Pijas Souls

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)
YOU DIED
Credits

2

DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game Team
Writing & Design

Richard August & Mat Hart
Additional Writing
Alex Delaney
Development Editing
Alan Bahr
Editing
Emil Andersen
Ead Brown
Gabe Hicks
Sherwin Matthews
Elise Rezendes
Graphic Design & Layout

Elliott Smith
Playtesting
The Thursday Night Gamers
Steamforged Games Team
Co-Founders Graphic Design & Layout Marketing & Community Management

Mat Hart (CCO) Mike Hyslop Chynna-Blue Scott
Rich Loxam (CEO) Elliott Smith Mike Appleton
Adam Steel Luuk Bolander
Chairman Abigail Thornton Rae Dixon
Simon Spalding Kelly Vizma Stuart Fenton
David Wheeler Laurence Finch
Non-Executive Director Emma King
Ron Ashtiani Human Resources Stuart Lee
Ian Livingstone CBE Gareth Reid Aimee Neale
Chynna-Blue Scott
Investment Director Production Nicole Holmes-De-Wyvill Sinclair
Rob Jones Candy Chan Ben Taylor
Matthew Elliott Ross Thompson
Development Nicolas Lu Dylan Wilby
Richard August Carl Matthews
Jordan Connolly Tom Rochford Licensing & Commercial
Alex Delaney Tom Hart
Fraser McFetridge Finance/IT Emma Higgins
Steve Margetson Jo Bebb Toby Davies
Sherwin Matthews John Higham Firoz Rana
Jamie Perkins Adam King Elise Rezendes
Vanessa O‘Brien Jo Turner
Sculpting & Art Amy Rapaport Matthew Vann-Hinton
Ben Charles
Russ Charles Operations & Fulfillment
Lua Garo Judy Guan
Nathan Lines John Hockey
Tom Lishman Richard Jennings
Doug Telford Susanna Ngai
Holly Woolford

Chapter II - Core Rules
Using Ability Scores 72

Ability Scores and Modifiers 73
Table of Advantage and Disadvantage

Proficiency Bonus
74
74
Contents Ability Checks

Contests
75
76
Skills 77
Variants: Skills with Different Abilities 78
Passive Checks 78
Position 79
Helping A Companion 82
Group Checks 82
Prologue Using Each ability 84

- Strength 85
Introduction 7 - Dexterity 86
What is a Roleplaying Game? 9 - Constitution 87
Using the Dice 10 - Intelligence 87
Playing DARK SOULS 11 - Wisdom 88
So Remember... 12 - Charisma 88
Saving Throws 89
Souls, Experience and Levelling Up 90
Adventuring 92
Chapter I - Character Generation Special Types of Movement 94
Environment 95
4 Objects 96
Introduction 15 Resting, Death and Respawning 98
Character Generation Process 16 Conditions 100
Something's Different Here... 17 Poison 102
The Unkindled 18 Madness 103
Character Concept 19 Traps 106
Backstory, Memory and Drives 20 Combat 111
Backstories 22 Creature Size 115
Memories 23 Actions in Combat 117
Drives 24 Cover 123
Using Your Backstory, Memory, and Drives 25 Bloodied Conditions 124
Damage Type 125
Origins 26 Mounted Combat 127
- The Brute 28 Underwater Combat 127
- The Fencer 28
- Jack of all Trades 29
- Caster 29
Classes 30
- Knight 32 Chapter III - Magic & Miracles
- Mercenary 36
- Assassin 40 Introduction 129
- Warrior 44 Acquiring Spells 130
- Thief 48 Cost 131
- Herald 52 Range 132
- Cleric 56
- Sorcerer 60 Pyromancer Spells 134
- Pyromancer 64 Sorceries 138
- The Deprived 68 Miracles 143

Chapter IV - Equipment Chapter VI - The World of Lothric
Introduction 149 Introduction 267

Encumbrance 150 Using this Chapter 268
Core Equipment 152

Cemetery of Ash 270
Armour 158
Firelink Shrine 272
Shields 174
Undead Settlement 274
- Small Shields 175
- Standard Shields Cathedral of the Deep 276
178
- Greatshields Road of Sacrifices 278
182
Weapons Catacombs of Carthus 280
186
- Daggers Irithyll of the Boreal Valley 282
188
- Straight Swords Irithyll Dungeon 284
190
- Greatswords Farron Keep 286
193
- Ultra Greatswords Profaned Chapel 288
196
- Curved Swords Anor Londo 290
198
- Curved Greatswords 201 Lothric Castle 292
- Thrusting Swords 202 Grand Archive 294
- Katanas 203 Archdragon Peak 296
- Axes 204
- Great Axes 206
- Hammers 208
- Great Hammers 209
- Spears and Pikes 212
Chapter VII - Monsters & Antagonists
- Halberds 215
- Scythes 217 Introduction 299
- Whips 218
- Fist and Claws 219 Beasts 300 5
- Bows 220 Golems and Constructs 316
- Great Bows 222 Demons 322
- Crossbows 222 Denizens of the Darkness 330
- Staves 224 Undead 348
- Chimes, Flames and Talismans 226 Bosses 356
Rings 230
Souls 235 Glossary 398
Character Sheet 403
Index 404
Chapter V - Kindling the Flame
Introduction 237
Running a DARK SOULS Game 238 Download a free DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game
Difficulty Levels 239 character sheet from our website: www.steamforged.com
Lore and Canon 240
Plot and Goals 242
Building Adventures 244
Locations 246
Themes 248
Encounters 250
Bosses 252 For Greg Stafford, and Hidetaka Miyazaki -
NPCs 254 in thanks for giving us whole worlds to play in.
Campaigns 258
Bonfires and Estus Refills 261 Thanks to all who offered feedback and
Equipment: Finding it, Winning it, and Buying it 262 helped make this game better. Your patience
Optional Rules: Summoning 264 and assistance was invaluable.

6

Introduction
he world is occluded, choked with fog and
darkness. The men and women around you,
empty husks of what were once breathing,
laughing human beings. The gods who gave
fire to the world merely demiurges, their hubris
bringing down the most terrible of afflictions on those lacking
their power. And, with the hideous inevitability that life
follows death, uglier and more powerful things lumber out of
the shadows, lusting after souls, flesh, warmth... anything to
ease their existence.
7
Welcome to DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game! Based on the best-

selling video game franchise, this book contains everything you need to play
immersive roleplaying games (RPGs) set in the sinister and crumbling world of
DARK SOULS. From innovative combat mechanics, endlessly customisable
character design, and a host of unique spells and abilities, this book enables
players to experience the strange and ethereal atmosphere of this unique
world, while crafting their own story of inevitably doomed heroism.
This chapter offers a brief introduction and overview for those who are
familiar with RPGs on their console or computer screen, but have yet to
experience them on a tabletop.
If you know your way around a set of polyhedral dice, you can fast travel to
the next bonfire—Chapter
bonfire—Chapter One: Character Generation, but keep an eye out
for some new rules. Check pages 79 and page 124 for rules on Position, and
Bloodied conditions, as well as Chapter 3 for a brand new magic system.
For those who are new, prepare yourself for a world of infinite adventure,
limited only by your imagination and how long your luck might hold...

8

Introduction
—
What is a
Roleplaying Game?
A s with the original DARK SOULS video games, a tabletop roleplaying game involves a player
taking on the part of an individual character, guiding them through a fictional world. As they
do so, their character will grow and improve, becoming more skilful as they hone their abilities,
learn new talents, and gain new weapons and equipment. Where a tabletop roleplaying game
differs from a video game is in the other players around the table; your friends get to play their
own characters, with whom you form a band of protagonists, encountering danger and challenges
as you attempt to achieve your objectives.
There is another player at the table, but, unlike everyone else, they aren’t playing an individual.
They are the Game Master, or GM. While other players concentrate on deciding and describing
the actions of their individual, the GM describes everything else going on around them, from the
reactions of enemies to the weather above.
The GM creates and sets the scenes in which the players have their characters act. Think of the GM
as a cross between a film director, a set designer and all the character-actors and extras needed to
make a cinematic masterpiece work. Yes, they are the ones nominally running the show, but it’s all
to make sure their stars look good—and your protagonists are the stars. Except, of course, this is
DARK SOULS. While you may be the star, you’ll have to be clever, cautious, and skilful to survive.
Below is a short illustration of how play can unfold:
Game Master (GM): So, you’re approaching a series Carli: I fire my bow!
of gnarled, misshapen trees that cast strange shadows
on the ground. Ahead, there is a flickering light. What GM: Okay, make me an attack roll.
are you doing?
Carli (rolling a d20): 5. Plus 2. For a total of 7. That’s
Hidetaka: I ready my sword, holding it in two hands not going to hit, is it?
and stowing my shield on my back. Then I slowly creep
towards the light. GM: I’m afraid not. But the thrum of the bow string
and the thunk of the arrow striking a tree nearby has
Carli: I follow, my bow at the ready. attracted the Hollows’ attention. They turn toward you,
dead eyes gleaming red.
GM: Excellent. The light, through the trees, merely
accentuates the sinister shadows creeping around you. Hidetaka: I heft my sword and charge!
Suddenly you are confronted by a clearing, in which
three Hollows stumble around the fire.
D uring each gameplay session the players progress through a story or adventure. These can be
played individually or as part of a grand, overarching narrative campaign made up of several
stories. Think of adventures as events taking place in an individual dungeon or location, and a
campaign as your journey across the entire world. This is not to say that playing a single adventure
or a campaign is better or worse. They’re simply different.
Playing a single adventure can be an exhilarating ride, where you can push your character to their
limits, unconcerned about consequences. A campaign offers something different, however, and
presents an opportunity to delve deep into the lore and narrative you and the GM have created
between you. Your characters can grow, developing new facets to their personalities, and find new
perspectives and understanding of the world around them. The story can be straightforward or have
multiple twists and head in strange directions, wrong-footing both you and the GM!

Introduction
—
Using
the Dice
I n the DARK SOULS video game, mechanics like whether you hit or how much damage you
inflict are handled by your console or computer. In the tabletop game, things are decided by
rolling dice. DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game uses polyhedral dice of various different sizes.
Dice are always described in shorthand, as “d”, and then the number of facings on the die (i.e. d4
is the die with four faces, d6 is the die with six faces, and so on). The only instance where this isn’t
the case is a d3. When a rule requires a d3, roll a d6 and halve the result, rounding up.
D4 D6 D8 D10 D12 D20
There’s one dice which might be a little different to what you’ve seen before—the d4. After rolling
a d4, the result is the number which is upright on all three faces.
10
T he most common die you’ll roll when making a check or test is the d20. When you roll a d20
you’ll usually roll the die and then add a modifier to the result. These modifiers are usually
taken from the Attributes which define each character. These are Strength (STR); Dexterity (DEX),
Constitution (CON), Intelligence (INT), Wisdom (WIS), and Charisma (CHA).
Occasionally a rule may also apply other modifiers to the result. You might, for example, have used
an ability or cast a spell, or be attempting a particularly difficult challenge.
Once you have a final result, it is compared to a target number, or Difficulty Class (DC). If the result
equals or exceeds this number, the roll passes. If it’s less than the number, the roll failed the check or test.
Some dice rolls are made with advantage or disadvantage. When doing so, roll two d20 instead of one.
When rolling with advantage, discard the die with the lowest result. When rolling with disadvantage,
discard the die with the highest result.
There are, of course, many different rules to reflect the strange and deadly events which an adventurer
must confront as part of their quest. DARK SOULS is a world beset by fell creatures, saturated in
peculiar magics... nothing is simple, nothing is without risk. Other rules, detailed elsewhere in this
book, offer a means of simulating the terrifying impact of eldritch sorcery, the secrets of pyromancy
and other elements of the DARK SOULS world.
Making an Attack Check
M at’s character, a Knight named Sir Windrunner, is attempting to attack a Hollow Soldier. The
Hollow Soldier is wearing the armour they bore in their past life, giving them an Armour
Class (AC) of 15. Unfortunately, this target number makes the Hollow quite difficult to hit.
Sir Windrunner is a skilled combatant, and certainly no stranger to bloodshed. When making
an attack check, Sir Windrunner adds a +4 modifier to the result. Sir Windrunner has also been
carefully picking his way through the ruins of Lothric Castle, and managed to sneak up on the
Hollow. As a result, the GM determines Sir Windrunner has advantage on his attack.
Mat rolls two d20, and gets a 3 and a 16! He discards the 3, then adds his +4 modifier to the 16 for
a total result of 20. Sir Windrunner easily beats the Hollow Soldier’s AC of 15. It’s a hit!

Introduction
—
Playing
DARK SOULS
D ARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game is different from other RPGs. In those games, you might
play the hero or the villain, but in either situation, you’re likely to survive, and even prosper.
There is no such guarantee in this game. Death is a constant presence. It doesn’t matter how strong
or well prepared the player characters believe themselves to be; a poorly planned strategy for combat
and a bad round of dice and characters can be dead. Yes, they can come back again, but that’s not
the point. The DARK SOULS franchise is infamous for its difficulty; this game is true to that.
The process of negotiating the DARK SOULS world is one fraught with danger, with blood, with
trepidation. The GM shouldn’t be afraid of making things difficult for their players, and players
shouldn’t be afraid to think tactically, to find new approaches to the lethal foes they face, to seek
to outwit and outthink the complexities of the world they face.
Where next?
The first step is to consider who you are in this strange and sinister world, and then create a character.
But, should you wish to skip ahead, here’s an overview of what you can find in each chapter.
11
Character Generation — Rules for creating your own unkindled character, ready
I to enter the heart of Lothric and undertake the most dangerous of expeditions.
Core Rules — How do you play the game? This chapter shows you, taking you through
II the rules and how your character interacts with the world—and how to survive it!
Magic — The secrets of sorcery are contained herein! The spells for the Sorcerer,
III Cleric, and Pyromancer class are found here, along with rules for how magic works
in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game.
Equipment — An exhaustive list of armour, shields, and weapons, enabling you to

IV fit out your characters exactly as your wish!
Kindling the Flame — This chapter is for the GM. It’s a guide on building authentic
V games in the DARK SOULS world, and includes additional and optional rules to
help capture the brooding strangeness at Lothric’s heart.
The World of Lothric — The key locations of Lothric, ready for you to explore again.
VI Reveal the sinister remains of this once great kingdom like never before!
Monsters & Antagonists — Creatures dwell in the shadows, foul beasts await you,
VII and the living dead pursue you endlessly. This chapter is filled with statistics for these
foul creatures, and much more.

So Remember…
When the link of fire is threatened, the bell tolls, unearthing
the old Lords of Cinder from their graves... Aldrich, Saint of
12
the Deep... Farron's Undead Legion, the Abyss Watchers... And
the reclusive lord of the Profaned Capital, Yhorm the Giant...
Only, in truth... the Lords will abandon their thrones... And the
Unkindled will rise. Nameless, accursed Undead, unfit even to
be cinder. And so it is, that ash seeketh embers.
Welcome, friends, to Lothric…

13

14

Character
Generation
ou awake by a bonfire; the flames lick and smear
at the darkness, forcing it back. Beyond the circle
of light, shadows move. Things stir, watching you,
waiting. But, for now, that’s all they do. Who
are you? You’re unsure. Something like memory
gnaws at the fringes of your mind. Flashes of silver. Screams of 15
the dying. Maybe. But not now… this was before. Long before.
What matters is: who are you now?
Generating a character is straightforward and extremely quick, allowing

you to get exploring the ruined kingdom of Lothric as soon as possible.
The character generation process has five simple steps, detailed on

the following pages. All you need to do is follow them, filling in your
character sheet as you go.
If you’re concerned this is too simple, don’t worry. As you play, there
will be plenty of opportunity to customise your character, tweaking
them so they suit your vision and play style; as your character gains
skills, abilities, and equipment, there will be a plethora of methods
to make your character feel truly unique.

Character Generation Process
1
Decide on a concept
for your character
2
Choose/Randomly determine your
Memory, Backstory, and Drive
16
3
Select your Origin — this gives you your
attribute scores, and modifiers
4
Select your Class — this gives you your
skills, class abilities, and starting equipment
5
Get Playing!

Character Generation
—
Something’s
Different Here…
I f you’re familiar with the world’s first RPG, you might notice a few
things missing from Character Generation. The first, and perhaps
most substantial of these, is the option to choose a heritage (or race).
In DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game you are all Unkindled. You
possess vague memories of your home, of where you come from, but
little in the way of solid information. It’s all fragments. You might
care about who you were, you might not. But it doesn’t define you.
In the same way, there are no alignments in this game, either for 17
your characters or for the monsters you must face. DARK SOULS
is a world of moral ambiguity, and of moral strangeness. Are the
Unkindled good, as they hack their way through endless enemies, to
relight a flame? Is the world not better dead? Does Yhorm deserve
to die? For all its magic, and its mystery, the world of Lothric is
intensely human, and human decisions can’t be neatly divided into
nine categories.
We’ve also omitted languages. In DARK SOULS, creatures can

either speak or not. The Unkindled utters not a word throughout
the entirety of DARK SOULS III. Your character can speak, of
course, but choosing different languages isn’t important. If you meet a
creature able to speak, you can speak to it. If it can understand speech,
it can understand you.
We've also added things. Instead of hit points, there's Position.

Position measures both your stamina, your cunning, and your health.
It can also be spent, enabling characters to utilise their special features
and abilities. For more on Position, and other special rules, including
the Bloodied condition, see Chapter 2, pages 79 and page 124.

—
The
Unkindled
Y ou are Unkindled. All player characters in

DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game are.
your weapons? That doesn’t matter. All that
matters is what you choose to believe.
You were dead. Long consigned to the grave. This section helps you begin to conceive
And now… now you’re not. You don’t know your character, to create someone perfectly
how or why. But you’ve been raised from the suited both to the world of DARK SOULS:
dead. This is far from unique. The kingdom The Roleplaying Game, and to the ideas you
of Lothric, and beyond, is swarming with the have in your head. First off, we’ll discuss
18 mindless, rapacious undead. You’re different, constructing a clear character concept, and
though. You possess a sense of self, a mind. then we’ll begin to flesh this out a little more.
You know who you are, what you are. There’s One way is to choose your own backstory; the
little memory, perhaps, but you recollect parts other is to determine the memories you retain
of your past life. You know what you once were, from your past lives—both are invaluable
if not who. And there’s one more thing; you methods of making your DARK SOULS
don’t seem to be able to die a second time. Go character that little bit more your own. The last,
ahead, try… and perhaps most important step, in creating
a character concept is your character’s drive.
You just awaken, once again, next to a bonfire. Why do they continue to drag themselves up
The essence of life sparked once more in your each time they die? What is it that forces them
chest. Weary, bone-weary, you drag yourself onwards, against the hordes of the undead, the
to your feet and prepare to begin again. But cruel talons of the demons? What do they seek,
why? What has made you as you are? What what’s their quest? We’ll know, soon enough.
forces you, time and time again, raise yourself
up from beside these burning cinders, and heft

—
Character
Concept
Y our character is how you interact with the

world of DARK SOULS. As you wander
its abandoned corridors or plunge into the
them unique. Knowing what you want your
strengths and weaknesses to be assists you in
choosing your Origin, and your Class. But it
remnants of once-magnificent palaces, you can also aid you in thinking about who your
explain their actions to the GM, and detail Unkindled is, as a person. The Unkindled
their responses as the GM confronts you with aren’t entirely blank. They aren’t hollows. Each
some ancient grotesquerie. But who are they? of them possesses a personality, a character
In the DARK SOULS video games, you learn that seeps through in their every action.
of your character’s past as you experience their 19
adventures. That’s true, to some extent, in This leads us to the final element. What does
DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game too. your character wish to achieve? Is it to become
The emergent nature of tabletop roleplaying a Lord of Cinder? Is it to free the Unkindled
games, however, means things don’t always from the cycle of life and death and rebirth?
happen as expected. With this in mind, Or is it simply to be left alone, to be allowed
coming up with a clear concept for your to drift off, slowly, and peacefully, into death?
character helps both you envision who your This final decision helps when determining
character is, and helps the GM come up with your backstory, and the memories you possess
possible quests for them to go on. from your previous lives. If your Unkindled is
tired of this life, why? Did their grand failure,
A character concept doesn’t have to feature deep in the past, break them for all time? Or
huge amounts of detail, or be fully fleshed did they never intend to bring the curse of
out. Just a single key idea, or feature, is usually undeath on themselves?
enough. What do you want your character to
be good at? How do they fit into the world of Use these prompts to help you begin creating
Lothric? What do they want to achieve? an original character, unique to you, but
perfectly suited to the grim, oppressive
This gives both you and the GM a clear idea of darkness of Lothric.
what makes your character tick; what makes

—
Backstory,
Memories, and Drives
T he actions of Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, brought the curse upon the world. In exchange for
prolonging the Age of Light, he sacrificed himself and all who worshipped him. The selfish
actions of a man who power had fundamentally corrupted? Or the final act of a man who put the
survival of the world beyond himself ? It does not matter to you. All you truly know is that you
bore the mark, the Dark Sign, and were despised for it. And, finally, when the end came – whether
at the edge of a blade, or in the feverish grip of a disease – you awoke. You were still you. More or
less. You possessed most of your memories, maybe. Or maybe you had none of them. But you had
a mind; you could think. You still can. The curse returned you from the darkness of death to the
pallid gleam of life. But you cannot truly say which you preferred.
Being Chosen The Weight of Memory
20
T hose who do live in the world, as opposed
to unlive, sometimes find themselves
chosen, or driven by their own inner desires,
W ho are you? What do you remember of
your old life? Only you can tell, truly. So
much of you might have been lost, so much
to travel beyond the settlements of their birth, might have been taken by the insinuating grip
to venture into the landscape and to find of the grave. Or perhaps you recall everything
adventure. The same is true of you, the dead, that was your life before you awoke. It is rare,
the Unkindled. Sometimes, upon awakening, but it is possible. What kind of person were
you recognise that you have changed. Not in you before the Curse claimed you? Were you
the slow, corrosive way you are always semi- a devoted family man or a ruthless butcher? A
conscious of, but in some other sense... you have kind, caring woman with many friends or the
been called by powers greater and stranger than dead-eyed executor of contracts taken out on
yourself. For some who awake, their quest is to those who angered the wealthy? What do the
either prolong the Age of Fire or end it. Others living who once knew you say upon seeing your
pursue other goals, more cryptic requirements face, now withering, but still, unmistakeably,
which the gods and those other beings of great you? And do you even know them at all?
power inhabiting this cruel and blighted world
place upon them. You have had such a geas laid All of these questions can be answered in play
upon you. Your only choice is to follow it. It is but determining a few elements ahead of time
the nature of such things. is a worthwhile part of character generation. It
allows you to more fully define your Unkindled,
and it aids the GM in creating adventures.
There shouldn’t be too much detail, of course.
This is DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game.
It’s deliberately intended to be vague, strange,
opaque. Hints, rumours, fragments… these are
the foundations of the world.

21

Character Creation
—
Backstories
S o… who was your character before they awoke by the bonfire? What had they done, what did
they seek to escape? The following table contains several possibilities. You can randomly choose
one by rolling a d20, select the one you like most, or use them as inspiration for crafting your own.
You sought to become a great lord of Lothric, by any You lived by your wits, a gambler, a drunkard, a sot. None
1 means. You failed. 11 liked you, but you didn’t care.
You’re a lowly murderer, hanged in ages past and Physicians cure the sick, bring life to the dying. You
2 forgotten about. 12 sought to heal, but what purpose your craft in this world
where undeath touches everything?
You were a poet, writing the tales of knights and damsels, You raised a family, tilled the fields, cultivated crops.
3 singing them to court. 13 Until the darkness came.
22
A thief. Nothing more, and nothing less. You stole the There’s always been a need for graves. You dug them,
4 earnings of any you could. 14 hauled the corpses to them, and filled them in again.
A great warrior. You were beloved by many for your deeds. You were a bandit; hiding in the hills and raiding villages
5 And loathed by many more. 15 when you got the chance.
You were a sage, constantly trying to unpick the hidden An apprentice to a sorcerer—you sought the mysteries of
6 history of the Lords of Cinder. You didn’t get very far. 16 the beyond, in books and teachings. Maybe you found them.
All the ancient knights of Lothric needed squires. You An alchemist was what they called you. All you cared
7 were one, tending to their weapons and armour, waiting 17 for was the perfect combination of substances, achieving
your chance to become a knight yourself. the ideal effect.
Dungeons need warders, keeping their prisoners safely You preached the message to the faithful; gathering your
8 incarcerated, no matter what their sin might be. You
were keeper of the keys.
18 flock, and reassuring them of salvation. Did you believe
any of it?
A killer for hire is an ugly name, for an ugly job. But it You were a brutal master, working your servants to death.
9 was your ugly job, and you were good at it. 19 Can you ever be redeemed?
You were an archivist, preserving the fragments of ancient A knight. You’re certain. One of those who rode steeds and
10 wisdom that survived the ages. If only you could recall any of it. 20 sought quests to prove your virtue. Definitely. That was you.

Character Creation
—
Memories
H ow much do you remember of your past life? What remains in your mind, not stripped from
you as the possibility of true death was stripped from you? The following table contains
possible last memories your Unkindled might possess, lodged ineradicably in their minds. The
Unkindled tend to remember little of their lives before, though it is seldom entirely stripped
from their recollection. Some remember everything, every last moment of their lives before. As
with determining your backstory, you can randomly determine a last memory, choose one which
fits your concept, or use those below to inspire your own creation.
A man stands over you with a bloody knife, laughing. The screams and chaos of a bandit raid, running, arrows
1 Laughing and laughing. 11 flickering past you…
The scent of earth in your nose, as it fell onto your face. Horses’ hooves, trampling down on you, imperiously.
2 Were you buried alive? 12
The grasping, clawing hands of hollows everywhere. The beating of wings, and the sudden darkening of the sky.
3 13
23
The roar of something… something vast… behind you. Applause. A crowd, gathered to watch you die, and were
4 14 pleased as you did.
A roaring explosion, sudden blazing heat, spray of stone, Touching that treasure chest.
5 and then darkness. 15
The feel of foetid breath on your neck. The roughness of a rope around your neck, the stifling
6 16 interior of a hemp sack over your head, the feeling of
nothing beneath your feet for a moment.
Watching as the rock beneath your hands suddenly gave way Someone shouting in your face, and a punch. No worse
7 17 than you’d received before but this time…
Joyful smiles on the faces of people you love, becoming A thud. A second thud. No pain. Not initially. And then
8 rictuses of agony. 18 you glanced down to see arrows, protruding from your chest.
How hard breathing had become. How you weren’t sure You knew you shouldn’t have read those words aloud.
9 where your neck ended, and your body began. 19
A flame blossoming into life somewhere ahead of you, A pain in your chest. Searing, your left arm aching and useless.
10 flickering in the dark. 20

Character Creation
—
Drives
Y ou are dead, but not quite. You’re alive, but not truly. The Unkindled are an anomaly.
Some believe them to be the only means of saving Lothric, and the world, from the ever-
encroaching darkness. Others insist you are abomination, the cause of the suffering slowly
drowning the world. Amid this onslaught of theology, of praise, and hatred, you pick up your
sword or your talisman. But why? What drives you on? Why, when you are sure to suffer so much
pain, and rejection, do you gather your memories each time you awaken beside the bonfire, and
try, once more to bring light into the darkness? Use the following table to randomly generate a
drive, choose one which suits your character concept, or inspire one of your own!
To become a Lord of Cinder – no matter the cost to To correct the mistakes of the Cinder Lords.
1 you, or the world. 11
To return the sun to this stygian world. To finally erase the mark of the Unkindled from your
2 12 flesh.
To know everything. Everything. No matter how obscure. To save the world. Whatever is left of it.
3 13
24
To become the sorcerer you know you should be. To become the greatest warrior ever known.
4 Powerful beyond compare. 14
Simply to die. Finally, completely. To see Lothric, once again, filled with life.
5 15
To restore the first flame to life. To rediscover yourself. Whoever you were, you want
6 16 to know.
To destroy all who would stand before you, no matter To one day, return home, to see the place of your birth
7 who or what they might be. 17 one last time.
To bring the faith of the gods to the sheltered and lost. To discover the lost tome, containing the true history
8 18 of the world.
To consign the undead, including yourself, once more To heal this blasted world, and make it anew.
9 to the grave. 19
To extinguish the first flame forever. To achieve redemption; you know the darkness in
10 20 your past lives. Perhaps you can cleanse yourself.

—
Using Your Backstory,

Memory, and Drives
T hese elements of your character aren’t simply to flesh out your Unkindled. They also serve an
important mechanical function, enabling your character to push beyond their limitations, to
strive to keep going against apparently impossible odds.
This is called ‘invoking’ and is a way of both developing your character and bringing that character
to the tabletop. When you face a situation, you can describe a way in which an element of your
backstory, your memory, or your drive, assists you in dealing with the challenge ahead. For example,
when searching through the Grand Archive (see page 294) for a specific book, a character with
the drive ‘to discover the lost tome, containing the true history of the world’ might explain to the
GM they wish to draw on this drive to make them focus harder, search more diligently, and push
past any tiredness. Whether or not your invocation is up to the GM. They are the final arbiter of
whether you can invoke your character element in this way or not.
Each of the different character elements can be invoked to achieve a specific mechanical benefit.
When using your backstory or memory, you must invoke them before making your roll. Only when 25
invoking your drive can you do so after you’ve made a check or saving throw.
Once per Long rest, you may invoke each of these character elements to gain a specific mechanical benefit.
Invoking your memory

Allows you to roll with advantage on one check of your choice.
Invoking your backstory

Allows you to roll with advantage on one saving throw of your choice.
Invoking your drive

Allows you to reroll one failed check or saving throw of any kind.
Being creative and finding interesting ways of utilising these character elements is actively
encouraged; add additional details to further justify your choices, elaborate on what happened,
gradually unfurl your backstory as you find new ways of using it. The only things to remember are
that the GM must agree to your invocation, and you must directly cite your character element—
that is, it must form a key part of your invocation.

—
Origins
T here are four Origins; these determine your initial stats and give
you an idea of the kind of classes you’re most likely to excel at. If
you have a particular kind of character concept in your head, choose the
Origin which best suits that concept. So, for instance, if you intend to
26 be a belligerent knight, hacking through hollows and refusing to accept
the dying of the flame, then you should probably choose the Brute. If,
instead, you want to draw on your faith, and use prayer to drive out
the darkness, then selecting the Caster origin might be a better option.
There are no restrictions on choosing a class, however. If you wish to

select the Fencer origin, and then choose to be a Pyromancer—that’s
fine. Your character is your character; build them entirely as you wish.
Each overview gives you your base statistics and modifiers, plus your
Position dice. This determines your base Position and tells you your
Position dice—the dice you’ll be rolling when determining your Position
pool for combat (for more on this, see page 79). It also provides the
formula for determining your Position if your character is starting at a
level other than one. This is different from how you increase your Position
if you level up normally, which is also discussed on page 79. You’ll also
find your Bloodied ability (for more on being bloodied, see page 124).

27

The Brute The Fencer
B ig, strong, obdurate. You’re used to enduring pain, and

continuing to push on, push forward, push through.
There’s nothing out there, no creature lurking in the darkness,
C onstantly moving, your blade a flowing line of silver,
you’re a deadly combatant. You are the master of the
blade, of the parry and riposte, of the forms of war. There is
you’re unable to defeat. The strength of your sword arm is all nothing you know, and love, more than the relentless surge of
that matters. battle. You’re always ready to duel, and no foe is too large, or
too deadly, for you.
Brutes are good at: Fencers are good at:
Taking damage; you can protect your party, Dealing damage; you’re talented with multiple weapons,
drawing the enemy’s ire. and you’re a formidable opponent.
Dealing out pain; you’re strong and deadly. Keeping out of harm’s way; you’re swift, and able
With the right weapon, you’re unstoppable. to dodge even the most accurate of blows.
You make an excellent Knight, Mercenary, or Warrior. You make an excellent Assassin, Thief, and Herald.
Brute Position Fencer Position

28 Position Dice: 1d10 per level Position Dice: 1d8 per fencer level
Position at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier Position at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Position at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution Position at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution
Modifier + Brute level after 1st Modifier + Fencer level after 1st
Bloodied Effects Bloodied Effects

During combat, when reduced to 50% of their starting During combat, when reduced to 50% of their starting
Position pool, a brute gains the following benefits: Position pool, a fencer gains the following benefits:
They may add an additional +3 to their AC.

They may add an additional +2 to their Dexterity.
They gain advantage on all Strength-related
They make one additional reaction on their turn.
checks and saving throws.
They reduce all melee-weapon position spend costs by 1.
They reduce all damage they take by 2 points.
Brute Base Statistics Fencer Base Statistics

Base Speed: 30 feet. Base Speed: 30 feet.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 10 14 10 12 13 12 15 14 13 10 10
(+2) (+0) (+2) (+0) (+1) (+1) (+1) (+2) (+2) (+1) (+0) (+0)

The Jack of
The Caster
all Trades
Y ou’re skilled at whatever you turn your hand to. You might
not be the finest fighter, but you’re more than capable of
gutting a demon if given the chance. You might not be the
W reathed in mystical powers, you draw on the powers
of the beyond, shaping it, and using it to cast powerful
spells at the blighted creatures you encounter. Your ability
most scholarly of people, but you can make your prayers heard, to wield the deadliest of magical powers makes you feared;
or your spells work. You’re capable of anything, and those who the flame you conjure in your hand, or the bolt of lightning
underestimate you end up regretting it. called up from nothing, all are weapons… weapons capable
of obliterating the staunchest of foes.
Jack of all Trades are good at: Casters are good at:
Everything. You’re capable of turning your hand

Exploiting an enemy’s weakness: your spells
to any task, no matter what it might be.
are great at dealing targeted damage.
Supporting your party, by always having the
Hitting at range: you can stay away from the enemy’s
right skill at the right time.
melee attacks, keeping up your attacks at distance.
You make an excellent Herald, Cleric, Warrior…
You make an excellent Cleric, Pyromancer, and Sorcerer.
you name it, you can do it. And do it well.
Jack of all Trades Position Caster Position

Position Dice: 1d8 per Jack level Position Dice: 1d6 per Caster level 29
Position at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier Position at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier
Position at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution Position at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your Constitution
Modifier + Jack of all Trades Modifier + Caster level after 1st
level after 1st
Bloodied Effects Bloodied Effects

During combat, when reduced to 50% of their starting During combat, when reduced to 50% of their starting
Position pool, a jack of all trades gains the following benefits: Position pool, a caster gains the following benefits:
They may add +2 to their Intelligence and

They may add an additional +2 to their Wisdom,
Charisma, and to their AC.
and to their AC.
They may use the special ability of an equipped
Gain advantage on all saving throws against
weapon without spending Position.
magical attacks and effects.
While bloodied, a caster does not trigger
Remove any one negative condition of their choice.
any attacks of opportunity.
Jack of all Trades Base Statistics Caster Base Statistics

Base Speed: 30 feet. Base Speed: 30 feet.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 13 12 12 13 12 10 12 10 14 13 15
(+1) (+1) (+1) (+1) (+1) (+1) (+0) (+1) (+0) (+2) (+1) (+2)

—
Classes
Y ou are clad in armour, a sword strapped at your side, and a shield in your fist.
Your memories, scant though they are, recall the feel of joy as you charged
into battle, arrows rattling against your mail and plate. The bonfire’s sickly light
traces the tarnished gleam of steel, and you know what you were. A Knight. You
were one of the Knights of Lothric…
30
T he Unkindled are more than simply random corpses. Most

possessed professions, skills, remarkable gifts. Whatever drew
them back from the realm of death did so for a reason; the reason
may well be their class.
Class is an essential component in creating your character in DARK

SOULS: The Roleplaying Game. It’s an indication of what you can do,
of the martial, mental, and magical gifts you possess. You might be a
Mercenary—a hardy warrior, used to dealing with the wilderness—or
you might be a Thief—skilled at taking that which does not belong
to them, and with a longbow. A class also tells you whether you
possess magical powers—capable of conjuring fire from the air, like
a Pyromancer, or invoking the blessings of your gods, like the Cleric.
In the following section are listed the core ten classes you can choose
as part of your character creation.

Class Description Primary Ability Saving Throws Armour and Weapon
and Proficiencies Proficiencies
Knight A resolute warrior, Strength Strength & Constitution All armour, shields
well-armoured and devoted & weapons, as long as
to their cause. prerequisites met
Mercenary A canny, cunning warrior Dexterity Strength & Dexterity All armour, shields
who uses two swords to cut & weapons, as long as
down enemies. prerequisites met
Assassin A killer from the shadows, Dexterity Strength & Dexterity All armour, shields
appearing when least & weapons, as long as
expected to finish their enemy. prerequisites met
Warrior A brutal, indomitable Strength Strength & Constitution All armour, shields
northern fighter, driven to & weapons, as long as
berserk fury. prerequisites met
Thief A master of the bow, and Dexterity Dexterity & Intelligence All armour, shields
a purloiner of objects that & weapons, as long as
don’t belong to them. prerequisites met
Herald A stout warrior, determined Strength & Charisma Wisdom & Charisma All armour, shields
to protect themselves and & weapons, as long as
their friends, and a wielder prerequisites met
of miracles. 31
Cleric A faithful follower of the Wisdom Wisdom & Charisma All armour, shields
gods, and a channel for their & weapons, as long as
divine power on earth. prerequisites met
Sorcerer A learned scholar, whose Intelligence Intelligence & Wisdom All armour, shields
power is derived from years & weapons, as long as
of studying magical tomes. prerequisites met
Pyromancer A wielder of magical fire, Charisma Constitution & Charisma All armour, shields
and not too shabby with an & weapons, as long as
axe, either. prerequisites met
The Deprived An unfortunate soul, or One of your choice Two of your choice All armour, shields
an idiot. No one is entirely & weapons, as long as
sure which. prerequisites met
A Note on Position
A lot of the class features and abilities detailed below mention Position, and spending Position.
This is a new mechanic developed for DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game. It’s both a
measure of your health, stamina, and vitality, and a resource you can spend and replenish, allowing
you to perform amazing combat manoeuvres, and make use of devastating battle abilities.
You can read more about Position, how it is calculated, and how you can spend it, on page 79.

Level Proficiency Class Features
Knight Bonus
1 +2 Fighting Style, Second Wind
2 +2 Action Surge
3 +2 Unbreakable
4 +2 Improved Critical, Ability Score Increase
5 +3 Extra Attacks
6 +3 Cursed Memory
7 +3 Remorseless
8 +3 Ability Score Increase
9 +4 Second Fighting Style
10 +4 Riposte
32
11 +4 Extra Attacks
12 +4 Grim Reputation
13 +5 Blessing of Oblivion
14 +5 Improved Critical
15 +5 Improved Unbreakable
T here are many who follow the way of the sword. Of

course there are. There must be. How else can you
survive this world? But your choice to take up the blade is not
in pursuit of money or survival, but of honour, righteousness,

justice. Or so some believe. It may be that you uphold 17 +6 Action Surge (Two uses)
different values, perhaps carrying a taint of darkness in your
soul. But what matters is that you represent something. You
are a Knight. Clad in your armour, your blade at your side,
18 +6 Between the Endless Rain
your shield ever before you, you are something other than a
well-trained killer. You are a champion.
20 +6 Walking Citadel, Extra Attacks

Noble Birth Questing
T here are many noble families in the great

cities of the world. Not all of them are
wealthy. Not all of them are very noble, but
K nights are those men and women who
have chosen to pursue something over and
above their own needs. They pursue quests to
they give you a name. It is the name which help those who require help, to find what needs
enables you to be a Knight. You are a scion to be found, to save that which needs to be
of an old family and you owe at least some of saved. Even those Knights who have dedicated
your training to that. Perhaps you have long themselves to something other than the selfless
forgotten your name, and with it the memories protection of life require a quest—require
of who you once were and where your family something to dedicate themselves towards.
lived. It doesn’t matter. Others recognize it Sometimes this can simply be slaughter, but, at
instantly. The romantic might call it an air of other times, it is the search for a lost child, the
nobility. Perhaps. return of a tome of ancient lore to the scholar
it was filched from, or the preservation of the
Flame that ensures civilisation continues and is
not consumed by the Age of Dark. The Knight
must be prepared for anything, for any task and
any challenge. They must be ready to overcome
mortal challenges whenever they present
themselves. It is not an easy life, but then who,
in this world, possesses one of those?
33
Proficiencies Equipment
Armour: All armour and shields as You start with the following equipment:
long as prerequisites met.
Weapons: All weapons, as long as

prerequisites met An Estus Flask (page 154)
Long Sword (page 192)
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution Knight Shield (page 179)
Knight Armour (Page 167)
Skills: Choose two skills from
Acrobatics, Animal
Handling, Athletics,
History, Insight,
Intimidation, Perception,
and Survival

Fighting Style You are a specialist in a particular fighting style, your abilities well practiced and capable of
inflicting death on even the most dangerous of foes.
Choose one of the following options (if selecting a Second Fighting Style, you may not
choose one that you already have):
Archery:
Your bow is a part of you. It responds to your touch with deadly efficiency.
You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with ranged weapons, and a +2 bonus to all attack
rolls made with a greatbow.
Defence:
Stalwart in the face of all enemies, nothing daunts you and little hurts you. While you are
wearing armour, gain +1 bonus AC.
Great Weapon Fighting:
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon you
are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if it is a
1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property.
Protection:
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you,
you can use your reaction to impose Disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding
a shield.
Withdrawal:
You are an expert of tactical retreat, leading your enemy into more advantageous terrain for
34 you to strike from.
You are immune to all first attacks of opportunity (e.g.: if you retreat within range of two
enemies capable of making attacks of opportunity, the first enemy cannot make one. The
second, however, can).
Second Wind You have a limited well of stamina that can be drawn upon to protect yourself from harm.
On your turn you can use a bonus action to regain Position equal to 1d10+your Knight level.
Once this feature has been used you must either Short or Long rest to regain it.
Action Surge Starting at 2nd level, you can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your
turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible bonus
action. Once you use this feature, you must finish a Short or Long rest before you can use it
again. Starting at 17th level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on the same turn.
Unbreakable Starting at 3rd level, you may reroll one Strength check (see page 75), or Strength save, and
choose the best result. Once this feature has been used you must complete a Short or Long
rest to regain it.
Improved Critical At 4th level, your weapon attacks score critical hits on a roll of 19 or 20. At 14th level, this
improves again so your weapon attacks score critical hits on a roll of 18, 19, or 20.

Ability Score Increase When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability
score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal,
you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Extra Attacks Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack
action on your turn. The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in
this class and to four when you reach 20th level in this class.
Cursed Memory When you reach 6th level, you may, at the start of combat, nominate one foe. For some reason,
an old memory stirs; you’ve faced such a foe before and defeated it. Until that foe is killed,
all attacks you make against it may be made with Advantage by spending 2 Position. Once
this feature has been used you must either Short or Long rest to regain it.
Remorseless At 7th level, if you rolled a Critical Attack in your previous turn, the first successful attack
of your next turn deals an additional +1d8 damage
Riposte At 10th level, whenever a creature misses you with a melee attack, you may use your reaction
to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. You may use this ability multiple times
per turn, spending 2 Position the second time you use it, and spending 3 Position the third
time, and so on, to a maximum of 5 Position.
35
Grim Reputation At 12th level, your reputation as an Unkindled of formidable strength precedes you. At the
beginning of combat, you may nominate one creature. The first time that creature attempts
to attack you, it must succeed on a Wisdom save with a DC equal to 12 + your Charisma
modifier. If the creature fails, it is frightened of you until it passes a subsequent Wisdom
check. Once this feature has been used you must either Short or Long rest to regain it
Blessings of Oblivion At 13th level, the powers of magic are not as effective when used against you. You gain +1
to all saving throws made against magic and magical effects. You may also spend Position to
reduce damage from spell attacks, up to a total of 2 Position to cancel 5 points of damage.
Improved Unbreakable At 15th level, in addition, you may choose to spend 5 Position to automatically succeed on
any Strength check or saving throw. You may use this ability as often as you choose.
Between the Endless Rain By 18th level, you have become as elusive and hard to hit as drifting smoke. You gain +1 to
DEX and +1 to AC permanently.
Walking Citadel At 20th level, your defence is virtually impregnable, capable of withstanding even the most
brutal of attacks. You become resistant to two types of damage of your choice. This can be
combined with resistant effects from armour but does not stack (e.g.: if you are resistant to
bludgeoning damage, and wear armour with resistance to bludgeoning damage, you do not
become immune).

Level Proficiency Class Features
Mercenary Bonus
1 +2 Favoured Enemy; Strike Fast
2 +2 Fighting Style
3 +2 Blooded
5 +3 Extra Attacks
6 +3 Flurry of Blades
7 +3 Favoured Enemy Improvement
9 +4 Extra Attacks
10 +4 Multiattack Defence
36
11 +4 Spinning Slaughter
13 +5 Extra Attacks
14 +5 Uncanny Dodge
T o some it's a dirty word. A curse. You’ve had it hissed

at you, interspersed between other, even fouler terms.
Mercenary. Sellsword. Brigand. You wonder if they think it
15 +5 Stand Against the Tide
really hurts you, as you pass through their ruined towns and
gloom-shrouded, your blades at your side, your armour at
your back... or maybe they think it’s the only way they can
hurt you. They are wrong about that too. You’ve lived through 16 +5 Ability Score Increase
far worse. Well, maybe lived isn’t always the right term, but
it’s a good enough approximation for now. Sometimes you
remember how you came to this life. Sometimes you don’t. 17 +6 Favoured Enemy Improvement
It doesn’t really matter - it’s what you are. You can feel it in
your bones, in the meat surrounding them. In that wasted
thing you sometimes, laughingly, call a soul. If it’s still there,
18 +6 Extra Attacks
of course, clinging to you. Because you know you’ve done
terrible things to survive this long, to have emerged intact
when so many of those who fought and killed beside you are
just mindless hollows...or scintillas of sand trapped beneath 19 +6 Foe Slayer
your fingernails. You’ve done terrible things, but that doesn’t
matter. Neither does that they whisper behind their hands.
You are still here. So are your swords. That’s enough. 20 +6 Death Blows

Path of the Curving Blade Survivor
Y ou’re a killer, and a good one. But you aren’t

like those knights, tramping through mud
and across stone in their armour. You’re light
L ife as a mercenary was always difficult and
few of the places you have visited in your
travels were ever intact. You’ve become adept at
on your feet, quick to move and you wield twin living off little, hunting the strange creatures of
blades. Each attack you make is a glittering the world and harvesting what little nutrition
filigree of woven steel and air. Your defence you can from them, or digging up the roots
is the same; deft, sinuous, deadly. It took long and the twisted foliage that has sprouted in the
years of training to achieve such mastery, and parched earth. You wring life from the little that
it requires concentration and energy to achieve remains. This is one of your gifts; the capacity
even now, but it makes you difficult to anticipate, to make the world offer up sustenance. It has
hard to stop. You can’t quite remember how you ensured that you have continued to survive,
became so proficient in such a style; there are no matter how difficult the world you must
vague recollections of sea travel. Of another make your way through has made it. Of course,
land. But all such things have faded to be certain of those you have met have not needed
replaced by the world in front of you... vast, to eat. But some of them do anyway. Death
bleak and forever doomed. shouldn’t prevent you from doing something
you enjoy, after all.
37

Sellsword Twinblades (page 200)
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity Wooden Shield (page 182)
Sellsword Armour (page 171)
Skills: Choose three from
Animal Handling,
Athletics, Insight,
Investigation, Nature,
Perception, Stealth, and
Survival

Favoured Enemy Beginning at 1st level, you have significant experience studying, tracking, hunting, and
destroying a certain type of enemy.
Choose a type of favoured enemy: aberrations, beasts, constructs, demons, elementals, giants,
monstrosities, or undead.
You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track your favoured enemies, as well
as on Intelligence checks to recall information about them.
You choose one additional favoured enemy, at 7th and 17th level. As you gain levels, your
choices should reflect the types of monsters you have encountered on your adventures.
Strike Fast At 1st level, you’re always prepared for combat. You may reroll Initiative and choose which
of the two scores to take. You regain use of this feature after either a Short or Long rest.
Fighting Style At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the
following options.
Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.
Duelling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2
bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
38
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage
of the second attack.
Blooded At 3rd level, you have an incredible capacity to endure pain and hardship. When you would
suffer damage which would reduce you to 0 Position, you may choose to ignore it. You regain
use of this feature after either a Short or Long rest.
action on your turn.
The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 9th level in this class, to four when
you reach 13th level in this class, and to five when you reach 18th.
Flurry of Blades At 6th level, you gain the ability to spend 2 points of Position to add an additional 2d6
damage to one damage roll after a successful melee attack. You roll these additional dice
with your normal damage dice. You may only use this ability once per combat encounter.

Multiattack Defence At 10th level, once per turn you may choose to use one of your reaction to gain an additional
+4 bonus to AC against all attacks you suffer that turn. For each additional attack you are the
intended target of after the first, you may spend 2 Position per attack to increase your AC
by an additional +2. You cannot have a bonus higher than +10 at any point. This bonus ends
at the start of the next turn. You regain this ability after a Short or Long rest.
Spinning Slaughter At 11th level, you gain the ability to trigger a Critical hit effect on a single attack, by spending
3 points of Position. You regain use of this ability after a Long rest.
Uncanny Dodge At 14th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you may spend 1
Position to use your reaction to halve the attack’s damage against you.
Turn the Tide At 15th level, when a hostile creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your
reaction to force that creature to repeat the same attack against another creature (other than
itself ) of your choice. This attack must follow all the normal rules for the attack—the new
target must be within range, for example.
Foe Slayer At 19th level, you’ve become a fighter capable of driving back even the deadliest of foes.
Once per turn, you can add your Wisdom modifier to the attack roll or the damage roll of
an attack you make against one of your favoured enemies. You can choose to use this feature
before or after the roll, but before any effects of the roll are applied.
39
Death Blows At 20th level, you can combine your experience, and training, into a series of devastating
attacks on a single creature of your choice. Once per Long rest, you may nominate a creature
you're in combat with. You may spend Position to increase your damage rolls by d20, against
that creature, at a cost of 3 Position per additional d20 of damage, until that creature is dead
or until 10 minutes has elapsed.

Level Proficiency Sneak Class Features
Assassin Bonus Attack
1 +2 1d6 Expertise, Sneak Attack
2 +2 1d6 Dive & Roll
3 +2 2d6 Assassinate
4 +2 2d6 Ability Score Increase
5 +3 3d6 Extra Attacks
6 +3 3d6 Slayer of the Elect; Expertise
7 +3 4d6 Evasion
9 +4 5d6 Plunging Attack
10 +4 5d6 Lonely Pilgrim

40
11 +4 6d6 Reliable Talent
13 +5 7d6 Knife in the Sleeve
15 +5 8d6 Slippery Mind
Y ou’re a killer. Nothing more, nothing less. You aren’t

interested in codes of honour; you don’t care for
the comradeship of mercenary bands. You care only for
the thrust of the blade, the silence of the dead, and the
welcoming embrace of the darkness as you sneak away. 17 +6 9d6 Improved Plunging Attack
That’s the nature of your trade. And it is a trade. You are
a creature of the darkness; you may be Unkindled, but you
feel the dark ever at your side, pressing in, surrounding you.
18 +6 9d6 Elusive
Part of you loathes such closeness to the creeping shadow.
Part of you covets it. Knowing it makes you ever more deadly.
19 +6 10d6 Stroke of Luck
20 +6 10d6 Death’s Friend

Strike First. Strike Last. Hidden Order
N othing matters beyond finishing your

target. That is the secret of the assassin.
You are trained to home in on a single enemy,
W here did you learn your deadly skills?
Were you taught in the gloom-sodden
streets of Lothric, or trained in the strange
bringing them down however you can, as locales most only dream of ? Places where the
brutally as needed. You are used to working sun still shines, perhaps? Who knows? It’s
alone, but you can bring your skills to bear in unlikely you even remember. You remember
a group. Indeed, sometimes the distraction how to use a blade, though. You remember that,
is useful. Those you call friends—or, at least, and that’s all that truly matters. As an assassin,
colleagues—can attract your target’s attention, you are there to hit hard, and vanish. You’re a
while you sneak in to deliver the finishing blow, constantly moving, constantly shifting target—
safely concealed in the shadows. and, when you get in close enough, capable of
delivering the most brutal of attacks.
41

Estoc (page 202)
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence Target Shield (page 177)
Assassin’s Armour (page 159)
Skills: Choose four from
Acrobatics, Athletics,
Deception, Insight,
Intimidation,
Investigation, Perception,
Performance, Persuasion,
Sleight of Hand, and
Stealth

Expertise At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of your skill proficiencies and your
proficiency to disarm a trap or open a lock. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability
check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.
At 6th level, you can choose two more of your proficiencies (in skills or saving throws) to
gain this benefit.
Sneak Attack Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn,
you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage
on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it,
that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak
Attack column of the Assassin table.
Dive & Roll Starting at 2nd level, you can avoid attacks with astonishing speed and grace. Incoming
arrows, blades, claws… all can be slipped past with ease. You may reroll one Dexterity save,
per combat.
Assassinate Starting at 3rd level, you are deadliest when you are wreathed in shadows. You have
advantage on any attack rolls against creatures that have yet to take a turn in combat.
In addition, any hit you score against a creature that that has the Surprised condition is a
42 Critical hit.
Extra Attacks Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice instead of once whenever you take the Attack
action on your turn. The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 14th level.
Slayer of the Elect At 6th level, you become an expert at confronting the enormous abominations stalking
this land. It does not matter how huge or deadly the enemy might be, you are equal to the
challenge. Indeed, the more terrible they are... the better. When facing an enemy with a CR
higher than your level, you may use one of your reactions to gain advantage on your next
attack roll, as well as double the damage you deal to that enemy. Once you've used this ability,
you must complete a Short or Long rest before you can use it again. At 11th Level, you can
use this ability 4 times before needing to complete a Short or Long rest.
Evasion At 7th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a dragon’s
breath or a darkeater’s deadly flame. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to
make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you
succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.

Plunging Attack At 9th level, you gain the ability to leap upon an unsuspecting enemy, driving your blade into
them. When within 15 feet of a creature that is unable to see you, you can elect to spend 3
Position in order to make a Plunging Attack. On a successful attack roll, you leap onto the
creature, delivering double your Sneak Attack bonus damage, in addition to your weapon’s
standard damage.
At 17th level, the cost of making a Plunging Attack is reduced from 3 Position to 1.
Strength in Numbers At 10th level, you are accustomed to striking from positions of strength, and to vanishing
into crowds. Whenever you outnumber your target during melee combat, you may spend
1 Position to gain +3 to your AC until the start of your next turn. You may continue to use
this ability by spending 1 Position each turn, for as long as you, and your party, continue to
outnumber your target.
Reliable Talent By 11th level, you have refined your chosen skills until they approach perfection. Whenever
you make an ability check that lets you add your proficiency bonus, you can treat a d20 roll
of 9 or lower as a 10.
Knife in the Sleeve At 13th level, your reflexes are honed to an astonishing degree. If you miss when making
a standard melee attack roll against a creature, you may spend 2 position to make a second
attack as a bonus action. You may make this second attack against any target within 30 feet
in any direction. This second attack uses your Dexterity modifier to determine if it hits, and
deals 1d6+ Strength modifier damage if successful.
43
Swift Recovery By 15th level, you recover faster than any creature should. You recover 5 Position at the
beginning of each of your turns.
Elusive Beginning at 18th level, you are so evasive that attackers rarely gain the upper hand against
you. No attack roll has advantage against you while you aren’t incapacitated.
Stroke of Luck At 19th level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding when you need to. If your attack
misses a target within range, you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if you fail an
ability check, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it
again until you finish either a Short or Long rest.
Death's Friend At 20th level, you’ve walked with death so long, it is almost part of you. You may elect to
succeed on a saving throw you failed. Once you’ve used this feature three times, you may not
use it again until after a Long rest.

Level Proficiency Cinder Class Features
Warrior Bonus Wrath
1 +2 2 Cinder Wrath, Iron Will
2 +2 2 Reckless Attack, Fighting Style
3 +2 3 Unstoppable
4 +2 3 Ability Score Increase
5 +3 3 Extra Attacks
6 +3 4 Touch of Death
7 +3 4 Northern Might
9 +4 4 Brutal Critical
10 +4 4 Grim Sentinel
44
13 +5 5 Protector
14 +5 5 Brutal Critical (2 dice)
15 +5 5 Let Them Come!
T he north is a harsh place. Harsher, in some ways, than

Lothric. It may not be cloaked in darkness in the same
fashion, but it’s colder, and just as grim. Something drew
you out of the northlands, brought you to this desolate place.

You don’t know what, and you’re not sure you care… there 17 +6 6 Grind Through
are always memories, always uncertainties in life. You know
this, you embrace it. You don’t search for meaning when it
offers nothing but confusion. Let the scholars debate what
18 +6 6 Brutal Critical (3 dice)
it means to be Unkindled, let the foolish search their minds
for remnants of lost selves. You came to fight.
19 +6 6 Guard Breaker
20 +6 7 Blood Feud

Relentless Devastating
N othing stops you; no matter how much

damage you take, how deadly the foe
before you, you keep going. You may not seek
Y our ancestry shows in the manner you
fight; there is no stealthy subtlety here,
and little hiding behind a shield. You deal in
to understand the nature of the Unkindled, but reckless assaults, hewing down as many as you
you can draw on it, sometimes. Drawing on can with a sword or axe, before being forced to
your confusion and using it to work yourself retreat, and gather yourself for the next attack.
into battle frenzy. There were tales of such men You specialise in the use of brutal, two-handed
in the north, those who could detach their weapons, eschewing shields in favour of
mind from their body amid the tumult of war hacking the foe to pieces. That’s not to say the
and become engines of destruction. You’ve north doesn’t appreciate defence, tactics, the
harnessed this ability in yourself, though that study of the enemy. It does. All who survive
doesn’t mean you know where it comes from in this world must care about such things. It’s
or how to control it. Sometimes you wonder a matter of priorities. When you attack, you
if drawing on such power risks making you attack with everything. It is not caution you
more like those Hollows you kill; empty husks, lack, merely fear.
devoid of humanity. But you soon suppress such
concerns, when the thrill of battle surges up in
you anew.
45

Battle Axe (page 204)
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution Warrior's Round Shield (page 177)
Northern Armour (page 169)
Skills: Choose two from
Animal Handling,
Athletics, Intimidation,
Nature, Perception, and
Survival

Cinder Wrath All Unkindled bear the mark of undeath. For you, this inability to pass beyond life left you
filled with the rage of your northern homeland. On your turn you can enter a state of furious
anger, known as Cinder Wrath, as a bonus action.
While in this state, you gain the following benefits:
• You have advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws.

• When you make a melee weapon attack, you gain a bonus to the damage roll (equal to
your proficiency bonus) that increases as you gain levels as a Warrior.
• You have resistance to force, acid, poison, and necrotic damage.
Your Wrath lasts for 12 rounds. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious.
Once you have entered a Cinder Wrath the number of times shown for your Warrior level
in the appropriate column of the Warrior table, you must finish a Long rest before you can
enter Cinder Wrath again.
Iron Will You’re used to the privations of the lands to the north. The first time you incur a level of
exhaustion or madness, you may draw on your inner grit to ignore any ill effects. Once you’ve
used this ability, you must Long rest before you can use it again.
Reckless Attack Starting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defence to attack with fierce
desperation. When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack
recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls during this turn, but
attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.
46
Fighting Style At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the
following options.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that
you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. The
weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Duelling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2
bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the
damage of the second attack.
Unstoppable At 3rd level, you become a pillar of strength. When an enemy attack would knock you back
any distance, you may choose to remain in place. In addition, once per Long rest, if you would
be knocked prone, you may choose not to be.

action on your turn. The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level.
Touch of Death At 6th level, you have mastered what little remained of your emotions entirely. You are
immune to the frightened condition and effects.
Northern Might At 7th level, you have learned to endure what your friends and companions cannot. When
a friendly creature is Bloodied (reduced to half their Position total), if you are within 5 feet
of them, you instead take any amount of damage the friendly creature suffered on a 1 for 1
basis. This still counts as the creature attacking the friendly creature, and you may not use a
reaction to avoid this damage.
Brutal Critical Beginning at 9th level, you can roll one additional weapon damage die when determining
the extra damage for a Critical hit with a melee attack. This increases to two additional dice
at 14th level and three additional dice at 18th level.
Grim Sentinel At 10th level, you gain hyper awareness of your surroundings. You cannot be Surprised, and
creatures gain no advantage on attacks from making an ambush or surprise attacks against you.
47
Protector At 13th level, if a friendly creature is knocked prone, or becomes Bloodied, you may spend
2 Position to immediately move adjacent to them, provided they are within 20 feet. You
have advantage on all saving throws made while standing adjacent to the prone, or Bloodied,
friendly creature as you seek to defend them.
Let Them Come At 15th level, you prefer to face multiple foes in combat. Doing so almost reminds you of
what the excitement of life used to be like. Whenever you are simultaneously in melee with
two or more opponents, you gain +2 to your AC. This bonus is removed once you return to
fighting a single opponent.
Grind Through At 17th level, you gain the ability to move from enemy to enemy. When you have killed a
creature, you may spend 5 Position to immediately move into melee combat with another
creature, within 20 feet. This movement isn't impacted by terrain, and doesn't provoke any
opportunity attacks.
Guard Breaker At 19th level, you learn to breach your opponent’s desperate defences, leaving them open for a
killer blow. Upon making a successful attack roll against a creature of Large size or smaller, you
may choose to spend 3 Position in order to knock the enemy prone, alongside delivering damage.
Unkindled Strength At 20th level, you are the epitome of the warrior, the epitome of the north. Your Strength
and Constitution scores increase by 5, and your maximum for those scores is now 25.

Level Proficiency Deadly Class Features
Thief Bonus Aim
1 +2 1d6 Deadly Aim, Cunning Action
2 +2 1d6 Expertise
3 +2 2d6 Fast Hands
5 +3 3d6 Colossus Slayer
6 +3 3d6 Ammunition Expert
7 +3 4d6 Move and Fire
9 +4 5d6 Evasion

48
11 +4 6d6 Volley
13 +5 7d6 Light Fingers
14 +5 7d6 Draw a Bead
15 +5 8d6 Uncanny Dodge
T hey talk about surviving, the mercenaries and the

knights, but what do they know? In their suits of
armour, behind the walls of castles… that’s not surviving. 16 +5 8d6 Ability Score Increase
That’s not rooting among the detritus for anything to keep
body and soul (or what’s left of it) together. That’s not
being plunged into streets swarming with hollows, when 17 +6 9d6 Thief ’s Reflexes
the plague of undeath struck, as you were. Fleeing, and
fighting you way out. And your life before, the fragments
you can recall, there was little in the way of castles and
18 +6 9d6 Fast Strike
palaces then. It was grime and stealing whatever you could
lay your hands on. It still is, really. Being Unkindled has not
changed your life over much.
19 +6 10d6 Impossible Shot
20 +6 10d6 Cinder Mark

Unnoticed Useful
T hat’s how you prefer to be. Unseen, moving

in the shadows if at all. Undetectable.
Untraceable. You find what you want, take it,
Y ou’re always good for something. That’s
what kept you alive before, it’s what keeps
you something more than undead now. Maybe
and go, back into the darkness. That’s not to it’s why you were chosen to become Unkindled.
say you’re incapable of defending yourself. Of You’re skilled at so many things, capable of
course you are; you don’t survive on the streets filching the well-protected treasure of the giant
for long without knowing how to use a knife, or, or striking the giant’s single eye with an arrow.
more importantly, a bow. That’s where your true Able to protect your friends or vanish into the
talent with a weapon lies. Something to keep darkness. Whatever is needed, you provide.
you safe, but also capable of distracting those You’re an asset. Maybe you were always this
you’re trying to rob, something to ensure you way, the utility person, on heists and raids. Or
can deal with enemies at range, so they don’t maybe you just woke up, your amateur thievery
see your face. You can keep even the sternest from the past suddenly perfected. Who knows?
opponents pinned down, with a withering You don’t. You just know the world is still all
cascade of arrows. Or pinpoint the weakness about surviving, by whatever means necessary.
of a single foe, striking it exactly with a perfectly
placed shot.
49

Bandit's Knife (page 188)
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence Iron Round Shield (page 176)
Deserter Armour (page 163)
Skills: Choose four from Short Bow (page 221)
Acrobatics, Athletics, Quiver of 20 arrows (page 156)
Deception, Insight,
Intimidation, Investigation,
Perception, Performance,
Persuasion, Sleight of
Hand, and Stealth

Deadly Aim Beginning at 1st level, your ability to identify and exploit chinks in your enemy’s armour
is deadly. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with a
ranged attack if you have not moved or made a melee attack in the previous turn. The amount
of the extra damage increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Deadly Aim
column of the Thief table.
Cunning Action Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow you to move and act quickly. You
can take a bonus action on each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only to take
the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Expertise At 2nd level, choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for
any ability check you make that uses either of these chosen proficiencies.
Fast Hands Starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus action granted by your Cunning Action to
make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, disarm a trap or open a lock, or take the Use an
Object action.
50 score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal,
Colossus Slayer At 5th level, your tenacity and patience can wear down the most formidable of enemies. When
you hit a creature with a ranged attack, the creature takes an extra 1d8 damage if its Position is
below its maximum. Using this ability means you may not make a reaction that turn.
Ammunition Expert At 6th level, you become an expert in crafting ammunition for yourself. Once per Short rest,
you may spend 3 Position to manufacture 20 arrows from natural resources you find on your
travels. At 14th level, this improves so you need only spend 1 Position to craft 20 arrows.
Move and Fire At 7th level, you master the ability to become a blur of motion, even as you fire upon the
enemy. Whenever you move your full movement allocation in a straight line, in a single turn,
the first ranged attack you make that turn is made with advantage.
Evasion At 9th level, you can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a dragon’s
breath or a darkeater’s deadly flame.
When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to
take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and
only half damage if you fail.

action on your turn.
Volley At 11th level, you can use your action to make a ranged attack against any number of
creatures within 10 feet of a point you can see. You must have ammunition for each target,
and they must be within your weapon’s range, as normal, and you make a separate attack
roll for each target.
Light Fingers At 12th level, you can pick even the most closely guarded of pockets. When making a
Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to steal something from the person of a creature, you
may spend 3 points of Position to automatically succeed. Once you’ve used this ability, you
must Short Rest in order to regain it.
Draw a Bead At 14th level, your aim is unwavering. You may spend 2 Position to reroll any missed ranged
attack. The rerolled attack is made with advantage. After you've used this ability, you must
Long rest to regain it.
Uncanny Dodge At 15th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your
reaction to halve the attack’s damage against you.
51
Thief's Reflexes When you reach 17th level, you have become adept at laying ambushes and quickly escaping
danger. You can take two turns during the first round of any combat. You take your first
turn at your normal initiative and your second turn at your initiative -10. You can’t use this
feature when you are surprised.
Fast Strike At 18th level, you master the ability to deliver a blow at such speed your enemy never even
sees it. When in melee combat, if you miss with an attack, you may spend 2 Position to
succeed instead. Once you’ve used this ability, the next time you use it, its cost increases by
2 Position. The time after, its cost increases by 3 Position. It’s cost continues to increase in
this fashion until it resets after you complete a Short or Long rest.
Impossible Shot At 19th level, you’ve become a master of guiding your arrows to their target, no matter how
complex the shot. You can never be forced to make a ranged attack with disadvantage. In
addition, when making a ranged attack, you score a Critical hit on a roll of 18, 19, or 20.
Cinder Mark At 20th level, you’ve become an avatar of death itself. You may choose a creature and place
your cinder mark upon them.
All subsequent attacks you make against that creature are made with advantage, and deliver
maximum damage, including Deadly Aim damage even if you moved this turn.

Level Proficiency Attunement Class Features
Herald Bonus Slots
1 +2 - Dark Sense, Fighting Style
2 +2 - Shield Bash
3 +2 1 Magic Catalyst, Spellcasting
5 +3 1 Holy Smite
6 +3 2 -
7 +3 2 Weapon of the Old Gods
9 +4 3 Shield Wall
10 +4 3 Against the Hollow

52
11 +4 3 -
14 +5 4 Warrior’s Heart
15 +5 5 -
Y ou were journeying. You know that much. That was your

life. You bore the message of… someone. A lord or lady
to whom you were sworn. You don’t know where you were
going, what the message was, or why it had to be delivered

so urgently. But you went. It was your duty, and duty meant
something to you in the past. Perhaps it still does. But you 17 +6 5 Improved Holy Smite
know that you must keep going. Your quest may no longer
be the same, but you press on regardless. You must. Who
you serve, now, you’re unsure. Perhaps it is one of the Lords 18 +6 6 -
of Cinder. Perhaps it is only yourself, and those around you.
Perhaps it is the flame itself. But you’ll be their herald.
20 +6 6 Herald of the Flame

Forwards! Blessed and Cursed
T hose who side with you are assured

of a valiant warrior, and a courageous
protector. You stand always at their side, shield
Y ou are skilled in combat, resolute in defence,
and capable of healing yourself and those
around you. You’re cowed by nothing. In your
raised, impervious to assault. You are bowed by old life, your rode into death, and danger, every
nothing. In your past lives, you were driven by day. You bore the symbol of your liege ahead
duty, by honour. It courses in you still, the need of you, and the artefacts of your faith on your
to serve, to fulfil your calling. There is a task that person. You’re a soldier, and able to draw upon
needs to be fulfilled. The world is smothered in the ancient faith, sheltering and surrounding
darkness, and the flame needs to be rekindled. you. That is the lot of a herald; you must be
It’s what you, and those around you, are for. It’s conciliatory, and capable of violence. You must
what you were chosen to do, you’re certain of it. be able to both bring peace and wreak dreadful
You are the herald of a new age. retribution. It is not an easy balance to strike,
but you are an expert. This expertise helped
when you awoke and knew the world had
changed. What, after all, is an Unkindled but
someone trapped between the two extremes?
You’ve reached an apotheosis of sorts.
53

Spear (page 215)
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma Kite Shield (page 179)
Talisman (page 228)
Skills: Choose two from Herald Armour (page 166)
Athletics, Insight,
Intimidation, Medicine,
Persuasion, and Religion

Dark Sense The residue of the darkness appears, to you, as a stain on the world, and the gleam of miracles
performed in the past glints like a white halo. As an action, you can open your awareness
to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any demon,
or undead within 60 feet of you that is not behind total cover. You know the type (demon
or undead) of any being whose presence you sense, but not its identity (the Gravelord Nito,
for example). Within the same radius, you also detect the presence of any place in which a
miracle has been cast, within the last 24 hours.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier +1. When you
finish a Long rest, you regain all expended uses.
Fighting Style You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options.
Defence
While you are wearing armour, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that
you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. The
weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can
use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.
54
Shield Bash At 2nd level, you learn to use you shield not only to defend yourself, but to direct the flow of
battle. During your turn, after making a successful melee attack, you may spend 2 Position
to shield bash your target back, up to 10 feet in a straight line away from you, providing the
target is of size Large or smaller.
Magic Catalyst At 3rd level, you gain a catalyst enabling you to use magic. You may choose either a Talisman
(see page 228), or a Priest’s Chime (see page 226).
Spellcasting At 3rd level, you have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to
cast spells as a cleric does. See Chapter 3: Magic for the general rules of spellcasting and the
Spells Listing for the Miracle spell list. Heralds may use either their wisdom or charisma
scores as their spellcasting ability.
Ability Score Increase When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one
ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As
normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Holy Smite Starting at 5th level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 3 Position
to deal damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is 4d8 radiant
damage. This damage increases to 9d8, at 17th level, though you must spend 4 Position

Weapon of the Old Gods At 7th level, as an action, you can imbue one weapon you are holding with holy energy.
For 1 minute, you may add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls made with that weapon
(with a minimum bonus of +1). The weapon also emits bright light in a 40 feet radius and
deals an additional 2d8 Radiant damage. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again
until you finish a Short or Long rest.
Shield Wall At 9th level, you have become adept with using your shield to hold position, no matter the
strength of the opponent you face. While you have your shield equipped, you cannot be
knocked prone, and cannot be pushed back by any creature of large size or smaller.
Against the Hollow At 10th level, you are a beacon of strength against the gathering darkness. All none-boss
undead creatures make any attack against you at disadvantage.
Warrior's Heart At 14th level, you are committed to your path, and embrace your Unkindled status. You are
immune to the frightened condition. In addition, when you take damage from an undead
creature, you may spend 1 Position to reduce that damage by half.
Herald of the Flame At 20th level, you can glow like the undying flame itself. As an action, you can emanate an
aura of sunlight. For 1 minute, bright light shines from you in a 30 foot radius, and dim light
shines 30 feet beyond that.
55
Whenever an enemy creature starts its turn in the bright light, the creature takes 10
Radiant damage.
In addition, for the duration, you have advantage on saving throws against attacks or effects
caused by demons, undead, and constructs, as well as all bosses.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long rest.

Cleric Bonus Slots
2 +2 3 Life Giver
3 +2 4 Connection of Darkness
5 +3 5 -
6 +3 5 Blessed Healer
7 +3 6 Cinder Lord’s Touch
9 +4 7 Death Cheated
10 +4 7 Demon Bane
56
11 +4 8 -
13 +5 9 Fervour of the Unkindled
14 +5 9 Divine Endurance
15 +5 10 -
T he gods speak to you. Or at least, something speaks

to you. Some vast, ineffable power listens when you
pray, grants you the ability to call upon resources you don’t 16 +5 10 Ability Score Increase
truly understand. And with these barely understood powers,
you create miracles. You reshape the world, entirely. Light
blooms in darkness. Evil is driven back. You bring the light 17 +6 11 Extra Attacks
of faith into the ever-encroaching shadows. You are the
memory of the sun, in the face of eternal night. The cleric
is the conduit of the gods—whatever gods still gaze down
18 +6 11 Supreme Healer
upon this benighted world, that is. You don’t even remember
their names, or the correct posture to assume when praying,
but you know you believe. And you know they hear you.
20 +6 12 Holy Protection

Miraculous Unbowed
Y our power manifests itself in miracles.

Impossible changes in the fabric of the
world. Even as your comrades are injured,
F aith pushes you forward. It makes you a
reliable companion; you’ll never flee from
evil, never back down from a fight with a demon,
your power sews their forms together again. especially. Those abominations spit in the face of
As the powers of evil threaten to overwhelm the gods merely by existing. You’ll consign them
you, you turn them back. There is nothing all to the black pit, along with their mother. You
against which the power of your gods cannot fear nothing, no earthly evil, no supernatural
triumph. You believe this, believe with it every curse. You are the chosen of the gods, and those
fibre of your being. It’s what keeps your mind alongside you are your fellow believers—even
functional. Otherwise, how could you explain if they do not know it yet. After all, you are all
being Unkindled? It is not that you were not Unkindled, bound together by the common fate
allowed into the beyond. No. You were chosen you share. They are part of the gods’ plan. They
to wield the power of the gods against demon just do not see as clearly as you.
and undead, to remake the world. Your piety
made you ideal for the task. You’ll be worthy.
57

Mace (page 208)
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma Cleric’s Sacred Chime (page 226)
Cleric Robes (page 162)
Skills: Choose two from
History, Insight,
Medicine, Persuasion,
and Religion

Magic Catalyst You possess a catalyst enabling you to use magic—the Cleric’s Sacred Chime. You also know
two Miracles: Heal and Force (see pages 143 and 144).
Spellcasting You have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to cast spells as
a cleric does. See Chapter 3: Magic for the general rules of spellcasting and the Miracles
spell list. Clerics use wisdom as their spellcasting ability.
Life Giver At 2nd level, your healing spells are more effective. Whenever you use a spell of 1st level or
higher to restore Position to a creature, the creature regains additional Position equal to 2
+ the spell’s level.
Connecting to Darkness At 3rd level, you’re unable to escape the sensation of death all around you, but you’re practiced
in staving it off. You gain advantage on a Constitution saving throw. Once you’ve used this
ability, you must finish either a Short or Long rest before you may use it again.
ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
58
Blessed Healer Beginning at 6th level, the healing spells you cast on others heal you as well. When you cast
a spell that restores Position to a creature other than you, you regain Position equal to 2 +
the spell’s level.
Cinder Lord's Touch At 7th level, you’ve gained the ability to spread miracles to those around you. As an action,
you can bestow the blessings of the flame on up to three creatures of your choice within 10
feet. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw, the target can roll a d6 and
add the number rolled to the attack roll or the saving throw. This effect lasts for 3 minutes.
Once you've used this ability, you must finish a Short or Long rest before you can use it again.
Death Cheated At 9th level, you’re able to withstand the most brutal of assaults. Whenever you take damage
which would reduce you to 0 Position, you are instead reduced to 1 Position. After you’ve used
this feature, you must complete a Short or Long rest before you can use it again.
Demon Bane At 10th level, your holiness grants you the ability to take the fight to the demonic spawn.
You make all attack rolls against demonic creatures with advantage.
Fervour of the Blessed At 13th level, you are seized with holy purpose. You may spend 5 Position to refresh the
casting number of a spell of Level 4 or below, returning the spell to a full number of casts.
Once you've used this feature, you must Long rest before you can use it again.

Divine Endurance At 14th level, you can push through any physical frailty or weakness. You are resistant to
poison and acid damage and can never become afflicted with the poison condition.
Extra Attacks Beginning at 17th level, you can attack three times instead of once, whenever you take the
Attack action on your turn.
Supreme Healer Starting at 18th level, when you would normally roll one or more dice to restore Position
with a spell, you instead use the highest number possible for each die. For example, instead
of restoring 2d6 Position to a creature, you restore 12.
Holy Protection At 20th level, you gain the protection of the gods—living, or dead, Who knows? It matters
not. You place your trust in their protection, and that's enough. As an action, you may
become resistant to all damage types for one minute. You may extend the duration of this
ability by spending Position, at a cost of 5 Position per additional minute, to a maximum
of 10 additional minutes. Once you've used this feature, you must finish a Long rest before
you may use it again.
59

Sorcerer Bonus Slots
2 +2 3 Scholar of the Cinders
3 +2 4 -
5 +3 5 Fast Cast
6 +3 5 -
7 +3 6 Potent Strike
9 +4 7 -
10 +4 7 Knowledge of the Beyond

60
11 +4 8 Restoration
13 +5 9 Improved Fast Cast
14 +5 9 -
15 +5 10 Grim Cognisance
W hat good wisdom if it brings no profit to the wise?

This you were always taught, and so, when you
began to study, you sought a subject capable of granting
you something more than simply erudition. And so, you
found the grimoires, the tomes of sorcery, in which spells
and incantations and endless reams of forgotten and
forbidden lore were kept. You studied with the avidity a 17 +6 11 -
starving man hunts for bread, constantly hunting out the
most esoteric secrets. And you learned well. Now, the magic
obeys you. You wield terrible power casually, your staff of 18 +6 11 Power Surge
power crackling with energy capable of stripping flesh from
bone, or pulverising rock to dust. You’re a sorcerer. Feared,
and respected, in equal measure. 19 +6 12 Ability Score Increase
20 +6 12 Improved Restoration

Magic Protection
T here are many theories of magic, of where

it came from, of how it emerged into the
world. You know them all. You know… so
Y ou seek protection from the attacks of the
hollows, the demons, the beasts stalking
you through these dismal places—if they draw
much. It’s been the pursuit of your life. Even too close, then your magic is of no use. That is
when you awoke, Unkindled and dragged back why you need companions. And they need you,
from death, the knowledge of magic remained for your magic can inflict the most grievous
untouched and perfect in your mind. The rest of harm, blasting through flesh, through armour,
your life… names, relatives, friends… much of through any impediment. You’re a force of the
that was entirely gone. But not the magic. The unnatural, precisely what is required to deal
spells, the rituals, the secret names of the Cinder with the hideous creatures crawling forth in
Lords, and the hidden symbols of the old gods, this sunless world. And you’ll find answers to
those remain fixed and unchanging. You know what causes this darkness, and to why you were
far more of the forsaken lords who ruled these brought back, why you were made Unkindled.
barren tracts of land than you do your own Searching for answers, for the truth, has been
self. It is a bargain you did not know you were your life’s work. It won’t stop simply because
making, but one you would make again. you’re no longer alive, exactly.
61

Mail breaker (page 189)
Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom Leather Shield (page 176)
Sorcerer’s Staff (page 225)
Skills: Choose two from Sorcerer’s Robes (page 172)
Arcana, History, Insight,
Investigation, Medicine,
and Religion

Magic Catalyst You possess a catalyst enabling you to use magic. You own a sorcerer’s staff, allowing you to
cast spells (see page 225 for more on your catalyst). You also know the spells Soul Arrow
and Homing Soulmass (see page 138 and 139 for more).
Spellcasting You have learned to draw on magic through endless study, and the mastery of ancient ritual.
See Chapter 3: Magic for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the
Sorceries spell list. Sorcerers use intelligence as their spellcasting ability.
Scholar of the Cinders At 2nd level, your practical experience has elucidated your considerable studies. You gain
proficiency in one of the following skills: History, Insight, Investigation, or Perception. You
must not already have proficiency in that skill.
Fast Cast At 5th level, you gain the ability to increase the speed with which you fling spells at your foes.
When casting a spell with a casting time of 2 rounds, you may spend 5 points of Position to
reduce that casting time by one round. At 13th level, you can reduce the casting time of a
spell with a casting time of 3 rounds or less, at the cost of 3 points of Position.
62
Potent Strike At 7th level, your spells can break through even the most stubborn of defences. Whenever
a creature would make a saving throw against one of your spells, you may spend 2 Position
to have them make the saving throw at disadvantage. This Position cost must be paid per
individual creature hit, for example, by a spell attack with an area of effect.
Knowledge of the Beyond At 10th level, you gain an insight into the true nature of the world. You gain advantage on all
Arcana and History checks.
Restoration At 11th level, you gain the ability to draw magical energy from the beyond. At the cost of 5 points
of Position, you may refresh the Casts of one spell, of 3rd level or below. After you’ve used this
ability you must Long rest before you can use it again. At 20th level, you may refresh the Casts of
two spells of 5th level or below, though the cost remains the same. After you’ve used this ability,
you must Long rest before you can use it again.
Grim Cognisance At 15th level, you’ve gained a deep insight into the workings of magic. You may choose to
automatically succeed on any Intelligence check relating to magic, or spell casting.
Power Surge At 18th level, you’ve learned to make your spells even deadlier. When you cast a spell of
between 1st and 6th level, instead of rolling damage you may pay 3 points of Position to deal
maximum damage with that spell.

63

Pyromancer Bonus Slots
2 +2 3 Flame Guard
3 +2 4 -
5 +3 5 Protection of the Fire
6 +3 5 -
7 +3 6 Fast Cast
9 +4 7 -
10 +4 7 Fire’s Spread
64
11 +4 8 Bloody Strike
13 +5 9 -
14 +5 9 Improved Fast Cast
F ire is life. So some believe. And you wield that life,

drawing power from it and using it to smite your
enemies, furiously. You create dancing balls of flame in
your hand and fling them at those who seek to deprive

you of the fire of life. The flame trickles over your fingers, 17 +6 11 -
never singeing your skin. It is yours to command, yours to
possess and to use. You are the descendants of the four Lords
of Cinder, the mighty wielders of the First Flame. So the
18 +6 11 Restoration
stories of your distant homeland tell. You remember only
fragments of them, but fragments are enough.
20 +6 12 The Flame’s Own

Power Life
S ome seek to become a pyromancer simply for

the ability to cause pain, using the flame to
wound and sear. You know that this is anathema
N othing in this grey and dying world is
ever given for free. It must be traded for,
bought, secured at the edge of a blade. So it is
to the fire. The First Flame birthed man; drew with pyromancy. You may have been born with
him forth from the shadows that shrouded the natural gift, but that is not enough. Like a
everything. You respect this power, according to blade in a forge, it must be tempered and honed.
it the deference it is due. You can summon raging You had a teacher, but their face is gone from your
conflagrations, but you employ these judiciously. mind. Now, you must make your own way through
Only to defend and protect and nurture those the world, learning the true ways of the flame, to
who the fire created, long ago, in the deep past. wield it and make it your own. It is seldom easy.
The flame can tempt you though; when you stare Fortunately, when fire does not protect you, your
at the flickering sparks skittering in your palm, skill with an axe is a worthy substitute.
you can feel the energy...the energy to reshape
everything. To make it again in your image.
How long can you resist before the power of life
becomes something darker?
65

Hand Axe (page 205)
Saving Throws: Constitution, Charisma Caduceus Round Shield (page 175)
Pyromancer Robes (page 170)
Skills: Choose two from Arcana, Pyromancer’s Flame (page 227)
Deception, Insight,
Intimidation, Persuasion,
and Religion

Magic Catalyst You possess a catalyst enabling you to use magic. You own a Pyromancer's Flame, allowing
you to cast spells (see page 227 for more on your catalyst). You also know the Fireball spell
(page 134).
Spellcasting You have learned to draw on the surging, elemental power of flame. See Chapter 3: Magic
for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the Pyromancer spell list.
Pyromancers use charisma as their spellcasting ability.
Flame Guard At 2nd level, you’re intimately acquainted with fire. You are resistant to all fire damage.
Protection of the Fire When you reach 5th level, you can ensure that only those you choose are injured by your
magic. When you cast a spell that forces other creatures to make a saving throw, you can
protect some of those creatures from the spell’s full force, by spending 1 Position per creature.
A chosen creature automatically succeeds on their saving throw against the spell.
Fast Cast At 7th level, you gain the ability to increase the speed with which you fling spells at your foes.
66 When casting a spell with a casting time of 2 rounds, you may spend 5 Position to reduce
that casting time by 1 round. At 14th level, you can reduce the casting time of a spell with
a casting time of 3 rounds or less by spending 3 Position.
Fire's Spread At 10th level, you can extend the area covered by your flame. When casting a spell with an area
of effect, you may spend Position to increase the radius of its effect by 5 feet per point spent,
to a maximum of 15 feet
Bloody Strike At 11th level, you have become lethally effective with a hand weapon. You may spend 1 point
of Position to deliver an additional d8 fire damage on a successful melee attack.
Extra Attacks Beginning at 15th level, you can attack three times instead of once, whenever you take the
Attack action on your turn.
Restoration At 18th level, you gain the ability to draw magical energy from the beyond. You may refresh
the Casts of 1 spell of 10th level of below, by spending 8 Position. After you’ve used this
ability, you must finish a Long rest before you can use it again.
The Flame's Own At 20th level, the flame has marked you for itself. You are immune to all fire damage, from
any source. In addition, all friendly creatures gain fire resistance while they are standing
within 15 feet of you.

67

The Deprived Bonus Slots
1 +2 - Ability Score Increase
Choose one 2nd level ability

2 +2 -
from any non-magical class
Choose one 3rd level ability

3 +2 -
from any non-magical class
4 +2 - Ability Score Increase
6 +3 2 -
Choose one 7th level ability

7 +3 3
from any class
9 +4 4 -

10 +4 4
68 from any class
11 +4 5 -
13 +5 6 -

14 +5 6
from any class
T here is so little of you left. No possessions, no memories.

All you know is that you scrambled out of the grave,
called forth once more. What had you been in life? Perhaps
you were a fool, a jester, an entertainer. Or perhaps you were

a knight, a great warrior. You wish you could remember.
Instead, there’s just the cold on your exposed skin, and the 17 +6 8 -
knowledge of a life entirely lost to you. You’ll need to make
yourself anew, forging a new self in this shadowed world. It
is fortunate then, you cannot die, that the Unkindled return 18 +6 8
from any class
again and again to the bonfires… you are going to die a lot
before you discover what, and who, you are meant to be.

20 +6 10
from any class

Freedom Choice
S till, at least it is to be your choice. Few are afforded

that choice, in this world. Few gain the chance to
escape from the limits of their past. You should embrace
Y our ability to choose who you become, what you
become, means other Unkindled might take you
with them, prepared to assist in the belief that you may
the gift. You could become great, you could become…so become something more, someone capable of aiding
much. The key is surviving long enough to do so. That’s them in the pursuit of their quest. Or alternatively, you
going to be a true struggle. You’re without weapons. might simply die, over and over again.
Without armour. Without magic. All you can do is rely
on your hands, your wits, and hopefully, your destiny as
Unkindled, to win through. It’s not much to cling to, but
it’s all you have. Quite literally.
Armour: All armour and shields as long as You start with the
prerequisites met. following equipment:
Weapons: All weapons, as long as prerequisites met
Saving Throws: Choose two from Strength, Dexterity,
An Estus Flask (page 154)
Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom,
Club (page 208)
Charisma
Plank Shield (page 177)
69
Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics,
Animal Handling, Athletics, Arcana,
History, Insight, Intimidation,
Investigation, Medicine, Nature,
Perception, Performance, Religion,
Sleight of Hand, Stealth and Survival
Ability Score At 1st level, and again at 4th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability
score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Increase As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Magic At 5th level, you gain a catalyst enabling you to use magic. You own either a
Sorcerer’s Staff, a Pyromancer’s Flame, or a Talisman, allowing you to cast spells
Catalyst (see page 129 for more).
Spellcasting You have learned to draw on a magical tradition, depending on your choice of catalyst.
See Chapter 3: Magic for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for
the appropriate spell list.
Extra Attacks Beginning at 15th level, you can attack three times instead of once, whenever you
take the Attack action on your turn.

70

Core Rules
71

Core Rules
—
Using
Ability Scores
S ix abilities provide a quick description of every creature's physical

and mental characteristics:
STR DEX CON
Strength Dexterity Constitution
Measuring physical power Measuring agility Measuring endurance

72
INT WIS CHA
Intelligence Wisdom Charisma
Measuring reasoning Measuring perception Measuring force

and memory and insight of personality
Is a character muscle-bound and insightful? Brilliant and charming?

Nimble and hardy? Ability scores define these qualities—a creature's
assets as well as weaknesses.
The three main rolls of the game—the ability check, the saving throw,
and the attack roll—rely on the six ability scores. The basic rule behind
these rolls is simple: you roll a d20, add an ability modifier derived from
one of the six ability scores, and compare the total to a target number,
determined by the GM.

Core Rules
—
Ability Scores
and Modifiers
E ach of a creature's abilities has a score, a number that defines the magnitude of that ability.
An ability score is not just a measure of innate capabilities, but also encompasses a creature's
training and competence in activities related to that ability.
A score of 10 or 11 is the normal human average, but adventurers and many monsters are a cut above
average in most abilities. A score of 18 is the highest that a person usually reaches. Adventurers can
have scores as high as 20, and monsters can have scores as high as 30.
Each ability also has a modifier, derived from the score and ranging from −5 (for an ability score
of 1) to +10 (for a score of 30). The Ability Scores and Modifiers table notes the ability modifiers
for the range of possible ability scores, from 1 to 30.
Ability Scores and Modifiers
Score Modifier Score Modifier
73
1 -5 16-17 +3
2-3 -4 18-19 +4
4-5 -3 20-21 +5
6-7 -2 22-23 +6
8-9 -1 24-25 +7
10-11 +0 26-27 +8
12-13 +1 28-29 +9
14-15 +2 30 +10
To determine an ability modifier without consulting the table, subtract 10 from the ability score
and then divide the total by 2 (round down).
Because ability modifiers affect almost every attack roll, ability check, and saving throw, ability
modifiers come up in play more often than their associated scores.

Core Rules
—
Advantage
& Disadvantage
S ometimes a special ability or spell tells you that you have
advantage or disadvantage on an ability check, a saving throw, or
an attack roll. When that happens, you roll a second d20 when you
make the roll. Use the higher of the two rolls if you have advantage
and use the lower roll if you have disadvantage. For example, if you
have disadvantage and roll a 17 and a 5, you use the 5. If you instead
have advantage and roll those numbers, you use the 17.
If multiple situations affect a roll and each one grants advantage or

imposes disadvantage on it, you don't roll more than one additional
d20. If two favourable situations grant advantage, for example, you
still roll only one additional d20.
If circumstances cause a roll to have both advantage and disadvantage,

you are considered to have neither of them, so you roll one d20. This
is true even if multiple circumstances impose disadvantage and only
one grants advantage or vice versa. In such a situation, you have
neither advantage nor disadvantage.
You usually gain advantage or disadvantage using special abilities,

actions, or spells. The GM can also decide that circumstances
influence a roll in one direction or the other and grant advantage or
impose disadvantage as a result.
74
Proficiency Bonus
C haracters have a proficiency bonus determined by level. Monsters
also have this bonus, which is incorporated in their stat blocks. The
bonus is used in the rules on ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls.
Your proficiency bonus can't be added to a single die roll or other

number more than once. For example, if two different rules say you
can add your proficiency bonus to a Wisdom saving throw, you may
nevertheless add the bonus only once when you make the save.
Occasionally, your proficiency bonus might be multiplied or divided

(doubled or halved, for example) before you apply it. For example, the
thief 's Expertise feature doubles the proficiency bonus for certain
ability checks. If a circumstance suggests that your proficiency bonus
applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and
multiply or divide it only once.
By the same token, if a feature or effect allows you to multiply your

proficiency bonus when making an ability check that wouldn't normally
benefit from your proficiency bonus, you still don't add the bonus to the
check. For that check your proficiency bonus is zero; multiplying zero
by any number is still zero. For instance, if you lack proficiency in the
History skill, you gain no benefit from a feature that lets you double
your proficiency bonus when you make Intelligence (History) checks.
In general, you don't multiply your proficiency bonus for attack rolls
or saving throws. If a feature or effect allows you to do so, these same
rules apply.

Core Rules
—
Ability Checks
A n ability check tests a character's or monster's innate talent and training in order to overcome
a challenge. The GM calls for an ability check when a character or monster attempts an
action (other than an attack) that has a chance of failure. When the outcome is uncertain, the dice
determine the results.
For every ability check, the GM decides which of the six abilities is relevant to the task at hand and
the difficulty of the task, represented by a Difficulty Class. The more difficult a task, the higher its
DC. The Task Difficulty Classes table shows the most common DCs.
Task Difficulty Classes
Very Easy 5 75
Easy 10
Medium 15
Hard 20
Very Hard 25
Nearly Impossible 30
To make an ability check, roll a d20 and add the relevant ability modifier. As with other d20 rolls,
apply bonuses and penalties, and compare the total to the DC. If the total equals or exceeds the
DC, the ability check is a success—the creature overcomes the challenge at hand. Otherwise, it's
a failure, which means the character or monster makes no progress toward the objective or makes
progress combined with a setback determined by the GM.

Core Rules
—
Contests
S ometimes one character's or monster's
efforts are directly opposed to another's.
This can occur when both are trying to do the
instead of comparing the total to a DC, they
compare the totals of their two checks. The
participant with the higher check total wins
same thing and only one can succeed, such as the contest. That character or monster either
attempting to snatch up a magic ring that has succeeds at the action or prevents the other one
fallen on the floor. This situation also applies from succeeding.
when one of them is trying to prevent the other
one from accomplishing a goal—for example, If the contest results in a tie, the situation
when a monster tries to force open a door that remains the same as it was before the contest.
an adventurer is holding closed. In situations Thus, one contestant might win the contest
like these, the outcome is determined by a by default. If two characters tie in a contest to
special form of ability check, called a contest. snatch a ring off the floor, neither character
grabs it. In a contest between a monster trying
Both participants in a contest make ability to open a door and an adventurer trying to
checks appropriate to their efforts. They apply keep the door closed, a tie means that the door
all appropriate bonuses and penalties, but remains shut.
76

Core Rules
—
Skills
E ach ability covers a broad range of capabilities, including skills that a character or a monster
can be proficient in. A skill represents a specific aspect of an ability score, and an individual's
proficiency in a skill demonstrates a focus on that aspect. (A character's starting skill proficiencies
are determined at character creation, and a monster's skill proficiencies appear in the monster's
stat block).
For example, a Dexterity check might reflect a character's attempt to pull off an acrobatic stunt,
to palm an object, or to stay hidden. Each of these aspects of Dexterity has an associated skill—
Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth, respectively—so a character who has proficiency in the
Stealth skill is particularly good at Dexterity checks related to sneaking and hiding.
The skills related to each ability score are shown in the following list (no skills are related to
Constitution). See an ability's description in the later sections of this section for examples of how
to use a skill associated with an ability.
77
STR DEX INT WIS CHA
Strength Dexterity Intelligence Wisdom Charisma
Athletics Acrobatics Arcana Animal Handling Deception

Sleight of Hand History Insight Intimidation
Stealth Investigation Medicine Performance
Nature Perception Persuasion
Religion Survival
Sometimes, the GM might ask for an ability check using a specific skill—for example, "Make
a Wisdom (Perception) check." At other times, a player might ask the GM if proficiency in a
particular skill applies to a check. In either case, proficiency in a skill means an individual can add
his or her proficiency bonus to ability checks that involve that skill. Without proficiency in the
skill, the individual makes a normal ability check.
For example, if a character attempts to climb up a dangerous cliff, the GM might ask for a Strength
(Athletics) check. If the character is proficient in Athletics, the character's proficiency bonus is
added to the Strength check. If the character lacks that proficiency, they just makes a Strength check.

Core Rules
—
Variants: Skills with

Different Abilities
N ormally, your proficiency in a skill applies only to a specific kind of ability check. Proficiency
in Athletics, for example, usually applies to Strength checks. In some situations, though, your
proficiency might reasonably apply to a different kind of check. In such cases the GM might ask
for a check using an unusual combination of ability and skill, or you might ask your GM if you can
apply a proficiency to a different check. For example, if you have to dive beneath the foetid murk
of a swamp, and swim into the depths, your GM might call for a Constitution check to see if you
have the stamina to make it. In this case, your GM might allow you to apply your proficiency in
Athletics and ask for a Constitution (Athletics) check. So, if you're proficient in Athletics, you
would apply your proficiency bonus to the Constitution check just as you would normally do for
a Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, when your northern warrior uses a display of raw strength
to intimidate an enemy, your GM might ask for a Strength (Intimidation) check, even though
Intimidation is normally associated with Charisma.
78
Passive Checks
A passive check is a special kind of ability check that doesn't involve any die rolls. Such a check
can represent the average result for a task done repeatedly, such as repeatedly searching for
secret doors, or which can be used when the GM wants to secretly determine whether the characters
succeed at something without rolling dice, such as noticing a hidden monster
Here's how to determine a character's total for a passive check:
10 + all modifiers that normally apply to the check

—
If the character has advantage on the check, add a further +5; if they have disadvantage, a further -5.
—
The game refers to a passive check total as a score.
For example, if a 1st-level character has a Wisdom of 15 and proficiency in Perception, they have a
passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 14.
The rules on hiding in the Dexterity section rely on passive checks

Core Rules
—
Position
I n DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, careful management of health and stamina is critical
to success. Unlike traditional roleplaying games, DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game doesn’t
use hit points to represent a character’s vitality, and instead uses Position.
Position not only represents an abstraction of health and stamina, but also enables players to affect
dice rolls and to use key abilities, adding a strategic layer to any combat action.
Each character’s Base Position is equal to their current level, plus their Constitution modifier, and
the maximum value of the dice in their position pool.
If a character’s Position is reduced to zero, the character is killed.
At 1st level a character’s Base Position is equal to:
Constitution modifier + Maximum value of their Origin’s Position dice + Current Level
For example, a Knight with Constitution 15 (+2) and a Brute Origin (1d10 Position) at 1st
level has a base Position pool of 13 (2+10+1).
79
At every level after 1st, when they level up characters increase their Base Position as shown below:
Current Base Position + Constitution Modifier
If your character starts at level one, then when you level up, you increase your Base Position by
simply adding your modifier. If your game is starting at a higher level, then you include your level
(as seen in Origins’ ‘Position at Higher Levels’). This little boost is to reflect the lack of improved
equipment you’ll have been able to equip yet. It’s not a lot but it might just help.
When the Knight reaches 2nd level, the character’s player adds their +2 Constitution modi!er
to their existing base position. As a result, Base Position is increased to 15.
During combat, characters will increase their Position by rolling a number of Position dice
(determined by their Origin and level) to generate additional temporary position.
Uninjured and fully rested, the knight’s current Position would be 15 (equal to their Base
Position). When the knight enters combat with a hollow, the knight’s player rolls 2d10 (level
x Position Dice) resulting in 11, and adds this to their current Position giving them a total of
26 Position for the coming conflict.

Position Pool In and Out of Combat
P osition is vital for a character in combat but also plays a key role in other dangerous situations
such as stumbling into a trap, being poisoned, or falling for a height, amongst many other
dangerous events in the world of DARK SOULS.
Out of combat, all damaging effects are deducted from the character’s current Position.
In combat, however, things are a little different. Once the GM has announced that a combat is
about to begin, and initiative has been determined, characters gain additional temporary position.
Be this a surge of adrenaline, or an experienced fighter understanding the battlefield, this temporary
boost is vital for survival.
This additional temporary position is calculated when a character first acts in combat, and is added
to the character’s current Position. Being surprised in combat, is therefore really rather dangerous.
Temporary Position = Origin Position dice x Level
Once the combat has ended, a character’s Position reverts to either their Base Position value, or
stays at the current Position value, whichever is lowest. The healing powers of the Estus Flask, and
some magic items or spells can restore position, as can taking a Long rest at a bonfire.
If the Knight suffers 3 points of damage in the fight with the hollow, after the fight ends, their
Position (currently 26) reverts back to 15 (equal to their Base Position).
Alternatively, if the knight had fared worse and suffered 13 damage from the hollow’s bombs, after
the fight ends, their Position would remain at 13 until healed or rested.
80
Using Position
P osition can be expended to represent that little extra effort. Do you want to burn your enemies
with a Great Chaos Fireball? Or did you miss the vital blow that might have turned the fight
in your favour? Perhaps the enemy only just manage to survive when a little more damage might
have killed them? This is where strategic use of Position is critical to your character’s survival.
Some abilities, or spells, can only be triggered using Position by spending the specified amount
from a character’s Position total. These costs are noted in the description of the spell or ability,
where appropriate.
Alternatively, Position can be spent to modify dice rolls, to increase damage, or to attempt difficult
and impressive actions. But beware, Position may only be used once per activation so careful
timing is key.
Spending Position
Some restrictions:
You can only ever spend Position on yourself.
You may only spend Position once per turn.
You cannot trigger critical effects by spending Position.

Common Uses
• Increase the result of a dice roll by +1 per Position. There is no

limit on how much Position you can spend on an attack roll, so,
you could roll a 1 and, if you had sufficient Position, hit a creature
with an AC 20 but in doing, leave yourself much more vulnerable
to your enemy’s attacks.
• Increase your melee or ranged attack damage roll by 5 points, as a

minimum. You can increase damage by however much you wish, but
you must always spend a minimum of 5 Position to do so, unless
using a weapon’s special ability.
• Increase your movement. Gain +5 feet of movement per Position

spent. Maximum movement that may be gained in this way is equal
to your Base Speed value.
This is not an exhaustive list. If a player thinks of a particularly

interesting or ingenious use of Position, then the GM should feel
free to dictate a cost and allow the Unkindled to perform the action
described by the player. 81
In summary, Position represents a combination of health and

stamina but instead of being a pool that decreases only when a player
character takes damage, in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game¸
you can spend Position to trigger abilities, cast spells, modify your
dice rolls, and even increase your damage.
BUT
Be careful! Don’t ever forget that Position still counts as a

representation of your health. Once it hits zero, you die! Spending
Position can grant you impressive advantages in combat, often
turning the tide in your favour, but doing so will make dying that
much quicker and easier. Use it cautiously…

Core Rules
—
Helping A Companion
S ometimes two or more characters team up to attempt a task. The
character leading the effort—or the one with the highest ability
modifier—can make an ability check with advantage, reflecting the
help provided by the other characters. In combat, this requires the
Help action.
A character can only provide help if the task is one that he or she could
attempt alone. For example, trying to open a lock requires specialised
knowledge, and practice. If a character doesn't possess proficiency in
Sleight-of-Hand or another appropriate skill, they can't assist with
that task. Moreover, a character can help only when two or more
individuals working together would actually be productive. Some tasks,
such as threading a needle, are no easier with help.
82
Group Checks
W hen several individuals are trying to accomplish something
as a group, the GM might ask for a group ability check.
In such a situation, the characters who are skilled at a particular
task help cover those who aren't. To make a group ability check,
everyone in the group makes the ability check. If at least half the
group succeeds, the whole group succeeds. Otherwise, the group
fails. Group checks don't come up very often, and they're most
useful when all the characters succeed or fail as a group. For example,
when adventurers are navigating a swamp, the GM might call for
a group Wisdom (Survival) check to see if the characters can avoid
the reaching tendrils of deadly plants, and other natural hazards of
the environment. If at least half the group succeeds, the successful
characters can guide their companions out of danger. Otherwise, the
group stumbles into one of these hazards.

83

Using Each
Ability
84
Every task that a character or monster might

attempt in the game is covered by one of the
six abilities. This section explains in more detail
what those abilities mean and the ways they
are used in the game.

Abilities
—
Strength
Strength measures bodily power, athletic training, and the extent
to which you can exert raw physical force.
Strength Checks Attack Rolls and Damage
A Strength check can model any attempt to lift, push, pull, or break
something, to force your body through a space, or to otherwise
apply brute force to a situation. The Athletics skill reflects aptitude
Y ou add your Strength modifier to your attack roll and your
damage roll when attacking with a melee weapon such as a
mace, a battle axe, or a javelin. You use melee weapons to make melee
in certain kinds of Strength checks. attacks in hand-to-hand combat, and some of them can be thrown
to make a ranged attack.
Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations
you encounter while climbing, jumping, or swimming. Examples
include the following activities: Lifting and Carrying
• You attempt to climb a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid hazards while
scaling a wall, or cling to a surface while something is trying to
knock you off. Y our Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear.
The following terms define what you can lift or carry.
• You try to jump an unusually long distance or pull off a stunt midjump. Carrying Capacity: your carrying capacity is your Strength score
multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry,
• You struggle to swim or stay afloat in treacherous currents, storm- which is high enough that most characters don't usually have to
tossed waves, or areas of thick seaweed. Or another creature tries worry about it. Note, this refers to what you can actively pick up and
to push or pull you underwater or otherwise interfere with your carry - as you might lift a huge tottering pile of books. The amount
85
swimming. of equipment you can carry is dealt with in the Equipment section,
starting on page 149.
Other Strength Checks. The GM might also call for a Strength
check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following: Weapon and Armour Selection: most weapons and armour you’ll
encounter as you journey through Lothric possess a minimum
• Forcing open a stuck, locked, or barred door strength value. This is the lowest your strength can be to effectively
• Breaking free of the shackles attached to your legs by asylum guards wield or wear them.
• Pushing through a too-small tunnel
• Hanging on to a dragon's tail, as it seeks to throw you loose Push, Drag, or Lift: you can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds
• Tipping over a statue up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score).
• Keeping a boulder from crashing into your comrades While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity,
your speed drops to 5 feet.
Size and Strength: Larger creatures can bear more weight, whereas
smaller creatures can carry less. For each size category above Medium,
double the creature's carrying capacity and the amount it can push,
drag, or lift. For a Tiny creature, halve these weights.

Abilities
—
Dexterity
Dexterity measures agility, reflexes, and balance.
Dexterity Checks Armour Class
A Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly,

quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on tricky footing.
The Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth skills reflect aptitude
D epending on the armour you wear, you might add some or all
of your Dexterity modifier to your Armour Class.
in certain kinds of Dexterity checks.
Acrobatics. Your Dexterity (Acrobatics) check covers your attempt

to stay on your feet in a tricky situation, such as when you're trying Hiding
to run across a sheet of ice, balance on a tightrope, or stay upright
on a rocking ship's deck. The GM might also call for a Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check to see if you can perform acrobatic stunts, The GM decides when circumstances are appropriate for hiding.
including dives, rolls, somersaults, and flips. When you try to hide, make a Dexterity (Stealth) check. Until you
are discovered, or you stop hiding, that check's total is contested by
Sleight of Hand. Whenever you attempt an act of legerdemain the Wisdom (Perception) check of any creature that actively searches
or manual trickery, such as planting something on someone else for signs of your presence.
or concealing an object on your person, make a Dexterity (Sleight
of Hand) check. The GM might also call for a Dexterity (Sleight You can't hide from a creature that can see you clearly, and you give
of Hand) check to determine whether you can lift a coin purse off away your position if you make noise, such as shouting a warning or
another person or slip something out of another person's pocket. knocking over a vase.
86
Stealth. Make a Dexterity (Stealth) check when you attempt to An invisible creature can always try to hide. Signs of its passage might
conceal yourself from enemies, slink past guards, slip away without still be noticed, and it still must stay quiet or be detected, if not “seen”.
being noticed, or sneak up on someone without being seen or heard.
In combat, most creatures stay alert for signs of danger all around, so
Other Dexterity Checks. The GM might call for a Dexterity check if you come out of hiding and approach a creature, it usually sees you.
when you try to accomplish tasks like the following: However, under certain circumstances, the GM might allow you to
stay hidden as you approach
• Control a heavily laden cart on a steep descent
Passive Perception. When you hide, there's a chance someone will
• Steer a chariot around a tight turn
notice you even if they aren't searching. To determine whether such a
• Pick a lock
creature notices you, the GM compares your Dexterity (Stealth) check
• Disable a trap
with that creature's passive Wisdom (Perception) score, which equals
• Securely tie up a prisoner
10 + the creature's Wisdom modifier, as well as any other bonuses
• Wriggle free of bonds
or penalties. If the creature has advantage, add 5. For disadvantage,
• Play a stringed instrument
subtract 5. For example, if a 1st-level character (with a proficiency
• Craft a small or detailed object
bonus of +2) has a Wisdom of 15 (a +2 modifier) and proficiency in
Perception, they have a passive Wisdom (Perception) of 14.
Attack Rolls and Damage What Can You See? One of the main factors in determining whether
you can find a hidden creature or object is how well you can see in an
area, which might be lightly or heavily obscured (see "Adventuring",
Y ou add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your

damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon, such as a
sling or a longbow. You can also add your Dexterity modifier to your
page 92).
attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a melee weapon
that has the finesse property, such as a dagger or a rapier.

Abilities
—
Constitution Intelligence
Constitution measures health, stamina, and vital force. Intelligence measures mental acuity, accuracy of recall,
and the ability to reason.
Constitution Checks Intelligence Checks
C onstitution checks are uncommon, and no skills apply to

Constitution checks, because the endurance this ability
represents is largely passive rather than involving a specific effort on
A n Intelligence check comes into play when you need to draw on
logic, education, memory, or deductive reasoning. The Arcana,
History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion skills reflect aptitude in
the part of a character or monster. A Constitution check can model certain kinds of Intelligence checks.
your attempt to push beyond normal limits, however.
Arcana. Your Intelligence (Arcana) check measures your ability to
The GM might call for a Constitution check when you try to recall lore about spells, and magical traditions.
accomplish tasks like the following
History. Your Intelligence (History) check measures your ability
• Holding your breath to recall lore about historical events, legendary people, ancient
• Marching or labouring for hours without rest kingdoms, past disputes, recent wars, and lost civilizations.
• Going without sleep
• Plunging your arm into a raging fire Investigation. When you look around for clues and make deductions
• Withstanding the noxious fug of a swamp based on those clues, you make an Intelligence (Investigation) check.
You might deduce the location of a hidden object, discern from the
appearance of a wound what kind of weapon dealt it, or determine
the weak point in a tunnel that could cause it to collapse. Poring
through ancient scrolls in search of a hidden fragment of knowledge
Position might also call for an Intelligence (Investigation) check.
87
Nature. Your Intelligence (Nature) check measures your ability to

Your Constitution modifier contributes to your total Position pool, recall lore about terrain, plants and animals, the weather, and the
calculated prior to a combat encounter, and to your base Position. inhabitants of graveyards, swamps, and catacombs.
If your Constitution modifier changes, your base Position maximum Religion. Your Intelligence (Religion) check measures your ability to
changes as well, as though you’d had the new modifier from 1st level. recall lore about deities, rites and prayers, religious hierarchies, holy
For example, if you raise your Constitution score when you reach symbols, and the practices of secret cults.
4th level and your Constitution modifier increases from +1 to +2,
you adjust your base Position maximum as though the modifier had Other Intelligence Checks. The GM might call for an Intelligence
always been +2—so you add 3 Position for your first three levels, check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
and for 4th level using your new modifier. Equally, if you're 7th level
and some effect lowers your Constitution score enough to reduce • Communicate with a creature without using words
your Constitution modifier by -1, your base Position maximum is • Estimate the value of a precious item
reduced by seven. • Pull together a disguise to pass as a Hollow, in a city filled with
the shambling dead.
• Forge a document
• Recall lore about the Nameless King, or Yhorm the Giant
• Win a game of skill
Spellcasting Ability
S orcerers use Intelligence as their spellcasting ability, which helps

determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

Abilities
—
Wisdom Charisma
Wisdom reflects how attuned you are to the world around you and Charisma measures your ability to interact effectively with others.
represents perceptiveness and intuition. It includes such factors as confidence and eloquence, and it can
represent a charming or commanding personality.
Wisdom Checks Charisma Checks
A Wisdom check might reflect an effort to read body language,

understand someone's feelings, notice things about the
environment, or care for an injured person. The Animal Handling,
A Charisma check might arise when you try to influence or
entertain others, when you try to make an impression or tell a
convincing lie, or when you are navigating a tricky social situation.
Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival skills reflect aptitude in The Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion skills
certain kinds of Wisdom checks. reflect aptitude in certain kinds of Charisma checks.
Animal Handling. When there is any question whether you can Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether
calm down a domesticated animal, keep a mount from getting you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your
spooked, or intuit an animal's intentions, the GM might call for actions. This deception can encompass everything from misleading
a Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. You also make a Wisdom others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations
(Animal Handling) check to control your mount when you attempt include trying to fast-talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money
a risky manoeuvre. through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone's
suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while
Insight. Your Wisdom (Insight) check decides whether you can telling a blatant lie.
determine the true intentions of a creature, such as when searching
out a lie or predicting someone's next move. Doing so involves gleaning Intimidation. When you attempt to influence someone through
clues from body language, speech habits, and changes in mannerisms. overt threats, hostile actions, and physical violence, the GM might
ask you to make a Charisma (Intimidation) check. Examples include
88
Medicine. A Wisdom (Medicine) check lets you try to stabilize a trying to pry information out of a prisoner, convincing a lost knight
dying companion or diagnose an illness. to put down his sword and talk if he wants to remain in one piece,
or making a smug snake reveal what it knows of your past at the
Perception. Your Wisdom (Perception) check lets you spot, hear, or edge of an axe.
otherwise detect the presence of something. It measures your general
awareness of your surroundings and the keenness of your senses. For Performance. Your Charisma (Performance) check determines
example, you might try to hear a conversation through a closed door, how well you can delight an audience with music, dance, acting,
eavesdrop under an open window, or hear monsters moving stealthily storytelling, or some other form of entertainment.
in the forest. Or you might try to spot things that are obscured or
easy to miss, for instance whether a demon is about to leap down Persuasion. When you attempt to influence someone or a group of
from nowhere to prevent you escaping an asylum. people with tact, social graces, or good nature, the GM might ask you
to make a Charisma (Persuasion) check. Typically, you use persuasion
Survival. The GM might ask you to make a Wisdom (Survival) when acting in good faith, to foster friendships, make cordial requests,
check to follow tracks, hunt wild game, guide your group through or exhibit proper etiquette. Examples of persuading others include
frozen wastelands, identify signs that owlbears live nearby, predict convincing a crowd of Corvians to let their prisoner go, uneaten.
the weather, or avoid quicksand and other natural hazards.
Other Charisma Checks. The GM might call for a Charisma check
Other Wisdom Checks. The GM might call for a Wisdom check when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
when you try to accomplish tasks like the following:
• Finding the best person to talk to for news, rumours, and gossip
• Getting a gut feeling about what course of action to follow • Blending into a crowd to get the sense of key topics of conversation
• Discerning whether a seemingly dead or living creature is undead
Spellcasting Ability Spellcasting Ability
C lerics and Heralds use Wisdom as their spellcasting ability,

which helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast. P yromancers use Charisma as their spellcasting ability, which
helps determine the saving throw DCs of spells they cast.

Core Rules
—
Saving
Throws
A saving throw—also called a save—represents an attempt to resist

a spell, a trap, a poison, a disease, or a similar threat. You don't
normally decide to make a saving throw; you are forced to make one
because your character is at risk of harm.
To make a saving throw, roll a d20 and add the appropriate ability
modifier. For example, you use your Dexterity modifier for a
Dexterity saving throw.
A saving throw can be modified by a situational bonus or penalty 89

and can be affected by advantage and disadvantage, as determined
by the GM.
Each origin gives proficiency in at least two saving throws. The

sorcerer, for example, is proficient in Intelligence saves. As with skill
proficiencies, proficiency in a saving throw lets a character add his
or her proficiency bonus to saving throws made using a particular
ability score. Some monsters have saving throw proficiencies as well.
The Difficulty Class for a saving throw is determined by the effect that
causes it. For example, the DC for a saving throw allowed by a spell is
determined by the caster's spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus.
The result of a successful or failed saving throw is also detailed in

the effect that allows the save. Usually, a successful save means that
a creature suffers no harm, or reduced harm, from an effect.

Core Rules
—
Souls, Experience,
and Levelling Up
L evelling up your player characters is a key part of the DARK

SOULS: The Roleplaying Game. The more of the world of Lothric
the Unkindled experience, the more powerful and skilful they become.
Survival isn’t easy, of course, but for those who manage to fight their way
through the ranks of demons and undead, there must be some reward.
This reward comes in the form of souls, which can be used for buying
equipment and items, and levelling up. A player can only spend
souls on levelling up their own character; souls cannot be spent on
another character.
Collecting Souls
S ouls are automatically collected by killing enemies. When the

enemy is killed, each character gains an equal share of the souls
gained by killing the enemy. You can also find souls by exploring
your environment, left behind by those who once crossed the land
in the aeons before you. The value of these souls is listed in Chapter
Four: Equipment (see page 235). If you die, however, you lose all
your collected souls. You do not lose any souls you’ve already spent,
or anything you’ve bought with those souls.
90
Spending Souls
W hen spending souls, a player removes the corresponding

number of souls from their collected souls total, and adds
them to their spent souls total.
Souls can be spent to purchase items, and spells, when visiting

merchants, and some non-player characters.
Characters also use souls to level up, by spending them at a bonfire.

Characters can only level up at a bonfire, and can’t spend souls to
increase their level anywhere else. The number of levels a character
increases corresponds to the number of souls spent, shown on the
table opposite.
A character can spend souls at a bonfire without levelling up by

simply removing any number of souls from their collected souls total,
and adding them to their banked souls total. Characters can’t move
souls from their banked souls total to their collected souls total, and
souls spent on anything except levelling up do not count towards
banked souls.
A character can bank souls without levelling up.
That is, a character may decide to spend a 1000 souls, to move them
from collected souls to banked souls, even if this isn’t enough to allow
them to level up. As noted above, when a player character has banked
souls in this way, they cannot be lost.

Levelling Up
W hen a character gains a level, their class often grants additional

features, as detailed in the class description. Sometimes a
character’s proficiency bonus increases, or they can increase their
ability scores. An ability score can’t increase above 20.
A character must already have spent souls equivalent to the

cumulative total of the previous levels before being able to access
the next level. That is, a character cannot simply pay 900 souls and
skip to level 3. They must pay 1200 souls, covering the cost of levelling
up to level 2, and to level 3.
The following table summarizes the number of souls required to

advance from 1st to 20th level. Consult the information in your
character's class description to see what other improvements you
gain at each level.
Souls Level Souls level
0 1 85,000 11 91
300 2 100,000 12
900 3 120,000 13
2,700 4 140,000 14
6,500 5 165,000 15
14,000 6 195,000 16
23,000 7 225,000 17
34,000 8 265,000 18
48,000 9 305,000 19
64,000 10 355,000 20

Core Rules
—
Adventuring
Time
I n situations where it’s important to keep track of the passage of time,

the GM determines how long a task requires. The GM might use a
different timescale depending on the context of the situation at hand.
In a dungeon environment, the adventurers' movement happens on a
scale of minutes. It takes them about a minute to creep down a long
hallway, another minute to check for traps on the door at the end of the
hall, and a good ten minutes to search the chamber beyond for anything
interesting or valuable.
In a city or wilderness, a scale of hours is often more appropriate.

Adventurers eager to reach the lonely tower at the heart of the forest
hurry across those 15 miles in just under four hours' time.
92 For long journeys, a scale of days works best. Following the road from
one area to another, the adventurers spend four uneventful days before
a brutal attack by wraiths interrupts their journey.
In combat and other fast-paced situations, the game relies on rounds,

a six-second span of time.
Movement
S wimming across a rushing river, sneaking down a dungeon corridor,

scaling a treacherous mountain slope—all sorts of movement play
a key role in fantasy gaming adventures.
The GM can summarize the adventurers' movement without calculating

exact distances or travel times: "You travel through darkness, through
the land smeared in darkness until you finally reach the Cathedral of
the Deep, at long last”.
Sometimes it's important, though, to know how long it takes to get

from one spot to another, whether the answer is in days, hours, or
minutes. The rules for determining travel time depend on two factors:
the speed and travel pace of the creatures moving and the terrain they're
moving over.

Speed
E very character and monster has a speed, which is the distance in feet that the character or
monster can walk in 1 round. This number assumes short bursts of energetic movement amidst
a life-threatening situation. In DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, every character has a 30
feet speed. The following rules determine how far a character or monster can move in a minute,
an hour, or a day.
Travel Pace Mounts and Vehicles
W hile traveling, a group of adventurers can move at a normal,

fast, or slow pace, as shown on the Travel Pace table. The table
states how far the party can move in a period of time, and whether
F or short spans of time (up to an hour), many animals move much
faster than humanoids. A mounted character can ride at a gallop
for about an hour, covering twice the usual distance for a fast pace. If
the pace has any effect. A fast pace makes characters less perceptive, fresh mounts are available every 8—10 miles, characters can cover
while a slow pace makes it possible to sneak around and to search larger distances at this pace, but this is very rare except in densely
an area more carefully. populated areas.
Forced March Characters in wagons, carriages, or other land vehicles choose a

pace as normal. Characters in a waterborne vessel are limited to the
T he Travel Pace table assumes that characters travel for eight

hours in day. They can push on beyond that limit, at the risk
of exhaustion.
speed of the vessel, and they don't suffer penalties for a fast pace or
gain benefits from a slow pace. Depending on the vessel and the size
of the crew, ships might be able to travel for up to 24 hours per day.
For each additional hour of travel beyond eight hours, the characters Certain special mounts may allow you to travel at a faster pace still.
cover the distance shown in the Hour column for their pace, and
93
each character must make a Constitution saving throw at the end
Travel Pace - Distance Travelled
of the hour. The DC is 10 + 1 for each hour past eight hours. On a
failed saving throw, a character suffers one level of exhaustion (see
"Conditions", page 100). Minute Hour Day
Difficult Terrain Fast Pace
T he travel speeds given in the Travel Pace table assume relatively

simple terrain: roads, open plains, or clear dungeon corridors.
But adventurers often face dense forests, deep swamps, rubble-filled
400 feet 4 miles 30 miles
-5 penalty to passive Wisdom (Perception) scores

ruins, steep mountains, and ice-covered ground—all considered
difficult terrain.
Normal Pace
You move at half speed in difficult terrain—moving 1 feet in difficult
terrain costs 2 feet of speed—so you can cover only half the normal 300 feet 3 miles 24 miles
distance in a minute, an hour, or a day.
-
Slow Pace
200 feet 2 miles 18 miles
Able to use stealth

Core Rules
—
Special Types
of Movement
M ovement through dangerous dungeons or wilderness areas

often involves more than simply walking. Adventurers might
have to climb, crawl, swim, or jump to get where they need to go.
Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling
W hile climbing or swimming, each foot of movement costs

+1 feet (+2 feet in difficult terrain), unless a creature has a
climbing or swimming speed. At the GM's discretion, climbing
a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a
successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance
in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check.
Jumping
Your Strength determines how far you can jump.

94
Long Jump. When you make a long jump, you cover up to your
Strength score in feet if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately
before the jump. When you make a standing long jump, you can leap
only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump
costs 1 feet of movement.
This rule assumes that the height of your jump doesn't matter, such
as a jump across a stream or chasm. At your GM's discretion, you
must succeed on a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check to clear a low
obstacle (no taller than a quarter of the jump's distance), such as a
hedge or low wall. Otherwise, you hit it.
When you land in difficult terrain, you must succeed on a DC 10

Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to land on your feet. Otherwise, you
land prone.
High Jump. When you make a high jump, you leap into the air 3
feet + your Strength modifier if you move at least 10 feet on foot
immediately before the jump. When you make a standing high jump,
you can jump only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear
on the jump costs a foot of movement. In some circumstances, your
GM might allow you to make a Strength (Athletics) check to jump
higher than you normally can.
You can extend your arms half your height above yourself during the
jump. Thus, you can reach above you a distance equal to the height
of the jump + 1/2 times your height.

Core Rules
—
Environment
B y its nature, your quest, indeed some might claim your very existence, requires you to venture
into the darkest, deadliest of places where ancient sins poison the stone itself. The rules in this
section cover some of the most important ways in which adventurers interact with the environment
in such places.
Falling Suffocating
A fall from a great height is one of the most common hazards A creature can hold its breath for a number of minutes equal to
facing an adventurer. At the end of a fall, a creature takes 1d6 1 + its Constitution modifier (minimum of 30 seconds).
bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it fell, to a maximum of
20d6. The creature lands prone, unless it avoids taking damage When a creature runs out of breath or is choking, it can survive
from the fall. for a number of rounds equal to its Constitution modifier
(minimum of 1 round). At the start of its next turn, it drops to
0 Position, it is dead.
For example, a creature with a Constitution of 14 can hold

Vision and Light its breath for three minutes. If it starts suffocating, it has two
rounds to reach air before it drops to 0 Position and dies.
95
Noticing danger, finding hidden objects, hitting an enemy in
combat and targeting a spell all rely heavily on a character's
ability to see. Darkness and other effects that obscure vision Blindsight
can prove a significant hindrance.
A given area might be lightly or heavily obscured. In a lightly A creature with blindsight can perceive its surroundings without
obscured area, such as dim light, patchy fog, or moderate foliage, relying on vision within a specific range. Creatures without eyes,
creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks such as oozes, and creatures with echolocation or heightened
that rely on sight. senses, such dragons, have this sense.
A heavily obscured area—such as darkness, opaque fog, or dense

foliage—blocks vision entirely. A creature effectively suffers
from the blinded condition (see "Conditions", page 100) when
trying to see something in that area.
Truesight
The presence or absence of light in an environment creates three
categories of illumination: bright light, dim light, and darkness.
Within a specified range, a creature with truesight can see
in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures and
Bright light lets most creatures see normally. Even gloomy
objects, automatically detect visual illusions and succeed on
days provide bright light, as do torches, lanterns, fires, and other
saving throws against them and perceives the original form of
sources of illumination within a specific radius.
a Mimic or a creature transformed by magic.
Dim light, also called shadows, creates a lightly obscured area.
An area of dim light is usually a boundary between a source
of bright light, such as a torch, and surrounding darkness. The
soft light of twilight and dawn also counts as dim light. A
Darkvision
particularly brilliant full moon might bathe the land in dim
light.
Many creatures, especially those that dwell underground, possess
darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision can
Darkness creates a heavily obscured area. Characters face
see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so areas of darkness
darkness outdoors at night (even most moonlit nights), within
are only lightly obscured as far as that creature is concerned.
the confines of an unlit dungeon or a subterranean vault, or in an
area of magical darkness.

Core Rules
—
Objects
A character's interaction with objects in an environment is often simple to resolve in the game.
The player tells the GM that their character is doing something, such as moving a lever, and
the GM describes what, if anything, happens.
For example, a character might decide to pull a lever, which might, in turn, raise a portcullis, cause
a room to flood with water, or open a secret door in a nearby wall. If the lever is rusted in position,
though, a character might need to force it. In such a situation, the GM might call for a Strength
check to see whether the character can wrench the lever into place. The GM sets the DC for any
such check based on the difficulty of the task.
Breaking Objects Statistics for Objects
C haracters can also damage objects with their weapons and

spells. Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage, but
otherwise they can be affected by physical and magical attacks much
W hen time is a factor, you can assign an Armour Class and hit
points to a destructible object. You can also give it immunities,
resistances, and vulnerabilities to specific types of damage.
like creatures can. The GM determines an object's Armour Class
and hit points and might decide that certain objects have resistance Object Armour Class
96
or immunity to certain kinds of attacks (it's hard to cut a rope with
a club, for example). Objects always fail Strength and Dexterity Substance AC
saving throws, and they are immune to effects that require other
saves. When an object drops to 0 hit points, it breaks.
Cloth, paper, rope 11
A character can also attempt a Strength check to break an object. The
Crystal, glass, ice 13
GM sets the DC for any such check.
Wood, bone 15
When characters need to saw through ropes, shatter a window, or
construct a trap to finish off the lumbering giant pursuing them, the
Stone 17
only hard and fast rule is this: given enough time and the right tools,
characters can destroy any destructible object.
Iron, steel 19
Use common sense when determining a character's success at
Object Hit Points
damaging an object. Can a knight cut through a section of a stone
wall with a sword? No, the sword is likely to break before the wall does.
Substance Fragile Resilient
For the purpose of these rules, an object is a discrete, inanimate item
like a window, door, sword, book, table, chair, or stone, not a building Tiny (bottle, lock) 2 (1d4) 5 (2d4)
or a vehicle that is composed of many other objects.
Small (chest, lute) 3 (1d6) 10 (3d6)
Medium (barrel, chandelier) 4 (1d8) 18 (4d8)
Large (cart, 10-feet-by-10-feet window) 5 (1d10) 27 (5d10)

Armour Class
A n object's Armour Class is a measure of how difficult it is to deal damage to the object when
striking it (because the object has no chance of dodging out of the way). The Object Armour
Class table provides suggested AC values for various substances.
Huge and Objects and

Gargantuan Objects Damage Types
N ormal weapons are of little use against

many Huge and Gargantuan objects,
such as a colossal statue, towering column of
O bjects are immune to poison and psychic
damage. You might decide that some
damage types are more effective against a
stone, or massive boulder. That said, one torch particular object or substance than others. For
can burn a Huge tapestry, and an earthquake example, bludgeoning damage works well for
spell can reduce a colossus to rubble. You can smashing things but not for cutting through
track a Huge or Gargantuan object's hit points rope or leather. Paper or cloth objects might
if you like, or you can simply decide how long be vulnerable to fire and lightning. A pick can
the object can withstand whatever weapon or chip away stone but can't effectively cut down
force is acting against it. If you track hit points a tree. As always, use your best judgment.
for the object, divide it into Large or smaller 97
sections, and track each section's hit points
separately. Destroying one of those sections
could ruin the entire object. For example, a
Gargantuan statue of a human might topple
over when one of its Large legs is reduced to
0 hit points.
Damage Threshold Hit Points
B ig objects such as castle walls often have

extra resilience represented by a damage
threshold. An object with a damage threshold
A n object's hit points measure how much
damage it can take before losing its
structural integrity. Resilient objects have
has immunity to all damage unless it takes more hit points than fragile ones. Large objects
an amount of damage from a single attack also tend to have more hit points than small
or effect equal to or greater than its damage ones, unless breaking a small part of the object
threshold, in which case it takes damage is just as effective as breaking the whole thing.
as normal. Any damage that fails to meet The Object Hit Points table provides suggested
or exceed the object's damage threshold is hit points for both fragile and resilient objects
considered superficial and doesn't reduce the that are Large or smaller.
object's hit points.

Core Rules
—
Resting, Death
and Respawning
R esting, either Short or Long, is a key element of adventuring.
It allows a player character to restore Position, recover abilities,
and ready themselves for the next stage of their quest. The experience
of adventuring in the kingdom of Lothric is brutal, sapping the
strength of even the most determined of explorers. Survival requires
regular rests.
Short Rest
A Short rest is a period of downtime, at least one hour long, during

which a character does nothing more strenuous than eating,
drinking, reading and tending to wounds. At the end of a Short rest,
a character restores Position equal to half their Base Position. They
also refresh any features requiring a Short rest in order for them to
be used again.
Long Rest and Bonfires
A Long rest is a period of 8 hours or more, spent at a bonfire.

Player characters can only ever Long rest at a bonfire. Bonfires
are spread throughout the world (for more information on when and
98 where to include bonfires in your game, see page 261). A bonfire is
a remnant of the flame, and a place where the unkindled are reborn,
again and again, if they are killed.
Whenever player characters wish to Long rest they must find a

bonfire. The Unkindled can only restore Long rest abilities and gain
the other benefits of a Long rest, at a bonfire. If they are unable to
locate a bonfire, they may only Short rest. At the end of a Long rest,
an Unkindled is restored to full Base Position.
While at a bonfire, a player character cannot be attacked, and, while

resting, they do not need to roll for random encounters. The flame
keeps all the many threats of the world at bay.
Character Deaths and Bonfires
W hen a player character is reduced to 0 Position, they are

dead. In the world of DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying
Game however, this is not the end. Instead, the player character will
reawaken, sometime later, at the site of the last bonfire they visited.
When a player character dies, they lose all their collected souls, but,
when they awaken, are restored to full Base Position, and all their
abilities are once again ready to use.
Determining the nearest bonfire is based on the area the player

characters are currently exploring. If player characters have not visited
or rested at a bonfire, it can still be used as the closest bonfire for
purposes of awakening after being killed.
If more than half of a party of player characters are killed, they have
failed. Instead, the player character will reawaken, sometime later, at
the nearest bonfire to where they died.

Respawning
A s noted previously, when a character dies, they respawn at the nearest

bonfire. They lose all collected souls, but are otherwise returned to
full Position, and all their abilities are ready to use once again.
They may, however, explore separately from their main party until
the fight is completed, or alternatively, simply wait at the bonfire.
Whenever a player character is killed and respawn, a part of them

When a player character respawns is up to them, though they cannot dies or is lost. Memories of their past selves fade, to be replaced only
rejoin the battle that killed them if it continues. If a player character be emptiness. The unkindled do not die, but they do diminish.
wishes to rejoin a battle after dying and respawning, the creature
they are engaged with regains all Position, though the character and When a player character respawns, they must succeed on a DC 18
their allies do not. Wisdom save or should they fail, they must roll on the Hollowing
Effect table.
D20 Hollowing D20 Hollowing

Results Effect Results Effect
Empty. There is nothing left of you to be consumed. You, Dismal. Any joy or laughter you used to retain is entirely
1 whatever that means, is gone now. You are a mindless 11 gone. Reduce your starting Charisma Score by -1.
thing. You must create a new character.
Flesh Withers. Your skin tightens on your bones, Atrophy. Your muscles are starting to fail you, weakening.
2 mummifying even as you watch. Lose 2 from your 12 Reduce your starting Strength Score by -1.
Charisma Score.
Darkness Falls. What is left of you? Almost nothing It’s Getting Dark. The world is darker than it was.
3 now. Reduce one Attribute by 2. 13 Reduce your passive Perception total by -1.
Death’s Blessing. You have returned tougher, hardier. Indifference. Death does not care about you; why should
4 Add an extra +1d6 to your starting Base Position. 14 it? You are merely one more thing cursed to resist your 99
natural end. No changes occur.
Toughening Bone. Your bones have hardened, and they Murmur. You have returned but something has lodged
5 protrude through the skin strangely, granting you +1 AC. 15 in your mind from beyond. A voice is in your head now,
whispering strange thoughts.
Immune. Death has cleansed you of some of the frailties Fortune. You have the eerie sense that you have already
6 of human life. You are immune to Poison and to the 16 lived this life in some way. You gain one point of inspiration,
Poisoned effect. which you may use at any point, on any single test.
Death’s Kin. You are a member of the dead, you carry Morbidity. Your focus is increasingly on your failing
7 the burden of the grave with you and it scares those who 17 mind, the loss of your senses, the gradual erosion of self.
look upon you. Gain +1 whenever making any Charisma Reduce any skill of your choice by -1.
(Intimidation) checks.
At Last. You thought this death would be your final Humanity’s Absence. You have become cold, callous,
8 demise. You braced yourself for this conclusion to your 18 unmoved by human suffering. Reduce your Wisdom
being, but instead you found yourself returned. You make Score by -1.
your next skill check or combat roll at disadvantage.
Absent Minded. Your mind wanders, no longer able to Dulled Senses. You are slower to react to threats as they
9 focus on the things that you took joy in. Reduce your 19 present themselves. Reduce your Initiative by -1.
starting Intelligence Score by -1.
Forgotten. Some memory, some fragile recollection of Miracle of the Grave. Perhaps you are less than you once
10 your past or current life has gone. Between you and the 20 were, but this time, upon returning to life, you feel alive.
GM, decide what this memory is and what effect its Gain +2 to any single attribute.
loss has on you.

Core Rules
— Exhausted
Conditions Some special abilities and environmental hazards, such as

starvation and the long-term effects of freezing or scorching
temperatures, can lead to a special condition called exhaustion.
C onditions alter a creature's capabilities in a variety of ways and Exhaustion is measured in six levels. An effect can give a
can arise as a result of a spell, a class feature, a monster's attack, creature one or more levels of exhaustion, as specified in the
or other effect. Most conditions, such as blinded, are impairments, effect's description.
but a few, such as invisible, can be advantageous. Level Effect
A condition lasts either until it is countered (the prone condition is

1 Disadvantage on ability checks
countered by standing up, for example) or for a duration specified
by the effect that imposed the condition.
2 Speed halved
If multiple effects impose the same condition on a creature, each
instance of the condition has its own duration, but the condition's 3 Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
effects don't get worse.
4 Hit point maximum halved
A creature either has a condition or doesn't. The following definitions
specify what happens to a creature while it is subjected to a condition.
5 Speed reduced to 0
6 Death
Blinded
If an already exhausted creature suffers another effect that
• A blinded creature can't see and automatically fails any ability causes exhaustion, its current level of exhaustion increases by
check that requires sight. the amount specified in the effect's description.
• Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the A creature suffers the effect of its current level of exhaustion as
creature's attack rolls have disadvantage. well as all lower levels. For example, a creature suffering level 2
exhaustion has its speed halved and has disadvantage on ability
100 checks.
Burning An effect that removes exhaustion reduces its level as specified

in the effect's description, with all exhaustion effects ending if
a creature's exhaustion level is reduced below level 1.
• A burning creature suffers 9 (2d8) fire damage at the start of
its turn. Any effect that would deal fire damage to the creature Finishing a Long rest reduces a creature's exhaustion level by
has advantage and rerolls damage results of 1s, it must use the 1. A creature that dies and awakens by a bonfire loses all level
new result even if it is a 1. of exhaustion.
• A creature can end this condition by spending its action to

douse the flames. Another creature within 5ft can also spend
its action to douse the flames as an action.
Frightened
• A frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and

Charmed attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
• The creature can't willingly move closer to the source of its fear.
• A charmed creature can't attack the charmer or target the
charmer with harmful abilities or magical effects.
• The charmer has advantage on any ability check to interact
socially with the creature. Grappled
• A grappled creature's speed becomes zero, and it can't benefit

Deafened from any bonus to its speed.
• The condition ends if the grappler is incapacitated (see the condition).
• The condition also ends if an effect removes the grappled
• A deafened creature can't hear and automatically fails any
creature from the reach of the grappler or grappling effect,
ability check that requires hearing.
such as when a creature is hurled away by a spell.

Incapacitated Prone
• An incapacitated creature can't take actions or reactions. • A prone creature's only movement option is to crawl, unless
it stands up and thereby ends the condition.
• The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls.

Invisible • An attack roll against the creature has advantage if the attacker
is within 5 feet of the creature. Otherwise, the attack roll has
disadvantage.
• An invisible creature is impossible to see without the aid of
magic or a special sense. For the purpose of hiding, the creature
is heavily obscured. The creature's location can be detected by
any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.
• Attack rolls against the creature have disadvantage, and the Restrained
creature's attack rolls have advantage.
• A restrained creature's speed becomes zero, and it can't benefit
from any bonus to its speed.
• Attack rolls against the creature have advantage, and the
Paralyzed creature's attack rolls have disadvantage.
• The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
• A paralysed creature is incapacitated (see the condition) and
can't move or speak.
• The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity

saving throws. Stunned
• Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
• A stunned creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't
• Any attack that hits the creature is a Critical hit if the attacker
move, and can speak only falteringly.
is within 5 feet of the creature.
101
saving throws.
Petrified • Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
• A petrified creature is transformed, along with any nonmagical

object it is wearing or carrying, into a solid inanimate substance Surprised
(usually stone). Its weight increases by x10, and it ceases aging.
• The creature is incapacitated (see above), can't move or speak, • A surprised creature can’t move or take an action on their first
and is unaware of its surroundings. turn of combat
• Attack rolls against the creature have advantage. • The creature can’t take a reaction on the first turn of combat.

saving throws.
• The creature has resistance to all damage. Unconscious

• The creature is immune to poison and disease, although a poison
or disease already in its system is suspended, not neutralized. • An unconscious creature is incapacitated (see the condition),
can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings
• The creature drops whatever it's holding and falls prone.
• The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving

throws.
Poisoned
• Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
• A poisoned creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and • Any attack that hits the creature is a Critical hit if the attacker
ability checks is within 5 feet of the creature.

Core Rules
—
Poison
I nsidious and deadly, poisons are a favourite tool among assassins, and the Ghru. Poison comes
in the following four types. Some creatures’ attacks deal poison, while player characters can gain
access to poison by buying it or finding it (see page 262).
Poisons come in the following four types.
Contact. Ingested.
Contact poison can be smeared on an object A creature must swallow an entire dose of
and remains potent until it is touched or ingested poison to suffer its effects. The dose
102 washed off. A creature that touches contact can be delivered in food or a liquid. You may
poison with exposed skin suffers its effects. decide that a partial dose has a reduced effect,
such as allowing advantage on the saving throw
or dealing only half damage on a failed save.
Inhaled. Injury.
These poisons are powders or gases that take Injury poison can be applied to weapons,
effect when inhaled. Blowing the powder or ammunition, trap components, and other
releasing the gas subjects all creatures within 5 objects that deal piercing or slashing damage
feet to its effect. The resulting cloud dissipates and remains potent until delivered through a
immediately afterward. Holding one's breath wound or washed off. A creature that takes
is ineffective against inhaled poisons, as they piercing or slashing damage from an object
affect nasal membranes, tear ducts, and other coated with the poison is exposed to its effects.
parts of the body.

Core Rules
—
Madness
T he world suffers under an endless curse. The sun is bloated, its red light scarcely illuminating
the decaying citadels, cathedrals and cities that once teemed with life. Now, those same
places are infested with mindless corpses, with demons, with deformed creatures of dark magic.
This inevitably takes a toll on the mind, driving those who have seen too much, or lived too long
in such cursed places, beyond sanity.
Going Mad
In DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game there are several situations

in which a character might be struck by temporary madness,
succumbing to delusions or having their mental equilibrium
unsettled. The GM can call for such a check after any situation they
feel appropriate. A list of such circumstances might include:
103
Seeing your comrade come back Encountering the hollow version

from the dead beside a bonfire of an old friend or lover
Gazing into the abyss or the true darkness Dying, and being brought back
lurking beneath the Cathedral of the Deep from the beyond once more
Encountering a creature of ancient legend, or terrifying power

(Alrich, Devourer of Gods, perhaps)
Whenever the GM deems an event might trigger a period of madness,

a character must make a Wisdom saving throw with a DC equal to
10 + number of previous episodes of madness.
So, the first time a character makes such a saving throw, their DC
is 10. Should they fail that saving throw, the next time they make
one the DC is 11.
When a player character fails, they roll on the Short-term Madness

table. Every third time a character fails and succumbs to madness,
they must roll on the Indefinite Madness table that cannot be cured
or removed.

Madness Effects
M adness can be short-term, long-term, or indefinite. Most relatively mundane effects impose
short-term madness, which lasts for just a few minutes. More horrific effects or cumulative
effects can result in long-term or indefinite madness.
A character afflicted with short-term madness is subjected to an effect from the short-term Madness
table for 1d20+10 minutes.
Short-Term Madness
d100 Effect
01 - 20 The character retreats into their mind and becomes paralysed.

The effect ends if the character takes any damage.
21 - 30 The character becomes incapacitated and spends the duration

screaming, laughing, or weeping.
31 - 40 The character becomes frightened and must use their action

104 and movement each round to flee from the source of their fear.
41 - 50 The character begins babbling and is incapable of normal

speech or spellcasting.
51 -60 The character must use their action each round to attack the
nearest creature.
61 - 70 The character experiences vivid hallucinations and has

disadvantage on ability checks.
71 - 75 The character does whatever anyone tells them to do that

isn't obviously self-destructive.
76 - 80 The character experiences an overpowering urge to eat

something strange such as dirt, slime, or offal.
81 - 90 The character is stunned.
91-100 The character falls unconscious.

Indefinite Madness
d100 Effect (lasts 1d10 × 10 hours)
01 - 10 The character develops an obsessive fear of one kind of monster of their choice.
They have disadvantage on all attacks made against that kind of monster.
11 - 20 The character experiences vivid hallucinations and permanently suffers -1 Wisdom.
21 - 30 The character suffers extreme paranoia and permanently suffers -1 Charisma.
31 - 40 The character regards something (usually the source of madness) with intense
revulsion, barely able to look upon it without retching.
41 - 45 The character experiences a powerful delusion. At the start of any encounter, the character
must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be paralysed for the first round of the
encounter as the delusion seizes them anew. They may act normally after this.
105
46 - 55 The character becomes attached to a "lucky charm," such as a person or an object,
and has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks and saving throws while more
than 30 feet from it.
56 - 65 The character is blinded (25%) or deafened (75%).
66 - 75 The character experiences uncontrollable tremors or tics, which impose

disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks and saving throws using Strength or
Dexterity.
76 - 85 The character suffers from partial amnesia. The character knows who they are but
fails to recognize other people or remember anything that happened before the
madness took effect.
86 - 90 Whenever the character takes damage, they must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving
throw or be affected as though they failed a saving throw against the confusion spell.
The confusion effect lasts for one minute
91 - 95 The character loses the ability to speak.
96 - 100 The character falls unconscious. No amount of jostling or damage can wake the
character After two hours in this state, they die and awake at the nearest bonfire.

Core Rules
—
Traps
T raps can be found almost anywhere. One wrong step in the Great Archive might trigger a
series of scything blades, which cleave through armour and bone. The seemingly-innocuous
plant life sprouting through the choked surface of a swamp might grab and slice at anyone who
pushes through them. The world of Lothric, and of DARK SOULS, is filled with deadly dangers
at every step.
A trap can be either mechanical or magical in nature. Mechanical traps include pits, arrow traps,
falling blocks, water-filled rooms, whirling blades, and anything else that depends on a mechanism
to operate. Magic traps are either magical device traps or spell traps. Magical device traps initiate
spell effects when activated, hurling magical fireballs at an unsuspecting victim, for example.
Traps in Play Triggering a Trap
W hen adventurers come across a trap, you need to know how the
trap is triggered and what it does, as well as the possibility for
the characters to detect the trap and to disable or avoid it.
M ost traps are triggered when a creature goes somewhere or
touches something that the trap's creator wanted to protect.
Common triggers include stepping on a pressure plate or a false
section of floor, pulling a trip wire, or using the wrong key in a lock.
Magic traps are often set to go off when a creature enters an area or
106
touches an object.
Detecting and Disabling a Trap
U sually, some element of a trap is visible to careful inspection.

Characters might notice an uneven flagstone concealing a
pressure plate, spot the gleam of light off a trip wire, notice small
clever play and good planning. Use your common sense, drawing on
the trap's description to determine what happens. No trap's design
can anticipate every possible action that the characters might attempt.
holes in the walls from which jets of flame will erupt, or otherwise
detect something that points to a trap's presence. You should allow a character to discover a trap without making an
ability check if an action would clearly reveal the trap's presence. For
A trap's description specifies the checks and DCs needed to detect example, if a character lifts a rug that conceals a pressure plate, the
it, disable it, or both. A character actively looking for a trap can character has found the trigger and no check is required.
attempt a Wisdom (Perception) check against the trap's DC. You
can also compare the DC to detect the trap with each character's Foiling traps can be a little more complicated. Consider a trapped
passive Wisdom (Perception) score to determine whether anyone in treasure chest. If the chest is opened without first pulling on the
the party notices the trap in passing. If one of the unkindled detects two handles set in its sides, a mechanism inside fires a hail of poison
a trap before triggering it, they might be able to disarm it, either needles toward anyone in front of it. After inspecting the chest and
permanently or long enough to move past it. You might call for an making a few checks, the characters are still unsure if it's trapped.
Intelligence (Investigation) check for a character to deduce what Rather than simply open the chest, they prop a shield in front of it
needs to be done, followed by a Dexterity check using thieves' tools and push the chest open from a distance with an iron rod. In this
to perform the necessary sabotage. case, the trap still triggers, but the hail of needles fires harmlessly
into the shield.
Any character can attempt an Intelligence (Arcana) check to detect
or disarm a magic trap, in addition to any other checks noted in the Traps are often designed with mechanisms that allow them to be
trap's description. The DCs are the same regardless of the check used. disarmed or bypassed. Intelligent monsters placing traps in or around
their lairs need ways to get past those traps without harming themselves.
In most cases, a trap's description is clear enough that you can Such traps might have hidden levers that disable their triggers, or a secret
adjudicate whether a character's actions locate or foil the trap. As door might conceal a passage that goes around the trap.
with many situations, you shouldn't allow die rolling to override

Trap Effects
T he effects of traps can range from inconvenient to deadly, making use of elements such as
arrows, spikes, blades, poison, toxic gas, blasts of fire, and deep pits. The deadliest traps combine
multiple elements to kill, injure, contain, or drive off any creature unfortunate enough to trigger
them. A trap's description specifies what happens when it is triggered.
The attack bonus of a trap, the saving throw DC to resist its effects, and the damage it deals can
vary depending on the trap's severity. Use the Trap Save DCs and Attack Bonuses table and the
Damage Severity by Level table for suggestions based on three levels of trap severity.
A trap intended to be a setback is unlikely to kill or seriously harm characters of the indicated
levels, whereas a dangerous trap is likely to seriously injure (and potentially kill) characters of the
indicated levels. A deadly trap is likely to kill characters of the indicated levels.
Trap Save DCs and Attack Bonuses
Trap Danger Save DC Attack Bonus
Setback 10 - 11 +3 to +5
Dangerous 12-15 +6 to +8
Deadly 16 - 20 +9 to +12
Damage Severity by Level 107
Character Level Setback Dangerous Deadly
1st - 4th 1d10 4d10 4d10
5th - 10th 2d10 10d10 10d10
11th - 16th 2d10 10d10 18d10
17th - 20th 4d10 18d10 24d10
Complex Traps
C omplex traps work like standard traps, except once activated they execute a series of actions
each round. A complex trap turns the process of dealing with a trap into something more
like a combat encounter.
When a complex trap activates, it rolls initiative. The trap's description includes an initiative bonus.
On its turn, the trap activates again, often taking an action. It might make successive attacks against
intruders, create an effect that changes over time, or otherwise produce a dynamic challenge.
Otherwise, the complex trap can be detected and disabled or bypassed in the usual ways.
For example, a trap that causes a room to slowly flood works best as a complex trap. On the trap's
turn, the water level rises. After several rounds, the room is completely flooded.

Sample Traps
The magical and mechanical traps presented here vary in deadliness.
Collapsing Roof - Mechanical trap
This trap uses a trip wire to collapse the supports keeping an unstable
section of a ceiling in place.
The trip wire is 3” off the ground and stretches between two support
beams. The DC to spot the trip wire is 10. A successful DC 15
Dexterity check using thieves' tools disables the trip wire harmlessly.
A character without thieves' tools can attempt this check with
disadvantage using any edged weapon or edged tool. On a failed
check, the trap triggers.
Anyone who inspects the beams can easily determine that they are
merely wedged in place. As an action, a character can knock over a
beam, causing the trap to trigger. The ceiling above the trip wire is
in bad repair, and anyone who can see it can tell that it's in danger
of collapse.
When the trap is triggered, the unstable ceiling collapses. Any

creature in the area beneath the unstable section must succeed on
a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) bludgeoning
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Once the trap is triggered, the floor of the area is filled with rubble
and becomes difficult terrain.
Falling Net - Mechanical trap
108 This trap uses a trip wire to release a net suspended from the ceiling.
The trip wire is 3” off the ground and stretches between two columns
or trees. The net is hidden by cobwebs or foliage. The DC to spot the
trip wire and net is 10. A successful DC 15 Dexterity check using
thieves' tools breaks the trip wire harmlessly. A character without
thieves' tools can attempt this check with disadvantage using any
edged weapon or edged tool. On a failed check, the trap triggers.
When the trap is triggered, the net is released, covering a 10-foot-square

area. Those in the area are trapped under the net and restrained, and
those that fail a DC 10 Strength saving throw are also knocked prone.
A creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing
itself or another creature within its reach on a success. The net has AC
10 and 20 hit points. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net destroys a 5
feet section of it, freeing any creature trapped in that section.
Fire-Breathing Statue -Magic trap
This trap is activated when an intruder steps on a hidden pressure plate,

releasing a magical gout of flame from a nearby statue. The statue can
be of anything, including a dragon or a wizard casting a spell.
The DC is 15 to spot the pressure plate, as well as faint scorch marks

on the floor and walls. A spell or other effect that can sense the
presence of magic, such as detect magic, reveals an aura of evocation
magic around the statue. The trap activates when more than 20
pounds of weight is placed on the pressure plate, causing the statue
to release a 30-foot cone of fire. Each creature in the fire must make
a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) fire damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Wedging an iron spike or other object under the pressure plate

prevents the trap from activating.

Pits -Mechanical Trap Poison Darts - Mechanical trap
Four basic pit traps are presented here. When a creature steps on a hidden pressure plate, poison-tipped darts
shoot from spring-loaded or pressurized tubes cleverly embedded
Simple Pit: a simple pit trap is a hole dug in the ground. The hole is in the surrounding walls. An area might include multiple pressure
covered by a large cloth anchored on the pit's edge and camouflaged plates, each one rigged to its own set of darts.
with dirt and debris.
The tiny holes in the walls are obscured by dust and cobwebs, or
The DC to spot the pit is 10. Anyone stepping on the cloth falls cleverly hidden amid bas-reliefs, murals, or tapestries adorning the
through and pulls the cloth down into the pit, taking damage based walls. The DC to spot them is 15.
on the pit's depth (usually 10 feet, but some pits are deeper).
With a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check, a
Hidden Pit: this pit has a cover constructed from material identical character can deduce the presence of the pressure plate from
to the floor around it. variations in the mortar and stone used to create it compared to the
surrounding floor. Wedging an iron spike or other object under the
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check discerns an absence pressure plate prevents the trap from activating. Stuffing the holes
of foot traffic over the section of floor that forms the pit's cover. A with cloth or wax prevents the darts contained within from launching.
successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check is necessary
to confirm the trapped section of floor is actually the cover of a pit. The trap activates when more than 20 pounds of weight is placed
on the pressure plate, releasing four darts. Each dart makes a ranged
When a creature steps on the cover, it swings open like a trapdoor, attack with a +8 bonus against a random target within 10 feet of the
causing the intruder to spill into the pit below. The pit is usually pressure plate (vision is irrelevant to this attack roll). If there are no
10–20 feet deep but can be deeper. targets in the area, the darts don't hit anything.
Once the pit trap is detected, an iron spike or similar object can be A target that is hit takes 2 (1d4) piercing damage and must succeed
wedged between the pit's cover and the surrounding floor in such on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 11 (2d10) poison
a way as to prevent the cover from opening, thereby making it safe damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
to cross. The cover can also be magically held shut using the arcane
lock spell or similar magic. Rolling Sphere - Mechanical trap
Locking Pit: this pit trap is identical to a hidden pit trap, with one When 20 or more pounds of pressure are placed on this trap's
key exception—the trap door that covers the pit is spring-loaded. pressure plate, a hidden trapdoor in the ceiling opens, releasing a
After a creature falls into the pit, the cover snaps shut to trap its rolling sphere of solid stone, 10 feet in diameter.
victim inside.
With a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, a character 109
A successful DC 20 Strength check is necessary to pry the cover open. can spot the trapdoor and pressure plate. A search of the floor
The cover can also be smashed open. A character in the pit can also accompanied by a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation)
attempt to disable the spring mechanism from the inside with a DC check reveals variations in the mortar and stone that betray the
15 Dexterity check using thieves' tools, provided that the mechanism pressure plate's presence. The same check made while inspecting
can be reached, and the character can see. In some cases, a mechanism the ceiling notes variations in the stonework that reveal the trapdoor.
(usually hidden behind a secret door nearby) opens the pit. Wedging an iron spike or other object under the pressure plate
prevents the trap from activating.
Spiked Pit: this pit trap is a simple, hidden, or locking pit trap with
sharpened wooden or iron spikes at the bottom. A creature falling Activation of the sphere requires all creatures present to roll initiative.
into the pit takes 11 (2d10) piercing damage from the spikes, in The sphere rolls initiative with a +8 bonus. On its turn, it moves 60
addition to any falling damage. Even nastier versions have poison feet in a straight line.
smeared on the spikes. In that case, anyone taking piercing damage
from the spikes must also make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, The sphere can move through creatures' spaces, and creatures can
taking 22 (4d10) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much move through its space, treating it as difficult terrain. Whenever the
damage on a successful one. sphere enters a creature's space or a creature enters its space while
it's rolling, that creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving
Poison Needle -Mechanical trap throw or take 55 (10d10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
A poisoned needle is hidden within a treasure chest's lock, or in The sphere stops when it hits a wall or similar barrier. It can't go around
something else that a creature might open. Opening the chest corners, but smart dungeon builders incorporate gentle, curving turns
without the proper key causes the needle to spring out, delivering into nearby passages that allow the sphere to keep moving.
a dose of poison.
As an action, a creature within 5 feet of the sphere can attempt to
When the trap is triggered, the needle extends 3” straight out from slow it down with a DC 20 Strength check. On a successful check,
the lock. A creature within range takes 1 piercing damage and 11 the sphere's speed is reduced by 15 feet, and if the sphere's speed
(2d10) poison damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution drops to 0 it stops moving and is no longer a threat.
saving throw or be poisoned for one hour.
A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check allows a

character to deduce the trap's presence from alterations made to
the lock to accommodate the needle. A successful DC 15 Dexterity
check using thieves' tools disarms the trap, removing the needle from
the lock. Unsuccessfully attempting to pick the lock triggers the trap.

110

Core Rules
—
Combat
The Order of Combat
A typical combat encounter is a clash between two sides, a flurry of weapon swings, feints, parries,
footwork, and spellcasting. The game organizes the chaos of combat into a cycle of rounds and
turns. A round represents about six seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant
in a battle takes a turn. The order of turns is determined at the beginning of a combat encounter,
when everyone rolls initiative. Once everyone has taken a turn, the fight continues to the next
round if neither side has defeated the other.
Combat Step by Step
1 2
Determine surprise. Establish Position & location.
111
The GM determines whether anyone involved in The GM decides where all the characters and monsters are located.
the combat encounter is surprised. Given the adventurers marching order or their stated place in the
room or other location, the GM figures out where the adversaries
are how far away and in what the characters determine their Position
pool for combat.
3 4
Determine Initiative. Take turns.
Each character establishes whether they are a 'Fast' character, and Each participant in the battle takes a turn, with players determining
acts before the enemy creatures, or a 'Slow' character, and acts after which order their characters act, on either side of the creature’s actions.
them.By rolling their initiative and comparing it to the DC of the
creature(s) they are fighting.
5
Begin the next round.
Begin the next round. When everyone involved in the combat has had
a turn, the round ends. Repeat step 4 until the fighting stops.

Surprise Your Turn
A hollow lies slumped, staring at the wall, unaware of your

approach. A demon lurks above, about to leap down, to
prevent your escape. In these situations, one side of the battle
O n your turn, you can move a distance up to your speed and
take one action. You decide whether to move first or take
your action first. Your speed—sometimes called your walking
gains surprise over the other. speed—is noted on your character sheet.
The GM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries The most common actions you can take are described in the
to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, "Actions in Combat" (page 117) section later in this chapter.
the GM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone Many class features and other abilities provide additional
hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each options for your action.
creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that
doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter. The Adventuring (page 92) and Position (page 79) section gives
the rules for your move.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first
turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn
You can forgo moving, taking an action, or doing anything at
ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other
all on your turn. If you can't decide what to do on your turn,
members aren't.
consider taking the Dodge or Ready action, as described in
"Actions in Combat".
Initiative
Bonus Actions
U sed to determine who attacks, and when, during a combat,
V
initiative works slightly differently in DARK SOULS. arious class features, spells, and other abilities let you take
an additional action on your turn called a bonus action.
Each creature the characters might confront as an enemy, or who
You can take a bonus action only when a special ability, spell, or
might fight besides them as an ally, possesses a fixed Initiative
other feature of the game states that you can do something as a
Value. This is a number between 1 and 20.
bonus action. You otherwise don't have a bonus action to take.
You can take only one bonus action on your turn, so you must
When a player character is determining their initiative, they roll a
choose which bonus action to use when you have more than one
112 d20 and add their initiative modifier to it. Rather than determining
available. You choose when to take a bonus action during your
a fixed position in a linear order, however, this merely tells a player
turn, unless the bonus action's timing is specified, and anything
character whether they act before or after a creature.
that deprives you of your ability to take actions also prevents
The rule is simple: if a character rolls equal to or above the you from taking a bonus action.
enemy creature's initiative value, they are 'Fast' and act before
the creature. If they roll under, then they are 'Slow' and act after
the creature.
The actual order in which each player character takes their actions,
either before or after the creature, is up to the players themselves.
Other Activity on Your Turn
This order is not fixed, but remains fluid and dynamic, enabling
player characters to pursue different tactics and combinations.
The only fixed element is whether a player character goes before
or after an enemy creature.
Y our turn can include a variety of flourishes that require
neither your action nor your move.
If the player characters are facing several different enemies, You can communicate however you are able, through brief
each with a different Initiative value, then the creatures use the utterances and gestures, as you take your turn.
initiative value of creature with the highest Challenge Rating,
even if that creature’s initiative is lower than their initial value. You can also interact with one object or feature of the
environment for free, during either your move or your action.
If the player characters are facing multiple creatures, and two or For example, you could open a door during your move as you
more creatures have the same highest level, then the creatures stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of
act on the initiative of the creature with the highest Intelligence. the same action you use to attack.
If, after this, another tiebreak is required, then the decision is If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use
made by the GM. your action. Some magic items and other special objects always
require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.
The GM might require you to use an action for any of these

activities when it needs special care or when it presents an
unusual obstacle. For instance, the GM could reasonably expect
you to use an action to open a stuck door or turn a crank to
lower a drawbridge.

Reactions Using Different Speeds
C ertain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take

a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant
response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn
I f you have more than one speed, such as your walking speed
and a flying speed, you can switch back and forth between
your speeds during your move. Whenever you switch, subtract
or on someone else's. The opportunity attack, described later in the distance you've already moved from the new speed. The result
this chapter, is the most common type of reaction. determines how much farther you can move. If the result is zero
or less, you can't use the new speed during the current move.
When you take a reaction, you can't take another one until
the start of your next turn. If the reaction interrupts another
creature's turn, that creature can continue its turn right after
the reaction.
Movement
Difficult Terrain
I n combat, characters and monsters are in constant motion,

often using movement to gain the upper hand.
C ombat rarely takes place in bare rooms or on featureless
plains. Boulder-strewn caverns, briar-choked forests,
On your turn, you can move a distance up to your speed. You treacherous staircases—the setting of a typical fight contains
can use as much or as little of your speed as you like on your difficult terrain.
turn, following the rules here.
Every 1 feet moved in difficult terrain costs 1 extra feet of
Your movement can include jumping, climbing, and swimming. movement. This rule is true even if multiple things in a space
These different modes of movement can be combined with count as difficult terrain.
walking, or they can constitute your entire move. However
you're moving, you deduct the distance of each part of your Low furniture, rubble, undergrowth, steep stairs, snow, and
move from your speed until it is used up, or until you have shallow bogs are examples of difficult terrain. The space of another
finished moving. creature, whether hostile or not, also counts as difficult terrain.
113
Breaking Up Your Move Being Prone
Y ou can break up your movement on your turn, using some

of your speed before and after your action. For example,
if you have a speed of 30 feet, you can move 10 feet, take your
C ombatants often find themselves lying on the ground, either
because they are knocked down or because they throw
themselves down. In the game, they are prone (see "Conditions",
action, and then move the 20 feet remaining. page 101).
You can drop prone without using any of your speed. Standing
up takes more effort; doing so costs an amount of movement
equal to half your speed. For example, if your speed is 30 feet,
you must spend 15 feet of movement to stand up. You can't
stand up if you don't have enough movement left or if your
speed is zero.
To move while prone, you must crawl or use magic such as

teleportation. Every 1 ft moved while crawling costs 1 extra feet
Moving Between Attacks of movement Crawling 1 feet in difficult terrain, therefore, costs
3 feet of movement.
I f you take an action that includes more than one weapon

attack, you can break up your movement even further by
moving between those attacks. For example, a warrior who can
make two attacks with the Extra Attack feature and who has a
speed of 25 feet could move 10 feet, make an attack, move 15 Flying Movement
feet, and then attack again.
F lying creatures enjoy many benefits of mobility, but they

must also deal with the danger of falling. If a flying creature
is knocked prone, has its speed reduced to zero, or is otherwise
deprived of the ability to move, the creature falls, unless it can hover.

Moving Around Other Creatures
Y ou can move through a nonhostile creature's space. In contrast,

you can move through a hostile creature's space only if the
creature is at least two sizes larger or smaller than you. Remember
that another creature's space is difficult terrain for you.
Whether a creature is a friend or an enemy, you can't willingly

end your move in its space.
If you leave a hostile creature's reach during your move, you

provoke an opportunity attack, as explained later in the chapter.
Interacting with Objects Around You
H ere are a few examples of the sorts of thing you can do in

tandem with your movement and action:
draw or sheathe a sword
open or close a door
114
withdraw a relic from your pack
pick up a dropped axe
remove a ring from your finger
stuff some food into your mouth
plant a banner in the ground
fish a few coins from your belt pouch
read the letter of a fallen pontiff knight
throw a lever or a switch
pull a torch from a sconce
take a book from a shelf you can reach
extinguish a small flame
don a mask
pull the hood of your cloak up and over your head
put your ear to a door
kick a small stone
turn a key in a lock
tap the floor with a 10 feet pole
hand an item to another character

Core Rules
—
Creature Size
E ach creature takes up a different amount of space. The Size
Categories table shows how much space a creature of a particular
size controls in combat. Objects sometimes use the same size categories.
Size Catagories
Size Space
Tiny 2-1/2 by 2-1/2 feet
Small 5 by 5 feet
Medium 5 by 5 feet
Large 10 by 10 feet
Huge 15 by 15 feet
Gargantuan 20 by 20 feet or larger
Space
115
A creature's space is the area in feet that it effectively controls

in combat, not an expression of its physical dimensions.
A typical Medium creature isn't 5 feet wide, for example, but it
does control a space that wide. If a Medium silver knight stands
in a 5 feet wide doorway, other creatures can't get through unless
the silver knight chooses to let them—an unlikely scenario.
A creature's space also reflects the area it needs to fight

effectively. For that reason, there's a limit to the number
of creatures that can surround another creature in combat.
Assuming Medium combatants, eight creatures can fit in a 5
feet radius around another one.
Because larger creatures take up more space, fewer of them

can surround a creature. If five Large creatures crowd around
a Medium or smaller one, there's little room for anyone else.
In contrast, as many as 20 Medium creatures can surround a
Gargantuan one.
Squeezing into a Smaller Space
A creature can squeeze through a space that is large enough

for a creature one size smaller than it. Thus, a Large
creature can squeeze through a passage that's only 5 feet wide.
While squeezing through a space, a creature must spend 1 extra
feet for every foot it moves there, and it has disadvantage on
attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against the
creature have advantage while it's in the smaller space.

116

Core Rules
—
Actions
in Combat
W hen you take your action on your turn, you can take one of the
actions presented here, an action you gained from your class
or a special feature, or an action that you improvise. Many monsters
have action options of their own in their stat blocks.
When you describe an action not detailed elsewhere in the rules, the
GM tells you whether that action is possible and what kind of roll
you need to make, if any, to determine success or failure.
Attack Critical Hit
T he most common action to take in combat is the Attack

action, whether you are swinging a sword, firing an arrow
from a bow, or brawling with your fists.
I f the d20 roll for an attack is a 20, the attack hits regardless
of an modifiers or the target's AC. This is called a Critical hit.
When you score a Critical hit, roll damage dice as normal, and
With this action, you make one melee or ranged attack. See the add any appropriate modifiers, then multiply that number by 2.
"Making an Attack" section for the rules that govern attacks.
Certain features, such as a knight’s Extra Attack feature, allow you

to make more than one attack with this action. Certain weapons 117
also allow you to spend Position to make additional attacks.
Disengage
Dash I f you take the Disengage action, your movement doesn't

provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.
W hen you take the Dash action, you gain extra movement
for the current turn. The increase equals your speed, after
applying any modifiers. With a speed of 30 feet, for example,
you can move up to 60 feet on your turn if you dash.
Any increase or decrease to your speed changes this additional

movement by the same amount. If your speed of 30 feet is reduced
to 15 feet, for instance, you can move up to 30 feet this turn if you
dash.
Cast A Spell
S pellcasters such as sorcerers and clerics, as well as many

monsters, have access to spells and can use them to great
effect in combat. Each spell has a casting time, specifying how
long it requires to use such magic. Casting a spell is, therefore,
not necessarily an action. Most spells do have a casting time of
one action, so a spellcaster often uses his or her action in combat
to cast such a spell.

Dodge Help
W hen you take the Dodge action, you focus entirely on

avoiding attacks. Until the start of your next turn, any
attack roll made against you has disadvantage if you can see the
Y ou can lend your aid to another creature in the completion
of a task. When you take the Help action, the creature
you aid gains advantage on the next ability check it makes to
attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws with advantage. perform the task you are helping with, if it makes the check
You lose this benefit if you are incapacitated (see "Conditions") before the start of your next turn.
or if your speed drops to zero.
Alternatively, you can aid a friendly creature in attacking a
creature within 5 feet of you. You feint, distract the target, or
in some other way team up to make your ally's attack more
effective. If your ally attacks the target before your next turn,
Hide the first attack roll is made with advantage.
W hen you take the Hide action, you make a Dexterity

(Stealth) check to hide, following the rules for hiding.
If you succeed, you gain certain benefits, as described in the
Ready
"Unseen Attackers and Targets" section later in this chapter.
S ometimes you want to get the jump on a foe or wait for a

particular circumstance before you act. To do so, you can take
the Ready action on your turn, which lets you act using your
reaction before the start of your next turn.
Search
First, you decide what perceivable circumstance will trigger your
reaction. Then, you choose the action you will take in response to
W hen you take the Search action, you devote your attention that trigger, or you choose to move up to your speed in response
to finding something. Depending on the nature of your to it. Examples include "If the hollow steps on the trapdoor, I'll
search, the GM might have you make a Wisdom (Perception) pull the lever that opens it," or "If the crystal lizard stops next to
check or an Intelligence (Investigation) check. me, I move away."
118 When the trigger occurs, you can either take your reaction right
after the trigger finishes or ignore the trigger. Remember that
you can take only one reaction per round.
Use an Object When you ready a spell, you cast it as normal but hold
its energy, which you release with your reaction when the
trigger occurs. To be readied, a spell must have a casting time
Y ou normally interact with an object while doing something

else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack.
When an object requires your action for its use, you take the
of one action and holding onto the spell's magic requires
concentration. If your concentration is broken, the spell
dissipates without taking effect.
Use an Object action. This action is also useful when you want
to interact with more than one object on your turn.

Making an Attack Attack Rolls
W hether you're striking with a melee weapon, firing a

weapon at range, or making an attack roll as part of a
spell, an attack has a simple structure.
W hen you make an attack, your attack roll determines
whether the attack hits or misses. To make an attack roll,
roll a d20 and add the appropriate modifiers. If the total of the roll
plus modifiers equals or exceeds the target's Armour Class (AC),
the attack hits. The AC of a character is determined at character
creation, whereas the AC of a monster is in its stat block.
1
Choose a target.
Pick a target within your attack's range: a creature, an object,

or a location.
2 Modifiers to the Roll
Determine modifiers.
The GM determines whether the target has cover and

W hen a character makes an attack roll, the most common
modifiers to the roll are an ability modifier and the
character's proficiency bonus, or spending Position. When a
whether you have advantage or disadvantage against the
monster makes an attack roll, it uses whatever modifier is provided
target. In addition, spells, special abilities, and other effects
in its stat block, or they may spend their own Position pool.
can apply penalties or bonuses to your attack roll.
Ability Modifier. The ability modifier used for a melee weapon
attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged
3 weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that have the finesse or
thrown property break this rule.
Resolve the attack.
Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability modifier
used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of 119
You make the attack roll. If you roll a hit, you then roll
the spellcaster.
damage, unless the attack has rules that specify otherwise.
Some attacks cause special effects in addition to or instead of
Proficiency Bonus. You add your proficiency bonus to your
damage.
attack roll when you attack using a weapon with which you have
proficiency, as well as when you attack with a spell.
If there's ever any question whether something you're doing
Position. Position is both an expendable resource you can use
counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you're making an attack
to enhance your attacks, and utilise your most powerful abilities.
roll, you're making an attack.
Rolling a 20. Sometimes fate blesses a combatant, causing the
novice to hit and the veteran to miss.
If the d20 roll for an attack is a 20, the attack hits regardless
of any modifiers or the target's AC. This is called a Critical hit
(page 117).
Unseen Attackers and Targets. Combatants often try to escape

their foes' notice by hiding or lurking in darkness.
When you attack a target that you can't see, you have disadvantage
on the attack roll. This is true whether you're guessing the target's
location, or if you're targeting a creature you can hear but not see.
If the target isn't in the location you targeted, you automatically
miss, but the GM typically just says that the attack missed, not
whether you guessed the target's location correctly.
When a creature can't see you, you have advantage on attack

rolls against it. If you are hidden—both unseen and unheard—
when you make an attack, you give away your location when
the attack hits or misses.

120

Core Rules
—
Ranged Melee
Attacks Attacks
W hen you make a ranged attack, you fire a bow or a crossbow,

hurl a hand axe, or otherwise send projectiles to strike a foe at
a distance. A monster might hurl a sword or deliver a mighty blow to
U sed in hand-to-hand combat, a melee attack allows you to
attack a foe within your reach. A melee attack typically uses a
handheld weapon such as a sword, a warhammer, or an axe. A typical
the ground. Many spells also involve making a ranged attack. monster makes a melee attack when it strikes with its claws, horns,
teeth, tentacles, or other body part. A few spells also involve making
a melee attack.
Most creatures have a 5 feet reach and can thus attack targets within 5
Range feet of them when making a melee attack. Certain creatures (typically
those larger than Medium) have melee attacks with a greater reach
than 5 feet, as noted in their descriptions.
Y ou can make ranged attacks only against targets within a

specified range. If a ranged attack, such as one made with a
spell, has a single range, you can't attack a target beyond this range.
Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can
use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful
blow (none of which count as weapons). On a hit, an unarmed strike
Some ranged attacks, such as those made with a longbow or a deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1 + your Strength modifier. You
short bow, have two ranges. The smaller number is the normal are proficient with your unarmed strikes.
range, and the larger number is the long range. Your attack roll
has disadvantage when your target is beyond normal range, and
you can't attack a target beyond the long range.
Opportunity Attacks
121
Ranged Attacks in Close Combat

I n a fight, everyone is constantly watching for a chance to
strike an enemy who is fleeing or passing by. Such a strike is
called an opportunity attack.
A iming a ranged attack is more difficult when a foe is next

to you. When you make a ranged attack with a weapon, a
spell, or some other means, you have disadvantage on the attack
You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that
you can see moves out of your reach. To make the opportunity
roll if you are within 5 feet of a hostile creature who can see you attack, you use your reaction to make one melee attack against
and who isn't incapacitated. the provoking creature. The attack occurs right before the
creature leaves your reach.
You can avoid provoking an opportunity attack by taking the

Disengage action. You also don't provoke an opportunity attack
when you teleport or when someone or something moves you
without using your movement, action, or reaction. For example,
you don't provoke an opportunity attack if an explosion hurls you
out of a foe's reach or if gravity causes you to fall past an enemy.
Contests in Combat
Battle often involves pitting your prowess against

that of your foe. Such a challenge is represented by
a contest. This section includes the most common
contests that require an action in combat: grappling
and shoving a creature. The GM can use these
contests as models for improvising others.

Two-Weapon Fighting Grappling
W hen you take the Attack action and attack with a light
melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can
use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon
W hen you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you
can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack,
a grapple. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack
that you're holding in the other hand. You don't add your ability action, this attack replaces one of them.
modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier
is negative. The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger
than you and must be within your reach. Using at least one free
If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the hand, you try to seize the target by making a grapple check
weapon instead of making a melee attack with it. instead of an attack roll: a Strength (Athletics) check contested
by the target's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics)
check (the target chooses the ability to use).
If you succeed, you subject the target to the grappled condition

Shoving a Creature (see "Conditions", page 100). The condition specifies the things
that end it, and you can release the target whenever you like (no
action required).
U sing the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack
to shove a creature, either to knock it prone or push it away
from you. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack
action, this attack replaces one of them.
Moving a Grappled Creature
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and
must be within your reach. Instead of making an attack roll, When you move, you can drag or carry the grappled
you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's creature with you, but your speed is halved unless the
Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target creature is two or more sizes smaller than you.
chooses the ability to use). If you win the contest, you either
knock the target prone or push it 5 feet away from you.
122 Escaping a Grapple

Parry
A grappled creature can use its action to escape. To
do so, it must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) or
R eadying yourself to intercept and turn aside your opponent’s Dexterity (Acrobatics) check contested by your
blow is a vital part of surviving combat. You can use your Strength (Athletics) check.
reaction to increase your AC by +2 against one melee attack
that would hit you.

Core Rules
—
Cover
W alls, trees, creatures, and other obstacles can provide cover during combat, making a target
more difficult to harm. A target can benefit from cover only when an attack or other effect
originates on the opposite side of the cover.
There are three degrees of cover. If a target is behind multiple sources of cover, only the most
protective degree of cover applies; the degrees aren't added together. For example, if a target is
behind a creature that gives half cover and a tree trunk that gives three-quarters cover, the target
has three-quarters cover.
A target with half cover has a +2 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws. A target has half
cover if an obstacle blocks at least half of its body. The obstacle might be a low wall, a large piece
of furniture, a narrow tree trunk, or a creature, whether that creature is an enemy or a friend.
A target with three-quarters cover has a +5 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws. A target
has three-quarters cover if about three-quarters of it is covered by an obstacle. The obstacle might
be a portcullis, an arrow slit, or a thick tree trunk.
123
A target with total cover can't be targeted directly by an attack or a spell, although some spells can
reach such a target by including it in an area of effect. A target has total cover if it is completely
concealed by an obstacle.

Core Rules
—
Bloodied Conditions
T aking damage changes the behaviour of those engaged in combat. As anyone who has played
DARK SOULS knows, different stages of a big fight triggers different moves, different
attacks, and different tactics. In DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game this is simulated using
the bloodied rules.
The bloodied condition pertains when a player character or creature’s starting Position pool is equal
to or beneath half their total, rounded down. For example, a player character with a starting Position
pool of 50 becomes bloodied when they are down to 25 Position. A creature with 150 Position
becomes bloodied when its pool reaches 75. The number at which a player character or creature
becomes bloodied is referred to as its bloodied value. A creature or character can only become
bloodied in combat. If their base Position is reduced to equal or beneath half its total outside of
combat, the bloodied condition does not apply.
The effect of becoming bloodied is different for each player character class, and for each creature.
Some creatures become even more deadly, others weaken. Each bloodied effect is different.
If a player character or creature is healed, and their Position goes back above their bloodied value,
124
the player character or creature is no longer considered bloodied.
Bloodied Abilities, or bonuses, only apply when a player character or creature is bloodied. Once
that player character has exceeded their bloodied value, they can no longer use a bloodied ability
and a bonus no longer applies. This is the case even if a player character or creature starts a turn
below their bloodied value but, before their second action, is raised above it. They cannot use a
bloodied ability or bonus during their second action. At the same time, they no longer suffer from
any penalties imposed by being bloodied, either.

Core Rules
—
Damage Type
D ifferent attacks, damaging spells, and other harmful effects deal different types of damage.
Damage types have no rules of their own, but other rules, such as damage resistance, rely on the
types. The damage types follow, with examples to help a GM assign a damage type to a new effect
Acid Lightning
The corrosive spray of a carefully designed trap, or the surge of acid The weapons wielded by the Knights of Lothric unleash the power
unleashed by a magic-user, all deal acid damage. of the storms, as do certain spells. All deal lightning damage.
Bludgeoning Necrotic
Blunt force attacks—hammers, falling, constriction, and the like— Necrotic damage is dealt by some of those cursed to undeath.
deal bludgeoning damage.
125
Cold Piercing
The hellish touch of ice from the Boreal valley, or the weapons of the Puncturing and impaling attacks, including spears and monsters'
Pontiff ’s knights deal cold damage. bites, deal piercing damage.
Fire Poison
Dragons breathe fire, and many spells conjure flames to deal fire damage. Venomous stings and weapons touched with rot deal poison damage.
Force Radiant
Force is pure magical energy focused into a damaging form. Most effects that Radiant damage, dealt by a cleric's spells, is capable of shifting even
deal force damage are spells, including magic missile and spiritual weapon. the perpetual gloom of Lothric for a short time.
Slashing Thunder
Swords, axes, and monsters' claws deal slashing damage. A concussive burst of sound, such as the effect of the thunderwave
spell, deals thunder damage.

Damage Resistance and Vulnerability
S ome creatures and objects are exceedingly difficult or

unusually easy to hurt with certain types of damage.
If a creature or an object has resistance to a damage type,

damage of that type is halved against it. If a creature or an
object has vulnerability to a damage type, damage of that type
is doubled against it.
Resistance and then vulnerability are applied after all other

modifiers to damage. For example, a creature has resistance
to bludgeoning damage and is hit by an attack that deals 25
bludgeoning damage. The creature is also within a magical aura
that reduces all damage by -5. The 25 damage is first reduced by
-5 and then halved, so the creature takes 10 damage.
Multiple instances of resistance or vulnerability that affect the

same damage type count as only one instance. For example, if a
creature has resistance to fire damage as well as resistance to all
nonmagical damage, the damage of a nonmagical fire is reduced
by half against the creature, not reduced by three-quarters.
Dropping to Zero Position
When you drop to zero Position, you are dead. Killed. It’s over.
Until you wake up at a bonfire, a little while later.
When a player character dies, they lose all their collected souls,
126
but, when they awaken, are restored to full Position, and all their
abilities are once again ready to use.
Determining the nearest bonfire is based on the area the player

characters are currently exploring. If player characters have not
visited or rested at a bonfire, it can still be used as the closest
bonfire for purposes of awakening after being killed.
If more than half of a party of player characters are killed, they

have failed. The whole party must respawn at the nearest bonfire,
and all the party lose their souls.
For further rules on respawning, see page 98.
Healing
U nless it results in death, damage isn't permanent. Rest can

restore a creature's Position, and magical methods such as
a Heal spell or a does from an Estus Flask can remove damage
in an instant.
When a creature receives healing of any kind, Position regained is

added to its current Position pool. A creature's Position pool can't
exceed the total rolled at the start of combat, during a combat
encounter, or its maximum base Position if outside of combat. As
a result, any Position regained in excess of this number are lost.
For example, a Cleric heals a Knight for +8 Position. If the Knight
has a current Position of 14 and a base Position of 20, the Knight
regains +6 Position from the Cleric, not +8.

Core Rules
—
Mounted
Combat
A knight charging into battle on a warhorse enjoys the benefits of speed and mobility that a
mount can provide.
A willing creature that is of at least the same size than you and that has an appropriate anatomy
can serve as a mount, using the following rules.
Mounting and Dismounting Controlling a Mount
O nce during your move, you can mount a creature that is

within 5 feet of you (or dismount). Doing so costs an
amount of movement equal to half your speed. For example, if
W hile you're mounted, you have two options. You can
either control the mount or allow it to act independently.
Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently.
your speed is 30 feet, you must spend 15 feet of movement to
mount a horse. Therefore, you can't mount it if you don't have You can control a mount only if it has been trained to accept a
15 feet of movement left or if your speed is zero. rider. Domesticated horses, donkeys, and similar creatures are
assumed to have such training. The initiative of a controlled
If an effect moves your mount against its will while you're on mount changes to match yours when you mount it. It moves
it, you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall as you direct it, and it has only three action options: Dash,
off the mount, landing prone in a space within 5 feet of it. If Disengage, and Dodge. A controlled mount can move and act 127
you're knocked prone while mounted, you must make the same even on the turn that you mount it.
saving throw.
An independent mount retains its place in the initiative order.
If your mount is knocked prone, you can use your reaction to Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions the mount
dismount it as it falls and land on your feet. Otherwise, you are can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It might flee from
dismounted and fall prone in a space within 5 feet of it. combat, rush to attack and devour a badly injured foe, or
otherwise act against your wishes.
In either case, if the mount provokes an opportunity attack

while you're on it, the attacker can target you or the mount.
Underwater Combat
I t is possible, when exploring the ancient ruins of Lothric, you might find yourself in a flooded
dungeon room or other similarly subaquatic location, and you must fight in this challenging
environment. Underwater the following rules apply.
When making a melee weapon attack, a creature that doesn't have a swimming speed (either
natural or granted by magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless the weapon is a dagger,
javelin, short sword, spear, or trident.
A ranged weapon attack automatically misses a target beyond the weapon's normal range. Even
against a target within normal range, the attack roll has disadvantage unless the weapon is a
crossbow, a net, or a weapon that is thrown like a javelin (including a spear, trident, or dart).
Creatures and objects that are fully immersed in water have resistance to fire damage.

128

Magic
& Miracles
spell is a magical or miraculous effect, crafted
and codified by a sorcerer or other practitioner
of the arts in the long ago of the world. Magic
users can utilise these spells, once they’ve
learned them, to generate astonishing powers,
forcing the world to obey them, altering the physical laws of
reality for a few moments.
129
While spells and miracles are thematically different, they function

in-game identically. As a result, we’ll be referring to both spells and
miracles as ‘spells’ for the duration of this chapter.
Spells have several uses. The first of these is as weapons and dealing
damage, the second is for healing, and the third is for improving
and boosting your abilities.
Equipping and utilising spells is simple. Follow the rules on subsequent

pages to determine whether you can equip the spell, and then use the
description of the spell to determine how it interacts with the game.

Magic & Miracles
— Spell Attunement
Acquiring E ach magic-user class possesses a number of attunement

slots. These slots tell you how many spells you can have
Spells
available to you at any one time.
Every spell has an attunement value. This indicates how many

attunement slots it requires. If a spell has an attunement value
of 3, then it takes up 3 attunement slots.
I n DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game you gain spells through

hunting them down, winning them in combat, or purchasing
them from merchants. They aren’t just in a book waiting for you
In order to equip a spell, you must have the corresponding
number of free attunement slots. If you do not, you cannot
equip that spell.
to learn them when you hit the right level. This is DARK SOULS,
remember? Things are never that easy.
For example, if you have two attunement slots, you can utilise
two spells with an value of one, or one spell with an value of two.
While most classes capable of using magic begin with at least one
spell accessible to them, finding more necessitates some work on the
part of the characters. Fighting powerful creatures to requisition their
treasure is one way of finding spells. Other times, it’s simply exploring
the strange and sinister locations of Lothric that’ll present you with
the opportunity to discover spells. Equipping Spells
While most spells are available to purchase for souls, GMs can supply
them as treasure. The GM can place spells wherever they choose, or
wherever feels suitable for a quest. There is advice about placing spells T o use a spell, it must be equipped in an appropriate number
of attunement slots. Equipping a spell is a simple process;
determine which spells your character would like to equip, and
for player characters to find in Chapter 5.
ensure you have enough attunement slots for them.
Buying Spells You can only equip and unequip spells during a Long rest, at
a bonfire.
130 W hen buying spells from merchants, or others prepared to

exchange goods for souls, consult the following table to
determine how much a spell costs. Generous GMs may choose to
It is possible to acquire a spell multiple times, and equip each
instance as a separate spell. This does not reduce the number of
attunement slots the spells occupy, however.
grant characters free acquisition of an appropriate level spell upon
a character reaching said level. Others might prefer to make them
work a bit harder!
Spell Level
Spell Soul Spell Soul
Level Cost Level Cost
1 250 11 20000 A longside an attunement value, a spell has a casting level.

The casting level indicates the minimum player level you
must be to attempt to cast the spell. Spells are powerful things;
it’s not a simple matter to wield magic, or the power of a god.
2 500 12 23000
If, for example, you’re a 5th level Pyromancer, you can cast spells
of level 5 and below. You cannot cast spells of level 6 or above.
3 1000 13 25000
4 2000 14 28000
5 4000 15 31000 Casts
T
6 5000 16 35000 he number of times a spell can be cast per Long rest is
determined by the cast value. Each time a spell is used, the
7 17 cast value decreases by -1. When the cast value reaches zero, it
7000 38000
cannot be cast again until a player character has Long rested at
a bonfire. When resting at a bonfire, all spells are returned to
8 10000 18 41000 their starting cast value.
Once a spell has reached zero casts, it does not stop taking up
9 13000 19 45000 its attunement slots. It is not possible to exhaust the casts of one
spell and immediately replace it with another spell.
10 16000 20 50000

Magic & Miracles
—
Cost
S ome spells come with an additional Position cost; this is how many points of Position a character
must spend in order to cast the spell, when in combat.
This represents the additional difficulty of summoning, and wielding magic as battle rages around
you. In non-combat situations, you do not need to spend Position to cast a spell, though you must
still reduce the number of casts the spell has remaining.
For example, if a pyromancer wishes to cast fireball at the wooden door of an empty tower, blasting
it open, they do not need to pay any Position to do so, as they are not in combat. There are no
Hollows clawing at them, no clang of steel distracting them.
If the same pyromancer tries to cast fireball amid a frenetic fight, however, they need to spend 1 Position
to do so—overcoming the distractions and dangers surrounding them as they call up the flames.
Casting Time
E ach spell has an associated casting time. Some spells can be cast
immediately, others require a few turns to spring to life.
131
Longer Casting Times
Certain spells require more time to cast. When you cast a spell with a casting time longer
than a single action or reaction, you must spend your action each turn casting the spell,
and you must maintain your concentration while you do so. Whenever you take damage
while you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a Constitution saving throw to
maintain your concentration. The DC equals 10 or half the damage you take, whichever
number is higher. If your concentration is broken, the spell fails, but you don't expend a
cast. If you want to try casting the spell again, you must start over.
Bonus Action Reactions
A spell cast with a bonus action is Some spells can be cast as reactions.
especially swift. You must use a bonus These spells take a fraction of a second
action on your turn to cast the spell, to bring about and are cast in response
if you haven't already taken a bonus to some event. If a spell can be cast as a
action this turn. You can't cast another reaction, the spell description tells you
spell during the same turn. exactly when you can do so.

Magic & Miracles
—
Range
The target of a spell must be within the spell's range. For a spell like
fireball, the target is a creature. For a spell like toxic mist, the target
is the point in space where the ball of fire erupts.
Most spells have ranges expressed in feet. Some spells can target only
a creature (including you) that you touch. Other spells, such as the
hush spell, affect only you. These spells have a range of self.
Spells that create cones or lines of effect that originate from you also
have a range of self, indicating that the origin point of the spell's
effect must be you.
Once a spell is cast, its effects aren't limited by its range, unless the
spell's description says otherwise.
Duration
A spell's duration is the length of time the spell persists. A duration can
be expressed in rounds, minutes, hours, or even years. Some spells
specify that their effects last until the spells are dispelled or destroyed.
Most spells are instantaneous. The spell harms, heals, creates, or alters
a creature or an object in a way that can't be dispelled, because its
132 magic exists only for an instant.
Other spells persist over several rounds. These spells have their
duration listed as part of their description.
Targets
A typical spell requires you to pick one or more targets to be

affected by the spell's magic. A spell's description tells you
whether the spell targets creatures, objects, or a point of origin for
an area of effect (described below).
Unless a spell has a perceptible effect, a creature might not know it was
targeted by a spell at all. An effect like crackling lightning is obvious,
but a more subtle effect, such as an attempt to read a creature's thoughts,
typically goes unnoticed unless a spell says otherwise.
A Clear Path to the Target
To target something, you must have a clear path to it, so it can't be behind
total cover. If you place an area of effect at a point that you can't see and
an obstruction, such as a wall, is between you and that point, the point of
origin comes into being on the near side of that obstruction.
Targeting Yourself
If a spell targets a creature of your choice, you can choose yourself, unless
the creature must be hostile or specifically a creature other than you. If
you are in the area of effect of a spell you cast, you can target yourself.

Areas of Effect
S ome spells cover an area, allowing them to affect multiple creatures at once. A spell's description
specifies its area of effect, which typically has one of five different shapes: cone, cube, cylinder,
line, or sphere. Every area of effect has a point of origin, a location from which the spell's energy
erupts. The rules for each shape specify how you position its point of origin. Typically, a point of
origin is a point in space, but some spells have an area whose origin is a creature or an object.
A spell's effect expands in straight lines from the point of origin. If no unblocked straight line
extends from the point of origin to a location within the area of effect, that location isn't included
in the spell's area. To block one of these imaginary lines, an obstruction must provide total cover.
Cone Cylinder
A cone extends in a direction you choose from its point of origin. A cylinder's point of origin is the centre of a circle of a particular
A cone's width at a given point along its length is equal to that radius, as given in the spell description. The circle must either
point's distance from the point of origin. A cone's area of effect be on the ground or at the height of the spell effect. The energy
specifies its maximum length. in a cylinder expands in straight lines from the point of origin
to the perimeter of the circle, forming the base of the cylinder.
A cone's point of origin is not included in the cone's area of The spell's effect then either shoots up from the base or down
effect, unless you decide otherwise. from the top to a distance equal to the height of the cylinder.
A cylinder's point of origin is included in the cylinder's area

of effect.
133
Cube Line Sphere
You select a cube's point of origin, A line extends from its point of origin You select a sphere's point of origin,
which lies anywhere on a face of the in a straight path up to its length and and the sphere extends outward
cubic effect. The cube's size is expressed covers an area defined by its width. from that point. The sphere's size
as the length of each side. is expressed as a radius in feet that
A line's point of origin is not included extends from the point.
A cube's point of origin is not included in the line's area of effect, unless you
in the cube's area of effect, unless you decide otherwise. A sphere's point of origin is included
decide otherwise. in the sphere's area of effect.
Saving Throws Attack Rolls
M any spells specify that a target can make a saving throw to avoid
some or all of a spell's effects.The spell specifies the ability that the
target uses for the saving throw and what happens on a success or failure.
S ome spells require the caster to make an attack roll to determine
whether the spell effect hits the intended target.
Your attack bonus with a spell attack = your spellcasting

The DC to resist one of your spells = 8 + your spellcasting ability ability modifier + your proficiency bonus.
modifier + your proficiency bonus + any special modifiers.
Most spells that require attack rolls involve ranged attacks. Remember
that you have disadvantage on a ranged attack roll if you are within 5
feet of a hostile creature that can see you and that isn't incapacitated.

Magic & Miracles
—
Pyromancer
Spells
Fireball Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You create a small ball of flame and hurl it at a chosen target creature
Casts 3 within range.
Duration Instantaneous The enemy creature suffers 1d6+ your spellcasting ability modifier fire
Range 120 feet damage, or half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against
Level 1 your spell DC.
Fire Orb Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect When you throw this magical fire orb, you may nominate a single target
Casts 3 or area of the combat environment.
134 Duration Instantaneous On a successful magic attack roll, the nominated target takes 4d6 fire
Level 5 your spell DC. All creatures within 5 feet must make a Dexterity saving
throw, taking 2d6 fire damage if unsuccessful. On a successful saving throw,
they only suffer half damage.
2 Position
Great Fireball Attunement Slots 2 Cost
Cast Time 1 action Effect You hurl a much larger fireball at a single target or area of the combat
Casts 3 environment.
Duration Instantaneous On a successful magic attack roll, the nominated target takes 12d6 fire
Level 12 your spell DC. All creatures within 5 feet must make a Dexterity saving
throw, taking 6d6 fire damage if unsuccessful. On a successful saving throw,
they only suffer half damage.
Great Chaos Fireball Attunement Slots 2 Cost 3 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect You select a creature or point within range that you can see.
Casts 2 On a successful spell attack roll, the original target and all creatures
Duration
Level Instantaneous
17 within 5feet of the target must make a dexterity saving throw, with the
Range 240 feet original target suffering 18d6 fire damage and all other creatures suffering
8d6 fire damage on a failure, or half as much on a success.
For 1d6+2 rounds a pool of lava with a radius of 30 feet appears centred
on the original target. A creature that enters the lava for the first time
or starts its turn in the lava suffers 3d6 fire damage and the burning
condition. After the number of rounds rolled the lava vanishes.

Firestorm Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The caster nominates three points within 30 feet of their position. From
Casts 3 those points, three cylindrical columns of fire erupt from the ground.
Duration 1 turn Each has a diameter of 5 feet, and any creature within the cylinder of fire
Range 30 feet when it erupts suffers 5d6 fire damage, or half damage on a successful
Level 5 Dexterity saving throw against your spell DC. The columns remain in
place until the start of your next turn. Moving through a space occupied
by a column of fire deals 2d6 fire damage.
Position can be spent to increase the length of time a column remains
in place after casting, at the cost of 2 Position per additional turn. You
must spend this additional Position when casting the spell.
Fire Tempest Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The caster nominates three points within 80 feet of their position. From
Duration 1 turn Each has a diameter of 15 feet, and any creature within the cylinder of fire
place for 1 turn after the spell has been cast. Moving through a space
occupied by a column of fire deals 4d6 fire damage.
Position can be spent to increase the length of time a column remains
in place after casting, at the cost of 2 Position per additional turn. You
must spend this additional Position when casting the spell.
135
Chaos Storm Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect The caster nominates three points within 80 feet of their position. From
Duration 1 round Each has a diameter of 15 feet, and any creature within the cylinder of fire
place until the start of your next turn. Moving through a space occupied
by a column of fire deals 5d6 fire damage.
Each column leaves behind it a pool of lava. Each pool covers a circle
with a radius of 10 feet, with the nominated target as its centre. The lava
remains in place for 1d3+1 rounds. Any creature coming into contact with
it immediately suffers 5d6 fire damage, or half damage on a successful
Dexterity saving throw against your spell DC, and suffers the burning
condition. After the number of rounds has elapsed, the lava vanishes.
Combustion Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect The hand bearing your pyromancy glove erupts into flame lasting for 1 turn.
Casts 8 It can be used to make a melee attack, which if successful deals 3d6 fire
Duration 1 turn damage, or half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against
Range Self your spell DC.
Level 1 You may increase the damage of this spell by spending 3 Position per
extra d6 of damage dealt. For example, you may spend 6 Position to
increase this from a spell dealing 3d6 fire damage to a spell dealing 5d6
fire damage to a maximum of 5 Position.

Great Combustion Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The hand bearing your pyromancy glove erupts into searing white flame.
Casts 10 The flame lasts for 3 turns. It can be used to make a melee attack, which if
Duration 3 turns successful deals 8d6 fire damage, or half damage on a successful Dexterity
Range Self saving throw against your spell DC. In addition, any creatures adjacent
Level 5 to your target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or suffer 2d6
fire damage as they are scorched by the intense heat.
You may increase the duration of this spell by spending 2 Position per
additional turn and/or you may also increase its damage at the cost of 3
Position per additional d6, to a maximum of 12 Position total.
For example, you may spend 10 Position to increase this from a spell
lasting three turns, dealing 8d6 damage to the target and 2d6 to anything
adjacent to them, to a spell lasting five turns, dealing 10d6 damage to the
target and 4d6 to anything adjacent to them.
Fire Surge Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect A thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your outstretched fingertips.
Casts 12 Each creature in a 15 feet cone must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking
Duration Instantaneous 3d6 fire damage on a failed saving throw, or half damage on a successful one.
Range Self (15 feet cone)
Level 2
Fire Whip Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position

136
Cast Time 1 action Effect A blazing whip lashes out from your hand, slicing at the foe.
Casts 10 You may make a melee attack against any number of creatures in a
Duration Instantaneous straight line measuring 25 feet from yourself. All creatures struck by the
Range Self (25 feet line) attack suffer 3d6 fire damage, or half damage on a successful Dexterity
Level 4 saving throw against your spell DC.
Chaos Fire Whip Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A whip of dark fire lashes out from your hand, slicing at the foe.
Casts 3 You may make a melee attack against any number of creatures in a straight
Duration 1 turn line measuring 40 feet from yourself . All creatures struck by the attack
Range Self (40 feet line) suffer 4d6 fire damage, and the burning condition, unless they succeed
Level 7 on a Dexterity saving throw, in which case they suffer half damage.
You may increase the range of this attack by spending 1 Position per
additional 10 feet range.
Poison Mist Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You exhale a corrosive, poisonous mist that sears the flesh of those in its path.
Casts 8 It forms a 15 feet cone. Any creature in the path of the mist suffers 3d6
Duration 1 turn poison damage and must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be
Range Self (15 feet cone) afflicted with the poisoned condition.
Level 2

Toxic Mist Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You breathe out a toxic gas melting the skin of all those in its path.
Casts 8 It forms a 20 feet cone. Any creature in the path of the mist suffers 3d6
Duration 1d3 turns poison damage and must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be
Range Self (20 feet cone) afflicted with the poisoned condition.
Level 3 The 20 feet cone of mist then remains in place for 1d3 turns. Any creature
passing through the mist suffers 1d6 poison damage.
Acid Surge Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You exhale a searing, corrosive mist that decays the armour and weaponry
Casts 5 of those in its path.
Duration 1d3+1 turns It forms a 10 feet cone. Any creature within the cone must succeed on a
Range Self (10 feet cone) Constitution saving throw, or suffer 1d4+1 acid damage, and, for the next
Level 2 1d3+1 turns, make all melee attacks at disadvantage.
On a successful saving throw, they suffer half as much damage, and make
melee attacks as normal.
Iron Flesh Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect For 1d8+2 turns, the caster gains +6 AC, and gains resistance to
Casts 10 nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
Duration Instantaneous While the spell lasts, the caster has disadvantage on all Dexterity saving
Range Self throws and checks.
Level 5
137
Black Flame Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect The hand bearing your pyromancy glove erupts into all consuming black fire.
Casts 3 The fire lasts for 1 turn. It can be used to make a melee attack, which if
Duration - successful deals 8d6 fire damage and permanent -2 AC the first time it
Range Self inflicts damage to a creatures.
Level 7 The duration of the spell can be increased at a cost of 2 Position per
additional turn.
Power Within Attunement Slots 1 Cost See effect
Cast Time 1 action Effect You press your glove to your chest, imbuing yourself with renewed
Casts 5 strength and vigour.
Duration - You can choose to spend Position equal to the level you wish to power
Range Self the spell to. These effects occur immediately and last until the end of your
Level 8 next turn, or a number of rounds equal to the Position spent, whichever
is longer. The additional damage applies to all attacks you make, whether
melee, ranged, or magical.
Position Spent AC Boost Damage Boost
1 +1 +1d3
2 +2 +1d4
3 +3 +1d6
4 +4 +1d8
5 +5 +1d10

Undead Rapport Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You attempt to form a rapport with one undead creature of a Challenge
Casts 4 Rating equal to your caster level or below that you can see within 40
Duration See effect feet of you.
Range 40 feet It must make a Wisdom saving throw and does so with advantage if
Level 9 you or your companions are hostile to the target creature. If it fails the
saving throw, it is charmed by you until the spell ends or until you or
your companions do anything harmful to it. The undead regards you as
a friendly acquaintance and will follow basic instructions.
You can increase the number of undead creatures you attempt to form a
rapport with at a cost of 3 Position per additional undead creature to a
maximum of 5 undead creatures.
The duration of this spell is 1 hour. This spell has no effect on boss creatures.
Magic & Miracles

—
Sorceries
Soul Arrow Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
138 Cast Time 1 action Effect You create a glowing arrow of magical force, throwing it at a single enemy
Casts 10 creature within 120 feet of you.
Duration Instantaneous The orb deals 1d6+ your spellcasting ability modifier force damage
Range 120 feet
You can increase the damage dealt by the orb at a cost of 1 Position per
Level 1 +2 damage.
Great Soul Arrow Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You create a glowing arrow of magical force.
Casts 5 On a successful spell attack roll, it strikes a creature of your choice that you
Duration Instantaneous can see within range, the orb deals 5d6 + 5 force damage to its target, or
Range 180 feet half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against your spell DC.
Level 5 You can increase the number of damage dice inflicted by this spell, at a
cost of 3 Position per additional d6 of damage inflicted to a maximum
of 12 Position.
Heavy Soul Arrow Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect You create a glowing orb of magical force.
Duration Instantaneous can see within range, the orb deals 8d6 + 8 force damage to its target, or
Range 250 feet half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against your spell DC.
Level 15 You can increase the number of orbs cast by this spell, at a cost of 5
Position per additional orb cast. This additional orb can be cast at the
same or at a different target.

Great Heavy Soul Arrow Attunement Slots 3 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect You create a glowing orb of magical force.
Duration Instantaneous can see within range, the orb deals 18d6 force damage to its target, or half
Range 300 feet damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw against your spell DC. You
Level 20 can increase the number or orbs cast by this spell, at a cost of 2 Position per
additional orb cast, to a maximum of 10 Position. These additional orbs
can be cast at the same or at a different target.
Homing Soulmass Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You create three projectiles.

Casts 15 Each projectile hits a creature of your choice that you can see within 70 feet
Duration Instantaneous of you. A projectile deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all
Range 70 feet strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature or several.
Level 1
Homing Crystal Soulmass Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You create six projectiles.

Casts 10 Each projectile hits a creature of your choice that you can see within
Duration Instantaneous range. A projectile deals 1d6 + 2 piercing damage to its target. The darts
Range 90 feet all strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one creature
Level 4 or several. Upon striking the target, the projectiles shatter into crystals.
These deliver an additional 1d3 damage.
139
Soul Spear Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A spear of gleaming crystal explodes from one of your empty hands.
Casts 3 On a successful spell attack, it deals 8d6 piercing damage to one target
Duration Instantaneous of your choice.
Range 60 feet
Level 5
Crystal Soul Spear Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect Crystal gouts from your fingers, streaking towards the foe.
Casts 4 A successful spell attack deals 14d6 piercing damage to one target of your
Duration Instantaneous choice, and the target creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or
Range 120 feet become paralysed.
Level 12
White Dragon Breath Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A line of gleaming white crystals erupt from the ground, travelling in a
Casts 3 straight line up to 30 feet from you to one target you can see.
Duration Instantaneous The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or suffer 10d6
Range 30 feet piercing damage and become paralysed until the end of their next turn.
Level 9 On a successful saving throw, they take half damage and are not paralysed.

Magic Weapon Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You touch one melee or ranged weapon.
Casts 8 For the duration of the spell, the weapon deals an extra +1d6 piercing or
Duration 5 minutes slashing damage whenever it makes a successful attack. In addition, the
Range Touch weapon cannot degrade or break while this spell is active.
additional minute. All damage dealt by this weapon is treated as magical
for the purposes of damage resistances and immunities.
Great Magic Weapon Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You touch one melee or ranged weapon.
Casts 6 For the duration of the spell, the weapon deals an extra +8d6 piercing or
Duration 3 minutes slashing damage whenever it makes a successful attack. In addition, the
Range Touch weapon cannot degrade or break while this spell is active.
additional minute. All damage dealt by this weapon is treated as magical
for the purposes of damage resistances and immunities.
Magic Shield Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You summon the forces of magic to protect you against your foes.
Casts 6 For the duration of the spell, you gain +4 AC.
Duration 5 minutes
You may extend the duration of the spell at the cost of 2 Position per
Range Touch
additional minute.
Level 5
140
Strong Magic Shield Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You summon the forces of magic to protect you against your foes.
Casts 6 For the duration of the spell, you gain +8 AC, and are resistant to piercing,
Duration 3 minutes bludgeoning, slashing, acid, force, and lightning damage.
Range Touch
You may extend the duration of the spell at the cost of 2 Position per
Level 11 additional minute to a maximum of 10 Position.
Aural Decoy Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You create an instantaneous, harmless auditory effect somewhere within
Casts 25 60 feet of you.
Duration Instantaneous You may cast this spell multiple times per turn, at the cost of 1 Position
Range 60 feet per additional cast. This counts as a separate cast of the spell for the
Level 1 purposes of remaining casts.
Hush Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect With a twist of the hand, you make yourself utterly silent. For the
Casts 20 duration of the spell, you make all Stealth skill checks at advantage.
Duration 1 hour You may cast this spell on additional targets at the same time, at the cost
Range Self of 1 Position per additional cast. This counts as a separate cast of the spell
Level 2 for the purposes of remaining casts.

Fall Control Attunement Slots 1 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The caster makes themselves lighter.

Casts 25 Whenever the caster would take falling damage, they should make a
Duration 1 hour Dexterity saving throw with a DC 15.
Range Self
On a successful saving throw, they take no damage. On a failed saving
Level 2 throw, they take only half damage.
Hidden Weapon Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect For the duration of the spell, you turn one object in your hand entirely
Casts 15 invisible.
Duration 1 hour You can extend the duration of the spell by an additional hour, at the cost
Range Touch of 1 Position per hour.
Level 1
Hidden Body Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A creature you touch melts into the shadows until the spell ends.
Casts 5 Anything the target is wearing or carrying is rendered difficult to see
Duration 1 hour for as long as it is on the target's person. The spell ends for a target that
Range Touch attacks or casts a spell. Any Perception check to detect you is made at
Level 3 disadvantage, and any stealth checks you make are made at advantage
while effected by this spell.
141
Repair Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect This spell repairs a single break or tear in one of your weapons or sets of armour.
Casts 30 You must be able to touch the weapon or armour. If the break or tear is no
Duration - larger than 1 feet in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the
Range Touch former damage.
Level 1
Cast Light Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You touch an object or point at an area.

Casts 15 Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius
Duration 1 hour and dim light in an additional 20 feet radius. The light is bright white.
Range 30 feet
The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.
Level 1
Remedy Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You touch a creature. If it is poisoned or bleeding, you neutralize the
Casts 20 poison or halt the bleeding.
Duration 1 hour If more than one such condition afflicts the target, you neutralise one poison
Range Touch that you know is present, or you neutralise one at random. For the duration,
Level 2 the target gains advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, suffering
from the bleeding condition, and has resistance to poison damage.

Chameleon Attunement Slots 1 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect This spell transforms the caster into a new form.
Casts 5 The new form can be any inanimate object of the caster’s size or smaller.
Duration 1 hour
The caster retains the Position of their original form. The transformation
Range Self
lasts for one hour, and ends if the caster takes any damage, they
Level 8 immediately revert to their original form.
The caster is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of their
new form, and they can’t speak, cast spells, or take any other action that
requires hands or speech. They are also slowed to a walk and move at half
speed for the duration (if their new form is capable of motion).
The target’s gear melds into the new form. The caster can’t activate, use,
wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Resist Curse Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect At your touch, all curses affecting one creature or object end.
Casts 20 If the object is a cursed magic item, its curse remains but the spell breaks
Duration instantaneous its owner’s attunement to the object so it can be removed or discarded.
Range Touch
Level 5
Dark Fog Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
142 Cast Time 1 action Effect A poisonous mist forms amid your foes.
Casts 5 A sphere of poison forms at a point of your choice within 30 feet of you.
Duration 1d3 turns Any creature in the sphere suffers 3d6 poison damage and must succeed
Range 30 feet on a Constitution saving throw or be afflicted with the poison condition.
Level 6 The mist then remains in place for 1d3 turns. Any creature passing
through the mist suffers 1d6 poison damage and poisoned condition
for 1 minute.
Dark Orb Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect You hurl an orb of swirling darkness at one target, you can see within range.
Casts 5 It hits automatically. The creature takes 4d6+4 force damage and must
Duration Instantaneous succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
Range 150 feet
Level 9
Dark Bead Attunement Slots 2 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect 10 small black beads emerge from your hand, flying at one or multiple
Casts 8 targets that the caster can see, within range.
Duration See effect Each bead automatically hits and deals 1d3 +1 piercing damage.
Range 40 feet
As an action you can fire a number of beads equal to your spellcasting
Level 12 modifier, each bead can target the same or a different target.
The spell duration is 1 minute or until the last bead is fired.

Pursuers Attunement Slots 2 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect A mass of dark soul energy erupts from you, rolling towards your enemies.
Casts 2 A 10 feet sphere emerges from you, and moves in a straight line away from
Duration 1d4+1 turns you, at a rate of 15 feet per turn.
Range Self
Any hostile creature it touches suffers 5d6 force damage. At the end of
Level 17 1d4+1 turns, the sphere vanishes.
Magic & Miracles

—
Miracles
Heal Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect A creature you touch regains a number of Position equal to 1d8 + your
Casts 5 spellcasting ability modifier.
Duration Instantaneous
Range Touch
Level 1
Great Heal Excerpt Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position

143
Cast Time 1 action Effect A creature you touch regains a number of Position equal to 5d8 + your
Casts 3 spellcasting ability modifier.
Duration Instantaneous
Range Touch
Level 5
Soothing Sunlight Attunement Slots 1 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect Your faith blazes out from you, in a circle of sunlight.
Casts 2 The circle has a circumference of 20 feet from the caster.All friendly
Duration Instantaneous creatures within the circle regains a number of Position equal to 4d8 +
Range 20 feet your spellcasting ability modifier.
Level 8
Great Heal Attunement Slots 2 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect You channel your faith, restoring health and more.
Casts 2 A creature you touch regains a number of Position equal to 10d8 + your
Duration Instantaneous spellcasting ability modifier.
Range Touch
You can also reduce the target’s exhaustion level by one, or end one of
Level 12 the following effects on the target: One effect that charmed or petrified
the target. One curse, including the target’s attunement to a cursed
magic item.
Any reduction to one of the target's ability scores, caused by dying or
any other reason

Replenishment Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The caster restores Position equal to 1d6 + your spellcasting ability
Casts 3 modifier at the start of each of their turns for the duration of the spell.
Duration 1 minute
Range Self
Level 4
Force Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect A wave of force flattens all those close to you.
Casts 6 Emanating from the caster, a circle of force with a circumference of 20
Duration Instantaneous feet strikes all creatures in its proximity. Each creature must succeed on
Range 20 feet a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked back 10 feet in a straight line
Level 1 and be left prone. A creature who succeeds on the saving throw is only
knocked back.
Wrath of the Gods Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect All creatures of the casters choice within a 20 feet circle centred on the caster.
Casts 3 All hostile creatures must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or suffer
Duration Instantaneous 10d10 force damage. Any creature who succeeds on the saving throw
Range 20 feet suffers only half damage.
Level 16
144
Emit Force Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect When you throw this magical force orb, you may nominate a single target
Casts 5 or area within 50 feet of you.
Duration Instantaneous On a successful spell attack roll, the nominated target takes 8d8 force
Range 50 feet damage. All other creatures within 10 feet of the target must succeed
Level 9 on a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 force damage. On a successful
saving throw, they only suffer half damage.
Magic Barrier Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect You wreathe yourself in the protection of your faith.
Casts 2 For the duration of the spell, the caster has resistance to magical damage,
Duration 2 minutes radiant, necrotic and force damage. Including all damage dealt by
Range Self pyromancies, sorceries and miracles. You may increase the duration of
Level 6 the spell at a cost of 1 Position per additional minute.
Great Magic Barrier Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect The blessing of faith renders you safe from wicked sorcery.
Casts 2 For the duration of the spell, you are immune to magical and force
Duration 2 minutes damage. You also have resistance to piercing, slashing, bludgeoning, acid,
Range Self fire, ice, lightning, and necrotic damage. You may extend the duration of
Level 15 this spell at a cost of 3 Position per additional minute.

Seek Guidance Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect Name or describe a person, place, or object.

Casts 3 The spell brings to your mind a brief summary of the significant lore about
Duration Instantaneous the thing you named and reveals the location of any new information
Range Self within 120 feet of the caster. The lore might consist of current tales,
Level 13 forgotten stories, or even secret lore that has never been widely known.
If the thing you named isn’t of legendary importance, or directly related
to the area you are in, you gain no information. The more information
you already have about the thing, the more precise and detailed the
information you receive is.
Karmic Justice Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect Your faith in the protection of the gods manifests itself in physical danger
Casts 4 for those who would attack you.
Duration See effect After you cast this spell, if you suffer more than half your total Position in
Range 20 feet damage, a wave of magical force erupts from you.
Level 1 All creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you suffer 8d8 force damage
and must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
Duration till triggered for 10 minutes.
Vow of Silence Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A wave of silence spreads out around you.
145
Casts 8 For one minute, no creature within 20 feet of you may cast any spell or
Duration 1 minute miracle.
Range 20 feet
You may extend the duration of this spell at the cost of 3 Position per
Level 12 additional minute.
Lightning Spear Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect A spear of lightning forms in one of your empty hands.
Casts 4 It can be used to make one melee attack, or a ranged spell attack with
Duration 1 minute a range of 30 feet, against a single target. A successful attack deals 8d6
Range Self lightning damage.
Level 5
Great Lightning Spear Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A larger, and more ferocious spear of lightning forms in one of your
Casts 4 empty hands.
Duration 1 minute It can be used to make one melee attack, or a ranged spell attack with a
Range Self range of 45 feet, against a single target. A successful attack deals 12d6
Level 13 lightning damage.
If thrown into water, the entire area becomes electrified and any creature
stood within the water, or within 5 feet of the water, must succeed on a
Dexterity saving throw or suffer 10d6 lightning damage, or half this on
a successful saving throw. Using the spear of lightning in this fashion
costs 1 additional Position.

Sunlight Spear Attunement Slots 2 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 1 action Effect A crackling spear of lightning forms in one of your empty hands.
Casts 2 It can be used to make one melee spell or ranged spell attack against a
Duration 1 minute single target. A successful attack deals 15d6 radiant damage. The ranged
Range Self attack has a range of 20 feet The spell ends after you make the attack.
Level 14 If thrown into water, the entire area becomes electrified and any creature
stood within the water, or within 10 feet of the water, must succeed on a
Dexterity saving throw or suffer 12d6 lightning damage, or half damage
on a successful saving throw. Using the spear of lightning in this fashion
costs 1 Position.
Sunlight Blade Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect A melee weapon you touch becomes sheathed in lightning. For the
Casts 8 duration of the spell, the weapon deals an additional +1d6 lightning
Duration 1 hour damage whenever it makes a successful attack.
Range Self The additional damage dealt by the lightning can be increased, at the cost
Level 2 of 1 Position per additional d6 to a maximum of 6 Position.
Tranquil Walk of Peace Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect All enemy creatures within 20 feet of you move at half speed for the
Casts 12 duration of the spell.
Duration 1 minute You may extend the duration of the spell at the cost of 1 Position per
Range 20 feet additional minute.
146 Level 1
Gravelord Sword Dance Attunement Slots 1 Cost 1 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect Each creature within a 40 feet sphere centred on a point you can see within
Casts 3 range must make a Dexterity saving throw.
Duration Instantaneous The sphere spreads around corners. A creature takes 10d6 piercing damage
Range 40 feet on a failed saving throw, or half damage on a successful one.
Level 9
Gravelord Greatsword Dance Attunement Slots 2 Cost 2 Position
Cast Time 2 actions Effect Each creature within a 40 feet sphere centred on a point you can see within
Casts 2 range must make a Dexterity saving throw.
Duration Instantaneous The sphere spreads around corners. A creature takes 20d6 piercing damage
Range 40 feet and 20d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed saving throw, or half damage
Level 18 on a successful one.
Escape Death Attunement Slots 1 Cost -
Cast Time 1 action Effect You might not be able to die, but that doesn’t mean death doesn’t affect you.
Casts 8 This spell prevents you from losing any souls when you die, or when
Duration - a creature you touch dies. In addition, with the first time the effected
Range Self creature is reduced to 0 position roll a d20 on a 11+ the creature is instead
Level 5 reduced to 1 position.

147

148

Equipment
othric is filled with dangers. Dangers only a
sword, a shield, and a suit of armour can truly
hope to turn aside. Whether it’s the claws of
a dragon, the broken teeth of a hollow, or the
expertly wielded sword of a silver knight, you
face a constant assault as you make your way through this
sinister, twilit realm.
149
Fortunately, this chapter has all the tools you might need to defend
yourself. DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game places a heavy
emphasis on your ability to build your character as you want to. One
of the key means of enabling you to tailor your character is choosing
the equipment your character carries and utilises. Every piece of
equipment possesses a special trait, or unique ability unlockable
through spending Position. Choose carefully, though; you cannot
take everything with you, and making sure your character is
prepared to face the darkness is a difficult undertaking!

Equipment
—
Encumbrance
Y ou can only carry so much equipment; it’s bulky, heavy, and it weighs you down. In DARK
SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, you have 15 equipment slots, and 5 active slots. Each piece
of equipment takes up a certain number of slots, and ensuring you’re carrying the right amount of
equipment at any time is an important balancing process. You can’t carry too much armour, or too
many weapons, so making sure you’re as ready as you can be for each situation isn’t easy!
Active Slots
A ny piece of equipment you are wearing, or carrying with the intention

of actively using, is not considered part of your 15 equipment slots.
These are active, and so instead take up your 5 active slots.
These 5 active slots works as follows:
One armour slot
you may equip and wear one

suit of armour at any one time.
150
One left hand ring slot One right hand ring slot
you may equip one ring you may equip one ring
on your left hand. on your right hand.
One left hand weapon slot One right hand weapon slot
you may equip one weapon or shield you may equip one weapon or shield
in your left hand. in your right hand.

Equipment Slots
C ertain items take up no slots at all. All items listed under Core Equipment take up no slots.
You can stash as many of these items around and upon your person as you wish.
All armour, shields, and weapons, take up slots. When determining how many slots a weapon,
suit of armour, or shield takes up, refer to the tables below.
Weapons
Using Equipment
Minimum Strengh Requirement Slots Consumed
Slots Example
- 1
Mat has built his character and been
on a few adventures. He’s starting to
10 - 12 1
accrue several items, including some
powerful new weapons.
13 - 20 2
He has his starting gear still
Shields equipped. As he’s playing a Knight,
this means he has a Longsword,
a suit of Knight Armour, and a
Minimum Strengh Requirement Slots Consumed Knight Shield. These take up three 151
of his five active slots. He is also
wearing a Thunder Stoneplate
Ring, consuming one of his active
- 1
ring slots.
10 - 14 1
His character recently gained
some Follower Armour. Follower
15 - 18 2
Armour has a minimum Strength
requirement of 15. This means
18+ 3
carrying it around consumes 2
of the 15 equipment slots Mat’s
character has available to fill.
Armour
He recently came into possession
Minimum Strengh Requirement Slots Consumed of a claymore. This large, heavy,
blade has a minimum Strength
requirement of 16, meaning it also
consumes 2 of his equipment slots.
- 1 Mat’s character currently has 4 slots
filled, of a total of 15.
10 - 13 1
Mat makes a note of this on his
14 - 16 2 character sheet. He also makes a
note of the firebombs his character
17 - 19 3 recently collected, and the box of
Yellow Bug Pellets. These small
20 4 items take up no slots, however, so
he can carry as many as he wishes.
This all done, Mat readies his
character for the next adventure!

Equipment
—
152 Core
Equipment

Acid Cost 50 souls
Effect As an action, you can splash the contents of this vial onto a creature within 5 feet of you or throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering
it on impact. In either case, make a ranged attack against a creature or object, treating the acid as an improvised weapon. On
a hit, the target takes 2d6 acid damage.
Arrows Cost 10 souls per 10 arrows
Effect Arrows are used with a weapon that has the ammunition property to make a ranged attack. Each time you attack with the
weapon, you expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of
the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon). At the end of a combat, you can recover half your expended
ammunition by taking a minute to search the battlefield.
Ball Bearings Cost 25 souls
Effect As an action, you can spill these tiny metal balls from their pouch to cover a level area of up to 10 feet square. A creature
moving across the covered area must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. A creature moving through
the area at half speed doesn’t need to make the save.
Binoculars Cost 100 souls
Effect Objects viewed through binoculars are magnified to twice their size.
Block and Tackle Cost 25 souls

153
Effect A set of pulleys with a cable threaded through them and a hook to attach to objects, a block and tackle allows you to hoist up
to four times the weight you can normally lift.
Blue Bug Pellet Cost 150 souls
Effect A pill, refined from the shells of strange azure-shelled beetles. As an action, a player character can consume one of these pills.
It provides advantage on all saving throws against spell attacks for one minute.
Book Cost 20 souls
Effect A book might contain poetry, historical accounts, information pertaining to a particular field of lore, diagrams, or just about
anything else that can be represented using text or pictures.
Budding Green Blossom Cost -
Effect A rugged, surprisingly beautiful plant which grows everywhere. As an action, you may consume a handful of budding green
blossom. Doing so restores 5 Position immediately. Collecting a handful of budding green blossom gives you three doses
worth of the plant.
Caltrops Cost 100 souls
Effect As an action, you can spread a bag of caltrops to cover an area 5 feet square. Any creature that enters the area must succeed
on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or stop moving this turn and take 1 piercing damage. Taking this damage reduces the
creature’s walking speed by 10 feet until the creature regains at least 1 Position. A creature moving through the area at half
speed doesn’t need to make the save.

Candle Cost 10 souls
Effect For one hour, a candle sheds bright light in a 5 feet radius and dim light in an additional 5 feet radius.
Case, Map or Scroll Cost 20 souls
Effect This cylindrical leather case can hold up to 10 rolled-up sheets of paper or five rolled-up sheets of parchment.
Chain Cost 80 souls
Effect A chain measuring 60 feet, which has 10 hit points. It can be burst with a successful DC 20 Strength check.
Charcoal Pine Cost 125 souls
Effect A resin drawn from the sap of the Charcoal Pine. You can use the resin to coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to three
pieces of ammunition. Applying the resin takes an action. A creature hit by the weapon or ammunition must takes 1d6 fire
damage, in addition to the weapon’s standard damage. Once applied, the resin retains potency for one minute before drying.
Climber’s Kit Cost 50 souls
Effect A climber’s kit includes special pitons, boot tips, gloves, and a harness. You can use the climber’s kit as an action to anchor
yourself; when you do, you can’t fall more than 25 feet from the point where you anchored yourself, and you can’t climb more
than 25 feet away from that point without undoing the anchor.
154
Crossbow Bolt Case Cost 75 souls
Effect This wooden case can hold up to 20 crossbow bolts.
Crossbow Bolts Cost 15 souls per 10 bolts
Effect Crossbow bolts are used with a weapon that has the ammunition property to make a ranged attack. Each time you attack with
the weapon, you expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of
the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon). At the end of combat, you can recover half your expended
ammunition by taking a minute to search the battlefield.
Divine Blessing Cost 8000 Souls
Effect A holy flask, infused with the power of the light. As an action, a player character may drink its contents, immediately restoring
up to +10 Position and granting advantage on their next attack.
Estus Flask Cost -
Effect Containing a preserved spark of the living flame, the estus flask imbues those that drink from it with renewed health and
resolve. All character classes begin with an estus flask as part of their starting equipment, containing three draughts; at 5th
level, this increases to four draughts; at 10th level, it increases to five draughts, and at 17th level to six draughts.
Each draught from the Estus Flask restores Position equal to half your Base Position, rounded down.
For example, if you were playing a Knight with 13 Base Position, when you drank from your Estus Flask, you'd restore 6 Position.

Firebomb Cost 150 souls
Effect As an action, you can throw this flask up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack against a creature or object,
treating the firebomb as an improvised weapon. On a hit, the target takes 1d4 fire damage at the start of each of its turns. A
creature can end this damage by using its action to make a DC 10 Dexterity check to extinguish the flames.
Fishing Tackle Cost 100 souls
Effect This kit includes a wooden rod, silken line, corkwood bobbers, steel hooks, lead sinkers, velvet lures, and narrow netting.
Healer’s Kit Cost 70 souls
Effect This kit is a leather pouch containing bandages, salves, and splints. The kit has 10 uses. A creature regains position equal to
your wisdom modifier plus a number of the target creature’s potion dice equal to half their proficiency bonus (rounded up).
For example when healing a level 3 bruiser they regain 1d10 + your wisdom modifier.
Holy Symbol Cost 200 souls
Effect A holy symbol is a representation of a god or pantheon. It might be an amulet depicting a symbol representing a deity, the
same symbol carefully engraved or inlaid as an emblem on a shield, or a tiny box holding a fragment of a sacred relic.
Hunting Trap Cost 175 souls
Effect When you use your action to set it, this trap forms a saw-toothed steel ring that snaps shut when a creature steps on a pressure
plate in the centre. The trap is affixed by a heavy chain to an immobile object, such as a tree or a spike driven into the ground.
155
A creature that steps on the plate must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 piercing damage and stop
moving. Thereafter, until the creature breaks free of the trap, its movement is limited by the length of the chain (typically 3
feet long).
A creature can use its action to make a DC 13 Strength check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success.
Each failed check deals 1 piercing damage to the trapped creature.
Lamp Cost 100 souls
Effect A lamp casts bright light in a 15 feet radius and dim light in an additional 30 feet radius. Once lit, it burns for six hours on a
flask (one pint) of oil (see below).
Lock Cost 75 souls
Effect A key is provided with the lock. Without the key, a creature proficient with thieves’ tools can pick this lock with a successful
DC 15 Dexterity check. Your GM may decide that better locks are available for higher prices.
Manacles Cost 180 souls
Effect These metal restraints can bind a Small or Medium creature. Escaping the manacles requires a successful DC 20 Dexterity check.
Breaking them requires a successful DC 20 Strength check. Each set of manacles comes with one key. Without the key, a creature
proficient with thieves’ tools can pick the manacles’ lock with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check. Manacles have 15 hit points.
Moss Fruit Cost -
Effect As an action, a player character can consume a moss fruit. Doing so provides resistance to frost and poison damage for one minute.

Oil Cost 40 souls
Effect Oil usually comes in a clay flask that holds 1 pint. As an action, you can either fill or refill a lamp with oil (if you have one), or
alternatively splash the oil in this flask onto a creature or object within 5 feet, or throw it up to 20 feet; the flask will shatter
on impact.
Make a ranged attack against a target creature or object, treating the oil as an improvised weapon.
On a hit, the target is covered in oil. If the target takes any fire damage before the oil dries (after one minute), the target
takes an additional 5 fire damage from the burning oil. You can also pour a flask of oil on the ground to cover a level area of
up to 5 feet square.
When lit, the oil burns for two rounds and deals 5 fire damage to any creature that enters the area or ends its turn in the area.
A creature can take this damage only once per turn.
Poison, Basic Cost 150 souls
Effect You can use the poison in this vial to coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to three pieces of ammunition. Applying the
poison takes an action. A creature hit by the poisoned weapon or ammunition must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw
or take 1d4 poison damage. Once applied, the poison retains potency for one minute before drying.
Portable Ram Cost 250 souls
Effect You can use a portable ram to break down doors. When doing so, you gain a +4 bonus on your Strength check. One other
character can help you use the ram, giving you advantage on this check.
Pouch Cost 50 souls
156 Effect A cloth or leather pouch can hold up to 20 sling shots or 50 blowgun needles, among other things.
Purging Stone Cost 1000 Souls
Effect If the effects of hollowing have begun to take their toll, a creature can use this stone to remove one negative quality inflicted.
A purging stone can only be used once.
Purple Moss Cost -
Effect A creature consuming this moss gains advantage on saving throws against poison for one hour. If that creature is poisoned,
they are cured.
Quiver Cost 120 souls
Effect A quiver can hold up to 20 arrows.
Rations Cost 80 souls
Effect Rations consist of dry foods suitable for extended travel, including jerky, dried fruit, hardtack, and nuts.
Red Bug Pellet Cost -
Effect A pill created from a decoction of red bug chitin. As an action, a player character can consume one. The pellet grants resistance
to fire damage for one minute.

Rope Cost 100 souls
Effect A coil of rope, whether made of hemp or silk, measures 60 feet has 2 hit points and can be burst with a DC 17 Strength check.
Rotten Pine Resin Cost 200 souls
Effect You can use this poisonous resin to coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to three pieces of ammunition. Applying the
resin takes an action. A creature hit by the poisoned weapon or ammunition must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw
or take 1d6 poison damage. Once applied, the poison retains potency for one minute before drying.
Tinderbox Cost 75 souls
Effect This small container holds flint, fire steel, and tinder (usually dry cloth soaked in light oil) used to kindle a fire. Using it to light
a torch—or anything else with abundant, exposed fuel—takes an action. Lighting any other fire takes one minute.
Torch Cost 10 souls
Effect A torch burns for one hour, providing bright light in a 20 feet radius and dim light in an additional 20 feet radius. If you make
a melee attack with a burning torch and hit, it deals 1 fire damage.
Yellow Bug Pellets Cost 150 souls
Effect A pill, created from the wings of yellow flying bugs. As an action, a player character may take a pellet. This provides a player
character with resistance to lightning damage for one minute.
157

Equipment
—
Armour
I n DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, armour comes in sets,
or suits. When you purchase, or find, a suit of armour, it includes
the helm, armour, gauntlet, and leggings. While in the video games
you might need to find each individual element, here they come all
together. Each armour write-up contains the following elements:
Armour Name The name of this armour set.
Description What makes this armour unique? What is it made

158
from? Which mighty knight wore it in the past?
AC This is the armour’s armour class, giving you the

number creatures need to equal (or beat) when
attacking you in order to successfully hit.
Strength This is the Strength attribute score you need to

possess or exceed in order to be able to wear the
armour and move around. Your Strength must
equal this score before any modifiers gained from
the armour are applied.
Special Effect All armour in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying

Game possesses a special effect; this can be a
boost to an attribute score, or damage resistance,
or something else entirely. These special effects
are not always positive. Choose carefully, and
combine your armour with special effects from
weapons and other equipment to really optimise
your character build!

Alva Armour Cost 1800 souls
Alva, the seeker of the spurned, wore this Special Whenever wearing the Alva Armour, you have
armour in the past. Effect disadvantage on all Wisdom saving throws.
AC 18
Strength 12
Archdeacon Robes Cost 900 souls
It is said there were three Archdeacons in the Special Whenever wearing the Archdeacon Robes, you may
Cathedral of the Deep, all considered delegates Effect choose to regain all casts of one miracle without Long
of the gods. resting. This miracle must be of a level equal to half
your character level, rounded down, to a minimum of
AC 13 + Dexterity Modifier
1st level. This ability can be used once per Long rest.
Strength 11
Armour of Favour Cost 1500 souls
An exquisitely wrought set of armour, depicting Special When wearing the Armour of Favour, you may reroll
the embrace of the mercurial goddess, Fina. Effect one failed saving throw per Long rest.
Strength 11
159
Armour of the Sun Cost 1200 souls
Doubtless worn by a mighty warrior from a Special Whenever wearing the Armour of the Sun, you gain
previous age, this set of armour is finely made. Effect +1 to your Wisdom.
AC 15
Strength 14
Armour of Thorns Cost 1550 souls
Wreathed in thorns, seeming to sprout from Special When wearing the Armour of Thorns, you have
the steel itself, this armour possesses a truly Effect advantage on any checks or saving throws to avoid
murderous look. being grappled. If you are grappled while wearing the
Armour of Thorns, the creature grappling you suffers
AC 15
1d4 piercing damage per round.
Strength 14
Assassin Armour Cost 850 souls
Leather armour, skilfully worked so that it Special When you have advantage on a ranged or finesse attack
remains soft, supple, and, most vitally, quiet. Effect roll you deal an additional 1d6 damage on a successful
attack. If you have the Sneak attack or deadly aim
feature this additional damage applies whenever you
successfully use your sneak attack or deadly aim feature.
Strength -

Antiquated Plain Armour Cost 825 souls
Clothes richly imbued with the residue of Special Whenever wearing Antiquated Plain Armour, you
sorcery, these robes come from a land where Effect may choose to regain all casts of one miracle without
magic is everywhere, soaked into the landscape. Long resting. This miracle must be of a level equal to
half your character level, rounded down, to a minimum
of 1st level. This ability can be used once per Long rest.
Strength 11
Antiquated Robes Cost 900 souls
The robes worn by the final Spear of the Special Whenever wearing Antiquated Robes, you may
Church, these well-made and ornately detailed Effect choose to regain all casts of one miracle without Long
clothes retain an aura of magic. resting. This miracle must be of a level equal to half
your character level, rounded down, to a minimum of
1st level. This ability can be used once per Long rest.
Strength -
Black Armour Cost 1300 souls
Each element of this armour set is derived Special Whenever wearing Black Armour, you deal +1d4
from one of the three mentors of the Sable Effect additional damage while using a weapon with the
Church. finesse property..
Strength -
160
Black Hand Armour Cost 900 souls
Worn by the King’s hunters, the wearers of Special Whenever wearing Black Hand Armour, whenever you
this leather armour are always shrouded in Effect would have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth) check,
darkness. you may choose to automatically succeed instead.
Strength 11
Black Iron Armour Cost 1500 souls
Forged from black iron, of the kind often worn Special Whenever wearing the Black Iron Armour, you are
by the infamous Knightslayer Tsorig. Effect immune to fire damage but you are vulnerable to cold
damage.
AC 18
Strength 16
Black Knight Armour Cost 950 souls
Fire Lord Gwyn’s personal retinue of warriors Special Whenever wearing the Black Knight Armour, you
wore this armour, until they were turned to ash Effect gain an additional +2 Position at the start of every
in the first flame. combat, and gain +1 to your Constitution.
AC 16
Strength 12

Black Leather Armour Cost 950 souls
Designed to ensure the wearer blends into the Special Whenever wearing Black Leather Armour, once per
darkness almost completely, the former owner of Effect Long rest you may choose to begin one combat as
this armour was beloved by all for his skills as a thief. though you had surprised your enemy, irrespective of
whether they succeeded on a Wisdom (Perception)
check.
Strength -
Black Witch Robes Cost 1250 souls
Zullie, the witch who wore these glorious Special Whenever wearing the Black Witch Robes, you gain
purple robes, intended to seduce the famed Effect advantage on all spell attack checks if you’re within 15
wayfarer, Alva. feet of a friendly creature.
Strength -
Brass Armour Cost 1500 souls
Many stories surround the Brass Armour, and Special Whenever wearing Brass Armour, you have resistance
its former owner, a knight known only by the Effect to necrotic damage but -2 to your Charisma score.
soubriquet Darkmoon.
AC 18
Strength 15
161
Brigand Armour Cost 650 souls
Of strange design, but beautifully crafted. Special Whenever wearing Brigand Armour, you gain +1 to
Probably brought to Lothric by one who fled Effect all Dexterity saving throws.
into exile.
AC 11 + Dexterity bonus
Strength -
Catarina Armour Cost 1800 souls
Despite its appearance, the Catarina armour's Special Whenever wearing the Catarina Armour, you suffer
remarkable onion-shape is capable of turning Effect -1 to your Charisma score, but you gain advantage on
aside even the most determined blows. all Strength saving throws.
AC 17
Strength 15
Cathedral Knight Armour Cost 1600 souls
Those who stand as the guardians of the Special Whenever wearing the Cathedral Knight Armour, you
Cathedral of the Deep require the toughest Effect gain advantage on attacks made against creatures of
armour. Huge size or larger
AC 18
Strength 16

Chainmail Armour Cost 900 souls
Flexible, easier to fight in than plate and less Special Whenever wearing Chainmail Armour, you gain +1
expensive, Chainmail remains one of the most Effect to all Constitution saving throws.
effective choices for any warrior.
Strength 13
Cleric Robes Cost 550 souls
It is said that those who wore blue bore Special Whenever wearing the Cleric Robes, you may cast a
important messages and should be assisted in Effect spell as a free bonus action once per Short rest. The
whatever way they required. spell must be of a level equal to half your character level,
to a minimum of 1st level.
Strength -
Conjurator Robes Cost 750 souls
Cunjurators wore these remarkable assemblages Special Whenever wearing Conjurator Robes, you gain
of cloth and steel to enable them to survive in Effect advantage on all Wisdom (Survival) checks.
any conditions.
Strength -
162
Cornyx's Robes Cost 950 souls
Those older pyromancers of the great swamp Special Whenever wearing Cornyx’s Robes, you gain
favour these strange robes. Effect resistance to fire damage. You are also able to speak
the language of the crows. You can communicate with
crows even if they normally wouldn’t be able to speak.
Strength -
Court Sorcerer Armour Cost 1600 souls
In the Profaned Capital, those Sorcerers who Special Whenever wearing the Court Sorcerer Armour, you
served at court wore this armour, marking both Effect gain resistance to all damage caused by spell attacks,
their prestige and offering significant protection. or other magical attacks.
Strength 11
Dancer’s Armour Cost 1800 souls
The creature once known as the Dancer of Special Whenever wearing Dancer’s Armour, you cannot be
the Boreal Valley donned this elegant, refined Effect knocked prone by an enemy creature.
armour.
AC 16
Strength -

Dark Armour Cost 1400 souls
From an ancient and forgotten nation, long Special Whenever wearing Dark Armour, you have advantage
since reduced to ash, this armour is old enough Effect on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
to appear as though it might fall apart at any time.
AC 15
Strength -
Deacon Robes Cost 850 souls
Beautiful vestments of the kind worn by the Special Whenever wearing Deacon Robes, you gain advantage
Cathedral of the Deep’s deacons. Effect on all saves made against demonic creatures.
Strength -
Deserter Armour Cost 1550 souls
Armour befitting the common soldier, if Special Whenever wearing Deserter Armour, you gain
that soldier is a larcenous thug without any Effect advantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks.
semblance of honour.
AC 14
Strength 10
163
Desert Pyromancer Robes Cost 850 souls
Pyromancers who practiced the art in the desert Special Whenever wearing Desert Pyromancer Robes, you
were known for their remarkable abilities, Effect gain resistance to fire damage. You may also reroll one
sending great fans of flame into the air. failed Constitution saving throw per Long rest.
Strength -
Dragonslayer Armour Cost 1700 souls
The armour of Dragonslayer Ornstein, a Special Whenever wearing the Dragonslayer Armour, you are
legendary figure from the age of the gods Effect immune to lightning damage.
themselves.
AC 14
Strength 11
Drakeblood Armour Cost 1400 souls
Worn by those knights who coveted, and Special Whenever wearing Drakeblood Armour, you possess
worshipped, the blood of the great dragons. Effect resistance to piercing damage but you are vulnerable
to necrotic damage.
AC 15
Strength 14

Drang Armour Cost 1500 souls
Made resilient with the addition of geisteel, Special Whenever wearing Drang Armour, you have resistance
this armour is heavy with the weight of the Effect to fire damage.
legacy of the Linking Fire.
AC 15
Strength 14
Eastern Armour Cost 1500 souls
Constructed with the care and precision, this Special When wearing Eastern Armour, you have resistance
suit of armour is as beautiful to look at as it is Effect to slashing damage.
difficult to pierce.
AC 15
Strength 12
Elite Knight Armour Cost 1500 souls
Astora has long since fallen into darkness. Special Whenever wearing the Elite Knight armour, you gain
Remnants of its greatness linger on; this suit Effect additional temporary Position equal to your level at
of armour is one such example. the start of every combat.
AC 12 + Dexterity modifier
Strength -
164
Evangelist Robes Cost 850 souls
Worn by the brave women dispatched from Special Whenever wearing the Evangelist Robes, you gain
the cathedral into the mass of the undead. Effect advantage on all Charisma checks.
Strength 11
Executioner Armour Cost 700 souls
Before it was worn by Horace the Hushed, this Special Whenever wearing the Executioner Armour, you gain
armour was claimed by an executioner. Effect advantage on all attacks made against creatures with
less than half their starting Position.
AC 15
Strength 13
Exile Armour Cost 475 souls
Those who guarded Farron’s keep named Special Whenever wearing the Exile Armour, you gain +2 AC
themselves ‘watchdogs’. Effect if there are no friendly creatures within 20ft of you.
AC 18
Strength 15

Faraam Armour Cost 2000 souls
A legendary suit of armour, worn by an order Special Whenever wearing the Faraam Armour, you gain an
of Lion Knights, many have sought to don Effect additional 1d6 Position back whenever you take a
such august protection. draught from your Estus Flask.
AC 15
Strength 13
Fallen Knight Armour Cost 1200 souls
A once-proud order of knights wore armour Special Whenever wearing the Fallen Knight Armour, you
such as this, though that was a long time ago Effect gain resistance to fire damage.
now.
AC 18
Strength 15
Firelink Armour Cost 850 souls
Twisted, tortured by fire, the Firelink armour Special Whenever wearing the Firelink Armour, you regain
is crafted in imitation of the Lords of Cinder. Effect additional position equal to half your proficiency
rounded down, when you spend a position dice as
part of a Short rest.
AC 15
Strength 11
165
Fire Keeper Robes Cost 1800 souls
Those who cherished darkness, giving Special Whenever wearing Fire Keeper Robes, you are immune
themselves to it utterly, wore these black robes Effect to fire damage, but suffer -1 to your Strength score.
to prove their devotion.
Strength -
Fire Witch Armour Cost 1350 souls
The witches who carried the Profaned Flame Special Whenever wearing the Fire Witch Armour, you are
wore this armour to lead the Pontiff ’s Knights Effect vulnerable to fire damage.
into battle.
AC 18
Strength 12
Follower Armour Cost 1350 souls
Worn by those who ordained themselves the Special Whenever wearing Follower Armour, you gain +1 to
Followers of Farron, this armour is often worn Effect your Strength but suffer -1 to your Intelligence score.
by a group of wandering hollows.
AC 16
Strength 15

Grave Warden Robes Cost 850 souls
These robes are worn by those who were Special Whenever wearing Grave Warden Robes, you make
responsible for dealing with the corpses found Effect all Constitution saving throw at advantage, but suffer
in the Cathedral of the Deep. -2 to your Charisma score.
Strength 11
Gundyr's Armour Cost 850 souls
Belonging to the former champion Gundyr, who Special Whenever wearing Gundyr’s Armour, when there
was defeated in single combat by an unnamed Effect are no friendly creatures within 20 feet of you you
enemy, this steel remains strong and durable. suffer -2 AC.
AC 18
Strength 12
Harald Legion Armour Cost 1400 souls
Twisted, bloated beyond recognition, this Special Whenever wearing the Harald Legion Armour, all enemy
armour was once the choice of the Harald Effect creatures of medium size or smaller attempting to engage
Legion with you must succeed on a DC14 Wisdom saving throw
or be afflicted by the frightened condition, until they
AC 15
succeed on a subsequent Wisdom saving throw.
Strength 14
166
Hard Leather Armour Cost 600 souls
Made from toughened leather, built up layer Special Whenever wearing Hard Leather Armour, you gain
by layer, this armour is surprisingly resilient Effect +1 to your Dexterity score.
and flexible.
Strength -
Havel's Armour Cost 1800 souls
Vast in stature, this armour appears as though Special Whenever wearing Havel’s Armour, you gain +2 to
it was carved from living rock. Effect your Strength score.
AC 20
Strength 20
Herald Armour Cost 1400 souls
Worn by those who bear dire and vital messages Special Whenever wearing the Herald Armour, you have
and designed to provide protection against the Effect advantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks.
buffets of nature, as well as those of the foe.
AC 13 + Constitution modifier
Strength -

Iron Dragonslayer Armour Cost 1600 souls
This armour had long been lost, having slipped Special Whenever wearing the Iron Dragonslayer Armour,
into a swamp after the defeat of its wearer by Effect you have disadvantage on all ranged attacks but gain
the Champion of Ash. resistance to piercing damage.
AC 17
Strength 12
Jailer Robes Cost 750 souls
These beautifully woven robes are those Special Whenever wearing Jailer Robes, you are immune to
donned by the jailers guarding the Irithyll Effect the frightened condition.
Dungeons.
Strength -
Karla's Robes Cost 1750 souls
Once owned by the dark witch, Karla, the taint Special Whenever wearing Karla’s Robes, you gain resistance
of evil remains in the weave. Effect to Poison damage. You gain advantage on saving
throws against becoming poisoned.
Strength -
167
Knight Armour Cost 1400 souls
Hefty, solid plate armour, capable of Special Whenever wearing Knight Armour, you suffer -1 to
withstanding considerable damage but Effect your Dexterity.
requiring great strength to wear.
AC 15
Strength 12
Lapp's Armour Cost 1750 souls
Armour possessed by a mighty warrior Lapp, Special Whenever wearing Lapp’s Armour, you have
though his memory fled from him, leaving Effect disadvantage on all Dexterity saving throws.
him entirely amnesiac.
AC 20
Strength 18
Leather Armour Cost 1500 souls
Made from smooth leather, this set is ideal Special Whenever wearing Leather Armour, you gain
for hunters who wish to move silently while Effect advantage on all Wisdom (Survival) checks, and on
remaining warm on a long trek. all attacks made against beasts.
Strength 11

Leonhard's Armour Cost 1300 souls
Military garb, plainly designed for a noble of Special Whenever wearing Leonhard’s Armour, you gain
considerable wealth, the outfit is woven with Effect resistance to force damage.
filigree and silver thread.
Strength -
Lorian's Armour Cost 1500 souls
Prince Lothric’s brother had this armour made Special Whenever wearing Lorian’s Armour, you gain
for him, and its exquisite workmanship testifies Effect advantage on all Charisma (Intimidate) checks, but
to the exalted position of its previous owner. you make all Wisdom saves with disadvantage.
AC 17
Strength 14
Lothric Knight Armour Cost 1450 souls
Somewhat worn, but still more than serviceable, Special Whenever wearing the Lothric Knight Armour, you
this armour is the distinctive choice of the Effect gain additional temporary Position equal to your
Knights of Lothric. proficiency bonus at the start of every combat.
AC 16
Strength 12
168
Maiden Robes Cost 850 souls
All maidens who travel across Lothric don Special Whenever wearing Maiden Robes, you gain +1 to your
some version of this soft white garment. Effect Wisdom ability score.
Strength -
Master's Robes Cost 1550 souls
Tattered almost beyond recognition as Special When wearing Master’s Robes, once per Long rest you
clothing, these rags putatively belonged to a Effect may choose to succeed on a failed Dexterity check or
great swordsmaster. saving throw.
Strength -
Millwood Knight Armour Cost 1300 souls
Inscribed with the ancient symbol of the Special Whenever wearing the Millwood Knight Armour,
Ethereal Oak, this armour was once worn by Effect you gain advantage on all attacks made against beasts.
one of the Knights of Millwood.
AC 15
Strength 11

Mirrah Armour Cost 800 souls
Named after a valiant hollow, whose self was Special Whenever wearing Mirrah Armour, you have
lost but whose name lingers, forever attached Effect advantage on Charisma checks.
to this armour.
Strength 10
Morne's Armour Cost 1900 souls
None know the material from which Morne’s Special Whenever wearing Morne’s Armour, you have
Armour is made. It feels like stone but is light Effect resistance to lightning damage.
enough to be formed into a supple suit of armour.
AC 18
Strength 14
Nameless Knight Armour Cost 1450 souls
While the steel from which this armour is Special Whenever wearing the Nameless Knight Armour,
forged feels thin, it is surprisingly tough. Effect you gain +1 to your Wisdom, but suffer -1 to your
Charisma scores.
AC 16
Strength 13
169
Northern Armour Cost 1000 souls
Immaculately, and ornately, crafted, this set of Special Whenever wearing Northern Armour, you have
armour displays the smithing skills of those Effect resistance to cold damage.
who dwell in the far north.
AC 14
Strength 11
Old Sorcerer Robes Cost 1350 souls
Also worn by Sorcerers trained in the Vinheim Special Whenever wearing the Old Sorcerer Robes, you gain
Dragon School, but older; more traditional. Effect advantage on all Intelligence checks.
Worn by the wisest and most renowned Sorcerers.
Strength -
Ordained Robes Cost 750 souls
Drawn from the painted world beyond this, Special Whenever wearing the Ordained Robes, you gain
these robes were worn by Friede, who was Effect advantage on all spell attack rolls when there are more
drawn to Lothric to protect the weak. hostile creatures than friendly ones with 30 feet.
Strength 11

Outrider Knight Armour Cost 900 souls
Those who used to wear this armour were Special Whenever wearing the Outrider Knight Armour,
crazed, raging warriors, driven mad by the Effect you make all Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks at
gift of the Pontiff ’s eyes. advantage.
AC 14
Strength -
Painting Guardian Armour Cost 950 souls
It is said that those who wear these robes for Special Whenever wearing the Painting Guardian Armour,
too long are gradually absorbed into a painted Effect you gain advantage on any saving throws against
world far beyond this one. magical effects or magical spell attacks.
Strength -
Pale Shade Armour Cost 1350 souls
The garb adopted by those who carry out Special Whenever wearing Pale Shade armour, you gain
executions in the name of the Sable Church Effect advantage on all Intelligence (Investigate) checks.
of Londor.
Strength 11
170
Pontiff Knight Armour Cost 1250 souls
Those who stood as the Pontiff ’s knights are Special Whenever wearing the Pontiff Knight Armour, you
now broken. Nevertheless, those who don this Effect have advantage on all saving throws made against
armour feel the weight of duty upon them. spells or other magical effects.
Strength -
Prayer Robes Cost 1650 souls
Formed from the swaddling clothes of Prince Special Whenever wearing Prayer Robes, you gain resistance
Lothric, these fraying rags are nevertheless Effect to slashing damage, but you make all Constitution
suffused with power. saves at disadvantage.
Strength -
Pyromancer Robes Cost 850 souls
Comprising the furs stripped from the backs Special Whenever wearing Pyromancer Robes, you reduce
of hideous creatures, and bronze designed to Effect any fire damage you receive by 5 to a minimum of 1.
ward off evil.
Strength -

Ringed Knight Armour Cost 1500 souls
Those early men who rose from the darkness Special Whenever wearing the Ringed Knight Armour, you
forged their armour in the abyss. And the abyss Effect gain advantage on attacks against Demons.
clings to the armour still.
AC 16
Strength 12
Ruin Armour Cost 1350 souls
The old king sent his Knights of Ruin to the Special Whenever wearing Ruin Armour you gain advantage
Ringed City. He sent them in this glorious Effect on all Wisdom (Perception) checks, but you make all
armour, to locate the dark soul. None returned. attacks against Giants with disadvantage.
AC 14
Strength 11
Sellsword Armour Cost 1450 souls
Formed from cloth carefully and cunningly Special Whenever wearing Sellsword Armour, you can never
interwoven with strips of metal, this armour Effect be at disadvantage on a Dexterity save.
manages to be light and flexible.
Strength 10
171
Shadow Armour Cost 950 souls
Worn by those from the east who carry death Special Whenever wearing Shadow Armour, you gain
with them, at night, unknown and undetected. Effect advantage on all Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
Strength -
Shira's Armour Cost 1400 souls
Clearly created for the most discerning of Special Whenever wearing Shira’s Armour, you gain +2 to
warriors, this ancient armour is light and Effect your Charisma score.
beautiful.
Strength -
Silver Knight Armour Cost 1450 souls
Protectors of the kings and queens who ruled Special Whenever wearing the Silver Knight Armour, you may
over Lothric and beyond in the long past. The Effect reroll one failed check of your choice per Long rest.
armour gleams, despite its age.
AC 15
Strength 13

Slave Knight Armour Cost 800 souls
The tattered, poorly-made stuff handed out to Special When wearing Slave Knight Armour, you gain
those slave knights forced to fight in endless Effect advantage on all Constitution saving throws at
wars without surcease. advantage.
Strength -
Smough's Armour Cost 1550 souls
When the vast Cathedral was finally breached, Special While wearing Smough’s Armour your speed is halved.
the final knight to stand in its defence was Effect You also make all Initiative rolls at -2.
Smough, who wore this armour.
AC 20
Strength 16
Sorcerer Robes Cost 975 souls
The standard robes of the Vinheim Dragon Special Whenever wearing the Sorcerer Robes, you gain
School, where generations of sorcerers learned Effect advantage on all Intelligence (Arcana) checks.
the secrets of the magical arts.
Strength -
172
Sunless Armour Cost 1400 souls
Woven with the magic of the moon, this Special Whenever wearing Sunless Armour, you gain
mysterious armour grants its wearer unusual Effect darkvision (60 feet).
powers.
AC 16
Strength 13
Sunset Armour Cost 1000 souls
Once possessed by a knight named Hodrick, Special Whenever wearing Sunset Armour, you have resistance
his armour still possesses traces of the bright Effect to force damage, but -2 to your Wisdom score
colours it used to bear. They’ve long since faded.
AC 14
Strength 11
Undead Legion Armour Cost 1450 souls
Those who battled the abyss donned armour Special Whenever wearing Undead Legion Armour, you have
like this, eternally ready to go to war with the Effect an AC of 18 against all undead enemies (you gain the
creatures from the blackness. benefit of shields and any other increases to this AC).
AC 16
Strength 15

Vilhelm's Armour Cost 800 souls
Made entirely in black steel, the armour of Special When wearing Vilhelm’s Armour, you have advantage
Vilhelm reeks of the dying. Effect on all checks and saving throws to avoid or escape
being grappled.
AC 15
Strength 12
Winged Knight Armour Cost 1700 souls
Armour worn by those heretical few who Special Whenever wearing the Winged Knight Armour, if
swore themselves to the angels and were exiled Effect you become bloodied, you may make an additional
from Lothric as a result. reaction every turn. This only lasts until you are no
longer bloodied.
AC 16
Strength 12
Wolf Knight Armour Cost 1650 souls
The owner of this suit of armour remains, even Special Whenever wearing Wolf Knight Armour, you gain
in death, anonymous. The suit is tainted by Effect resistance to all damage inflicted by beasts.
wolves’ blood and the scent of rancid flesh.
AC 15
Strength -
173
Worker Robes Cost 900 souls
The grim uniform of those who carry out the Special Whenever wearing Worker Robes, you gain +2 to your
dissection and disposal of the undead in their Effect Constitution score, but you make all Charisma checks
settlements. at disadvantage.
Strength -
Xanthous Armour Cost 950 souls
Strangely crafted armour, of a yellowish hue. It Special Whenever wearing the Xanthous Armour, you make
is said that those who wore it sought a magical Effect all Intelligence (History) checks at advantage.
means of controlling light.
AC 15
Strength 11

Equipment
—
Shields
A key part of any warrior’s defence, shields are available in a vast
array of styles, and shapes, and each rendered from different
materials. Choose the one which suits your fighting style best,
offering you the combination of abilities your character requires.
Shield Name The name of this shield.
Description A few brief details relating the shield’s qualities,

174
and sometimes, its history.
AC This is the additional AC granted by using

this shield. This is combined with the AC of
your armour, and Dexterity if appropriate, and
becomes your total AC.
Strength This is the minimum Strength attribute score

needed to lift and use the shield effectively.
Special Effect All shields in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying

Game possesses a special effect; this can be a
boost to an attribute score, or damage resistance,
or something else entirely.

Equipment
—
Small Shields
Buckler Cost 200 souls
Small, compact, and designed to allow a skilled Special When using the Buckler you may make an additional
fighter to turn aside an attack, the buckler is a Effect reaction once per Short rest.
common choice for duellists.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Caduceus Round Shield Cost 200 souls
Painted with a design of twin snakes, each Special When using the Caduceus Round Shield, once per
rearing up; one of the ancient symbols of those Effect Long rest you may spend 1 Position to reroll one failed
who dwelled in the swamp. Dexterity saving throw.
Type Small Shield
Strength 10 AC +1
175
Crimson Parma Cost 200 souls
The bright red daubings on this shield Special When using the Crimson Parma Shield, once per long
represent the blood of those warriors whose Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to deal an additional
lives were spilled out in front of it. +1d3 damage on a single attack.
Type Small Shield
Strength 10 AC +1
Eastern Iron Shield Cost 200 souls
Heavy and durable, with a design etched into Special When using the Eastern Iron Shield, once per Long
it indicating its eastern provenance, this shield Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to gain +2 to your next
is worthy of a warrior attack roll.
Type Small Shield
Strength 12 AC +1
Elkhorn Round Shield Cost 200 souls
A stout wooden shield, elaborately decorated Special When using the Elkhorn Shield, once per Long rest
with depictions of blue antlers. Effect you may spend 1 Position to ignore difficult terrain
for movement.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1

Ghru Rotshield Cost 200 souls
Tainted with noxious substances, this battered Special When using the Ghru Rotshield, once per Long
old shield has clearly been reclaimed from the Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to prevent becoming
swamp by Ghru. poisoned.
Type Small Shield
Strength 10 AC +1
Golden Falcon Shield Cost 200 souls
Ornately crafted, this golden shield resembles Special When using the Golden Falcon Shield, once per
a bird of prey, its wings outstretched. Effect Long rest you may spend 1 Position to gain +2 to
your Charisma for one round.
Type Small Shield
Strength 12 AC +1
Hawkwood's Shield Cost 200 souls
A deserter from the undead legion once Special When using Hawkwood’s Shield, once per Long
wielded this shield; a peculiar fact, given the Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to reroll one failed
Watchers eschewed shields. Constitution saving throw.
Type Small Shield
Strength 11 AC +1
176
Iron Round Shield Cost 200 souls
Well made, this iron shield is tougher than Special When using the Iron Round Shield, once per Long
most shields of its size. Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to reroll a failed
Strength save.
Type Small Shield
Strength 11 AC +1
Leather Shield Cost 200 souls
Light, easy to use, and resilient, this might Special When using the Leather Shield, once per Long rest
not withstand prolonged assault, but it’ll turn Effect you may spend 1 Position to make a bonus dash action.
aside an attack.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Llewellyn Shield Cost 200 souls
The glimmer when held under light shows this Special When using the Llewellyn Shield, once per Long rest
shield is made of Geist steel. It’s a remarkable Effect you may spend 1 Position to gain +2 to your AC for
piece of work. one round.
Type Small Shield
Strength 12 AC +1

Plank Shield Cost 200 souls
Made by someone desperate, this is just a Special When using the Plank Shield, you gain +2 Position
collection of wooden planks and nails. It could Effect at the start of every combat. If an enemy ever scores a
fall apart at any time. Critical hit against you, the plank shield is broken and
cannot be repaired.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Red and White Shield Cost 200 souls
Immediately recognisable, with its red and Special When using the Red and White Shield, once per
white alternating design, the red and white Effect Long rest you may spend 1 Position to reroll one failed
shield is durable and effective. Wisdom saving throw.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Sacred Bloom Shield Cost 200 souls
The centre of the shield is adorned with a Special When using the Sacred Bloom Shield, once per Long
beautifully engraved blossom, claimed to be Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to gain resistance to fire
a sacred flame. damage for one round.
Type Small Shield
Strength 11 AC +1
177
Small Leather Shield Cost 200 souls
Covered over with stout leather, this small Special When using the Small Leather Shield, once per
shield is ideal for parrying incoming attacks. Effect Long rest you may spend 1 Position to reduce any
bludgeoning damage you receive from a single attack
by half.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Target Shield Cost 200 souls
Four rounded protrusions emanate from this Special When using the Target Shield, the first time during
shield’s surface, capable of deflecting even the Effect a combat you would suffer damage, you may instead
most brutal of blows. spend 2 Position to make a parry reaction.
Type Small Shield
Strength - AC +1
Warrior's Round Shield Cost 200 souls
The double-bladed axe, painted onto the wood, Special When using the Warrior’s Round Shield, once per
tells you all you need to know about this shield, Effect Long rest you may spend 1 Position to reduce damage
and for whom it was intended. from a ranged attack by half.
Type Small Shield
Strength 11 AC +1

Equipment
—
Standard Shields
Black Knight Shield Cost 300 souls
The nomadic warriors known as the Black Special When using the Black Knight Shield, once per Short
Knights were famed for their battles; their Effect rest you may spend 2 Position to reduce the fire
shields became highly effective against fire. damage suffered from one attack by half.
Type Standard Shield
Strength 14 AC +2
Blue Wooden Shield Cost 300 souls
ht, wooden shield; its blue colour is striking, as Special When using the Blue Wooden Shield, once per Short
are the distinctive white diamonds at the top. Effect rest you may spend 2 Position to gain advantage on a
Constitution saving throw.
Strength 11 AC +2
178
Carthus Shield Cost 300 souls
Made from leather, and badly worn, this was Special When using the Carthus Shield, once per Short rest
once used by a warrior of Carthus. Effect you may spend 2 Position to gain advantage on one
Dexterity check.
Strength 11 AC +2
Crest Shield Cost 300 souls
Beautifully engraved with the crest of an Special When using the Crest Shield, once per Long rest, you
ancient, long deceased family, this shield is Effect may spend 2 Position to become immune to necrotic
powerfully enchanted. damage until the start of your next turn.
Strength 16 AC +2
Dragon Crest Shield Cost 300 souls
Engraved with the image of a sinuous dragon, Special When using the Dragon Crest Shield, once per Short
poised to strike, this shield is ideal for a knight. Effect rest you may spend 1 Position to gain advantage on
all attacks made against a dragon until the start of
your next turn.
Strength 14 AC +2

East-West Shield Cost 300 souls
Decorated with two eagles, facing away from Special When using the East-West Shield, once per Long rest
one another. This shield is light, but resilient. Effect you may spend 3 Position to change your Initiative
from ‘slow’ to ‘fast’ or vice versa.
Strength 12 AC +2
Grass Crest Shield Cost 300 souls
Ornately decorated, this shield is imbued with Special When using the Grass Crest Shield, once per Long
magic, a magic that the bearer feels course Effect rest, you may spend 3 Position to automatically
along their skin the minute they pick it up. succeed on a saving throw against any spell attack
or effect.
Strength 13 AC +2
Golden Wing Crest Shield Cost 300 souls
One of the enchanted blue shields, this Special When using the Golden Wing Crest Shield, once per
example is distinctive because of the golden Effect Long rest, you may spend 2 Position to automatically
wing inscribed across it. succeed on a saving throw against any spell attack.
Strength 14 AC +2
179
Kite Shield Cost 300 souls
Well made, and ideal for defending against Special When using the Kite Shield, once per Short rest you
an array of attacks, this is the most typical of Effect may spend 2 Position to gain advantage on one saving
shields. throw of your choice.
Strength 11 AC +2
Knight Shield Cost 300 souls
A shield borne by knights, as they venture into Special When using the Knight Shield, once per Short rest
battle. Effect you may spend 2 Position to increase your AC by +4
for one round.
Strength 12 AC +2
Lothric Knight Shield Cost 300 souls
Unique to the Knights of Lothric, this shield Special When using the Lothric Knight Shield, once per Long
is designed for their particular martial style. It Effect rest you may spend 2 Position to become immune to
is of particular use against lightning. lightning damage for one round.
Strength 14 AC +2

Pierce Shield Cost 300 souls
A shield which bulges outwards, and bears, at Special When using the Pierce Shield, once per Short rest
its centre, a lethal spike, used by its wielder to Effect you may spend 2 Position to deal an extra d8 piercing
drive the enemy back. damage upon making a successful attack.
Strength 14 AC +2
Pontiff Knight Shield Cost 300 souls
Borne into battle by those who followed the Special When using the Pontiff Knight Shield, once per Short
Pontiff, this shield is imbued with a strange, Effect rest, you may spend 2 Position to reduce the cold
gelid aura. damage suffered from one attack by half.
Strength 14 AC +2
Porcine Shield Cost 300 souls
Shaped, with unsettling accuracy, in imitation Special When using the Porcine Shield, once per Long rest,
of a pig’s head, this shield mocks those who Effect when you have successfully killed a creature, you may
would fight its barer. spend 2 Position to charge up to 20ft towards a hostile
creature, and make a melee attack if in range.
Strength 14 AC +2
180
Shield of Want Cost 300 souls
The shield bears a curse placed upon a king in Special When using the Shield of Want, once per Long rest
the long ago of the world; thus were matters Effect you may spend 2 Position to gain +100 souls after
settled in those days. successfully killing an enemy creature.
Strength 14 AC +2
Silver Eagle Kite Shield Cost 300 souls
A well balanced shield, inscribed with the Special When using the Silver Eagle Kite Shield, once per
striking image of a silver eagle in flight. Effect Short rest you may spend 2 Position to gain advantage
on one check of your choice.
Strength 13 AC +2
Silver Knight Shield Cost 300 souls
Heavy, both with the legacy of the knights Special When using the Silver Knight Shield, once per Short
who carried it, this shield retains the blessings Effect rest you may spend 2 Position to gain advantage on a
of the goddess the silver knights once served. melee attack made against a demonic creature.
Strength 15 AC +2

Spider Shield Cost 300 souls
The image of the spider scrawled across the Special When using the Spider shield, once per Long rest you
shield is troubling enough, but the scent of Effect may spend 2 Position to become immune to poison
blood from this shield is even worse. damage for one turn.
Strength 13 AC +2
Spiked Shield Cost 300 souls
Once the possession of the infamous Knight Special When using the Spiked Shield, once per Short rest,
of Thorns, this shield is thick with thorns and Effect you may spend 2 Position to prevent being grappled
spikes. and deal 1d4 piercing damage to the creature making
the attempt.
Strength 14 AC +2
Spirit Tree Crest Shield Cost 300 souls
A spirit tree is etched into the shield’s surface, Special When using the Spirit Tree Crest Shield, once per
its branches spreading out across the steel. Effect Short rest, you may spend 2 Position to reduce the
lightning damage suffered from one attack by half.
Strength 13 AC +2
181
Stone Parma Cost 300 souls
Made entirely from stone, and as heavy as one Special When using the Stone Parma, you cannot be petrified,
might expect as a result, this shield was carved Effect and, once per Short rest, you may spend 2 Position to
by an ancient knight who himself petrified. become immune to the paralysed condition until the
end of your next turn.
Strength 18 AC +2
Sunlight Shield Cost 300 souls
Once used by the Knights of Sunlight, this Special When using the Sunlight Shield, once per Short rest
shield is emblazoned with an image of the sun, Effect you may spend 2 Position to gain immunity to the
spreading its light into any darkness. blind condition for one hour.
Strength 13 AC +2
Sunset Shield Cost 300 souls
With its beautifully wrought imagery of the Special When using the Sunset Shield, once per Short rest
reddening, setting sun, this shield was made Effect you may spend 2 Position to gain darkvision (90 feet)
for the Holy Knights of the Sunless Realms. for two hours.
Strength 13 AC +2

Wargod Wooden Shield Cost 300 souls
Made from wood, but banded with metal, this Special When using the Wargod Wooden Shield, once per
is a redoubtable shield. Its bizarre markings Effect Short rest you may spend 2 Position to ignore the
memorialise a mad god. effects of one spell that triggers a Wisdom saving
throw.
Strength 13 AC +2
Wooden Shield Cost 300 souls
An elongated wooden shield, decorated with Special When using the Wooden Shield, once per Short rest
the image of a white dragon, curling in on Effect you may spend 1 Position to move up to 10 ft after
itself. making a successful attack, without incurring an
opportunity attack.
Strength 10 AC +2
Equipment
—
Greatshields
182
Ancient Dragon Greatshield Cost 400 souls
With a beautiful painting set into the steel of Special When using the Ancient Dragon Greatshield, once
the shield, it is impossible to gaze upon this Effect per Long rest you may spend 3 Position to regain 2
and not feel the loss of the majestic creatures. dice worth of Position.
Type Greatshield
Strength 18 AC +3
Black Iron Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Forever associated with the dreaded Special When using the Black Iron Greatshield, once per
Giantslayer Tsoring, the black iron of this Effect Short rest you may spend 2 Position to avoid being
greatshield is beautifully decorated. knocked prone.
Type Greatshield
Strength 18 AC +3
Bonewheel Shield Cost 400 souls
No true shield, but a cart wheel that those with Special When using the Bonewheel Shield, once per Long
sufficient strength can repurpose should they Effect rest you may spend 3 Position to deliver an additional
need to. Just beware of the gaps between the spokes. +1d10 slashing damage upon making a successful
melee attack.
Type Greatshield
Strength 19 AC +3

Cathedral Knight Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Huge, bulky, and forged from iron, this shield Special When using the Cathedral knight Greatshield, once
was used by those who stood against the Effect per Long rest you may spend 2 Position to become
endless waves of darkness from the deep. immune to acid damage.
Type Greatshield
Strength 18 AC +3
Curse Ward Greatshield Cost 400 souls
So heavy as to be impossible for some to lift, Special When using the Curse Ward Greatshield, once
this shield was given to those who sought to Effect per Long rest you may spend 3 Position to become
resist the curse. immune to damage from spell attacks for one turn.
Type Greatshield
Strength 20 AC +3
Dragonslayer Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Melted but still functional, this shield formed Special When using the Dragonslayer Greatshield, once
part of a suit of armour designed for the killing Effect per Long rest you may spend 3 Position to become
of dragons. immune to lightning damage until the end of your
next turn.
Type Greatshield
Strength 16 AC +3
183
Greatshield of Glory Cost 400 souls
Adorned with flowing whorls, curling in and Special When using the Greatshield of Glory, once per Short
away from one another, this shield was made Effect rest, you may spend 3 Position to give a friendly
to commemorate some ancient victory. creature within 30 feet advantage on their next ability
check, saving throw or attack roll.
Type Greatshield
Strength 16 AC +3
Havel's Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Carved from a single piece of stone and said Special When using Havel’s Greatshield, once per Long rest
to once have belonged to Havel the Rock, this Effect you may spend 3 Position to add +6 to your Strength
shield retains elements of his great power. score until the start of your next turn.
Type Greatshield
Strength 20 AC +3
Lothric Knight Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Adorned with the holy symbol, this shield Special When using the Lothric Knight Greatshield, once per
remains immaculate, as should anything Effect Short rest you may spend 3 Position to add +8 to your
carried by the legendary knights of Lothric. AC until the start of your next turn.
Type Greatshield
Strength 18 AC +3

Moaning Shield Cost 400 souls
The shield bears the face of Eygon of Carim’s Special When using the Moaning Shield, once per Long rest
sister. This was his shield, and his sister Effect you may spend 3 Position to take the damage from a
guarded him from harm. For a while. single attack made against a friendly creature within
15 feet of you as a reaction.
Type Greatshield
Strength 17 AC +3
Stone Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Less a shield than an enormous stone disc, its Special When using the Stone Greatshield, once per Long
details obscured by moss. Effect rest, you may spend 3 Position to gain resistance to
magical attacks (and spell attacks) for the duration
of one combat.
Type Greatshield
Strength 20 AC +3
Twin Dragon Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Astonishingly light for its size, this greatshield Special When using the Twin Dragon Greatshield, once
is made from wood and steel. Its image of two Effect per Short rest you may spend 2 Position to force
dragons makes it immediately memorable. your opponent back by up to 10 feet after making a
successful attack.
Type Greatshield
Strength 15 AC +3
184
Wolf Knight's Greatshield Cost 400 souls
Once the possession of a knight who was Special When using the Wolf Knight’s Greatshield, once
tainted by the abyss, and master of the wolf ’s Effect per Long rest you may spend 4 Position to become
blood of old Farron. immune to one type of damage of your choice until
the end of your next turn.
Type Greatshield
Strength 18 AC +3
Yhorm’s Greatshield Cost 400 souls
A shield once belonging to the mighty, and Special When using Yhorm’s Greatshield, once per Long rest
fearsome, Yhorm. Anyone who carries this Effect you may spend 3 Position to force all enemy creatures
shield bares with them a legacy of bravery. within 20 feet to succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom save
or become frightened of you until the end of your
Type Greatshield
next turn.
Strength 20 AC +3

185

Equipment
—
Weapons
N o one hoping to survive long in Lothric goes unarmed. After
all, here even the plant life might try and kill you. Fortunately,
Lothric possesses a history riven with conflict, and as a result,
weapons are always plentiful.
In DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, each weapon offers a

different combination, and different set of abilities for the character
wielding it. These abilities can be combined with those of armour
and shields to create the kind of character you want. There are few
hard limits on which weapons a character may use, so characters can
become extremely powerful. And they’re going to need to be!
186
Each of the weapons listed below possesses certain qualities and
properties:
Name The weapon’s name.
Strength This is the Strength attribute score you need to

possess to be able to use the weapon effectively. Your
Strength must equal or exceed this score before any
modifiers gained from armour are applied.
Damage This is the amount and type of damage the

weapon inflicts on a successful attack.
Weapon Many Weapons have special Properties related to

Properties their use, as shown in the Weapons table.
Special Every weapon possesses a special skill or ability,

unlocked through spending Position.

Weapon Properties
Ammunition Finesse
You can use a weapon that has the Ammunition property When making an attack with a finesse weapon, you may choose
to make a ranged attack only if you have ammunition to fire to use either your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack
from the weapon. Each time you attack with the weapon, you and damage rolls. You must use the same modifier for both rolls.
expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammunition
from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack, and
therefore you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon.
At the end of the battle, you can recover half your expended
ammunition by taking a minute to Search the battlefield. If Heavy
you use a weapon that has the Ammunition property to make
a melee attack, you treat the weapon as an Improvised Weapon Small creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls with heavy
(see “Improvised Weapons” later in the section). weapons. A heavy weapon’s size and bulk make it too large for
a Small or Tiny creature to use effectively.
Improvised Weapons Light
Sometimes characters don’t have their weapons and must attack A light weapon is small and easy to handle, making it ideal for
with whatever is at hand. An improvised weapon includes any use when fighting with two weapons.
object you can wield in one or two hands, such as a shard of
broken glass, a table leg, or whatever else comes to hand.
Often, an improvised weapon is similar enough to an actual

weapon to be treated as such. For example, a table leg is akin to a
club. At the GM’s discretion, a character proficient with a weapon Loading
can use a similar object as if it were that weapon and use his or
her proficiency bonus. Because of the time required to load this weapon, you can fire
187
only one piece of ammunition from it when you use an action,
An object that bears no resemblance to a weapon deals 1d4 bonus action, or reaction to fire it, regardless of the number of
damage (the GM assigns a damage type appropriate to the attacks you can normally make.
object). If a character uses a ranged weapon to make a melee
attack, or throws a melee weapon that does not have the thrown
property, it also deals 1d4 damage. An improvised thrown
Reach
weapon has a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet.
This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it,
as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks
with it.
Thrown Range
If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon A weapon that can be used to make a ranged attack has a range in
to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use parentheses after the ammunition or thrown property. The range
the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that lists two numbers. The first is the weapon’s standard range in feet,
you would use for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, and the second indicates the weapon’s long range. When attacking
if you throw a handaxe you use your Strength, but if you throw a a target at long range, you have disadvantage on the attack roll, and
dagger you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since you can’t attack a target beyond the weapon’s long range.
the dagger has the finesse property.
Versatile Two-Handed
This weapon can be used with one or two hands. A damage value This weapon requires two hands when you attack with it.
in parentheses appears with the property—the damage when the
weapon is used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Equipment
—
Daggers
Aquamarine Dagger Cost 350 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position before making an attack roll to give
this weapon the reach property for the duration of
Strength 11
the attack.
Damage 1d4 piercing
Properties Finesse, light, thrown (20/60)
Bandit's Knife Cost 250 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position to move 10 feet in any direction after
a successful attack.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing
Properties Finesse, light
188
Brigand Twindaggers Cost 450 souls
Strength -
Damage 1d4 slashing
Corvian Greatknife Cost 300 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to give that
creature disadvantage on its next roll.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 slashing
Properties Finesse,
Dagger Cost 150 souls
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing

Handmaid's Dagger Cost 250 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to give that
creature disadvantage on its next roll.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing
Harpe Cost 250 souls
Strength -
Damage 1d4 slashing
Mail Breaker Cost 250 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce

enemy’s AC by -2 on your next attack against them.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing
Properties Finesse
189
Murky Hand Scythe Cost 300 souls
Strength -
Damage 1d6 slashing
Parrying Dagger Cost 200 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 1 Position to add +1 to your AC after a

successful attack until the start of your next turn.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 slashing
Rotten Ghru Dagger Cost 150 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 3 Position to deal an additional 1d4 poison

damage on a successful attack.
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing

Scholar's Candlestick Cost 200 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 1 Position to turn this candlestick into a torch,
providing bright light in a 20 feet radius and dim light
Strength -
in an additional 20 feet radius. This effect lasts for one
Damage 1d6 bludgeoning minute.
Properties Finesse
Tailbone Shortsword Cost 300 souls
Type Dagger Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal an

additional 1d4 lightning damage to your enemy.
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 slashing
Equipment
—
Straight Swords
190
Anri's Straight sword Cost 300 souls
Type Straight Sword Special If you miss with an attack, spend 3 Position to gain
advantage on your next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d10 slashing
Properties Reach
Astora Straight Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 1 Position to deal +2 damage on a successful

attack
Strength 12
Properties -
Barbed Straight Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to add +1d4
to your next damage roll.
Strength 10
Damage 1d10 piercing
Properties Reach

Broadsword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 1 Position to push an enemy back 5 feet after
a successful attack
Strength 12
Properties Reach
Broken Straight Sword Cost 350 souls

attack
Strength 10
Damage 1d6 piercing
Properties Light
Cleric’s Candlestick Cost 150 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 1 Position to turn this candlestick into a torch,
providing bright light in a 20 feet radius and dim light
Strength -
in an additional 20 feet radius. This effect lasts for one
Damage 1d8 bludgeoning minute.
Properties -
191
Dark Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to move 10
feet in any direction.
Strength 10
Properties Reach
Gotthard Twinswords Cost 600 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 3 Position to gain advantage on your next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Two-handed
Irithyll Straight Sword Cost 350 souls

attack.
Strength 11
Damage 2d6 slashing
Properties Finesse, reach

Long Sword Cost 350 souls

attack
Strength 11
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Versatile (1d10)
Lothric's Holy Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to force your
target to succeed on a Wisdom saving throw with a
Strength 12
DC equivalent to your Strength or become stunned
Damage 1d8 piercing for one turn.
Lothric Knight Sword Cost 450 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 1 Position to push an enemy back 5 feet after
Strength 12
Properties Reach
192
Morion Blade Cost 600 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack made with
this weapon to add +1d6 to your next damage roll.
Strength 12
Properties Reach
Shortsword Cost 300 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal an
additional 1d4 lightning damage to your enemy.
Strength 10
Damage 1d6 piercing
Sunlight Straight Sword Cost 350 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to gain +2
AC until the end of your next turn.
Strength 14
Properties Reach

Ringed Knight Straight Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 2 Position to deal +1d6 fire damage on a
successful attack.
Strength 14
Properties Reach
Valorheart Cost 800 souls
Type Straight Sword Special Spend 4 Position to gain advantage on your next
attack, and deal +1d6 additional damage made with
Strength 14
this weapon if it is successful.
Properties Reach
Equipment
—
Greatswords
193
Bastard Sword Cost 700 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to move 10

Strength 14
Damage 2d6 slashing
Properties Heavy, two-handed, reach
Black Knight Sword Cost 700 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to force

your target to succeed on a DC15 Constitution saving
Strength 14
throw or make their next attack at disadvantage.
Damage 2d6 slashing
Claymore Cost 750 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position to deal +2 damage on a successful

attack.
Strength 15
Damage 2d6 slashing

Drakeblood Greatsword Cost 500 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position to deal +1d4 damage on your next
attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 piercing
Executioner's Greatsword Cost 650 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 4 Position after a successful attack to force your
target to succeed on a Strength saving throw with a
Strength 13
DC equivalent to your Strength, or be knocked prone
Damage 1d10 slashing if they are of size Medium or smaller.
Flameberge Cost 800 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position to deal +3 damage on a successful

attack.
Strength 14
194
Firelink Greatsword Cost 650 souls
Type Greatsword Special As your reaction, you may spend 2 Position after
suffering damage, to move back 5 feet from your
Strength 13
attacker, and deal 1d6 force damage to them.
Damage 1d8 fire damage
Gael's Greatsword Cost 900 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 4 Position after killing an enemy creature to

leap 15 feet in any direction you choose. On landing,
Strength 14
you deal 1d6 force damage to any creature within 10
Damage 1d12 slashing feet of you.
Greatsword of Judgement Cost 600 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position to deal +1d6 necrotic damage on

your next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 piercing

Hollowslayer Greatsword Cost 600 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position to deal +1d4 damage on your next
attack.
Strength 14
Moonlight Greatsword Cost 4500 souls
Type Greatsword Special As your reaction, you may spend 3 Position after
suffering damage, to move back 5 feet from your
Strength 15
attacker, and deal 1d10 force damage to them.
Damage 1d8 slashing
Onyx Blade Cost 500 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d8 fire damage on your
next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 piercing
195
Storm Ruler Cost 650 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position to deal +1d6 lightning damage on

your next attack.
Strength 12
Twin Princes' Greatsword Cost 1100 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 4 Position to deal +1d12 fire damage on your
next attack.
Strength 13
Wolf Knight's Greatsword Cost 800 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position after killing an enemy to leap up to

10 feet towards another enemy creature.
Strength 14

Wolnir's Holy Sword Cost 750 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 4 Position after a successful attack to force your
Strength 15
Damage 2d6 slashing if they’re of size Medium or smaller.
Equipment
—
Ultra Greatswords
Astora Greatsword Cost 700 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position when unengaged to move up to 20

feet towards one enemy creature, and gain advantage
Strength 17
on your first attack against it.
Damage 2d6 slashing
196
Black Knight Greatsword Cost 900 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to push the
targeted creature 5ft in any direction.
Strength 20
Cathedral Knight Greatsword Cost 800 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to push the
targeted creature 5ft in any direction.
Strength 16
Farron Greatsword Cost 750 souls
Type Greatsword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce

an enemy’s AC by -2 until the start of your next turn.
Strength 14
Damage 1d10

Fume Ultra Greatsword Cost 1200 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to drive the
enemy back by 5 feet and gain advantage on the next
Strength 20
attack.
Damage 1d12+1d4 slashing
Greatsword Cost 700 souls
enemy back by 5 feet and gain advantage on your next
Strength 18
attack.
Lorian's Greatsword Cost 850 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d10 fire damage on a
successful attack.
Strength 18
197
Lothric Knight Greatsword Cost 750 souls
enemy back by 5 feet and gain advantage on your next
Strength 17
attack.
Damage 3d6 slashing
Profaned Greatsword Cost 900 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to deal +2d6
fire damage to any creature within 10 feet of you.
Strength 20
Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords Cost 1200 souls
Type Ultra Greatsword Special Spend 4 Position to deal +1d12 fire damage on your
next attack.
Strength 20
Properties Heavy, reach

Zweihander Cost 650 souls
enemy back by 5 feet.
Strength 18
Damage 2d6 slashing
Equipment
—
Curved Swords
Carthus Curved Sword Cost 650 souls
Type Curved Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack, to make a
second attack as a bonus action. The bonus attack is
Strength 12
made with disadvantage.
Damage 1d8 slashing
198
Carthus Shotel Cost 400 souls
second attack as a bonus action.
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 slashing
Crescent Moon Sword Cost 450 souls
Type Curved Sword Special Spend 4 Position after killing an enemy to immediately
make a ranged attack, dealing 1d6 slashing damage, to
Strength 11
any one enemy within 30 feet of you.
Damage 1d6 slashing
Dancer's Enchanted Swords Cost 550 souls
move towards and make a free attack against a different
Strength 11
enemy within 15ft of you in any direction. If this kills
Damage 1d8 slashing that enemy, you may spend 4 Position to move towards
a new enemy and make another attack, and so on.

Demon's Scar Cost 350 souls
second attack as a bonus action
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 fire
Falchion Cost 675 souls
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Follower Sabre Cost 500 souls
Type Curved Sword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to reduce
your enemy’s AC by -2 until the end of your next turn.
Strength 11
Damage 1d8 slashing
199
Painting Guardian's Curved Sword Cost 400 souls
make a free attack against a different enemy within 5
Strength 20
feet of you. If this attack kills the new enemy, you
Damage 1d6 slashing may spend 2 Position to make another attack against
another enemy, and so on.
Pontiff Knight Curved Sword Cost 650 souls
Type Curved Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal +1d6
cold damage on your next attack.
Strength 12
Rotten Ghru Curved Sword Cost 400 souls
Type Curved Sword Special Spend 2 Position to inflict + 1d4 poison damage on
your next attack.
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 slashing

Scimitar Cost 600 souls
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 slashing
Sellsword Twinblades Cost 600 souls
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Shotel Cost 500 souls
second attack as a bonus action. The bonus attack is
Strength 12
made with disadvantage.
Damage 1d6 slashing
200
Storm Curved Sword Cost 500 souls
make a free attack against a different enemy within 5
Strength 12
feet of you. If this attack kills the new enemy, you
Damage 1d8 slashing may spend 2 Position to make another attack against
another enemy, and so on.
Warden Twinblades Cost 550 souls
Strength 11
Damage 1d8 slashing

Equipment
—
Curved Greatswords
Carthus Curved Greatsword Cost 650 souls
Type Curved Greatword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack, to make a
second attack as a bonus action. The second attack is
Strength 14
made at disadvantage
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse, two-handed, reach
Exile Greatsword Cost 700 souls
second attack as a bonus action. The second attack is
Strength 16
made with advantage.
201
Harald Curved Greatsword Cost 725 souls
Type Curved Greatword Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to force your
Strength 16
Damage 1d10 slashing if they’re of size Large or smaller.
Murakumo Cost 650 souls
second attack as a bonus action. This second attack
Strength 14
deals an additional +1d3 slashing damage.
Damage 1d8 slashing
Old Wolf Curved Sword Cost 750 souls
Type Curved Greatword Special Spend 5 Position after making a successful attack to
make a second attack as a bonus action. If the second
Strength 16
attack is successful, you may move up to 15 feet away
Damage 1d10 slashing from your opponent without incurring any attacks of
opportunity.

Equipment
—
Thrusting Swords
Crow Quills Cost 650 souls
Type Thrusting Sword Special Spend 3 Position after killing an enemy creature
to immediately make a ranged attack, dealing 1d4
Strength 10
piercing damage, to any enemy within 40 feet of you.
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Finesse
Crystal Sage's Rapier Cost 600 souls
Type Thrusting Sword Special Spend 1 Position to deal +1d4 damage on your next
attack.
Strength -
Damage 1d6 piercing
Properties Finesse
202
Estoc Cost 500 souls
attack.
Strength -
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Finesse
Irithyll Rapier Cost 650 souls
Type Thrusting Sword Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce
enemy’s AC by -2 on your next attack.
Strength 12
Properties Finesse
Ricard's Rapier Cost 550 souls
Type Thrusting Sword Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to move up
to 10 feet away from your opponent without incurring
Strength 11
any attacks of opportunity.
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Finesse

Rapier Cost 500 souls
attack.
Strength 11
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Finesse
Equipment
—
Katanas
Black Blade Cost 700 souls
Type Katana Special Spend 3 Position to make your next attack with
advantage if your target is bloodied.
Strength 14
Properties Finesse
203
Bloodlust Cost 800 souls
Type Katana Special Spend 2 Position to make your next attack with
advantage if your target is bloodied.
Strength 14
Properties Finesse
Chaos Blade Cost 900 souls
Type Katana Special Spend 4 Position after making a successful attack to

increase your AC for the next turn by +3.
Strength 11
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse
Darkdrift Cost 750 souls
Type Katana Special Spend 4 Position after a successful attack to reduce

your opponent’s AC by -3 until it is dead (one use
Strength 14
per opponent).
Properties Finesse

Frayed Blade Cost 800 souls

reduce your target’s AC by -2 until the start of your
Strength 12
next turn.
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse
Onikiri and Ubadachi Cost 650 souls
Type Katana Special Spend 1 Position to make your next attack at

advantage if your opponent is a demon.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse
Uchigatana Cost 650 souls

Strength 14
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse
204
Washing Pole Cost 550 souls

Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Finesse
Equipment
—
Axes
Battle Axe Cost 600 souls
Type Axe Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to unleash a

war cry. Your opponent must make a DC14 Wisdom
Strength 11
saving throw or be stunned for the next turn.
Damage 1d8 slashing

Brigand Axe Cost 650 souls

Strength 10
Damage 1d8 slashing
Butcher Knife Cost 150 souls
Type Axe Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to decrease

your opponent’s AC by -3 on your next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -
Dragonslayer's Axe Cost 800 souls

Strength 11
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties
205
Eleonora Cost 500 souls

Strength 14
save or be stunned for the next turn.
Hand Axe Cost 450 souls

Strength -
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -
Man-Serpent Hatchet Cost 800 souls
Type Axe Special Spend 4 Position after a successful attack to unleash

a war cry. An enemy you choose within 20 feet must
Strength 13
make a DC12 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned
Damage 1d8 slashing next turn.
Properties -

Millwood Battle Axe Cost 750 souls

Strength 13
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties -
Thrall Axe Cost 550 souls
Type Axe Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to deal +2

damage.
Strength -
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -
Winged Knight Twin Axes Cost 400 souls
Type Axe Special Spend 1 Position to gain advantage on your next attack
if your opponent is bloodied or reduced to less than
Strength 14
half their starting Position.
Damage 1d8 slashing
206
Equipment
—
Great Axes
Black Knight Great Axe Cost 1000 souls
Type Great Axe Special Spend 4 Position after a successful attack to unleash a
Strength 18
saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next
Damage 1d12 slashing turn.
Properties Heavy, two-handed
Demon's Great Axe Cost 850 souls
Type Great Axe Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to deal 1d8
fire damage to all creatures within 20 feet of you.
Strength 14

Dragonslayer Great Axe Cost 950 souls
Type Great Axe Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to deal 1d10
force damage to all creatures within 10 feet of you.
Strength 18
Earth Seeker Cost 850 souls
Type Great Axe Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to trigger
three tremors within 30 feet of you, each centred on a
Strength 15
single point. All creatures within 5 feet of these points
Damage 1d10 slashing must succeed on a DC16 Dexterity saving throw or
be knocked prone.
Great Axe Cost 800 souls
Strength 14
207
Great Machete Cost 900 souls
Type Great Axe Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to decrease
Strength 15
Yhorm's Great Machete Cost 900 souls
Strength 16

Equipment
—
Hammers
Blacksmith Hammer Cost 550 souls
Type Hammer Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to increase

your AC by +2 for the next turn.
Strength 12
Damage 1d4 bludgeoning
Properties -
Club Cost 50 souls
Type Hammer Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to unleash a

Strength -
Properties Light
208
Drang Hammer Cost 450 souls
Type Hammer Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal +3

damage.
Strength 12
Heysel Pick Cost 400 souls
Type Hammer Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to gain

advantage on your next spell attack.
Strength 10
Damage 1d4 piercing
Properties -
Mace Cost 150 souls

Strength -
Properties -

Morning Star Cost 400 souls

Strength 12
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties -
Reinforced Club Cost 100 souls

Strength -
Properties Light
Warpick Cost 500 souls
Type Hammer Special Spend 2 Position after making a successful attack to

switch positions with your target.
Strength 13
Damage 1d6 piercing
Properties -
209
Equipment
—
Great Hammers
Dragon Tooth Cost 900 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to increase
Strength 14
Gargoyle Flame Hammer Cost 600 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 5 Position after a successful attack to unleash
a cone of fire 15 feet in length from your position All
Strength 15
creatures caught in the cone suffer 1d8 fire damage,
Damage 1d8 bludgeoning or half damage if they succeed on a DC15 Dexterity
saving throw.

Great Club Cost 450 souls

Strength 10
Great Mace Cost 550 souls
Strength 16
Great Wooden Hammer Cost 650 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to deal +1
damage and knock your opponent back 5 feet directly
Strength 12
away from you.
Properties -
210
Large Club Cost 400 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to unleash a
Strength 12
Ledo's Great Hammer Cost 850 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d6 piercing damage on
your next attack.
Strength 16
Morne's Great Hammer Cost 750 souls
Strength 18

Old King's Great Hammer Cost 1200 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 5 Position after making a successful attack
to unleash a cone of fire 10 feet in length from your
Strength 17
position. All creatures caught in the cone suffer 1d10
Damage 1d12 bludgeoning fire damage, or half damage if they succeed on a DC16
Dexterity saving throw.
Pickaxe Cost 450 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 2 Position after you’ve taken damage to switch
places with your attacker.
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties -
Quakestone Hammer Cost 900 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 4 Position to force all creatures of Large size
or smaller within 15 feet of you to make a DC12
Strength 15
Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
211
Smough's Great Hammer Cost 1100 souls
your AC by +6 until the end of your next turn.
Strength 15
Spiked Mace Cost 650 souls
Type Great Hammer Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal +3
damage.
Strength 16
Vordt's Great Hammer Cost 800 souls
Strength 16

Equipment
—
Spears and Pikes
Arstor's Spear Cost 500 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Thrown (range 20/60), versatile (1d10), reach
Dragonslayer Spear Cost 450 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to deal 1d10
force damage to all enemies within 10 feet of you.
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
212
Dragonslayer Swordspear Cost 650 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 5 Position after killing an enemy to deal 1d10
force damage to all enemies within 10 feet of you.
Strength 15
Properties Thrown (range 20/60), reach
Drang Twinspears Cost 600 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 3 Position when unengaged to move up to 30
feet towards an enemy and gain advantage on your
Strength 14
first attack against it.
Damage 1d8 piercing
Properties Thrown (range 20/60), two-handed, reach
Follower Javelin Cost 400 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position after a successful ranged attack to
deal +1d4 fire damage.
Strength 12
Damage 1d6 piercing

Four-Pronged Plow Cost 500 souls
Strength 14
Damage 1d6 piercing
Gargoyle Flame Spear Cost 500 souls
feet towards an enemy and deal +1d6 fire damage on
Strength 14
your first attack against it.
Damage 1d6 piercing
Golden Ritual Spear Cost 450 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to gain
advantage on your next magical attack made using
Strength 10
a sorcery spell.
Damage 1d6 piercing
213
Greatlance Cost 850 souls
feet towards an enemy and deal+1d6 damage on your
Strength 16
Properties Reach
Lothric Knight Long Spear Cost 600 souls
feet towards an enemy and deal +1d4 damage on your
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
Lothric War Banner Cost 450 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to raise the
war banner. All friendly creatures within 15 feet gain
Strength 14
advantage on their next attack.
Damage 1d6 piercing
Properties Versatile (1d8), reach

Partizan Cost 550 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d4 bludgeoning damage on
your next successful attack. Your opponent must make
Strength 12
a DC10 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
Damage 1d6 piercing
Pike Cost 750 souls
Strength 14
Properties Heavy, reach, two-handed, reach
Ringed Knight Spear Cost 550 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position each time you are hit by a melee
attack until the start of your turn, you regain 1 position.
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
214
Rotten Ghru Spear Cost 400 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position to deal +1d4 poison damage on your
next attack.
Strength 12
Damage 1d6 piercing
Saint Bident Cost 550 souls
feet towards an enemy .
Strength 12
Damage 1d6 piercing
Soldering Iron Cost 300 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to deal an
additional 1d4 fire damage to your target.
Strength 11
Damage 1d4 fire
Properties Reach

Spear Cost 500 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce
enemy’s AC by -2 on your next attack.
Strength -
Damage 1d6 piercing
Properties Thrown (range 20/60), versatile (1d8)
Tailbone Spear Cost 500 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to deal an
additional 1d8 lightning damage to your target.
Strength 14
Damage 1d8 piercing
Winged Spear Cost 550 souls
Strength -
Damage 1d6 piercing
215
Yorshka's Spear Cost 400 souls
Type Spears and Pikes Special Spend 4 Position after taking damage from an enemy
attack to increase the AC of any friendly creature
Strength 12
within 15 feet by +2 until the start of your next turn.
Damage 1d6 piercing
Equipment
—
Halberds
Black Knight Glaive Cost 1000 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d6 bludgeoning damage on

your next attack. Your opponent must make a DC12
Strength 16
Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone if they
Damage 1d12 slashing are of Medium size or smaller.
Properties Heavy, reach, two-handed

Crescent Axe Cost 700 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to unleash a

Strength 14
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties Reach
Crucifix of the Mad King Cost 750 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to roar into
your enemy’s face. They must make a DC15 Wisdom
Strength 13
saving throw or be knocked prone.
Damage 1d8 slashing
Glaive Cost 1100 souls

Strength 16
Dexterity save or be knocked prone if they are of Large
Damage 1d12 slashing size or smaller.
216
Gundyr's Halberd Cost 900 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 4 Position when no hostile creatures within

10ft of you to move up to 30 feet towards an enemy
Strength 14
and drive them back 10 feet in a direction of your
Damage 1d10 slashing choice.
Halberd Cost 850 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 4 Position when unengaged to move up to 30

feet towards an enemy and deal +1d6 damage on your
Strength 12
Immolation Tinder Cost 800 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 5 Position after a successful attack to shoot a

burst of flame at an enemy within 15 feet of you. This
Strength 12
deals 2d8 fire damage, or half damage if they succeed
Damage 1d8 piercing on a DC12 Dexterity saving throw.

Lucerne Cost 900 souls

Strength 14
Dexterity saving thrown or be knocked prone.
Red Hilted Halberd Cost 900 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to increase

Strength 14
Splitleaf Greatsword Cost 800 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 4 Position if engaged with multiple enemies to

deliver a free bonus attack to an enemy adjacent to you.
Strength 15
Properties Heavy, reach
217
Winged Knight Halberd Cost 750 souls
Type Halberd Special Spend 3 Position to gain advantage on your next attack
and deal +1d8 damage if your opponent is bloodied.
Strength 14
Equipment
—
Scythes
Friede's Great Scythe Cost 500 souls
Type Scythe Special Spend 5 damage upon a Critical hit to deliver an

additional attack as a bonus action.
Strength 12
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties -

Great Corvian Scythe Cost 450 souls
Type Scythe Special Spend 4 Position upon a Critical hit to triple your
damage.
Strength -
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -
Great Scythe Cost 650 souls
Type Scythe Special Spend 3 Position upon a Critical hit to triple your
damage.
Strength 10
Damage 1d8 slashing
Properties -
Pontiff Knight Great Scythe Cost 450 souls
Type Scythe Special Spend 3 damage upon a successful attack to deal +1d6
cold damage.
Strength 10
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -
218
Equipment
—
Whips
Notched Whip Cost 350 souls
Type Whip Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to reduce

your opponent’s AC by -3 until the start of your next
Strength -
turn.
Damage 1d6 slashing
Rose of Ariandel Cost 400 souls
Type Whip Special Spend 1d6 Position after a successful attack to deal
that much damage to an enemy creature within 10
Strength -
feet of you.
Damage 1d6 slashing

Spotted Whip Cost 450 souls

Strength -
turn.
Damage 1d8 slashing
Whip Cost 300 souls

Strength 14
turn.
Damage 1d4 slashing
Equipment
—
Fist and Claws

219
Caestus Cost 300 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to increase
Strength -
Properties -
Claw Cost 350 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to deal +2
damage and knock your opponent back 5 feet directly
Strength -
away from you.
Damage 1d4 slashing
Properties -
Crow Talons Cost 400 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special Spend 5 Position after a successful attack to make a
second free attack .
Strength -
Damage 1d6 slashing
Properties -

Dark Hand Cost 350 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special As a reaction after making a successful attack to restore
Position to a friendly creature within 10 feet, equal to
Strength -
the necrotic damage the Dark Hand dealt.
Damage 1d4 necrotic
Properties -
Demon's Fist Cost 400 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to deal
+1d4 fire damage to your opponent and move 5 feet
Strength -
in a direction of your choice without incurring an
Damage 1d6 fire opportunity attack.
Properties -
Manikin Claws Cost 300 souls
Type Fist & Claws Special Spend 1 Position after a successful attack to move 5
Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing
Properties -
220
Equipment
—
Bows
Black Bow of Pharis Cost 450 souls
Type Bow Special Spend 4 Position after making a successful attack

to make a second free attack. Should this also be
Strength 11
successful, you may then spend 2 Position to make a
Damage 1d4 piercing final free attack.
Properties Ammunition (range 80/320), two-handed
Composite Bow Cost 500 souls
Type Bow Special Spend 3 Position after killing an enemy with a ranged
attack to make a second free ranged attack.
Strength 10
Damage 1d6 piercing

Dragonrider Bow Cost 650 souls
Type Bow Special Spend 3 Position after a successful attack to reduce

your target’s AC by -3 until the start of your next turn.
Strength 13
Properties Ammunition (range 150/600), heavy, two-handed
Darkmoon Longbow Cost 250 souls

Strength 12
Damage 1d6 piercing
Longbow Cost 550 souls

Strength 12
Damage 1d8 piercing
221
Short Bow Cost 450 souls
Type Bow Special Spend 3 Position after killing an enemy with a ranged
attack to make a second free ranged attack.
Strength 11
Damage 1d6 piercing
White Birch Bow Cost 550 souls
Type Bow Special Spend 2 Position when making a ranged attack to

reduce your target’s cover by one step (so, if your target
Strength 12
has partial cover, it counts as having none; if it has full,
Damage 1d8 piercing it counts as having partial and so on).

Equipment
—
Great Bows
Dragonslayer Great Bow Cost 900 souls
Type Great Bow Special Spend 3 Position after making a successful ranged
attack to make a second ranged attack against a second
Strength 15
enemy within 15 feet of, and in a straight line from, the
Damage 1d12 piercing original target, dealing 1d6 piercing damage.
Millwood Greatbow Cost 1000 souls
attack to deal 1d6 force damage to all enemies within
Strength 16
10 feet of the original target.
222
Onislayer Great Bow Cost 800 souls
attack to make a second ranged attack against a second
Strength 15
enemy within 15 feet of, and in a straight line from, the
Damage 1d10 piercing original target, dealing 1d6 piercing damage.
Equipment
—
Crossbows
Arbalest Cost 1000 souls
Type Crossbow Special Spend 3 Position as a bonus action in melee combat to

knock your opponent back 15 feet from you.
Strength 14
Properties Ammunition (range 100/400), heavy, loading, two-handed

Avelyn Cost 550 souls
Type Crossbow Special Spend 2 Position after a successful attack to make a second
free attack, against the same target. Should this be successful,
Strength -
you may spend an additional Position to make a final free
Damage 1d6 piercing attack. Each additional attack deals 1d6 piercing damage.
Properties Ammunition (range 80/320), loading, two-handed
Heavy Crossbow Cost 750 souls

Strength 12
Knight's Crossbow Cost 400 souls

Strength -
Damage 1d4 piercing
223
Light Crossbow Cost 800 souls

Strength -
Damage 1d8 piercing
Repeating Crossbow Cost 550 souls
Type Crossbow Special Spend 3 Position after making a successful attack to

make a second free attack. Should this be successful, you
Strength -
may spend an additional 2 Position to make a final free
Damage 1d6 piercing attack. Each additional attack deals 1d4 piercing damage.
Sniper Crossbow Cost 800 souls

Strength 11

Equipment
—
Staves
Archdeacon Great Staff Cost 300 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position after failing a spell attack roll to gain
advantage on your next attack.
Strength -
Court Sorcerer's Staff Cost 300 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position to deal +1d8 damage on your next
spell attack.
Strength -
224
Heretic's Staff Cost 250 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position to deal an extra +1d6 damage on your
next successful spell attack.
Strength -
Izalith Staff Cost 450 souls
spell attack.
Strength -
Man-Grub's Staff Cost 250 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 2 Position after a successful spell attack to raise
your AC by +2 for one turn.
Strength -

Mendicant's Staff Cost 350 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 1 Position to add +2 to your spell attack bonus
until the beginning of your next turn.
Strength -
Murky Longstaff Cost 400 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 2 Position after a successful spell attack to

render your target vulnerable to necrotic damage for
Strength -
one turn.
Preacher's Right Arm Cost 300 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 2 Position after a successful spell attack to deal
+1d6 piercing damage on your next melee attack.
Strength 12
225
Sage's Crystal Staff Cost 250 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position after a successful spell attack to

reduce your target’s AC by -2 against spell attacks
Strength -
for one turn.
Sorcerer's Staff Cost 200 souls
spell attack.
Strength -
Storyteller's Staff Cost 300 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position gain advantage on your next spell
saving throw.
Strength -

Witchtree Branch Cost 300 souls
Type Stave Special Spend 3 Position to gain advantage on your next spell
attack roll.
Strength -
Equipment
—
Chimes, Flames and Talismans
Caitha's Chime Cost 300 souls
Type Chime Special Spend 4 Position to restore 10 Position to three

friendly creatures within 5 feet of you.
Strength -
Properties Light
226
Cleric's Sacred Chime Cost 250 souls
Type Chime Special Spend 1 Position to restore 5 Position to one friendly

creature adjacent to you.
Strength -
Properties Light
Crystal Chime Cost 400 souls
Type Chime Special Spend 3 Position to restore 10 Position to two friendly

creatures within 10 feet of you.
Strength -
Properties Light
Priest's Chime Cost 300 souls
Type Chime Special Spend 2 Position to restore 8 Position to one friendly

creature within 10 feet of you.
Strength -
Properties Light

Saint-tree Bellvine Cost 350 souls

Strength -
Properties Light
Yorshka's Chime Cost 300 souls

Strength -
Properties Light
Sacred Chime of Filianore Cost 550 souls

Strength -
Properties Light
227
Pyromancer’s Flame Cost 250 souls
Type Flame Special Spend 1 Position after a successful melee attack to deal
+1d4 fire damage.
Strength -
Damage -
Properties Light
Pyromancer's Parting Flame Cost 450 souls
Type Flame Special Spend 4 Position after killing an enemy with a spell
attack to restore one dose to your Estus Flask.
Strength -
Properties Light
Canvas Talisman Cost 300 souls
Type Talisman Special Spend 1 Position when casting a spell that requires
concentration to prevent your concentration being
Strength -
broken by a ranged attack.
Properties Light

Saint's Talisman Cost 400 souls
Strength -
broken by a melee or ranged attack.
Properties Light
Sunless Talisman Cost 450 souls
Strength -
broken by a melee or ranged attack.
Properties Light
Sunlight Talisman Cost 400 souls
Strength -
broken by a melee, ranged or spell attack.
Properties Light
228
Talisman Cost 300 souls
Strength -
broken by a melee attack.
Properties Light
White Hair Talisman Cost 350 souls
Type Talisman Special Spend 1 Position after a successful melee attack to deal
+1d4 fire damage.
Strength -
Properties Light

229

Equipment
—
Rings
230
M agically enchanted, rings are commonly used by those
dispatched on quests to offer additional aid, bolstering their
fortitude, their resolve, and their physical prowess. Against those
forces arrayed before you, any help at all is valuable.
The effects provided a ring is passive and always applies, unless

otherwise noted.
A player character can, as noted in the Encumbrance rules on page

150, only wear two rings at any one time.

Aldrich's Ruby Ashen Estus Ring
Effect If an enemy creature rolls a Critical Effect Increase capacity of your Estus
hit against you, you may reduce it Flask by two doses.
to a normal attack. This effect can
only be used once per Long rest.
Cost 1000 souls Cost 900 souls
Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring Blue Tearstone Ring

Effect Increase the damage of your Effect When you’re bloodied, any
spell attacks by +3. damage inflicted by a successful
attack is reduced by 2 damage.
Carthus Bloodring Carthus Milkring

Effect Gain advantage on all Dexterity Effect Gain advantage on all Dexterity
saves to avoid a ranged attack. saves to avoid a trap.
231
Chillbite Ring Chloranthy Ring

Effect Reduce all cold damage you Effect +1 Constitution.
receive by -2.
Covetous Gold Serpent Ring Covetous Silver Serpent Ring

Effect Gain +20 souls whenever you Effect Gain +10 souls whenever you
earn souls. earn souls.
Darkmoon Ring Deep Ring
Effect Increase your spell attunement Effect Increase your spell attunement
slots by +3. slots by +2.

Dusk Crown Ring Estus Ring
Effect Reduce the Position cost of a Effect Increase capacity of your Estus
spell by -1. Flask by one dose.
Fire Clutch Ring Flame Stoneplate Ring

Effect Increase any fire damage you Effect Reduce all fire damage you
inflict by +2. receive by -2.
Fleshbite Ring Great Swamp Ring

Effect Reduce all cold and poison Effect Increase any fire damage you
damage you receive by -1. inflict by +2.
232
Havel's Ring Hawk Ring

Effect Increase your maximum Effect Increase the maximum range of
encumbrance slots by +1. a ranged weapon by 20 feet.
Hornet Ring Hunter's Ring

Effect When you roll a Critical hit, Effect +1 Dexterity.
triple the damage you deal
instead of doubling it.
Knight's Ring Leo Ring

Effect +1 Strength. Effect Increase any piercing damage
you inflict by +2.

Life Ring Lightning Clutch Ring
Effect Increase your base Position Effect Increase any lightning damage
by +2. you inflict by +2.
Magic Stoneplate Ring Morne's Ring

Effect Reduce all damage you receive Effect Increase any force damage you
from spell attacks by -2. inflict by +2.
Obscuring Ring Poisonbite Ring

Effect You gain advantage on any Effect Gain advantage on all saving
checks related to hiding. throws against being poisoned.
233
Pontiff's Left Eye Pontiff's Right Eye

Effect If you hit an enemy with three Effect If you hit an enemy with three
successful attacks in three turns, successful attacks in three turns,
regain +1 Position. your third attack deals +1d12
damage.
Priestess Ring Red Tearstone Ring

Effect +1 Wisdom. Effect When bloodied, whenever you
make a successful attack, you
inflict 2 additional damage.
Ring of Favor Ring of Sacrifice

Effect Increase your Position by +1 at Effect You do not lose any souls when you
the start of every combat. die. You do not need to roll on the
hollowing effects table when you
respawn.This effect only works once.

Ring of Steel Protection Ring of the Evil Eye
Effect Reduce all damage you receive Effect When you kill an enemy, regain
from melee and ranged attacks +1 Position.
by -2.
Ring of the Sun's First Born Saint's Ring

Effect Increase any force damage you Effect Increase your spell attunement
inflict by +3. slots by +1.
Scholar Ring Silvercat Ring

Effect +1 Intelligence. Effect Reduce any falling damage by half.
Slumbering Dragoncrest Ring Speckled Stoneplate Ring

Effect You gain advantage on all Stealth Effect Reduce all lightning and fire
234
checks. damage you receive by -1.
Thunder Stoneplate Ring Untrue White Ring

Effect Reduce all lightning damage Effect You appear to be a white phantom
you receive by -2. at all times (see page 264 for more
on white phantoms).
Witch's Ring Wolf Ring

Effect Increase any fire damage you Effect Gain advantage on +2
inflict by +3. Dexterity saving throws per day.
Young Dragon Ring

Effect Increase the damage of your
spell attacks by +2.
Cost 1000 souls

Equipment
—
Souls
W hile player characters are most likely to gain souls from killing the many enemies besetting
them on all sides, they can be found in other places too. Searching locations can often reveal
the souls of others who came before, seeking something from the darkness it could not provide. Now
all that remains of them is the fragments available to the player characters—their souls. These can
be used to buy new items, or to contribute towards a player character levelling up exactly as though
they were earned by killing a monster. When Souls are found, they are split between characters as
evenly as possible.
Soul Name Soul Value
Fading Soul 50 souls
Soul of a Deserted Corpse 200 souls
Large Soul of a Deserted Corpse 400 souls
Soul of a Proud Paladin 500 souls
Soul of an Unknown Traveller 800 souls
Large Soul of an Unknown Traveller 1000 souls

235
Large Soul of a Proud Paladin 1000 souls
Sovereignless Soul 2000 souls
Soul of an Intrepid Hero 2000 souls
Soul of a Nameless Soldier 2000 souls
Large Soul of an Intrepid Hero 2500 souls
Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier 3000 souls
Soul of a Seasoned Warrior 5000 souls
Soul of a Weary Warrior 5000 souls
Large Soul of a Seasoned Warrior 7500 souls
Large Soul of Weary Warrior 8000 souls
Soul of a Crestfallen Knight 10000 souls
Soul of an Old Hand 12500 souls
Large Soul of a Crestfallen Knight 20000 souls
Soul of a Venerable Old Hand 20000 souls
Soul of a Champion 25000 souls
Soul of a Great Champion 50000 souls

236

Kindling
the Flame:
A GM’s Guide to Running
DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game
s the Gamemaster, or GM, you have the most

important, the most fun, and the most difficult
job in any roleplaying game. You shape the
world for the players and show them it to them,
guiding them through its darkness. You’re the
characters they meet, the enemies they fight; you gauge how
difficult a task is and work with them to determine both if
they succeed, and what happens next. 237
If a roleplaying game is a piece of music, you’re the conductor,

and this chapter is for you. It’s written with the intention of
assisting you in running DARK SOULS:The Roleplaying Game,
of helping you craft new adventures in the lands of Lothric and
beyond, of working with the esoteric lore of DARK SOULS to
ensure your players’ experience is as mysterious and engaging
as possible, and, finally, giving you optional rules to ensure your
games truly capture the feeling of playing the video game!
Kindle the flames, friend. We have much to discuss.

Kindling the Flame
—
Running a
DARK SOULS Game
In most tabletop roleplaying games, the GM’s role is somewhere between an administrator
of the rules, and a facilitator of the players getting to be cool. The GM is definitely not an
antagonistic position; you aren’t against the players or their characters. The aim is to create and
tell an engaging, fascinating story, in which the player characters are the principal characters.
Of course, things should be challenging—every story requires its moments of conflict and
struggle—but the expectation is, the player characters are going to survive. Their deaths, should
they come, will be heroic.
DARK SOULS doesn’t work that way. The most identifiable single image of the DARK SOULS
video game series is a screen across which the words YOU DIED float eerily. DARK SOULS
is about difficulty; about being challenged. This makes things a bit more difficult for you—the
GM. You need to be constantly placing the players under pressure, hitting them with combat
238 encounters, puzzles, fragments of lore they scarcely understand. But, at the same time, it’s vital
to remember this one fact:
You are not the enemy!
Being the GM, even in a tough, relentless game like DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game, is
not about wanting your player characters to lose. It’s not about wanting to beat them. It’s about
creating the DARK SOULS experience you all most enjoy. So, while the game is designed to
be dark and difficult, you can tweak things however you need to suit your tastes and the tastes
of your players. The rules in this book are as much guidelines as they are laws you must follow;
ensure they work for you.
If you’re an experienced GM, this is all likely to be stuff you’ve read before, but it does bear
repeating. This game can be a tough, relentless grind through the darkness, or it can focus on
exploring, on finding lore, on wandering the ruins of Lothric and on meeting its remaining
denizens. Yes, this is the world of DARK SOULS, but it’s now your world, and your game.
Make it work for you, in the way you and your players want. Work together to make the game
be precisely what you need it to be.

Kindling the Flame
—
Difficulty
Levels
T his game is yours; it’s yours to do what you want with. Yes, the
DARK SOULS video games are infamous for their difficulty,
for their tactical depth, but you don’t have to approach this game in A Note on Tabletop
the same way. As a result, there are certain rules that are particularly Safety & Consent
brutal and unforgiving. This may not be to everyone’s tastes, so it’s
possible to tweak the game to more suit the palates of your players.
These levels of play are described below. Remember, DARK SOULS:
The Roleplaying Game is a toolkit designed to enable you to play
games in the Kingdom of Lothric. It is your game. Anything you DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game is focused on
don’t like, leave out. telling stories of failure, of noble dooms, futile quests and
of kingdoms fallen into ruin. There is hope, of course,
That said, the following guidelines should give you an idea of how to and courage, but horror and gloom are prevailing themes.
tweak your game to make it a little less unforgiving: There’s also a lot of violence. When playing a tabletop
RPG, the focus is on fun, so we recommend sitting down
• Player characters don’t lose their collected souls after death. This with your roleplaying group and establishing what kind
means characters can level up more quickly, and tough combats of game you want to play, and, vitally, if there’s any content
don’t impede the story! any of the group is uncomfortable with. You, as a GM,
can also give some idea of the content you might touch
• Remove the Bloodied condition, ensuring player characters on—especially useful for any players who might not be
aren’t forced to change their tactics and can continue to wear an familiar the bleakness at the heart of DARK SOULS.
opponent down effectively.
We also recommend the use of the X-card, an RPG safety 239
• Creatures can’t spend Position; this robs some of the larger tool designed by John Stavropoulos and published under
creatures of their biggest and deadliest attacks, making them the Creative Commons Attribution license. The X-card
easier to take down. is a means by which players confronted by material they
find upsetting can quickly and safely ask that the game
Use the rules as you want, change the game as you need to. The most continue, but that such content is considered for removal
important thing to remember is this: if you and your players are from the game. More resources can be found using the
having fun, you’re playing the game right! QR code below:
There are many other excellent resources out there to

ensure everyone at your table has fun.
As a final note, it might well be that you don’t feel this

information is necessary for you, or for those gaming with
you. If that’s the case, great! We’ve provided it anyway
because we think it’s valuable and important, and the
conversation with your players can be equally valuable.
Gaming is about the most fun thing you can do, in our
opinion, and anything that promotes and supports this
is a good thing.

Kindling the Flame
—
Lore & Canon
O ne of the most important, and interesting,

aspects of the DARK SOULS games
is its esoteric lore. Hidden around ruined
Lords of Cinder represent, or perhaps how
the events of DARK SOULS III connect to
the actions of Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, from
cathedrals and splintered keeps, or in the DARK SOULS I, then here they are true—if,
gnomic utterances of gigantic snakes and of course, you want them to be.
lonely giants, the player can find hints to
the truth of things. Whether the question to This game attempts to stick as closely to
which an answer is sought is about the nature established canon as possible, without being
240 of the first flame, or the origin of demons, exhaustive. The point is, though, that you
there is likely any number of theories, and can take this game in any direction you want.
scraps of truth, to be located and pored over. Don’t feel compelled to stick to the existing
Things are not laid out easily, though, in a DARK SOULS narratives, explore as you’ve
single large volume. Truth, in the world of always wanted to explore, build your stories in
DARK SOULS in general and Lothric in Lothric and beyond, exactly as you want. Don’t
particular, is difficult to find. It must be hunted, be afraid of breaking canon if it makes your
fought for, and then, interpreted. games better. Like the rules discussed above,
the setting material presented in this volume
This is how DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying is for you to use in the way which best serves
Game approaches things too. The lore your game. Follow your instincts, as GM, and
contained in this book is derived, directly, those of your players, to find new elements of
from the original video games. Nothing is the world around you, devise new villains and
added. We’ve even avoided including our own monsters to confront, and, in general, make
interpretations of the lore, as far as possible. Lothric yours.
But, and this is key, you don’t have to follow
suit. This is your Lothric. If you have carefully
researched theories of precisely what the

241

Kindling the Flame
—
Plot and Goals
I n DARK SOULS, plot isn’t of the utmost

importance. Of course, the story is
fascinating, drawing you in with its mixture
Now, the core activity in these plots is
extremely simple. It focuses on one single
process. The player characters must go and do
of ambiguity and classic quest structure, but it something. We’ve dressed up the plot elements
isn’t a game driven by narrative. It’s far more a little here to make them more immediately
about testing your own skill as a player, and intriguing for you, but in each case, the
about plunging yourself into the ominous fundamental principle of ‘the player characters
world of Lothric. So, how to emulate this in must explore and find something’ holds true.
DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game? Whether they are searching for something to
take away with them, or searching with the
242
The initial step is to focus on small, incremental intention of returning something, or killing it,
quests. These can be incredibly simple: find the the core activity is identical.
key, for example. What the key is for you can
worry about later; establishing something for Most quests possess the same structure, a
the player characters to find, or discover, is a protagonist seeks to achieve something, and
strong first step. A story often doesn’t need undergoes a series of trials and dangers before
much more than a simple hook, like this, to they can do so. DARK SOULS, like many
get started, and you can rely on a combination other video games, films, and novels, utilises
of your player characters and your selection this structure, and it’s a great one to start with.
of enemies to add depth and variety as you
go along. So, when initially planning your Of course, this approach is fine for a single
adventure, think of something interesting, and adventure or for a one-shot game. Exploring
convincingly DARK SOULS, for the player a single location and fighting some interesting
characters to do; a focus for their quest. If enemies… That’s pretty much everything
you’re struggling, use one of the ideas in the you need. There is extensive guidance for
table below, or simply use it to inspire your own. constructing such an adventure below. For
a longer-term campaign, a series of linked
adventures, building over a course of weeks or
months or years, something more is needed,
but we’ll get to that in a little while.

D10 Result Quest Focus
1 Find the key to the ancient oaken door
2 Return the arrow of the sun to its keeper
3 Recover a fragment of an old poem
4 Destroy a dread Lord of Cinder on their throne of onyx
243
5 Locate an ancient painting
6 Find the old knight and learn his story
7 Learn the forbidden song of the Corvians
8 Close the great gate before something comes through
9 Take the great sword from the fangs of the dragon
10 Defeat the giant trying to knock this palace down

Kindling the Flame
—
Building Adventures
S o, you've got an adventure hook. We know what your player

characters need to do. But what about the rest of it? Where do
they explore? What foul denizens of darkness must they fight? And
who aids or hinders them on the way? That's what this section aims
to help you with. So much of DARK SOULS depends upon the
244 setting—each individual section of a DARK SOULS game, after
all, focuses on a new location. An individual adventure in DARK
SOULS: The Roleplaying Game works in the same way. The player
characters find themselves in a single location, and exploring it forms
the key activity; as the players adventure through these individual
locations, they encounter enemies, but they also find clues to the next
stage of their quest… whatever that quest might be.
In the next chapter, The World of Lothric, you can see numerous
examples of the existing environments of Lothric. Look at how
they’re constructed, look at the kind of information you’re provided
before you go in (very little), and at how rich in atmosphere and
colour that scant information is. Much of the fascination of the
lore and world of DARK SOULS stems from the games’ refusal to
explain what’s going on. You must discover and explore for yourself;
that’s a great thing for us to hold onto when we’re building adventures.

245

Kindling the Flame
—
Locations
A n appropriate location is also a good place to start. The key areas in DARK SOULS games
tend to be grand, ancient places. Places once beautiful, or verdant, or wealthy, now reduced
to crumbling, decayed versions of themselves. These places tend to possess extravagant, evocative
names: The Cathedral of the Deep; Firelink Shrine; the Ringed City. Again, the names are
immediately intriguing, but they retain a certain vagueness, a refusal to reveal too much. Below
are some random tables to assist you in generating a potential DARK SOULS location for you
to set your adventures in. Simply roll 1d10 twice, and pick one option from each column, and
you’ll have an authentically esoteric and evocative place name.
D10 Result Location Name
1 Chapel Of the Falling Leaves
246
2 Palace Of Ash & Cinder
3 Monastary Of Carthus
4 Sepulchre Of Anor Londo
5 Keep Of the old Flame
6 Barrow Of Gwyn
7 Mine Of Yhorm’s Wrath
8 Castle Of the Firelink
9 Ruins Of the first Witch
10 Capital Of the Dead King

247

Kindling the Flame
—
Themes
So, once you have your location you’re going break each map up into somewhere between
to want a theme. A theme, in this case, is a 5–10 segments or sections.
consistent set of images and architectural
features you can return to in your descriptions. These are sometimes entirely discrete sections,
It grounds the players in the place, and it kept separate from one another by doors
makes it easy for you to generate interesting or gates the player characters need to get
imagery quickly, and effectively. Of course, through. At other times, they are open, with
most places in DARK SOULS are choked the divide simply one of distance. You can
with darkness, and shadows, so you don’t need divide your location as you see fit, making it
much in the way of guidance on that front, work according to the ideas you might have
when building your descriptions. What can be for your adventure. Think about how long
248 useful is some other, stranger features, included you want your individual adventures to run.
to characterise the location, and bring it to life Five sections probably gives you enough for
for those exploring it. These can help to build a session or more of gaming. A 10-section
the history and nature of the place without the location probably offers enough to explore
player characters needing to be told anything; for two or three sessions.
without having to read a convenient piece
of parchment or speak to a nearby NPC to Determine what it is you and your players
discover what happened here, or so on. Such wants in terms of game length, and what kind
ideas are far more effective if implied, and of story you want this aspect of the game to
gradually formed in the player’s mind, rather communicate—if this adventure is the start
than simply being handed over. So, here’s some of a campaign, a short five area location is
more inspiration to guide your thinking. probably more than enough. Alternatively, if
you’re looking for something to close an epic
Like the previous page, simply roll a d10 on campaign, a 10-section location is probably
the following table. the way to go. An epic adventure, or the
climax of a campaign, deserves something a
So, we have the location of the adventure. little special.
What next? Let’s focus on how long and
challenging should it be? If, again, we turn to
the existing DARK SOULS locations, you can

D10 Result Location Theme
Gargoyles and grotesques leer from every wall,

1 every vault, everywhere!
It rains constantly, leaving puddles in which can be

2 seen the reflections of ancient sins committed here.
Strange, whispered songs can be heard in every room. There are no

3 singers, and the songs are always different to each listene.
Tapestries, depicting the acts of the Lords of Cinder,

4 are suspended from each wall.
Mould grows on every surface, forming obscene 249

5 and sinister shapes as it bulges from the walls.
Torches burn too brightly here, so the shadows

6 stretch further, and the darkness grows deeper.
Smashed glass covers every surface; the location has

7 no windows.
Ancient portraits line the walls, the eyes seeming to

8 watch every action.
Ash blows in through every gap, portal, or vertex in

9 the edifice.
The hands, and fingers, of the dead are nailed to the

10 walls with iron spikes.

Kindling the Flame
—
Encounters
T he next question, of course, is: what are

the player characters going to deal with
as they explore this place? Now, each of the
also nothing wrong with choosing entirely at
random, and creating something with a feeling
of dislocation; of uncertainty. This can be just
Lothric locations in the next chapter comes as effective.
with suggestions for potential encounters, and
a table of random encounters for you, as the A typical DARK SOULS location usually
GM, to draw on when you decide you want features a number of different enemies,
to throw something at your player characters providing players with an array of different
unexpectedly. But, as the chapter indicates, and strategic questions. Building a similar variety
as anyone who plays DARK SOULS knows, you into your games ensures the player characters
don’t encounter every enemy in every location. are going to be challenged. These are the foot
250 soldiers, the mooks or minions, crowding
Visit the Cathedral of the Deep, for example, the table below can be used to either inspire
and you’ll be confronting Pontiff Knights, your choices, or to randomly generate some
not Silver Knights. Picking two or three creatures and opponents for your player
enemies from Chapter Seven: Monsters & characters to deal with. Roll once for each
Antagonists to suit the location is probably column and see what you get!
the best way to go, achieving a genuine feeling
of completeness, of unity. Of course, there’s
We know there are creatures from DARK SOULS I and

DARK SOULS III in the following table - if you prefer
to keep your games strictly connected to only one of these
sources, change things as you prefer! We wanted to offer
lots of choice... and surprises!

D10
Result First Enemy Type Second Enemy Type Third Enemy Type
1 Corvian Darklurker Dragon
2 Cragspider Scarecrows Darkwraiths
3 Hollows Giant Crow Hydra
4 Man-serpent Winged Knights Ice Golem
251
5 Slime Capra Demon Fang Boar
6 Giant Leeches Basilisk Fang Boar
7 Forlorn Stone Knights Scarecrows
8 Silver Knights Giant Mosquito Wretch
9 Bat-winged Demon Skeletons Scarecrows
10 Iron Golem Sewer Centipede Titanite Demon

Kindling the Flame
—
Bosses
D ARK SOULS is famous (or should that be infamous?) for its boss fights. These are mighty
confrontations in which player characters must be constantly seeking to adapt to changes in
attack patterns, avoiding big attacks, and, over time, whittling down the health of their foe. They
are difficult, exhausting conflicts, but they are also hugely rewarding.
Every location in a DARK SOULS game has at least one boss. Larger locations, broken down into
10 or so individual areas, might have two mini-bosses before the final confrontation. This is very
much dependent on you, and on the kind of adventure you’re running. If you’re seeking to really
stretch your player characters, then a mini-boss fight is a great way to do so. Alternatively, if you
want your adventure to be concise, a single boss fight is certain to be enough.
A table below is provided to allow you to either choose a boss suitable for the kind of adventure
you’ve constructed, or to generate one randomly. If you’re selecting a boss, read their write-up in
the bestiary and try and find one suitable for the location you’ve built, or generated. Alternatively,
you can always use their statistics, and surrounding lore, as a basis for designing your own bosses,
building them to be precisely what your adventure calls for.
D10 Result Boss
252
1 Vordt of the Boreal Valley
2 Deacons of the Deep
3 Blackdragon Kalameet
4 Curse Rotted Greatwood
5 Iudex Gundyr
6 Gaping Dragon
7 Yhorm, the Last Giant
8 Demon Prince
9 Artorias
10 Aldrich, Devourer of Gods

253

Kindling the Flame
—
NPCs
T he land of Lothric isn’t just occupied by
hollows, dragons, and monsters. Others,
some unkindled, some still truly alive, still
they met in an inn, wanting to learn everything
about them and taking them on every journey
is somewhere between a treasured memory
dwell in the shadow-haunted remnants of and a faintly exhausting nightmare. The
Lothric. Some might be helpful, possessing DARK SOULS video games work very
insights the player characters can elicit from differently of course, and, as a result, so does
them with enough time and attention. Others the world of DARK SOULS. NPCs are
might prove truculent, or difficult, refusing to unlikely to accompany you on your journey—
help, and potentially even plunging the player some might give you directions or offer you
characters into greater danger, with false a measure of assistance. Others might open
directions, or misleading information. new quests, new aspects of the game, but the
capacity to interact with them is limited.
DARK SOULS focuses a great deal on
exploration, and on combat. Non-player Again: this is not the case in DARK SOULS:
characters form an important counterpoint The Roleplaying Game. As a result, it’s
to this dynamic, adding a new focus—social important for you, as the GM, to know how
interaction—but also providing an alternative you want to utilise NPCs. Do you want to
254 perspective on the events the player characters keep them as confined to the fringes of the
might encounter, or on the information they game as the video game does? Or are you
might glean bout the world as they venture going to let the player characters indulge their
through it. instincts a little more, building out your NPCs
into more fully developed characters? The first
Chapter Seven: Monsters & Antagonists choice helps maintain the DARK SOULS
doesn’t feature many non-player characters, atmosphere, the ambiance, of the game. The
or NPCs, for the player characters to interact other choice promotes the kind of organic, free
with. While the World of Lothric refers to form play tabletop games are so good at. There
several people the characters might meet, is no right or wrong choice here; it’s all about
extensive statistics aren’t necessary. NPCs in the type of game you want to play.
DARK SOULS tend to be almost part of the
world; they are woven into the world, people When designing your own NPCs, keep in
for the characters to meet and talk to, to gain mind both what you what them to do, and how
new insights and new knowledge. They don’t you want them to do it. Keep in mind how
necessarily act or become a part of the player players, and their characters, are liable to react.
character’s journey. If, for instance, you don’t want an NPC to be
stabbed in the face, either make sure they’re
This isn’t so normal in a tabletop roleplaying sympathetic and friendly or they’re as hard as
game. the scales of Blackdragon Kalameet, because
player characters are almost certain to punch,
For anyone reading this who has GM’d an stab or set on fire anyone who annoys them
RPG before, the experience of a group of even slightly.
players deciding to befriend a random stranger

B elow are several tables to assist you in building your own NPCs. Each step adds a little more
detail, enabling you to drop them into your game knowing as much, or as little, about them
as you choose. You can just start with a name, and fill in the rest as you play, letting the players
shape who the character becomes, and generating details as you need them. Alternatively, you
can create an NPC where you know a great deal, even as far as a sideline quest, should you choose.
Roll on the tables you find useful, ignore those you don’t, and build your version of Lothric
precisely as you see it!
Roll on the following table twice, choosing either a Nickname and a Name, or a Name and Title.
This should give you a good, DARK SOULS-y name!
D10 Result Nickname Name Title
1 Ironshod Ghorm Of Anor Londo
2 Mighty Jalice Grave-winner
3 Grimseeming Nebt Of the Fallen Star 255
4 Weathered Grion Lord/Lady of Scimitars
5 Oathbound Brylex Bearer of the Jewel
6 All-seeing Ava Knight of the Sun
7 Ravenous Touless Fork-tongue
8 Red-toothed Morn Wolf-lord/lady
9 Silent Seyla Knight of the Lost
10 Aged Fittle Of the Faithful

T he next stage is to pick a quirk. No one, but no one, is normal in DARK SOULS. And why
should they be? How, after all, can one expect to endure the endless gloom of Lothric and
remain… typical? Roll on the following table, or use it to inspire how your NPC presents to the
player characters; it might be a small quirk of pronunciation, or a way they move their hands
when speaking, but something to immediately identify them.
Does talking to them yield anything immediately for the player characters? NPCs often give
items. If your NPC is going to do so, you can roll on the following table to find out precisely
what it is, or use it to inspire your own choice.
Finally, do they attempt to involve the player characters in a side quest of some sort? The final
table is an array of possible options for such additional adventures—making the player characters’
lives just a little more complex is your job as a GM, after all!
D10 Result Quirk Gift Sidequest
Return an item to the grave of an angry

1 Chews their nails, constantly A clump of blooming purple moss
undead Knight
Find the punchline to a joke, heard

2 Sucks on a mouldy piece of straw A flask of mead
long ago
Find out what was scrawled on the

256
3 Falls asleep mid-sentence A carefully preserved finger bone
trunk of a withered tree
4 Grins, hungrily An old dagger Find a copy of a long-lost grimoire
Whistles a shrill and tuneless song

5 when not speaking
A broken ring Recover the bones of a lost friend
Plays with a knife, running it delicately

6 over their knuckles
An unlit firebomb Learn the tune to a song now forgotten
Claps their hands with delight at Put out three candles, burning on the
7 everything the player characters say
A silver necklace
top floor of a castle
Giggles, hiding their mouth behind Bring back the last flower of the moon
8 blood-stained hands
A vial of poison
plant
9 Shrugs, mournfully, before they speak A book, filled with images of dragons Pour poison in a certain person’s cup
Always has tears streaming down their A locket, with a painted miniature Convey an apology to one of the Lords
10 cheeks inside of Cinder

257

Kindling the Flame
—
Campaigns
T abletop roleplaying games often take the
form of big, lengthy campaigns, played
over numerous sessions, spanning months and
the quest itself possesses mysterious elements—
where did the fire come from, what does linking
truly mean, why can only the undead pursue
even years. Some campaigns are shorter, with such quests?—but, at the same time, it remains
a pre-planned narrative, and only a handful clear and simple in its premise. These are good
adventures leading to a dramatic climax, guidelines for devising your own.
and others are more open-ended, with the
adventurers constantly finding new adventures The most pressing issue, when building a
to occupy them. campaign in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying
Game is one of motivation. In the DARK
Both campaign types can work in DARK SOULS video games, if you want to participate
SOULS the Roleplaying Game. The tight focus in the game, you accept the requirements of
of the narratives featured in DARK SOULS the game immediately. The same isn’t true in a
games makes a limited campaign, with say, 12 tabletop roleplaying game. Every experienced
or 15 sessions, perhaps the more immediately GM (and a fair few inexperienced ones)
apparent choice, but there’s no reason a more tell horror stories about the player who just
open-ended game couldn’t work. After all, who wouldn’t join in the story, or ignored obvious
hasn’t wondered what happened after the events clues, because ‘my character wouldn’t do that’ or
258 of a DARK SOULS game? You completed ‘what’s my motivation to do that?’.
DARK SOULS III, say, and wanted to know
what happened next. Now’s your chance to tell In DARK SOULS, it can be a little hard to
that story. To see if any of the Unkindled can answer. The world is in ruins; what are the player
find some form of redemption, if new Lords characters fighting for? We’ve tried to help,
of Cinder arise, or if the player characters somewhat, with the addition of our rules for
themselves become the corrupt, broken creatures generating a past, a last memory, and a drive for
they once sought to defeat. the player characters, but even that might not be
enough. If this is the case, you might try building
A campaign possesses certain advantages over a campaign around the extirpation of the
a single adventure, in terms of the type and undead. Perhaps a Lord of Cinder is determined
complexity of story you, and your players, can to preserve their power forever, and seeking to
tell. But it does require something to pull the destroy all Unkindled, and any other afflicted
player characters through. It doesn’t need to with the curse. Perhaps the player characters
be a plot, necessarily, though a strong plot or need to stop an Unkindled from refusing to link
narrative urge can propel a campaign. It can the fire, plunging the world into darkness, and
be as simple as a player character’s individual potentially killing them all. Your campaigns can
motivation. be this direct - focused on forcing the players to
defend themselves, and participate in the story.
In the DARK SOULS games, the overarching
plot is one of a quest to find and link the fire, This is where the abstruseness of much DARK
ushering in an age of darkness or preserving the SOULS lore proves a real boon. Fragments
diminished age of light. This is to generalise a and faint references from the game can become
little, but the core quest is grand, its archetypal, prophecies, coaxing characters forward. Use
and it involves the world. them to augment your campaigns, answering
questions the player characters are interested
This can help shape your thinking when beginning in, and posing more and deeper mysteries to
to create your own overarching campaign plot; be explored.

259

260

Kindling the Flame
—
Bonfires &
Estus Refills
T he Estus flask is one of the few sources of healing in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying
Game, and certainly the most easily accessible. This makes it a valuable resource, and, more
importantly, makes refilling it essential for the player characters if they hope to survive long.
As a result, deciding when to allow player characters to refill their Estus Flasks is a major decision,
as is determining the number of bonfires you place in your adventure. A bonfire is a safe haven
for player characters. It functions, both in the video games and DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying
Game¸ as a save point. When you die, you’ll wake up at the nearest bonfire, able to start again. It
also entirely refills an Estus Flask.
Placing bonfires is one of the key determining factors in how difficult, or easy, your adventure is.
It can also assist in reinforcing the kind and style of adventure you’re designing. A very combat
heavy adventure, where the player characters must hack their way through legions of hollows 261
and silver knights, might have bonfires located close to each other, ensuring player characters
don’t need to retrace their steps to the same extent. A more open, roleplay-heavy adventure might
have fewer, ensuring the players need to be more cautious.
The following number of bonfires is a rough estimate of how many, per section, you might deploy
dependent on intended difficulty:
Easy: 4 bonfires per section
Middling: 2-3 bonfires per section
Hard: 1 bonfire per section
If you’ve placed your bonfires, and are concerned the adventure is too hard, you can always tweak
things by introducing additional opportunities for the player characters to fill their Estus Flasks.
For example, after a boss or mini-boss is killed, everyone’s Estus Flask might be restored to
capacity again. Tweak things as and when you need them, to suit your game!

Kindling the Flame
—
Equipment: Finding it,

Winning it, and Buying it
T here’s a lot of equipment options in this book. It allows players to design and build their
characters as they wish, adapting them to suit the enemies they encounter, the difficulties
they must overcome. Armour choices, weapon selection, deciding which ring to wear… all of
these can prove the difference between triumph and an untimely awakening beside a bonfire
without a soul to your name.
So how do you they get equipment?
A great deal of this falls on you as a GM. In the video games, equipment is acquired in the
following three ways:
Finding It Winning It Buying It
Exploring and searching the Kill something, and Even in the ruins of Lothric,
environment often turns up take its stuff. you’ll find traders, who’ll
interesting or unexpected items. accept souls as payment.
262
These three options work perfectly in DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game too, although it does
require some work from you, the GM. Below, you’ll find a table offering some guidance on what a
merchant might be selling, and what player characters might find in different locations, depending
on their level. You can use these to guide your choices when constructing an adventure or
introducing the player characters to a new merchant NPC! Remember to place some interesting
NPCs, or equipment for the player characters to find in each location. Only one or two is really
needed but place them in challenging locations—they’re a great means of getting players to
engage with the setting!
PC Available Available Available Available Available Available

Level Armour Shields Weapons Rings Spells Souls
1-5 AC11-13 AC +1 1d6 damage Any 1-5 Fading Soul or Soul of a Deserted Corpse
6-10 AC14-16 AC+2 1d8 damage Any 6-10 Large Soul of an Unknown Traveller
11-15 AC17-18 AC+3 1d10 damage Any 11-15 Soul of a Seasoned Warrior
16-20 AC18+ AC+3 1d12 damage Any 16+ Soul of a Champion

263

Kindling the Flame
—
Optional Rules:
Summonings
E very DARK SOULS player knows what summoning is, and how entertaining and infuriating
it can be. Spirits suddenly emerge as if from nowhere, invading your game and inflicting a
brutal defeat on you. Sometimes, it’s a benefactor, assisting you in a desperate fight. Sometimes,
it’s a shining golden miracle, slaughtering your foes, and healing you. Summoning in the video
games is a major aspect of the game, but it can feel very different in a tabletop roleplaying game.
As a result, we’ve not built Summonings into the core game system. These are entirely optional
rules which you, as the GM, and your players can decide to use, or not use, as you decide.
There are several different types of Summoning, each bringing a different type of spirit into the
world. Some are benevolent, aiding the player characters in the form of healing or as an ally
against the foe. Still others are there simply to kill the player characters, simply because they can.
In the world of Lothric, there is no such thing as mercy. Each type of Summoning has a different
colour attached to it and can be found throughout the ruined kingdom. Summoning spots are
denoted by a scrawled shape on the ground, of the appropriate colour. Depending on how brutal
and DARK SOULSian you want your games, we suggest that a summoning is triggered either:
By passing within 5 ft of a Standing on the

summoning sign, a player character Or summoning sign, and using
264 automatically triggers it. an action to summon.
Each of the differently coloured summoning signs has a different set of rules attached, as found below:
White summon sign Golden summon sign
Passing over a white summoning sign calls up a white phantom An ethereal Warrior of Sunlight is called to your aid; the
who immediately restores the summoner to full base Position summoner gains the services of a Warrior of Sunlight (use
and does the same to one other player character of the the Silver Knight statistics). The Warrior follows all of the
summoner’s choice, before vanishing. summoner’s instructions for the duration of one battle, or one
hour. The Warrior of Sunlight cannot be healed, and if it is killed,
it does not return. After a battle, or once an hour elapses, the
Warrior fades.
Red summon sign Purple summon sign
An old, cruel spirit appears, determined to duel the summoner. Used to call up the berserk spirits of the Mound-makers, these
Like the Warrior of Sunlight, this spirit uses the Silver Knight warriors attack anything and everything, seeking to inflict as
statistics. It immediately attacks the summoner and is only much damage as they can. The mound-maker spirits use the
interested in them. It pursues them for the duration of one Pontiff Knight statistics. They remain for the duration of one
combat, or for one hour. If it succeeds in killing them, the battle, or one hour. During that time, they attack any creature
summoner awakes as normal at the nearest bonfire. If the within 10 feet of them, immediately switching targets should a
summoner manages to kill the summoned red spirit, they gain new creature move to within 10 feet of them. A Mound-maker
triple the usual reward of souls. A red spirit cannot be healed, cannot be healed, and, if it is killed, does not return.
and, if it is killed, does not return

265

266

Pijas Souls

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pijas Souls

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Writing & Design

Graphic Design & Layout

Steamforged Games Team

Co-Founders Graphic Design & Layout Marketing & Community Management

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Using Ability Scores 72

Table of Advantage and Disadvantage

Contents Ability Checks

Prologue Using Each ability 84

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Introduction 149 Introduction 267

Core Equipment 152

Chapter V - Kindling the Flame

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Welcome to DARK SOULS: The Roleplaying Game! Based on the best-

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Below is a short illustration of how play can unfold:

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

D4 D6 D8 D10 D12 D20

Making an Attack Check

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Equipment — An exhaustive list of armour, shields, and weapons, enabling you to

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Welcome, friends, to Lothric…

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Generating a character is straightforward and extremely quick, allowing

The character generation process has five simple steps, detailed on

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

We’ve also omitted languages. In DARK SOULS, creatures can

We've also added things. Instead of hit points, there's Position.

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Y ou are Unkindled. All player characters in

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Y our character is how you interact with the

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Being Chosen The Weight of Memory

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Using Your Backstory,

Invoking your memory

Invoking your backstory

Invoking your drive

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

There are no restrictions on choosing a class, however. If you wish to

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)

B ig, strong, obdurate. You’re used to enduring pain, and

Brutes are good at: Fencers are good at:

Brute Position Fencer Position

Bloodied Effects Bloodied Effects

They may add an additional +3 to their AC.

Brute Base Statistics Fencer Base Statistics

Valentin Prost (Order #35367143)