We have had the chance to review the quickstart for a game that bites back. Brides of Dracula – Quickstart is a roleplaying game that invites you to step into the shadows, not as a hunter, but as one of the legendary vampire’s own creations.
Designed and written by Gianluca Torrente, with striking illustrations by Alessandro Amoruso, this game is less about the glorious power of the night and more about the desperate, clawing struggle to break free from a toxic, eternal bond.
The game positions itself as a narrative of emancipation. Dracula is not merely a monster to be slain; he is a manipulator, a gaslighter, and a tyrant. You play as his Brides, immortal beings bound by a blood curse, whose existence is defined by his whims. The goal is simple yet daunting: shatter the chains of command and reclaim your stolen humanity.
The Setting and Tone
The atmosphere of Brides of Dracula is thick with gothic oppression. The quickstart introduces us to Dracula’s Domain, a cage with no bars that encompasses the Castle, the village of Targoviste, and the ominous Ash Forest. It is a world where the sun burns, blood is a necessity, and obedience is enforced by a supernatural compulsion.
What makes this setting compelling is its reframing of the vampire mythos through the lens of domestic horror and abuse. As the text poignantly notes:
The story is always the same, and Dracula is a perfect example of that love never dies that hides toxic, controlling, manipulative and violent behavior that has more to do with power then love.
The game does not shy away from these heavy themes. It includes safety tools such as Lines and Veils, crediting Ron Edwards and his work in Sorcerer Sex and Sorcery for the concept. This inclusion feels necessary and welcome, given that the Master (the GM) is encouraged to portray Dracula as genuinely cruel and emotionally manipulative.
The Brides
In this quickstart, you are provided with four pre-generated Brides, each embodying a different archetype of tragic horror and vengeance. There is Isabella the Bloodthirsty, a noblewoman obsessed with revenge; Carmilla the Enchantress, a seductress who realised her mistake too late; Selene the Witch, a hermit crushed by Dracula’s control; and Cassandra the Seer, a prophetess isolated by her own gifts.
Characters are defined by Traits – specifically a Pillar, a Conviction, and an Appearance – as well as a Desire, which acts as their endgame condition, such as ‘Destroy Dracula’ or ‘Regain Humanity’. They also possess Dark Gifts, powers derived from the blood curse. Whether it is body modification or controlling the weather, these powers are potent but come at a cost. The character sheets are evocative, and the quickstart allows for limited customisation to make these tragic figures your own.
The System
The mechanics are a custom narrative engine using a pool of six-sided dice (d6). When a Bride enters a Conflict, a situation where her will is opposed, she builds a dice pool. You start with one die, adding more for relevant Traits and Dark Gifts. However, you must subtract dice based on the strength of the Blood Curse or injuries sustained.
Success is determined by rolling a 4 or higher. The number of successes dictates the outcome: zero is a failure, one allows you to mitigate consequences, two gets you what you want with a cost, and three or more is a complete success . It is a system that favours drama and difficult choices, fitting perfectly with the game’s tone.
A key mechanic is Hunger. Pushing your traits or using Dark Gifts increases your Hunger, which gives the Master ‘influence’ to force you into bestial acts. To lower Hunger, you must feed, which risks Corruption – a slow slide into losing your soul entirely, marked by acquiring monstrous features like a lack of reflection or a fear of sacred symbols.
The Scenario
The quickstart includes an introductory scenario titled ‘The Banquet’. It sets the stage for a grotesque dinner party where Dracula displays his cruelty openly. The scenario provides a solid framework for the Master, offering opening narrations and introducing key NPCs like the sycophantic servant Igor or the rival werewolf Dworzak.
The advice for the Master is particularly strong here. It encourages framing scenes like a TV series and using the ‘Shadows lengthen’ mechanic to introduce intermediate objectives, keeping the tension high without stalling the narrative. The scenario is designed to make the players hate Dracula, fuelling their desire for rebellion, which is the engine that drives the entire game.
Brides of Dracula – Quickstart is a moody, emotional, and sharp-toothed introduction to a game that promises to explore the darker side of immortality. It is well worth a look for groups who enjoy character-driven drama and gothic horror.
Quick Links
- DriveThruRPG: Brides of Dracula.
