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Exalted: Essence Player's Guide

Created by Onyx Path

An expansion for the Exalted: Essence tabletop roleplaying game, full of roleplaying advice and new mechanical content for players to enjoy.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

The Fury of the Infernals! Manuscript Preview #9
12 months ago – Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 03:53:04 AM

Hello Players,

Let's finish up our first week with another big manuscript section! It's time for the Infernals!


One quick thing to note before we get into the manuscript.

Shipping Costs will be Collected in the Pledge Manager

First up, it's amazingly expensive to ship, especially from Onyx Path's home base in the US. And that's as of today - we're all in the dark about how things will look in 2 years. We get that, but there's not much we can do at this time. Onyx Path is in a difficult space where the company is big enough that they're not saving money by fulfilling out of Rich's garage, but small enough that they haven't been able to set up ongoing international partners to handle portions of the fulfillment. So we are where we are - for now.

The best we can do at this point is to plan carefully, advise everyone up front that shipping will likely be expensive (see our projections on the main page) 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 the hardcover or other physical items, you can pledge to the PDF tier now and upgrade your pledge in the Pledge Manager once we know the final shipping costs.


Draft Manuscript Previews

Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers will receive the entire current draft manuscript for Exalted: Essence Player's Guide, but it's not going to come to you all in one go. The previews will come out in Exalt-based sections throughout the campaign. This helps me seem interesting over the the 28 day campaign, 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 after editing and any additional development, but you can consider it about 95% 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: https://forms.gle/sqmxdW6u87pT3Mhg8


You can use this Feedback Form to share your thoughts directly with the Exalted: Essence creative team to help guide them through the next rounds of development and editing.


DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, 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 "Learn More" link on the bottom and I'll see you below the Exalted emblem.

Check out the Chapter that wasn't written ... until it was - Manuscript Preview #8
12 months ago – Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 06:47:58 AM

Hi Players,

Today is Getimian day. I had a whole bit about how - in another world - this might be a chapter that was edited out, but has since become real in our reality. But it got too weird and I lost the thread. So let's just check out the awesomeness that comes from these most unusual Exalted.

Just before we get there, though... let's check in on our Stretch Goals, because we've unlocked one more since our last update!




ACHIEVED At $80,000 in Funding - ESSENCE EXTENDED (Universal Charms Expansion) 

Onyx Path will expand the "Essence Extended" supplement, adding more Universal Charms. This supplement will be released for purchase on DriveThruRPG and added as a free bonus reward to all backers receiving the Exalted: Essence Player's Guide standard hardcover or Deluxe Edition [SIDEREAL PLEDGE+]

At $85,000 in Funding - VTT TOKEN PACK

Digital assets will be created to support online play for Exalted: Essence, including key character and creature tokens from this book. This online asset pack will be added to the rewards list of all backers supporting this project.  [DRAGON-BLOODED PLEDGE+]




Draft Manuscript Previews

Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers will receive the entire current draft manuscript for Exalted: Essence Player's Guide, but it's not going to come to you all in one go. The previews will come out in Exalt-based sections throughout the campaign. This helps me seem interesting over the the 28 day campaign, 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 after editing and any additional development, but you can consider it about 95% 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: https://forms.gle/sqmxdW6u87pT3Mhg8


You can use this Feedback Form to share your thoughts directly with the Exalted: Essence creative team to help guide them through the next rounds of development and editing.


DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, 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 "Learn More" link on the bottom and I'll see you below the Exalted emblem.

Forging Ahead through the manuscript - Manuscript Preview #7
12 months ago – Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 06:17:50 AM

Hi Players,

Are you ready to check out the next chapter, about our friends forged in Autochthonia? It's time for the Alchemical Exalted!

Before we cross the Seal of Eight Divinities, I've got a few quick things to go over.

Onyx Path Reddit AMA


Yesterday, many members of the Onyx Path team dropped by Reddit to answer your questions about Exalted and other gamelines. Lots of bits and pieces discussed, many attempts to find out about future plans and projects, a great desire for Paradox to approve more Onyx Path book ideas, and other general fun.

You can check out the questions and answers <here>



We're in the middle of the regular Crowdfunding plateau - the long but important stretch between the first and final 48 hour rush. Incremental progress is made during these weeks, but it often feels like slow going compared to the excitement of the big first and final days of a campaign.

Despite those feelings, however, we are still sharing exciting content with chapters coming out multiple times a week, and making progress toward our 8th Stretch Goal.

At $80,000 in Funding - ESSENCE EXTENDED (Universal Charms Expansion) 

Onyx Path will expand the "Essence Extended" supplement, adding more Universal Charms. This supplement will be released for purchase on DriveThruRPG and added as a free bonus reward to all backers receiving the Exalted: Essence Player's Guide standard hardcover or Deluxe Edition [SIDEREAL PLEDGE+]

Please continue to spread the word and let friends in your social circle and gamers on your social media know about this project, and let's see if we can't unlock some Universal Charms before we start our final week!


I'm going to speak against my own self interest for a moment, and repeat something I say at the end of every campaign and will repeat in a few weeks - 2025 has been pretty wild so far, and there's even more uncertainty ahead. Ensure that your circumstances enable you to afford this pledge at this moment - BackerKit begins processing payments the night the campaign ends and neither Onyx Path nor I have any involvement in that process. If you are unsure of your financial situation but don't want to miss out, please pledge for a tier you can afford now and know that you will be able to upgrade to open pledge levels in our post-campaign Pledge Manager for some time before the book is completed. 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.


Draft Manuscript Previews

Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers will receive the entire current draft manuscript for Exalted: Essence Player's Guide, but it's not going to come to you all in one go. The previews will come out in Exalt-based sections throughout the campaign. This helps me seem interesting over the the 28 day campaign, 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 after editing and any additional development, but you can consider it about 95% 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: https://forms.gle/sqmxdW6u87pT3Mhg8



You can use this Feedback Form to share your thoughts directly with the Exalted: Essence creative team to help guide them through the next rounds of development and editing.


DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, 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 "Learn More" link on the bottom and I'll see you below the Exalted emblem.




You'll Wanna Play This Part, so We'll Carry On... to Manuscript Preview #6
12 months ago – Wed, Apr 09, 2025 at 06:10:51 AM

Hello Players,

We're into other realms now, getting ready to check out the Abyssals and their Deathlords. Before we get to our manuscript preview, a reminder about Onyx Path's plans for tomorrow! If  you've got questions, they've got answers!



Ask Onyx Path Anything!

On Thursday, Onyx Path will be running a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) over on  https://www.reddit.com/r/WhiteWolfRPG/ at 12 noon Eastern time! They’ll be answering questions about Essence and the Essence PG for sure, and also questions about anything else folks want to throw their way!



Draft Manuscript Previews

Over the course of these 4 weeks, backers will receive the entire current draft manuscript for Exalted: Essence Player's Guide, but it's not going to come to you all in one go. The previews will come out in Exalt-based sections throughout the campaign. This helps me seem interesting over the the 28 day campaign, 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 after editing and any additional development, but you can consider it about 95% 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: https://forms.gle/sqmxdW6u87pT3Mhg8


You can use this Feedback Form to share your thoughts directly with the Exalted: Essence creative team to help guide them through the next rounds of development and editing.


DRAFT MANUSCRIPT PREVIEWS - BACKERS ONLY

Remember, thanks to BackerKit magic, 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 "Learn More" link on the bottom and I'll see you below the Exalted emblem.

Snatched off the Glowing Road
12 months ago – Tue, Apr 08, 2025 at 07:26:17 AM

Snatched off the Glowing Road

He had intended to sweep into Whitewall like a revelation; step out of the carriage stride before it for a mile to the gates and announce his intentions. But the long day of sitting up in a rocking carriage had taken a surprising amount out of him, and the carriage bunk, full of warm furs and the warmer smell of cedar pulled Iron Milosz into a doze.

Outside, voices. The carriage halted, and sharp, urgent words—four at least and one high and panicked, not just the bass-voiced reinsman and conductor who’d spent the journey (presumably) perched atop the carriage managing the horses. Milosz dragged his consciousness, leaden, back into his body, rolled back his shoulders, and reinvested his energy into keeping his feet planted in a fight. He could even walk on ceilings if he had to. The cost of Exaltation had been too dear — to wake up in a world where nothing he’d done mattered — but it did have perks.

He glanced at his companions to look for signs they knew what was going on. Taunts-The-Darkness was as relaxed as ever. His chin rested on his fist as he leaned against the carriage wall, and he gave Milosz an enigmatic smile. The Chronicler looked roped into a chaos he’d rather not have signed up for, but he placed his corpsey hand on the carriage door to throw it open and peer out.

The cobbles of the trade road radiated silver glow through the mud and horse shit that smeared the surface. The road was blocked; another carriage was across its length, and the horses were anxiously shifting. The reinsman and conductor from that one was holding a woman back from running off the road. She was in plain clothes—not destitute, but not much better—late middle-aged, crying and begging to be let go. Despite her small stature, she gave her captors a hard time, twisting in their grasp, pitting her strength against theirs. 

The reinsman, in particular, was irritated. “If you don’t stop, I might let you go.”

“Please! Please.” She looked so small. An ordinary woman like that would have neither coin nor influence that could move the conductor to change his mind or help her.

Milosz’s objections to holding her back caught in his throat as he remembered that stepping off the road would be almost certain death.  Milosz leaned out of the carriage to orient himself.

They were so close. Whitewall’s silvery light shone on the horizon. On either side of the road, the marsh and the dark that cloaked it felt like it was closing in.

“The bordermarch moved,” observed Taunts-the-Darkness. Milosz scowled, but Taunts-the-Darkness continued. “That woman’s son needed to relieve himself. Guess he was too shy to shit on the road.”

The Chronicler piped up. “‘Was?’”

Milosz took Taunts-The-Darkness’s meaning immediately, however. He explained, “The only thing keeping the hungry dead and the bordermarches off this road is the enchantment. If he stepped off, he’s gone.”

“Already?”

Taunts-the-Darkness nodded. “It only swallowed him a few minutes ago, but as good as. Unless.”

Milosz waited for Taunts-The-Darkness to finish, but instead, the Chronicler spoke up. “There’s no time for this. We have business in Whitewall.”

“Of course, my Abyssal friend. And you, as well, Iron. And me. I’m important, you’re important, she’s important,” he waved lazily at the woman. While they’d been speaking, she’d crumpled into a weeping heap. One of the men still had her by the arm in case she bolted, and the conductor was sitting on her heels and trying awkwardly to comfort a stranger as best she could. Milosz heard muttered words like, “nothing we can do.”

Taunts-the-Darkness, said, “It’s terribly unfair, but is that our problem? A life snuffed out — just like that. All the possibilities. Who would he have been, do you think? And all because of the fae, and—well, I would say their tyrannical—”

“Shut it,” the Abyssal said. “I’m thinking.”

The Lunar hooked a finger over his own mouth to quiet it.

Milotz also thought. The Lunar was a fool, but he wasn’t wrong. The boy probably wouldn’t live long — but he might still be alive.

Milosz felt, suddenly, ashamed. He’d imagined himself swanning into Whitewall and exerting the power of his Exaltation to secure himself a hero’s welcome, and then to look for trouble. In short, Whitewall was dangerous, and he was bored. No, worse than bored — numb. Once, he’d led rebellions, freed the oppressed. What he did mattered. Here, nothing he’d ever done truly existed. All the tricks he’d gained from being Exalted either made things too easy, or only convinced others he deserved things he hadn’t earned. The only thing that seemed to get attributed to him was trouble, so he made trouble.

Did he need to go all the way to Whitewall? Trouble was here.

Milosz stepped out and cautiously approached the edge of the road, and the Lunar followed. The glow of the road only touched a few feet of the marsh grass, whose feathery tops waved in the wind. And somewhere deep within, the grass parted just so, and half a dozen white slits grouped in a tight circle—Eyes? Teeth?—flashed, and he took a quick step back. As he did,  Taunts-the-Darkness took a sudden, exaggerated step off the road, and the combination of the two made the onlookers gasp. The reinsman gripped the woman tighter, and the Chronicler, who’d hung behind in the carriage, stepped out. He cracked his knuckles and firmed up his chin like a fighter preparing for a brawl. Milosz’s companions were a Lunar and an Abyssal — they had ways of handling the Wyld. Milosz desperately thought of every trick he knew. He flexed his fingers to work the drained blood back into them.

Milosz didn’t have a damn thing that could protect him from the Wyld.

“Stop playing,” the Chronicler rasped at Taunts-the-Darkness.

“Exciting, isn’t it? I’ve never been to the Wyld. Have you?”

The Abyssal blinked, and a strange look came across his face, like longing. Taunts-the-Darkness addressed Milosz. “My business in Whitewall will wait, but the kid can’t. And if it doesn’t — well, a boy got snatched because he needed to take a leak. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

With that, he stepped further into the darkness. Milosz turned to the Abyssal, who, to his surprise, was striding to the edge of the road. The coach’s conductor let go of the woman (who was watching, too stunned to continue her struggle) and sprinted after him to catch his arm. The Abyssal gently pushed her away like she was nothing and stepped into the bordermarch. He called over his shoulder to Milosz. “Are you coming?”

It would be extraordinarily dangerous — perhaps the most dangerous thing he’d ever do. His magic would only get him so far here. It wouldn’t be a victory parade. Just a dangerous search, in the dark, for a boy’s body to return to his mother. A small, real, act of hard-won heroism that would only matter to one person. He’d already gone through a fate worse than death—forgotten by everyone he ever loved. He was a shard in reality’s skin, a foreign object pushed ever outward. The bordermarch would be worse yet. His flesh could be braided like hair. His mind could be sucked from his body, and he left in the waving grass, an empty shell doomed to starve to death mere feet from where the carriages rattled onward to Whitewall.

Milosz broke out into a smile.

Ask Onyx Path Anything!

On Thursday, Onyx Path will be running a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) over on  https://www.reddit.com/r/WhiteWolfRPG/ at 12 noon Eastern time! They’ll be answering questions about Essence and the Essence PG for sure, and also questions about anything else folks want to throw their way!