The Bleakness offers a uniquely immersive horror experience. Players assume the role of pilgrims, struggling to survive on an ancient road fraught with danger and mysteries. The Bleakness is a system, campaign setting, and detailed adventure arc bound in one text. Gritty survival mechanics and the threat of the unknown create a high-tension game like no other. 

Traveling The Road

The road cuts a scalpel scar across the howling wilds, pointing straight and true to the frozen north, hard earth cemented by thousands of plodding feet over slow centuries. Upon the road, travelers meet trials and tribulations, challenges sent to separate the weak from the blessed strong. 

The survival-focused rules use streamlined resource management and intense situations to create a uniquely atmospheric and deadly horror experience. Players must balance progressing on their journey against the loss of precious resources, and weigh the cost of venturing away from the path in search of answers to the mystery that hangs over the world. 

The Bleakness includes everything you need to play: 

•  Rules for stat-less horror role playing. With an old-school-inspired rules lite framework, The Bleakness gets players and referees into the game quickly with easy to understand mechanics emphasizing player choice and smart decision making. 
•  Simple mechanics for wilderness survival.  Balancing resources doesn't need to be boring or complicated. The Bleakness uses simple mechanics to make every decision impactful.
•  A mysterious world. The world of The Bleakness is familiar, yet alien. The road lies pointing a straight path North, guiding travelers to enlightenment. But what lies ahead is unknown. 
•  Character backgrounds. Everyone has an agenda and their own preferred methods of survival. Foregoing classes, The Bleakness uses character backgrounds that create conflicting player goals, building tension and leading to difficult decisions. 
•  Referee guide. Everything you need to run The Bleakness including a session zero framework to set expectations with players before embarking on an emotionally impactful horror experience. 
•  Over 100 encounters. With pages and pages of ready-to-use encounters, The Bleakness builds tension organically, presenting difficult decisions and obstacles to be overcome. No prep-work necessary. 
•  Four fully mapped and keyed dungeons. These set-pieces are mile-markers on the road providing a change of pace and promise of great rewards for those willing to take the risk.
• Around 70 pages of text, plus illustrations by Alex Mayo, bound in hardcover.