A fantasy TTRPG about insatiable hunger in a blighted land, inspired by Hollow Knight, Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and Elden Ring.
We aim to start shipping physical rewards by June 2026. Digital rewards for already-existing books will be sent when orders are locked down (July 2025). Once they're ready, all other digital rewards will be made accessible (estimated Q2 2026).
Pre-order sales are final. Shipping will be charged closer to fulfillment. You can check estimated shipping pricesHERE (Shipping and Fulfillment section)
Latest Updates from Our Project:
IMPORTANT: what happens after the end of the campaign
about 1 year ago
– Sun, Apr 27, 2025 at 10:16:24 AM
Hello Dowsers,
The campaign has entered its final 48 hours—please read this carefully!
Before the campaign ends:
Check your pledge: Make sure you’re pledged for what you want. To add anything, click “Manage your pledge.” If you selected the Broken Ones (Book Only) Add-On, you can now upgrade to the full bundle for a small extra cost.
Check your payment method: If you’re using a prepaid card, ensure it has enough funds. About 5% of payments fail at the end of a campaign—don’t let that happen to you! Failed payments will delay things and impact Stretch Goals, so please double-check now.
Some banks/cards may require an extra confirmation. Kickstarter will email you if that’s needed. (This is especially common with German banks.)
Coming Soon: Pledge Manager
The campaign ends Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 PM CET. After that, no changes can be made.Check the FAQ to avoid surpises.
Kickstarter transfers funds to us within a couple of weeks.
We’ll spend May setting up the Pledge Manager on BackerKit.
In late May or early June, you’ll get a survey confirming your pledge and giving you a chance to add extras.
Shipping costs will be finalized later to secure the best rates.
No extra charges when completing the survey—payment will only be requested closer to shipping time.
After that, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and wait for updates!
The Work Ahead:
I’ll be taking a short break after the campaign wraps.
Expect regular development updates, roughly once a month.
Let’s unlock everything we can in these last two days and have fun!
– Tommaso
Reminders
There is still time to submit your entry for a Bitter Chalice Cocktail to be immortalized in the Core Book. Read the rules HERE.
You can still vote in the third and last episode of the Path of the Distiller, HERE.
You can find us on multiple platforms:
• Discord: Join our community and chat directly with us.
• Facebook: Follow The World Anvil Publishing page.
• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.
• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.
Path of the Distiller #3, and our horror game about fairytales
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:11:06 AM
Hello Dowsers,
TL;DR: the final episode of Path of the Distiller and a few things that are good to know about our most famous game.
Path of the Distiller #3
A reminder: the choices you make in this interactive story will directly shape how we develop Orios Volgir, Grandmaster of the Order of the Distillers, as a fully realized NPC in the Core Book. You can read Episode #1 HERE and Episode #2 HERE. In the previous episode, most votes went towards opposing Coira's plan.
Orios Volgir walked heavily through the crowd, inexorable and slow like a storm on the horizon. Today, his centuries weighed upon him more than ever, though physically he appeared barely over thirty.
Many of the people gathered in the Central Square of the Knot stopped to let him pass, murmuring worried prayers as he moved by. These were dark times. Orios did his best to offer words of comfort to those who, for the first time in nearly half a millennium, watched their hair turn gray and their skin grow lined—a destiny the people of Vathan had long forgotten was inevitable.
He turned his gaze toward the statue in the great square, in front of the Temple of the Knot. A white veil had been draped over the solemn figure’s face to conceal the scar. This act of open rebellion against the Sovereign did nothing to calm the people’s troubled spirits, and discontent continued to spread.
Below the statue, children played chase, singing a strange nursery rhyme:
“Rags, rags From above the sky, from beneath the crags! Give me a rope, give me a line Give me the dust under the dunes so fine Grant me the water from the fountain’s source Veiled in the womb of the mountain woods, of course!”
How ironic. These innocent children unknowingly mocked Orios’ bitter fate, second only to the dreams that haunted him like demons long after he awoke. He tried to ignore their voices, cautiously scanning his surroundings. This was the agreed-upon place and time. He hated waiting; waiting fed the shades in his heart.
“So, what will you do, Grandmaster Orios?”
The voice struck him like a whip. He turned toward a little girl with a shoulder bag. She didn’t look a day older than ten, but he knew the truth: that small body, preserved by Holy Water, had seen centuries—perhaps even millennia—pass by.
“Nice song, isn’t it? I taught it to them. If only children knew what it really meant…” the little girl smiled devilishly.
“Damn you! I didn’t expect you to enjoy tormenting already-tormented souls.”
“I certainly didn’t tear them apart. Blame your Sovereign—or Grandmaster Edel, perhaps. Trying to imprison a deity! What could possibly go wrong? I’m just rubbing salt into the wound.” The child paused. “Much as I enjoy it, I didn’t come to watch you suffer. You’ve had plenty of time to think. Did you bring it?”
Orios parted the edge of his cloak just enough to reveal his hand gripping a silver chalice, shaped like a human skull.
“I brought it, but I didn’t expect you personally to come for it.”
“What difference does that make?” the girl replied sharply. “A deal is a deal. And frankly, I doubt you have much choice. Look around you—do you really think it matters? Even if the Hooks somehow manage to defend Vathan from palace intrigues, revolutionaries, the United Churches, and the outer kingdoms… even then, don’t you sense the end approaching?”
Orios stood frozen.
“Still, though I never truly believed in you Distillers, I respect your efforts to oppose Coira and her blasphemous studies. Unfortunately, the coming war has left the Sovereign with no choice…” The little girl paused again.
“The Dust means death. This entire world is coming to an end. But you can provide us the key to its rebirth and, in exchange, obtain the secrets of the Ramul.” The girl rummaged through her bag and withdrew a book, clearly centuries old. “This won’t save you, but I know you scholars crave answers more than life itself. Of course, we do have other ways of obtaining the Chalice—less courteous ones. Decide now. I can’t linger much longer.”
---
What will Grandmaster Orios Volgir do?
A) He will hand the Chalice over to Gravan, Daughter of the Waves, in exchange for the Ramul Manuscript.
B) He will refuse the Ramul Manuscript and keep the Chalice for himself.
Only comments under THIS UPDATE will count for the final tally!
2 ENNIEs nominations, and counting
You might already know this game—maybe it’s even the reason you’re here. Or perhaps this is your first time hearing about it. Either way, let me introduce you to Broken Tales.
Nominated for Product of the Year and Best Adventure at the ENNIES (2023), named TTRPG of the Year in Spain, and a finalist for TTRPG of the Year in Italy, Broken Tales has made its mark. I might be forgetting a few accolades, but you get the idea—we think it’s a pretty special game.
Written by Alberto Tronchi and illustrated by Daniel Comerci, Broken Tales is best described as “Fairytale Suicide Squad meets X-Files.” You play as reimagined villains from classic fairy tales, made good by the misguided wish of the Child Savior, now working for the Order—a secret society hidden within the Vatican. Your mission? Investigate fairytales that have gone wrong.
While the tone is mature and often dark, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Across three books (Broken Tales, The Broken Ones, and Lost Stories), familiar stories are warped into gripping, investigative adventures. And yes, it’s as gorgeous as it sounds—check out these unboxing videos to see for yourself:
You can add Broken Tales and its expansions as Add-Ons by clicking “Manage Your Pledge.”
A quick note for those who added The Broken Ones expansion:
At the start of the campaign, we listed only the book-only version (without the printed Hunters Sheet vinyl) because our inventory count suggested we had run out. But surprise—we found one last box!
So we’ve removed the book-only option and made a limited number of full bundles (book + printed Hunters Sheet) available. You can switch your selection via Manage Your Pledge. If you have any trouble, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help.
The full version is only 5€ more, and we think it’s definitely worth the upgrade.
– Tommaso
Reminders
You can submit your entry for a Bitter Chalice Cocktail to be immortalized in the Core Book. Read the rules HERE.
You can find us on multiple platforms:
• Discord: Join our community and chat directly with us.
• Facebook: Follow The World Anvil Publishing page.
• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.
• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.
A new Art Print and the Bitter Chalice Cocktail Challenge
about 1 year ago
– Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 08:01:45 AM
Hello Dowsers,
TL;DR: We unlocked a new Art Print, then we ask you to create a cocktail (yep).
Stretch Goals
50 000€ UNLOCKED - New Art Print in the Bundle
We're adding a fourth illustration by Harry Conway to the bundle of prints at no extra charge, featuring all the game’s Classes!
60 000€ (UPCOMING) - Group Meeple in the Upgrade Pack
One thing you won't find in the box by default is a meeple to show where your group is on the map - you don't really need it, but wouldn't it be cool if we included one in the Upgrade Pack, and it was HUGE? Because that's what we'll do if we reach this stretch goal!
The Bitter Chalice Cocktail Challenge
We’ve passed the halfway point of the campaign and are quickly closing in on the end—but before we get there, we’ve got one more fun, interactive surprise for you (besides the final chapter of Path of the Distiller, coming this week!).
Let’s create the official Bitter Chalice Cocktail—because why not?
Cocktail, you say?
Here’s how it works:
You can use up to 5 ingredients, excluding ice and garnishes.
At least one ingredient must be a “bitter” – This includes classic bitters, amaros, or bitter infusions, syrups, or juices. Examples:
Iconic red bitters like Campari, Martini Bitter, Fusetti
Aromatic bitters such as Angostura or Peychaud’s
Central and Eastern European amaros like Unicum, Petrus, Montenegro, Jefferson, or Jägermeister
Herbal, peel, or root-based bitter infusions in any form—think gentian, absinthe, radicchio, rosemary, and similar
At least one ingredient must be a “water” – These are sweet, clear, or aromatic components that bring balance and clarity. Examples:
Syrups, infusions, or juices made from elderflower, cardamom, vanilla, lemongrass, palo santo, lily, wisteria, lychee, white grape, light apple, white peach, or similar
Delicate and fragrant liqueurs like Maraschino, Triple Sec, White Crème de Cacao, Bergamot Liqueur, or White Crème de Menthe
The other 3 ingredients can be anything you like.
Post your recipe in the comments section of THIS UPDATE.
“Wait, can you actually evaluate cocktails?”
Yes, we can—because Giacomo Gordesco, one of the writers of Bitter Chalice, was once a serious bartender in another life. So bring your A-game.
Pro Tips (You don’t need to include any of this in your recipe, but it might elevate your game):
You’re welcome to use all the classic mixing techniques: build, layer, stir, shake, muddle, roll, and throw.
Feeling ambitious? Go for advanced methods like milk punch, rapid infusion, foaming, dry shaking, smashing, pre-batching, smoking, or carbonating.
Homemade ingredients are absolutely allowed, but keep them accessible! If we can’t recreate your drink with reasonably available components, we won’t be able to test it. Try to stick to things like: foams, sodas, syrups, dried fruits or vegetables, candied items, cordials, infusions, and essences.
Make it creative, but make it makeable!
We’ll review your creations and choose the best one to become the official Bitter Chalice cocktail. The winning drink will be:
Featured in the Core Book with credits
Given an original illustration by Fabio Porfidia
Immortalized as part of the Bitter Chalice universe
You’ve got until the end of the campaign to submit your concoction—plenty of time to experiment and (hopefully) create something that doesn’t kill anyone. We'll pick the winner as soon as we can try the submissions.
Need some inspiration? Join the conversation on our Discord, where backers are already sharing the coolest glasses they have at home—perfect for serving a classic Bitter Chalice.
Projects we love
Well, we heard that you like solo games. We knew that, and that's why Bitter Chalice includes a Solo Mode right out of the gate. But what if I told you that there are moar cool solo TTRPGs out there? Have you heard of our decaying lord and savior MÖRK BORG? What if you could play that solo?
Its designer Patrick Buechner (which has a cool Substack about solo games, check it out HERE) describes it as such: “SOLO BORG is fast, flexible, and built for dark fantasy storytelling. Designed to run in satisfying 30-minute chunks, it’s for both veteran solo players and the solo-curious—no MÖRK BORG experience required, just a willingness to die brutally and often. It’s the result of three years of writing The Soloist, listening to what frustrates players, and learning how designers solve those problems.”
We need more cool games, and sometimes all your friends are dead. Check out SOLO BORG!
• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.
• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.
Bookmarks unlocked, Escape the Mud Fields and that series airing right now
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Apr 17, 2025 at 10:04:24 AM
Hello Dowsers,
TL;DR: We've unlocked Counter Bookmarks, we'll explain who you're playing in Escape the Mud Fields, and if you're into The Last of Us, we might have the game for you.
Stretch Goals
45 000€ UNLOCKED - New Item - Counter Bookmarks
We’re adding a new item to all Upgrade Packs: Counter Bookmarks!
These pre-printed, rectangular bookmarks are designed to help you track Achievements required to complete specific tasks during the game—whether it’s unlocking a prison door, completing a ritual, or triggering a key event. The included pad will feature 50 bookmarks, giving you a handy, immersive way to manage progress without cluttering your play space.
50 000€ (UPCOMING) - New Art Print in the Bundle
We're adding a fourth illustration by Harry Conway to the bundle of prints at no extra charge.
Escape the Mud Fields
We’ve had a few questions about how the story in the introductory campaign Escape the Mud Fields differs from the main campaign in the Core Book—so let’s clear that up.
In Escape the Mud Fields, players take on pre-generated characters from “the other side”: members of the Company of the Veil—the garrison tasked with keeping the madness of Vathan locked behind its colossal walls—or intruders sent by the United Churches sealed outside. Needless to say, things don’t go as planned, and they soon find themselves at the mercy of the Blighted Lands…
This mini-campaign is designed as a learn-as-you-play experience, guiding players through the basic rules organically instead of frontloading them with information. While some of the locations overlap with the main campaign, all the events in Escape the Mud Fields are unique to this scenario—offering a fresh, self-contained narrative that complements the core story.
Into TLOU? We have a game for you.
You’ve probably noticed we’ve made a few other games before—and if you’re one of our returning backers, welcome back!
Now, it’s no secret we’re HUGE fans of The Last of Us. And with the second season of the TV series airing right now, maybe you’re feeling that itch to dive into a game that captures a similar emotional tone—not the usual post-apocalyptic zombie fare, but something deeper. Something about people, community, survival, and how far someone will go to protect what they love. A game about survival, choices and consequences more than anything else.
Well, good news: we wrote that game.
It’s called Dead Air: Seasons, and it was nominated for Best Setting at the ENNIE Awards last year (incidentally, Enrico, now on Bitter Chalice, is one of the writers of DAS). The game lets you tell the story of a survivor community living through the “Seasons of the Blight”—a brutal, ever-shifting force of nature that changes what threatens your people, from eco-abominations to other desperate groups closing in on your haven.
You can find Dead Air: Seasons and all its materials in the Add-On section of this campaign—and remember, increasing your pledge (click "Manage Your Pledge") helps us unlock more Stretch Goals for Bitter Chalice.
Curious to see it in action? Check out this unboxing video:
– Tommaso
Reminders
Our Community Manager Cassidy has started a Let's Read for the Overview of Bitter Chalice on Discord. Join us to check it out, as Giacomo and Enrico, the two authors of the game, are dropping in with their comments and notes.
You can find us on multiple platforms:
• Discord: Join our community and chat directly with us.
• Facebook: Follow The World Anvil Publishing page.
• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.
• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.
Path of the Distiller #2, and friends
about 1 year ago
– Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 09:17:36 AM
All right, it’s that time of the week Dowsers,
In this update, we tally the votes from the first chapter of Path of the Distiller and reveal who will be sent to confront the Ramul. And the winner is… Ghildan, Captain of the Vathan Knights—whose devotion to the Holy Water runs deeper than even his loyalty to the Sovereign.
Was it the right call? Only time will tell.
Just a reminder: the choices you make in this interactive story will directly shape how we develop Orios Volghir, Grandmaster of the Order of the Distillers, as a fully realized NPC in the Core Book.
The Bladecup by Fabio Porfidia
Path of the Distiller #2
“Do you know what a fossil is, Grandmaster Volgir?”
The question took the Grandmaster by surprise. The woman with ebony skin continued:
“A living being which, upon death, becomes trapped in some form of pliable material—usually clay.”
As the scholar spoke, a stone sarcophagus was positioned at the center of the room. Once in place, a reluctant prisoner was escorted inside from a door by the Alchemists of the School of Lachmir.
“After decomposition, the remains leave behind a sort of mold. Over centuries, other substances settle inside: mineral powders compacting, creating a copy of the original.”
The prisoner was forced into the sarcophagus, which, once sealed, was filled with a substance unfamiliar to the Grandmaster.
“An immortal and imperishable copy.”
Though the process was undeniably macabre, Orios watched attentively, undisturbed by the unfortunate man’s anguished screams.
“And yet, my lady,” he said softly, “is it truly correct to call this the same entity? A copy remains a copy. If its essence differs from the original, isn’t it merely a substitution?”
The woman rolled her eyes.
“I thought you would be more cunning than your predecessor, Orios. Edel was similarly prone to sophistry, but these petty arguments won’t advance the kingdom nor defend us from invaders.” A spark flashed in the woman’s eyes. “Holy Water can halt aging, but it cannot stop the blades of our enemies. This is the only solution that guarantees our survival.”
After a prolonged vibration, the sarcophagus fell silent. The Alchemists opened the coffin, and the man who emerged had definitively changed. His skin was yellowish, rough rather than smooth. His face appeared gaunt, his eyes vacant and devoid of will. Coira approached the creature, offering it a curved sword. The being stared at the sword momentarily, then grasped its hilt, lifting it uncertainly. Yet, it merely stared at its own hand.
“It’s as though it’s surprised to have a body,” Orios murmured. “Why have you shown me this process? I thought you didn’t look kindly upon the Distillers.”
Coira looked at him sharply.
“We need a militia to repel the Thorns, and what you see here is the future. This is the first member of the Hook Guard. They will be our protectors—and the scourge of anyone who dares attack us again.” The woman opened her arms dramatically. “Holy Water belongs to the past… but the Distillers still hold influence. The Sovereign won’t easily authorize the use of this new substance—Dust. Will you support me, Grandmaster, or follow the path of your careless predecessor and become my enemy?”
---
What will Grandmaster Orios Volgir do?
A) Agree to Coira and the School of Lachmir’s request, advocating for the study of Dust before the Sovereign.
B) Refuse to betray the Order of the Distillers, continuing to support research into Holy Water and thus antagonizing the ambitious Coira.
---
Voting is important, as should be self-evident by now. So vote, vote, vote! Only the comments under THIS POST will count!
Projects we love
The tabletop space is going through a complex moment, so I’d like to take this opportunity to spotlight some projects that truly deserve your attention.
Today, I want to highlight Densetsu and The Book of Yō, two new expansions for the excellent Rōnin—a rules-light TTRPG inspired by samurai cinema, Japanese folklore, and dark fantasy. These come from our friends at Slightly Reckless Games, and they’re currently live on crowdfunding.
Densetsu is a book of legends, uncovering the myths, warriors, and folklore of Kage no Shima. It introduces new character classes, mythic relics, and adventures woven from authentic Japanese folklore, enriching the world with deeper history and playable stories.
The Book of Yō is a descent into horror, featuring 100+ yōkai, corruption mechanics, cursed artifacts, and dark rituals. It transforms Kage no Shima into something far more terrifying, where monsters lurk, the dead do not rest, and returning from Yomi is never guaranteed.
And if you’re new to Rōnin, the new campaign also features a Starter Set.
Our Community Manager Cassidy has started a Let's Read for the Overview of Bitter Chalice on Discord. Join us to check it out, as Giacomo and Enrico, the two authors of the game, are dropping in with their comments and notes.
You can find us on multiple platforms:
• Discord: Join our community and chat directly with us.
• Facebook: Follow The World Anvil Publishing page.
