Hi, everyone! Dixie here again, taking over for Rich while he’s out. The meeting today was fairly brief, as a few people were out for various (nothing bad!) reasons, so I don’t have a whole lot to say about its contents, though we did have a fun aside about the word “catsup” vs. “ketchup” for the popular tomato condiment.
But that means I get to talk about my beloved Monster Kingdoms, the upcoming book for the Earthbane Cycle! I had the privilege of writing a good chunk of the character creation chapter, alongside Eddy Webb and Matthew Dawkins, so it was sort of a classic Pathcast reunion on that one. Because of that, I’d like to share with you the sorts of people you can play in this game, as I had a lot of fun collaborating on them with Matthew in this monstrous world he’s built.
The actual chapter goes into a lot more detail, including multiple houses and categories for each of the heritages listed below, so keep an eye out for the crowdfunding campaign!
Dwarves are ubiquitous in the empire, Branduur, Pandemion, and the Kingdom of the Malignant Mind, though the dwarves in the latter realm are seen as treacherous scum by the rest of their brethren.
Hailing primarily from the Kingdom of Scales, most dragonkin can trace their heritage back to the mighty dragons from whom they take their name. Though smaller in stature than their reptilian ancestors, most possessing slender bodies and angular limbs, they retain the beasts’ pride and greed. Dragonkin can be found anywhere ripe for plunder. They seek to add to their families’ hoards in the name of future glory.
Elementors are beings infused with one of several natural elements. So far, none have been discovered that wield two or more elemental powers, even in the case of offspring of two different elementor types. They have a reputation for their temperament being tied to their element — air elementors are flighty, fire ones are angry, stone are stoic, and so forth — but they have as much individualism as any other person.
Most elves choose to live in Pandemion, which says something about their nature. They’re both easygoing and enjoy a little chaos, happy to indulge in whatever madcap ruling Pandemion’s goblinoid king issues each day. They have a deep, almost religious, connection with the kingdom’s array of crawling arthropods, and many keep scorpions or centipedes as pets, though they’d call them “friends.” If elves feel threatened, they secure their scuttling creatures’ safety, even ahead of their own.
The humanoid offspring of the enigmatic, tempestuous fey tend toward wickedness, if not maliciousness. Anyone raised by the fey is taught to play tricks, delight in new sensations and experiences, and most importantly — to never let anyone see your true face. This isn’t literal, of course, not all fey or feyborn go around wearing masks, but most believe that letting someone else see what’s truly in your heart is the same as giving away all your secrets and plans. It’s a shocking nudity of the soul, and while some feyborn turn away from their heritage, it might still be uncomfortable for them to let go.
Either corrupted by or sprung from various devils and demons, fiends are humanoid versions of the same. Found mostly in Xin and Branduur, fiendish culture teaches that if they can prove themselves worthy, they will one day be elevated to full demon status by their ancestors. They’re not sure if that includes their adopted ranks, but they truly hope it does, as ascension to demonhood is the highest of fiendish honor.
Primarily residents of the Kingdom of Shards, forlorn are semi-angelic humans who burn from within as if lit by an otherworldly spark. Many claim it’s the spark of hope, joy, or some other sliver of positivity made manifest. Forlorn from the Kingdom of Shards can be incredibly zealous in their attempts to change the Monster Kingdoms “for the better,” taking to heart the idea of an avenging angel. Forlorn from elsewhere rarely share their zeal.
Most numerous in Pandemion and Krr’szch, goblinoids are cunning and inventive creatures, as likely to stab you in the back as offer you a cup of bog coffee. Both are equally unpleasant, and they know it. Many goblinoids see High King Dudgean as the true ruler of all goblinkind and would like to see the Kingdom of Pandemion reign supreme in the end, whenever that may be. It pays to be careful around goblinoids, as they’re widely known to have volatile tempers and many agonizingly dull weapons.
It’s common to bump into humans throughout the kingdoms, though they are most numerous in Xin, Creuore, and the Nithera Empire. As seen in the practices of the Xinix, humans tend to relish suffering, both of themselves and others, though most would prefer others. Humans are largely taught to take burdens over from their allies, as torture and hardship will mold them into stronger, better people. Such burdens can be anything from stepping in front of a sword stroke meant for their comrade to bearing a cursed item that inflicts incredible pain. They savor others’ distress, especially if they caused it. It’s all to make tougher allies and adversaries, as to win against a weaker opponent is to not win at all.
Orcs are a heritage of battle, relishing the clash of steel and letting of blood. So goes the stereotype. In truth, their culture is more prone to engineering and industrial pioneering than outright killing, though many of their inventions are made toward the spread of conflict. Most prominent in the Kingdom of Krr’szch, many orcs can trace their bloodlines or adopted families to famed warlords in this realm.
Shapeshifters are distrusted throughout Gewinn, and with good reason. Though their powerbase is in Tsul Gazar, a shapeshifter could theoretically rule or manipulate any kingdom. Nobody is born a shapeshifter, instead gaining the curse of the transmutative form from the bite, spell, or poison of another shapeshifter.
The curse of vampirism can turn any of the kingdoms’ peoples into a bloodthirsty wretch, with the desire to consume driving them above all. This isn’t merely related to the blood vampires drink to live, but a dark need to take and take until there is nothing left for others. Whether it’s land, riches, slaves, or the lives of their enemies, vampires will obliterate everything like locusts if left unchecked. The only thing that keeps many of them from their basest desires is the knowledge that if everything is gone, so is their food and labor.
Though they’re the majority of the population of Dys, wraiths exist throughout Gewinn. They’re the spirits that can be left behind when one of any of the other peoples dies, and they’re especially prevalent in kingdoms that have embraced necromancy or undeath in general. Many wraiths do eventually make their way to Dys, though, as they find themselves unwelcome in this community or that. More than anything, wraiths want somewhere to belong and some living people to surround themselves with, while most living people feel drained and even frightened around a wraith. This, of course, is a problem for both populations.
There are so many cool options for heritages in Monster Kingdoms, and that’s only one part of one of your Paths! You also get to choose your Kingdom, Mantle, and Dusk, as well as a doctrine you follow and what powers you have. I honestly can’t wait to play this game; it’s very special to me.
You can sign up to get notified when the crowdfunding campaign goes live here!
Also, here’s a note from Travis Legge, our intrepid media wrangler, in case anyone is looking to collaborate with us on some Twitch programming or similar!
At Onyx Path Publishing, we're always on the lookout for media featuring our games. Do you run a podcast where you discuss Onyx Path games? Actual plays of our games? Perhaps you write reviews or break down setting lore on your blog. Perhaps you don't run anything yet, but you're interested in creating content such as actual plays, interview shows, or lore discussions.
Wherever you share content about our games we want to know about it so we can help spread the word! If you have a concept for an actual play or other show that you haven't found a platform for yet, we are always looking to expand the programming on our Twitch channel.
If any of these apply to you we'd love to hear about it! Please reach out to us via our Content Creator Form: https://forms.gle/aqTBztswhRQLMADd9
So yeah, if you’ve ever wanted to do a Twitch show or other video content about our games, please reach out via the linked form above! With that, I’ll move on to the blurbs and status updates, since I know what most of y’all are really here for, and that’s news about our…
Many Worlds, One Path!
Blurbs!
Crowdfunding!
Coming Soon: Monster Kingdoms!
Sign up here to be notified when we launch!
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 Abyssals: Sworn to the Grave and Monster Kingdoms! Check it out right here:
On The Gentleman Gamer’s YouTube channel, we delve into the Dead Damnation from Curseborne:
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!
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’re releasing the Storyguide Reference Book for Scion: Mythic Shards, as well as a Scion: God mobile wallpaper!
Conventions!
Here’s where you can find out more info on physical and virtual conventions we’re going to be involved with!
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 July’s full list report here: https://theonyxpath.com/release-roundup-july-2025/
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY!
Here are the projects that moved to the next stage of production:
FINAL DRAFT
The World Below – Secrets of Kalm and Kaos: The World Below Storyguide’s Handbook
- Whisperers into the Obscura known as the Braegen are coming, along with many other beings – playable and otherwise – and a deep dive into the wards surrounding and intruding into The World Below.
DEVELOPMENT
Exalted – Abyssals Companion: Riders from the Sunless Lands
- A few bits and bobs are lurking in the shadows still, but enough of the manuscript has stepped into the light so we can move on to development!
POST-APPROVAL DEVELOPMENT
Curseborne – Accursed Adventure Supplement
- I hope you don’t have any fears of needles, pain, doctors, loss, family death…
At the Gates – Jumpstart
- The jumpstart is back with Kim for some light structural work. The adventure itself is a great little dungeon delve that I’m sure folks will be excited to try out!
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
(Again with the caveat that I don’t entirely understand how to figure out what all is supposed to go here. I think Rich has a magic spell he hasn’t taught me. -Dixie)
In Art Direction
- Ex 3 Sidereals Companion – Working up Art buy
- Ex Essence PG -Working up Art buy
- TCF Witchford – Art buy configured
- Curseborne – Working on page designs
- SCION Dragon Companion – Artwork is in
- SCION Rock Gods – fulls are in and the splats are as well
- SCION God Player’s Guide – digging up reference for artists….. and correction some confusion in the art notes
- Scion God Jumpstart – Figuring out some art buy shenanigans
- Monster Kingdoms – KS artwork arting and coming soon graphic created
- TWB Underworld Adventures – Contracting
Layout
- Ex3 Miracles of the Divine Flame
- TC Anima AR
- Curseborne Tasty Bit August
- Pugmire 2E Screen
- Branch Riders – Ron Thompson is a workin on it.
Proofing Queue
- TC Aether Jumpstart – wrapping it up.
At Press
- Scion God Mobile Wallpaper – This week
- Scion Mythic Shards Storyteller Reference Book – This week
- TC Aether Screen – prepping for Drivethru.
- Curious Cats of Mau Wallpaper – Going out to backers
- Essence Novella Omnibus – PoD Prepped
- TC Aether – In the states… on the way to the warehouse.
- Scion God – In the states… on the way to the warehouse.
- TC Aether Screen – Signing off on proofs
- Scion God Screen – Signing off on proofs
- Scion Mythic Shards – Quoting
- Curious Cats – moved to the press queue
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
I always struggle with these, but this week I found three things I wanted to mention, so I’ll do so quickly!
- Today is the anniversary of the 1991 launch of Nicktoons, which brought my childhood shows like Doug and Rugrats, so I had to mention that here.
- It’s also the anniversary of Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil receiving their patent for the frequency-hopping spread spectrum, the basis for our modern wi-fi and a whole bunch of other useful tech!
- Lastly, today is the anniversary of the Apollo 11 astronauts being released from their quarantine following their arrival back on Earth after the moon landing. After hearing about Jim Lovell’s passing a few days ago (at the age of 97!), I wanted to mention something about the Apollo missions. He was backup crew on Apollo 11 and then was on the infamous Apollo 13 mission.