Two Starving Gnolls
The Exorcist's Codex - GM's Guide - PDF
The Exorcist's Codex - GM's Guide - PDF
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THERE WILL BE NO REST
The 1890s. Archdemons quietly spread their influence, hidden cults conduct Dark Rituals, and possessions go unnoticed. Only the Orders and their Agents stand ready.
As Game Master, you shape the Unseen War. Create structured, suspenseful scenarios rooted in the conflict between Demonic and Divine forces.
The GM’s Guide for The Exorcist’s Codex offers clear rules and practical advice to craft compelling and engaging adventures.
Inside this guide, you’ll find:
- Step-by-step structures for creating scenarios focused on exorcisms, investigations, and locating powerful Holy Items.
- Rules for managing Demonic Influence, Dark Rituals, and Possessions, clearly linked to the Player Characters’ actions.
- In-depth guidance on handling Demonic beings, managing cult activity, and portraying spiritual threats convincingly.
- Advice for balancing suspense, discovery, and action in your scenarios.
- Guidance for integrating Holy Faith, Demonic Corruption, Spirit, and Codex Lore.
- 3 ready-to-run scenarios
Your preparation shapes every scenario.
Your guidance defines each Player Character’s path.
Lead the way.
Command the Unseen War.
In The Exorcist's Codex, your primary enemies are the Archdemons—ancient beings thought to have been banished ages ago but who, over the last millennia, have silently returned to reclaim the mortal realm and its inhabitants. With the aid of their followers, the cultists, the Archdemons steadily expand their influence and corruption, infiltrating every aspect of modern civilization. They will use every trick at their disposal to grow their power, and it is your task to stop them—or at least hold the demonic resurgence at bay.
Roll20 Character Sheets available
In The Exorcist's Codex, you step into the role of an Agent—a dedicated individual tasked with confronting the demonic forces that plague our world. Choose from twelve different professions, each with its own abilities and foundation. Your chosen profession shapes your abilities, skills, and path (read more in the System section). When creating your character, you'll follow a process that defines their motivations, background, quirks, and habits—bringing your character to life with depth and personality.
While exorcism and holy relics are often associated with Christianity, The Exorcist’s Codex is not a religious game in that sense. In our system, "Faith" is an arbitrary game mechanic with no specific religious connotation. The game builds on the classic struggle of good versus evil, a theme present in all religions, myths, and stories—from Tolkien to Star Wars. Our focus on exorcism stems from our desire to explore the ritualistic and strategic elements of these battles rather than traditional gunfights or swordfights.
You’ll be tasked with uncovering intricate schemes, finding lost relics, and confronting powerful demonic entities. Each scenario tests your wit, preparation, and spiritual strength. Success demands meticulous planning, gathering the correct tools and components, and preparing complex rituals—all while grappling with moral dilemmas that could shape the fate of entire nations. In The Exorcist’s Codex, you aren’t just fighting demons—you’re uncovering and wielding the wisdom of millennia to defeat them.
Scenarios in The Exorcist’s Codex fall into three primary types, each focusing on different aspects of confronting demonic influence.
- Exorcism Scenarios revolve around direct engagements with demonic entities that have possessed human hosts. These scenarios require careful investigation to determine the nature of the possession, the gathering of necessary ritual components, and the execution of exorcisms. Whether facing a cunning Archdemon manipulating events behind the scenes or a rampant Wild Demon spreading chaos, the Agents must act methodically to sever the demon’s grasp before it’s too late.
- Exploration Scenarios send Agents on perilous journeys in search of lost Relics and ancient artifacts. These missions can lead deep into forgotten crypts, ancient ruins, or remote wilderness locations where these objects remain hidden. However, cultists and demonic entities often seek the same Relics, turning these missions into tense races against time. Success in these scenarios requires resourcefulness, spiritual fortitude, and an understanding of their significance.
- Exposure Scenarios focus on infiltrating and dismantling networks of cultist influence. Rather than confronting demons directly, these missions require stealth, investigation, and deception. Agents may have to uncover hidden cultist operations, track down corrupted officials aiding demonic forces, or sabotage dark rituals before they come to fruition. Exposure scenarios often demand a balance of social skill, deduction, and precise action—failure could mean giving the cultists the upper hand in their agendas.
