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Name: The Arcane Library, LLC
Address: 2345 Via Inspirada Ste 100 PMB 200, Henderson, NV 89044 USA
Email: contact@thearcanelibrary.com
Website: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/
European Manufacturer: No
Shadowdark RPG (Hardcover Book + PDF)
$59.00
Old-school gaming, modernized. Jump into the critically-acclaimed TTRPG that raised $1.3 million on Kickstarter! One book, all you need to play.
Shadowdark won the 2024 Three Castles Award for best game design, as well as four gold ENNIEs: Product of the Year, Best Game, Best Rules, and Best Layout & Design.
This is the hardcover book plus a free PDF download. Just want the PDF version? Link here.
What Is Shadowdark RPG?
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 torch burn 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!
Features
• 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)
Inside The Book
Shadowdark RPG is a complete game with all you need in one tome. It includes:
• 330 pages in a concise, two-page spread layout
• A5 handbook sizing for easy use at the table
• 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
• Ribbon bookmark in hardcover version
B
Reignited my passion! ![User picture]()
I was reaching a point where I just wanted something fresh. I love 5e, but after years of running it and dealing with it's mind numbing amount of crunchy player options (PF being even crunchier) I longed for something that was a little more simple without losing it's substance.
A lot of 'Rules Light' rpgs go a little too hard in that direction, but Shadowdark rpg feels like the perfect in-between. It has structure and rules, but whereas other rpgs say they leave things up to the Game Master, Shadowdark actually does, to the point you even decide yourself what conditions do!
It's very thematic and opens up for more freedom at the table. You're players play with their creativity, not from their sheets. A very good addition to anyone's table and opened me up to the OSR.
B
BELIEVE THE HYPE!
I've been playing tabletop role playing games for over 47 years. When I first heard about Shadowdark, I was a bit skeptical. But, having played it with multiple groups, both in person and online, I can honestly say that this is a great game. It is streamlined, simple, and fun. The book itself is a masterpiece of layout, design, art, and writing. It is simply elegant and accessible.
I am extremely pleased with my purchase and I give my full endorsement of this product.
B
The best D&D on the market
A, perhaps unintentional, rejection of the Marvel-fication of TTRPGs, Shadowdark presents a dangerous world where you feel vulnerable, and the kind of things often resolved with a throw-away dice in modern games instead turn into tense moments of roleplay, where you truly feel as fragile as your character would in that space.
Dionne gives you a reason to never pick up another fantasy TTRPG again.
K
Easy to enjoy and get started!
I'm a big fan of Pathfinder and wanted to play with my partner without the steep learning curve for the rules.
Creating a character and getting to play is much more streamlined, and the system creates a tense, high-stakes atmosphere that is loads of fun to play!
I love the guidelines included for creating your adventures and tweaking things to fit how you want to play.
Recommended for beginners to TTRPGS to advanced players looking for some fast-paced fun!
J
Beautiful art love the system
