The PDF version of the Shadowdark RPG core rules! Old-school gaming, modernized.
Shadowdark RPG is a critically-acclaimed tabletop fantasy RPG that raised $1.3 million on Kickstarter in March 2023!
In Shadowdark RPG, you and your group of crawlers use magic, steel, and wits to delve into mysterious ruins, lost cities, and monster-infested depths.
Wondrous treasures and long-forgotten secrets await you! But don't let your last torchburn out, or you could be swallowed by the Shadowdark...
5E players will find what they've been waiting for: an intuitive and complete TTRPG that serves as a seamless bridge into the heart of the Old School Renaissance.
Old-school gamers will find a system that is familiar and nostalgic, but with major quality-of-life upgrades that modernize the old-school experience.
Your legend awaits, crawler.
Lift your blade, light your torch, and plunge into the unknown depths of the Shadowdark!
The four core classes: fighter, priest, thief, wizard
A d20-based, roll-high system
No darkvision — total darkness is dangerous
Treasure grants XP, and tracking it is dead simple
Roll-to-cast spells — magic is exciting and risky
Simple distances (close, near, far)
Monster morale and reaction rolls
Always-on initiative — time is easy to track
The six classic stats (3d6 in order)
No skills — just ability checks and advantage/disadvantage
Separate ancestry and class
Randomized character class abilities — emergent character growth!
Low hit points — fast and deadly combat
Simple encumbrance (gear slots)
Shadowdark RPG is a complete game with all you need in one tome. It includes:
330 pages in a concise, two-page spread layout
Full rules for characters, gameplay, and GMing
239 classic monsters
85 iconic spells
97 mighty magic items
Dozens of robust roll tables for just about everything
Spectacular black-and-white art
Chapter markers along the side of the pages