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Storypath Ultra Core Manual

Created by Onyx Path- Storypath Ultra Core Manual

The Storypath Ultra Core Manual is the best possible version of the Storypath tabletop roleplaying system, ready to be used for your own tabletop game sessions.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

April 2026 Monthly Update
4 days ago – Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 11:20:48 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

We're still in a print/production holding pattern, circling overhead as the Onyx Path team figures out how to fill in their print schedule slots. They've successfully completed production and fulfillment with their new printing and distribution partners, so there's a template to apply as they go forward, and a few projects have already joined the queue, but not this one just yet.

So, I'll continue to monitor and ask about our pending Stretch Goal projects and share info with you once a month. It's not very exciting, but I want you to know that I'm at least paying attention and checking in with the Onyx Path crew and reading Rich's Monday Meeting Notes so nothing will be forgotten or sneak by.

So let's get to it! 

First up, the latest Tasty Bit release for the Storypath Ultra system has been released on DTRPG:


Lucha libre has persisted into The Y2K World of Pinfall from Grace, Body Slams from Hell, and this Tasty Bit can help inject a variety of lucha-inspired elements into your Storypath Ultra game.

This expansion for our sample setting joins the previous Storypath Ultra Tasty Bit releases:


Pending Projects


While the book and dice are waiting for an opening in the production schedule, the stretch goal milestone markers are waiting for an open day in the schedule. I'll continue to pester the Onyx Path people and see if we can't fill in some dots before too long.


Rewards Distributed to Backers

  • At The Gates Draft Manuscript (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • The World Below Backer PDF (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Jumpstart Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Corebook Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology Backer PDF (sent Jan 17, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology discounted PoD links (sent Feb 20, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual PDF (Jan 23 '26 update)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual Discounted Pring-on-Demand Links (Mar 3 '26 update) 

Pledge Manager

If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/



Onyx Path Project Tracking



I will continue to post regular updates every month until the final reward has gone out.

Remember: You can use the links at the bottom of this e-mail to unsubscribe from updates or Manage your notification settings. These status updates are available on the campaign page for you to review at any time.


ONYX PATH DISCUSSION CHANNELS

If you've got questions about the rules or setting, or just want to discuss this game with other fans (as well as the Onyx Path writers and developers!), you can check out these Onyx Path discussion zones:


TO CONTACT JAMES

If you've got a question about your pledge or BackerKit page or any part of the process, you can contact me with any of these methods

  •  Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
  •  Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.

March 2026 Monthly Update
about 1 month ago – Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 06:16:45 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

With the Storypath Ultra Core Rulebook now available in PDF and Print-on-Demand, focus turns to getting this added to Onyx Path's print queue, so that the crowdfunded hardcovers can be manufactured and sent out as a thank you to supporters. Manufacturing challenges hit Onyx Path pretty hard last year, but they've recently found a new print partner and completed their first project with them. Now that they've run through the A to Z of a production cycle, they're able to start slotting in delayed projects and start working through the backlog.

So, it'll take a while still to catch up to us, but they'll get there, and I'll continue to update each month as new information comes our way.

Pending Projects


In the meantime, I'll poke them about getting some of those Stretch Goal bonus rewards sorted over the next few months.


Rewards Distributed to Backers

  • At The Gates Draft Manuscript (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • The World Below Backer PDF (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Jumpstart Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Corebook Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology Backer PDF (sent Jan 17, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology discounted PoD links (sent Feb 20, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual PDF (Jan 23 '26 update)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual Discounted Pring-on-Demand Links (Mar 3 '26 update) 

Pledge Manager

If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/



Onyx Path Project Tracking

You can read Onyx Path's most recent monthly summary, covering all projects and their status up to that point here: <January 2026 Project Status Summary>

You can find the weekly Monday Meeting blog updates <here>, which note any projects with status changes since the previous Month End summary. The project statuses listed are current as of last Monday, so do check it out each Monday night to see if anything may have progressed!

I will continue to post regular updates every month until the final reward has gone out.

Remember: You can use the links at the bottom of this e-mail to unsubscribe from updates or Manage your notification settings. These status updates are available on the campaign page for you to review at any time.
 

ONYX PATH DISCUSSION CHANNELS

If you've got questions about the rules or setting, or just want to discuss this game with other fans (as well as the Onyx Path writers and developers!), you can check out these Onyx Path discussion zones:


TO CONTACT JAMES

If you've got a question about your pledge or BackerKit page or any part of the process, you can contact me with any of these methods

  •  Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
  •  Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.

Reward! Finalized PDF available tomorrow. Discounted PoD Order Links going out to backers.
2 months ago – Tue, Mar 03, 2026 at 07:19:45 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

Thanks to your feedback and support, Onyx Path has now fine-tuned the Storypath Ultra Core Manual PDF, implemented your feedback where appropriate, fixed all of the page numbers, and the finalized PDF will be available tomorrow in your DriveThruRPG digital library (if  you've already downloaded it once, or from your redemption link in your BackerKit digital rewards page if you haven't yet downloaded it)


.


Once you'ved used your redemption code to get the Storypath Ultra Core Manual PDF from DriveThru, you can access your DTRPG Digital Library at any time and download the latest version of the book at your convenience.

Tonorrow, Onyx Path will release the PDF for purchase on DriveThruRPG. When that happens, they'll also make a print-on-demand version of that PDF availble for purchase. As one of your rewards, you may have access to a discount link that will allow you to add the PoD hardcover to your cart at a slightly reduced price, should you wish to buy a hardcopy of the PDF.

DISCOUNTED PRINT-ON-DEMAND ORDER LINKS FOR BACKERS

If you pledged to the Storypath Ultra PDF Reward digital reward tier or have the hardcover version as one of the items in your pledge list, one of your rewards is a discounted option to order a print-on-demand version of the Storypath Ultra Core Manual. Now that the print files have been finalized, Onyx Path can finalize the PDF at DriveThruRPG and make a PoD version of the PDF available for purchase.

Again, just to ensure it's understood -

THIS IS NOT YOUR CROWDFUNDING HARDCOVER REWARD! 

This is a discount link for a one-off printed version of the PDF that will soon be released for purchase on DriveThruRPG.com (but YOU can order it at a discounted cost if you wish!) With this step completed and the files finalized, Onyx Path can now begin setting up the hardcover editions at the printer and will ship to you when ready. 

DIFFERENCES IN PoD FORMATS

So, for those backers who pledged at the PDF reward tier, or those backers who will later be receiving the hardcover book but might be looking for a second copy for the table - or can't wait until some of the print prodution issues are sorted in this chaotic and unpredictable time -  there are two different versions of Print-On-Demand options available.


Standard Color uses a thick 70# white paper which has better page opacity. (that's "70 pound" for reference, but does not mean each page weighs 70 lbs!).  Standard Heavyweight Color uses inkjet technology. (These are not the same inkjet printers you have at home - these are often as big or bigger than a car!) This option offers lower cost but the colors won't be as sharp or bright as a Premium Color book.

Premium Color uses the same 70# paper, but uses "Digital Color Print Engine Technology," which sounds super fancy and certainly costs a lot more, but I'll admit to not knowing the exact difference. This option offers superior color quality but is more expensive to produce, and has gotten even more expensive over the past year.

(Remember to login to DriveThruRPG prior to clicking or pasting the discount link in your BackerKit digital rewards locker, if you that was part of your rewards list! That link is your coupon and must be used for your PoD order.)

Please note: This discounted Print-on-Demand ordering link will be valid at this cost for the next few months - it expires on April 30, 2026 - so please, if you choose to order a Print-on-Demand copy, use the provided link prior to May to ensure the best pricing.

REWARD DISTRIBUTION


If this reward is on your rewards list, your link to claim them will be sent out by our BackerKit pledge manager over the day. Since we are using our partners at DriveThruRPG as the host for this, you will need to set up a DriveThru account if you don't have one already. If you encounter any problems with downloading your rewards, please contact DTRPG's customer service to resolve the matter, they've always been top-rated for customer service. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/contact_us.php


Pledge Manager

If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/



TO CONTACT JAMES

If you've got a question about your pledge or BackerKit page or any part of the process, you can contact me with any of these methods

  •  Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
  •  Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.

February 2026 Monthly Update
2 months ago – Thu, Feb 26, 2026 at 09:31:30 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

We're not going to be able to top last month's update! So the quick summary before our regular check in:

Thanks to everyone who submitted feedback for the Storypath Ultra Core Manual backer PDF that went out last month. The Onyx Path team has taken your notes and are currently finalizing the PDF to release in the very near future on DTRPG. Once they've finalized, you'll be able to download the latest version at your convenience from your DriveThru digital library.

When they release it on DTRPG, they'll also make Print-on-Demand versions of the PDF available for purchase. Many of your reward lists include discount codes in case you wish to order a PoD version and I'll get those out to you when they're available. (note - this is NOT the hardcover reward that you pledged for, this is a digitally printed one-off version of the PDF from DriveThru).

Pending Rewards


SPU being finalized. Many dots still to fill in. I'll continue to monitor Onyx Path's info channels and update each month.


Rewards Distributed to Backers

  • At The Gates Draft Manuscript (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • The World Below Backer PDF (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Jumpstart Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Corebook Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology Backer PDF (sent Jan 17, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology discounted PoD links (sent Feb 20, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual Backer PDF (Jan 23 '26 update)

Pledge Manager

If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/



New Rules for Your Game

Even as we're waiting on the finalized SPU Corebook to release, Onyx Path is introducing new support for the Storypath Ultra system in general each month. These can easily be added to your Curseborne game, Earthbane Cycle games or any game using the SPU system.

Now available from DriveThruRPG in PDF: Storypath Ultra Tasty Bit 02: Troublesome Traps!



This Storypath Ultra Tasty Bit introduces traps for use with the Storypath Ultra Core Manual or any game using the Storypath Ultra system.

Traps are a natural fit for action-adventure scenes, endangering the protagonists without needing to directly confront their enemies. The characters may also set traps of their own to even the odds against a superior foe in pursuit. Regardless of who’s wielding them, traps ensure the environment’s perilous to any who tread carelessly.

Troublesome Traps includes:

  • Rules for setting and disarming traps
  • Expanded crafting rules for traps
  • New trap tags, Edges, and Area and Status Effects
  • Thirteen trap elements to inspire you


Onyx Path Project Tracking

You can read Onyx Path's most recent monthly summary, covering all projects and their status up to that point here: <January 2026 Project Status Summary>

You can find the weekly Monday Meeting blog updates <here>, which note any projects with status changes since the previous Month End summary. The project statuses listed are current as of last Monday, so do check it out each Monday night to see if anything may have progressed!

I will continue to post regular updates every month until the final reward has gone out.

Remember: You can use the links at the bottom of this e-mail to unsubscribe from updates or Manage your notification settings. These status updates are available on the campaign page for you to review at any time.
 

ONYX PATH DISCUSSION CHANNELS

If you've got questions about the rules or setting, or just want to discuss this game with other fans (as well as the Onyx Path writers and developers!), you can check out these Onyx Path discussion zones:


TO CONTACT JAMES

If you've got a question about your pledge or BackerKit page or any part of the process, you can contact me with any of these methods

  •  Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
  •  Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.

CURRENTLY CROWDFUNDING!

The World Below: Buried Treasures


The World Below is a game of adversity, heroism, terror, and awe. Your characters will overcome or be defeated by terrible beasts, environmental calamities, and Kaos storms ravaging their surroundings and the souls they encounter. They will chart their journeys, chronicle their tales, and pass their stories down to their descendants, who will, in turn, become your characters when your old ones perish or retire.

Now, two new books will let you delve deeper into The World Below and illuminate some of the darkness!



The Delver’s Guide is a Player's Manual for The World Below.

Delvers may be brave, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require help once in a while. That’s what this guide is: help for all delvers, explorers, and survivors in the World Below. New Callings and weapons, new Dialectics and powers, a new scenario and fresh rules for crafting and harvesting, and much, much more await within, so every delver can feel properly equipped for the adventures ahead.

Secrets of Kalm and Kaos is a Storyguide’s Handbook for The World Below.

There are hundreds of tales to tell of the World Below. From stories of adventurers braving Kaos storms to intrepid explorers who throw themselves into the dreamlike Obscura or harrowing Abyss. From chronicles of settlements rising and falling to those of bold delvers who go so far as to tame the beasts of their realm and call them pets. New playable options, new powers, new rules for Kalm, machinery, monstrous mounts, and more besides await within.

January 2026 - Reward Distribution - STORYPATH ULTRA CORE MANUAL Backer PDF
3 months ago – Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 06:58:16 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

First update of 2026, and it's a great one! 
It's time to distribute our Backer PDF!

Reward Distibution: STORYPATH ULTRA CORE MANUAL Backer PDF




The Storypath Ultra Core Manual presents a way for you to use Storypath Ultra to power whatever world you have in mind. We’ve created this book so anyone can use Onyx Path’s system for their own private tabletop game sessions. Many people over the years have talked about how they hacked one of our games into different shapes to play in their favorite worlds, so this book is here to allow us to give you advice on how to build your game using Storypath Ultra from the ground up.

Within these pages you’ll find:

  • The complete core rules for Storypath Ultra
  • Expansions on the core rules, as well as building-block systems you can drop into games as needed
  • Advice on how to run and adapt Storypath Ultra to your needs 
  • Three example settings to showcase how to use Storypath Ultra, or to run as games in their own right


REWARD DISTRIBUTION

If this PDF was on your list of rewards, your link to claim your STORYPATH ULTRA CORE MANUAL Backer PDF will be sent out by our BackerKit pledge manager over the next day. Since we are using our partners at DriveThruRPG as the host for this, you will need to set up a DriveThru account if you don't have one already. If you encounter any problems with downloading your rewards, please contact DTRPG's customer service to resolve the matter, they've always been top-rated for customer service. http://www.drivethrurpg.com/contact_us.php


The redemption codes will come over the next 24 hours. You'll receive an e-mail if you have this reward in your rewards list, sending you to the Digital Rewards page on your Pledge Manager. The Digital Rewards page will have redemption links to add the PDF files to your DriveThru cart at $0 cost.

You may need to click the links two or three times to get them to add to the cart properly. In my experience, the first click ends up getting me to login to my DTRPG cart and I have to click the redemption link a second time while my cart is open to properly add it (in a new tab, usually). Just keep trying, you'll get there!

Again, you will receive an e-mail from BackerKit with links for this reward over the next 24 hours if it is on your expected list of rewards.

The easiest way to see if you've got digital downloads available is to login to your backerkit account: https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/ and it'll show anything available. Your backerkit account should also confirm all rewards that you should expect from your reward tier selected.


BACKER PDF VERSION

This is the first version of the Storypath Ultra Core Manual to be released. The design and development teams have done their best to proofread and correct any errors and typos - but some always sneak through. If you catch any typos, incorrect math, visual glitches, and the like, we want to hear about them and correct them before we send the book off to print.

With that in mind, I'd like to introduce the SPU Feedback Form!

Onyx Path will be launching a special Storypath Ultra Feedback Form, which you will be able to access here:  <Storypath Ultra Core Manual Feedback Form>


Share your feedback directly with the developers using this form to help guide them through the steps to finalize the PDF.

They are aware of the Page XX notations - those are left in to replace for the final version once any changes you've suggested are made, so they can reference the correct page if any shifts in layout result.

Onyx Path will keep errata collection open for the next week. Please submit your feedback as soon as possible so the team can get on to finalizing this file - and working on our print version as well!

They won't be collecting errata from other spots, just this specific form.

After any needed corrections are made (based on your feedback!), they will prepare an updated final PDF version of the book and you will receive a notice from DrivethruRPG that you can re-download your file with the latest version.

You've already made the book a reality with your Crowdfunding support. Now you can make it even better by helping us crowdsource any minor errors and corrections.

SO: Look for your reward email over the next 24 hours, or check your BackerKit page to see your digital reward redemption links. Review the backer PDF and submit any feedback you have, and let's make this book as awesome as possible!



BACKERKIT PASSWORD RESETS

Earlier this month, BackerKit discovered that some customers had received Phishing Scam emails impersonating BackerKit password change email notifications. These messages were not sent by BackerKit and appear to be part of this external phishing campaign designed to collect login credentials. Please check that emails that appear to be from BackerKit come from backerkit.com, s.backerkit.com, or o.backerkit.com.

In an abundance of caution, BackerKit reset the password on any account they think may have been targeted. When you next access your BackerKit account, you may to reset your password.

How to Reset your Password

To reset your password:
  • Go to backerkit.com
  • Click “Log In”
  • Click “Forgot Password”

Do this from their website, not through any links sent in an e-mail. Clicking the Forgot Password button will send you an e-mail that looks like this:


Doublecheck this email comes from [email protected] and click the Change my password link and follow the instructions to reset your password.

To further secure your account, BackerKit strongly recommends that you enable Two Factor Authentication (2FA) on your account (if you have not already) to follow best security practices. You can learn more about how to do this here.

If you have any additional questions, please email BackerKit directly at [email protected], or follow their BlueSky social media account for additional announcements.

Pending Rewards


With the Backer PDF out to you, Onyx Path will next use the feedback submitted via the Feedback Form to finalize the digital files to prep the finalized PDF for release on DTRPG (and likely they PoD version will accompany that), and then eventually prep the print run. We're still a long way from that, but let's get the PDF finalized first and then work on filling out more of the dots on these rewards.


Rewards Distributed to Backers

  • At The Gates Draft Manuscript (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • The World Below Backer PDF (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Jumpstart Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • Storypath Seeds Corebook Digital Bundle PDF titles (Oct 31, 2024 update)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology Backer PDF (sent Jan 17, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • They Came From the RPG Anthology discounted PoD links (sent Feb 20, 2025 via BackerKit)
  • Storypath Ultra Core Manual Backer PDF (Jan 23 '26 update)

Pledge Manager

If you need to review your information or pledge status, you can return to your survey by clicking the link in your survey email or requesting your survey link under "Lost your survey?" on our BackerKit project page at https://storypath-ultra.backerkit.com/



Onyx Path Project Tracking

You can read Onyx Path's most recent monthly summary, covering all projects and their status up to that point here: <December 2025 Project Status Summary>

You can find the weekly Monday Meeting blog updates <here>, which note any projects with status changes since the previous Month End summary. The project statuses listed are current as of last Monday, so do check it out each Monday night to see if anything may have progressed!

I will continue to post regular updates every month until the final reward has gone out.

Remember: You can use the links at the bottom of this e-mail to unsubscribe from updates or Manage your notification settings. These status updates are available on the campaign page for you to review at any time.

Onyx Path Discussion Channels

You may be able to get further insight and possibly some in-depth conversation at these Onyx Path discussion zones:


To Contact James

If you've got a question about your pledge or BackerKit page or any part of the process, you can contact me with any of these methods

  •  Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
  •  Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.