Candela Obscura

Candela Obscura TTRPG · Candela Obscura Roleplaying Game

Candela Obscura

Candela Obscura is an occult investigative horror game from Darrington Press, set in a haunted, turn-of-the-century city. You play as a secretive circle sworn to confront strange incursions and the powers behind them. Sessions blend clue-chasing, social intrigue, and grim confrontations, spanning gothic to cosmic tones. Players appreciate how it mixes personal drama with creeping dread, allowing you to be brave, flawed, and clever all at once. It is story-first, atmospheric, and designed for tense choices.

What does a night feel like? Candles, case files, and whispered plans, followed by sudden action when the occult strikes. A professional Game Master presents a living mystery and the city surrounding it, while your circle directs where the story goes. Ideal for 2 to 5 players over 3 to 4 hours. Perfect for curious newcomers seeking guidance, horror fans who enjoy investigative play, and veterans looking for tight, character-focused cases. Browse available Game Masters to match tone and schedule.

How to play Candela Obscura

The core mechanic uses six-sided dice. When you attempt something risky, you gather a pool based on your action rating and any assistance. Roll them all and read only the highest die. A low result indicates trouble, a mid result means success with a cost, a high result signifies a clean success, and the very highest can unlock extra benefits. The Game Master explains the stakes and possible consequences before you roll, allowing you to assess your risks. You can assist one another or spend limited resources to tilt the odds in your favour when it truly matters.

As a player, you bring a character concept and a few details that connect you to the circle and the city. Consider what you excel at, what you fear, and who you care about. A professional Game Master provides the case, locations, clues, and memorable NPCs, along with safety tools for horror. At the table, you only need a pencil and some d6s. For online play, a shared sheet and dice roller will suffice. You can also choose a tone by browsing GM playstyles.

One-shots play through a single case from hook to resolution in one evening. The circle forms quickly, you follow the leads, and you confront the source of the disturbance by the end. Campaigns connect multiple cases into a season. Your circle earns allies, leaves lasting marks, and uncovers deeper patterns behind the strangeness. Advancement is steady and story-driven, so choices resonate from session to session. This format is ideal for groups that enjoy character arcs, simmering conspiracies, and the gradual tightening of the net.

Players gathered around a Dungeons & Dragons table with dice, miniatures, and notebooks
Players gathered around a Dungeons & Dragons table with dice, miniatures, and notebooks
A red, marble-textured ten-sided dice showing the numbers 5 and 9 in gold, used for tabletop RPG adventure games.
A red, marble-textured ten-sided dice showing the numbers 5 and 9 in gold, used for tabletop RPG adventure games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know any rules to join?

Not at all. You can come with just a character idea, and our Game Master will guide you as you play. Candela Obscura uses pools of six-sided dice for risky actions, and you take the best result. Lower rolls introduce complications, while higher rolls yield clearer outcomes. The focus is on choices, clues, and atmosphere, rather than memorising charts. If you wish, the GM can provide quick-start characters and a brief reference. Most players feel at ease within the first scene.

How frightening is it, and is it suitable for children?

It is horror aimed at mature players. Themes can include the occult, unsettling imagery, and difficult moral choices. Before play, the GM checks your lines, veils, and preferred intensity, then tailors scenes accordingly. You can choose low gore and higher suspense, or opt for a darker tone if your group prefers it. Not suitable for children. To align the tone with your preferences, explore GM playstyles and look for tags that suit, such as investigative, gothic, or light horror.

How does this differ from D&D?

Combat is not the main focus. You investigate unusual occurrences, question individuals, and take calculated risks to manage the unnatural. There’s no tactical grid, no lengthy turns, and fewer gear puzzles. You function as a close-knit group, with mixed outcomes propelling the story forward through consequences rather than delays. Progression is centred around relationships, reputation, and resources linked to the city, rather than loot or levels. If you enjoy roleplay, mysteries, and tense decision-making, it satisfies a different craving than D&D.

What group size and session length are most effective?

Candela Obscura works best with 2 to 5 players. Having three or four allows everyone to have their moment in the spotlight and keeps investigations moving swiftly. Sessions usually last between 3 to 4 hours, which is sufficient to start a case, follow leads, and confront the source. With two players, the story feels more intimate and character-driven. With five, you experience more complex social interactions. Our Game Masters ensure the pacing and clue distribution are managed effectively, so your group can reach a satisfying conclusion within the allotted time.

Shall we create characters, or use pre-generated ones?

Both options are available. For a one-shot, the GM can provide ready-to-play investigators with established connections. If you prefer to create your own, the process is quick and collaborative at the table. You select key strengths, vulnerabilities, and ties to the circle and the city. The GM incorporates those details into the opening case, ensuring you begin with momentum and personal stakes. Either way, you’ll be in play quickly without extensive preparation.

Can we play online, and what tools do we need?

Yes. Online play is seamless as the game only requires six-sided dice and shared character sheets. A video call along with a simple dice roller is all you need, and our Game Masters will prepare everything in advance. There's no need for a complex virtual tabletop, although you can use one if you prefer. Check out options on online play platforms to choose what suits your group’s preferences and technology.

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Genres you can play in Candela Obscura

  • Occult

    Candlelit rituals, cryptic symbols, and whispered conspiracies. Imagine The X-Files as you pursue clues through secret lodges and concealed…

    View genre: Occult
  • Mystery

    Follow the clues, construct timelines, and apprehend the culprit. Think Knives Out, but you are the detective, assembling alibis and…

    View genre: Mystery
  • by Elliot

    Gothic

    Candlelit corridors, storm-battered manors, secret letters, and forbidden desire. Gothic play intertwines romance, dread, and family…

    View genre: Gothic
  • Conspiracy

    Unravel layers of deception as you pursue leads through dimly lit rooms, encrypted files, and betrayals. Paranoia escalates with each clue…

    View genre: Conspiracy
  • Victorian

    Gaslit streets, strict manners, and factory smoke. Unravel murders, scandals, and séances as detectives, socialites, or rogues. Imagine…

    View genre: Victorian

What players think

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a really good job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot and yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His attitude was fantastic, and he made the game enjoyable for all. I particularly appreciated how he could clearly explain what was required from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thank you!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I arranged a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very enthusiastic about it, and he was thoroughly pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • A very good GM, Baptiste adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. One issue was with the character sheets provided, which were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells (no healing spell) even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they'd ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach enabled the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by allowing them to control how they wanted their actions to be carried out. I would certainly work with her again.

    John

  • A pleasant and straightforward introduction to D&D. Amber was adept at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the rhythm and concentrate on the narrative. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack strategies was an enjoyable experience and provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a highly enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly brilliant as a DM! Cheerful, adaptable, and exceptionally experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in an enjoyable manner and engaged every player in the story, regardless of whether they were vocal or reserved. If you embark on an adventure with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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