Penumbra City: A Mysterious World of Harrow Unfolds in New TTRPG on Kickstarter
In the world of tabletop role-playing games, the realm of Harrow holds a place of mystery and intrigue. Its depths have been brought to life in the new Kickstarter project, Penumbra City, from Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness. The campaign has already gathered an impressive US$28,790, more than double its US$13,000 goal, with 655 backers and 26 days left.
Penumbra City, shrouded in coal dust and clouded by black fog, isn’t your typical utopia. This dark and gritty world, home to street poets, bureaucrats, orphans, and nihilistic ex-marines, sets a stark stage for a game where reputation matters more than money, and decisions to engage in combat can have dire consequences.
The project presents a rules-medium, campaign-world-rich TTRPG designed for 3-6 players. It’s a class-based game with simple core mechanics and a wide range of character class abilities. Healing is scarce, and decisions to fight must be approached with caution.
In Penumbra City, money has lost its value. It’s a character’s reputation with the various factions, gangs, and coalitions that determines their access to resources. Players roll all the dice, with most rolls being made with d20s, creating a dynamic that keeps all participants actively engaged.
This RPG will not only offer a unique gameplay experience but also a beautiful object of design. Backers at the physical product reward level will receive a handsome 6×9″ black-and-white hardcover book with a foil-stamped cover, complete with a full game system and a lore-rich world. If certain stretch goals are met, each backer will also receive additional digital content, such as adventures and fiction.
The game offers nine playable classes, with the possibility of three more if stretch goals are met. The classes range from the mechanically gifted Doggirl and the Fungalian street poet to the privileged Lordling and the corpse-patching Patchworker. Additional classes include the Ex-Marine, Gunslinger, Labor Thug, Occultist, and Rat King, each with their unique abilities and world views.
The game’s creators stress key differences that set Penumbra City apart from other TTRPGs. In addition to the reputation-based economy, the game does away with skills and spell books in favor of class-based abilities. The game also leans into danger, with scarce healing and a real risk of characters becoming maimed or killed.
Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness invites players to a world of intrigue and peril where surviving Penumbra City is an adventure in itself. The project is currently live on Kickstarter and is set to end on July 1.
