Bitter Chalice: a map-based Soulslike TTRPG

All Classes Unlocked, and an Interview
about 1 year ago – Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 07:19:32 AM

Welcome to a new (bitter) week, Dowsers.

This will be a quick one. We'll just see what's been unlocked, what's next, and I'll share an interview I did on Saturday that you might find interesting.

Stretch Goals

40 000€ UNLOCKED - New Class - Shaman

A new Class Sheet will be added to the box. A pagan priest, guided by the spirits. They can enter into communion with the ancestral forces linked to death and nature.

This is the last class we'll add to the game. We don't want to overreach and make things too complicated to balance as we wrap up the game. But don't worry, we've got more Stretch Goals in the works, like…

45 000€ (UPCOMING) - 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.

An Interview

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of joining Mildra the Monk on his TTRPG show to talk about Bitter Chalice and how it came to be. Mildra managed to pull a few details out of me that we haven’t shared anywhere else—like the mystery behind the Chalice in the title, and how it actually factors into the game. It’s a great conversation with some fresh insights, so give it a listen!

That’s it for today!

– Tommaso

Reminders

• You can still VOTE under the Path of the Distiller #1 to shape what happens next. The second episode will drop TOMORROW, and votes will be tallied just before that. 
• 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.

• Bluesky: Stay updated with our latest posts.

• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.

• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.

Solo Mode, Fabio's art and more stuff in the Recharge Pack
about 1 year ago – Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 09:08:12 AM

Hello, Dowsers.

It’s Friday—arguably the best day of the week—and the Bitter Chalice campaign is moving along nicely, which makes us very happy. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the Solo Mode, checking in on what we’ve unlocked so far, and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the work of one of our artists, Fabio Porfidia.

Fabio is a veteran illustrator whose name you might recognize from projects like Brancalonia, Memento Mori, Inferno, Lex Arcana, and more. He’s the mind behind the map and stickers of Bitter Chalice, but once we saw how deeply he connected with the tone and atmosphere of the game, it was a no-brainer to have him contribute additional illustrations throughout the book. He's got great hair too, the kind you see on posters at the salon—so the choice was easy.

Below, you’ll find a glimpse into Fabio’s creative process, focusing on one of the minor enemies you’ll encounter in the Blighted Lands: the Brute.

Solo Mode

We’ve received a few questions about Solo Mode, so let’s take a moment to clarify how it works.

The solo game is a GM-less adventure that lets you explore the Blighted Lands by moving through Areas and triggering Events—much like a choose-your-own-adventure gamebook. The twist? Each Location contains a structured hierarchy of Events that shift depending on factors like time of day, items you’ve found, or NPCs you’ve interacted with.

You’ll build your own team of support characters who will accompany you and influence how the group tackles combat and objectives—and yes, sometimes they’ll have a mind of their own and throw your careful plans into chaos.

To handle what a GM normally would, we’ve included tables and mechanics that simulate key decisions and unpredictability. Combat is driven by a mix of player choices and mandatory actions dictated by the Challenges you face—each one with its own unique behavior outlined on their dedicated sheet.

As for the lore, the Solo Mode includes certain “fragments” you can collect, which allow the reader to access specific passages within Dirge of the Dust King, the Companion Book, ensuring that the story is still revealed progressively.

In short: it’s the full Bitter Chalice experience, designed to feel rich, reactive, and narratively deep, even when you’re playing alone.

Stretch Goals

35 000€ UNLOCKED - Extra Items in the Recharge Pack

All Recharge Packs now include one extra map and one extra set of stickers. That means you'll get 3x maps and 3x sticker sheets, at no extra charge. And yes, that includes the Add-On you see at checkout, even if we can't change that picture.

40 000€ (UPCOMING) - New Class - Shaman

A new Class Sheet will be added to the box. A pagan priest, guided by the spirits. They can enter into communion with the ancestral forces linked to death and nature.

Reminders

• You can still VOTE under the Path of the Distiller #1 to shape what happens next. The next episode should drop on Tuesday. 
• 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.

• Bluesky: Stay updated with our latest posts.

• Telegram: Get quick updates straight to your device.

• Instagram: See behind-the-scenes content and more.

Ok, this is enough for this week, have a good weekend everyone!

– Tommaso