Candela Obscura is a collaborative investigative horror tabletop RPG set in a late 19th-century inspired world․ Developed by Darrington Press and Critical Role, it combines occult mystery with strategic gameplay․ The PDF version of the Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide are available for download, offering a comprehensive introduction to the game’s mechanics, setting, and immersive storytelling․
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook
A 204-page comprehensive guide, the Core Rulebook offers detailed rules, character creation, and setting lore․ Available in standard ($39․99) and limited ($59․99) editions, it’s also accessible as a digital PDF via DriveThruRPG and Roll20․
2․1 Key Features
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook is a 204-page comprehensive guide designed to immerse players in its gothic horror setting․ It introduces the Illuminated Worlds System, featuring unique mechanics like Drives (Nerve, Cunning, Intuition) that enhance gameplay by allowing players to spend points for additional dice rolls․ The rulebook also details character creation, with customizable traits and skills tailored for occult investigators․ Players can engage in strategic actions such as Move, Strike, and Sway, each with specific rules for different types of gameplay scenarios․ The setting, centered around the mysterious world of Newfaire, provides a rich backdrop of secrets and supernatural threats․ Additionally, the book includes tips for Game Masters on crafting immersive campaigns and managing horror elements․ With its detailed lore, balanced mechanics, and atmospheric design, the Core Rulebook is essential for both new and experienced players seeking a collaborative investigative horror experience․ Its digital versions, including PDF and Roll20 integration, further enhance accessibility for modern tabletop enthusiasts․
2․2 Editions and Pricing
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook is available in multiple editions to cater to different preferences and budgets․ The Standard Edition is priced at $39․99 USD, offering the complete 204-page rulebook in a high-quality print format; For collectors, the Limited Edition is available at $59․99 USD, featuring exclusive cover art and premium materials․ Both editions are available for purchase through Critical Role’s official shops, DriveThruRPG, and other major retailers․ For digital enthusiasts, the Candela Obscura Nexus on Demiplane is priced at $29․99 USD, providing a fully digital conversion of the Core Rulebook with interactive features․ Additionally, a free PDF version of the Quickstart Guide is available for download, introducing players to the game’s basics․ The rulebook is also integrated into Roll20, allowing for seamless online gameplay․ Purchases from Critical Role shops include a free PDF copy of the Core Rulebook, making it an excellent value for both physical and digital collectors․ This variety ensures accessibility for all types of players, whether they prefer physical books, digital convenience, or online platforms․
The Quickstart Guide
The Candela Obscura Quickstart Guide is a free PDF designed to introduce players to the game’s core mechanics and setting․ It includes a starter adventure, pregenerated characters, and essential rules, making it perfect for new players and GMs to learn the basics quickly․
3․1 Content Overview
The Candela Obscura Quickstart Guide is a free downloadable PDF that provides an accessible introduction to the game․ It includes a condensed version of the core rules, a starter adventure, and pre-generated characters to help new players and GMs dive into the world of Newfaire․ The guide is designed to be concise yet comprehensive, offering a smooth learning curve for those unfamiliar with the system․
Key components of the Quickstart Guide include:
- A brief overview of the game’s setting and lore․
- Essential rules for character creation and gameplay mechanics․
- A sample adventure to guide players through their first session․
- Illustrated examples and helpful tips for both players and GMs․
The guide also introduces the Circle Sheet, a tool to track character resources and drives, and provides a Field Guide with necessary tables and references․ This makes it an excellent resource for learning the basics before transitioning to the full Core Rulebook․
Additionally, the Quickstart Guide is available on platforms like DriveThruRPG and Roll20, with a bonus module for Roll20 users․ This digital accessibility ensures that newcomers can easily embrace the horror investigative experience of Candela Obscura․
3․2 Learning the Basics
Learning the basics of Candela Obscura is streamlined through the Quickstart Guide, a free downloadable PDF․ The guide is designed to introduce players and GMs to the core concepts without overwhelming them․ It features a starter adventure, pre-generated characters, and essential rules to get a game running quickly․ The guide begins with an overview of the game’s setting and the Circle Sheet, a tool for tracking character resources like Drives (Nerve, Cunning, Intuition) and actions (Move, Strike, Sway)․
The PDF also includes a sample assignment, allowing players to experience the game’s investigative horror elements firsthand․ It explains how to spend drives for additional dice rolls and how to navigate the world of Newfaire․ The guide is complemented by a Field Guide and helpful illustrations, making it an excellent resource for newcomers․ Its digital availability on platforms like DriveThruRPG and Roll20 ensures easy access, with a bonus Roll20 module for a seamless online experience․ This approach ensures players can dive into the game’s unique blend of mystery and horror without prior knowledge of the full system․
Setting and Lore
Candela Obscura is set in the mysterious world of Newfaire, a late 19th-century inspired setting filled with occult secrets and supernatural threats․ Players join a secret society investigating eerie occurrences, uncovering hidden truths, and battling sinister forces in a gothic horror atmosphere․
4․1 The World of Newfaire
Newfaire is a captivating, late 19th-century inspired setting in Candela Obscura, blending historical elements with occult mysteries․ This world is steeped in gothic horror, where ancient supernatural forces threaten the living․ Players explore mist-shrouded cities, eerie forests, and forgotten ruins, uncovering dark secrets tied to the mysterious incursions of otherworldly beings․
The society of Newfaire is divided into factions with hidden agendas, adding layers of intrigue․ From underground cults to secretive organizations, each group vies for power, influencing the delicate balance between reality and the unknown․ The setting’s rich lore immerses players in a world where the veil between life and death is thin, and danger lurks in every shadow;
As investigators, players must navigate this treacherous landscape, solving mysteries and confronting horrors․ The PDF materials, including the Candela Obscura Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide, provide detailed descriptions of Newfaire’s geography, history, and key locations, offering a solid foundation for both players and GMs to craft compelling stories․
4․2 Factions in the Game
Candela Obscura introduces a variety of factions that shape the game’s narrative and gameplay․ These groups, each with unique agendas and ideologies, create a web of intrigue and conflict․ The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide provide detailed descriptions of these factions, enabling players to align with or oppose them․
- The Candela Obscura Society: A secretive organization dedicated to investigating and combating supernatural threats, serving as a hub for player characters․
- The Order of the Veil: A mysterious group obsessed with uncovering ancient secrets, often at great cost․
- The Iron Circle: A technologically driven faction seeking to harness occult power for industrial advancement․
- The Luminari: A fanatical cult worshipping otherworldly entities, believing their arrival will bring enlightenment․
- The Silent Hand: A clandestine network manipulating events from the shadows to maintain power․
These factions offer rich storytelling opportunities, allowing players to navigate alliances, betrayals, and moral dilemmas․ The PDF materials provide extensive lore, helping GMs and players integrate these groups into their campaigns seamlessly․
Gameplay Mechanics
Candela Obscura uses the Illuminated Worlds System, featuring Drives like Nerve, Cunning, and Intuition, which add dice to rolls․ Actions like Move, Strike, and Sway provide flexibility in gameplay․ The system emphasizes investigation and horror, creating a suspenseful experience․
5․1 Character Creation
Character creation in Candela Obscura is a blend of customization and strategic planning․ Players begin by selecting Drives—key traits like Nerve, Cunning, and Intuition—that define their character’s motivations and abilities․ These Drives can be spent to add additional dice to rolls, enhancing their chances of success in critical moments․ The system also allows for the selection of Actions, such as Move, Strike, and Sway, which determine how characters interact with the world and resolve conflicts․ The Circle Sheet, a unique tool provided in the PDF, helps players track their resources and maintain organization during gameplay․ The process encourages players to craft characters that fit seamlessly into the gothic horror setting of Newfaire, whether they are seasoned investigators or novice occultists․ This system ensures that each character is both mechanically distinct and narratively rich, ready to face the eerie mysteries and dangers that lie within the game’s world․
5․2 Core Mechanics
The core mechanics of Candela Obscura revolve around a dynamic system designed to enhance storytelling and strategic gameplay․ Central to this is the Illuminated Worlds System, which emphasizes collaborative investigation and horror elements․ Players utilize Drives—such as Nerve, Cunning, and Intuition—to influence outcomes by spending these resources to add additional dice to rolls․ This mechanic allows for heightened tension and player agency, particularly in high-stakes scenarios․ The game also features Actions, predefined moves that dictate how characters interact with the environment and resolve conflicts, ensuring clarity and structure during gameplay․ The Circle Sheet, provided in the PDF, serves as a vital tool for tracking resources and managing character progression․ This system is designed to be both accessible to newcomers and deeply customizable for experienced players, ensuring a seamless blend of narrative depth and mechanical simplicity․ The result is a gameplay experience that thrives on mystery, strategy, and the eerie atmosphere of the Candela Obscura universe․
Digital Resources
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide are available as PDFs on platforms like DriveThruRPG, Roll20, and Critical Role’s official shop․ These digital versions include character sheets, setting guides, and a free module for Roll20, enhancing your gameplay experience seamlessly․
6․1 PDF Availability
The Candela Obscura Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide are readily available in PDF format through multiple platforms, including DriveThruRPG, Roll20, and Critical Role’s official online store․ These digital versions provide players and GMs with a convenient way to access the game’s rules, setting, and character creation systems․ The PDFs are fully searchable and include bookmarks for easy navigation, making it simple to find specific rules or sections during gameplay․ Additionally, the Core Rulebook PDF is bundled with a free module, Dressed to Kill, exclusively on Roll20, offering a ready-to-play adventure to dive into the world of Newfaire․ For those who prefer digital gaming, the Candela Obscura Nexus on Demiplane offers a fully integrated digital experience, complete with character builders and campaign tools․ With these resources, players can immerse themselves in the occult mysteries of Newfaire from anywhere, whether running a virtual session or preparing for an in-person game․
6․2 Roll20 Integration
Candela Obscura offers seamless integration with Roll20, enhancing the digital tabletop experience for both players and GMs․ The Candela Obscura Roll20 character sheet is designed to streamline character creation and management, providing an intuitive interface for tracking drives, resources, and actions․ Players can easily input their character’s stats, skills, and equipment, while GMs can access a wealth of tools to manage encounters, NPCs, and story progression․ Additionally, the Dressed to Kill module is available exclusively on Roll20, offering a pre-built adventure that introduces players to the world of Newfaire․ This module includes maps, tokens, and encounters, making it easy for GMs to run a captivating story․ The Roll20 integration also supports dynamic lighting and sound effects, immersing players in the eerie atmosphere of the game․ With these tools, running or playing Candela Obscura online becomes a smooth and engaging experience, perfect for remote gaming groups or newcomers to the platform․
Community and Events
The Candela Obscura community is vibrant, with events fostering connection among players․ The annual Candela Obscura Games Week (July 26–August 1) encourages play at home, online, or in local stores․ It’s a celebration of horror and mystery, uniting investigators worldwide․
7․1 Candela Obscura Games Week
Candela Obscura Games Week is an annual celebration of the game, running from July 26 to August 1․ This event encourages players to gather, whether at home, online, or in local game stores, to immerse themselves in the eerie world of Newfaire․ During this week, fans are invited to play or run games of Candela Obscura, sharing their experiences and creations with the broader community․ The event fosters camaraderie and creativity, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the occult mysteries and supernatural horrors that define the game․
To support participants, official resources like the Candela Obscura Quickstart Guide and character sheets are available as free or discounted downloads․ Additionally, players can explore exclusive content, such as pre-made adventures or digital tools, to enhance their gameplay․ The event also highlights community-driven initiatives, including live streams, tournaments, and fan art contests, further enriching the experience․
Candela Obscura Games Week is a testament to the game’s growing popularity and the dedication of its fanbase․ It’s the perfect time for newcomers to join the community and for veterans to showcase their love for the game․
Candela Obscura offers a unique blend of horror, mystery, and collaborative storytelling, making it a standout title in the TTRPG genre․ Its immersive setting, centered around the eerie world of Newfaire, provides players with a rich environment to explore occult mysteries and supernatural threats․ The game’s accessibility, with resources like the Candela Obscura Core Rulebook and Quickstart Guide available in both physical and digital formats, ensures that newcomers and veterans alike can easily dive into the experience․
The availability of PDF versions and integrations with platforms like Roll20 further enhances the game’s versatility, catering to a wide range of players․ With a growing community and events like the Candela Obscura Games Week, the game fosters connections and creativity among fans․ Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or a TTRPG aficionado, Candela Obscura promises an engaging and unforgettable journey into the shadows․