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4 months ago

#ttrpg #RPGstuff Ten Candles: A Game of Tragic Horror Ten Candles is a zero-prep, collaborative storytelling role-playing game designed for one-shot play in the genre of tragic horror. Unlike traditional survival horror games where clever players or lucky rolls might allow some characters to escape, Ten Candles embraces inevitability: everyone is going to die, and the story is about how they face that end. The game creates powerful, emotionally charged narratives focused on fleeting hope, human connection, betrayal, sacrifice, and quiet dignity in the face of overwhelming darkness.Tragic horror, as embodied by Ten Candles, differs from other horror subgenres by removing any possibility of victory or survival. The mechanics and tone guide the table toward meaningful, often heartbreaking conclusions rather than escape or triumph. It draws inspiration from stories like The Mist, The Road, or slow-burn apocalyptic tales where the emphasis lies not on whether the characters survive, but on who they become and what they cling to as everything falls apart. The game excels at exploring personal reckonings and small acts of humanity when all larger hopes have already been lost. The core mechanics revolve around ten physical tea-light candles and custom dice pools, creating both atmosphere and a literal countdown. Play ideally occurs by the light of the candles alone. All ten candles begin lit. Each time a scene concludes—typically triggered by a failed roll—one candle is extinguished. When the final candle goes out, the game ends and all characters meet their tragic fates, often described in brutal, poetic detail. Candles can even extinguish themselves, forcing the story forward. Players and the Guide (GM) roll a number of six-sided dice equal to the number of candles still burning. Any 6 rolled counts as a success, allowing the player to narrate the outcome. Rolling no 6s results in failure: the Guide narrates what happens, a candle is blown out, and the scene ends. Ones “burn out” and are set aside for the remainder of the scene, adding risk and tension. The Guide rolls the same pool but uses results primarily for narrative control and consequences. This system produces a beautiful rhythm where successes feel precious and temporary, while failures accelerate the encroaching darkness. Character creation is minimal and evocative. Each player fills out a simple index card with a Virtue, a Vice, a Moment (a source of hope), and a Brink (a secret about another character). These elements are invoked and then literally burned or torn during play. Equipment is whatever the characters have on them at the start. The setting and threats emerge collaboratively through play rather than heavy pre-planning.Although Ten Candles is frequently associated with grand, world-ending scenarios—such as a sunless apocalypse where unknowable “They” have arrived—the system is remarkably flexible. It works equally well for intimate stories focused on the end of these specific characters rather than the entire world. In either case, the tragedy remains certain. This makes Ten Candles the ultimate anti-Toon RPG. Where Toon celebrates cartoonish resilience and slapstick immortality, Ten Candles insists that nobody gets out alive and no plot armor exists.I have used the game for wildly different scenarios. One session became a deadly game show that steadily escalated into a full Grand Guignol nightmare as contestants turned on one another in the fading light. Another explored a superhuman empowerment experiment that unraveled not only the characters but reality itself. My most memorable experiment fused the two extremes: “Toon Candles.” We began with full Toon energy—slapstick gags, reality-bending humor, and indestructible cartoon logic—only to let the Ten Candles mechanics slowly corrupt and destroy it. As the candles dwindled, the humor grew desperate, then horrific, as the characters realized the darkness was permanent and the ink was running dry. Watching cartoon invincibility fail against tragic inevitability created one of the most memorable tables I have ever run. Ten Candles rewards deep investment in the present moment precisely because there is no “next session” to resolve unfinished business. The darkness always wins. Yet the stories told in its flickering light often linger long after the final candle is extinguished. For groups that enjoy collaborative tragedy and the unique intimacy of literal candle-lit play, Ten Candles offers a powerful and unforgettable experience. Light the candles, roll the dice, and make every remaining moment count.

LawDogStrikes's tweet photo. #ttrpg #RPGstuff

Ten Candles: A Game of Tragic Horror

Ten Candles is a zero-prep, collaborative storytelling role-playing game designed for one-shot play in the genre of tragic horror. Unlike traditional survival horror games where clever players or lucky rolls might allow some characters to escape, Ten Candles embraces inevitability: everyone is going to die, and the story is about how they face that end. The game creates powerful, emotionally charged narratives focused on fleeting hope, human connection, betrayal, sacrifice, and quiet dignity in the face of overwhelming darkness.Tragic horror, as embodied by Ten Candles, differs from other horror subgenres by removing any possibility of victory or survival. The mechanics and tone guide the table toward meaningful, often heartbreaking conclusions rather than escape or triumph. It draws inspiration from stories like The Mist, The Road, or slow-burn apocalyptic tales where the emphasis lies not on whether the characters survive, but on who they become and what they cling to as everything falls apart. The game excels at exploring personal reckonings and small acts of humanity when all larger hopes have already been lost.

The core mechanics revolve around ten physical tea-light candles and custom dice pools, creating both atmosphere and a literal countdown. Play ideally occurs by the light of the candles alone. All ten candles begin lit. Each time a scene concludes—typically triggered by a failed roll—one candle is extinguished. When the final candle goes out, the game ends and all characters meet their tragic fates, often described in brutal, poetic detail. Candles can even extinguish themselves, forcing the story forward.

Players and the Guide (GM) roll a number of six-sided dice equal to the number of candles still burning. Any 6 rolled counts as a success, allowing the player to narrate the outcome. Rolling no 6s results in failure: the Guide narrates what happens, a candle is blown out, and the scene ends. Ones “burn out” and are set aside for the remainder of the scene, adding risk and tension. The Guide rolls the same pool but uses results primarily for narrative control and consequences. This system produces a beautiful rhythm where successes feel precious and temporary, while failures accelerate the encroaching darkness.

Character creation is minimal and evocative. Each player fills out a simple index card with a Virtue, a Vice, a Moment (a source of hope), and a Brink (a secret about another character). These elements are invoked and then literally burned or torn during play. Equipment is whatever the characters have on them at the start. The setting and threats emerge collaboratively through play rather than heavy pre-planning.Although Ten Candles is frequently associated with grand, world-ending scenarios—such as a sunless apocalypse where unknowable “They” have arrived—the system is remarkably flexible. It works equally well for intimate stories focused on the end of these specific characters rather than the entire world. In either case, the tragedy remains certain. This makes Ten Candles the ultimate anti-Toon RPG. Where Toon celebrates cartoonish resilience and slapstick immortality, Ten Candles insists that nobody gets out alive and no plot armor exists.I have used the game for wildly different scenarios. One session became a deadly game show that steadily escalated into a full Grand Guignol nightmare as contestants turned on one another in the fading light. Another explored a superhuman empowerment experiment that unraveled not only the characters but reality itself.

My most memorable experiment fused the two extremes: “Toon Candles.” We began with full Toon energy—slapstick gags, reality-bending humor, and indestructible cartoon logic—only to let the Ten Candles mechanics slowly corrupt and destroy it. As the candles dwindled, the humor grew desperate, then horrific, as the characters realized the darkness was permanent and the ink was running dry. Watching cartoon invincibility fail against tragic inevitability created one of the most memorable tables I have ever run.

Ten Candles rewards deep investment in the present moment precisely because there is no “next session” to resolve unfinished business. The darkness always wins. Yet the stories told in its flickering light often linger long after the final candle is extinguished. For groups that enjoy collaborative tragedy and the unique intimacy of literal candle-lit play, Ten Candles offers a powerful and unforgettable experience. Light the candles, roll the dice, and make every remaining moment count.

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Ferne Hebig @Nerfblat

almost 4 years ago

Look at this chonky wee beauty. Love it!! ❤️🙌 #spells #cards #rpgstuff

Geeky Tendencies @Inclined2Geek

almost 4 years ago

Happy #selfpromosaturday ! Last night I was suddenly inspired to create a new style of Tiny Tome! How many pages does your spellbook need? Do you collect #TradingCards Now you can get up to 48 pages (holds 96 cards!) Share what you are working on below! https://t.co/khiGXPzlgS

dandy in the underworld @winged

almost 7 years ago

#rpgstuff rereading through old Siren Cove stuff and damn, i miss these characters

Dark Elf Dice @DarkElfDice

about 7 years ago

Just received a big shipment of Gamescience dice. Lots of colors to choose from :) https://t.co/O8pBS66Jf1 #dice #dnddice #rpgdice #rpgstuff

DarkElfDice's tweet photo. Just received a big shipment of Gamescience dice. Lots of colors to choose from :)
https://t.co/O8pBS66Jf1
#dice #dnddice #rpgdice #rpgstuff https://t.co/nzrtQ634nC

snürch 🐀 @snuuurch

about 8 years ago

WIP of my @privateerpress #trollbloods bust. #miniaturepainting #gaming #hobby #rpgstuff #instageek @ Chicago, Illinois https://t.co/tC4modypX3

Tore Nielsen (Elon Musk is a c**t beyond parody) @ToreNielsen78

over 8 years ago

GMing again tonight. I predict crocodiles and possibly a double-cross. #rpgstuff #GMing #TheDeepWorld

Richard White @ironemblem98

over 9 years ago

so I've spent like three hours of research for a list of random spices/herbs. All for just one thing lol #rpgstuff

cybellerosa.bsky.social @cybellerosa11

over 9 years ago

Eu virei rainha da porra toda #RPGStuff

kajastrophe || FaBa 2.1 Booth 332 @nimatkaja

almost 10 years ago

Christmas Calendar #4! Varis Suna! #magicalLE #machtderehrlichkeit #rpgstuff #afadraws

Peachy 🍑 NEW ACCOUNT. @ApricotyPeach

almost 10 years ago

In love with my new t-shirt! It's so adorable! 😺😺#dungeonsandcats #rpgstuff https://t.co/tu01vp0N4T

Findelmutz @Findelfuchs

about 10 years ago

Wenn jemand so gute Passagen schreibt, dass du kurz davor bist zu heulen. Manche sind eben doch mehr, als nur "Hobby-Autoren" #RPGstuff <3

》Neronia《 @Sera_tenshi

over 10 years ago

@Sera_tenshi sich schwört, Sin zu Königspastete zu zerlegen, weiß Sinbad eventuell, dass er zu weit gegangen ist. #rpgstuff

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