Venturing into the realms of Dungeons and Dragons is all good and fun.
But maybe it’s time to switch up game night and dive into the enigmatic world of Candela Obscura.
Here is a quick and simple breakdown of what the new Candela Obscura TTRPG is all about.
What is Candela Obscura?
Candela Obscura is not your typical TTRPG. Created by Taliesin Jaffe and Chris Lockey, from the wildly popular Critical Role YouTube channel, this game takes players on a journey into a world shrouded in darkness, mystery, and horror. It's a world where secrets lie beneath the surface, and uncovering the truth comes at a harrowing cost.
Unique Lore and Atmosphere
One of the standout features of Candela Obscura is its captivating lore and atmosphere. It's a game that plunges you into a world where darkness and shadows reign supreme. The game's setting revolves around the Radiance Corporation, a powerful entity that shapes the destiny of a town called Mordant Springs (In the Fairelands). The corporation's exploitation of a mysterious substance known as Undark sets the stage for you and your investigative partners.
The Lore
The lore of Candela Obscura is as fascinating as it is eerie. The Radiance Corporation, driven by capitalist greed, manipulates Undark —a pigment extracted from a monstrous creature— in a factory within the foreboding Bridleborne Mountains. The narrative unfolds with a blend of industrialism, body horror, and corporate malevolence, creating a unique and engaging backdrop for your adventures.
The Candela Obscura TTRPG Experience
Immersive Gameplay
Candela Obscura excels in immersing players in its dark and mysterious world. You'll find yourself drawn into the narrative, eagerly unraveling the secrets that lie hidden in the shadows. The game places a strong emphasis on storytelling, character development, and role-playing, ensuring that every decision you make has far-reaching consequences.
Navigating the Shadows
Prepare to face challenging decisions because in Candela Obscura, your choices matter, and the game's mechanics, including the Bleed marks, reflect the high stakes of your decisions. You'll need to think strategically and consider the implications of every action as you navigate this perilous world.
How is Candela Obscura Different From Other TTRPGs?
The Dice System
Candela Obscura brings a unique dice system to the table. And by unique, I mean that you’ll only be needing d6. Which means NO more math… You'll need at least one, but it's recommended to have multiple on-hand. Plus, 1 gilded die! (Find the Candela Obscura official dice set here)
Actions and Dice Pool
The number of dice you roll in Candela Obscura depends on your character's skill level in the action you're attempting. Here's a breakdown of the number of dice you typically roll:
Zero Dots (No Skill): If you have zero dots (or filled-in circles) in a particular action, you roll 2d6 and take the lowest result. This represents that you're not skilled in the action, making it more challenging for your character.
One Dot: With one dot in an action, you roll 1d6 when attempting that action. Having one dot means you have some basic proficiency in the action.
Two Dots: If you have two dots in an action, you roll 2d6 and choose the highest result. This represents that your character is more skilled and has a better chance of success.
Three Dots: Having three dots in an action means you roll 3d6 and choose the highest result. This signifies that your character is highly skilled in the action and has a strong chance of success.
- If you want to improve your chances of success, you can spend a Drive point. When you do this, you roll an additional d6 and add it to your standard roll. This gives you more dice to determine your result.
- Drive points can be regained when using a "gilded" action, denoted by a filled diamond on your character sheet.
- If you roll with a gilded die and choose the result, you regain one spent drive point.
Understanding the Rolls
- No math involved; aim to roll high on your dice.
- Rolling all ones, twos, or threes is a failure with consequences.
- Rolling a 4 or 5 is a mixed success with a cost.
- Rolling a 6 is a full success.
- Multiple 6s result in a critical success, offering extra benefits.
Collaborative Storytelling
Unlike some TTRPGs where the Game Master (GM) holds the reins of the story, Candela Obscura embraces collaborative storytelling. Players work together to unearth mysteries, confront horrors, and advance the plot.
Where to Buy The Candela Obscura TTRPG?
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook offers a gaming experience like no other. Its immersive lore, dark atmosphere, and unique gameplay mechanics set it apart from the crowd of TTRPGs.
But if you prefer minimal lore, you can download the Candela Obscura Quickstart guide on the Darrington Press website.
For those gamers who love a good backstory and world-building lore, dive into the full Candela Obscura experience; pick up a copy of the Candela Obscura Core Rulebook today.
