Blackthorn

Pulp Horror RPG

Blackthorn is a pulp horror roleplaying game about ordinary people attempting to survive supernatural terrors. Characters are likely to die and be replaced by new ones throughout play. Adventures are urgent and dip in and out of high tension. Combat is fast and lethal. And, stories are told collectively using dice rolls and narrative elements to advance the story. 

The mechanics support high tension one shots, 2-4 hour sessions, and adventures that happen between 1-24 hours of in-game time. The game also fits episodic or sequel play for groups that want to explore the progression or revival of horrors through longer periods of time.

Character deaths are always meaningful and an important factor of advancing the story. Characters rise to the occasion and fall short, strategize with no prior experience and are slain by terrors. Sometimes, they overcome the beasts, and sometimes they play through the origin story of a future nightmare. Ready to play with the included “Pablo’s General Store” adventure.

Gameplay

• Easy-to-learn d12+d6 system that reinforces escalating horror scenarios and amps up urgency.
• Player-facing rolls and violent combat rules with a horror-centric wounds system.
• Quick character creation focused on building ordinary citizens with unique drives and faults that support engaging narratives.   
• Player and GM principles focused on lethal and collaborative storytelling.
• Narrative guidance for shared narrative, scenes, supernatural conditions, and engaging with quick and sudden death.
  

27 pages, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, sepia toned RPG Zine

Includes access to complementary PDF via Shopify Digital Downloads