Now, if you are wondering just who these Abyssals are anyway, let’s just say that when we first created Exalted a loooong time ago, the Abyssals were the counter to the Solars – the Solars being the default character type in Exalted.
Creatures of darkness instead of blessed by the Sun, the Abyssals were the “black mirror” to the Solars, and we went all out with a kind of baroque horror vibe for them. Geoff Grabowski was a huge Wraith: The Oblivion fan, so the written material quadrupled down on those sorts of themes, and the concept art was by and large completely created by White Wolf‘s original visual maestro of the macabre, Josh Timbrook.
So bones and skulls and chains and cleavers and bloodstains and black velvet/lace and black eyeshadow. Candles in ornate black iron and silver candelabras and skull lanterns. In a lot of ways, they were the uber-goths.
That being said, even by the time the first Abyssals “fat splat” came out, there were changes to those original themes and designs. Different creators added their talent to the mix, enriching and giving a greater depth to the way we dialed everything to 11. Second edition added more, if only by showing the dead and the Abyssals in action in the comics that opened each chapter!
Now here we are creating this Abyssals “fat splat”, this one for Exalted 3rd Edition, and our team has the advantage of being able to look back over two earlier editions and decide on what works for 3rd Edition and what needs to be expanded on, or tweaked to make work in this edition being made now, not a decade or two in the past.
As fans, they are well situated to both love and be critical of past material. As creators in the 2020s, they are looking at some elements that haven’t aged well, and trying to find ways to still bring out what was cool about that stuff into this edition. There is an enormous amount of thought and discussion to every element of one of our Exalted 3rd projects – from the writing to the layout, art, and art direction, the various creators involved are constantly in communication.
We think that such creative communication is really important for Exalted, in particular, and that the results are well worth the extra time it takes to pull things together in this way. But don’t take my word for it, even a minimum pledge for the Abyssals crowdfunding will grant you the chance to review the nigh-completed text for the book itself – as we’ve done with our crowdfunding campaigns for many years now – and you can read for yourself how tightly and cleverly woven are the history, and background, and Charms, and Underworld geography, of the Deathlords and the Abyssal Exalted!
MEETING MEETING, WHO HAS THE MEETING?
If you are attending PAX Unplugged in Philly at the end of the week, please do stop by the Studio2 booth (#3222) where we’ll have an entire section manned by various Onyx Path and Studio2 folk. I’ll be popping in and out all Friday and would love to see you there!
So a fair bit of our discussions at the meeting today were looking at PAX and the logistics there, getting banners in place and all that. But PAX has also come to represent the last bit of official outreach we do during a year, as it is held in December.
Which leads us to get serious about wrapping up 2023 and ramping up for next year. I went from several meetings this week and next, to several a day! Part of that is because of PAX cutting a bunch of our “in the office” time short, but a lot is the same sort of thinking from our associates in the biz. So those meetings, plus Onyx Path planning meetings, and the knowledge that we do try and “close down” the last couple of weeks in Dec. means we’re jamming confabs in wherever we can!
(I use quotation marks because as a company we might be closed, but our creative teams are always working on stuff.)
“If you’re an accountant, account for yourself!” I’ve used that quote from The Producers every year with our business accountant – I’m sure he appreciates it. That’s one of the meetings we have each year in December – by December the accounting firm we use can be 99% sure of how things went for Onyx each year, and that’s kind of a good thing to know. Y’know?
We look back so we can anticipate what we can do going forward.
How did working with a new overseas printer for our traditionally printed books work out? Road-bumps identified and resolved? Costs as quoted and expected? (Things are looking good right now on this front, actually, with TC: Adventure! backer copies shipping already!) Now the next phase after reward fulfillment is to get them into stores! New books going out to retail is something we just couldn’t do until the printing/shipping issues were resolved.
Our interior production pipeline. How is that doing? This was a priority this year, and due to some rearranging of responsibilities and diligent efforts across the board, we’re seeing some serious results. But, also, a lot of room for improvement, and a whole ‘nother meeting on just this before the end of the year.
How are our various crowdfunding platforms doing? Have they stabilized? Have any of them had new ideas that maybe aren’t that good? For us and/or them? Yes, I think Onyx, at least, has a bunch of options and a strong idea of each platforms strengths and weaknesses after this last year. Or three. Which is a thousand times better than being shackled to a single platform, no matter how big, that can brew up internal decisions that maybe aren’t what we want.
That stability of options also lets us plan out our crowd funding campaigns more thoroughly as we look at 2024’s possible campaigns. We know our tentpoles for next year, those campaigns that are needed to support the efforts of a line. The start of a new game and the significant books of a line that we want to get into stores. These are our priorities. Then we can choose what else can be crowdfunded.
We touched on part of that with different campaigns this last year, like doing a traditional print for Titanomachy along with its sequel. Now with those campaigns to review, we can figure out which books and which platforms to use. Please give me a yell in the comments if there are any books you’d like to see get the crowdfunding treatment – do you want to see bookX in stores? Crowdfunding to create a boardgame for Y, or VTT sheets and game aides for Z? Let me know!
Because, you know, that X, Y, and Z, are just some of the many letters that go into our:
Many Worlds, One Path!
Blurbs!
Crowdfunding!
The Exalted: Abyssals Deluxe Edition campaign on IndieGoGo FUNDED IN 22 MINUTES! So far, we’re 371% funded and over 1200 backers and not yet two weeks in! Thanks to everybody who have backed so far!
Our backers have enabled us to build an Abyssals Companion supplement through Stretch Goals with sections unlocked so far including: new Underworld locations, an Underworld map, new Abyssals Charms and more Necromancy spells, an expanded section on Ghosts, Storytelling advice, Abyssals and Deathlord Quick Characters, and much more to come!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/abyssals-sworn-to-the-grave-for-exalted-3e/x/25772954#/
Onyx Path Media!
This week: Danielle and Eddy do a design diary about the Storypath Ultra system!
As always, this Friday’s Onyx Pathcast will be on Podbean or your favorite podcast venue!
Please check out our attached media schedule for the videos on our Twitch channel this week! In particular, keep those eyes open for our Storypath Showcase, where we give an excellent profile of our various Storypath games and how to play them!
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
The campaign may be over but the actual plays go on! Tune in to the final part of Dork Tales‘ actual play of The World Below and if you missed it, go all the way to the beginning and start there: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-FCFIq6NUSfYWVyES37n7P57g6GgjK6a
The Onyx Path News discusses recent and upcoming releases! You can find it on our YouTube channel (click the bell to be informed when we go live!) but if you missed the last episode, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBFt5zUgxlw
Virtual Tabletop!
New on the Roll20 Marketplace, it’s the Scarred Lands Creature Collection and Camp Murder Lake Tokens for Roll20 VTT play!
NEW!
They Came From Beneath the Sea! on Roll20 VTT!
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/bundle/22308/they-came-from-beneath-the-sea
Here are some more shots from the They Came From Beneath the Sea! Compendium!
And there’s also the Scion Jumpstart, all ready for Roll20 VTT fun!
More news and links when we have them!
The Scion: Origin and Scion Hero Compendiums are now available on Roll20!
https://marketplace.roll20.net/browse/publisher/1716/onyx-path-publishing
Scion is just the start! They Came From Beneath the Sea! and other
Onyx Path RPGs are in development for Roll20 virtual tabletop!
The first of our official Scion sheets designed for Foundry VTT are
now available!
Direct Link: https://foundryvtt.co
Looking for more virtual tabletop resources? We have a selection of
Tokens, Encounters, and more available now at DriveThruRPG!
Get ’em here: 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!
Come visit Studio2 and Onyx Path at their PAXUnplugged booth #3222 this coming Fri-Sun in Philly!
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 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale on DriveThruRPG,
DriveThruComics, DriveThruFiction, Storytellers Vault, and Roll20 ends Tuesday. We have most of our digital catalog on sale, plus some big bundle deals, too! Get your favorite core books for 80% off! ENDS TUESDAY!!
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).
Check out Melody Through the Mirrorshade Lens and Facets of Truth, as well as Trinity Continuum: Terat and The Hollow Courts on Kindle in the Kindle store!
On Sale This Week!
To celebrate the shipping of the crowdfunded traditionally printed copies of Trinity Continuum: Adventure! to backers, this month’s Tasty Bit is set in that game world! Enjoy the TC: Adventure! Laboratory mini-adventure and maps usable on physical and virtual tabletops!
We are also offering the gorgeous electronic wallpapers for: M20 Lore of the Traditions and TC: Adventure! this Weds on DTRPG!
Conventions!
As we are slowly returning to attending conventions in person after avoiding them during the COVID-19 outbreak, keep an eye out here for more physical and virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!
We’ll be part of the Studio 2 booth #3222 at PAX Unplugged this coming weekend! (December 1st – 3rd):
https://unplugged.paxsite.com/
Matthew Dawkins is one of the guests at Illusion Horror Con, a virtual gaming convention taking place from 1 to 3 December this year! Matthew will be running They Came From! and The World Below, and there are lots of other games available to play besides them! We’re also sponsoring this con and providing free PDFs as prizes for their competitions, so get involved!
If you want to sign up to play, head on over to Illusion Horror Con‘s website right here: https://www.theillusionhorrorcon.events/
Game Night With Onyx Path Publishing at StartPlaying will be the last Friday of the month! Come play some of our games, especially Exalted! (But any of our game lines are welcome all weekend long!)
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 October’s full list report here:
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY
Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production:
First Draft
Storypath – Storypath Ultra Core Manual
- Eddy: Our first steps into making a core manual for Storypath Ultra! A lot of this work is carefully going through our current set of Ultra rules to make sure they’re the absolute best they can be, as well as pulling material from a variety of books together into a cohesive whole. It’s very different from how we normally make books, but I think the end result will be very cool!
Development
TC Aegis – Aegis Atlas
- Eddy: The last of the distant map-makers have returned from their travels to present their findings, and now we will carefully review their reports to make sure they are accurate, novel, and exciting. (Or, if you prefer, all the final drafts are in!)
Post-Approval Development
Branch Riders – Branch Riders
- Eddy: After having a chance to see Branch Riders in action at Save Against Fear, Rich has given this the thumbs-up, so we’re off to the next stage of things!
Editing
Realms of Pugmire – Threats and Curs
- Eddy: I have carefully reviewed these, and it is now time to send the manuscript away to editing so I can stop looking at it for a while. Although I do actually have two chapters: one called “Threats” and one called “Curs,” so you definitely get what’s advertised!
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
In Art Direction
- Ex3 Abyssals (KS) – Going…
- Ex3 Many Faced Strangers – Finals off to devs for feedback.
- M20 Victorian Weird Wonders and Revolutionary Magic – Getting this rolling again.
- TC Player’s Guide – Artnotes in progress.
- TC Aether Jumpstart – Artnotes in progress.
In Layout
- Ex Essence Charm Cards – Sending those on over Dixie’s way this week.
- TC Anima Terra Surge Screen – Working.
- SCION Once and Future – This too, too.
Proofing
- Ex3 Across the 8 Directions – I need map approvals/feedback and the completed Incopy files this week… we still have an internal proof and Paradox proofing to get through.
- Ex3 Exigents – Incorporating corrections and prepping for final proof with MK.
Indexing
- They Came From the Cyclops’s Cave
At Press
- TC Adventure – Backer copies going out!
- TC Adventure Screen and Booklet
- W20 Apocalyptic Record – Printing, expecting publisher copies this week.
- W20 Apocalyptic Record Screen & Booklet
- Exalted Essence – Still prepping press files… need to get the final print #s.
- Ex Essence Screen
- M20 Lore of the Traditions – Interior press files ready to go.
- Ex3 Crucible of Legends VTT Tokens
- W20 Icons of Rage – Backer PDF out to KS backers.
- Scion CC Guide
- They Came From CLASSIFIED! – Backer PDF errata closes on Tuesday.
- HtV 2 Jumpstart – Incorporating errata and prepping for PoD.
- They Came From the Cyclops Cave! – Indexing.
- TC Anima – PoD proofs ordered. Interior press files ready to go.
- TC: Adventure! – Tasty Bit: Laboratory PDF on sale this Weds on DTRPG!
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
Today is the five year anniversary of publishing Monarchies of Mau for Pugmire! Purrrrrfect!
I really would like to see Scion: Once and Future being crowdfunded
As well as the game: At The Gates
At least 50% of that list is a definite yes. Once and Future would have to a) be something that we’d think needed to be in stores, and b) not take up a slot we needed for a different crowdfunding campaign. If so, could be…
re: crowdfunding, I’d instantly back…
* Anything and everything Scion
* Anything and everything that supports Storypath crossover
* Storypath Ultra Core Manual (chance for conversion guides?)
* Branch Riders
* At the Gates
From your list, At the Gates = new game, so as per the blog, pretty much a shoo-in. Branch Riders will get a campaign, but not by us. I felt it was important for The Bodhana Group to establish their own identities on KS for future projects, so it’ll be their campaign although we’ll be helping (including hopefully having James run it for them). The Ultra Manual is pretty important for future plans and folks having a chance to use the system for their own stuff, so that’s something that might benefit from getting into stores. Everything Scion is a bit much to expect, but at least one Scion project every year is always worth getting out there. Not sure what you mean by Storypath crossover, though. You want to play Scions in They Came From!, something like that?
Yup, mixing character types, stealing subsystems (why should TCF have a lock on Quips?), converting adventures, that sort of thing
I’d love to see an Foundry (VTT) Module for the World Below. It’d be great to have the conditions, tags, and powers as drag and drop items with descriptions for an interactive character sheet.
More VTT for sure. Foundry has some odd payment structures on our end, so we haven’t had any real success getting involved over there. Maybe they’ll clean that up, dunno.
There is always hope. 🙂
Thanks for your response!
I forgot to give thanks on last week Thanksgiving MMN, but I’m thankful to OPP for making such great games and opening community content programs for us to toy with 😉
Glad you jumped in this week, though! Thanks back atcha for your support for both our regular projects and the Community Content sites!
So who will I be running into at Pax this weekend?
Me and LisaT, our sales crew at Studio2, maybe Danielle will stop by, maybe Dixie and even maybe Neall. From our end of things.
Yay! Hope to see you there!