Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Preface - Disclaimer

I do not own anything regarding Dark Souls or OD&D, nor the various volumes I have used

to create this (AD&D, 5th Ed. D&D, Unofficial Dark Souls RPG by Emanuele Galleto, Silent

Legions, etc.). All rights belong to their respective creators (From Software, Namco, TSR,

WOTC, etc.). Nothing here needs to be sold or use for money, only personal use.

Finally, I stole a lot of content and table from various bloggers over the years and I can’t say

I remember always where, therefore I cannot credit them. I hope they will not be angry with

me because of that.

I especially stole a lot from the “Dark Souls Unofficial Role Playing Game” by Emanuele

Galleto for anything related to lore, worldbuilding, names, etc. and some ideas for Dark

Souls mechanics. I also stole from Silent Legions and Kevin Crawford for some

worldbuilding aspects.

Introduction - What is this book and how to use it

This experiment started off as a port of Dark Souls 1 into TTRPG using an OSR framework.

Rapidly it became quite clear that it couldn’t be OSR as per my personal definition of OSR,

that is, a game that retains both the principles and the compatibility of old school RPGs as

defined by old school TSR (OD&D, AD&D, Basic D&D and all retroclones of those).

This games keep the principles as much as it can, but does not follow the compatibility. I did

try to keep it as much as I could and offer paths to re-compatibilized at the cost of de-Dark-

Soulifying the game. Referee’s using this toolbox can go in whatever direction they want.

Since my personal goal was to put Dark Souls into TTRPG, the basic proposition will be to

have more Dark Souls principles and mechanics and less compatible D&D.

The basic frame that was used to create this Dark Souls RPG is OD&D with Chainmail(ish)

combat resolution. It was only a natural choice since it gives more freedom to the Referee to

use the three combat system (I scrapped one) to create a tension that’s relevant to the

moment while style having a good amount of “crunch” for those that wants to delve into it in

a Man-to-Man context. For this reason, I tried to put everything down to d6 to accomodate

for easier play and odds. To create again a sense of squishiness in the face of adversity, I

came back to a system without HP. You have HD and you go down fast. Nonetheless,

having armor, magical items, dodge-rolling about, etc. can give you a good edge to survive.

Instead of a class system, if you want to have a more Dark Souls feeling, there is optional

rules at the end for a classless system. The reason I still went with class is threefold:

● Compatibility

● In the Dark Souls game, you are effectively a one-man party because it’s a single

player game. Here, you have a party. You don’t need to be able to do everything.

● And even if you can do everything in Dark Souls, there is still “style” of playing

through builds, and people generally fall into “classes”:

○ Sorcerer/pyromancy full caster with light armor to roll and move around, i.e.

Magic-User

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ○ Full (or almost) melee, whether is high dodge, high poise, or generalist, i.e.

Fighting-Man

○ A mix of Faith and (generally through Dex) melee, or sometimes a

pyromancer/sorcerer with some melee, i.e. a Cleric

If you still want to provide a better variety for your players, you can elect to give them

“boons” outside their class if they consume a great Soul. For example, if you consume the

Soul of a Black Knight instead of using it as XP, you could learn to carry bigger armor or

weapons, and so on.

I will now provide some tips on how to keep a better compatibility with OSR/TSR below. If

you have not read this whole document, I advise you do so before to understand the

changes:

● Instead of using the (modified) Chainmail combat system, use the alternative combat

system. Using the Chainmail system has the disadvantage of rendering a lot of

equipment, spells and monsters incompatible unless the Referee knows what he is

doing and is competent in mental gymnastics. If you want to keep the Classless but

not the combat, just have your character pick either a progression of Cleric, Fighting-

Man or Magic-User every level, and adjust HD and Saving Throws accordingly. If you

want to keep the combo thing, I’d suggest making it that every 4HD and plus PCs of

any class, when they roll a 6 on damage, can roll an additional one (ad vitam

aeternam) to simulate the fact that they perceive a weakness and go again. It would

be more logical to put it on the attack roll, but IMO multiple attack roll, especially if

they are done one after the other, only makes the game take more time.

● Modify all death rules to suit your needs (that is, character death is permanent death

as per normal D&D instead of coming back at Bonfire).

● Return to the Charisma attribute and have Humanity (if you need it) as a 7th attribute

or something else entirely.

● Instead of the modified Chainmail monsters, adopt a more OD&D/AD&D list of

monsters.

With those last four main changes in mind, you could probably use the present books in

conjunction with any compatible OSR/TSR material without any major problem, since the

rest is mostly kept as-is from OD&D or with minor cosmetic changes/changes brought about

by my own experience at running OD&D and AD&D.

Final and important point: this book was created with a West Marches style campaign in

mind, heavily focused on pointcrawl (one area being one point) and megadungeons (areas

as dungeons) to give a more Dark Souls feeling. Therefore, if you plan to use the alternate

rules I presented above to go more towards OD&D and not run either a West Marches or

pointcrawl campaign, I fear this book will be 90% useless to you.

Take note that all Dark Souls specific rules are untested for now.

To anyone that wants to read more on the subject and a potential thought process, read/visit

those:

● https://grey-elf.com/philotomy.pdf

● http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/17231/roleplaying-games/dissociated-

mechanics-a-brief-primer

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/13085/roleplaying-games/jaquaying-the-dungeon

● https://youtu.be/QhWdBhc3Wjc

● http://dungeonsddx.blogspot.com/2013/06/dark-souls.html

● https://thehydradm.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/dark-souls-the-dnd-video-game-that-

isnt/

● https://www.enworld.org/threads/dungeon-layout-map-flow-and-old-school-game-

design.168563/

● Skerples series: https://coinsandscrolls.blogspot.com/2018/06/osr-iron-gates-mythic-

itinerary.html

● Megadungeon design:

○ https://thehydradm.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/dark-souls-the-dnd-video-

game-that-isnt/

○ https://www.enworld.org/threads/dungeon-layout-map-flow-and-old-school-

game-design.168563/

○ http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/13085/roleplaying-games/jaquaying-the-

dungeon

○ https://grey-elf.com/philotomy.pdf

● http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/17231/roleplaying-games/dissociated-

mechanics-a-brief-primer

● http://gameswithothers.blogspot.com/2014/03/dark-souls-video-game-table-top-

role.html

Core Experience

The Core experience of D&D and TTRPG should be, for this type of game, centered around

three concept: Exploration, Social Interaction, Combat.

● Exploration: This is one of the main and chief concern of this TTRPG. It might be light

on some of the details, but it’s because it bears heavily on the Referee to create

intricate dungeons, using the three clue rule

(https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/1118/roleplaying-games/three-clue-rule), etc.

This Dark Soul OSR will provide basic rules and will try to maximize it by having XP

found during exploration, lore have an impact on finding new places or determining a

boss weakness, and having a system of revival that will give players new avenues

but also more opportunity to delve deeper.

● Social Interaction: This is the one that will most suffer from a Dark Souls campaign.

Most Social Interaction will be between players, some phantoms and some NPCs

scattered here and there.

● Combat: Combat has been made less critical than in the video game (where its

mandatory) but more than in OD&D, which is why there is more rules for (Chainmail

redux).

Common Terminology and Abbreviations

This section will give definition for common terms and their abbreviations. This is useful to

people who are new to either OSR or Dark Souls. Some terms have been changed for the

sake of lore/fluff, but as a Referee you could decide to keep terms and abbreviations from

OD&D without any problem.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Attributes:

PLAYER’S SECTION

Character Creation

Summary of Character Creation

1. Roll 3d6 for the first five Attributes (Str, Int, Fth, Dex, Con) and write 10 for Humanity

(Hum)

2. Choose your class (Warrior, Pyromancer, Cleric)

3. Choose or roll a background

4. Write down your class features, starting equipment and other characteristics: Saving

Throw, Armor type/Armor Class, Hit Dice, Encumbrance, Weapon Slot, Attunement

Slot

Attributes

There is six attributes: Strength (Str), Intelligence (Int), Faith (Fth), Dexterity (Dex),

Constitution (Con) and Humanity (Hum). The first six are randomly generated by rolling 3d6.

Humanity starts at 10. Attributes cannot go past 18 at character creation and cannot go past

17 afterwards.

Those attributes serves multiple functions:

● They represent vaguely the capacity of the character compared to other heroes, not

to normal humans. Therefore a 3 in Strength doesn’t mean a total weakling, but

rather the weakest that a hero can be and still be successful on an adventure.

● Some weapons, armors and objects will require requirement of attributes to use.

● Sometimes, when the Referee will need to decide randomly if an action by a

character is a success or not, he will use those attributes as it is fitting for the

situation: the player will roll 3d6 and must have a result under his score to have a

success.

● They will determine specific modificators to other characteristics by dividing it in three

tier: 3 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 18.

○ STR

■ -1/0/+1 -> Bonus to attack roll in melee

○ DEX

■ -1/0/+1 -> Bonus to attack roll in range

○ CON

■ -1/0/+1 -> Bonus to encumbrance

○ INT

■ -1/0/+1 -> Arcane Attunement Slot

○ FTH

■ -1/0/+1 -> Miracle Attunement Slot

○ HUM

■ -1/0/+1 -> All saving throws

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Saving Throws

Saving Throws are “last resorts” for the character to show his heromanship compared to a

normal human or normal monster. If he suffers a dire attack or effect, the Referee might call

for a Saving Throw of a specific sort to diminish or dodge the effect. Saving Throws are

rolled on 2d6 roll over. Everyone starts with all Saving Throws at 11.

● Death Ray or Poison: Everything that can kill instantly or rapidly a creature

through Death or Poison.

● Wands: Every artifact, traps or wands that has a physical effect in space and

time that can affect characters magically.

● Petrification: Any stone or curse effect that can slow or change flesh into

something else.

● Breath: Every zone or area effect that resembles (or is) a dragon breath.

● Staves and Spells: Any other magical effect that doesn’t fall into one of those

category from a magical source.

Classes

Choice of Class

There is three classes that represents the archetype of your character: Warrior (Fighting-

Man), Arcane (Magic-User) or Cleric (Cleric).

Warrior

Starting at level one, can wear any armor, shield or weapon, including magical one. Can

carry up to three set of weapons and shield instead of the normal two.

At level three, once per adventure, he can put his Strength at 20 for one minute (affect his

skills and combat).

At level eight, once per adventure, the Fighting-Man can choose to automatically pass a

failed saving throw.

Lvl Title XP needed

HD/FC vs Death vs Wands vs Stone vs Breath vs Spells

1 Soldier 0 1 8 8 8 9 9

2 Veteran 2000 2 8 8 8 9 9

3 Swordsman 4000 3 8 8 8 9 9

4 Hero 8000 4 7 8 8 8 8

5 Brave Hero 16000 5 7 8 8 8 8

6 Champion 32000 6 7 8 8 8 8

7 Slayer 64000 7 7 7 7 7 8

8 Conqueror 120000 8 7 7 7 7 8

9 Lord 240000 9 6 6 7 6 7

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Pyromancer

Starting at level one, can wear any light armor, small shield, one handed ranged weapons

and one handed weapons up until weapon class 6, but only light swords such as scimitar or

rapier.

Lvl Title XP needed

HD/FC vs Death vs Wands vs Stone vs Breath vs Spells

1 Arcanist 0 1 8 9 8 9 9

2 Seer 2500 1 8 9 8 9 9

3 Theurgist 5000 2 8 9 8 9 9

4 Thaumaturgist 10000 2 8 9 8 9 9

5 Magician 20000 3 8 9 8 9 9

6 Enchanter 35000 3 7 8 8 8 8

7 Warlock 70000 4 7 8 8 8 8

8 Wizard 140000 4 7 8 8 8 8

9 Pyromancer/ Sorcerer

280000 5 6 7 7 7 7

He can use magic according to the following matrix. The number for each level means the

number of spells he can attune at any given time of that level until he rest his souls (i.e. long

rest/between adventures).

To cast a spell, he needs to have a Flame equipped as a weapon or secondary weapon, but

in his hand.

Lvl Title Spell level 1 Spell level 2 Spell level 3 Spell level 4 Spell level 5

1 Arcanist 1

2 Seer 2

3 Theurgist 3 1

4 Thaumaturgist 4 2

5 Magician 4 2 1

6 Enchanter 4 2 2

7 Warlock 4 3 2 1

8 Wizard 4 3 3 2

9 Pyromancer/ Sorcerer

4 3 3 2 1

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Cleric

Starting at level one, can wear any light or medium armor, small shield or medium shield,

ranged weapon and all one handed weapon. The Cleric can see more clearly Guidestone

and Bloodstain and can interpret them.

A Cleric can chose from the start one of the different Covenant of the Gods:

● The Way of White, centered on all the Anor Londo Gods and their faithful.

● The Maiden’s Way, centered on the Goddesses Caitha, Velka and Fina. Those of

this way will dedicate their life to one of the Maiden.

● The Darkmoon Blades, centered on the purity of the Moon and Moonlight.

There is many more hidden Covenant within the game. Each Covenant will affect higher

level spells and powers, but also reaction from other NPCs. For more information on the

Gods: https://darksouls.fandom.com/wiki/Gods

Lvl Title XP needed

HD/FC vs Death vs Wands vs Stone vs Breath vs Spells

1 Cleric 0 1 8 8 8 9 9

2 Servant 2500 2 8 8 8 9 9

3 Acolyte 5000 2 8 8 8 9 9

4 Adept 10000 3 8 8 8 9 9

5 Justicar 20000 4 7 7 8 8 8

6 Paladin 35000 4 7 7 8 8 8

7 Protector of the Flame

70000 5 7 7 8 8 8

8 Pilgrim of the Flame

140000 6 7 7 8 8 8

9 Apostle of the Gods

280000 6 6 6 7 7 7

He can use miracles according to the following matrix. The number for each level means the

number of spells he can attune at any given time of that level until he rest his souls (i.e. long

rest/between adventures).

Lvl Title Spell level 1 Spell level 2 Spell level 3 Spell level 4

1 Cleric

2 Servant 1

3 Acolyte 2

4 Adept 2 1

5 Justicar 2 2

6 Paladin 2 2 1

7 Protector of the Flame

2 2 2 1

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 8 Pilgrim of the

Flame

3 2 2 1

9 Apostle of the Gods

3 3 3 2

Class Backgrounds

Every character must choose a background that determines what he was before being

branded with the Dark Sign, the Curse of the Undead. Each of the background gives: a

bonus to one Saving Throw, a set of starting items, a special feature of some kind.

Either choose or roll at random a background (suggested for new players).

● Warrior (1d4):

○ Knight:

■ Saving Throw: Breath

■ Starts with Sword, Medium Shield, Heavy Armor and a holy water.

■ Feature: Can use his own Humanity 2 for 1 to give to someone else.

○ Wanderer:

■ Req Str 10, Fth 10, Con 11.

■ Saving Throw: All.

■ Starts with Falchion (sword), Small Shield, Light Armor and a small

mirror.

■ Feature: Has better Saving Throw.

○ Thief:

■ Saving Throw: Wands.

■ Starts with a Rapier (sword), a parrying Dagger, a Light Armor and a

rope.

■ Feature: Starts the game with a special “master key” that can open

most simple locked doors.

○ Bandit:

■ Saving Throw: Poison/Death.

■ Starts with a Scimitar (sword), a throwing knife, a Small Shield, a Light

Armor and a oil (flask).

■ Feature: Always receives +5% Souls from killed monsters.

● Pyromancer (1d3) (all three starts with a Flame equipment)

○ Deprived:

■ Saving Throw: Nil.

■ Start with a club and a plank shield (count as medium shield but

breaks easily).

■ Feature: +2 Humanity, +1 to one Attributes of choice

○ Sorcerer:

■ Saving Throw: Magic.

■ Starts with a Quarterstaff and a Light Armor.

■ Feature: Starts with an additional spell: Detect and Read magic spell

○ Arcanist:

■ Saving Throw: Magic.

■ Starts with a Scimitar, a Small shield and no armor.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ■ Feature: Starts with an additional spell: Cast Light.

● Cleric (1d3)

○ Temple Acolyte:

■ Saving Throw: Death/Poison.

■ Starts with a Mace, a Medium Shield, a Light Armor. Starts with a

Talisman.

■ Feature: Can use a Humanity to cast a Heal spell.

○ Knight:

■ Saving Throw: Breath

■ Starts with Sword, Medium Shield, Heavy Armor and a holy water.

■ Feature: Can use his own Humanity 2 for 1 to give to someone else.

○ Hunter:

■ Saving Throw: Stone.

■ Starts with a Dagger, a Longbow and arrows, a Light Armor and a

Lloyd Talisman.

■ Feature: Knows weakness of 1d6 monsters. Referee will decide at

random which as they are encountered (1 on a d6).

The Dark Sign

Every PC also has a common background: the Dark Sign, the Curse of the Undead. This is

why they are on pilgrimage, or exile, far from their original home. This Curse hollows them

and marks them as they constantly die and are reborn, slowly reverting to being a Hollow, a

empty husk without a Soul. The Dark Sign also gives them the ability to do limited

psychometry (i.e. learn stuff about objects they find).

In this land, Fates are intertwined: the flow of time itself is convoluted; with heroes centuries

old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. The Dark

Sign makes them both the target of this, but also the witness of it.

All this is linked with three main concepts for each PCs: Bonfires, Death and Humanity,

Revival.

Bonfire

Bonfires represents hope of the Primordial Flame, but also physically a mystical link to it:

they were created to extend the life of the fading Primordial Flame. Beings in charge of them

are called Fire Keepers. Monsters are bound to the land and players are bound to the

Primordial Flame. Every time PCs use a Bonfire, monsters and phantoms are attracted.

A Player can use the Bonfire to perform a Revival (see below).

For Bonfires to be alive, they need to be tended by a Fire Keeper. Some will sacrifice

themselves to tend to bonfires beyond their death and so without a Fire Keeper, the flame

will carry on, although diminished. Sometimes, the death of strong Souls will kindle bonfire

(boss souls). But alas, some bonfire are just there and not kindled and never to be kindled

again until a Fire Keeper settles in.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Death and Humanity

When a character reach 0 HD, his body dissolve into the Primal Flame by transforming into

Ashes. His Soul is borne into the Flame and, because of the curse, regurgitated at the last

Bonfire the player was through a Revival (see below). If he didn’t, he will restart at the

starting Shrine, outside of the adventuring world.

Everytime he dissolves into the Primal Flame, the character loses a bit of himself: he loses

one Humanity and “hollows” a bit, transforming into a soulless husk of mania and chaos

completely overwhelmed by his curse of undeath. When a character reaches 0 Humanity, he

becomes a hollow NPC that cannot be played anymore: he dies as a character.

A PC can find Humanity on a physical/mystical form within dungeons, generally when killing

bosses or exploring unexpected area where a Hero died. Those can be consumed and will

restore a set number of Humanity.

Revival

Anytime a PC uses a Bonfire to Rests, regaining all HD and Spells and removing all

conditions, he triggers a Revival. When he dies, he comes back to a Bonfire and triggers a

Revival.

Revivals are both for the PCs (they take back their form and rests accordingly) and for the

Land itself. That is because using a Bonfire will twist the passage of time: a PC may think

that he’s resting for some hours, whereas in reality, he rested for centuries, or seconds. In

this same way, he might be dragged to another Time and Space.

In other words, encounters that were “cleared” in an area are refurbished partially or totally.

There are ways of altering the land to remove some of the re-vival of creatures. Also, NPCs

and (mini-)Bosses, having a Soul, will not return and are bound by Fate to the PCs. But

killing important Soul will attract new powerful Souls that will want to take new territory or be

attracted to artifacts or a specific zone. For Referees, this mean that every time a PC dies

and returns to a Bonfire, or that PCs decide to rest at a Bonfire, you will reset all random

encounter and can decide to reset all fixed encounters that were dealt with. It is highly

advised to use new encounters to differentiate time and space for players and create

interesting changes. NPCs, Bosses, Mini-Bosses and major environmental change (such as

the opening of a door) are not affected.

Because Revival brings back Heroes from the Flame, it also open up channels for

Phantoms, both White (helpful) and Black (antagonistic), to come and invade the world

where the PCs are. This means that there is a higher chance of getting invaded every time

Players uses a Revival (through resting or through death). For Referees, this means that

NPCs will start integrating the world when PCs starts dying. Since this is random, it could

either mean a spiral of death (more and more Black Phantom) or a balancing act (more

White Phantom). Those can all be played by dead PCs that are awaiting their Revival at the

Bonfire (which should be next game), so that those players can actually continue playing

even if they died within 5 minutes. This is because there is no Hirelings or Followers as per

normal D&D.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Defining and Completing Character

It is also suggested that the Referee gives a special, unique and secret mission to all players

regarding the motivation of the characters to come to this land. It can be generally generated

with the action (destroy/kill, find, bury, open, etc.), a place (custom or canon) and a reason

(for his country, for himself, because of a prophecy, etc.). If he shares or fail this quest, he

could lose humanity. If he finishes it, he could gain some.

Or the player could give a past Sin to atone for, for each of the players. The Sin can be

linked with any of the main sinful passions:

● Luxury: carnal lust, intense longing, lost of purity (of oneself or of others), hurting

others because of desires and/or temptations, etc.

● Gluttony: taking something good and making it destructive by overdoing it,

overindulgence, overconsumption, wasting (time or things), obsessive anticipation of

indulgence, etc.

● Avarice: desiring personal things over the good of others or the Gods, thinking

always about means, thinking always about others as means, avoiding opportunity

for charity or love, being always taken up by material considerations, desiring more

temporal things, envy, etc.

● Anger: losing temper, doing violence against others, feeling hatred towards people

and situation, judging others, being irrational because of emotions against others or

oneself, self-destructive behavior, revenge, etc.

● Despondency: neglecting to do good, lack of joy and thanksgiving, lack of love and

respect for others and heroes, being and leading others into despair, hopelessness

and dejection, etc.

● Pride & Vainglory: wanting to please others unjustly, unjustified boasting, narcissistic

overtones, wanting to challenge the Gods, lack of dignity or no recognition of the

dignity of others, perverted self-love, contempt for others, etc.

● Laziness: without care for anything, absence of inclination or exertion, constant

discontent, selfishness, wasting of time and effort, etc.

Here is a list of possible names players can use:

● Female:

○ Adney, Alexa, Annabel, Brigitte, Camilla, Cerena, Clarita, Edith, Eva, Fionne,

Greta, Hilda, Jeanna, Lea, Lorena, Lucille, Lyle, Katrin, Marian, Melida,

Nydea, Ophelia, Ramia, Ryla, Selene, Serica, Valea, Xenia

● Male:

○ Almund, Barton, Braden, Byrne, Carrol, Errik, Falbert, Griffin, Harald, Harkel,

Howe, Irwin, Joel, Kurt, Liam, Lewis, Marcus, Mauris, Mikail, Niklas, Quinn,

Redwald, Simon, Thorley, Tristan, Valbert, Vance, Xavier

● Others:

○ Adel, Ancel, Ashe, Blaine, Bryde, Casslyn, Clemence, Dava, Eylor, Fenis,

Flores, Fraan, Grey, Lamond, Lansel, Lene, Morgan, Ori, Orland, Ravi,

Raynell, Roche, Tenes, Toris, Vike, Vosca, Zere, Yortha

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Character Advancement

Souls, Soul Level and Infusion

Souls Fragment, which are 1 for 1 XP for the sake of leveling up, are only found on “strong”

souls, such as ancient heroes corpses, bosses, other PCs that finally died, etc. You don’t get

Souls Fragment from normal creature. This is to maximize the core of OSR experience as

being not combat per se, but mostly problem solving, exploration, etc. Combat is just a

means to obtain new loot or new paths.

Souls Fragments are used for two things: Infuse yourself or Infuse a weapon.

Infusing Oneself - Soul Level

Infusing oneself gives you XP. Every Soul level, you gain new class abilities and powers as

per your class.

Infusing a Weapon - Weapon Infusion Level

To Infuse a weapon, you need:

● A powerful Soul (and not fragments): The power of the Soul and the number of

already infused souls will define powers and abilities of the weapon. Any weapon will

need at the very least a Mini-boss or Boss Soul to power-up a weapon. The type of

Soul and creature will influence the kind of powers.

● A magical ember to select a path: Ember are used every time you want to infuse, and

it needs to be of the same essence or a complementary essence. Here are the

ember types:

○ Fire: light, fire, old, pyromancy, dark

■ Complementary: you can upgrade a Fire Weapon to a Chaos Flame

Weapon. More volatile, but inflict damage/have property based on the

Soul level and Humanity of the bearer.

○ Lightning: speed, wind, lightning, detection effect, etc.

○ Enchanted: linked with magic and sorcery

○ Divine: strong against creatures without souls

■ Complementary: you can upgrade a Divine Weapon to an Occult

Weapon. Those are strong against creatures with a Soul.

● A proper weapon (broken weapon or weapon of subpar quality cannot be infused)

● A blacksmith: He will do the crafting for a Soul fee. Generally 500 Souls per Infusion

Level of the weapon.

You cannot wield a weapon of Infusion Level higher or equal to your own Soul Level.

Attunement and Magic

Here is a list of spells and their description by type and level of magic, including miracles of

the Cleric.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Pyromancy and Sorcery

Pyromancy is frown upon by most humans and is considered dangerous, linked with the

Primordial Flame. Some Sorcerers will not use Pyromancy.

Spell Level Name Effect

1 Magic Missile Throw magical darts at the opponents.

1 Cold Snap (Pyromancy) The pyromancer’s touch becomes completely devoid of any heat

and can snap freeze a target.

1 Cast Light (Pyromancy) Creates a floating light atop the head of the caster for an hour or so.

1 Fall Control Can be casted instantly. The target slowly falls for some seconds

(therefore an impossible drop will still kill).

1 Sleep Mist The pyromancer breathes strange fumes that covers an area and put creatures to sleep of 2 HD or less.

1 Poison Mist The pyromancer breathes strange fumes that covers an area and put

creatures poisoned of 4 HD or less. Also inflict 1d6 damage right away.

1 Read and Detect Magic Can detect magical items or things and their source. Can also read

and decipher magical readings, such as Guidestones.

2 Fire Surge (Pyromancy) A line of fire appears from the hand of the pyromancer in a direction, burning everything in its path.

2 Flash Sweat (Pyromancy) A target is watered and soaked magically, giving protection against

fire.

2 Hush Cancel noises around caster for some minutes.

2 Chameleon Transforms multiples targets into inanimate object as an illusion.

2 Fireball (Pyromancy) Throws a fireball at a target that explodes on impact, inflicting massive fire damage.

3 Darkness (Pyromancy) A room becomes completely devoid of light for a minute or so.

3 Fire Weapon Pyromancy) Imbue a weapon on touch with fire for some minutes.

3 Iron Flesh The target becomes as resistant (but slow) as metal. Grants heavy

armor.

3 Combustion (Pyromancy) The hand of the pyromancer becomes imbued with fire that stays stable only for a couple of seconds. It can either be dissipated

afterwards or unleashed and explodes on impact as a melee attack.

3 Soul Spear Creates a Soul Spear that tracks a target and attack with magical energy.

4 Hidden Body The target becomes invisible to others.

4 Magical Ward Ward a door, passage, path, bridge or object to prevent all creatures of a type to move through/use.

4 Dispel Magic The target loses all non-permanent magical effects.

5 Firestorm (Pyromancy) Creates a huge firestorm around the caster that inflict massive damage.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Miracles

Miracles are powers that were created by the Gods, especially Lord Gwyn and his famed

Knights. The knowledge was passed down to other races, including humans.

Spell Level Name Effect

1 Heal Heal X, where X is equal to the HD of the Cleric.

1 Open/Close Portal Can close or open gates, chests, etc. from afar if it’s not magically protected.

1 Rebuke Hollows Hollows must roll 2d6 under 5 + the HD of the Cleric or be rebuke and run away.

1 Protection From Chaos Grants protection from chaotic effect and demons for one hour

to the target. In combat, it subtract 1 to the demon rolls.

2 Magic Barrier Creates a mystical barrier that prevents any passing through a pathway, a tunnel, a door, etc.

2 Remedy Cure most ailment, illness and conditions (except Curse).

2 Force Creates a powerful effect around the caster that project anything to the ground. Also shatter fragile objects.

2 Bless Grant a small shining light on the target. It becomes more efficient at almost everything and gains 1 HD for one hour (including benefits in combat).

3 Homeward The Cleric relinks with the Bonfire and return to the original one

of the Adventure (thereby ending the adventure).

3 Lightning Spear Creates a powerful lightning spear that targets everyone in a line (as per Lightning Bolt of OD&D).

3 Hold Person 1d6 creatures of humanoid forms, including Phantoms and

Hollows, must make a save against magic or be paralyzed.

3 Remove Curse Remove the Curse condition, or automatically rebuke Ghosts.

4 Sun Spear Creates a powerful beam of light that targets one creatures

inflicting massive damage.

4 Vow of Silence Creates a zone of silence where no casting can take place.

4 Sacred Weapon Enchant weapons with Faith, giving them a Divine Blessing and

making them stronger for one hour.

Equipment

Introduction - Acquisition and Inventory

Since there is no “GP for XP”, there is no need for a GP weight system. Since there is no

need to carry loot back to a safe place, there is no need for weight system in general.

Therefore, everyone can carry:

● One set of armor

● Any kind of jewelry and such

● Two weapon/shield, +1 if a Warrior

● Five general item (tools and/or consumables), +1 with Constitution bonus

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Items are either acquired during exploration, or by finding rare blacksmith and merchants in

the land that will trade Souls for goods.

Referees needs to determine at random what type of items the merchant will have in

predominance, if he has any sort of special or unique items to sell, and then the prices.

Prices should vary according to the merchant altruism and where he is situated in the world.

In general, most simple items should cost between 500 and 2000. Extra rare items or

overpriced items could go up to 10 000. There is no need to balance this as merchants are

just an added bonus for PCs to go back to and buy exactly what they want. Real acquisition

should come through exploration.

Weapon

There is a number of fixed weapon categories which have effect as per the combat matrix of

the different style of combat. In specific cases, you could give temporary bonus for particular

action: a character using a two-handed greatsword that’s cleaving through hollows wide and

large could have an additional dice just by the fact that he’s covering a lot of ground.

Even of the categories are fixed, it’s suggested that every weapon the character finds is of a

subtype and carries a personal or universal history. That history has to be linked with the

world and the setting (more below in that section). Here is a list of suggestion for the

category:

● Dagger: Knife, Parrying Dagger, etc.

● Club/Quarterstaff: Club, Great Club, Quarterstaff, Pole, etc.

● Hand Axe: Throwing Axe, Hand Axe, etc.

● Morning Star: Mace, Hammer, Warpick, etc.

● Two-Handed Battleaxe: Battle Axe, Great Axe, Butcher Knife, etc.

● Sword: Straight sword, Bastard sword, Short sword, Rapier, Falchion, Scimitar,

Broadsword, etc.

● Spear: Winger Spear, Partizan, Pike, Trident, etc.

● Halberd: Scythe, Lucerne, Catch Pole, Halberd, Falx, etc.

● Two-Handed Sword: Zweinhander, Greatswords, Claymore, Flamberge, etc.

Weapons determine the number needed to hit particular targets in Man-to-Man Combat.

There exist magical weapons divided in two types:

● Legendary Weapons: Old weapons and artefact that are their own story and

composition. They cannot be infused or upgraded in any way.

● Infused Weapons: Infused with a soul through an ember.

Armor

Just as weapon, there is a need for a subtype and an history for each armor. Here is a list of

suggestion:

● Light Armor: Gambeson, Leather armor, Hide armor, Heavy cloth armor, etc.

● Medium Armor: Chainmail armor, Banded armor, Scale armor, etc.

● Heavy Armor: Any kind of plate armor or heavy chainmail set

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Armors determine the difficulty of each weapon to hit and damage the wearer in Mass

Combat and Man-to-Man Combat. They “can” have a small impact in Fantasy Combat

depending on the type of attack and foe.

Here is the matrix used to calculate hit chance in Man-to-Man Combat:

Weapon Class

Melee Weapon vs Unarmored vs Light Armor*

vs Medium Armor**

vs Heavy Armor***

1 Dagger 6 7 9 12

2 Club/Quarterstaff 8 8 9 12

3 Hand Axe 7 7 10 11

4 Morning Star 7 7 7 8

5 Two-Handed Battleaxe

6 7 8 9

6 Sword 7 8 8 10

7 Spear 8 8 10 11

8 Halberd 8 8 6 7

9 Two-Handed Sword 7 7 5 8

Weapon Class ****

Ranged Weapon vs Unarmored vs Light Armor vs Medium Armor

vs Heavy Armor

1 Sling/Throwing Knife 8 8 9 12

2 Short Bow 6/8 6/8 8/10 11/12

2 Crossbow 5/7 5/7 8/9 8/10

2 Longbow 5/7 5/7 6/7 9/11

8 Javelin 6 6 8 10

Tools

Tools are general object that can be reused or are always active. Here is a non-exhaustive

list, starting with new items from Dark Souls:

● Orange Guidance Soapstone: Can write magical message that transcends time and

space which can be seen and/or read by others marked with the Dark Sign.

● Skull Lantern: Act as a torch, but is difficult to find and will gives more chance of

being a target (compared to normal torches that can light but will end up burning).

● Silver Pendant: Can create a protection against Dark Magic (roll an extra dice against

that type of magic).

● Torches

● Lantern

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Rope

● Spikes and mallet

● Small mirror

● 10’ pole

Consumables

Consumables are one use only, or limited use only. Here is a non-exhaustive list, starting

with new items from Dark Souls:

● Lloyd Talisman: Stops some creatures from connecting with this reality, i.e. confuse

them (Mimic notably). Can potentially stop undead from using Estus Flasks and

summoning.

● Firebombs: Explode on contact.

● Divine Blessing: Act as Holy Water and heal all conditions when drank. Extremely

rare.

● Prism Stone: Create a small light where it falls. Useful to check height, mark already

used path or find hidden pathways.

● Transient Curse: Give a temporary curse that affects player negatively but gives

them the opportunity to affect cursed beings such as ghosts.

● Purple Moss Clump: Stops poison

● Purging Stone: Stops curse

● Embers: Use in conjunction with Souls to create powerful weapons

● Gold Pine Resin: Can imbue a weapon with temporary lightning

● Charcoal Resin: Can imbue a weapon with temporary fire

● Alluring Skull: If used on the ground, its eyes will glow and monsters will be attracted

to it from a certain distance (about 40-60 feets).

● Oil (flask)

● Holy Water

REFEREE’S SECTION

Environment as Adversary

Environment, Area, Traps and Hazard

Falling

For every 10’ the character fall, roll 1d6. On a 4+, it suffers a HD of wound. For every

subsequent 10’ after the first, add +1 to the dice (so that after 40’, each dice should be a HD

lost).

Suffocating

A character without heavy armor cannot swim and will drown in one minute. A character with

medium or light armor will need to do a Strength check to see if he drowns.

After one minute underwater, a character will drown and lose 1 HD per turn (5-6 seconds).

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Vision and Light

Different source of light have different impact and time.

Type of Light Effect Time

Candle (Divine Weapon emit a light with the same effect)

Light some feet around the character. Affect only the character.

Lasts for 3 exploration turns (30 minutes).

Torch (a Bonfire lit will have a Torch effect on the room)

Light the room, up to 40’ Lasts for 6 exploration turns (60 minutes).

Lantern (magical light from spells is considered a Lantern)

Light the room and adjacent corridor, up to 80’

Lasts for 24 exploration turns (4 hours).

Characters without light are considered Blinded as per the condition.

Some areas, such as the Tomb of the Giant, have a magical darkness. Such magical

darkness will diminish every type of light by one level (lantern would light as torches, torches

as candle, and candle as nothing).

Traps and Hazard

Traps in dungeon are important. They come up in rooms 5% of the time with a treasure, and

can also come up as a trapped door or an ambush. It is important to telegraph them, so that

players can learn to understand their environment. it is advised to say something regarding

the environment and ask for a one word reaction from each player. For example: “You hear

a faint click coming from the roof. What do you do ?” From there, you can already rule if

someone is out of range of the falling rocks or something like that. If players take a bad

decision, then they can make a Saving Throw. Generally, I rule Wands as the Saving Throw

of choice for traps: my reasoning is that wands are a (magical) device that has a physical

effect that can alter or kill a PCs. That’s pretty much also what a trap will do.

In most cases, because of the nature of the game, traps should be lethal (1d6HD) or create

a setback (fall into another portion of the dungeon).

The reason for this is not to make it easy on the players, but to tell them "there might be a

danger here". They don't know if it's a trap, a monster, or a trick, but they know there is

danger. They still have to find the trap intelligently and disarm it, sometimes getting killed in

the process, but that's up to them. I prefer this than having anything that either slow down

the game (having someone poke non-stop everything with 10' pole), or force my players to

inaction (in most cases, having suspected traps everywhere without a guess on where it can

be will diminish player's interaction with the dungeon). To do this, it is suggested to have

both traps and elements that will help to reveal it if the players are picking them up, such as

trigger, danger zone, corpse, detritus, active warning and other signs of the same type.

There is a lot of good OSR blogs with traps and stuff taken sometimes as "obstacles", and

especially old school resources that deal with. You can also search only for interesting

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG "challenges" instead of traps. Maybe I'll do something on challenges at one point. There is

also some youtube challenge with puzzles that can be used sometimes as challenge/traps.

Traps need to be understood as hazards as much as monsters. First time you encounter a

Medusa for example, you don’t know her special power that will most likely kill you outright.

But if you acquire the right item, and/or can fight blindfolded, that knowledge of combat by

the players can save them and make the challenge easier. Their character level increase but

also their knowledge of the world. For that reason, it is suggested to put very few types of

traps and focus on copy-pasting them, based on either monsters making them or

architecture (i.e. each ancient culture favored some traps). That way, players with

experience can expect some kind of traps in a type of dungeon.

Traps

This is a "base list" of traps. You can have other kind of traps, and some traps are unique

and doesn’t need a specific description, such as a rolling boulder that crushes people in its

way.

The reason the elements of the trap are numbered is to roll a dice to generate them at

random with the vertical axis 1d10. Every points needs to be observable, or at least

noticeable. To generate randomly, if you don’t know what element needs to be visible to the

player, you can roll 1d6 to generate the horizontal axis.

Name Trigger 1

Danger

Zone 2

Corpses

3 Detritus 4 Active Warning 5

Other Warning

6

1 Slicer Pressure plate

Lenght of

hallway Sliced Sliced rats Niches with scythes

Distant woosh noise

in the room prior to

this one

2

Poison spray

shower Lever 10 ft square

Agonisingly

melted Melted helmet Acid pits on floor Bad smell in room

3

Sleeping Gas

chest

Switch in the

chest Room

Sleeping

rats in the

corner

Dead rats that die of

malnurishment

Small holes in the

bottom of the wall for

the gas

Strange smell in the

room

4

Spiker roof (aka

Predator trap) Tripwire

5 ft, human

height

Spiked

skeleton on

the floor

Wooden chip and

spikes nearby

Hidden spikes on the

other side of the trap on

the ceiling

Light coming through

that can make the

spikes or wire

apparent

5 Snake pit Pressure plate

At the bottom

of a staircase

Bitten/poison

ned corpse

Corpses of snakes

outside of it

Small plate on the

walls, small holes in the

floor "Hissing" sounds

6

Crushing hallway

boulder (aka

Indiana Jones) Pressure plate

All corridor,

up to 100'

Crushed

skeleton

Hugeass rock at the

end of it

Opening at the end of

the hallway on the

ceiling

Dark stain on the

floor, rock chipping on

the walls

7 Dart Trap

Proximity

(magical)

5' in front of

the object it

protects

Skeleton

with little

darts around Darts on the ground

Tons of small holes

beside the objects Detect magic

8

Pit Trap 10' deep

/w spikes Lid (150lbs) 10' square nil

Torch lying on the

ground (whoever fell

last dropped it)

Lines and creaks on the

ground

Floor will wobble at

149 lbs and less

9

Recessed Arm

Scythe

(protecting a

door)

Latch (pull in a

hole to "open

the door")

Hand is

chopped Hand corpse

Instruments use to pull

it chopped

There is another small

hole to actually put a

key in it

There is a hole up of

the level (where the

blade comes through)

10 Wall spears Tripwire Side of a wall

Speared

skeleton

Wooden shaft on the

ground Holes on the side

Wind coming from the

wall (holes are letting

it through)

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Other Traps

But there is other traps you can have:

● Creature trap: trap that make creature pop up, ambush, open a gate, portal, etc. The

Mimic in Dark Souls is an important one of those.

● Explosion: as the name implies

● Falling items: falling block of stones, etc.

● Gas and potion: have your humanoid attach gas potions to ropes that the players

WILL knock down without looking and be drown in acid (true story)

● Fog: you can have those do plenty of stuff, like being a normal fog (will still scare

player), a "random emotion fog" (can trigger them into confusion), poison gas, etc.

● Illusion: illusion floor that makes you drop to your death is a classic I'd say

● Light: flashbang or extinguishing of all light.

● Alarm: what worse than having the whole dungeon now getting to you ?

I also like having tricks or traps that deal other effect than death, such as:

● Reset other traps

● Animate the weapon of the bearer to attack him

● Causing a magical "cancellation" on all object of bearer for X hours

● Enlarge/reduce

● Teleport elsewhere in the dungeon

● Become invisible, mute and paralyzed

● etc.

Tricks

Tricks are stuff that look like they can be interacted with (magic item, chest, trones, etc.) but

can be problematic for the player if they are too curious and not cautious enough.

You could have your tricks bound to something else interesting, such as:

TYPES Example/Description

1 Bait part of a monster, forcefield crown*, etc.

2 Boon/Bane according to the alignment and class, something positive and negative

3

Confusion/Mis

direction golden platter with yellow mold, monster not what it appears, medusa as a crying women, golem covered with gold

(looks like a statue), etc.

4 Defended animated furniture, fill with water, etc.

5 Puzzle stone statue missing an eye that reveals a passage (a monster stole it), etc.

6 Quest statue/book/NPC/Ghost that indicate a clue on how to vanquish a monster elsewhere in the dungeon, a door that

needs a magical key elsewhere in the dungeon, etc.

7 Secret a hidden secret that could be revealed later because the mecanism will be found on another same-type secret

further in the dungeon (meaning player could decide to go back to unlock it when they learn it)

8 Shiny somthing nice that does nothing (ex: a dragon skeleton within a crystal)

9 Tools does something neutral (ex: putting a rough gem transform it into a perfectly cut one, a statue that repeats what you

say in another obscure language, etc.)

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 10 Transmutation Modified reality (water sharp like razor, false food, etc.)

11 Transport Teleport elsewhere

12 Treasures Treasures

Or you could tie them to features and effects (both column are not linked, you can roll d20

for each and apply as per).

Features Effect

1 Altar Remove humanity

2 Arch Animate itself

3 Ceiling Animate user weapon

4 Fireplace/fire Appear/Disappear

5 Fountain Antimagic (in the room)

6 Fresco/mosaic Electric Shock

7 Idol Asks password

8 Illusion Directs towards...

9 Machine Enlarges/Reduces itself

10 Pedestal Enlarges/Reduces user

11 Pillar/Column Flesh to stone

12 Pool Gaseous

13 Room Greases

14 Statue Greed-producing

15 Vegetation Release coins/gems

16 Wall Release magic item

17 Well Slide

18 Furnishing Teleports

19 Force Field Reduce stats/HD

20 Door Remove magic from item

Other Hazards

There are other hazards that the Referee can include in its dungeons:

● Lava: Lava covers surface and is generally moving. Anyone stepping on lava will

instantly suffers 1d6 HD of damage per turn (6 seconds). Some magical items can

prevent or diminish that damage.

● Swamp: Characters suffer from Difficult Terrain condition and must make a Poison

Saving Throw every exploration turn (10 minutes) or suffer from the Poison condition.

● Water-flood: Characters suffer from Difficult Terrain.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Fog/Mist: Characters cannot see past 30’, without or without light. Everything is more

hazy and difficult to see/recognize. Lights can be glimpsed through the mist further

than 30’, but not the source of the light.

● Darkness: Such magical darkness will diminish every type of light by one level

(lantern would light as torches, torches as candle, and candle as nothing).

● Fire: Buildings or areas on fire will inflict 1 HD of damage per turn (6 seconds). Some

magical items can prevent or diminish that damage. Fire can be extinguished partially

or totally.

Monster Reaction

There is a table with three separate category. To roll on the table, you need a reason

between those three: common language, common religion/covenant, common

objective/goal. If monsters have none of those, then you don't roll and they are hostile,

unless the players present something interesting.

Generally, this means that Hollows will always be hostile. That being said, you could create

a different approach to that hostility from encounter to encounter, such as hollows targeting

the one with the most humanity, or being afraid of someone with a specific weapon or

artefacts, etc.

Of course if the monster is a slime for example, in theory it will never be able to have a

particular reason to change his reaction towards the PCs, so it is suggested to use

automatically the first category and roll the need to see if whatever need the monster is more

important than whatever the PCs are doing can be interpreted as a threat.

The first category on the table is for when PCs are already in combat and trying to negotiate,

or there is a break of fighting, or there is a morale break. Generally this is with NPCs. The

second is when PCs see monsters in an hostile environment. The last is when they see

them in a less hostile or non-hostile environment, again, generally NPCs.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Needs are calculated according to the type of creatures:

● Ooze and plants: 1d2

● Beast/animals: 1d4

● Semi-bestial intelligence: 1d6

● Savage humanoids: 2d10, take lowest

● Civilized humanoids: 1d10

● Sophisticated creatures: 2d10, take highest

And then roll on this table:

d10 Type of Needs Description

1 Safety Lost, hurt, poisoned, getting away from a predator, without food/water, without light, hollowing and in need of immediate Humanity, etc.

2 Sustenance Hunting, hungry, eating, preparing food, etc.

3 Link with own species

Trying to mate, trying to bound, trying to kill a fellow, to gain power, to lead a pack, etc.

4 Comfort Warming itself, taking a nap, watching a Bonfire, watching the Sun, constructing or seraching for a shelter, etc.

5 Territory Patrolling, tracking, conquering, guarding, etc

6 Catharsis Sadism, anger, desperation, revenge, corrupting, etc.

7 Luxury Looking for Souls, looking for gold, looking for magical item, looking for slaves, etc.

8 Knowledge Directions, lore, spying neighbors, wanting to access a particular information, etc.

9 Allies or assistance Roll again 1d10 to determine the reason why they need allies

10 Actualization of the self

Ideology, religion, development of the self, training, cult, etc.

Monster Death and Rebirth

It is suggested to keep track of the different encounters for each areas and rotate them as

players do a Revival at a Bonfire. An adequate method for this is thus: on a piece of paper,

write all possible encounter you want to have in a particular area, and link them each with a

card from a deck of normal cards. Every time the players enter a place with an encounter,

pick up a card. If they defeat it, remove the card from the deck. If they circumvent it or leave,

have it stay there for that particular encounter position.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG When players do a Revival or the adventure end, you can just reshuffle all encounters. This

will help with:

● Randomizing encounters to provide more interesting “going back and forth” in the

same areas that might be too difficult

● Having set encounters pre-made so that players can learn from specific monsters

and their weaknesses

● Including NPCs in the deck to differentiate the type of tension and interest

● Including mini-bosses to keep players on their toes even in low-level areas

● Easy method of removing dead encounters and refurbishing areas. If for example

you have area A with monster I, area B with monster II, and area C with monster III. If

the PCs kill monster I in area A, after a Revival and reshuffling of the card, they could

see that now monster II is there because you randomly re-attributed a monster (of

course, that does mean that now one of the three area is empty).

Every adventure, or every X adventure (depending on your group and how much areas you

have), you could re-enter the cards in the deck. You could re-enter them at a slower rate

when the boss of a particular area is killed. Or if you so wish, you could stop all encounters

after a boss is dead.

Megadungeon Exploration

The World as a Dungeon

In the Dark Souls universe, everything is interlinked. Game Design, Level Design, Story and

all aspect of the game are interconnected, “associated”. In the tabletop, this means for

exploration that the World needs to be thought of as a Dungeon (I suggest reading both the

articles on Jacquaying and three clue rule of Alexandrian that are suggested up there, but

also Philotomy’s Musings on the subject of the dungeon).

Therefore, every outside venue is a room, every pathway is a corridor, every boulder

blocking the way is a door. Thinking of outside as inside will be able to provide the players

with a constant state of exploration, tension and foreboding. On how Dark Souls does this, it

is suggested to watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhWdBhc3Wjc

In other words, every area is a dungeon that’s linked with other dungeon through a

pointcrawl approach, but that creates one huge sprawling megadungeon.

Roles in Dungeon Exploration

Players should have specific role to help the Referee and to speed up the game. Those roles

can be considered in-game, but generally they are meta-game role. If you want to include

them in, you could decide that the Caller is the Host of the adventure for the other

Phantoms.

Caller

The caller is the one making the “calls”. That is, everytime the game needs to move forward,

or that the group needs to make a decision and can’t agree on it, the Referee will ask the

Caller. He will decide for the group. Caller should ideally different every game to switch it up.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Mapper

The mapper takes care of all mapping in game. He should be the only one asking question

about the map to the Referee to make sure he is drawing the right map. Anybody can ask

questions about the area to navigate, but the mapper will ask question about the “map” he is

drawing.

Order of March

Also, when exploring, it’s important to clarify at all time what is the order of march, so that if

something happens in front or in the back of the group, the Referee doesn’t have to wing it.

For this, it’s suggested that the Referee write down or use small cards to put them in front of

him.

Action and Exploration Turn

Every 10 minutes counts as an Exploration Turn. Most actions takes one Exploration Turn to

do, such as using psychometry on an object, kindling a bonfire, devouring a Soul or

Humanity, fighting a combat, etc.

Ressources

Every exploration turn, light charges are lost on items. Also, some effect takes place or are

extinguished such as magical protection.

Getting Out of a Dungeon at the End of the Adventure

Because we have busy life and there is always a chance that the players will not have left a

particular dungeon in time prior to the game finishing, players can either accept that they

keep fighting on and die in the dungeon (-1 Humanity), or they can roll to see if their

character can make it out alive.

This system only works if you:

● Stress the importance of coming back

● Tell players what time it is in real-life so that about 60 minutes before the end of the

game they know they need to turn back soon or now (depending on the situation)

● Use it with intelligence

Use this table:

d20 Effect

1 Character dies with an extra 1d6 Humanity lost.

2-3 Character stay lost/imprisoned in the dungeon. He can be retrieved by

other PCs. Lose 1 Humanity.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 4-7 Character is affected by a grave condition that prevents his return, such as

malediction, psychic control, petrification, etc. He can be retrieved by other

PCs.

8-12 Character lose 1d6 HD. If he dies because of this, he loses 1 Humanity.

13-15 Character must depart from d6 equipment piece and some Souls to get

away from his assailant.

16+ Character is able to leave without a problem.

With these modificators:

● In a dungeon:

○ The group or PC does not possess any light: -10

○ The group or PC does not possess any direct secure means of getting out of

the dungeon: -5

○ The dungeon is in a state of alertness because of PCs action: -3

○ The dungeon has monsters with an average HD higher than the PCs (to be

used intelligently): -2

○ The group or PC isn't sure where they are in the dungeon: -2

○ The group or PC have reliable and multiple source of light: +2

○ Dungeon is only a lair, or is of a very simple layout: +3

○ The group has a direct and secure mean of getting out: +5

● In general:

○ The PC has Wisdom of 10 or more: +2

○ The PC has Wisdom of 15 or more: +5

○ The Hex/Area where they are is almost or totally explored/pacified: +3

○ The road from the Hex/Area to the Haven is cleared or almost clear, using a

road or something along the same line: +3

○ The PC can become invisible using an object, can teleport, or has anything of

the same vein: +10

Of course, do this roll behind closed screen and ideally tie it in to the narrative of your world,

the dungeon/hex they were in, etc. The modificators are complicated and it would be hell to

ask player to keep track of them.

Running Away from a Monster

To run away from a monsters, players must either have a secret or impossible path for the

monster to go through. If not, they need to drop an item that they monster wants, or

Fragments of Souls.

If it doesn’t work, the slowest monster (worst Dexterity in the heaviest armor) needs to do a

Constitution check to see if he outrun it. If not, they (or he) has to fight in 1d6 room/path.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Random Encounters

Two rules are suggested for Random Encounters:

Wandering Monsters: At the end of every turn the referee will roll a six-sided die to see if a

"wandering monster" has been encountered. A roll of 6 indicates a wandering monster has

appeared.

So every exploration turn, you roll for random encounter. On a 1/6, it happens. They see the

monsters (notwithstanding the surprise) as per:

Sighting Monsters: Players will see monsters at 20 - 80 feet (roll a pair of four-sided dice to

determine the distance) unless they are surprised by the monster.

The other suggested is a simpler version. Every time the torch goes out, so every 6 turn,

there is a wandering monster encounter. Of course this has two problem:

● You need to calculate for the lantern (a simple d6 that you turn on your side of the

table is quite easy)

● Even if the probability of 6 turn on 1/6 is in practice almost the same, in theory it is

not. You could go for 100 turn without an encounter, or 6 encounters in 6 turns when

you roll a dice. Whereas with this method, you WILL get an encounter every 6 turns.

You could switch it up to create tension, such as rolling on turn 5 of the torch, and having an

encounter on turn 6 if you didn't get it on turn 5.

Following this, you can easily devise a rule for all steps of the exploration:

● Every exploration turn (10 minutes), roll for a random encounter (⅙)

● Every hour outside of dungeon, roll for a random encounter (⅙)

● Every day of wilderness, roll for a random encounter (⅙)

That being said, most of those will not apply depending on how you tackle the world: it is

suggested to take everything as one big dungeon instead of the traditional wilderness.

Bloodstain

Ancient heroes with strong soul often leave a special mark, named “bloodstain” where they

died. It resembles a permanent stain of everflowing blood on the ground, half illusion half

astral.

Some of them are more difficult to see and detect. Also, Clerics are able to touch them and

tap into them in order to see how the heroes died.

Guidance Soapstone

A fabled artifact named the Orange Guidance Soapstone has been passed for generations

among heroes and adventurers. There is multiple copies of it. It has been named like that for

its shape and use: it can be used to mark various hard surface like floor and wall to create a

magical writing faintly visible. These markings are used to give basic advice and warnings

across time and space.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

PCs themselves have a Soapstone and can give advices and warnings (they most preselect

from a list of magical words their message) to other players passing the same point on

another gaming night. A bit like the Bloodstain, the Cleric can see them better and can

interpret a little bit more about their context.

Here is the list of possible words and sentence that can be made through this Soapstone:

● X ahead

● Be wary of X

● Try X

● Need X

● Imminent X

● Weakness: X

● X

● Here

For all one words according to these categories:

● Characters

● Objects

● Techniques

● Actions

● Geography

● Orientation

● Body parts

● Attribute

● Concepts

Pointcrawl (Outside) Exploration and Open Table Concept

Open Table and West Marches Approach

It is suggested to go with an Open Table approach, also known as a West Marches

campaign. The open table has been delt with by the Alexandrian

(https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/38643/roleplaying-games/open-table-manifesto).

Basically, it means running a RPG campaign like this:

● There is no set number of players in the campaign, there is only a set of players for

game nights (as per the Referee’s capacity to handle)

● Every game night is based around the Referee’s own schedule possibility: he

proposes a time, and players invite themselves to that particular if they can make it

● Every game therefore will have a different group of players.

● For this to work, the Referee will start and finish every adventure of the campaign at

the same place, to produce a “state 0” that will permit other players (or the same) at

the next adventure to seamlessly go from the same point.

● Therefore, different players will explore the same content

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG It is suggested to set up a group (Discord, Facebook, Reddit, etc.) to share disponibility and

information regarding the campaign. With this method, players will have a disparity of level

and experience, but will all share in the same open campaign.

Pointcrawl - Introduction

It is highly suggested to run a Pointcrawl type of adventure for a Dark Souls game. For those

adventures, it is highly suggested to read the multiple blogposts of Chris Kutalik from Hill

Cantons (http://hillcantons.blogspot.com) or from the concept of “node-based megadungeon

design” here: http://www.kjd-imc.org/blog/node-based-megadungeon-design/. There are

multiple reasons for this:

● Hexcrawl and other form of map use is centered around the empty space between

interesting places. In the case of a Dark Souls game, the empty space is already

taken in the fact that everything is a dungeon and there are, in a dungeon, empty

room.

● Dark Souls itself, because of its level design, runs from one area to another area with

predefined junction or paths. In other words, it is already set like a Pointcrawl. For an

example, take a look at this graph:

● A Dark Souls campaign being lore-heavy, it is only natural to present first and

foremost to the PCs the points of interest, which Pointcrawls focus on.

● Connection between points and areas doesn’t mean that it’s automatic and without

interaction: a tunnel, an aqueduct or a hidden path can become important part of an

adventure in themselves, creating the same kind of tension that overland travel can

produce. A pointcrawl is about doing a deliberate path.

Therefore a pointcrawl is a method of doing exploration where key areas have a clear and

definite path to another key area. There is no wandering around between such areas. That

being said, there can be wandering around in the area, and there can be mechanism to open

new paths to the same areas.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG It is important that Pointcrawl do not become neither linear, nor a choice-breaker where it

looks more, for the player, like a Choose your own adventure than an actual living world

where everything is open. In Dark Souls, it’s still mostly an open world structure within a

fixed campaign. Regarding this, it is highly suggested to watch this video by Gamer’s Toolkit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhWdBhc3Wjc

Therefore a Pointcrawl is about a sprawling world: everytime players connect a new dot or

explore a new path, you could give them a new means of opening a new dot, and so on. It

could mean that vertically (as a dungeon) and horizontally (as a pointcrawl), the world is ever

expanding and constitute something obeying its own logic.

Dungeon as Mythic Underworld

For all those reasons, a Pointcrawl is highly suggested. And as we said, it should

encompass the whole of the Dungeon-World, that is, the whole map, just as Dark Souls did.

For this, we think it very important to share the words of Philotomy on the “Dungeon as a

Mythic Underworld”:

There are many interpretations of "the dungeon" in D&D. OD&D, in particular, lends

itself to a certain type of dungeon that is often called a "megadungeon" and that I usually

refer to as "the underworld." There is a school of thought on dungeons that says they

should have been built with a distinct purpose, should "make sense" as far as the

inhabitants and their ecology, and shouldn't necessarily be the centerpiece of the game

(after all, the Mines of Moria were just a place to get through). None of that need be true

for a megadungeon underworld. There might be a reason the dungeon exists, but there

might not; it might simply be. It certainly can, and perhaps should, be the centerpiece of

the game. As for ecology, a megadungeon should have a certain amount of

verisimilitude and internal consistency, but it is an underworld: a place where the normal

laws of reality may not apply, and may be bent, warped, or broken. Not merely an

underground site or a lair, not sane, the underworld gnaws on the physical world like

some chaotic cancer. It is inimical to men; the dungeon, itself, opposes and obstructs

the adventurers brave enough to explore it. For example, consider the OD&D approach

to doors and to vision in the underworld:

Generally, doors will not open by turning the handle or by a push. Doors must be forced

open by strength…Most doors will automatically close, despite the difficulty in opening

them. Doors will automatically open for monsters, unless they are held shut against

them by characters. Doors can be wedged open by means of spikes, but there is a one-

third chance (die 5-6) that the spike will slip and the door will shut…In the underworld

some light source or an infravision spell must be used. Torches, lanterns, and magic

swords will illuminate the way, but they also allow monsters to "see" the users so that

monsters will never be surprised unless coming through a door. Also, torches can be

blown out by a strong gust of wind. Monsters are assumed to have permanent

infravision as long as they are not serving some character. (The Underworld &

Wilderness Adventures, pg 9)

Special Ability functions are generally as indicated in CHAINMAIL where not

contradictory to the information stated hereinafter, and it is generally true that any

monster or man can see in total darkness as far as the dungeons are concerned except

player characters. (Monsters & Treasure, pg 5)

Notice that all characters, including those which can see in normal darkness (e.g. elves,

dwarves), require a light source in the underworld, while all denizens of the place

possess infravision or the ability to see in total darkness. Even more telling, a monster

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG that enters the service of a character loses this special vision. Similarly, characters must

force their way through doors and have difficulty keeping them open; however, these

same doors automatically open for monsters. This is a clear example of how the normal

rules do not apply to the underworld, and how the underworld, itself, works against the

characters exploring it.

Of course, none of this demands that every dungeon need be a mythic underworld;

there could be natural caves and delved dungeon sites that are not in the "underworld"

category, and follow more natural laws. Nevertheless, the central dungeon of the

campaign benefits from the strange other-worldliness that characterizes a mythic

underworld.

A mythic underworld should not be confused with the concept of the "underdark." The

underdark concept is that of an underground wilderness composed of miles of caves,

tunnels, delved sites, and even whole underground cities. This is a cool fantasy concept,

but is distinct from the concept of a mythic underworld that obeys its own laws and is

weird, otherworldly, and apart from the natural order of things. (There is no reason a

referee couldn't join the two concepts of underworld and underdark, though.)

Some common characteristics and philosophies for a mythic underworld or

megadungeon (keep these in mind when creating your dungeon):

1. It's big, and has many levels; in fact, it may be endless

2. It follows its own ecological and physical rules

3. It is not static; the inhabitants and even the layout may grow or change over

time

4. It is not linear; there are many possible paths and interconnections

5. There are many ways to move up and down through the levels.

6. Its purpose is mysterious or shrouded in legend

7. It's inimical to those exploring it

8. Deeper or farther levels are more dangerous

9. It's a (the?) central feature of the campaign

If you embrace these concepts, you'll be playing OD&D according to some of the

original assumptions of the game. And boy, is it fun.

Pointcrawl Map Creation (Concept)

The principles that are to be taken into account for a map creation of a pointcrawl adventure

are:

● Construction of the graphic map:

○ Lines:

■ Normal walkable passage: write as unbroken lines

■ Unusual connector (teleportation, magic gate, etc.): write as squiggly

lines

■ Vertical drop in the direction indicated (stairs, chutes, pits, wells,

abysses, etc.): arrow on line in the direction indicated. If the drop is

one sided, i.e. players cannot come back by the same means such as

a drop in a pit, write an X on the line before the arrow on line.

■ Barrier in passage (cave in, mudslide, locked gate, turnstile, etc.):

write as two bars on the line.

■ Long passage that requires more time than normal: write as dot on

line.

■ For any connector, drop or barrier, write over the line what it is.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ○ Safe areas, i.e. circles. Those are very rare, contains a Bonfire and generally

an NPC or Fire Keeper. Write the name in the center of the circle.

○ Normal areas, i.e. square. Those contain multiple information for your own

benefits:

■ Name

■ If there is a Bonfire or multiple present (written in roman numerical)

■ The approximate HD of the creatures

■ Important features (in words or VERY short expression), such as

bosses

An example could look like this for mapping, even using basic tools such as MS paint (this is

just an outline example):

As you can see, even paths that connect the key areas can be themselves encounter and/or

constitute portion of adventures (such as the Hellkite Bridge).

● Visibility: You should clarify what the players can see (in terms of places and other

areas) from any specific paths and areas. For example, you can see from Firelink

Shrine a great deal of locations: Undead Burg, Darkroot Basin down below, the walls

of Lordran in the background, the graveyard, the Undead Parish up there near the

elevators, etc. This creates foreboding.

● Verticality: You should think and write about the verticality, how you can reach it and

what impacts it has (falling damage and such).

● Traveling Time: Every line should take one exploration turn to get to the feature and

another exploration turn to get to the other side, so 20 minutes or two turns total. If it

has a feature (such as the Hellkite Bridge), it will take how many exploration turns it

needs. For longer paths (dotted line), count in triple that, so 60 minutes total, or 6

turns.

You can also add a layer of details for yourself by including a color code for the square and

circles:

● Red: Caverns or such unformed wilderness (ex: Ash Lake).

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Orange: Ruins that are razed and rubbled, or articles of civilization that were not

meant to be habitable (ex: Catacombs or Tomb of the Giants, or Darkroot Garden).

● Yellow: Mostly ruined area, some walls or structure might exist (ex: Lost Izalith).

● Green: Semi-ruined area. You can find structures that are intact and some that aren’t

(ex: Undead Burg).

● Blue: Barely ruined area. Most structures are intact or with very little neglect (ex:

Anor Londo).

To create your own worlds, setting and maps, see the section further below “Creating

Areas”.

Combat and Adventure

Combat

Introduction

Combat has been highly influenced by TSR Chainmail’s combat, but it’s not a copy or a

retroclone of it. If you want to understand the original combat of Chainmail, it is suggested

that you read on it, especially ressources such as

https://img.fireden.net/tg/image/1457/49/1457497202891.pdf

Rather, I took the original framework of Chainmail with its three types of combat (Mass

Combat, Man-to-Man Combat and Fantasy Combat) to create something smooth that

emulates properly enough Dark Souls combat.

One of the thing that I changed drastically was how Hit Dice worked and what “Men” meant.

In other words, I made it more “across the board” so that combat was faster and easier to

understand. I was not interested in having high level fighter (high HD, representing multiple

men) do multiple attack in a turn back to back. Also, since my version of both Men to Men

and Fantasy Combat have multiple attack imbedded in them, I removed Mass Combat. It is

added at the end of this document as an optional rule for those that still wants them. This is

also to reproduce the fact that in Dark Souls, even if you are high level, you can still get

killed or wounded against normal creatures if you are too reckless.

The following sections are not presented in their logical procession from the point of view of

the PCs, but rather from the logical point of view of the Referee: Man-to-Man uses a pool of

dice based on HD to create different results (i.e. pairing them up); and Fantasy Combat uses

the same pool to gather a single but critical result.

In all combats, a roll of 1 or double 1 is always a failure, with or without bonuses.

Initiative and Turn Order

●

Ranges of Battle

●

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Man-to-Man

Introduction

Man-to-Man is to be used against NPCs, Phantoms, fully attired monsters of equal stature

as PCs (such as Balder, Hollow Soldier, etc.) and normal/small monsters (such as rats or

dogs) whereas Fantasy Combat will deal more with the environment and the “how” of

player’s action against bosses and huge creatures. Man-to-Man deals with the duel, the

small exchange here and there. It can still finish quickly if both sides are reckless.

Time

Combat in general is simultaneous and variable. When everyone acted, it is a turn. Turns in

Man-to-Man Combat are made in very small increment, being a couple of seconds at the

maximum.

Generally, to determine other initiative sequence, roll 1d6 for each side (Referee for

monsters and PCs for their characters) and the highest roll decide whose side starts.

It is mandatory to say what action the players want to do before any initiative is rolled or

mechanics engaged. Referee will then decide what happens when in what order. A good

rule of thumb for a sequence is this:

● Creatures speak or start casting

● Ranged missile/combat is made or first portion of movement is made

● Movement is made or finished

● Magic is unleashed

● Melee is made

Generally, melee is simultaneous until particular rules of melee apply (see below).

During a turn, each creature can do one main action. This has to be interpreted by the

Referee. Of course, one action can be subdivided into some small action. For example, a

character that charges while yelling something to another player is seemingly doing three

different action (speaking, moving, melee attack). Yet it should be treated as one main action

because it all flows down to the same thing: a charge.

Space

Since combat is abstracted (theater of the mind), there is a general “range” of combat for the

three types of battle.

● Melee: Creatures in melee can perform all melee function but cannot use ranged

attack or spells

● Midrange: Creatures in midrange can perform all melee function except that they

cannot counterattack, but they can use ranged attack or spells. This is only available

if an ally is within melee range.

● Far range: Creatures in Far range can only perform ranged attack or spells. This is

only available if an ally is within Melee or Midrange.

Unless specified, moving from one space to another is considered an action.

Main Attack Roll Resolution Mechanic

Resolving a melee or range attack is an action. That action uses an attack roll.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

To do so, you roll one dice + your number of HD d6 in a dice pools. You pick the two best

results: if they are a success, you inflict damage. Also, you can make a “combo” (a strings of

attack) and look at the next best two. If they are again a success, you can continue on like

this until you have no more pair of dice to look at. In other words, the more HD you have, the

more adept you are at chaining attacks and exploiting the weakness of your opponent. For

every dice, if you have a magical weapon, add +1 to the result (therefore a “4” and a “3”

would be a total of “7”, but with a magical weapon, “9”).

For every successful attack roll, the character inflict 1 HD of damage with a one handed

weapon, 2 HD with a two-handed weapon, and +1 HD with any magical weapon (so up to 3

HD damage).

Ranged weapons cannot do more than one attack per turn. All other dice than the two best

are of no impact.

The following matrix will tell you what number or more you need to have a success on an

attack roll:

Weapon Class

Melee Weapon vs Unarmored vs Light Armor*

vs Medium Armor**

vs Heavy Armor***

1 Dagger 6 7 9 12

2 Club/Quarterstaff 8 8 9 12

3 Hand Axe 7 7 10 11

4 Morning Star 7 7 7 8

5 Two-Handed Battleaxe

6 7 8 9

6 Sword 7 8 8 10

7 Spear (throw as javelin at -1)

7 8 9 11

8 Halberd 8 8 6 7

9 Two-Handed Sword 7 7 5 8

Weapon Class ****

Ranged Weapon vs Unarmored vs Light Armor vs Medium Armor

vs Heavy Armor

1 Sling/Throwing Knife 8 8 9 12

2 Short Bow 6/8 6/8 8/10 11/12

2 Crossbow 5/7 5/7 8/9 8/10

2 Longbow 5/7 5/7 6/7 9/11

7 Javelin (melee as 6 6 8 10

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG spear, but more fragile)

* Light Armor is leather or gambison (padded). Also include non-fantastical creature with

hide or hide-armor.

** Medium Armor is chainmail or banded. Also include non-fantastical creature with thick

skin, protective measure or slime.

*** Heavy Armor is plate armor. Also include non-fantastical creature with shells, made of

solid material (such as rock) or bones.

**** For Ranged Weapon, the first number is close range (50’ or less), the second is for long

range (up to the maximum range of the weapon). Sling only has one number because it can

only fire at close range. Their class is based on what weapon they act upon if used in melee.

Subrules

There are additional rules of M-t-M Combat. They are an important part of the Dark Souls

feel but they are optional for those finding them too fiddly/detailed:

● All melee action are simultaneous (a creature that can hit prior to the opponent can

elect to wait for him to strike first. See the parrying rule below), unless:

○ Creatures that charged strike first;

■ Unless they were countercharged by a polearm/halberd/spear/pike

type of weapon.

○ If not, whoever attacked from the rear;

○ If not, whoever is defending/attacking from above;

○ If not, whoever has a weapon with a highest class

● A creature that is targeted by a melee attack can elect to:

○ Parry if he hasn’t attacked yet.

■ To do so, his weapon class must be equal or higher than the opponent

or have a shield.

■ If he does so, he will subtract 2 from the opponent attack roll.

■ If he has a weapon with at least two class higher than his opponent,

he can elect to counterattack after his opponent strike(s).

■ Unless the weapon is magical, if someone parries with a weapon and

the attack roll is still a success, the weapon is destroyed or lost

(partially or totally, depending on the Referee and the environment).

○ Dodge-roll if he isn’t wearing heavy armor.

■ If he does so, he will subtract 3 from the opponent attack roll (2 in light

armor, 1 in medium armor).

■ Also, the creature can choose to move from one Range to another.

■ If the dodge-roll is a failure, the target is knocked prone on the ground

and doesn’t move out of the space it occupied. In Fantasy Combat, it

suffers a worse injury.

● Small weapons, such as dagger, short swords and such can roll an extra dice against

prone targets.

● If you have two small weapons equipped, or only a one-handed weapon, and roll

double 5s or double 6s, you can elect to remove that attack roll from your pool and

instead try to kick, pull, grapple your opponent. You can try to disarm him, stagger

him, remove his shield from the way or knock him prone.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Using a bow or crossbow in melee is used as a club. If a parry is attempted, the

weapon breaks automatically whether is a success or a failure.

● Having a shield gives -1 to the opponent attack roll.

○ Unless the bearer:

■ Is incapacitated

■ Attacked from multiple sides

○ There is three types of shield with different bonus:

■ Small Shield (Buckler): If you Parry, you count your weapon as +5 for

the sake of Weapon Class to determine if he can counterattack

■ Medium Shield (Knight Shield): “Basic” Shield. +1 Breath Saving

Throws.

■ Large Shield (Greatshield): If you Parry, add +1 to your Parry. You

cannot counterattack with a Parry using this shield. +1 Breath Saving

Throws.

● Non-humanoid monsters natural weapons are considered to be either:

○ Blunt (count as club): hand, rock, etc.

○ Hacking (count as handaxe): small claw, mandibule, etc.

○ Piercing (count as dagger for small or spear for large): spikes, pikes, etc.

○ Vicious (count as swords): scythes, jaw, etc.

Fantasy Combat

Introduction

Fantasy Combat is akin to the Man-to-Man Combat, but with higher risks against

supernatural and generally gigantic foes. Those can be both bosses and mini-bosses. It is

highly lethal and can take different form depending on the opponent, the environment, etc.

Every Fantasy Combat encounter should feel different.

In such a fight, every hit should be described: a failure could mean that the monster has

taken off in the air or teleported, or that he blocked and pushed away the character (more

below). A success could mean that the players have discovered a new weak spot, or that

they targeted the tail of the dragon, etc.

Time

Fantasy Combat has a more fixed structure of time that is also more abstracted. The turn is

like this:

1. Explain what the environment looks like at the present moment and how the players

are situated (see Space below)

2. Explain what the boss or mini-boss is doing now (see Special Attack telegraphing

below)

3. Players decide what they do and tell the Referee

4. Actions, melee, ranged and spell combat are resolved for both sides, simultaneously.

Generally bosses will perform their attack last to profit from the rule (see below)

which they can get bonus against Chaining Attacks PCs. If they are low on HD, they

might forgo this in a crazed rage.

5. Special Attack takes place

6. Turn is finished. Repeat at number 1.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Space

The area is different than Man-to-Man Combat. Instead, you position yourself compared to

the boss:

● Underneath

● In front

● Right/Left Side

● Back

● Far away

This can influence how you are affected by the different special attack of the bosses and

mini-bosses.

Again, moving from one range to another takes an action (unless you charge to it and can

then perform an attack, or perform a successful Dodge-roll move).

Main Resolution

The basic attack roll is the same as MtM, but every chained attack (i.e. multiple attack rolls)

will add +1 to the next attack the Monster does against the PC since they are so strong they

can withstand attacks and retaliate at the same time.

Monsters and bosses all have various attacks that can do between 1 HD and 6 HD of

damage. Some of the bosses will have very few HD, and that is normal: they are more

difficult to hit than the PCs, they have special attacks which can already affect multiple

targets, they have varying resistance and immunities; in other words, they won’t die so easily

because of that.

The basic resolution of this type of combat is made through a monster matrix which

compares the HD of the PC to the type of monsters. Most bosses have unique abilities which

are detailed at the end of this book in the monster lists.

The types of mini-bosses and bosses are:

● Giant Animal (Large Rat, Great Feline, Fang Boar)

● Large Demon (Capra Demon, Mass of Souls)

● Giant Demon (Taurus Demon, Titanite Demon)

● Gargantuan Monsters (Bounding Demon of Izalith, Gaping Dragon, Hydra)

● Dragons (Hellkite Wyvern, Kalameet)

● Giants (Sentinel, Giant, Royal Sentinel, Iron Golem)

● Spellcasters (The Channeler, Moonlight Butterfly)

HD Giant Animal Large

Demon

Giant Demon Gargantuan

Monster

Dragon Giant Spellcaster

1 10 11 12 12 13 12 11

2 9 10 12 11 13 11 11

3 8 10 11 10 12 10 10

4 7 9 10 9 12 8 9

5 6 8 10 8 11 7 9

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 6 5 8 9 7 11 6 8

7 4 7 8 6 10 5 7

8 3 6 8 5 9 4 7

9 3 6 7 4 8 4 6

10 3 5 5 4 7 4 5

Again, magical weapons grant +1 to all attack roll. Furthermore, Fantasy Combat is more

abstract and evocative: if the players decides to hit a weak spot, or does an attack that takes

advantage of something another PCs did, than you can grant an additional bonus to his roll.

For example:

● Playing defensively and far range when the Gaping Dragon decides to charge

● Playing very aggressively when the Channeler is charging his attack

● Being meticulous, defensive and attacking from multiple sides mini-bosses that are

slow moving

● And so on.

Bosses Special Attack

Bosses are a special encounter that are very different from normal enemies. They have a

statline, including HD, but they act differently. They need to be part enemies part

environmental challenge for the players, without it becoming a circus like the Bed of Chaos.

Every turn, they will do two things:

● Base Attack: One attack roll according to their profile against any players

(determined at random) according to the profile of that attack. For example, a boss

that has a Ranged Attack as his Base Attack will do it against PCs not in melee. The

basic formulae of this attack for bosses and mini-bosses is thus: HD of the PC + 2 as

the target number. Mini-bosses roll 2d6. Bosses roll 3d6 and keep the two highest.

○ Dodge-roll can be used, but parry/block is up to the Referee, generally

depending on the size of the creature and the type of base attack.

● Special Attack: One move that does not necessarily use normal attack roll. That

special attack works is randomly determined by the Referee using a d6 and

comparing to the profile. This attack needs to be telegraphed to the players at the

beginning of the turn. The magic of the Boss battles is that the players can learn the

different special attacks of the bosses to try and take tactical advantage of it. For

example, at the beginning of the turn prior to players initiative, you would say: “You

see the Lava Wurm bellowing and raising his head while his eyes catches fire”. Then

when it’s time, you would use the attack, saying “Everyone in front of the bosses do a

Magic Saving throw. Lava Spout from the Wurm mouth and covers the entire area. If

you passed, you suffer 1 HD of lava damage, if you failed, you suffer 4HD.” The

telegraphing aspect is important because it gives players critical information for an

informed decision, that is, player skill.

○ Mini-bosses can either choose to do a Base Attack or a Special Attack, they

cannot do both. Whereas bosses always do both.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG If a player is hit with an attack that doesn’t have a profile, roll 1d10 + his HD and look at this

table for a basic description of effect. If the player is wearing a medium or heavy armor,

reduce by one effect (so a 10 - 11 would become a 11 - 12).

Then interpret according to the monster himself. A grab by the Iron Golem is literally a grab

with hands, whereas against Black Dragon Kalameet, it’s Dark Magic telekinesis that grabs

the PC. Or it could be the Hellkite Wyvern grabbing a player to drop him off the bridge.

It is up to the Referee to describe accordingly what the boss is doing to him, especially in

case of an instant death, so that it feels organic and not cheap. For example: “The Dragon

starts pounding with his legs front and back, but also his tail. He whips everything and you

try to dodge it, but you were already committed into trying to cut his belly. He gets you once,

then twice, you try to get up but finally he smash your head to the ground. You died.”

1d10 + HD Effect

1 - 4 Instant Death

5 - 7 Suffers 2 HD damage and is incapacitated (either directly or indirectly) for the next turn, waiting to suffer another attack (consider the next turn an automatic attack success against this PCs)

8 - 9 Suffers 2 HD and is staggered (cannot act in melee or range this turn if he didn’t already do it)

10 - 11 Suffers 1 HD and is staggered (cannot act in melee or range this turn if he didn’t already do it)

11 - 12 Suffers 1 HD damage. If he didn’t act yet this turn, his next action will be more difficult.

13 -14 If he blocked with a shield, Change of pace: if the PC was far away, the monsters gets near (jump to him). If the PC was in melee, he gets push out very far. If he didn’t block, see previous result.

15+ Bruised if he blocked with a shield, if not, see previous result.

Spells in Combat

Spells in Combat function as magical attack. The difference is that their impact is not

reduced as a ranged attack, i.e. they can make multiple blow in one turn. Each spell has

different rules:

● Fireball: 6d6 in a small zone

● Combustion: 3d6 melee

● Fire Surge: 5d6 in a line

● Cold Snap: 4d6 in melee. Water creatures can become frozen

● Magic Missile: Xd6 to a single target, where X is the HD of the caster.

● Lightning Spear: 4d6 in a line

● Soul Spear: 5d6 to a single target, homing

● Sunspear: 6d6 to a single target

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Damage and Death

When PCs suffer hit, they suffer 1 HD of damage or more (as per the profile of the attacker).

When they reach 0 HD, they die: they lose 1 Humanity (or more) and reappear in the next

game. Meanwhile, they can play NPC Phantoms. For all of this in more details, see the rule

regarding the Dark Sign.

Resting and Healing

When PCs rest, the game ends. They remove all conditions and heal them. Their spells

return. For more information, see the rule regarding the Dark Sign.

Conditions

There is a list of base conditions that can affect players:

● Blinded: You cannot see. Creatures can attack you more easily and you attack them

with huge negative impact (-4 to all attack roll).

● Poisoned: You cannot regain HD and every hour you suffer 1 HD of damage. Your

character is dazed and suffers -1 to all combat roll.

● Cursed: If you are cursed, you suffer an additional HD of damage every time you

suffer HD damage. Also, you can only see half distance (every is misty and foggy)

and cannot gain Humanity. You have -1 to all saving throws. If you die while being

cursed, to become Petrified.

● Petrified: You are made of stone and invulnerable. You are not conscious and cannot

play anymore. Players need to find a Purging Stone, Divine Blessing or the spell

Remove Curse.

● Hollow: If you hollow, your character becomes an hostile NPC controlled by the

Referee.

Treasure

Introduction

There is no treasure per se, since there is no gold or jewelry as useless trinkets. Rather, for

every fight, you roll on a table with exploding d6s (every time you roll a 6, roll an extra d6).

To determine worth of creatures, follow this procedure:

● Roll 1d6 for a basic monster (ex: skeleton)

● +1 for a strong monster (ex: skeleton giant)

● +2 for a mini-boss (ex: fang boar)

● +3 for bosses

To determine worth of chests or fallen heroes, follow this procedure:

● Normal chest 1d6

● Is it hidden or guarded ? If yes, +1

● Is it guarded ? If yes, +1

● Is the area dangerous (as in, not a “starting Area”; think Anor Londo vs Undead

Burg)? If yes, +1

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Is it difficult to get there, for example by climbing and jumping? If yes, +1

If the chest/fallen heroes has “nothing”, then instead give a Soul (see below after items list).

Mini-bosses and bosses also drop their own loot in addition to this randomly generated loot,

including a Humanity for bosses.

Table

Result from d6s

Main Type Subtype d4

1 - 3 Normal object

4 - 5 Armement 1 - 2 : weapon 3 : shield 4 : armor

6 Spells 1: low level pyromancies (1-3) 2: low level miracles (1-2) 3: high level pyromancies (4-5) 4: high level miracles (3-4)

7 Magical Rings 1 - 2: uncommon 3: rare 4: legendary

8 Magical armement 1 - 2 : weapon 3 : shield 4 : armor

9+ Embers and Titanite

Embers and Titanite

d10 Type Effect

1 Titanite Shard Used to upgrade Large Ember weapon with souls

2 Colored Titanite (1d4: green, blue, red, white) Used to upgrade Magic/Crystal/Fire/Divine weapon with Ember

3 Special Titanite (1d3: twinkling, demon, slab) Used to upgrade unique item or uniquely upgrade infused

weapon

4 Large Ember Upgrade weapon in their quality, very low magic

5 Divine Ember Upgrade weapon in the Divine Path

6 Dark Ember Upgrade a Divine weapon to a Occult Path

7 Magic Ember Upgrade weapon in the Magic Path

8 Crystal Ember Upgrade weapon in the Crystal Path

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 9 Flame Ember Upgrade weapon in the Fire Path

10 Chaos Flame Ember Upgrade a Fire weapon to a Chaos Path

Normal Object

Roll an extra d6 if the source is magical or special.

d20 Name

1 Binocular

2 Orange Guidance Soapstone

3 Torches

4 Lantern

5 Oil

6 Rope

7 Spike and Mallet

8 Small mirror

9 10’ pole

10 Firebombs

11 Alluring Skull

12 Holy Water

13 Charcoal Pine Resin

14 Rotten Pine Resin

15 Gold Pine Resin

16 Prism Stone

17 Repair Powder

18 Homeward Bone (same as spell)

19 Green Blossom

20 Purple Moss Clump

21 Blooming Purple Moss Clump

22 Purging Stone

23 Skull Lantern

24 Divine Blessing

25 Transient Curse

26 Lloyd Talisman

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Magical Rings and Trinkets

1d10 Uncommon Rare Legendary

1 Havel’s Ring (consider encumbrance of armor and weapon one step less)

Cloranthy Ring (+1 HD) Ring of Favor and Protection (consider encumbrance of armor and weapon one step less, +1 HD)

2 Spell Stoneplate Ring (+1 magic save)

Blue Tearstone Ring (when you lost one or more HD of your maximum, subtract 1 to

your opponents roll against you)

Speckled Stoneplate Ring (half damage from all magical and elemental source)

3 Flame Stoneplate Ring (half damage from magical fire)

Ring of Sacrifice (when you die, make a death save; if you

have a success, you do not lose humanity)

Rare Ring of Sacrifice (when you die, you do not lose humanity)

4 Thunder Stoneplate Ring (half

damage from magical lightning)

Slumbering Dragoncrest Ring

(wearer makes no sound)

Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring (if you are

a Pyromancer, you have +1 spell slot of every level you already have a spell slot)

5 Poisonbite Ring (+1 poison save) Leo Ring (you consider your

weapon one weapon class higher and have +1 on your attack roll made as a

counterattack)

White Seance Ring (if you are a Cleric,

you have +1 spell slot of every level you already have a spell slot)

6 Cursebite Ring (+2 stone save) Dark Wood Grain Ring (your dodge-roll action subtract an

additional 1 to your opponent roll)

Wolf Ring (you cannot be staggered or put prone)

7 Red Tearsome Ring (when you lost one or more HD of your maximum,

you fight as if having +1 to your maximum HD)

Covetous Gold Serpent Ring (when you find a treasure, the

Referee rolls an additional d6 to determine the worth)

Ring of Fog (makes the wearer transparent)

8 Rope of Climbing (can attach itself magically with a word of command

to objects)

Orange Charred Ring (you can walk on non-magical lava and

fire)

Ring of the Evil Eye (every time you kill an opponent, roll a d6; if you rolled

equal or less than the HD of the creature, you regain a lost HD)

9 Wand of secrets (can detect

illusionary walls)

Ring of Telekinesis (can lift

object of 30 lbs or less and move them at a pace of 1 feet per 2 seconds)

Estus Flasks (has 1d6 maximum

charges; every charges heals 1 HD; every bonfire refill the charges)

10 Ring of Jumping and Striding (run

faster and can jump twice the distance)

Ring of Water Walking (can

walk on water as if solid ground; if he falls on water, he will fall as if on solid ground)

Ioun Stone (shine like a fire atop the

user heard (as a torch), user always knows north, +1 to all save)

Armors

To determine armor set, roll here (2d6 basic, +1d6 if you want to add magical armors):

2d6 Set Effect Description Type

1 Shadow Set more difficult to see, count as being unarmored

for the sake of encumbrance

Black cloth clothing worn by spooks from an eastern land. Designed so as not to hinder their unique form of martial arts and stealth practice, while they sacrifice defense for the sake of

greater mobility.

Light

2 Eastern Set Exquisitely crafted, this helm offers excellent defense, particularly versus slashing attacks, which are one of the main

Medium

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG threats in battles in the East. Distinctive armor made in an

Eastern Land.

3 Elite Knight Set

Armor of a nameless knight, perhaps an elite knight of Astora, based on the fire-warding heraldic symbol on it's blue surcoat.

Despite the thin metal used, the grooved texture gives them added protection

Heavy

4 Bandit Set Worn by brigands who raid mountain hamlets and attack travelers. In addition to protection against the blazing sun, dust,

and sand, it helps them tell friend from foe in the heat of battle. The addition of metal over a basic of cloth and leather offers good mobility and defense.

Light

5 Wandering Set

Armor of an aimless traveler, made from sturdy leather and quilting. It offers protection versus wind and rain, weapons and dangers. Battle comes from the territory when one wanders the

land, and this coat provides a certain degree of protection.

Light

6 Steel Set Armor set of the Knights of Berenike, known for their heavy armaments and armor. Countless Knights of Berenike, once extolled as the mightiest of mighty, became Undead and

ventured to Lordran. But their journey was for naught, as they went Hollow, and became a threat to all Undead.

Heavy

7 Hollow

Soldier Set

Apparel worn by Hollow soldiers and warriors. It may be old and

battered, but its iron construction makes it quite sturdy.

Medium

8 Hunter Set Made of soft leather. Very common type of protective gear. Light

9 Chain Set Chainmail apparel made of thin interlinking steel. It is common throughout the human world since it can be easily produce, it is

not too heavy, and offers good defenses. Knights may favor flashy armor, but for warriors on the battlefield, anything is fine as long as it keeps them alive.

Medium

10 Warrior Set A sturdy helm made of iron with armor made of thick leather.

Very common type of protective gear, it provides a sound level of defense. It is wise to wear sturdy form of head protection against arrows and other physical threats.

Medium

11 Adventurer’s

Set

Strange equipment from the ancient land of Zena. It is said that

the helm two horns symbolize wisdom, the many medals glory, the gold bracelets a vanquisher and the boots an explorer.

Light

12 Dingy Set +1 stone save Traditional clothes of a Fire Keeper. After years and years of

smoke and ashes, it darkened the pure vestments of a Maiden.

Light

Magical armors:

d6 Set Effect Description Type

1 Antiquated Set +1 level 1 pyromancy slot, -1

magic save

Blessed by special magic upon a previous owner. Its wearer is blessed by all manner of

magic. It comes from the ancient fallen land of Oolacile. Its ivory-colored silk features elaborate embroidery and is imbued with ancient magic

power. One cannot expect any physical protection from this garment, as it was not meant to be worn in battle.

Unarmored

2 Maiden Set +1 level 1 miracle

slot, -1 magic save

Apparel worn by traveling maidens. It is part of

their formal attire, regardless of rank. It is soft and well-made, but does not offer much in the way of defense, making it ill-suited to use in

battle.

Unarmored

3 Paladin Set unique to Way of the Long ago, the Way of White produced its first Heavy

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG White, +1 to all save Undead, paladins in golden armors. They set

out for Lordran, Land of the Gods, in the first Undead mission of the Way of the White.

4 Pyromancer Set half damage from

non-magical poison and fire damage

Worn by the pyromancers of the Great Swamp.

Though it appears tattered, it is actually quite strong. Their attire offers substantial protection against poison, fire, and other forces of nature

out in the hinterlands where they were driven. Boots made of thick leather and extremely though, on account of the rugged grasslands

and treacherous swamps they must traverse. Their soles are nearly impenetrable.

Light

5 Black Iron Set half damage from fire source, need 15

strength and 12 constitution or more

Built of a special black iron and providing strong defense, notably against fire, but so terribly

heavy to be unwieldy to all but the strongest knights.

Heavy

6 Cleric Set if the wearer is

attuned to the heal miracle, he is automatically

attuned an extra time

Armor set worn by the warrior clerics of the Way

of White, who are famous for being unyielding in battle. Among such armors, those that were black belonged to warrior clerics sent on

missions, many of whom were high level priests.

Medium

The following armor set can only be dropped by their respective owner, or found in chests

related to them (such as guarded by them, or near them):

Set Effect Description Type

Channeler Set Count as medium armor for protection, but light for wearing it.

Armor of the Channelers, sorcerers that serve Seath the Scaleless. The six eyes arranged in two vertical

columns compensate for Seath’s lack of sight. Even after the onset of Seath’s madness, the “snatchers”, as

they were often called, ventured to far lands to find suitable human specimens. The heaviest of

protective gear for sorcerers, and imbued with magic.

Light

Darkwraith Set Gives the user the Dark Hand weapon as a off-hand

weapon. This weapon counts for damage as a sword, but weapon class of

a club. You can use it to steal humanity from NPCs or Phantoms, with dire

consequence…

Armor of the Darkwraiths, former knights of New Londo who

descended into Dark. Their armor transformed, and remains a symbol of the Dark servants and their

diabolical art of Lifedrain. Some say the skeletal mask of an ancient Darkwraith is partially fused with the

flesh of its face.

Medium

Thorns Set +1 to counterattack, +1 to weapon class for parry and

counterattack

Apparel of special knights of the Darkwraiths. A dense patch of thorns

grows from its surface. It is a fitting item for those murderous individual.

Heavy

Giant Armor Set Require 16 Strength, subtract -1 to all attack roll

against the user

Armor of the giant sentinels of Anor Londo.Made from ancient brass, it

also offers protection versus non-physical attacks, but due to its giant size, it is extremely heavy for

humans.

Heavy

Black Knight Set +1 to all saves, half damage from fire

Armor of the Black Knights who haunt Lordran. The knights followed Lord Gwyn when he departed to link

the Fire but they were burned to ashes in the newly kindled flame, wandering the world as disembodied

Heavy

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG spirits ever after.

Silver Knight Set +1 to all saves, half damage from lightning

Apparel of the Silver Knights who protect Anor Londo. When Lord Gwyn departed to link the Fire, his

knights split into two groups. The Silver Knights remained in the forsaken capital in service of their

goddess.

Heavy

Balder Knight Set Count as a medium set for encumbrance, but protect as a heavy set

Heavy

Shields

For shield, roll 1d3 to determine the type (small, standard, greatshield) and then use the

following table.

d6 Small Standard Greatshield

1 Small leather shield Wooden Shield Tower Shield

2 Buckler Knight Shield Tower Shield

3 Plank Shield Hollow Soldier Shield Eagle Shield

4 Caduceus Round Shield Balder Shield Eagle Shield

5 Red & White Round Shield

Caduceus Kite Shield Giant Shield

6 Leather Shield Iron Round Shield Giant Shield

The following are a list of magical shields:

1d10 Name (Type) Effect Description

1 Effigy Shield (Small) Wearer is immune to lightning damage directed towards him

Frightful occult shield, defends against divine weapons and lightning. In an ill-fated plot to destroy the very gods, the followers of the

occult once attempt to steal the power of Gravelord Nito, the first of the Dead.

2 Silver Knight Shield (Standard)

+1 to magic save, half damage from lightning

Shield of the Silver Knights of Anor Londo. A flowing canal is carved deep into its face. The

Silver Knights stayed behind in Anor Londo to defend the Goddess, and their shields are blessed with her divine protection.

3 Black Knight Shield (Standard)

+1 to magic save, half damage from fire

Shield of the Black Knights that wander Lordran. A flowing canal is chiseled deeply into its face. Long ago, the black knights

faced the chaos demons, and were charred black, but their shields became highly resistant to fire.

4 Pierce Shield (Standard) Can be used as a thrust

weapon, +1 to Counterattack

Shield of certain knights of Catarina, used in

attacks with a large protrusion in the center.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 5 Crest Shield (Standard) +2 to magic save Shield of a nameless knight, likely a high-

ranking knight of Astora. One of the enchanted blue shields, the Crest Shield greatly reduces magic damage.

6 Grass Crest Shield (Standard)

In combat, you count as having an extra HD for attack

Old medium metal shield of unknown origin. The grass crest is lightly imbued with magic, which slightly help recovery and focus.

7 Spider Shield (Standard) +1 to poison save Shield of the savage mountain bandits.

Uniquely shaped with a large black spider etched upon it.

8 Bloodshield (Standard) +1 to all save The Bloodshield spoken of in the lost

legends. The red blood is slightly enchanted and protects its user against various ailments.

9 Sanctus (Standard) User naturally regenerate 1 HD

per hour

A legendary shield of the Way of White,

granted to an undead paladin long ago. Once blessed with the protection of a white flame, its power has all but faded.

10 Black Iron Greatshield (Greatshield)

+ 2 to breath saves Built of special black iron and even heavier than Knight Berenike’s tower shield. Especially resistant to fire attacks.

Souls Fragments and Soul Objects

To determine worth of a Soul object in Souls found on monsters, fallen heroes or in chests,

follow this procedure:

● Roll 1d6 (+ HD if it was held by a monster)

● If the object was hidden, guarded or difficult to obtain, +1d6

● If the object is not in a starting area (such as Undead Burg), +1d6

To determine the worth of Souls for a mini-boss or bosses, just roll for a Soul item, but

instead give it to everyone as Souls fragments when the creature is killed following the next

table and rolling Xd6, where X is the HD of the monster.

Results Type of Soul Amount Given

1 - 2 Soul of a Lost Undead 200

3 - 4 Large Soul of a Lost Undead 400

5 - 6 Soul of a Nameless Soldier 800

7 - 8 Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier 1000

9 - 10 Soul of a Proud Knight 2000

11 - 12 Large Soul of a Proud Knight 3000

13 - 14 Soul of a Brave Warrior 5000

15 - 16 Large Soul of a Brave Warrior 8000

17 - 19 Soul of a Hero 10000

20+ Soul of a Great Hero 20000

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Infusing Weapons

Weapons can be infused with Souls to create magical weapons. To do so, you need:

● A powerful Soul to infuse the weapon (i.e. a boss or mini-boss)

● An ember (to determine the path)

● A blacksmith

When the weapon is magical and Infused, it can gain new Infusion level that grants it new

powers. Those depends on the initial Soul and Path. To do so, you need:

● Put Souls Fragments in it to reach the necessary Infusion Level requirement (i.e., the

PC will put his XP in the weapon instead of his class)

● A titanite (special stone for forging) of the kind linked with the path

○ Shard for Large path

○ Red for Fire path (and Chaos path)

○ Green for Magic path

○ Blue for Crystal path

○ White for divine path (and Occult path)

○ Twinkling and demon for unique path (such as magical weapons that players

find already infused)

○ Slab: for all path

● A blacksmith

Souls Fragment Req. Infusion Level

Number of Powers from Soul

Notes

0 1 1 Normal weapon

500 2 2

1500 3 3

3500 4 4

7500 5 5

10500 6 6

Here is a list of suggestions of powers for each of the Ember/Path. They have been divided

into Minor and Major, meaning generally mini-boss and bosses. But depending on the level

of the weapon, the user, the type of mini-boss/boss, etc. it is up to the Referee to judge.

Ember/Path Minor Major Description of Path

Large Ember ● Impossible to break or disarm

● Bonus to attack rolls ● Emits a faint glow

when a creature of

the Soul type infused is near

● User can see

invisible objects ● Emits a faint glow

when there is

● Can cut or open even stone and

doors ● Vorpal effect (on a

double 6, you can

cut the head clean off)

● Bypass magical

protections

Large Ember creates physically imposing weapon that are generally

sharper, stronger and more resistant than their equivalent. They are magical and will cut through most

defense and resistance. They are prized by warriors and knights that do not want to deal with magical embers

and strange effects.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG shifting walls,

sloping passages or illusionary walls nearby

Divine Ember ● Creatures killed with this weapon cannot

be brought back by necromancer or hollowed

● Emits a faint light (as a candle) at all time

● User can see invisible object

● Bonus to Death

save ● Emits a faint glow

when a hollow is

approaching ● Inflict lightning

damage

● Clairaudience ● Clairvoyance

● Can heal 1 HD per adventure with a divine light

● Emits a powerful light (as a lantern)

● Dispel magical

effects on hit ● Immunity to curse,

poison or life drain

Divine Ember creates divinely attuned weapon linked with the Gods

and their powers. It is very effective against any creature lacking a soul or having very few soul left, such as

hollow creatures or near-hollow creatures.

Dark Ember ● Emits a faint glow

when a Dark or White Phantom invade the current

area ● Bonus against all

living creature with

a Soul ● Chance to paralyze

target

● Bonus to Stone save

● Creatures hit with

this weapon cannot heal themselves

● User can see

invisible object

● Life Drain

● Vorpal Effect ● Darkness effect

around the user

(but he can see through it) at will

● Massive bonus

against any boss that are from the Gods, their

followers or the Gods.

Dark Ember creates occult and

misunderstood weapons that comes from a time when some humans tried to kill the Gods. They were banished

and punished and the ember was hidden from all living thing.

Magic Ember ● Attunement bonus ● Emits a faint glow

when there is

magical objects or effects nearby

● Emits a faint glow

when there is shifting walls, sloping passages or

illusionary walls nearby

● Bonus to Magic

save ● Can add

Intelligence modifier

to attack roll ● Can cast once per

adventure a level 1

or 2 spell

● Telekinesis ● Clairaudience ● Clairvoyance

● X-Ray Vision ● Levitation ● Can parry magical

spells ● Can cast once per

adventure a level

3 or 4 spell ● Can bypass

magical protection

Magic Ember are a form of sorcery in themselves. They create powerful weapon imbued with magic and most

prized in Vornheim, who are master at creating and using them. The magical weapons are said to derive

strength from the magic of their users.

Crystal Ember All Crystal Ember weapons will break easily.

● Huge bonus to attack roll

● Can bypass magical

protection ● Emits a faint light

(candle) at all time

● Can parry magical spells

● Affect more the

● Vorpal effect ● Can paralyze

target

Crystal ember were created by Seath the Scaleless and were only handled

by the giant God’s blacksmith. They create powerful but brittle weapon that cannot be repaired once broken.

They are said to be extremely potent and dealing special and magical damage that cut through everything.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG magic users

Flame Ember ● Inflict fire damage ● Inflict cold damage ● Emits a decent light

(as a torch) at all time

● Automatically open

up hidden and illusionary passage

● Can cast a

Pyromancy Spell once per adventure

● Can melt door and steel beams

● Can bypass

magical protection ● X-Ray Vision

Large Flame ember were used in ancient rites and only handled by blacksmiths knowledgeable in

ancient methods. They create powerful fire weapon that can cut through anything.

Chaos Flame Ember

● Inflict heavy fire damage

● Bypass magical protection

● Can add Humanity

modifier to attack roll

● Can cast a

Pyromancy Spell once per adventure

● Root target in place

● Life Drain ● X-Ray Vision

Chaos Flame ember is an art of the lost city of Izalith. It is only handled

by blacksmiths knowledgeable in ancient methods. Chaos weapons are demon weapons augmented by

humanity which inflict heavy fire damage.

Creating Magical Items

If you want to integrate any magical items, either from D&D, Dark Souls or your own

imagination, it is highly suggested to thing about three mechanical factors:

● Prerequisite

● A upside for a downside

● Mechanical niche or lore

Then, it is suggested to answer to those lore questions to integrate it properly:

● What do legends say of it ?

● What great deed was it part of ?

● When was it created ?

● Who created it ?

● Why was it created ?

● How was it lost by its maker or user ?

The World of Not-Dark-Souls

Aesthetic

Aesthetic can both mean a work pleasing because of its beauty and the study of it. In Dark

Souls, there is a unique definition of beauty from the outset in terms of art which the Firelink

Shrine music theme encompasses well: a feeling of hopelessness and homeliness at the

same time, of despair and renewal.

The general tone of the setting is high gothic fantasy coupled with dying earth. It has deeply

dark and grim venues coupled with highly hopeful encounter (such as Solaire of Astora) and

mechanic (Bonfire). Cycles of decay and renewal.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG As such, when creating new lore, arts, areas and so on, Referee’s should keep in mind the

dual nature of Dark Souls, the disparity of atmosphere. Which is why the opening

introduction of the game is of such importance:

"In the Age of Ancients, the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of gray crags,

Archtrees and Everlasting Dragons.

But then there was fire, and with fire came disparity. Heat and cold, life and death, and of

course, light and dark.

Then from the dark, they came, and found the Souls of Lords within the flame.

Nito, the first of the dead,

the Witch of Izalith, and her Daughters of Chaos,

Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, and his faithful knights,

and the furtive pygmy, so easily forgotten.

"With the Strength of Lords, they challenged the Dragons.

Gwyn's mighty bolts peeled apart their stone scales.

The Witches weaved great firestorms.

Nito unleashed a miasma of death and disease.

And Seath the Scaleless betrayed his own, and the Dragons were no more.

"Thus began the Age of Fire. But soon, the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain.

Even now, there are only embers, and man sees not light, but only endless nights.

And amongst the living are seen, carriers of the accursed Darksign."

"Yes, indeed. The Darksign brands the Undead.

And in this land, the Undead are corralled and led to the north,

where they are locked away, to await the end of the world.

... This is your fate."

Basic Lore

Preface

Most of the lore from this section comes verbatim from the Darksouls Wiki on Fextralife

(https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/Lore) which is highly suggested.

Also, it is suggested for Referee to make modification to the lore as they see fit in order to

have a coherent experience for the players to experience. It is even suggested to use

generators and random tables from this book and other sources to populate the lore of their

campaign so as to discover with the player at the same time the details regarding the lore of

their world.

Finally, note that this book is written as if to play the basic Dark Souls 1 campaign. Referees

with players that already played the video games or want some change are suggested to

create their own campaign, either set elsewhere, set before the first game or after the first

game.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Overview

The world of Dark Souls is a world of cycles. Kingdoms rise and fall, ages come and go, and

even time can end and restart as the flame fades and is renewed. These cycles are linked to

the First Flame, a mysterious manifestation of life that divides and defines separate states

such as heat and cold, or life and death. As the First Flame fades, these differences also

begin to fade, such as life and death having little distinction, and humans becoming Undead.

The onset of an Age of Dark, the time when the First Flame has fully died, is marked by

endless nights, rampant undeath, time, space, and reality breaking down, lands collapsing

and converging on one another, people mutating into monsters, darkness covering the

world, and the Gods losing their power. To avoid this and prolong the Age of Fire, the bearer

of a powerful soul must "link" themselves to the First Flame, becoming the fuel for another

age. If this is not done, the First Flame will eventually die, and an Age of Dark will begin.

The powerful Lord Souls were taken from the First Flame, used to defeat the dragons, and

then to establish kingdoms. Souls are inextricably (and inexplicably) linked to fire. Souls are

life, and life is fire; it stands to reason that souls are fire, as well. Without the First Flame and

without souls, there is no life. The bearer of a strong soul, called a Lord, who links

themselves to the First Flame, is thus rekindling the flames with their own soul, returning life

to it. In the end, one could expect that all souls will have been returned to the First Flame,

and the Age of Fire will have effectively ended anyways.

It is inevitable that people try to find a way around this, another way to continue the Age of

Fire without making sacrifices, but in every case they fail. In the first Age of Fire, the Witch of

Izalith attempted to create a duplicate of the First Flame using her witchcraft and a special

soul, but failed catastrophically. Instead of making another First Flame, she had created a

twisted Flame of Chaos that produced distortions of life, turning herself and all her daughters

into demons. These demons were malevolent, and wandered the land. Gwyn gathered up

his armies and fought the demons of Chaos, eventually driving them back and shackling the

Bed of Chaos to bind them. Knowing that the Age of Fire was nearing its end, under the

guidance of the primordial serpent Kingseeker Frampt, Gwyn offered himself to the First

Flame to stave off the Dark. As the flames surged with new life, the knights who followed him

in were burnt by the flames and now wander the world as the Black Knights, hollow shells of

armor who attack indiscriminately.

Before he left to link the First Flame, Gwyn gave fragments of his soul to his followers and

allies. Ornstein, Gough, Ciaran, and Artorias, his four strongest knights who fought against

the dragons, Seath the Paledrake, who betrayed the dragons and played a crucial role in the

war, and was also granted the title of Duke and permission to build a grand archive to

conduct his research, and the Four Kings of New Londo, who ruled a city of Undead. In time,

another primordial serpent convinced the people of the human kingdom of Oolacile to delve

into the darkness of the Abyss to unearth the grave of an ancient human. Whether through

their actions or some other means, the primordial human - Manus - was resurrected and

driven to madness, and his wild Humanity caused the people of Oolacile to mutate into

abominations. Manus, Father of the Abyss, began to rapidly spread Dark and accelerate the

growth of the Abyss, and would've started an early Age of Dark had he not been defeated.

Even so, the kingdom of Oolacile was lost to the Abyss, and eventually forgotten in the

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG modern day. Nothing remains in the present day to mark the passing of this land save for

Dusk, the princess of Oolacile.

Gwyn's youngest son Gwyndolin, together with Kingseeker Frampt, shepherds the humans

by Gwyn's command. Together they built giant asylums to house the countless undead,

hoping against hope that one of them would be chosen to defeat the Asylum demon, and

fulfill their destiny. The Undead are sent on a quest to ring the Bells of Awakening, collect

the Lordvessel, slay the bearers of Gwynn's soul, then offer those souls to the Lordvessel to

open the path to the Kiln of the First Flame. In doing so, the unnatural Undead are given true

death and the living can enjoy another age of fire for a thousand years, while the Undead

linked to the First Flame will continue to burn, alive and aware, until someone else comes to

take their place. And thus, the cycle continues.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

The World

These are areas of importance in the world and its history, though not all are visited during

gameplay.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Lordran

Known as the land of the ancient Lords, where their kingdoms converge. This is where the

game takes place, and it is a dangerous area indeed. Containing a great variety of

environments and filled with many dangerous creatures, any Undead's resolve will be tested

to the fullest here. The Undead travel great distances to reach this land, where the First

Flame waits to be linked.

Anor Londo

Known as the city of the gods, and founded by Lord Gwyn. It sits at the top of a mountain,

and both the cliff face and its own walls separate it from the outside world. Long ago,

invitations were given to great champions among humans, decided through victories in an

arena, but this practice has not been kept up for some time. Sen's Fortress sits below it, an

enormous deathtrap serving as both gateway and obstacle to Anor Londo, and those who

could overcome it were permitted access, but the pathway at the end has since been sealed.

Now, any Undead seeking to enter the city are carried in by bat-winged demons if they can

overcome the fortress. The truth of Anor Londo is hidden behind an intricate illusion; when

the First Flame began to fade, all of the gods abandoned Anor Londo save for Gwyndolin,

Gwyn's youngest son. He now uses his magic to make it look like the city still stands strong,

but in reality only he and his knights remain, and he is the only true authority left.

Lost Izalith

Legendary city of the Witch of Izalith, one of the four original Lords. She and her daughters

founded this city deep underground. The Witch and her daughters were originally

practitioners of a form of fire sorcery, but this art was lost when the Flame of Chaos

destroyed the city. When the First Flame began to fade, the Witch of Izalith tried to

reproduce it using her magic and a special soul. However, she failed, and the result was the

Flame of Chaos: a twisted flame that produced distorted life instead, known as the demons.

Gwyn and his knights waged a war against these demons and eventually defeated them,

sealing the Bed of Chaos, their source of life, with magic. Some demons now appear in roles

that suggest they may work for the gods, either willingly or as captured servants. The

creation of the Flame of Chaos also created pyromancy as a byproduct, and Quelana, the

only Daughter of Izalith to escape the destruction, was able to develop an entire system of

magic to imitate the ancient fire spells. She took only one student, Salaman from the Great

Swamp. In teaching Salaman, she hoped that mankind could learn to harness and control

the flames, to prevent the same catastrophe that destroyed her own home. Salaman then

returned to the Great Swamp to spread the art of pyromancy.

The Catacombs

An extensive network of tombs and crypts, overseen by Gravelord Nito. All things that die

are laid to rest here, and Nito's power of necromancy ensures that they are not disturbed.

The area is not completely peaceful, however, and at one point a group of occultists

attempted to steal Nito's power and use it to kill the gods. They presumably failed, but

weapons and artefacts of their perverse rituals can still be found. Now the necromancer

Pinwheel resides in the catacombs, where he slowly siphons away Nito's power for his own

ends.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG New Londo

A large city of Undead, this place was once prosperous and known for the foresight of its

leaders. All undead were welcomed here, and it soon became a safe haven for undead that

were banished from their homelands. New Londo was a city teeming with culture and life.

Recognizing this, Lord Gwyn bestowed on the four leaders a fragment of his soul and the

rank of king before he left to link the First Flame. Later, the Four Kings encountered

Darkstalker Kaathe in the Abyss, who offered to teach them the art of lifedrain. In doing so,

the Four Kings and their order of knights were corrupted by the dark, becoming the

Darkwraiths of Kaathe. The threat they posed to the outside world was so great that the

whole city was flooded to contain them, killing everyone inside. The dead still wander as

ghosts through the ruins, and the Darkwraiths themselves survived the flooding even though

they are still trapped.

Oolacile

An ancient and long forgotten human kingdom that was once in Lordran. It was a peaceful

land of scholars, who practiced a now lost form of light-based sorcery. Before its fall, a path

to the Abyss was unearthed, and they encountered a primordial serpent who convinced

them to delve into the depths of the Abyss to unearth the grave of a primordial human. When

revived, this human, named Manus, went mad, and his humanity went wild. This caused him

to mutate into a huge abomination, and contact with his humanity caused the people of

Oolacile to also mutate into abominations. Manus was a powerful sorcerer and master of the

Dark, and with his magic he guided the Abyss to grow, swiftly overtaking the kingdom of

Oolacile. Knight Artorias was sent in to defeat Manus and halt the Abyss, but he failed and

was corrupted by the Dark instead. The Chosen Undead travels back in time to lay Artorias

to rest and defeat Manus in his stead. As the player is not naturally from that time, their

actions are instead attributed to Artorias, to be known as the Abysswalker, a legendary

knight who traversed the Abyss to defeat the Darkwraiths.

Astora

A human kingdom outside Lordran, it is a land known for its traditional knights, clergy, and

nobility. The Way of White originates from here, and the knight and cleric classes available

to the player are apparently travelers from this land and start with the Way of White

covenant. The Way of White itself is very proactive about removing Undead, and sponsors

great hunts to round them up and forcibly transport them to an asylum on the edge of

Lordran. Clerics and knights within the Way of White who become Undead are sent to

Lordran on a pilgrimage, where they are told to search the Catacombs and learn the Rite of

Kindling. At some point in the past, a terrible beast known as the Evil Eye attacked the

kingdom of Astora, causing great damage. It was defeated, and its spirit is rumored to be

trapped in a magic ring.

Catarina

Another kingdom outside Lordran that is known for its festivities and drinks, and also for the

peculiar onion-like armor of its knights. Their armor was designed to deflect blows and is

actually highly effective, and the knights take great pride in it, but the appearance is still

mocked by outsiders.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG The Great Swamp

A distant and inhospitable land outside Lordran, unwanted by all save for the people who live

there. Not a formal kingdom per se, it is populated by outcasts and exiles from other lands.

They share a common interest in the teachings of pyromancy, and appear to practice some

form of shamanism as well. As they are not a proper kingdom, they have no order of knights,

but pyromancy is an easy craft to use and is still very powerful. Travelers from the Great

Swamp are often equipped with wrapped clothing that protects them from the dangers of

their homeland, and versatile hand axes that serve as both tools and weapons. It is not

specified whether Undead are welcome there, but Undead from there are often ecstatic for

the chance to travel to Lordran and hopefully visit the ancient city of Izalith.

Vinheim

A land known for the Dragon School, a place of study for the system of sorcery formalized by

Seath the Scaleless. The School employs its own spies and assassins trained in sound-

manipulating magic, and through this maintain control of the city and its politics. The sorcerer

starting class available to the player originates from Vinheim.

Carim

This kingdom is most known for its shady aristocrats and knights, and its gods. If anything, it

is the polar opposite of Astora. Pardoners of Velka, the rogue goddess, are known to come

from here, and it is home to the infamous Arstor of Carim. It is a place known for distinctive

weaponry: Carim knights use lightweight parrying daggers in place of shields and their

Shotels cut a sinister profile, and its archers are trained in a unique crossbow specialized for

sniping. A very particular kind of magic ring originates from here, exceptional at resisting

status effects but rumored to be created through dreadful means. The Purging Stone items

are also from Carim, and the fact that they contain the remains of humans raises serious

questions about the nature of their production.

Humanity

Note that for this section, this is a headcanon of the author in order to make sense of the lore

presented. If you do not want or like it, skip it or change it.

Souls are the source of all life,

and whether Undead, or even Hollow,

one continues to seek them.

This black sprite is called humanity, but

little is known about its true nature.

If the soul is the source of all life,

then what distinguishes the humanity

we hold within ourselves?

Humanity is what prevents hollowing, what prevents the mania of perpetual domination of

the passions of the soul and the tyranny of the body: those without humanity are driven

crazy, back to what they were used of doing in life; sometimes roaming endlessly,

sometimes being ready for war with anyone that comes by.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

Losing humanity, becoming ‘inhuman’, means becoming a monster; both in moral term, by

committing atrocities, and by the psychic process of losing the Humanity acquired. Some

creatures crave Humanity, have developed a greedy need for it, such as the Darkwraiths;

and so rightfully, they are deemed monsters.

Humanity then is a physical manifestation of the growing, multiplying and spreading nature

of humanity with an unchecked inherent darkness linked to the Pygmy which emphasize the

consumptive nature of it.

But tempered by Light and Fire, humans can be seen in a new way: a new breath can infuse

them with a different role to play.

Souls are just fragments of life, the animating principle behind all that moves. Humanity, the

dark, is what distinguish humans. But humans are also affected with the danger of insanity,

with a strong connection to emotion such as the eight passions. Was it ever so ? Who can

tell. But one thing is for certain: Humanity as a Dark sprite attached and grafted to the soul of

a human is but a fake and pale imitation of their true nature, of their personal and deep

experiences, a nostalgia made form. It replaces the heart and soul and emulates what the

human holds dear, forever pushing them onward to an ending all too familiar.

Humans seems to be called to elevate themselves above what is their basic humanity, to

elevate themselves towards their Soul and Spirit. Maybe their natural state is that of a

humanity that cannot be lost ? Of a real humanity that is not grafted but inherent, giving them

reason and purpose ? Who can tell.

Referee’s Tools to Create Worlds and Areas

Introduction

This sections was heavily influenced by various DMGs across D&D edition and various other

websites on creating dungeons and areas. But mostly, it owes the majority to the “Dark

Souls Unofficial Role Playing Game” by Emanuele Galletto.

Creating Worlds

Because of the cyclical nature of Dark Souls, you could well choose to create your own

world where your campaign takes place, meaning that the whole of Lordran and Dark Souls

story is not within the same cycle, with no recognition between yours and the original world.

First, give a name to the cycle. It is suggested to pick something short that is already

ingrained in real-world mythology or legends. You could take it from Tolkien, Celtic

mythology, Roman mythology, Medieval arthurian mythology, Indian mythology, etc.

Secondly, decided the number of Lords in that cycle:

2d6 Number of Lords

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 2 1

3-4 2

5-6 3

7-9 4

10-11 5

12 6

Then, you should name those Lords. Keep in mind that this naming convention can also be

used to name important NPCs or Bosses.

d6 d6 Name d6 d6 Descriptor d6 d6 Themes

1 1 Name Unknown

1 1 Dark One 1 1 Purity

2 Lyra 2 Judge 2 Deception

3 Eilert 3 Knight 3 Hunger

4 Zita 4 Sage 4 Lust

5 Roland 5 Sorcerer / Sorceress 5 Obsession

6 Agnes 6 Abyssal 6 Fear

2 1 Name Unknown

2 1 Keeper 2 1 Knowledge

2 Vinsald 2 Silent 2 Betrayal

3 Thea 3 Watcher 3 Love

4 Emyr 4 Lost 4 Order

5 Alenna 5 Old One 5 Hatred

6 Gregor 6 Champion 6 Darkness

3 1 Name Unknown

3 1 King / Queen 3 1 Pride

2 Yrena 2 Oathbreaker 2 Madness

3 Asger 3 Tyrant 3 Decay

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 4 Elianor 4 Dragonslayer 4 Failure

5 Yannic 5 Child / Daughter of... 5 Pyromancy

6 Vineth 6 Giant 6 Tranquility

4 1 Name Unknown

4 1 Oathkeeper 4 1 Cruelty

2 Cradoc 2 Witch / Wizard 2 Vengeance

3 Elaine 3 Usurper 3 Duty

4 Grifald 4 Executioner 4 Rebirth

5 Yora 5 Ravenous 5 Leadership

6 Colewyn 6 Unseen 6 Sleep

5 1 Name Unknown

5 1 Butcher 5 1 Loyalty

2 Melea 2 Corrupted 2 Masochism

3 Iudoc 3 Giantslayer 3 Prejudice

4 Lucine 4 Father / Mother of… 4 Flame

5 Urial 5 Pale 5 Miracles

6 Maja 6 Demon 6 Hope

6 1 Name

Unknown

6 1 Dragon 6 1 Covetousness

2 Torbec 2 Twin 2 Sorcery

3 Breit 3 Forgotten 3 Isolation

4 Dorte 4 Lady / Lord 4 Despair

5 Ellena 5 Pygmy 5 Chaos

6 Malageth 6 Old Lady / Old Lord 6 Regret

Then, you can create kingdoms and meta-areas. You could possibly create a new kingdom

with a new Lord to adapt the canon for your needs, using the table above.

First define the size of the World / Kingdom:

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

d6 Size for World Size for Kingdom

1 Tiny City-State

2 Small Regional, small

3 Substantial Independant Region

4 Large Full Kingdom, large

5 Region Empire, important

6 World Spawning the Whole World

Then, establish the basic trait of the Kingdom or World. Those tables are taken (and very

lightly modified) from the excellent “Silent Legions”. They are meant to feed the imagination

with features that can then be constructed into an actual kingdom/world lore.

d20 Terrain An important element

Oddities Some of the flora has a special

feature

The fauna is recognized

because…

1 Airless Rock Caverns Birthplace of monsters Carnivorous Avian or feathered

2 Arid Badland Clouds Comes from strange sources

Colonial or hive-like Made of strange stuff

3 Blasted Waste Earth Found where it shouldn’t

be

Gelatinous/Tentacu

lar

Has human traits,

such as voice

4 Desert Earthquakes Ignites in unclean flames Geometric in structure

Dead but still moving

5 Endless Sea Fog Induces a great emotion Grows in alien

matter

Feeds largely on

carrion

6 Forest Geysers Induces madness Jewel-colored Ghostly or semi-tangible

7 Glassed-over Hills Is a home for dark things Largely parasitic Insatiably voracious

8 Icy waste Lakes Is a road to evil places Like prehistoric cycads

Inscribed with glyphs

9 Island Archipelago Lightning Is a slow poison Mobile Insecte or arthropodic

10 Jungle Rain Is a strange color Nauseating in hue Intelligent as humans

11 Landless Sky Rivers Is acidic or noxious Sentient to a degree

Made of light or fog

12 Moorland Seas Ancient ruin remnant Produces strange drugs

Metallic or artificial

13 Mountains Seasons Sentient places Produces strange music

Warped and tormented by the

Abyss

14 Plains Shores Issues terrible commands Resembles animals Parasitic on each

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG other

15 River Sky Made of something strange Spongy and moss-like

Piscine or crablike

16 Savannah Stars Murderously dangerous Strangely fragrant Plotting against humans

17 Swamp Storms Punishes those who offend Symbiotic with animals

Reptilian or serpentine

18 Tundra Thunder Scours or wounds Vine-like and creeping

Ressemble humans

19 Underwater Tides Serves dark powers Violently invasive Warped in its shape

20 Volcanic Wind Whispers something Corrupted by the Abyss

Warm or hive entities

Each kingdom, in order to be more simply fleshed out when generated, needs to have an

overall tone, i.e. “stereotype”. If you don’t have a premade idea, it is suggested to use a real-

life example:

d12 Inspiration What kind of population is still

living / not being hollowed

Ruling Authorities (you can roll a

second time to determine what is historical for them and what is

present now)

1 Ancient Greco-Roman One household or NPCs only Anarchy

2 Ancient Cambodia/Southeast Asia (i.e. Lost Izalith)

One household or NPCs only Caste Leader

3 Historical China One clan Clan Elders

4 Historical India One clan Democracy

5 Historical Japan One town Feudal Lordship

6 Middle East One town Godly Monarchy / Lordship

7 Medieval Africa Many towns Monarchy

8 Medieval Continental Europe (i.e. Astora)

Many towns Dual Kingship

9 Medieval Constantinople (i.e. Anor Londo)

Many cities Magocracy

10 Pre-Columbian New-World Many cities Oligarchy

11 Pre-modern tribal An actual kingdom Tyranny

12 Roll twice and stitch together An actual kingdom Theocracy

d20 Values d12 Desires d8 Attitudes towards outsiders

1 Domination 1 Creation 1 Oblivious

2 Envy 2 Expansion 2 Frightened

3 Fanaticism 3 Knowledge 3 Hateful

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 4 Greed 4 Peace 4 Exploitative

5 Hatred 5 Reform 5 Indifferent

6 Hedonism 6 Rescue 6 Hospitable

7 Ignorance 7 Restoration 7 Welcoming

8 Obedience 8 Stasis 8 Reverent

9 Treachery 9 Unity

10 Violence 10 War

11 Beauty 11 Wealth

12 Compassion 12 Worship

13 Courage

14 Excellence

15 Honesty

16 Honor

17 Justice

18 Knowledge

19 Loyalty

20 Selflessness

It is also important to locate your Kingdom or World within the many cycles, and the

adventure itself within that Kingdom or World. There are multiple eras, ages and stratas of

history. For example, in Dark Souls, the player is acting almost a thousand year after Gwyn

re-kindled the First Flame, and a hundred years after the fall of Oolacile. This also means

that there is 900 years of events between those two where heroes such as Astorias lived

and acted upon the world.

Therefore it is advised to divide your world into four eras (out of simplicity), and write vaguely

what happened in each of them:

● What did the Lords do in each of them ?

● Who died ? Who was born ?

● Was there a new type of creature ?

● Any catastrophic event ?

● What kingdom rised or felled ?

Creating Covenants

You can also create Covenant or different religions for your Kingdom or World.

To create a Covenant, determine a name which will help right away give a “flavor” to the

Covenant:

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

d6 d6 Name d6 d6 Adjective/Title

1 1 Sisterhood 1 1 of Sunlight

2 Blades 2 of Chaos

3 Wardens 3 of White

4 Children 4 of the Pit

5 Brotherhood 5 of Chains

6 Guardians 6 of Sin

2 1 Daugthers 2 1 of Blue

2 Sentinels 2 of Shackles

3 Way 3 of the Old Gods

4 Faithfuls 4 of Flame

5 Spears 5 of the Forest

6 Watchdogs 6 of Dark

3 1 Servnats 3 1 of the Grave

2 Hunters 2 the Witch

3 Keepers 3 of Blood

4 Pilgrims 4 of the Dragon(s)

5 Champions 5 of the Cairns

6 Heirs 6 of the Depths

4 1 Lost Ones 4 1 of the Painted World

2 Reapers 2 of the Asylum

3 Whisperers 3 of the Archives

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 4 Claws 4 of the Abyss

5 Singers 5 of the Giants

6 Cloaks 6 of Iron

5 1 Avengers 5 1 of the Sunken Ruin

2 Masks 2 of the Great Tower

3 Seers 3 of Steel

4 Widows 4 of Want

5 Hounds 5 of the Harvest

6 Eyes 6 of the Wall

6 1 Butchers 6 1 of the East

2 Legionnaires 2 of the Forgotten

3 Cenobites 3 of the Dream

4 Hands 4 of the Lords

5 Weavers 5 of Ash

6 Slayers 6 of Silence

Then, answer those questions:

● When were they founded ? Which ages ? Before or after “history” ?

● Who founded it ? What is the motivation of the founding ? What is the hidden agenda

of the founding ? Was there someone behind the foundator ?

● What is their most important past event ?

● Who or what troubled them the most ?

● Who were the early recruits ?

● Are they secretive ? If so, how did they conceal their Covenant ?

● What are the recruitment requisite ?

● What are the sins of the Covenant ?

● Where do they meet ? Do they have a type of area they prefer to rest or do their job ?

● Do they have a distinctive sign ? Does their phantoms appear different ?

● Do they seek to destroy, hinder or help other hosts and phantoms ?

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Creating Areas/Dungeons

Generating the Pointcrawl Map

When creating a map and the dungeon therein, it is important to already have chosen a

world, kingdom, covenants and general ideas of the gaming map (that is, the pointcrawl).

In order to generate the interconnectedness of the areas, the method used by Logan Knight

for his In Corpathium (https://www.lastgaspgrimoire.com/in-corpathium/) is excellent. Here is

a modified and functional version for Dark Souls.

First, pick up a number of dice (of different set of value) according to the number of areas

you want to have. For example, in Dark Souls, there is 28 areas, including small ones such

as Firelink Shrine, Kiln of the First Flame or Garden Sanctuary. In terms of important ones,

there is arguably 20 areas or meta-areas. This is a lot of material: you do not need that

many. You can always add more later, especially if you include magically sealed door and

such other narrative devices for later use.

When you have chosen the number of dice (8-12 is suggested, with equal proportion of

every type of dice), roll them all at once in a reasonably close fashion.

Then, you will take note of them on a piece of paper by taking good consideration of the

following points:

● The most “middle” dice is your first sanctuary

● Consider every dice as having a triangle-shape, such as this image:

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG

● Imagine a line going out from every triangle point. This is a path. If a path meets with

another dice, this is a direct link to the other area. If it hits another line, then those

paths meet in a junction area (this is not shone in the picture).

● When you have decided on the points and lines, that is, areas and paths, you can

decide what each of them represents.

● Every line going out of a triangle into nothing is, for now, a blocked path or a

magically sealed door. You can use those later in the game to create new areas if

you wish. If you don’t think you will use those because your campaign is all set and

will be more narrative, then you can ignore them.

● Every path should be different then the other. For this, roll 1d6 to determine the type

and the accessibility:

d6 Type Accessibility

1 Under the area (such as a sewer

Blocked until boss is dead

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG path)

2 Bridge or suspended pathway

Sealed by a key from another area (roll at random to determine which; make sure it doesn’t create situation where it’s impossible to get that key because the area is blocked off from somewhere else)

3 Through something that wasn’t meant to be a way (such as an aqueduct)

Need to be opened (or activated for elevators) from the other side

4 Elevator One way trip

5 Long ladder or stairway

Guarded by a mini-boss

6 Normal through walking and opening a door/huge gate

Normal accessibility, two-way

● Paths are one of the most important thing in this game because of the possibility of

opening new pathways and such. For this reason, always try to add paths outside of

the generation method showed above if you think you don’t have enough.

The number on each dice represents the elevation according to this table:

Dice Result Elevation

1 Abyssmal (ex: Lost Izalith)

2 Deep (ex: Blight Town or Tomb of the Giants): You cannot access outside through this

3 - 4 Underground (ex: Sewer system, like The Depths, or Catacombs): You can access outside through this

5 - 11 Ground Level (ex: Undead Parish)

12 - 13 Above Ground Level (ex: Sen’s Fortress)

14+ Very High Above Ground Level (ex: Anor Londo peak)

Generating the Areas

Then, you can determine for each area the Name, Descriptor and Theme. You can alternate

between the two next tables to keep your ideas fresh.

d6 d6 Name d6 d6 Descriptor d6 d6 Theme

1 1 Cove 1 1 Ashen 1 1 Poison

2 Lake 2 Silent 2 Water

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 3 Halls 3 Secluded 3 Decay

4 Shore 4 Overgrown 4 Glory

5 Mansion 5 Crumbling 5 Fire

6 Prison 6 of Bones 6 Military

2 1 Necropolis 2 1 Painted 2 1 Devotion

2 Path 2 Sunken 2 Torture

3 Graveyard 3 of Chains 3 Knowledge

4 Keep 4 Far 4 Corpses

5 Palace 5 Holy 5 Eternity

6 Woods 6 Frozen 6 Fear

3 1 Swamp 3 1 Smouldering 3 1 Tranquility

2 Fortress 2 Forgotten 2 Illusions

3 Sanctuary 3 of Tears 3 Darkness

4 Crypt 4 Fading 4 Sorcery

5 Burg 5 Untended 5 Mourning

6 Hive 6 Iron 6 Pleasure

4 1 Basin 4 1 Festering 4 1 Corruption

2 Bridge 2 of Storms 2 Betrayal

3 Forest 3 Abyssal 3 Revelation

4 Village 4 of Summer 4 Height

5 Temple 5 Deep 5 Pyromancy

6 Aqueduct 6 Howling 6 Torment

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 5 1 Crossroads 5 1 of Salt 5 1 Fog

2 Tower 2 Tainted 2 Loyalty

3 Cathedral 3 of MIsts 3 Hunt

4 Valley 4 Crystal 4 Bigotry

5 Throne 5 Royal 5 Mud

6 Shrine 6 of Winter 6 Ambition

6 1 Peak 6 1 Hidden 6 1 Blood

2 Catacombs 2 Ancient 2 Science

3 Waterway 3 Profaned 3 Sand

4 Archive 4 Undead 4 Moonlight

5 Belfry 5 of Want 5 Miracles

6 Garden 6 Archdragon’s 6 Time

d6 d6 Name d6 d6 Descriptor d6 d6 Theme

1 1 River 1 1 Whispering 1 1 Madness

2 City 2 of Sacrifice 2 Creation

3 Castle 3 Demon’s 3 Seclusion

4 Ruins 4 Great 4 Hatred

5 Asylum 5 Lost 5 Gluttony

6 Maze 6 Broken 6 Riddles

2 1 Tomb 2 1 Ephemeral 2 1 Necromancy

2 Copse 2 Nameless 2 Anger

3 Pit 3 of Idols 3 Golems

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 4 Road 4 Upper 4 Imprisonment

5 Tunnels 5 of Heroes 5 Fungi

6 Altar 6 Giant’s 6 Rituals

3 1 Cave 3 1 Shaded 3 1 Chants

2 Retreat 2 Blessed 2 Frost

3 Fork Road 3 of Cages 3 Hopelessness

4 Lair 4 Witch’s 4 Chasms

5 Passage 5 of Sands 5 Dreams

6 Mine 6 Unseen 6 Spores

4 1 High Wall 4 1 Dying 4 1 Thorns and Vines

2 Chambers 2 of Dusk 2 Ash

3 Gate 3 Hangman’s 3 Memories

4 Cellar 4 of Embers 4 Lightning

5 Gulch 5 Warlord’s 5 Executions

6 Hearth 6 of Autumn 6 Sunlight

5 1 Warrens 5 1 Poisoned 5 1 Insects

2 Outer Wall 2 of NIght 2 Traps

3 Dungeon 3 Lower 3 Religion

4 Church 4 Everlasting 4 Flesh

5 Threshold 5 Blackened 5 Rebirth

6 Grotto 6 of DUst 6 Webs

6 1 Sewers 6 1 Withered 6 1 Moving Passageways

2 Lighthouse 2 of Drakes 2 Curses

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 3 Garrison 3 Pale 3 Oblivion

4 Cliffs 4 of SPring 4 Mirrors

5 Pyramid 5 Consumed 5 Eggs

6 Fields 6 Fungal 6 Humanity

For each of your areas, you should try to fill in:

● Enemies

○ 1d4 types of monsters

○ What monsters for each types

○ Any minibosses ?

○ Any bosses ?

● Friends

○ NPCs

○ Phantom trigger

○ Blacksmith

○ Fire Keeper

● Schemes

○ What’s the narrative behind this zone ?

○ What is happening right now ?

○ Why are the player going there ? What can be accomplished by them ?

● Secrets

○ Is there hidden paths ?

○ Is there hidden content ?

○ Is there hidden boss ?

○ Is there important lore ?

● Places

○ What do you want to put in there in terms of important rooms or locations ?

○ Here is a suggestion of different places that could be included in an area

(taken from Hill Cantons blog):

■ Necropolis

■ Cemetery

■ Crematorium

■ Death House

■ Ossuary

■ Aqueduct

■ Bath Houses

■ Gladiatorial Arena

■ Obsservatory

■ Scriptorium

■ Oracular Well/Cave/Grove

■ Triumphant Arch/Monument/Tower

■ Temple

■ Path filled with gigantic statues

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ■ Giant Ceremonial Bell/Gong

■ Oubliette

■ Tar Pits

■ Strangling Bog

■ Megalith

■ Random room with a floating object

■ Ziggurat

Generating the Dungeons

When you have determined what your world is, what the kingdom is like, what are the areas,

what are the connections and paths between them and what is in each of them, now it’s time

to consider each of them as a dungeon. From here, then, you create one dungeon for each

area. Some of those “dungeons” will be “outside” dungeons, which might seem strange. But

consider the following:

● Dark Souls is already doing this on a massive scale. You are only replicating this on

a TTRPG

● A dungeon is confined area where individuals can shine through heroics. You can

have confined area and individual freedom in a city, in a cavern, in a forest, etc. As

long as it’s created with this in mind, there shouldn’t be any problem.

● It is a method for you to organize the space and the time of exploration. You could

write down a very tight dungeon layout with squares on a graph paper, but explain it

in an abstract way such that players would think they are walking down a forest as if

it’s was 100% open.

Overall Design

At that point, you should decide how many levels in your dungeon you want, and when and

how they connect between each other.

Then, you should also design the rooms layout. It is highly suggested for this to use different

(and sometimes complementary) tools for level design:

● Dark Souls is very much anchored in real life architecture. Therefore, creating

dungeons out of real life dungeons, castles, mega-structure and such is a good

starting point.

● You can use a random generator of dungeon such as this one:

https://donjon.bin.sh/adnd/dungeon/. This will help you create a basic dungeon, and

then you can modify it to your taste and populate it.

● You could also use a method like the one used for the area distribution above, and

only change the areas with rooms accordingly.

This is where “Jacquaying the dungeon” will come in handy. Here are some principles and

tips for it:

● Multiple entrances.

● Loops (having branches that gets back together to avoid dead-ends).

● Multiple level connections.

● Discontinuous level connection (level one going to level three, then two, then five,

back to three, etc.).

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Secret/unusual path (ex: caved-in tunnel, teleportation that must be decoded,

submerged bypass, etc.).

● Sub-level (depart from main dungeon).

● Divided levels (where you can go down to a particular level at two different places,

but they don't connect, effectively creating two different "level").

● Nested Dungeons (two separate dungeons that gets back together further down).

● Minor elevation shifts.

● Midpoint entry (ex: in a tower, players can decide to get in at different level, not

necessarily level one).

Some "design philosophy" points:

● Size (doesn't need to be big).

● Beware the sprawl (no need for infinite branching).

● Structure in the dungeon (some areas are easy, others difficult; some are easy to

access, others not; some will transfer far to near and near to far, etc.).

● Having landmarks.

You can use various Level Design Tools to achieve all of the above:

● Stairs.

● Slopes.

● Chutes.

● Ladders.

● Trapdoors.

● Windows.

● Teleports.

● Traps.

● Multi-level chambers.

● Basket and pulley.

● Ethereal travel.

● Rivers.

● Underwater.

● Collapsed passage.

● Transport.

● Being swallowed.

● Brute force.

● Combo platter (ex: ladder that brings underwater, elevator that gets out, etc.).

● One connector, multiple level.

● Invisible transitions.

● False stairs.

● Misleading stairs.

● One-way paths.

● Remote activation.

● Banana Shape level (foreshadowing; for this, play E1M1 of Doom 1 to get a feeling).

● Overlooked secrets (ex: when you take a path that leads back from behind a statue,

hinting that other such statue in the dungeon might be actual hidden paths).

● Raised bridge.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● Lava and acid.

● Illusory walls.

Optional: 5 Room Dungeon

To help with the "design philosophy points", you can use a variation of the 5 Room

Dungeons. The idea behind the 5 Room Dungeon is mostly useful for small thematic

dungeons, as they are very linear in their overall concept. That being said, it's possible to

integrate some of its aspect into any big dungeon.

Some of those “Rooms” are not very complicated, but as you "check in the box", it makes

you think of your level design and it makes sense for players to go through it. Can they go

around some of the points or do them in disorder ? Sure, and it doesn't matter. At that point,

agency is in their hand and you just go with the flow.

Here is a suggested checklist. Roll 1d6 for each of the five "rooms":

Room 1 2 3 4 5 6

Entrance

with

Guardian Trap

Multiple

entrance but

most leads to

dead-end

Entrance needs a

key/password

Neutral

Guardian

Aggressive

Guardian

(ambush)

Entry without visible

exit (ex: hole)

Puzzle or

Roleplayin

g

Challenge

Intricate

trap Puzzle

Challenge with

multiple solutions

Coded Door

(ex: pacifist

chest)

Permanent NPC

(ex: Ghost,

Golem, etc.)

Impermanent NPC

(ex: adventurer,

enemy)

Trick or

Setback

Challenge

(start from

beginning)

Teleport, trap,

map change,

illusion etc. that

cuts the party

They find a

door/chest, but the

key is not here

Challenge that

tricks them

Rescue NPC

that may be

dangerous/boob

y-trapped, etc.

Shortest way seems

blocked, needs to do a

long detour or find a

way to go through

Big Climax

Environmen

tal boss Multiple bosses

Only the boss has

information about

something important

(exit, lower level, etc.)

Item boss (he

uses something

to gain

advantage)

Boss has

something he

threathen to

destroy

Cues to destroy the

boss all over the

dungeon

Reward

and

Revelation

Hints at a

bigger

boss/donjon

/item

elsewhere

Le boss

ressucite en

partie ou en

totalité Memorable Lore drop

Bonus treasure

that leads

elsewhere

(teleport,

tunnel, etc.)

Misunderstandin

g (PCs and

monsters could

have been allies)

Neutral guardian that

protects a treasure

Room Function

Now you know the story of your dungeon, you have your level laid out and you know what

kind of monsters will be in. You can start putting stuff in the rooms. If you picked a random

dungeon, or already have a vague idea of the bigger story of the dungeons, you can skip

right to here everytime and just go with the flow.

This is a modified Gygaxian room filling roll using a d20:

Event d20

1 Nothing

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 2 Nothing

3 Nothing

4 Nothing

5 Nothing

6 Nothing

7 Nothing

8 Nothing

9 Keyed Door

10 Trapped Treasure

11 False Treasure

12 Guarded Treasure (roll monster)

13 Unguarded Treasure

14 Unguarded Treasure

15 Trapped Door

16 Trigger Trap

17 Tricks

18 Monster (omen)

19 Monster (omen 1st)

20 Monster

Room Description

What comes next is just bunch of tables that will help you flesh out the rooms.

Corridors

d8 Corridor

1 Dead End

2 Small Space

3 Hole bottom

4 Barricade

5 Contains...

6 Contains...

7 Danger

8 Magical

Room type (d8) + the subtype (d6)

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Room Type

1 Public Assembly

2 Containment and Imprisonment

3 Pleasure/Relaxation

4 General Function

5 War and Conflict

6 Deities and Worship

7 Learning and Knowledge

8 Special Utility

d6

Public

Assembly

d

6

Containme

nt

d

6

Pleasure/

Relaxation

d

6

General

Function

d

6

War and

Conflict

d

6

Deities and

worship d6 Learning

d

6

Specia

l

1 Throne room 1

Bestiary/ker

nel 1 Arena 1

Bathroo

m 1 Armory 1 Chapel 1 Classroom 1 Kitchen

2 Antechamber 2 Cage 2 Banquet 2 Bedroom 2 Barrack 2 Crypt 2

Divination

chamber 2 Forge

3 Amphitheather 3 Cell 3 Gallery 3

Dormitor

y 3

Guardroo

m 3

Embalming

Chamber 3 Laboratory 3 Office

4 Audience hall 4 Oubliette 4 Maze 4

Receptio

n 4

Gymnasi

um 4

Meditation

chamber 4 Library 4 Garage

5 Courtroom 5 Prison 5 Museum 5 Foyer 5

Interrogat

ion 5 Shrine 5 Observatory 5

Works

hop

6 Great Hall 6 Stockade 6 Pool 6 Salon 6 Training 6 Temple 6 Study 6

Service

room

Description : d6 + d12 + d10 + d20 + d8

d

6 Size

d1

2 Shape

d

8 Smell and air

d

1

0 Danger

d

2

0 Contains

d

8 Magical

1

Small (15

x 15) 1

Collapsed,

not all

accessible 1

Clear and

earthy 1

Yellow

Mold/slime 1 altar, statue, etc. 1

magical automation (unseen

servant, etc.)

2

Medium

(30 x 30) 2 Circle 2

Foggy and

salty 2 Fire/cold 2

arch, pillars, etc.

(can hide view) 2

protection (protective shield

on a door, corridor, chest,

etc.)

3 Medium

3 -

6 Rectangle 3 Smoky 3

Activated

repeating trap 3

oil, inflammable,

etc. 3

physical effect (fire door,

items floating, no gravity)

4 Medium

7 -

10 Square 4

Hazy and

dank, moldy 4 Huge gap/hole 4

ropes, ladder,

etc. 4

visual effect (no shadows,

etc.)

5

Large (60

x 60) 11

Pentagon/he

xagon 5

Stale,

obscured 5 Cave-in 5

fireplace, forge,

etc. 5

visual illusion (illusory

door/angles, etc.)

6

Hall (90 x

90) 12 T 6 Dusty and dry 6 Trick 6

decoration

(fresco, mosaic,

etc.) 6

auditory illusion (sounds,

music, etc.)

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG 7

Chlorine and

difficult to

breath 7 Bridge 7

food, waste,

latrine, etc. 7

magical utility (magical lights,

etc.)

8

Putrid and

damp 8 Vermin/fungi 8

plants/fungi,

animals, etc. 8

antimagic field (general, or

specific like anti-divination,

etc.)

9

Toxicity that

needs to be

purified 9

instruments,

tools, etc.

1

0 Flooding

1

0 bath, pool, etc.

1

1

water (fountain,

etc.)

1

2 holes in wall/floor

1

3

stuck/inaccessibl

e door/trap

1

4 barricade

1

5 used trap

1

6

scratch on walls

etc.

1

7

furniture with

equipments on/in

1

8 writings

1

9

strange

substance

2

0 magical

Challenges

Challenges are anything that can stop PCs in their tracks, but provide for a fun problem-

solving portion. It can be anything, and it doesn't have to be very big. Here is a list of

examples:

● Invisible bridge

● Appearing bridge

● Object high out of reach (can only see a reflection, in a narrow hole, etc.)

● Bottomless hole

● Treasure inside a monster

● A treasure that stops a trap from springing

● Doppleganger

● Demon trapped in a circle of protection with a magical object

● Mislabeled potions

● Vines for swinging above a pit that are monsters limb (a classic would be ropers)

● Illusionary/fake treasure that is a creature (or straight-up mimic)

● Maze with invisible walls

● Tesseract rooms

● An altar that diminish 1/6 any object or creature that goes on it

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ● A trap that targets your companions

● Illusionary fire wall

● etc.

Creating Bosses and Mini-Bosses

Every bosses needs a statblock which possess:

● Name

● Theme/Background

● Entrance

● HD

● Size

● Type

● Special Defense

● Special Attacks (5 are needed, 6th is rest). Each of those attacks need:

○ Telegraphic Move

○ Effect

● Basic Attack

● Reward

Every turn, the boss will do one basic attack and generate one Special Attacks with a d6,

where 6 is rest. Those attack will generate a telegraphic move for the players at the

beginning of the turn and will produce an effect at the end of the turn.

For the Background and Theme, use the naming generator above, and answer those

questions to locate the boss within your world:

● Where are they from ?

● What is the thing they desire ?

● What’s wrong about them ?

● Who sent them ?

● What uncanny mark do they bear, what curses do they have ?

Here is an example of a boss statblock taken from the Gaping Dragon of Dark Souls.

● Name: Gaping Dragon

● Theme/Background: An ancient dragon that was transformed and twisted by its

passion for gluttony. He became a huge gaping mouth on a dragon frame. He feeds

on those banished and ropped into the depths.

● Entrance: Crawls up from the depth of the sewers.

● HD: 12

● Size: Gargantuan. He is very long and possess wings which are not effective.

● Type: Dragon

● Special Defense: None

● Special Attacks:

○ 1 - Engorge. He will rear back his head, open his mouth very big. The attack

will slam the ground in front of him. It will inflict 2 HD and 2/6 change of being

grabbed by the mouth.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG ○ 2 - Dash Attack. He will raise his head and torso into the air, start pounding

the ground. He will dash and charge in front of it knocking everyone back and

inflicting 1d4 HD and prone.

○ 3 - Float Attack. He will bounce up and use his wings to levitate to readjust

himself. He will dive in the direction he is pointing, inflicting 1d3 HD of

damage.

○ 4 - Tail Swipe. If someone attack his tail, he will make a huge noise and roar

and raise his tail. He will swipe everyone beneath and behind him for 1 HD

damage and knocking prone.

○ 5 - Acid Throw Up. He will squat down and curl it’s upper body’s teeth inward

in a slight writhing motion. He will push acid all around and beneath him,

inflicting 1 HD of damage, poison and ⅙ chance of breaking non-magical

equipment.

○ 6 - Rest. He will do some steps backward and launch a ferocious roar

towards his opponents to dissuade them from approaching. Most likely if they

stay away, he will use his Dash Attack next turn.

● Basic Attack: Kick. The dragon will try to use his leg to kick and claw a target. Inflict

1d2 HD.

● Reward: Because of his gluttony, he swallowed the key to Blighttown. He will reward

it. Also, his tail can be cut to be forged into a weapon (Dragon King Greataxe). He

will also give a Gaping Dragon Soul (25 000) and a Twin Humanity to everyone

present.

Lists of Monsters

The two lists uses a simple method of displaying information that can be tweaked by any

Referee. It lacks flavor, which is to be according to your own setting and areas.

Also, if a monster is on the “normal monsters” list, it’s because he is generally fought using

the Man-to-Man Combat. If not, he should be fought as a mini-boss using the other system.

You can also use some monsters as special non-repeatable encounter (i.e. like mini/bosses)

in low-HD areas, and as common encounters in high-HD areas. It is then suggested that

some monsters always be fought as mini/bosses because of their size and inherent danger,

such as Taurus Demons. That way they always represent a threat, even if a well organized

high-level group can dispatch them easily.

Monsters having Saving Throws of a Warrior of same HD.

Size is:

● S for small

● M for medium (humanoid)

● L for large

● G for giant-sized

● Gargantuan for out of class

Normal Monsters

Monster Size HD Type Armor type Attack type Special Special Description/Oth

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Attack Defense er

Hollows M 1 Hollow Unarmored Dagger Maniac, hollowed. Can carry torches for fire damage

(⅙).

Hollow

Warrior

M 2 Hollow Medium Sword, spear

or double-handed axe

Maniac, hollowed.

Undead

Assassin

M 2 Hollow Light Dagger and

buckler

Can throw

knife

Ambush,

hollowed.

Balder Knight

M 3 Hollow Heavy Sword and buckler

Can parry at +1

Focused fighter, hollowed.

Undead

Archer

M 1 Hollow Light Bow or

crossbow

Maniac, hollowed.

Engorged Hollow

M 2 Hollow Unarmored Torches Explode in poison mist

Immune to poison

Maniac, hollowed.

Undead

Dog

S 1 Hollow Unarmored Claw Maniac, hollowed.

Flaming Undead Dog

S 1 Hollow Unarmored Claw Can throw fire in front of them

Maniac, hollowed.

Infested Ghoul

M 3 Hollow Unarmored Dagger or spear

Can grab and eat alive

Maniac, hollowed.

Blowdart Sniper

M 2 Hollow Unarmored Blowdart (count as

sling)

Hit will poison

Maniac, hollowed.

Darkwraith Knight

M 6 Hollow Heavy Sword and magical

shield

Can steal humanity

with a powerful attack

Magical shield count

as standard +1, can be upped/downe

d instantly. Bonus to Death Saves

Calculated and focused fighter,

hollowed. Work with the environment.

Necromanc

er

M 3 Hollow Light Fire

projectile

Can raise the

dead around them

Will try to flee to

survive

elsewhere. ⅙ to drop a Skull Lantern

Skeleton M 2 Skeleton Light Sword and shield

Can be raised by Necromancer. Affected by

Divine.

Giant Skeleton

L 4 Skeleton Medium Two-handed sword

+1 to attack roll because of size

Affected by Divine.

Giant Skeleton Archer

L 4 Skeleton Medium Bow +1 to attack roll because of size

Affected by Divine.

Skeleton

Beast

L 4 Skeleton Medium Claw +1 to attack

roll because of size. Very fast.

Affected by

Divine.

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Skeleton

Wheel

M 2 Skeleton Light Wheel

(count-as spear)

Very fast

charge. Bonus on charge of +2

dice.

Affected by

Divine.

Bone Tower L 2 Skeleton Light Claw Can burrow and get up

the ground

Affected by Divine.

Infested Barbarian

L 5 Giant Unarmored Two-handed club (count as two-

handed axe) or a throwable/roll

able big rock

Saving throw or get poisoned

when hit

Crystal Golem

L 4 Giant Light* (made of

Crystal)

Blunt Can throw crystal from

the ground or create a huge mace-

like crystal for reach and hitting

multiple opponents

Sentinel G 5 Giant Heavy Giant Halberd and

greatshield

Shield AC in front is +1

Royal Sentinel

G 6 Giant Heavy Giant Halberd and greatshield

Can cast Healing and Force

Shield AC in front is +1

Basilisk M 3 Wildlife Unarmored Claw Curse spray in an arc in front

Ents L 2 Wildlife Unarmored Claw Can extend

its claw to one higher reach

Frog-Ray M 2 Wildlife Unarmored Bite

Small Mushroom People

S 1 Wildlife Unarmored Punch After every attack, it falls to the ground

for one turn

Large Mushroom

People

G 5 Wildlife Unarmored Big punch Roll an extra dice with its

punch

Man-Eater Shell

L 4 Wildlife Unarmored when it’s attacking,

Heavy when not attacking

Bite Can close itself to gain better

defense. Need to be opened at the

beginning of a turn to attack during

that turn.

Rats M 1 Wildlife Unarmored Bite Poison bite

Giant Leech M 2 Wildlife Unarmored Bite Poison bite

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG Giant

Mosquito

S 1 Wildlife Unarmored Bite Poison spray

Cragspider L 2 Wildlife Unarmored Claw Firebreathing

Man Serpent

M 4 Wildlife Medium Sword and shield

Can also do a poison bite

Serpent Mage

M 3 Wildlife Light Two swords Can throw Lightning Spear (3)

Slime M 2 Wildlife Unarmored,

but considered Heavy

against non-elemental weapons

Nil Will try to

englobe the target and drain its life

away 1 HD per turn for 1d4 turn

unless it is killed or removed.

Stone Demon

M 3 Demon Medium Nil Firebreathing

Bat Wing Demon

L 4 Demon Unarmored Pike (lightning)

Can jump and fly a bit.

Can also throw a lightning with

its Pike (same damage and

profile, but ranged).

Crow Demon

M 3 Demon Unarmored Claw and bite

Can jump/fly a bit and

grab, inflicting an additional HD

of damage if successful.

Ghost M 3 Undead Unarmored Sword Is ghostly.

Cannot be hurt by non-cursed

character.

Banshee M 4 Undead Unarmored Nil Is ghostly. Cannot be hurt by non-

cursed character.

Phalanx M 3 Undead Medium Spear and

shield

It’s shield

give +3 instead of +2 if beside

another Phalanx.

Chaos Eater

L 5 Demon Unarmored Claw Can spray poison and

acid, destroying equipment

(⅙ for magical, 3/6

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG for non-

magical)

Egg Carrier M 1 Undead Unarmored Claw Can give a egg illness

Pisaca L 3 Wildlife Unarmored Hacking

Silver Knight

M 6 Godlings Heavy Sword (or spear) and shield

Half damage from lightning, +1

saving throw.

Black Knight

M 8 Godlings Heavy Halberd, Greatsword or Greataxe

and Shield

Immune to fire damage, +1 saving

throw.

Advised to consider as mini-boss combat for

beginning of game.

Mimic L 5 Demon Unarmored Claw, bite,

hacking

Can eat

people that open it. Can try to eat

afterwards during a bite

attack (⅙).

Can become

a chest that’s not distinguished

from a normal chest.

Treant Gardener

L 3 Wildlife Unarmored Huge scissors

(greataxe)

Butcher L 4 Undead Light Great cleaver (two

handed sword)

Berenike Knight

L 5 Hollow Heavy Mace and Towershield

Mini-bosses and other such creatures

Monster Size HD Type Base Attack

Special Attack Special Defense Description/Other

Giant Rat G 5 Wildlife 1d4 HD,

Poison

Sweep (knock prone) Nil Very fast for its size.

Giant G 5 Giant 2 HD, blunt Furious Charge (will pump up and charge

to inflict massive damage and knocks prone; dodge-roll

have +1 against this; deals 2d3 HD)

Nil Nil

Burrowing Rockworm

G 6 Demon 2 HD, blunt Can grab and inflicts 5HD of damage if

standing in front. Can throw a poison spray at about 40 feet (1HD

of damage + poison).

Can enter back into the earth and

burrow itself. Will only come out at specific places.

Will always try to burrow if PCs try to kill him with ranged

attack.

Tries to ambush players.

Moonlight Butterfly

G 5 Wildlife (magical)

1 HD, ranged, magical

Will charge up and send the Magic Missile spell divided

among the PCs.

Can fly off a little bit above the ground. Needs to

come back to earth

Dark Souls OSR Unofficial RPG every 1d4 round.

Taurus Demon

G 7 Demon 2 HD, blunt Jump smash. Can move one or two range and deal

double damage.

Nil

Capra Demon

L 5 Demon 1 HD, slashing

Can roll as a Warrior of its level and do chaining attack.

Nil

Mass of Souls

L 4 Demon 1HD, huge spike

Poison spray, 2HD (massively slows the movement)

Nil Every 1d4 turn, it generates a Wraith Skull.

Bounding Demon of Izalith

Gargantuan

8 Demon Bite, 1d3HD

Stampede. Everyone around, in the back or underneath will suffer

1d4HD damage.

Immune to fire. Can walk on lava.

Great Feline

G 5 Wildlife Claw, 2HD Can roll up in a ball and charge super

fast. Deals 1d4 HD and knocks prone.

Good at dodge-roll (+1).

Great Stone

Knight

L 5 Giant Greataxe (stone),

2HD

Can cast a spell that binds people in place

(takes more time to move, cannot dodge-roll or counter-attack)

Considered Heavy+1

The Channeler

L 5 Hollow Spikestaff, 2HD

Can cast Soul Spear spell

Can teleport within range once.

Drake G 7 Dragon Claw, 2HD Lightning breath (2d3 HD)

Can fly for one turn (can still attack

with claw as a pass-by, or lightning breath)

Titanite

Demons

G 8 Demon Pole,

1d3HD

Can throw lightning

spear

Can jump very

high to move around (can do it to charge)

Fang Boar L 5 Wildlife Tusks, 1d3 HD

Can do a violent charge that is unstoppable dealing

3HD and knocking prone everyone until the charge is done

Creatures hitting them from the front or side have -2 to

their attack roll because of an armor.

Hydra Gar

gantuan

8 Wildlife Biting

charge, 1HD per head (very

random targeting)

Water projectile,

ranged, 1 HD per projectile. Random targeting.

Has 8 head. Lose 1

head per HD.

Undead

Dragon

G 8 Dragon Claw,

poison, 2HD

Poison breath,

1d4HD

Cannot fly but can

move fast and still charge.