A Gaslamp Fantasy Sandbox

Umbra: Ghost Stories of Visagros is a combination of adventure card game and gamebook set in a world of gothic horror and fantasy for one player. You will create and customize your own character and explore an open world, completing quests and growing along the way. Your goal is to earn enough Reputation, through good or nefarious deeds, within a set number of days and become a legend of Visagros.

“Gaslamp fantasy” refers to a Victorian-style setting similar to steampunk that focuses on horror and the fantastical rather than science/technology.

Status
Playtesting

Version
0.1

Mechanics
Dice pool (d6s)
Interactive Fiction
Objectives (Quests)
Random events (decks of cards)

The isolated continent of Visagros, dotted with ruins and haunted by spirits, is a wilderness of opportunity and danger. Only the desperate would come here to make their name.

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Your Character

In each game, you’ll create a character by combining one of six Backgrounds with one of six Professions as well as choosing Traits (positive and negative aspects that alter attributes). You’ll record everything onto a double-sided character sheet.

Your Story

Each Background and Profession also has a unique starting Quest on the back. During the game, you’ll acquire Main Quests while exploring the world, each part of a larger story, and Side Quests will tie directly into your Background and Profession. Quests are just one way you can earn Reputation.

An Open World

You traverse the lands of Visagros using map cards that list nearby locations. Each map card has a variety of options for exploring and traveling. Exploring locations requires drawing and resolving an encounter card, narrative adventures where you will have to make a choice. These encounter decks also have towns you can discover and add to your map.

Core Mechanic

When attempting an attribute test or attack roll in combat, you first build your dice pool. You always start with 2d6 then can spend stamina to add dice to your pool. Mastery in an attribute and attack bonuses also add dice. Once you roll the dice, you can use Proficiency or spend health to re-roll dice. Each die below your attribute is a success. Tests require a set number of successes (1-6) and enemy defense values determine how many of your attack dice must succeed.

Earning Reputation

During setup, you’ll choose a Reputation goal and a number of days as your time limit. Completing Quests can reward Reputation, even more if you complete all 3 Quests in a named storyline. There are also powerful enemies with bounties on them that reward Reputation for defeating them. You can also buy and run businesses for money, unique rewards, and Reputation.