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Bloodshadows: Fantasy-Noir RPG (Third Edition)

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It's a Mean Old World Out There 


The spellslinger upstairs conjures too loud.
The guy down the hall drinks blood from a six-pack.
That stiff you left in the alley is walking again.
The undead factory workers are on strike.
Your client skipped town before paying.
And your landlord is looking for his rent.

"Think Harry Dresden, Cast a Deadly Spell, and The Shadow rolled into one exquisite mix, and you’re playing Bloodshadows…"

Bloodshadows combines pulp adventure with dark fantasy and noir stylings. Tough detectives in weathered trenchcoats swap biting comments with vampires in evening gowns. Humans walk the dark streets of the city alongside demonic breeds and long-dead ghouls. Magic is everywhere, even if just to light a cigarette. Death waits around every corner--undeath sometimes follows. The Wilderness holds even more danger, kept at bay only by city gates and those who patrol them. It's a dark, brooding world filled with shadows and wonders.

Picture a medieval world with two opposing cosmic forces locked in battle -- the Godwar. As their armies dwindle, new soldiers are called into the fight via magical constructs and exotic species summoned from other planes of existence. Then the war comes to an end as if its leaders abandoned the battlefield. The perversions of the war flee to the Wilderness, while Humans shelter in cities, the two avoiding each other as much as possible.

Almost a millennium later, Humans run the civilized cities and guard against the Wilderness. Some Unnatural breeds, undead, and shifters have been accepted by the Humans, though not as equals in most cases. Some, like Vampires and Succubi, hunt Humans and are able to freely roam the cities as long as their true natures are hidden. Others, like the garbage-eating Gris and fast but smelly Skethspawn, often conduct their seedy business in the shadows. Then there are the Taxims, demons who inhabit the bodies of the dead in order to indulge in all manner of vices. Man walks beside them in the streets of the cities, but often unaware of their true natures. Humans and Unnaturals share one common trait--they simply want to live their lives. Indeed, this is what drives some Humans and Unnaturals to work together for a common goal.

Now picture these cities as they would appear in film-noir. Combine violence and ambiguous morals with a dark and brooding world. Envision cities built on magic, but limited by the status quo imposed by the Big Rich or others in charge. Law and crime is a microcosm of a greater struggle between order and chaos that has been reborn after centuries of relative inactivity -- a new Godwar brews. Magic is everywhere. Some know enough to light a cigarette, while others like Spellslingers, can animate the dead or create portals to other locations.

Combine elements of Noir, Pulp, Fantasy, and Horror and you have the world of Marl. The dead struggle for the same rights as the living. Unnaturals compete for the scraps of civilization. Magic rules, but only so long as it doesn't blow your head off. And you'd be lucky to end up dead in the Wilderness, for the other options may not be so pleasant.


This is a complete roleplaying game that utilizes an easy to learn system, which is also versatile and quick-playing. All the rules needed to create characters, resolve conflicts, cast spells, and design fantasy-noir adventures are included. Featuring:

  • 16 player species, ranging from Humans and half-breeds to shifters and undead.
  • 8 schools of magic that anyone can learn, including 194 spells (plus 15 cantrips that are commonplace).
  • 5 theories of magic that characters can use to create their own new spells.
  • 2 adventures: The Lady is a Vamp and Trail of Riches.
  • Optional rules like bleeding, grittier health, and alternate magic feedback help customize the game to your needs.
  • Use experience to increase the odds, better resist damage, or introduce new subplots (optional)
  • Use exploits to enhance your success, like increasing damage or affecting multiple targets.
  • Look for clues, use your connections, and give chase in the streets on foot, horseback, or by car.
  • Conversion notes from genreDiversion i/Ghostories/Mean Streets, Bloodshadows Classic/MasterBook, and Pacesetter System™ (Cryptworld™, Majus™, Rotworld™). Use with Active Exploits for Diceless play.
  • PDF background layer can be turned off for faster and cheaper home printing.
This stand-alone game is powered by Precis Intermedia’s critically-acclaimed genreDiversion™ Third Edition Rules, requiring only two 6-sided dice and can be played with or without miniatures.

Note: this includes the same content as the softcover version.

"Solid book... this is a tight, impressive update. Presentation feels very fantasy-noir (and crisp and legible), and comprehensive. This is probably my favorite [genreDiversion] book... The [Ghostories], Mean Streets and Cryptworld adaption notes really broaden the possibilities."

"Wonderful system. The setting is well developed and thought out. The game mechanics are simple but provide a wealth of depth. The magic system is well done. Bloodshadows 3E is now my wife's favorite system."

Find more related titles here, including a free adventure.

Cryptworld™, Majus™, Rotworld™, Pacesetter System™, and associated text, logos, and trademarks are owned by Daniel Proctor. Used with permission under license.

THIS SITE REMOVED THE PREVIEW METHOD THAT ALL OF OUR TITLES UTILIZED. UNTIL WE WORK OUT A REPLACEMENT METHOD, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO VISIT PRECIS INTERMEDIA'S WEB SITE FOR PREVIEWS (SEE "PUBLISHER WEBSITE" LINK AT LEFT).

About Precis Intermedia

One of the original RPG e-publishers, award-winning Precis Intermedia is known for its diverse catalog of clear and concise games, as well as classic reprints and new editions of vintage titles.

Shatterzone | Bloodshadows | Supergame | Two-Fisted Tales | Worlds Beyond | Lair of Sword & Sorcery | Exiled in Eris | Man, Myth & Magic | HardNova 2 | Coyote Trail | Earth AD.2 | Mean Streets | Ghostories | MasterBook | Warcosm | Wee Warriors | More...

an overview of the rules is ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLISHER PREVIEW LINK AT TOP.

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Reviews (1)
Discussions (6)
Customer avatar
Chuck D May 28, 2019 11:20 am UTC
PURCHASER
The PDF download is corrupted.
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Customer avatar
Brett B May 28, 2019 3:21 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You are the only one to complain about it, so I suggest trying to download it with a different browser.
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Customer avatar
Chuck D May 31, 2019 3:59 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I've tried. Perhaps this is something new?
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Customer avatar
Brett B May 31, 2019 4:26 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
The file hasn't changed. Contact us and we'll try to sort it out: http://www.pigames.net/contact
Customer avatar
Heather M April 08, 2019 6:48 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is this book compatible with other genre diversion 3e books? Specifically, Stormrift RPG? A mash up with Korr, vampires, and magic sounds like so much fun!
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Customer avatar
Brett B April 09, 2019 2:22 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi. They all use the system, so not a problem. However, Bloodshadows 3E introduces some new rules and options, so look to that if there is a question.
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Customer avatar
Heather M April 09, 2019 4:57 am UTC
PURCHASER
Got it! Thanks!
Customer avatar
Vivianne C November 08, 2016 12:22 pm UTC
Perhaps I am simply mistaken and I'm remembering it wrong, but I swear I remember seeing a Pathfinder version of this somewhere... yeah I'm not finding it anywhere here on Drive-Thru RPG or on your main site. This is leaving me very confused and frustrated.
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Customer avatar
Brett B November 08, 2016 1:51 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
No, there is no Pathfinder version.
Customer avatar
Jesse B September 27, 2016 7:38 pm UTC
PURCHASER
If I purchase the pdf here at Drivethru, will you offer a discount once the POD is available here?
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Customer avatar
Brett B September 27, 2016 7:56 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
The softcover will not be available on this site, as it is not printed via this site. It will be available via Precis Intermedia directly, select retailers, and amazon.com/ca/co.uk/de/fr/it/es. Your local book store will also be able to order for you.

If you order the PDF here, you can send us proof of purchase to get the softcover at the discounted price via the Precis Intermedia site.
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Customer avatar
Jesse B September 27, 2016 7:59 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thank you very much for the quick answer!
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Customer avatar
Brett B September 27, 2016 8:03 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You are very welcome.
Customer avatar
Michael H September 16, 2016 4:33 pm UTC
POD please.
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Customer avatar
Brett B September 16, 2016 4:37 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You can pre-order the softcover via Precis Intermedia's web site.
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Customer avatar
Brett B September 16, 2016 4:50 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You can also upgrade from PDF to softcover.
Reply
Customer avatar
Brett B December 25, 2017 7:11 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You can also order it via amazon.com/ca/co.uk/it/es/de/fr.
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Product Information
Gold seller
Pages
258
Publisher Stock #
PLI150
File Size:
32.92 MB
Format
Original electronic Click for more information
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File Last Updated:
October 01, 2016
This title was added to our catalog on September 15, 2016.