DreadLore is a story-telling tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) system
which is setting agnostic – you can use these rules for many different sorts of games,
Fantasy, Near future, Horror, Noir, Adventure, etc.
The DreadLore Corebook presents an original, Fantasy Punk setting – Craster.
We are also publishing various "Splat" books for different settings, at present, a near
future setting called "Into Space."
If you enjoy taking a role in the
creative process of story-telling, and you also wanna roll some dice and kill bad
(or good) guys…chances are – this is the system for you.
What's a TTRPG?
Ever heard of a Table-Top RolePlaying Game (TTRPG)? e.g. Dungeons & Dragons,
World of Darkness, Numenera, etc.? DreadLore is a similar sort of board game. These
games are classified in several ways: table-top games, pen & ink, RPGs, and silly
dice games.
Most systems are comprised of a 'Setting' (sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) and a list of
'Core Mechanics' (how the numbers & math work in the game). TTRPGs also require
a storyteller, called an Arbiter in DreadLore, in addition to 2-6 Players to play.
ACTUAL PLAY
THE RED WRIT
N2_!
Merch
DreadLore merch is here!
RedBubble.
Check out the current design options - click on one to see merch that's offered, e.g. t-shirts, hats, bags, etc.!
EVENTS
Livestreams
Our DreadLore Livestreams podcast is where we showcase DreadLore as a new TTRPG system. We livestream every Monday 7PM (EST) on
Twitch.
DreadLore TotM is now on all of the podcasts: Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.
Be sure to Like, Subscribe, Follow, leave a Comment, send us good vibes, perform a blood sacrifice, or
whatever you feel comfortable doing!
Geeky Gamer Podcast (GGP)
Our Geeky Gamer Podcast (GGP) goes LIVE on
YouTube.
You can also LISTEN to us on Spotify
or wherever you consume your Podcasts.
A featured Guest chat with Bill, Ken, members of the Cast of TotM about all things geeky, gamer, and creative. We really dig into it, so be sure to wear your "daddy pants" when listening!
PAST EVENTS
Lexington Comic & Toy Convention 2023
Come and see us at
ComiCon
in Lexington, KY March 23-26 this year. We will be sharing a booth with our buddy,
Logan Nance, the author of the DreadLore Prologue, 'A Land Soaked in Tears', as well as novels like,
Saturday Shepherd and the World Beyond.
In The Montage, the Arbiter sets up the next encounter and can do time jumps. Players can "soft roleply" with NPCs or the group, and they can [Advance] their Characters. Most die rolls are suspended. Players needn't exhaust any Traits nor spend any Resouces.
The Dread: Take Control
In The Dread, players seize the narrative reins. They Bid, Throw Down, and engage character mechanics, shaping the story through their choices. It's a high-wire act where degrees of success and failure hang in the balance.
Dynamic Dice Mechanics: Throwing Down
DreadLore uses six (6) die types: d4, d6, d8, d10, & d12. A "Throw Down" is rolling an Action Die (d10) and an Aspect Die (varies). Other dice can be rolled on a Throw Down as well, e.g. Extra Dice and Chaos Dice, depending on what the Player chooses to do on their [Turn]. Players aim for [Successes], counting them individually on each die thrown. These [Successes] are measured against a [Threshold] which the Arbiter gives.
Successes:
Rolls of 4-7 secure 1 [Success], while 8+ brings 2 [Successes].
Survive the Challenge
DreadLore is high-risk, low-vitality gameplay. Characters have limited [Plot Armor], determined by their choices. When it depletes, players allocate damage to Wounds or Sanity. Hit zero in either, and death or permanent insanity looms.
Dynamic Rounds & Turn Order
DreadLore handles "Initiative" (turn order) differently than other TTRPGs. Firstly, Antagonists go first and then the Players all go at the same time. The Players can spend Resources (Cunning) to change this order and gain an edge.
DreadLore's turn order adds depth:
World Action:The World goes first; everyone reacts to the World. A [Round] begins with "World Action," sparking unpredictability as all react to unfolding events.
Cunning Turn: A Player can spend one (1) point of Cunning to act before or at the same time (as the Arbiter wishes) the Antagonists. This grants the Player two (2) [Turns] instead of one (1) in the [Round], enabling tactical moves.
Antagonist's Turn: Antagonists go before the Players. They might challenge them, aid them, or perhaps they'll do something entirely different.
Player's Turn: Players go after the Antagonists and at the same time choosing which among them announces their intended action first. NPCs aligned with the Players go at this point as well.
Player Turns
Each Player has a chance to [Bid] a [Trait] to slightly control the narrative. They focus on the "what" and the "how" (rather than the "why") giving descriptions and their intended outcome. They work with the Arbiter to fold their intention into the story using their [Trait] as a "jumping off point" for their action, possibly Throwing Down to see what Fate decides.
On your [Turn] you can:
Bid a Trait: Any "meaningful" action requires you to announce one (1) of your [Traits]. This is called [Bidding]. Opening a door wouldn't require it, but opening a door when the room's about to explode might! Do you [Bid] "Angry" or "Quick Thinker" or something else? The [Trait] you [Bid] colors the action and what could follow.
Throw Down: If the action is opposed or difficult enough, the Arbiter might call for a Throw Down against a [Threshold] she sets.
Spend a Proficiency: Use one (1) to reroll any one (1) die you've rolled keeping the result.
Activate an Ability: These are things you can do the average person cannot, e.g. Magicka, swordplay, fast-talking, etc. Activate an Ability by [Bidding] a [Trait] that makes sense. This means you'd [Bid] two (2) [Traits] to do the action: one (1) for the meaningful action and another to activate the Ability. Abilities can be [Upgraded] to grant additional [Successes] on a Throw Down.
Bid Ninja Gear: Your equipment. Use it as you please. You can also [Bid] it on a Throw Down! Doing so grants you an Extra Die. The die-type corresponds to how many [Traits] the item has got
Pips: Change something in the Past; spend five (5) to gain a [Trait]
Narrative Points: Change something in the Present
Experience Points: Spend three (3) to [Advance]
Setting and Genre
DreadLore transcends genres, from horror to adventure, near-future to fantasy, offering creative freedom. The Corebook presents the World of Craster, a fantasy punk, dystopian setting full of Magicka and Theurgy (pseudo-science).
Who's this game for?
A.I. says, "DreadLore celebrates your creativity. Craft the stories you crave, whether exploring haunted mansions, solving mysteries, or venturing into fantasy realms." We say, DreadLore is for people who love stories. It's a system built for that purpose, and it does it really well. Try it out and you'll see!
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