Gordie Murphy has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Atlas Imprecatis, a collaborative horror roleplaying game about creating and exploring ritualised urban legends. The project, which launched on February 23 as part of ZineQuest, tasks three to six players with investigating terrifying myths of their own creation.
The campaign is currently live and seeking funding to print the 50-page softcover rulebook.
No Dice, No Masters
The game is built on the “No Dice, No Masters” system originally developed by Avery Alder for Dream Askew. There is no game master; instead, players share control of the narrative, the setting, and the legend itself.
Players choose from six character Playbooks, such as the Skeptic or the Chronicler, each providing unique moves for scenes. Rather than rolling dice, the game uses a token economy. Players gain tokens by acting on their flaws and spend tokens to succeed or show their strengths, creating a natural ebb and flow to the narrative.
Alongside the characters, players also manage six “legend Dimensions” that control the world around them. Picking up the Community Dimension allows a player to depict townsfolk keeping secrets, while the Manifestations Dimension controls the sensory horrors of the myth, such as whispering ghosts or the feeling of being watched.
The game is designed for zero-prep, one-shot sessions. Setup involves answering collaborative questions to generate a web of connections and threats before play begins.
Artistic Atmosphere
Murphy, an IGDN award-nominated designer, has partnered with artist John Green and writer Jacqueline Bryk. Green’s rough, textured art style is intended to evoke the atmosphere of classic urban legend media. Bryk provides original horror microfiction to set the tone throughout the perfect-bound book.
Reward Tiers
The campaign offers several accessible entry points, including community copies for those who cannot afford to pledge.
- Pledge $10 (approx. £8): Digital Edition. A digital PDF copy of the rulebook and all necessary sheets.
- Pledge $20 (approx. £15): Physical Edition. The 5.5 x 8.5 inch black and white softcover book, plus the digital edition. This tier also donates one PDF community copy.
- Pledge $30 (approx. £23): Physical Edition Plus. The physical and digital editions, plus a donation of two PDF community copies.
- Pledge $50 (approx. £38): Personalised Physical Edition. A signed and numbered physical book containing a unique gameplay idea written by the creator. This tier donates three community copies.
- Pledge $100 (approx. £75): Retail. Ten physical copies at a wholesale price, plus digital access for customers.
The project is all-or-nothing and must reach its funding goal by Monday, March 16th, 2026. Delivery is estimated for January to February 2027.
Quick Links
- Back: Atlas Imprecatis
