Greek independent developer Black Lantern Studio has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Pact, an intense new urban occult personal horror roleplaying game. Following their ENnie-nominated dark fantasy supplement Soulmist, the studio has shifted focus to the modern day, offering a tabletop experience where players must navigate the terrifying consequences of trading their souls.
The project is currently live and seeking funding to bring its grim setting and modified mechanics to print.
Set in a world identical to our own but slowly collapsing under despair, players take on the roles of Pactbearers. These are ordinary people who made the worst decision of their lives by accepting a deal with a Patron Demon in exchange for power, revenge, or basic survival. Now, they must live with the consequences of that choice while navigating a hidden supernatural war.
Corrupting the Year Zero Engine
To bring this setting to life, Black Lantern Studio has licensed and modified Free League Publishing’s acclaimed Year Zero Engine. The familiar dice pool system has been adapted to simulate the slow erosion of a character’s humanity.
The standard push mechanic has been altered so that pushing a roll now grants Profane Points. Players spend these points to empower their demonic gifts, known as Blasphemies. However, relying on these infernal powers increases a character’s Corruption on a scale of one to ten. If a Pactbearer’s Corruption climbs too high, they risk losing themselves entirely and becoming a Fiend, a vessel of pure malevolence.
“Because in PACT, the greatest enemy is not Hell. It is the part of yourself that needs the deal.”
Dogmas and Damnation
The world of Pact is shaped by hidden factions manipulating humanity from the shadows. Pactbearers usually align themselves with one of three ideological Dogmas: the Apostates who wish to rebuild the world in the image of Hell, the Penitents who desperately search for redemption, and the Lilithians who fight for humanity’s freedom against both demons and angels.
While pursuing their own vain goals, players will face dangerous adversaries. Game Masters, referred to as Whisperers, can utilise Damnation Points to introduce sudden misfortunes, obstacles, and direct interventions from Patron Demons. The table must also survive encounters with Exorcists and angelic servants known as Instruments.
Black Lantern Studio has explicitly stated that all artwork in the project is 100% human-made, opposing the use of generative AI in their design pipeline.
Reward Tiers
The campaign offers several tiers, with early bird discounts currently available for the higher pledge levels.
- Pledge €20 (approx. £18): Imp. A digital PDF copy of the core rulebook and all unlocked digital stretch goals.
- Pledge €48 (approx. £42): Pactbearer. The physical hardcover core rulebook and the digital PDF copy.
- Pledge €100 (approx. £87): Demon. The hardcover and PDF, plus a telescopic art box, a custom D6 dice set, a quickstart guide, premade character sheets, and initiative cards.
- Pledge €160 (approx. £138): Lilith. Everything in the Demon tier, plus a collector’s edition dice set, a Scroll of Servitude, a Deck of Blasphemies, and a premium coin token set.
- Pledge €380 (approx. £328): Lucifer. The ultimate collector’s bundle, including all previous rewards, housed in a Kickstarter exclusive wooden box, a wooden dice case, and a personalised scroll featuring your name.
The project is all-or-nothing and will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Friday, April 3rd, 2026. Delivery is estimated for January 2027.
