You are called to exorcize a possessed soul, and what you’ve long feared is unveiled—this is just the tip of a far more sinister scheme. An ancient demon is pulling the strings, and if you fail, countless lives hang in the balance, and the course of history will be stained by demonic influence.
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.
The Exorcist’s Codex is a game of high-stakes spiritual warfare set in the 1890s. Players take on the roles of exorcists, demonologists, spiritual mediums, and more, navigating a world where rituals, holy artifacts, lore and faith are your greatest weapons. You’ll be tasked with uncovering dark schemes, finding lost relics, and confronting powerful demons. Each scenario tests your wit, preparation, and spiritual strength. Success demands careful 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.
System Mechanics
The Exorcist's Codex is built on the Basic Roleplaying (BRP) system developed by Chaosium Inc., utilizing its latest edition. This percentile-based, skill-driven framework will feel familiar to those who have played Call of Cthulhu, as both systems share a common foundation.
However, The Exorcist's Codex introduces several new mechanics to reflect its focus on combating demonic forces. Players will engage with detailed rules for conducting Rituals, wielding Holy Items, and performing exorcisms. The game also incorporates Codex Lore, Spirit Points, Holy Faith, Demonic Energy, and Demonic Corruption, adding layers of strategy and tension to the gameplay.
The rules are structured to be clear and accessible for newcomers while offering depth and strategic options for experienced players. For those familiar with Call of Cthulhu, the transition to The Exorcist's Codex is seamless, as it retains the intuitive percentile mechanics while expanding them with systems tailored to its theme. The shared BRP foundation also allows for compatibility with Call of Cthulhu, enabling integration of elements from one game into the other.
Theater of the Mind
Designed as a theater-of-the-mind game, this system primarily uses maps for navigating cities and buildings rather than detailed combat. While there’s about the same amount of combat as in a typical Call of Cthulhu game, it’s still light overall. Some Professions lean more into combat, but the heart of the game lies in its story and atmosphere. Of course, the balance between combat and narrative depends on the GM, the players, and your preferred playstyle.
Campaign Style
This game truly shines in long campaigns, where the intricate schemes of the Archdemons unfold over time, and players have the opportunity to develop their characters and piece together lost knowledge from the Codex. However, it is also well-suited for one-shots. A single session focused on an exorcism can serve as an excellent introduction to the setting, mechanics, and tone, providing a thrilling standalone experience while offering a glimpse of the deeper story potential in extended play.
VTT Support
The Exorcist's Codex will offer free access to character sheets and rules on Virtual Tabletop (VTT) platforms as soon as the books are ready for delivery! To reach as many players as possible, our dedicated team is working to make this available on both Roll20, Foundry, and Alchemy!
While The Exorcist's Codex is primarily designed as a Theater of the Mind experience, we understand that many prefer the accessibility and tools provided by VTT platforms. We're exploring the best way to provide full VTT integration for The Exorcist's Codex.
Here are two highlighted pledges available when the campaign launches: the GM's Bundle and the Deluxe Bundle. The GM's Bundle includes high-quality hardcover editions of the Core Rulebook and the GM's Guide, along with PDF versions of both. The Deluxe Bundle features exclusive faux leather-bound editions of the Core Rulebook and GM's Guide, a custom GM screen, and additional content, all housed in a premium slipcase. The Deluxe Edition is exclusively available through Backerkit. Additional pledge levels will also be offered.
Early Bird Bonus!
Back The Exorcist’s Codex within the first 48 hours, and receive a FREE PDF copy of The Demonic Symphony, a 96-page Exorcism Scenario!
Can we count on your pledge for our upcoming project?
Join 553 other
people!
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive news and updates about Two Starving Gnolls's projects.