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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:

February 2026 Monthly Update
1 day 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
about 1 month 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.


December 2025 Update
about 2 months ago – Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 07:41:35 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

I'm taking a quick break in the middle of my holiday vacation to get out our final update for 2025. No exciting news (though some cool art previews) but lots of excitement for 2026. I don't know when we'll get our backer PDF for the Storypath Ultra Core Manual, but with so many pieces of art sneaking out, I've gotta assume we'll be seeing it in the first few months of 2026.


Adtual illustrations from our backer PDF! Coming Soon!

Pending Rewards


The layout is laying out. Once that's done, I'll see about getting some of those other Stretch Goals taken care of and then we'll worry about getting the physical versions settled.




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)

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/


OK, how about a wildly differnt interior illustration! You can tell this book is going to cover a lot of ground!



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: <November 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.

November 2025 Update
3 months ago – Wed, Nov 26, 2025 at 09:29:12 AM

Hello Ultra-Backers,

Our last update was the day before Halloween, and now I'm back the day before American Thanksgiving. This may be our new schedule.

Anyway, back with our monthly update.

Layout is rolling along with the Storypath Ultra Core Manual. Since we're at the end of November and the next few weeks will zoom by quickly, I don't know that we'll get a backer PDF before the end of the year (though anything's possible), but that doesn't mean we can't get some sneak peek artwork as we get closer!


It's great to see some of the new artwork that will be in the book! I'll share one more piece later in the update...

Pending Rewards


With final artwork starting to deliver (and sneak out for our update!), we're getting closer to the release of the backer PDF. I'm hopeful we'll see something in early 2026 and then hammer on getting those Stretch Goals sorted!


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)

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/


OK, how about a wildly differnt interior illustration! You can tell this book is going to cover a lot of ground!


Very different vibe!


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: <October 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.


Infernals: Crowned by Hellfire



The Infernal Exalted arise, clad in brass and hellish wonders, to punish the world.

Chosen for their spite and grievance, the Infernal Exalted command the alien powers of Hell itself. In the Demon Realm, they are crowned as the Green Sun Princes, the heroes who will give the Yozis their much deserved vengeance. In Creation, they are the fulfillment of prophecy for cults the world over — the hellish heroes who will topple the temples of the gods. For all the expectations placed upon them, though, it is up to each Infernal to answer the ultimate question for themselves: What will you become, when anything is possible?

This Exalted Third Edition sourcebook provides everything players and Storytellers need to introduce the Infernals to their story. Inside you will find:

  • Rules for creating your own Infernal characters, including their strange, overwhelming Charms.
  • New character options, including artifacts, a new martial art, and lost arts of the highest circle of sorcery. 
  • Setting information for the Demon Realm and its cults in Creation. 
  • A roster of demons to serve as allies, adversaries, and bound servitors. 

 
Already Funded and Adding Stretch Goals



October 2025 Monthly Update
4 months ago – Thu, Oct 30, 2025 at 07:37:17 AM

Hello Ultra-backers,

It's the day before Halloween, so there's still time to squeeze in our regular monthly update before squeezing into our costumes.

Pending Rewards



The artists contracted to create artwork for our SPU book have turned in their rough sketches, and the Art Director has signed off on everything, so final versions are now being worked on. Once the art is all in, they can move to the layout phase. Hopefully when they get there, some of the interior illustrations will sneak out and I'll be able to post them as sneak peeks!


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)

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: <September 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

  •  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.


Final Day: Curseborne Player's Guide


 

  • Nine new families of Accursed!
  • New Role Paths, Lineage Torments, and spells
  • Fully playable Venators
  • Fully playable orphaned Accursed 
  • Quick-build and random character templates
 
The Curseborne Player’s Guide is primarily focused on the players at the table who take on the role of individual characters. If you’re a Storyguide, you can expect to find ideas that help you prompt the other players and frame their place in the world. Use these to create details that resonate with a player’s intentions and to direct the story to places where the main characters’ themes and concepts can flourish. Other players can expect to find tools to develop your character, both in your narration and on your character sheet.

In this book, we introduce grounding concepts for playing the Accursed, providing role-playing hooks and touchstones rooted in the world they find themselves. These are intended for both brand-new players looking for a place to start and for players in the middle of a story who are open to new angles and complications. We expand on all the types of Accursed introduced in the Curseborne corebook, including those who don’t have a family to call their own, but also provide even more ways to express and wield the power of curses through new spells. We even add a new angle to the world of Curseborne as we present playable rules for the monster-hunting Venators, who contend with the same supernatural forces as the Accursed without Damnations of their own.

You can join in and support the project here

On Kickstarter: Scarred Lands Player's Guide




Check it out <HERE>

A Land Where Legends Walk
 
Drawing enthusiastically on Greek mythology, Scarred Lands offers a world shaped by gods and monsters. Only the greatest of heroes can expect to be counted among them. The Divine War left the world of Scarn ravaged. From the battle-scarred continent of Ghelspad to the desert wastelands of Asherak, the wounds of war still fester. The jungles of Termana are corrupted by titanic influence. The Blood Sea is tinted red because the titan Kadum lies bleeding at the ocean floor. The Dragon Lands and the frozen north of Fenrilik were spared the worst of the Titanswar, yet these lands carry their own perils.

Scarred Lands is a beloved setting introduced 25 years ago by White-Wolf Publishing and currently wholly owned by Onyx Path Publishing. In the years since its introduction, the setting has been published under three editions of d20 licensing and a Pathfinder compatible version. Aegis Studios has now licensed Scarred Lands from Onyx Path Publishing to convert the setting to Savage Worlds. With this Kickstarter, we aim to bring the Scarred Lands to the popular Savage Worlds Adventure Edition by Pinnacle Entertainment Group with a brand new Scarred Lands Player's Guide (SWADE)!