A Torch in the Dark Horror;Survival;Solo Play;Quick-Play;Rules Lite;Streamlined;Resource Management

At‑a‑glance: Solo • d6 dice pools • 1 player • Near‑zero prep • Rules‑lite survival • 45–90 min sessions

Theme and Setting

Set in the cursed imperial capital of Kyneburgh, you descend alone into crypts and vaults where undead nobles and their cults still clutch the people’s stolen wealth. The mood is bleak, revolutionary, and claustrophobic: every step trades time and light for a shot at freedom and coin.

Core Mechanics and Rules

The game distills Blades in the Dark into a solo engine: build a delver with a few distinctive skills and items, then roll small d6 pools against position/effect style risks. Torches, wounds, and corruption are tracked with simple clocks and slots. Random tables generate encounters across distinct dungeon locales; downtime between delves provides recovery and resupply without bookkeeping.

Play is fast: read a prompt, judge the risk, roll, and mark consequences. Inventory scarcity and light attrition make choices tight—press on for bigger rewards or retreat before the dark snuffs you out.

What Makes It Unique

Unlike journal‑first solo games, this emphasizes tactical decisions and moment‑to‑moment survival. It keeps FitD’s fiction‑first cadence but strips out crews and heists, focusing on lone‑wolf delving where every slot and die matters. It hits the “one more room” itch with little to prep, then slots neatly into a campaign loop.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Perfect for solo players who want crunchy‑enough decisions without rule weight, fans of Blades in the Dark looking for a compact solitaire variant, or anyone craving tense dungeon survival in short sessions. Expect lethal stakes, meaningful recovery choices, and a paced loop that rewards careful risk management.