The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is a captivating tabletop roleplaying game inspired by the acclaimed podcast of the same name, blending cosmic horror and Appalachian folklore. Set in an alternate early 1900s Appalachia, it offers a unique, atmospheric experience powered by the Cypher System. Available in both hardcover and PDF formats, this game invites players to explore a dark, eerie world filled with ancient evils and eldritch mysteries.
1.1 Overview of the Game and Its Origins
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is a tabletop roleplaying game born from the acclaimed podcast of the same name, a rural horror anthology created by Steve Shell and Cam Collins. Developed by Monte Cook Games, it adapts the podcast’s eerie storytelling into a cosmic horror experience. Set in an alternate early 1900s Appalachia, the game explores themes of ancient evils, the mysterious “Green,” and the haunting “Dark.” Using the Cypher System, it offers a fluid, story-driven framework for players to immerse themselves in this unsettling world.
1.2 Transition from Podcast to RPG
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG seamlessly transitions the podcast’s chilling narratives into a tabletop experience. Faithful to the source, it captures the eerie atmosphere and lore, adapting its anthology-style storytelling into playable adventures. The game retains the podcast’s focus on cosmic horror and intimate, personal tales, offering players a unique way to engage with the haunting world of Appalachia. This adaptation expands the universe, allowing fans to craft their own stories within its dark, mysterious setting.
Setting and Atmosphere
Set in an alternate early 1900s Appalachia, the RPG features a dark, eerie world filled with ancient beings and cosmic horrors, creating a haunting atmosphere.
2.1 Alternate Appalachia in the Early 1900s
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is set in an alternate version of Appalachia during the early 1900s, a time of economic hardship and social upheaval. This alternate reality is filled with ancient, eldritch beings and mysterious forces that lurk in the shadows of the region’s dense forests and isolated communities. The setting blends traditional Appalachian folklore with cosmic horror, creating a unique and immersive world where players must navigate the dangers of the Green, the Dark, and other ancient evils that threaten the fragile existence of humanity.
2.2 The Role of the Green, the Dark, and Ancient Beings
In the Old Gods of Appalachia RPG, the Green represents a mysterious, primal force tied to nature and the unknown, while the Dark embodies an ancient, malevolent presence that corrupts and destroys. These elements are woven into the fabric of the setting, creating an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty. Ancient beings, beyond human comprehension, lurk in the shadows, their eldritch powers threatening the fragile balance of life in Appalachia. These forces shape the world and drive the horror that players must confront.
Core Rules and Gameplay Mechanics
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG uses the Cypher System, emphasizing fluid storytelling and concept-driven character creation. Its intuitive mechanics focus on narrative depth and player agency, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience tailored to the game’s dark, atmospheric setting.
3.1 The Cypher System as the Game’s Framework
The Cypher System serves as the backbone of the Old Gods of Appalachia RPG, offering a flexible and intuitive framework for storytelling and gameplay. Known for its simplicity and depth, the system emphasizes narrative exploration and character-driven experiences. Players create unique characters through a concept-driven approach, focusing on abilities and motivations rather than complex stat builds. This design ensures that the game’s dark, atmospheric setting and cosmic horror themes are seamlessly integrated into the mechanics, providing a fluid and immersive experience for all players.
3.2 Character Creation and Concept-Driven Design
Character creation in Old Gods of Appalachia is a concept-driven process, emphasizing storytelling and personalization. Players craft unique characters by selecting descriptive concepts, focusing on who they are and what they can do. The intuitive system allows for limitless customization, blending seamlessly with the game’s atmospheric setting. The Players Guide provides detailed guidance, ensuring each character is deeply rooted in the dark, eerie world of Appalachia, while optional tools like Character Portfolios enhance organization and immersion.
Themes and Tone
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG blends cosmic horror with intimate storytelling, exploring personal struggles amidst eldritch terrors in a haunting, alternate Appalachia setting.
4.1 Cosmic Horror and Eldritch Themes
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG delves into cosmic horror, featuring ancient, incomprehensible beings that lurk in the shadows of an alternate Appalachia. The game masterfully blends eldritch terrors with personal, intimate storytelling, creating a haunting atmosphere where players confront the unknown. Themes of existential dread and the unknowable are central, as characters face the Green, the Dark, and otherworldly entities that defy human understanding. This unique approach to horror immerses players in a world of eerie mystery and primal fear.
4.2 Personal, Intimate, and Atmospheric Storytelling
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG emphasizes personal, intimate narratives, weaving player-driven stories into the eerie backdrop of an alternate Appalachia. The game’s atmospheric storytelling immerses players in a world of primal fears and ancient mysteries, blending folklore with cosmic horror. Through fluid, concept-driven character creation, players craft unique identities that deeply connect with the setting. This approach fosters emotional investment, making the horrors and mysteries feel vividly personal, while the Cypher System’s flexibility enhances the dynamic, story-focused experience.
Availability and Formats
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is available in both print and PDF formats through Monte Cook Games and platforms like DriveThruRPG, ensuring accessibility for all players.
5.1 Print Edition and PDF Options
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is available in a stunning 400-page hardcover print edition priced at $69.99, offering a premium tactile experience. For digital enthusiasts, the PDF version is accessible at $22.99 through platforms like DriveThruRPG, ensuring convenience and portability. Both formats provide the complete core rules, setting lore, and character creation guidelines, catering to diverse player preferences and budgets. This dual availability makes the game accessible to fans worldwide, whether they prefer physical or digital copies.
5.2 Pricing and Distribution Channels
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG is competitively priced, with the hardcover edition available for $69.99 and the PDF version priced at $19.99. Both formats can be purchased directly from Monte Cook Games or through distribution platforms like DriveThruRPG. Additionally, the Players Guide is offered at $0.00, making it an accessible entry point for new players. The game’s digital and physical versions are widely available, ensuring fans can easily acquire their preferred format.
Key Features and Accessories
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG features a 400-page corebook in PDF format, along with accessories like character portfolios and prop-crafting kits, enhancing gameplay and immersion.
6.1 The Old Gods of Appalachia Players Guide
The Old Gods of Appalachia Players Guide is a 32-page softcover book designed for players, offering a concise overview of the setting, character creation, and core rules. It provides detailed insights into the alternate Appalachia setting, guiding players through the game’s basics and essential references. Available in both print and PDF formats, this guide is an affordable and indispensable resource for new and experienced players alike, ensuring everyone is immersed in the game’s eerie, atmospheric world.
6.2 Character Portfolios and Prop-Crafting Kits
Enhance your Old Gods of Appalachia experience with official character portfolios and prop-crafting kits. Available in both print and PDF formats, these tools provide beautifully designed character sheets and aids for crafting in-game props. The character portfolio bundle includes five reusable sheets for $22;99 in print or $2.99 as a PDF. Prop-crafting kits offer materials to create immersive game elements, helping players and GMs alike to dive deeper into the eerie atmosphere of Appalachia. Perfect for organizing your character and enriching your story.
Reception and Community Impact
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG has garnered widespread acclaim for its immersive storytelling and unique cosmic horror setting. Fans praise its atmospheric depth and narrative-driven gameplay, while its successful Kickstarter campaign reflects strong community enthusiasm, solidifying its place as a standout title in the TTRPG genre.
7.1 Kickstarter Success and Fan Engagement
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG achieved remarkable success on Kickstarter, raising over $236,000 with 2,327 backers. This enthusiasm highlights the community’s eagerness for a cosmic horror TTRPG rooted in Appalachian folklore. Fans praised the game’s unique setting and narrative focus, driving its popularity. The campaign’s success also led to the creation of additional resources, such as character portfolios and prop-crafting kits, further engaging the community and solidifying the game’s dedicated fanbase.
7.2 Reviews and Feedback from Players
Players have praised the Old Gods of Appalachia RPG for its immersive, atmospheric storytelling and unique blend of Appalachian folklore and cosmic horror. The game’s focus on personal, intimate narratives and fluid gameplay has resonated with fans, while the concept-driven character creation has been highlighted as a standout feature. Some reviewers noted a slight learning curve for newcomers to the Cypher System, but overall, the game has been well-received for its creativity and ability to evoke a chilling, eerie atmosphere.
Additional Resources and Support
The game offers a free PDF preview and quickstart guide, allowing newcomers to explore its mechanics and setting. Community-created content and third-party expansions further enrich the experience, fostering a vibrant player base and providing endless storytelling opportunities.
8.1 Free Previews and Quickstart Guides
Monte Cook Games offers a free PDF preview of the Old Gods of Appalachia RPG, allowing potential players to explore the game’s mechanics, lore, and setting before purchasing. The quickstart guide provides a condensed version of the rules, character creation, and a sample adventure, making it an excellent introduction for newcomers. This accessible resource ensures that players can dive into the eerie world of Appalachia without committing to the full game, fostering curiosity and engagement with its unique blend of cosmic horror and storytelling.
8.2 Community Content and Third-Party Creations
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG community is vibrant, with fans creating custom content to enhance gameplay. Monte Cook Games supports this creativity through official accessories like the Prop-Crafting Kit and Character Portfolios, which expand the game’s immersive experience. Fans also produce third-party materials, including adventures, character builds, and setting expansions, further enriching the eerie world of Appalachia. These contributions highlight the game’s inspiring potential and the dedication of its player base to crafting unique and terrifying stories.
Future Expansions and Updates
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG plans to expand its lore and gameplay through upcoming supplements and crowd-funded projects, promising new adventures and deeper dives into the eerie world.
9.1 Upcoming Supplements and Adventures
Monte Cook Games has announced Deeper Still, a Kickstarter-funded expansion for Old Gods of Appalachia, featuring three new books. These supplements will delve deeper into the eerie world, offering fresh adventures, lore, and mechanics. Players can expect new encounters with the Green, the Dark, and ancient beings, along with tools to enrich their storytelling experience. The expansion promises to expand the game’s atmospheric depth, providing fans with even more ways to explore the haunting Appalachian setting and its eldritch mysteries.
9.2 Developer Plans and Crowd-Funded Projects
Monte Cook Games continues to expand the Old Gods of Appalachia universe through crowd-funded initiatives. A new Kickstarter campaign, Deeper Still, aims to release three additional books, introducing more adventures, characters, and lore. These projects are driven by community engagement, ensuring that fan feedback shapes future content. By involving players in the creative process, the developers aim to deepen the game’s immersive storytelling and cosmic horror elements, further enriching the Appalachian setting and its mysterious, ancient beings.
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG offers a unique blend of cosmic horror and Appalachian folklore, providing an immersive, story-driven experience for players. Its atmospheric setting and intuitive rules make it a compelling choice for both new and experienced players, inviting them to explore the dark, eerie world of alternate Appalachia.
10.1 Final Thoughts on the Game’s Potential
The Old Gods of Appalachia RPG showcases immense potential as a standout title in the tabletop RPG genre. Its unique blend of cosmic horror, Appalachian folklore, and the Cypher System creates a compelling narrative experience. The game’s atmospheric setting and concept-driven character creation offer players a rich, immersive world to explore. With its growing community and successful Kickstarter, it’s poised to leave a lasting impact on the world of tabletop gaming, offering endless possibilities for thrilling adventures and eerie storytelling.
10.2 Encouragement for New Players
New players will find Old Gods of Appalachia inviting, with its intuitive concept-driven system and rich, atmospheric setting. The game’s focus on personal, intimate storytelling makes it accessible to those new to RPGs, while its cosmic horror elements offer depth for veterans. The availability of a PDF version and supplementary guides ensures easy entry; Embrace the eerie charm of Appalachia and dive into a world where your choices shape a haunting narrative, making it a perfect starting point for anyone eager to explore tabletop gaming.