There's some kind of jade petrichor in the air, because the Jadestorm has concluded.
That is to say, thanks to nearly 750 backers, Onyx Path will be able to develop and print the Jadestorm RPG core rulebook!
Not only did we collect a whole bunch of jade fragments - I mean backers - we extended the campaign with a last minute Backer Train taking us into Overtime!! That was cool! It's a neat feature on BackerKit and we love seeing how much more fun we can have with our campaigns, and it feels like some kind of Chain, if I'm gonna related it back to this game. Like rolling a success and then keeping it going!
There's more to celebrate! Not only did we fund the project in the first day, we also unlocked all six Stretch Goals to build two novellas and expand our Ready-Made Character PDF to a full jumpstart supplement.
It came down to the last few hours but we managed to hit every Stretch Goal we'd posted and upgraded that Jumpstart reward in the final day of the campaign!
Great job!
Let's review and see what we've accomlished by coming together to Crowdfund this project!
Jadestorm Novellas - TWO amazing short stories will be written to show of the lore, characters, powers and fun of this setting! I've really, really enjoyed the fiction that has come out from the Onyx Path team over the past few years, and I'm looking forward to seeing this setting through that lens.
Jadestorm Jumpstart - We started with a Ready-Made Character supplement and then just today enabled the Onyx Path team to expand that to a full Jumpstart supplement, including not only those pre-written characters but all the rules you need to play and a starting scenario to launch your own epic tale.
Backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF will automatically have these novellas and the jumpstart added as a bonus to their list of digital rewards.
Digital Desktop Wallpaper - All backers will also get a Jadestorm desktop wallpaper to dress up their computer monitor! I like to switch up my monitors every other month to keep things fresh, and I love the Jadestorm art, so this is a big win for me.
We also opened up a new Add On for backers pledge to receive either of the Jadestorm hardcover books.
And all of that is, of course, on top of our main purpose here - the creating of the actual book itself! This is the real reward - everything else is a bonus!
So a huge congratulations to Matthew and the whole team on this project, and to all of the backers who've joined in to make this possible. I'm happy about the goals we hit and rewards we introduced, but I'm also always amazed and excited about having nearly 750 backers join in during this campaign, and we really surpassed that dream target! The Earthbane Cycle games are all a little quirky and present a neat new take on fantasy using the Storypath Ultra system, and it's always fun to see what little tweaks and genre conventiosn each game brings out. I'm so happy to see this line continue to grow and develop, and I love hunting for little clues and references to see how they all link up to one another.
AN EXTRA THANK YOU!
So, thank you to all the backers who supported us and made this happen. And an extra thanks to everyone who participated online, either in the Community comments section of the campaign, and on social media around the web. Thanks to everyone who talked about the project on the Discord and thanks to Matthew and Emma and the Onyx Path team who answered questions and provided insight and sat for interviews with GM Corbin.
COMMUNICATION
So, as noted in today's earlier update, starting in Ovtober I'll be sending out updates once a month and whenever we've got a new goal, survey, or other item to cover. If you have any questions or need clarification on something related to the campaign, feel free to get in touch. I may take a bit to answer as I handle some family business and recover from the past few weeks, but eventually I'll have an answer!
I'll also see if I can sneak a compiled draft manuscript at the bottom of this update. Nothing changed, just smashed together in order. Scroll down to check it out if you need it.
TO CONTACT ME
Via E-Mail: Onyx.Kickstarter [at] gmail.com
Via BackerKit: Click "Need Help?" from your forthcoming survey page, and then fill in the Contact Us form. BackerKit will pass your message along to me.
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:
The Discord is particularly lively, and I loved seeing the thoughts and jokes as the chapters came out bit by bit.
BackerKit will begin collected pledges and processing payments later tonight, so be ready for that.
I hope everyone is able to finish September in a good place, and I'll be in touch next month.
High fives all around in the comment section and on the Discord, and you'll hear from me again in a month-or-so when I've got the pledge manager set up and ready to roll out!
Welcome to the final hours of this campaign! We've had a pretty amazing run so far - funding on the first day, adding more than 700 backers so far, and unlocking five Stretch Goals so far...
And we're *really close& to unlocking that final Stretch Goal, expanding one of our bonus rewards to make it a full jumpstart supplement.
At $39,000 in Funding - JADESTORM JUMPSTART PDF
JADESTORM JUMPSTART PDF - A basic rules overview and a starting scenario will be added to the Ready-Made Characters PDF, expanding it to a full Jadestorm Jumpstart PDF supplement. Everything you need to kick off your own story in Eos in one PDF that will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
I'll admit, yesterday when I set up this final reward I thought it was gonna be a real long shot, but we've had a surge over these last few days and we're absolutely within striking distance of unlocking that upgrade. Let's see how close we can get as we come to the end!
The most important part of this campaign, though, is that we have successfully funded this project! Thanks to everyone who's come out to support this campaign, we'll be getting this cool book!
All backers supporting this project have access to the complete draft manuscript already and will get a bonus reward of a digital wallpaper. Backers pledging to any reward tier that includes the Jadestorm PDF (which is just about all of them, you know!) will also get 2 amazing novellas and a set of Ready-Made Characters (or maybe a full Jumpstart supplement!) as bonus rewards. Only backers pledging to the campaign are eligible to have these bonus rewards automatically added to their rewards list, so jump on if you haven't already!
FINAL DAY CHECKLIST
Whether you've just received your first jade fragment or an duellist battling mountains, these are some good topics to review in these final five hours...
1. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING
Backers can read the entire current draft of the manuscript <HERE>. Please make sure you read the manuscript before the campaign concludes so you know exactly what you're pledging to support. And submit your Feedback! The Developers will use your feedback submitted on <THIS FORM> to guide them through the next rounds of editing and development, so make sure your voice is heard. Backers make it better!
2. PLEDGE TIERS and ADD ONS
This update breaks down your best starting point for figuring out which Backer Reward Tier to choose to help support this project in a way that works for you.
The first decision you need to make in figuring out your reward tier is whether you want to receive the PDF, the standard hardcover version or the deluxe hardcover edition (all hardcovers also come with the PDF version).
BEASTFATHER GAHL
This is the PDF-only reward tier. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the ever-increasing shipping charges - this is the reward tier 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.
STORMCLOAKED KORRAN
This reward tier includes the standard hardcover version of this book. 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.
SHADOWED ARA
This reward tier includes the limited edition deluxe version of Jadestorm hardcover book, with a leatherette cover, special cover design, and bound-in silk bookmark. 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.
As noted, shipping charges will be calculated later and charged in the BackerKit Pledge Manager. We'll have exact shipping costs once the book is in production and we know the specifications, but we've done our best to provide estimates on the front page. If it looks expensive, you can pledge to the Beastfather Gahl tier and possibly upgrade inthe pledge managerto one of the hardcover tiers once the shipping costs are known before we lockdown orders.
ADD-ON OPTIONS - The other half of our Reward Tiers update, including information on the second step of pledging. There are several Add On options that you can add as part of your pledging process, including the other core books in the Earthbane Cycle.
ADD ON selections will be available in the post-campaign Pledge Manager as well.
As mentioned, only those who participate during the campaign will have Stretch Goal rewards to their rewards lists. If you're waiting to pre-order at a later time, it's better to pledge to the Sunlit Elion tier now and then simply upgrade your pledge later to have the option to include these bonus rewards.
Additionally, this may go without saying,please review your personal budgetand ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. BackerKit will begincharging your payment methodat 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.
There are no refunds for regret, and the funds raised start being spent immediately on paying for the work done thus far and the additional work ahead plus the projects unlocked via Stretch Goal. So please be financially responsible.
Choose a Reward Tier You Can Afford
Readthe Manuscripts and Make Sure You Know What You're Getting
Be Aware of the Projected Delivery Date (Onyx Path will try to deliver earlier than this, but the book will take some time to get perfect, and we're dealing with an imperfect world. Schedules sometimes go awry)
3. PAYMENT AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Once you're comfortable with your pledge, please ensure that the payment and contact information in your BackerKit account is up to date and correct. Making sure your e-mail is entered correctly and your credit card isn't expired will speed up the next step process. (I have learned from experience!)
4.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're scheduled to end today at 2:00 pm Eastern, 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 we programmed? Who knows, but we'll find out together! Let's gamble with some jade!
WHAT COMES NEXT?
5. AFTER THE CAMPAIGN ENDS
First, we celebrate. The campaign page will subtly change, locking out the ability to pledge and showing the final totals. We'll give socially-distanced high fives and digital fist bumps in the Community section and over on Discord.
Then, the BackerKit payment process begins. Starting late tonight and continuing over the next week, Backerkit will begin charging your payment methods for the total amount you've pledged.
If there is an issue with your payment method (expired credit card or incorrect number or pre-paid Visa awaiting funds, for example), BackerKit will keep trying to process payment during this time.
Once this step is done, which will likely be by the end of September, BackerKit will confirm everything with Onyx Path and I can begin to set up the project in the Pledge Manager and load in all of the campaign data.
In addition to providing the crowdfunding platform for this campaign, BackerKit is also Onyx Path's regular Pledge Manager partner.
BackerKit provides a robust fulfillment integration and pledge management program that will allow us to work with all of the data and distribute the rewards to you. It will take me about a month to set the project up. Once I've got it all entered and built, the team from BackerKit will review to ensure I didn't mess anything up too badly, and then I'll make any changes they've suggested and we can move on to the Survey stage.
6. BACKERKIT SURVEYS
Once BackerKit says I'm good to go, I will send out a survey to all backers. This is why confirming your e-mail is important!
The BackerKit survey is both a verb and a noun - it will collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group (enabling Onyx Path to set print runs, prioritize new projects, and fine-tune future campaigns), as well as providing a general review or summary of the reward tier you've chosen, confirm all of the rewards associated with that reward tier, and confirm your total pledge amount.
I expect Surveys to go out before the end of October 2026.
During the Survey period, you can choose to increase your reward tier and add on additional options. If you've found $20 in your jacket or picked up some extra Thanksgiving shifts and decide it's time to trade up to the deluxe hardcover version of the book or include another add-on, you can do so at this time. Note, you will not be able to reduce your reward tier selection, only increase.
If you selected Add On options, they'll be added to your reward list automatically.
Note that you'll be able to upgrade your pledge tier for quite some time - until we're getting ready to print the book itself and have figured out shipping costs. So don't feel pressure to have it all figured out right away - we'll make sure there's plenty of time to get it all sorted before the books go out.
Similarly, if you have a hardcover book as one of your rewards, the survey will ask you to confirm your shipping address, even though it'll be some time before we ship out the final product. Do not worry about moving before shipping begins - you will be able to update BackerKit right up until the point that we begin fulfilling the final book. We will send out a notice prior to lock down so you can update any information.
I'll also use the Survey to confirm some details for the premium reward tiers.
7. REWARD DISTRIBUTION
Once the surveys are up and running, I'll prepare fulfillment for the existing rewards - the Add On options that are all currently available, like the other Earthbane Cycle core rulebooks as well as the Storypath Ultra Core Manual. Depending on how smoothly the Pledge Manager process goes, those should be out fairly soon after the survey stage starts. So, let's say the existing PDF rewards will be out to you by the end of October. That's only the beginning, though.
This is a long process, but I will send out regular updates (usually at the end of the month) to keep you up to speed on Onyx Path's progress. There will be strings of updates that are just "still working on it," but I will share new artwork or information when I can.
Eventually, we will have a completed PDF of Jadestorm. Onyx Path will take some time to distribute, review, and compile any errata or corrections that need to be made. When they've made any necessary changes, they'll make an updated version of the PDF available in your DriveThruRPG digital library and then begin creating print-ready files for the Print-on-Demand and the hardcover versions.
It's yet another long road ahead, likely full of twists and turns and surprises, but one that we wouldn't be undertaking if not for your ongoing support.
So - one final time - please spread the word to any potential backers and fans, and thanks so much for a great campaign!
We'rejust about to kick off the final 24 hours! Within this last day, I wanted to review some important topics, most especially our current Stretch Goal situation! Let's start stretching!
Jadestorm finishes the crowdfunding campaign on September 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
We're in the Final Day countdown for this Crowdfunding campaign. There's still time to add a few more links in our chain, but we're definitely getting closer to the finish line. With that in mind, I want to remind everyone about our final days Update Schedule to make sure everyone has the information they need to support this project in the way that works best for them.
Whether you've just received your first jade fragment or an duellist battling mountains, these are some good topics to review in the upcoming days to make sure we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out our Final Week Countdown / Resource Update. It has links to the manuscript previews, youtube videos, and other helpful information.)
I want to highlight the Reward Tier and Add On Review post. Please review it prior to the conclusion of this campaign, as it outlines important information about your pledge selection, your rewards, and supporting this campaign that you should be aware of before we get to the end.
Refresher Course
Note for New Backers: Please check out the updates listed above. There's a lot of information there that will be important to know about before the end, like how we're not including shippingcharges in our pledges for this campaign and instead will be charging them in our pledge manager before we ship out the books, and you can also read the entire draft manuscript before the end of the campaign and any pledges are processed.
Note for Since-the-Start Backers: It's probably a good idea to review that stuff as well. Never hurts to make sure you haven't missed anything!
In fact, just to make sure I've hit all of the main points several times, here's a quick rundown of some key items:
MANUSCRIPT PREVIEW - As noted, the complete Preview Manuscript for the book is available for you to review prior to the conclusion of the campaign. If you're a backer, you'll have access to this preview manuscript after the campaign. Remember, though, there are still edits, development and proofing that need to be done, but you can consider it most of the way there and a good representation of what you'll get in the final book. Making the manuscript available for review before the campaign ends ensures that everyone knows exactly what our goal is - making this book - and are on board with our aims for this project. Thanks for your support, we're all in this together!
PLEDGE TIERS -This update breaks down your best starting point for figuring out which Backer Reward Tier to choose to help support this project in a way that works for you.
BEASTFATHER GAHL
This is the PDF-only reward tier. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the ever-increasing shipping charges - this is the reward tier 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.
STORMCLOAKED KORRAN
This reward tier includes the standard hardcover version of this book. 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.
SHADOWED ARA
This reward tier includes the limited edition deluxe version of Jadestorm hardcover book, with a leatherette cover, special cover design, and bound-in silk bookmark. 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.
ADD-ON OPTIONS - The other half of our Reward Tiers update, including information on the second step of pledging. There are several Add On options that you can add as part of your pledging process, including the other interesting Earthbane Cycle books books and the SPU Core Manual.
Choose Wisely
Choosing the correct Reward Tier for your desired rewards, and then filling in any "gaps" with add-ons, ensures that you'll be claiming all of your desired rewards as a thank you for supporting this project and bringing this world to life.
Remember, your PLEDGE AMOUNT is equal to your REWARD TIER + ADD ONS only - Any Shipping costs will be collected at a later date. You will also be able to select Add On options in the Pledge Manager after the campaign, but remember that only funds added during the campaign count towards Stretch Goal funding targets.
Also to note, only those who participate during the campaign will have Stretch Goal rewards to their rewards lists. If you're waiting to pre-order at a later time, it's better to pledge to the Sunlit Elion tier now and then simply upgrade your pledge later to have the option to include these bonus rewards.
Additionally, this may go without saying,please review your personal budgetand ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. BackerKit will begincharging your payment methodat 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.
There are no refunds for regret, and the funds raised start being spent immediately on paying for the work done thus far and the additional work ahead plus the projects unlocked via Stretch Goal. So please be financially responsible.
Tomorrow I'll be posting one further "Final Day" update, covering What Happens Next and outlining what to expect once the campaign ends.
But until then, let's review our Stretch Goal success story!
Over the past 27 days as we've worked through this campaign, we've not only funded the book but also built a a few bonus rewards via Stretch Goal achievements!
Let's review and see what we've accomlished by coming together to Crowdfund this project!
Achieved! - New Add On: Storyguide Screen
NEW ADD ON: STORYGUIDE SCREEN - A three-panel Storyguide Reference Screen with charts and information for running a Jadestorm game will be created and offered as an Add On to any hardcover reward tiers for +$25
Achieved! - READY-MADE CHARACTERS PDF
READY-MADE CHARACTERS PDF - Do you want to game but your players aren’t sure what to play? Looking for inspiration to get you into the world of Jadestorm? These five characters are ready to make their mark in the world of Eos! This PDF will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
Achieved! - JADESTORM NOVELLA
JADESTORM NOVELLA - A short story written to explore the world of Eos and the play experience will be will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
Achieved! - JADESTORM DIGITAL WALLPAPER
JADESTORM DIGITAL WALLPAPER - The fantastic Jadestorm artwork will be used to create a wallpaper for your computer desktop. This digital wallpaper will be added to the rewards list of all backers supporting this project.
Achieved! - JADESTORM NOVELLA II
JADESTORM NOVELLA II - In a world of epic tales, a second short story written to explore the world of Eos and the play experience will be will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
That's right! We unlocked this Stretch Goal late last night (or early this morning, depending on when you go to sleep). And with that, we've achieved every announced Stretch Goal.
So let's announce one more!
This one's a final longshot - an expansion of our current bonus rewards to turn it into a bigger project.
At $39,000 in Funding - JADESTORM JUMPSTART PDF
JADESTORM JUMPSTART PDF - A basic rules overview and a starting scenario will be added to the Ready-Made Characters PDF, expanding it to a full Jadestorm Jumpstart PDF supplement. Everything you need to kick off your own story in Eos in one PDF that will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
Now, that's a bit of a stretch and will be a challenge to reach in the next 24 hours. But they are called STRETCH GOALS and that wouldn't be accurate if we didn't have to really STRETCH to achieve them. It's certainly possible to unlock that and expand our Ready-Made Characters into a full Jumpstart, but it won't be easy.
YOUR REWARDS!
That's right! You backed this project to help make and publish Jadestorm! Our primary reward - the big thank you that we'll send out in appreciation for your support - are PDFs and/or hardcover copies of this book! BUT AS A BONUS, you may also receive a couple of amazing novellas, a digital wallpaper, maybe a Storyguide Screen, and some Ready-Made Characters - or maybe even a Jumpstart if we get lucky!
NOT MUCH MORE TIME
Unfortunately, we seem to continue to move forward at a regular pace, and our campaign will some come to the inescapable end. We've achieved our primary goal of funding the book, but there is still one possible Stretch Goal reward that is almost within grasp! I know this last funding target may seem a challenge, but it's certainly within reach, but won't be easy, so let's keep at it!
So, as every update concludes: let's keep the enthusiasm rolling! Keep spreading the word and letting others know about this project. They've got this final day to jump in and share the Stretch Goals we've achieved!
And every backer who joins in as we approach the end is not only able to enjoy the additional rewards already added by the early fans and backers, but also help reward those early backers by maybeunlocking thatfinal Companion section!
Remember, only the funds generated during the Crowdfunding campaign go toward achieving these Stretch Goal targets, so the time to act is now! Together, we can bring this game to life and make great things happen!
Jadestorm finishes the crowdfunding campaign on September 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
We will finish up as soon as our backer train ends after that point! So let's see if we can't hit a final Stretch Goal and then keep that train running for an extra 10 or 20 minutes!!
We're in our final days, and it's time for our final section of the draft manusript! As of this update, backers have access to the entire approved draft and can read the book before any pledges are processed or payments collected. If you're with us beyond this point, you know exactly what this project is you're backing and a key member of the supporters bringing this project to life!
Jadestorm finishes the crowdfunding campaign on September 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
Before we get to the manusript download link, I just wanted to quickly go over a few key pieces of info. We're in the Final Days countdown for this Crowdfunding campaign. There's still time to add a few more links in our chain, but we're definitely getting closer to the finish line. With that in mind, I want to remind everyone about our final days Update Schedule to make sure everyone has the information they need to support this project in the way that works best for them.
Whether you've just received your first jade fragment or an duellist battling mountains, these are some good topics to review in the upcoming days to make sure we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out our Final Week Countdown / Resource Update. It has links to the manuscript previews, youtube videos, and other helpful information.)
Matthew also hosted an ASK ME ANYTHING video all about Jadestorm. Check it out for the answers to some questions about this game!
I want to highlight the Reward Tier and Add On Review post. Please review it prior to the conclusion of this campaign, as it outlines important information about your pledge selection, your rewards, and supporting this campaign that you should be aware of before we get to the end.
Tomorrow, we'll have a review of our Stretch Goal achievements, but here's a reminder of at our current target.
At $36,000 in Funding - JADESTORM NOVELLA II
JADESTORM NOVELLA II - In a world of epic tales, a second short story written to explore the world of Eos and the play experience will be will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
Shipping Costs will be Collected in the Pledge Manager
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).
Draft Manuscript Previews
Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers have received the entire current draft manuscript for Jadestorm. They've come out in chapters to help me seem interesting over the 28 days, but it's more about guiding the conversation and helping steer feedback for the developers.
Because they want your feedback! These manuscript previews are of the current draft manuscript – the document in its latest, approved form. This may not be the final form - it hasn't been edited yet, and there will be further rounds of development - but you can consider it about 75% finished, so keep that in mind.
In fact, you can help guide the team through the next stages of development by providing feedback on these manuscript previews! The Onyx Path team has set up a special Feedback Form just for campaign backers for this very purpose: <Jadestorm Feedback Form>
Remember, thanks to BackerKit sorcery, these download links are visible to Backers only - you must be logged in and reading this on the website to have access to the manuscript preview links. So, if you're reading this via e-mail, click that "Reply to this Update" or "Learn More" button on the bottom and I'll see you below the Jadestorm title logo.
I've got a lot to go over today, so let's settle in and prepare for a big review post.
Before we dig in to it, one more reminder of our current Stretch Goal targets:
At $34,000 in Funding - JADESTORM DIGITAL WALLPAPER
JADESTORM DIGITAL WALLPAPER - The fantastic Jadestorm artwork will be used to create a wallpaper for your computer desktop. This digital wallpaper will be added to the rewards list of all backers supporting this project.
At $36,000 in Funding - JADESTORM NOVELLA II
JADESTORM NOVELLA II - In a world of epic tales, a second short story written to explore the world of Eos and the play experience will be will be added to the rewards list of all backers receiving the Jadestorm PDF as one of their rewards.
We're *this close* to unlocking that digital wallpaper, which is really just a stepping stone to get another novella for Jadestorm. If you've been lucky enough to read any of the recent fiction that Onyx Path has put out for the Exalted and Curseborne games, you know they've been killing it lately, and I really look forward to what those writers can do with the cool bits from the Jadestorm game.
Of course, there could be additional stretch goals set up if we clear that $36,000 target, but we'll get to that on Wednesday when we do the Stretch Goal review.
Jadestorm finishes the crowdfunding campaign on September 17th at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
We're in the Final Days countdown for this Crowdfunding campaign. There's still time to add a few more links in our chain, but we're definitely getting closer to the finish line. With that in mind, I want to remind everyone about our final days Update Schedule to make sure everyone has the information they need to support this project in the way that works best for them.
Whether you've just received your first jade fragment or an duellist battling mountains, these are some good topics to review in the upcoming days to make sure we all end up where we want to be.
(An aside, if you're a new backer, make sure you check out our Final Week Countdown / Resource Update. It has links to the manuscript previews, youtube videos, and other helpful information.)
Like it says right at the top of the campaign story page, we've come together to help create a fully-developed PDF as well as standard and deluxe hardcover versions of Jadestorm, a book full of epic action, incredible powers, and amazing sorcery for this stage of the Earthbane Cycle.
PLEDGING YOUR SUPPORT
To borrow an analogy that I've used in past campaigns, this process we're a part of works similar to the "Viewers Like You" support campaign from your local Public Broadcasting Station (while they still exist): There are various levels of support that you can pledge to, and these come with various levels of rewards offered as a thank you. Like getting a tote bag or t-shirt when you give money to public broadcasting to fund them doing their thing, you can get rewards for helping Onyx Path work on this project.
Let's review the Backer Reward Tiers to ensure that you've pledged to a Reward Tier that provides all the rewards you wish to receive.
Jadestorm
The main reward offered in this campaign is, of course, the main goal of the entire proposition: the finished PDF, hardcover and deluxe edition for Jadestorm. The step in your decision chain is simple - do you save some shelf space and go digital-only with the PDF version or go all in with the hardcover version?
While the world of the Jadetouched is full of epic characters and larger-than-life adventures, we've kept supporting this project as simple and straightforward as possible. To pledge support to this project and receive the book in one (or more) of the formats offered, pick one of these reward tiers:
BEASTFATHER GAHL: This is the PDF-only reward tier. So, if you're saving trees or saving shelf space - or avoiding the ever-increasing shipping charges - this is the reward tier 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.
STORMCLOAKED KORRAN: This reward tier includes the standard hardcover version of this book. 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.
If you're really excited to become one of the Jadetouched and want to really impress your gaming friends, we're also offering a special edition Deluxe Edition Jadestorm hardcover book.
SHADOWED ARA: This reward tier includes the limited edition deluxe version of Jadestorm hardcover book, with a leatherette cover, special cover design, and bound-in silk bookmark. 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.
In addition to these primary reward pledge paths, we also offer the following options:
SUNLIT ELION: Not ready to commit, or just looking to offer general support? This pledge tier is for you. This does not include our primary reward, but allows you to select some digital optional Add Ons, as well as participate in the post-campaign Pledge Manager as a backer. You'll also be able to read the draft manuscript of Jadestorm that we post throughout this campaign.
DANCING VETH-RAH / JUDGING SUHAL / DEATHLY MIR'YA / MYSTERIOUS WID-ROS: A few Reward Tiers offer special limited premium rewards in addition to the basics, including participation in an online game session run by Matthew Dawkins, an option to supply a name to be used by an NPC which will be incorporated into the game, and the ability to name and describe a settlement or dungeon which will be added to setting's lore, or even the option to pitch a Jadetouched monster to add to the game. Check each of the Reward Tier descriptions for more details.
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.
After the Crowdfunding campaign, in the Pledge Manager, you 'll be able to:
Review and update your Pledge Level selection - for example, you can pledge to the Beastfather Gahl tier during the campaign and then switch to the Shadowed Ara once we know shipping costs and are preapring to fulfill the hardcover rewards.
Confirm and Update your Shipping information - you'll be able to update your final delivery address up until we're shipping out the hardcover 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 features - 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!
OPTIONAL DISCOUNTED PoD VERSION – For this Jadestorm campaign, some pledge tiers have the option of using DriveThruRPG.com’s Print-On-Demand service to purchase a printed copy of the PDF directly from their PoD partners at discounted cost (this cost is not included in your pledge, and you do not need to increase the cost of your pledge to use this option). When the PoD versions are available to order (which maybe some time after the books have gone to print), you will receive links to purchase these versions of the books from DriveThruRPG.com. You DO NOT need to take advantage of this PoD offer as it does not affect in any way your pledge rewards.
JADESTORM BACKER PDF - Crowdfunding backers will receive a redemption link 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.
JADESTORM HARDCOVER BOOKS - The main goal of this campaign is to fund the creation, production, and print run of a standard and limited edition deluxe hardcover editions of this book. Note that all Reward Tiers that include the physical hardcover version also include the digital PDF version as a bonus. You will be charged for shipping after the campaign through the pledge manager prior to hardcover reward fulfillment.
Choosing Your Reward Tier
There has been some churn over this past week - a few Reward Tier adjustments and changes by backers, as budgets changed and people have read the manuscript previews. In these final days it's best to ensure that you've selected the Reward Tier that offers you the options and rewards you want to receive and are ready to lock down. This timing - before the campaign ends - is the absolute most affordable and inclusive these rewards will be, and will save headaches and heartbreaks if fully considered now.
This is just the first step, however, in completing your pledge for this campaign. Funds for additional extras can be added to your pledge by selecting Add On options and increasing the overall funding and maybe getting us closer to a Stretch Goal.
First Step: Reward Tier
To summarize the first part of this post, the absolute best way to ensure that you're getting the primary rewards you want from this crowdfunding campaign is to ensure you've selected the appropriate Backer Reward Tier. Selecting the right Reward Tier covers about 95% of the options available to you. If you want the standard hardcover, make sure you've selected the correct reward. If you want the deluxe edition, double-check your reward tier to ensure the proper option is featured.
Once you've completed that important step, you're going to want to look at the Add On rewards for any reward "bits" that don't automatically fall into your reward tier. That takes us to the Add On step.
Step Two: Add-On Options
Once you've chosen your pledge tier, you've likely already included the main rewards you want. In addition to the rewards offered as part of the Reward Tier configurations, there are a few other possible PDFs you may wish to add. All Add-On rewards are described in our Add On menu below.
You can select an Add On option, which will increase the amount of your pledge by the listed amount. Add on options will be selected and confirmed again in the Pledge Manager when that's up and running.
As well as additional copies of the Jadestorm game in various formats - and the Storyguide Screen, which we unlocked via Stretch Goal achievement - you can add on the other games in the Earthbane Cycle line, as well as the Storypath Ultra Core Manual, which breaks down the system that powers all of these games.
THE WORLD BELOW (Corebook PDF) 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 around them. 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.
AT THE GATES(Corebook PDF) is a high fantasy tabletop roleplaying game about burgeoning heroes struggling to survive, fighting for what’s right, exploring dangerous places, and saving the world. You play as heroes who have chosen to buck the status quo and try to change the course of things. Your characters may attempt to change the course of the war, delve into the secrets of daemons and the Void, fight against tyranny to protect what they love in the world, fight to restore balance to Gaia, or all the above.
MONSTER KINGDOMS (Corebook PDF Pre-Order) in this game, you play as a creature of darkness. You may be vampiric magus, or feyborn harlequin. You might be a warrior gauntlet, an orc cultist, a druidic elf, or a flame-spitting dragonkin. You can play a wildly creative goblinoid, a chaotic dwarf, a fierce ice elementor, or a shame-filled fiend. Your characters can be anything from hulking dreadnauts to disturbing mentalists, and many Mantles in between. Receive the draft manuscript while you wait for the Backer PDF to be distributed.
The STORYPATH ULTRA CORE MANUAL PDF 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.
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.
Once you click BACK IT, you'll see pledge level options. If you want to know a bit more about each level, click Learn More, or click Back It.
For example, clicking Learn More on the STORMCLOAKED KORRAN 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 Jadestorm book at a later date will not have any Stretch Goal rewards automatically added to their rewards list if applicable.
REWARD DELIVERY
About 4-6 weeks after the campaign has ended, I'll launch our post-campaign Pledge Manager to collect information from all backers and confirm which rewards you'll be receiving. At that point, you'll be able to review your rewards and also also adjust any Add On Options that you may have missed. Once we have everything confirmed, I'll be able to deliver any rewards that are currently available - like existing Earthbane Cycle titles and the SPU Core Manual PDF. Backers who have pledged for these options will be sent special redemption links to claim these digital rewards from our partners at DriveThruRPG.com. Clicking these redemption links will allow you to add these PDF titles to your digital library to download anytime. I'll send an update when all of that is happening, though, so you are aware every step of the way.
So, while it will take some time for Jadestorm to move from manuscript form to a final product, you won't be waiting a year for PDFs that already exist. (You'll be waiting about 8-10 weeks or so, just enough time for us to set up the reward infrastructure.)
Physical Books
If you're waiting to see the shipping costs before upgrading your PDF pledge to any of the hardcover reward tiers, you'll have lots of time for that. We won't close the Pledge Manager until the books are being manufactured and we know what shipping costs will be, so you'll be able to go back and adjust your pledge tier at that time.
It's going to take some time to create the final PDF for Jadestorm and even longer for the eventual print run for the hardcover books. When the books are at the printer, I will be in touch with all backers to outline timeline for pledge adjustments, as well as lockdown procedures and when we'll be confirming addresses and processing BackerKit Add Ons and Shipping payments. That's a long time away, and we'll cover that as we get closer to that part of the process.
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 until we're closer to the final reward shipment goes out.
Step 1: Pledge Tier
Step 2: Add On Options
Again, your first step should involve your main reward selection, and your Add On Options will build upon that. If you selected the PDF-only tier, you can investigate PDF and digital options. If you select a hardcover tier, you will be able to add additional copies of the hardcover and the Storyguide Screen.
Note that all funds are expressed in US Dollars, so take into account your conversion as needed.
It Adds Up!
That should explain the process of Selecting your Reward Level and adding Add On options and confirming your TOTAL PLEDGE AMOUNT. Since increasing your pledge amount increases the overall funding level of the project, add-ons can help us achieve our Stretch Goal funding targets, so it benefits us all to suggest that you double-check to make sure you're getting all of the rewards you want.
Additionally, this may go without saying,please review your personal budgetand ensure you've selected the appropriate reward tier and add ons for your current financial situation. BackerKit will begincharging your payment methodat 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.
There are no refunds for regret, and the funds raised start being spent immediately on paying for the work done thus far and the additional work ahead plus the projects unlocked via Stretch Goal. So please be financially responsible.
Did I stress that enough? I hope so.
Conclusion
As we move through these final days of the campaign, please ensure you've chosen the correct Pledge Level for the rewards you want (at least at this point). And beyond that - please make sure you've investigated and selected any add-ons you wish to receive. If you have any issues with the Pledge process, either selecting the reward tier or figuring out the Add On options, you can reach out to me or to the support team at BackerKit. I've found them to respond quickly and offer great support.
On Thursday, just before the campaign ends, I will send an update detailing the steps that occur after the campaign concludes, including notes about our Pledge Manager and the communication plan going forward.
So, just like always: Spread the word! Share your excitement on social media! Tell your friends! I'll be back tomorrow with our final chapter, covering the Jadestorm antagonists, so let's make sure that none of our friends miss out! Anyone supporting this project will be able to read the entire draft manuscript before any pledges are processed or payments collected, so you'll know exactly what you're getting! And you'll be able to submit your feedback directly to the developers who will use your notes to take the manuscript through the final stages of editing and development to make it the best it can be.
So, review your pledge, make sure it works for you in this moment, and let's carry on to our big finale on Thursday!
