The Process

Roll 3d6 for each ability score, in order: STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA. If no score is 14 or higher, reroll all six until at least one qualifies.

Then choose an ancestry, pick a class, roll a talent on your class table, and calculate your starting hit points.

Hit Points at Level 1

Start with the maximum of your class’s hit die + your CON modifier (minimum 1 total). For example, a Fighter (d8) with +1 CON starts with 9 HP. Dwarves add +2 from their Stout trait.

Starting Gold

Roll 2d6 × 5 for your starting gold (range: 10–60 gp).

The Crawling Kit

For 7 gp and 6 gear slots, the Crawling Kit provides: backpack, flint & steel, 2 torches, rations, iron spikes, grappling hook, and 60 ft rope. A practical starter bundle for any adventurer.

Alignment

Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic. Priests choose a deity that matches their alignment.

See Class Features for talent tables and hit dice. See Gear & Encumbrance for slot rules.

Starting a Fight

When combat breaks out, everyone rolls d20 + DEX modifier for initiative. Highest result acts first, then play proceeds clockwise around the table. On your turn you may move up to near distance (about 30 feet) and take one action — attack, cast a spell, use an item, or attempt something creative. If you skip your action, you can move near a second time instead.

Making an Attack

Roll d20 + your attack bonus. If you meet or exceed the target’s Armor Class (AC), you hit. Then roll your weapon’s damage die. No ability modifiers are added to damage — just the raw die result.

Natural 20: Automatic hit and a critical — double your damage dice (roll 2d6 instead of 1d6, etc.).

Natural 1: Automatic miss.

Morale

When enemies are reduced to half their original number (or half HP for a single foe), they must pass a DC 15 WIS check or flee. For large groups, one check is made using the leader’s WIS modifier.

Retreat

You can move away from enemies freely — there are no attacks of opportunity in Shadowdark.

Distance

When you attempt something risky with a genuinely uncertain outcome, roll d20 + the relevant ability modifier. Meet or beat the Difficulty Class (DC) to succeed.

Advantage: Roll d20 twice, use the better result.
Disadvantage: Roll d20 twice, use the worse result.
If both apply, they cancel out.

The GM only calls for a check when there is genuine risk, specific opposition, and meaningful consequences for failure. Routine actions with no time pressure or danger succeed automatically.

The Six Abilities

Modifier Table

When you reach 0 hit points, you fall unconscious and begin dying.

Death timer: Roll 1d4 + CON modifier (minimum 1 round). That’s how many rounds you have before death claims you.

Each turn while dying: Roll a d20. On a natural 20, you wake with 1 HP.

Stabilization: An ally at close range can attempt a DC 15 INT check. Success stops the death timer, but you remain unconscious. Any healing that brings you above 0 HP wakes you immediately.

Rest & recovery: After 8 hours of sleep and 1 ration consumed, you regain all lost HP. Sleep can be broken for watch duty, but interruption by combat requires a DC 12 CON check or the rest provides no benefit.

Movement Hazards

Climbing: STR or DEX check, half speed. Fail by 5+ and you fall.
Falling: 1d6 damage per 10 feet.
Swimming: Half speed. STR check in rough water. CON check while holding breath; failure deals 1d6 damage per round.

Weapons

Range key: C = Close (5 ft), N = Near (30 ft), F = Far (line of sight).
Properties: 2H = two-handed, V = versatile (one/two-hand damage), Th = throwable, F = finesse (use DEX), L = loading (forgo moving to reload).

Armor

Mithral (metal armor only): costs ×4, −1 slot, removes stealth/swim penalties.

You can carry items in a number of gear slots equal to your STR score (minimum 10). Most items occupy 1 slot. Heavy items like plate armor or two-handed weapons may take 2–3 slots.

Gold weight: Your first 100 coins are free. Beyond that, every 100 coins costs 1 additional gear slot.

Common Adventuring Gear

To cast a spell, roll d20 + your spellcasting modifier (INT for wizards, WIS for priests) against DC 10 + spell tier. On success, the spell takes effect. On failure, the spell fizzles and you lose the ability to cast it until you rest.

Natural 20: Critical success — double one numerical effect of the spell.
Natural 1: Critical failure — the spell fails. Wizards roll on a mishap table; priests must perform penance before casting again.

Spell focus: Some spells require concentration. You can only focus on one spell at a time. Each turn, make a new spellcasting check to maintain it. Failure ends the spell but you do not lose it. Taking damage forces an immediate focus check.

Shared spells: Light, Protection from Evil, Speak with Dead, Control Water, and Plane Shift are available to both priests and wizards.

Ancestries

A torch illuminates everything within near range (30 feet) and burns for 1 real-world hour. When it goes out, you’re plunged into darkness — one of the most dangerous situations in a dungeon.

Without light, you cannot see enemies approaching, read inscriptions, or navigate safely. The dungeon becomes far more threatening. Always carry spare torches.

Light Sources

Torches start unlit. You must explicitly light your torch before entering the dark. Managing your light supply — counting torches, timing when to light them — is a core part of dungeon survival.