Candlelight Inquisition Press Kit

What is Candlelight Inquisition?

Short Description

Candlelight Inquisition is a “gothic noir”, 2d6-based TTRPG designed for a GM and 1–4 seekers, investigators who seek the fading light of truth among the fog of cynical politics and occult conspiracies. The 250+ page rule book contains everything you need, including tools to create your own long-running intrigue campaigns.

Long Description

Conspiracy and unconscious oppression rules the Vinndesian empire, good folk are led to evil and despair within the factory smog, and the occult deceptions of the Dream call into question the very nature of truth. Yet in this uncertain truth, this fading light, lies hope. Seek it out.

Candlelight Inquisition is a “gothic noir” indie tabletop roleplaying game (RPG) designed for a game master (GM) and 1 to 4 players. Players, or “seekers”, take the role of investigators working for one of many dubious factions, such as the Imperial Inquisition. In the course of your investigations, unveil occult secrets, overcome despair and psychological horrors, and expose sinister plots — perhaps even ones woven by your own allies. Aside from writing material and a pair of six-sided dice, the 250+ page rule book is all you need to play as a seeker or GM. Candlelight Inquisition is designed for mature audiences and long-running campaigns and contains extensive GM tools for this purpose: to weave complex sociopolitical conspiracies and devise horrific, surreal revelations for your seekers to uncover.

Gameplay

Candlelight Inquisition supports diverse activities and genres, suited especially well for faction politics, espionage, or horror. However, no campaign will be without investigation and conspiracy, the system’s and setting’s core strengths.

Goal

The players, called Seekers, belong to a dubious faction (such as the Inquisition or the Rebellion) but still seek the truth for themselves. The seekers must uncover and stop dark plots, sometimes even those set in motion by their own allies, while making decisions about what they truly believe.

Theme

The search for truth and goodness in a cynical, broken world without easy answers, and the mental struggle and perseverance involved.

System

A unique, 2d6-based “fiction-first” system where narrative and roleplay is supported, not detracted, by having many explicit ways to use your character features, a system which embodied themes of mental perseverance and attrition, and a system which facilitates investigations.

Setting

Set in an industrial age during one of the darkest moments of the Vinndesian Empire, a corrupt theocratic regime, seekers will contend against numerous faction conflicts, conspiracies, and external threats of war, famine, disease, or stranger occult horrors.

Products

Candlelight Inquisition: Core Rules

A 260-page rule book available in hardcover or as digital PDF. This book contains the complete Candlelight Inquisition experience, including all character features, faction systems, worldbuilding details, and GM tools.

Candlelight Inquisition: Quickstart

A 24-page rule book containing an accelerated version of the Candlelight Inquisition ruleset, including simplified character creation and a setting summary. Ideal for one-shots or short mystery adventures. Available for free as a PDF.

Ouroboric Rail: Introductory Casefile

A 42-page book featuring an introductory mystery — a classic train-bound murder mystery with a surreal twist — and Occult Crimes Unit XI, a set of pregen inquisitor seekers. Ouroboric Rail also contains the complete Quickstart rules with additional color art for easy reference. Available as a PDF.

Fact Sheet

Black Mouth Cur Gamecraft

An indie game studio based in Austin, Texas. Our namesake, the dog breed Black Mouth Cur, has a scary sounding name and rugged appearance but is a sweetheart in reality. Likewise, we make ‘dark and gritty’ media that is nonetheless idealistic under its coarse surface. Black Mouth Cur was founded by Will Fish, supported by friends such as our editor Will Gibbs. Will Fish has been designing games since childhood; in fact Will started working on the game that would become Candlelight Inquisition in the 8th grade. After over a decade of improvements, little of the original “Will’s totally legit RPG” remains except Will’s driving spark: to help others to create worthwhile memories through games.

Call to Action

Players

Candlelight Inquisition, a small indie RPG, needs players (that’s you!) Each player is an apostle: every time the game gets to the table, the more the word of it will get out. You do another great service to us by playing the game: you give our work meaning. You can purchase the game on our website (CandlelightInquisition.com). If you want to help more, following us on our socials, interacting with our community, sending feedback, and sharing the word goes a long way.

Steamers/Influencers/Reviewers/Press

Contact me at info@bmcur.com. I’d be honored to set up something with you: a live game, an interview, etc. I can also send you review copies.

Stores/Distributors/Publishers

I’d love to talk. Contact me at info@bmcur.com.

Art & Logos

The following assets can be used in press, social media posts, promotional content, reviews, or similar material concerning Candlelight Inquisition.

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