Ruin is a free RPG from The World Anvil.
Catch! You need the Monard Echo ruleset to play. Catch solved; the SRD is also free to download.
The tabletop RPG is inspired by computer games like Darkest Dungeon and Alder’s Blood.
Ruin says;
In a world devastated by the Calamity, con artists and lowlifes like you sell false hope. After an accident destroys the carriage taking you to prison, you are rescued and welcomed into a village unaware of your true identity. Here, you are given room and board in exchange for agreeing to explore dangerous ruins and help the village rebuild. Your actions may lead you to degenerate wealth or the chance to start a new, honest life…
The tone of games like Darkest Dungeon and Alder’s Blood can be described in a few overlapping ways:
- Oppressive: Both games cultivate a sense of overwhelming odds. Enemies are grotesque and challenging, resources are limited, and the physical environments drip with decay and danger.
- Grim and Gritty: There’s a sombre focus on the harsh realities of combat and survival in these worlds. Characters are flawed, choices are often dire, and a sense of impending doom looms large.
- Gothic Atmosphere: The visual style and thematic elements borrow heavily from gothic horror. Expect crumbling ruins, twisted creatures, and a pervasive feeling of the macabre.
- Psychological Stress: Beyond physical dangers, these games emphasize the mental toll of their worlds. Characters can succumb to fear, madness, and the horrors they endure.
- Bleak Hope: While the tone is predominantly dark, a sliver of hope drives the player forward. The possibility of triumph, of overcoming the odds, adds a bittersweet undercurrent to the struggle.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Since original publication, it’s been brought to our attention that Ruin uses entirely AI-created illustrations, with no artists credited for the visual art within the game. Do with that information what you will.
Quick Links
- Free to Download: Monad Echo SRD.
- Free to Download: Ruin
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