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Project Update: The Wolf You Feed
Today is our final manuscript preview day. With today's download link, the entire draft manuscript for the Curseborne Jumpstart is now available for you to read - before any pledges are processed or payments collected. From this point forward, you're on the inside and part of the community of this book right until it's in your hands (or on your screens) and being played at your table.
Before we jump into that, let's jump back a bit and go over a few things to make sure we're all on the same page.
Make sure you read last Friday's update post about Pledge Tiers and Add Ons. We've about 30 hours to go as I type this up, likely less when you read it, so make sure you're all set up before we get to the end.
I'll have one more post tomorrow before we finish up, sort of a checklist to go over and some notes on what to expect after the campaign ends.
The Campaign ends on May 5th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time... sort of.
Overtime Mode extends the campaign past its original end time to give backers a final chance to make their pledge and adds an interesting twist to the end of the campaign. How long will it extend? That’s entirely up to backers: The campaign will keep going for an additional 10 minutes as long as pledges keep coming in – a chain of back-to-back pledges is called the Backer Train. The campaign will end only when the Backer Train stops after a period of 10 minutes passing without any pledges.
You’ll know we’re in Overtime Mode when the campaign’s Backer Train counter displays a bright rainbow border and a new countdown that resets to 10 minutes after each new backer joins that final Backer Train ride.
Shipping Costs will be Collected in the Pledge Manager
The best we can do at this point is to plan carefully, advise everyone up front with our best shipping cost estimates (see our projections on the main page - I've already factored in the EU's upcoming low value parcel charge) and only charge what it costs us when the time comes. We’ll be charging for shipping in the Pledge Manager once the books are being printed and we can deal with the actual shipping charges rather than using our best-guesses this far out. If you aren't sure you want one of the softcover editions, you can pledge to the PDF tier now and upgrade your pledge in the Pledge Manager once we know the final shipping costs.
The Wolf You Feedback
You can access the Feedback Form here: https://forms.gle/24ghLqRxkxtoCJpP9
DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY
10+ projects backed in 2023
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Project Update: Final Days Review: Pledge Tiers and Add On Options
Believe it or not, we're in the "final days" of this campaign. It ends next Tuesday!
The Campaign ends on May 5th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
PLEDGE REWARD TIERS
PLEDGING YOUR SUPPORT
In thanks for your support, we offer rewards based on your level of funding pledged. The Reward Paths linked at the top of the page outline the various rewards reflecting various levels of support pledged. Please note that shipping costs ARE NOT included in the cost of your pledge. You will be charged for shipping after the campaign through the pledge manager.
While the world of the Accursed is challenging and full of hidden perils and intrigue, we've tried to keep supporting this project as simple and straightforward as possible. To pledge support to this project, select one of these pledge paths:
- A DIGITAL START: This is the PDF-only reward path. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the shipping charges that are absolutely ever-increasing - this is the reward path option that you should begin with. The PDF will be fulfilled by our partners at DriveThruRPG.com - when it is ready, you will receive a link to add it to your DTRPG library at no cost for you to download at your leisure.
- A PRINTED START: Our main focus for this campaign, this reward path includes the traditionally-printed softcover version of this book. Shipping costs ARE NOT included in the cost of your pledge. You will be charged for shipping after the campaign through the pledge manager. In addition, this option also includes the PDF version, so you will get a digital copy as described above.
- COREBOOK START DIGITAL COMBO: A digital entry into Cruseborne, this pledge path contains PDF versions of both the Curseborne Jumpstart as well as the Curseborne Core Rules.
- COREBOOK START PRINT COMBO: This pledge path will get you both the PDF and softcover book for the Curseborne Jumpstart as well as Curseborne Core Rules PDF and standard hardcover book. Quantities are limited, and shipping costs are not included in your pledge and will be added prior to fulfillment in the Pledge Manager.
After the campaign is over we'll launch our Pledge Manager and invite the backers to set up their rewards via survey. This allows you to confirm your pledge and add on anything that you might have missed, as well as possibly increasing your pledged reward path, should you choose to expand your reward selection. Funding collected after the Crowdfunding campaign does not count toward any campaign Stretch Goals, however.
- Review and update your Pledge Level selection - for example, you can pledge to the Digital Start tier during the campaign and then switch to the Printed Start once we know shipping costs and are preapring to fulfill the softcover rewards.
- Confirm and Update your Shipping information - you'll be able to update your final delivery address up until we're shipping out the softcover rewards.
- Pay for Shipping and additional Add On Options - we'll process payments for shipping costs and additional add-ons selected in your Pledge Manager survey when we get closer to reward fulfillment.
- Download Digital Reward Redemption Links - the Pledge Manager will have links to access all of your digital rewards as they are fulfilled
An important reminder at this stage:
- Shipping Costs: We’ll be charging for shipping in the Pledge Manager once the books are being printed and we can deal with the actual shipping charges rather than using our best-guesses this far out (see our current guesses on the front page).
You'll note that two rewards - Access to the Manuscript Previews and Participation in Post-Campaign Pledge Manager - are included in ALL reward tiers. That's just one of the perks of participating in this crowdfunding campaign!
CURSEBORNE JUMPSTART PDF VERSION - The digital version of the Curseborne Jumpstart, fulfilled by our partners at DriveThruRPG.com. Crowdfunding backers will receive redemption links for an early version of this book before it goes on sale to the public. This initial "Backer Version" will be used to get feedback from the fans to make the final version the best that it can be. When it has been updated to the final version, it will automatically be added to your DriveThruRPG library and available for download at your convenience.
CURSEBORNE JUMPSTART SOFTCOVER BOOK - The main goal of this campaign is to fund the creation, production, and print run of a softcover edition of this book. Note that all Pledge Paths that include the physical softcover version also include the digital PDF version as a bonus. Shipping costs ARE NOT included in the cost of your pledge. You will be charged for shipping after the campaign through the pledge manager.
Choosing Your Reward Tier
First Step: Reward Tier
Step Two: Add-On Options
CURSEBORNE Add-Ons include additional redemptions for your Curseborne Jumpstart Backer PDF code when the time comes, additional copies of the softcover book, the Curseborne corebook PDF, the Curseborne corebook hardcover book (standard and deluxe), as well as
- Curseborne Accursed Adventures contains three scenarios suitable for independent storylines or a haunting interconnected narrative.
- Curseborne Accursed Tales The stories collected in this anthology feature characters from all five Lineages, giving readers a glimpse into the lives of the Accursed and the toll Damnation takes.
- Curseborne Tasty Bit Compilation PDF - a compilation of the monthly "Tasty Bit" adversaries released for Curseborne over the course of 2025 all in one PDF.
- Storypath Ultra Core Manual is the system that powers Curseborne stripped of setting material so that you can use the building blocks to power whatever world you have in mind. Within it's pages, you'll find the complete rules for Storypath Ultra; expansions of the core rules, as well as building block systems you can drop into games as needed; advice on how to run and adapt Storypath to your needs; and three example settings to show you how to use Storypath or to run as games in their own right.
- They Came From the RPG Anthology! introduces its players to a multitude of genres, mediums, playable character Archetypes, and more.
Pick a Pledge Tier, then Add On Options
Ready to join in? If you're backing for the first time, you can click BACK IT and select your Pledge Tier and finalize funding amount in the next menu.
For example, clicking Learn More on the PRINTED START pledge gives you...
Once you're ready, you can click that BACK IT button and go right to Add On options.
You should also be aware that any available Add On options will be made available in our BackerKit pledge manager, so if you're unsure about adding on something at this point, you will be able to adjust your pledge in the post-campaign phase.
Pledging to the campaign also opens up the Stretch Goal rewards as thanks for your participation. It's important to note that backers who wait and Pre-Order the Curseborne Jumpstart book at a later date will not have any Stretch Goal rewards automatically added to their rewards list if applicable.
REWARD DELIVERY
Onyx Path is working hard to have the Backer PDF for The Curseborne Jumpstart ready as soon as possible. I don't know that it'll go out with those first wave or rewards, but hopefully soon thereafter.
So, while it will take some time for softcover book to move from manuscript form to a final product, you won't be waiting a year for the PDFs that already exist. (You'll be waiting about 4 weeks or so, just enough time for us to set up the reward infrastructure.)
Don't fret if you had forgotten to select additional rewards by the end of the campaign. These Add Ons will be available to select in our post-campaign Pledge Manager for those who participated in our campaign and have full access to the Pledge Manager. So, if you are undecided at this time, you will be able to hold off on Add Ons until we're closer to the final reward shipment goes out.
Step 1: Pledge Tier
Step 2: Add On Options
It Adds Up!
Additionally, this may go without saying, please review your personal budget and ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. BackerKit will begin charging your payment method at midnight the day the campaign ends, so ensure you've budgeted correctly. Choose what works best for you now and is affordable at this time, knowing that you can upgrade your pledge level or choose Add Ons in the Pledge Manager at a late date.
Conclusion
So jump in and let's finish up strong!
10+ projects backed in 2023
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Project Update: And then there were five: Kai Watanabe
Today we finish up the Ready-Made Character section of the book with Kai Watanabe.
Before we get to that, please check out our update from yesterday - the One Week Left Check In - which gives some key info and makes sure we're all on the same page as we race through the final week of this campaign.
Kai Watanabe
Earle knew Kai was special. They came from a special family with a special history. Earle made Kai an offer: would you sacrifice everything to access true magic? Kai didn’t even consider the question hypothetical. They said “yes” and forged the pact that made them a Sorcerer.
Now, Kai acts as an amateur scholar of curses for their crew of friends, and an increasingly bold explorer and student of liminalities. Earle vanished a few years ago, and Kai is still determined to find out what became of the strange man, so full of wisdom, but clearly unhinged with it.
The Wolf You Feedback
You can access the Feedback Form here: https://forms.gle/24ghLqRxkxtoCJpP9
DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY
10+ projects backed in 2023
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Project Update: HALFWAY HOME - ONE WEEK TO GO!
We're at the halfway point of this two-week campaign; we've zoomed through our first week and I expect this final week to go by just as quickly, so I wanted to get an update out to everyone with a few things to go over before we get to the finish line.
These are just little double-check bits to make sure that I've mentioned all of the things I'm supposed to and that we're all on the same page before any pledges are processed and we're locked in for the next phase of the project.
The Campaign ends on May 5th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time... sort of.
Overtime Mode
Overtime Mode extends the campaign past its original end time to give backers a final chance to make their pledge and adds an interesting twist to the end of the campaign. How long will it extend? That’s entirely up to backers: The campaign will keep going for an additional 10 minutes as long as pledges keep coming in – a chain of back-to-back pledges is called the Backer Train. The campaign will end only when the Backer Train stops after a period of 10 minutes passing without any pledges.
You’ll know we’re in Overtime Mode when the campaign’s Backer Train counter displays a bright rainbow border and a new countdown that resets to 10 minutes after each new backer joins that final Backer Train ride.
So, we've scheduled the campaign to conclude on May 5th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, but it'll be extended in 10 minute chunks as long as backers keep pledging. Will we add an extra 10 minutes? An extra 20? Or will it all finish up as planned? Who knows, but we'll find out together! Even as we finish, there's a whole new start!
Shipping Costs will be Collected in the Pledge Manager
The best we can do at this point is to plan carefully, advise everyone up front with our best shipping cost estimates (see our projections on the main page - I've already factored in the EU's upcoming low value parcel charge) and only charge what it costs us when the time comes. We’ll be charging for shipping in the Pledge Manager once the books are being printed and we can deal with the actual shipping charges rather than using our best-guesses this far out. If you aren't sure you want one of the softcover editions, you can pledge to the PDF tier now and upgrade your pledge in the Pledge Manager once we know the final shipping costs.
Know What You're Getting Into
Beyond hearing it in the dulcet tones of the Gentleman Gamer, you can actually read the entire book before the campaign ends - before any pledges are processed or payments collected.
So far, we've releasd the first section, which contains all of the rules needed to play Curseborne, along with 4 of the 5 Ready-Made Characters that players can use to jump right into the action.
Download the Draft Manuscript at the bottom of this Update! Available to backers only!
We've got two more manuscript previews coming. Tomorrow we'll see our final character for the game, and next Monday we'll get the Wolf You Feed introductory scenario.
And Help Make It Even Better
Bonus Rewards for Backers!
Achieved!! - At $1,000 in Funding - STREAMING OVERLAY
STREAMING OVERLAY - A set of themed overlays for your online game will be created, for your use when streaming your Curseborne session. This will be added to the rewards list for all backers.
Achieved!! -At $3,000 in Funding - STORYGUIDE REFERENCE PDF
STORYGUIDE REFERENCE PDF - The PDF version of the Curseborne Storyguide Reference screen will be added to the rewards list of all backers pledged to receive the Curseborne Jumpstart softcover book.
At $6,000 in Funding - VTT TOKEN PACK
VTT TOKEN PACK - Digital assets will be created to support online play for the Curseborne Jumpstart, including key character and creature tokens from the book. This online asset pack will be added to the rewards list of all backers.
Again, this isn't a big campaign, so we're not looking at huge dollars, but If any of you have ideas for additional Stretch Goals for this Curseborne Jumpstart campaign, please feel free to let us know! Here, in the comments section, or over Rich's Monday Meeting Notes blog – either will work to let us know if there’s something we can do for you specifically!
Alright, one final week to go! Let's keep racing towards the finish line, and check in tomorrow to see the final RMC - Kai Watanabe!
On Friday before we hit our final days, I'll do a review of the different Pledge Tiers and Add Ons offered in this campaign, and I'll have one more big Checklist of Final Steps before we finish up in a week.
Plus The Wolf You Feed scenario coming next Monday!
Keep it up, Accursed!
10+ projects backed in 2023
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Project Update: IZZY!
Let's start the week out right with our fourth Ready-Made Character for the Curseborne Jumpstart. It's time for a big favorite - Izzy!
Izzy Plummer
Izzy has carved out a part of the city as her territory, as all Primals do. Like many werewolves, she shifted young, therefore she claimed her high school and surrounding neighborhood as her hunting ground. When she’s not running with other Accursed, she causes mayhem in other ways, typically involving heavy metal (though her tastes aren’t exclusive), blood-soaked action movies, indulging in recreational pot and booze, and putting school bullies and abusive teachers in their place.
The Wolf You Feedback
You can access the Feedback Form here: https://forms.gle/24ghLqRxkxtoCJpP9
DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY
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