Bardic Wolf Productions is proud to finally release the Playtest Version of Cybergothica, our first Tabletop RPG game. It was originally set to be released in August, but a few (many) kinks and real life obligations have prevented us from a timely release. But after chipping away at it bit by bit, it is ready.
Cybergothica is a game that combines elements of the Cyberpunk and Gothic Horror genres. Large imposing buildings made from an age where Cybernetics and Mega-Corporations ruled supreme cast shadows on the ground where the creatures of even more ancient legends prowl. The distinction of the scientifically mundane and supernaturally magical is blurred thanks to rapid advances in technology and the slow return of the old ways and creatures. Characters are upgraded and equipped that would make them gods, yet many are tormented by mental and spiritual anguishes and inner demons that are often more dangerous to the character than howling cybernetic monstrosities that can tear apart battle tanks with ease.
While Cybergothica has elements of Lovecraftian horror, it is not a cosmic horror; in this game, the Horror has a personal interest in the characters, whether it be obsession or pure Hatred. The Horrors are not unimaginable entities that would render the human mind insane by their alien vistage and sheer scale, the Horrors in Cybergothica are relatable and all too human, twisting human values and traits held dear into grotesque vices. The darkness of the human soul is laid bare in dark, stormy locations and abandoned buildings deep in swampy, heavily foggy woods.
A majority of the Playtest Version consists solely of the core game mechanics, with only a very brief introduction and allusions of the lore across the book. We will do another blog post concerning the setting of Cybergothica and will add a World section in the Release version of the game.
Even though what is and isn't in the Playtest Version is already listed in the first few pages of the PDF itself, it will be posted here for convenience as well:
What is included in the Playtest are:
• The Core Rules for both Combat and Non-Combat Situations
• Character Creation Process, Attributes, and Skills
• Advantages, Disadvantages, and Special Abilities
• Most of the Races
• The First Draft of the Sanity Rules we implemented
• Character Advancement
• Hardware and Cyberware along with Modification options for both
• Character Templates
• A basic Bestiary with 70 entities, mostly animals and their "horror" counterpart
What isn't included but will be in the Core Rulebook:
• A sample of Vehicles
• A couple of Xenokin and Robotic Race templates
• Expanded Hemotechnology and Gateware "Powers" and rules
• Vodou and Appalachian HIll Magic-derived Magic Systems
• Expanded Lore of the Cyberogthica Setting
• Completion of the Bestiary
• Persona Dramatica of important figures in Cybergothica
• Further details on Food in the Hardware Section
Cybergothica is Open Source using the OGL 1.0a license, meaning anyone can use and modify the game as they see fit. The only things not considered open source is the artwork, some done by Blackwolf, one of the co-creators of this company, and other pieces were done by commissioned work of other artists.
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