10 candles rpg game

10 Candles RPG is a tragic horror tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) designed by Stephen Dewey. It's a unique, zero-prep, collaborative storytelling experience where players know from the start that their characters are doomed. The game uses 10 tea light candles as a central mechanicboth thematically and physicallyto represent the dwindling hope and light in a world consumed by darkness. Core Concepts: Tone: Bleak, atmospheric horror with inevitable tragedy. System: Rules-light, narrative-driven. Player Count: 36 players (including the GM, called the "Narrator"). Playtime: 23 hours per session (one-shot format). Themes: Hope vs. despair, sacrifice, fear of the unknown. Game Setup: 10 Tea Light Candles - Lit at the start, extinguished one by one as the game progresses. - When the last candle goes out, all characters die. Index Cards & Dice - Players create traits and secrets for their characters. - Uses d6 dice pools (success = rolling 6s). Recording Device - A communal "last message" is recorded throughout the game. How It Works: Character Creation - Each player writes: - A Virtue (what makes them strong) - A Vice (what makes them weak) - A Secret (something dark or unknown) - Characters are ordinary people in a world suddenly plunged into darkness. The Candles - Each candle represents a scene or moment of hope. - As candles burn out, the Narrator introduces worsening threats. - Players roll dice pools (based on traits) to overcome challenges. Dice Mechanics - Roll a pool of d6s (usually 36 dice). - 6s = Successes (1+ needed to succeed). - If no 6s are rolled, the action fails, and a candle is extinguished. The Final Candle - When only one candle remains, a final confrontation occurs. - The last candle is blown out, and all characters perish. - The recorded "last message" is played back for a haunting finale. Why Its Unique: No Survivors: The game embraces tragic endings. Atmospheric Play: Real candlelight enhances immersion. Collaborative Storytelling: Players contribute to the worlds doom. Tips for Playing: Embrace the Tragedy: The fun is in the journey, not "winning." Use Real Candles: Enhances tension as light fades. Keep Secrets Hidden: Reveal them dramatically during play. Would you like help with scenario ideas or rules clarifications?