# Shadowdark tags: #game/rpg/shadowdark ![[Shadowdark (cover).png]] Alright, let's delve into the delightful depths of **Shadowdark**, a game that seems to have captured the hearts of those who yearn for the "good old days" of tabletop RPGs, albeit with a slightly more streamlined approach. **Shadowdark** is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game designed to evoke the gritty, dangerous feel of classic dungeon crawls. It emphasizes quick character creation, fast-paced play, and a lethal, resource-driven exploration experience. In essence, it aims to deliver the thrill of delving into perilous dungeons without the cumbersome rules baggage of some of its predecessors. It's a game where torches flicker, danger lurks around every corner, and your character is probably going to die. But hey, that's half the fun, right? ## Core Die Resolution Mechanics The core mechanic of **Shadowdark** revolves around rolling a d20 and adding relevant modifiers. Here's the gist: - **Checks:** When a character attempts an action, they roll a d20. If the result, plus any applicable modifiers, meets or exceeds a target number (usually 10), the action succeeds. - **Advantage and Disadvantage:** If a character has advantage, they roll two d20s and take the better result. If they have disadvantage, they roll two d20s and take the worse result. This is a very simple and efficient way to handle those situations. - **Saving Throws:** Saving throws work similarly to checks, with characters rolling a d20 and adding relevant modifiers to resist hazards. - **Simplified Combat:** Combat is designed to be fast and deadly. Players and monsters roll initiative, and combatants take turns attacking. Damage is rolled using various dice depending on the weapon, and hit points are generally low, making every encounter potentially lethal. - **Light and Time:** The game puts a large emphasis on light and time. Torches burn out, and time spent in the dungeon is tracked. This is important because running out of light or time can lead to dangerous encounters or other negative effects. - **Gear and Treasure:** Gear and treasure are a vital part of the game. Finding new gear or treasure is one of the main motivations for venturing into the dungeon. Essentially, **Shadowdark** strips away a lot of the complexity found in some modern RPGs, focusing on quick, intuitive rules that keep the game moving. It's a game where your choices matter, and where a single bad roll can mean the difference between life and death. ## References - [Shadowdark RPG - Official Website - The Arcane Library](https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark) - [ShadowDark Character Generator](https://shadowdarklings.net/) - [Shadowdark Tools](https://www.shadowdarktools.com/)