ten candles pdf

Ten Candles PDF: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Ten Candles?

Ten Candles is a tragic horror tabletop roleplaying game. It uses cooperative storytelling mechanics and is designed for one-shot sessions. Players create a story set in a dark world. They share narrative control with the GM.

What is Ten Candles?

Ten Candles is a tabletop roleplaying game that crafts a tragic horror experience. It needs zero prep work, designed for a single GM and 3-5 players. The game revolves around telling a story in ten scenes, where players introduce truths. It is important to know that this is Tragic Horror, not a Horror Survival.

The game focuses on shared narrative control, where everyone shares the mantle of storyteller. It is a cooperative storytelling game where players take turns narrating scenes. The mechanics use candles to track progress and narrative control.

It is designed for one-shot sessions, rather than ongoing campaigns. The game is about telling the story in ten scenes. It creates a tragic horror experience without any prep work. It is a tragic horror time-based cooperative storytelling game.

The rulebook is available for purchase on the Cavalry Games website. Many online communities also offer resources. Printable character cards and GM reference sheets are available.

Tragic Horror Storytelling Game

Ten Candles excels as a tragic horror tabletop RPG, emphasizing cooperative storytelling. The game centers around shared narrative control. Every participant shares the mantle of storyteller. They all have a hand in crafting a dark story. This contrasts with games focused on survival. Here, the narrative leans towards inevitable tragedy.

The game unfolds across a series of scenes, ideally ten, shaping the story’s arc. Players introduce ‘truths’ between scenes, developing the world. The game mechanics use candles to track progress. As candles are extinguished, the narrative shifts towards darkness. The game fosters a sense of shared authorship and impending doom.

This game is unlike survival horror games such as Dread. Ten Candles is a game about hope, and the world before its end. The game’s framework prioritizes collaborative narrative construction above character survival. The rulebook and online resources enrich the experience.

Zero-Prep Design

Ten Candles is celebrated for its zero-prep design, making it ideal for impromptu game nights. The game is streamlined for one-shot sessions lasting 2-4 hours. It only requires a GM and 3-5 players. The simplicity eliminates the need for extensive pre-game preparation.

The game relies on collaboratively creating the story. Players build the world and characters during play. This contrasts with traditional RPGs that require extensive world-building beforehand; This system allows for spontaneous and creative storytelling. It also removes the barrier to entry for new players.

Ten Candles uses a set of rules. These rules are designed to guide the narrative, not restrict it. The focus remains on shared storytelling and tragic horror. The game’s design promotes accessibility and improvisation. It also makes it easy to pick up and play without prior knowledge of the setting.

Core Mechanics and Gameplay

Ten Candles emphasizes cooperative storytelling. All participants share narrative control. Players collectively craft a tragic horror story. The game promotes equal involvement in shaping the narrative. This creates a shared and immersive experience.

Cooperative Storytelling

Ten Candles thrives on cooperative storytelling, positioning every player as a co-author of the unfolding tragic narrative. Unlike traditional role-playing games with a single game master dictating the story, Ten Candles shares narrative control among all participants. This shared authority fosters a collaborative environment where everyone contributes to the plot, character development, and world-building. The game mechanics encourage players to build upon each other’s ideas, weaving a richer and more intricate tapestry of horror. Each player has an equal hand in shaping the dark story, ensuring that the narrative reflects the collective imagination and anxieties of the group. This collaborative approach creates a unique and immersive experience, where players are not merely reacting to events but actively crafting them, leading to a more profound emotional connection to the game’s tragic themes. The emphasis on shared storytelling transforms Ten Candles into a communal act of creation, where the horror emerges from the collective unconscious.

Candles as Narrative Control and Atmosphere

In Ten Candles, the candles themselves are more than mere props; they are integral to the game’s mechanics and atmosphere. The ten lit tea light candles symbolize hope in a world consumed by darkness. As the game progresses, candles are extinguished, representing the dwindling hope and increasing despair of the characters. Each extinguished candle signifies a shift in narrative control. Players lose influence over the story. The GM gains more power to shape the tragic events. This mechanic creates a sense of impending doom. It reflects the characters’ losing battle against the encroaching darkness. The flickering candlelight provides a tangible and immersive atmosphere, heightening the tension and fear. The dim light casts shadows that dance and distort, mirroring the uncertainty and horror within the game world. The physical act of extinguishing a candle becomes a powerful symbolic gesture. It emphasizes the irreversible loss and the finality of death in the game. The candles are both a timer and a barometer of despair.

The Role of Truths

Truths are a crucial element in shaping the narrative of Ten Candles, allowing players to collaboratively build the world and its history. Between each scene, players contribute a “Truth” about the world. These Truths are statements about the setting, the nature of “Them”, or any other relevant aspect of the story. These Truths become established facts. They influence the direction of the narrative in subsequent scenes. This mechanic emphasizes the cooperative nature of the game. It ensures that everyone has a hand in crafting the world’s lore and the context of the characters’ struggles. Truths can be broad or specific. They can introduce new elements or elaborate on existing ones. They can be positive, negative, or ambiguous. The flexibility of Truths allows for a dynamic and unpredictable story. Players can use Truths to introduce unexpected twists, foreshadow future events, or deepen the sense of dread and uncertainty. The act of establishing Truths also helps to build a shared understanding of the world. It allows players to invest more deeply in the characters’ fates. Truths help create a unique tragic horror story.

Key Elements of the Game

Ten Candles includes character creation. Light is important to the game. “Them” is the antagonistic force in the game. These are the key elements that make the game.

Character Creation and Concepts

In Ten Candles, character creation is a collaborative process. Players develop characters who are survivors in a world consumed by darkness. Each character concept is defined by a Virtue and a Vice, representing their strengths and flaws in the face of despair.

Players also define Truths about their characters, providing narrative hooks. These elements shape their personalities and motivations, influencing how they react to the unfolding horrors. Players make a character that tells more about the story.

The game encourages players to explore the characters’ emotional states. Ten Candles is a collaborative storytelling game. Players share control of the story. Characters face constant tension. They struggle against a terrifying and unknown force, “Them“.

Character creation sets the stage for a dramatic and compelling narrative. It allows players to invest in their characters. The players explore their characters’ reactions to a world consumed by darkness and tragedy. It is based around cooperative storytelling.

The Importance of Light

Light plays a crucial role in Ten Candles, both thematically and mechanically. The game is played in the dim glow of ten tea light candles, creating a tense and immersive atmosphere. As the candles burn down, the narrative progresses.

Each extinguished candle represents a loss of hope and control for the characters. It symbolizes their descent into darkness. In this way, the candles are more than just ambiance.

The light provides a sanctuary. It helps the characters struggling against the encroaching darkness. The light also acts as a narrative countdown. As the candles are snuffed, the characters get closer to the inevitable tragic ending. Ten Candles uses shared narrative control.

The diminishing light emphasizes the fragility of hope and the power of “Them“. The light is a constant visual reminder of the characters’ dwindling chances of survival. It is a tragic horror time-based cooperative storytelling game that creates a tragic horror experience.

Them: The Antagonistic Force

In Ten Candles, “Them” represent the unknown and terrifying force that has plunged the world into darkness. “Them” are not defined with specific details. This allows the players and the GM to collaboratively create their nature. The players can tailor the horror to their preferences.

The ambiguity surrounding “Them” enhances the sense of dread and paranoia. Players can never be sure what to expect. “Them” can be anything from monstrous creatures to subtle psychological manipulators. The players create “Them” through truths.

“Them” are the primary source of conflict and danger. They drive the narrative forward. The characters’ actions and decisions are all reactions to the threat posed by “Them“. The main goal of the players is to survive against “Them“.

The game focuses around shared narrative control. Everyone will share the mantle of storyteller and has an equal hand in telling this dark story. As the candles diminish, “Them” grows stronger.

Resources and Availability

The Ten Candles PDF rulebook is available for purchase on Cavalry Games website. This provides access to the complete rules. It also offers guidance for playing the game.

Where to Purchase the PDF Rulebook

To acquire the Ten Candles PDF rulebook, visit the Cavalry Games website, the official publisher. Stephen Dewey, the game’s author, holds the copyright. The website offers a digital version for purchase. This allows immediate access to the game’s rules and lore. Purchasing from the official source supports the creator. It ensures you receive the most up-to-date and accurate version of the game.

The PDF provides comprehensive guidance on gameplay, character creation, and GM tools. It is essential for understanding the mechanics. It also provides the narrative elements of Ten Candles. Consider checking for bundle deals. These may include character sheets or GM reference materials. These supplemental resources can enhance your gaming experience. Always ensure the source is legitimate. This avoids pirated or outdated versions. Enjoy your descent into tragic horror!

Online Communities and Resources

Several online communities are dedicated to Ten Candles. These serve as valuable resources for players and GMs. Platforms like Reddit and BoardGameGeek host forums for discussion, sharing experiences, and seeking advice. Hyper-RPG has recordings of Ten Candles sessions. These provide insight into gameplay.

These communities offer scenarios, house rules, and character concepts. This enriches the storytelling experience. Social media groups provide spaces for finding players. They also offer real-time discussions. These resources help new players grasp the game’s cooperative nature. They also help experienced players explore new narrative possibilities. Many websites and blogs feature reviews, tutorials, and session reports for Ten Candles. Utilizing these online resources will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the game.

Printable Character Cards and GM Reference Sheets

To aid gameplay, printable character cards and GM reference sheets are available. These resources streamline character creation. They provide a quick reference during sessions. Character cards typically include space for traits, skills, and relationships. Concept cards also offer character ideas. This helps players develop their characters. GM reference sheets summarize key rules and mechanics. This ensures smooth gameplay.

These printable materials are often found online. This allows players to easily access and use them. Some resources include pre-generated character templates. This speeds up the setup process. These resources greatly enhance the accessibility and organization of Ten Candles. They are useful tools for both novice and experienced players. These materials improve the overall gaming experience. They allow for quicker immersion into the narrative.