In Darkest Shadow is a zero-prep campaign system for Shadowdark about rebuilding a fallen Settlement, hunting the region's worst monsters on contract, and enduring the Stress of going into places none want to go.
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In Darkest Shadow. Prepare. Hunt. Endure. · 87 following
In Darkest Shadowis a zero-prep campaign system made for the Shadowdark RPG. You will explore grim locations, fight devious monsters, and push your characters to their mental and physical limits. Bring back your treasure and upgrade your Settlement to empower your party for further adventures.
The Four Pillars that In Darkest Shadow is built on are:
Stress. The pressure that grinds Crawlers down.
The Settlement. Where crawlers recover and prepare.
Expeditions. A zero-prep delving and encounter system.
Quarry. Unique monsters that will test your courage and sanity.
In Darkest Shadow core book mockup, art by Eddie Black.
Take up contracts to hunt Quarry, unique creatures that haunt their Environment. You can’t simply charge in and corner them; they thrive in the dark and must be tracked. On your Expeditions, you will find Clues (broken branches, footprints, torn cloth) that will get you closer to finding a Quarry. Gather the needed Clues and you can take the Quarry on right then and there, or rest up and take it on in the next Expedition. Bring back a Trophy from the Quarry as proof of your successful hunt and be rewarded with a unique magic item crafted from it.
Pursue the hunt with seven classes, many of them built around the Stress mechanic and are right at home battling the monsters of the dark.
Crusader Class art by Ridge Lowis.
Whether you want to run a session with zero prep or layer the details into your own campaign, the Expedition system is made with you in mind. Roll up an area, choose a curiosity to draw crawlers in, set some hazards, and tie it all into a monster encounter. Everything you need is in easy-to-use tables.
The Settlement is the last light against the encroaching dark. Crawlers need support in many forms: a forge to make arms and armor, a Abbey to heal the body and mind, a Tavern to relax, and a Hero’s Guild to hone their craft. The Settlement provides all of these as well as protection from the things horrors that gather between Expeditions.
When you find Settlement Artifacts, you can bring them back and trade them to improve the Amenities offered. Get access to new arms and armor, cure a disease, or improve your chances on the next Expedition. Carousing isn't just about healing up and gaining XP; it also offers a chance to prepare for the next bout of horrors.
Keep an ever watchful eye on for the upcoming campaign by following and get the free preview PDF! (We'd love to hear what you think!)
Thanks for following along for the pre-launch of In Darkest Shadow. I'd love to hear from you! Have you checked out the free Preview yet, and what do you think?
