Dark Dungeons is a pen-and-paper role-playing game that takes you to a world of fantasy adventure, where you start as a nobody and in true zero-to-hero style can end up slaying dragons; ruling kingdoms; sailing to the stars in enchanted ships; or even becoming a being of Immortal power and creating your own worlds.
Dark Dungeons is a retro-clone that emulates a specific out-of-print edition of a specific game. For legal reasons, neither the game nor the edition are named anywhere within this site or within Dark Dungeons itself. However, this doesn't matter. If you know the game then you will pretty much instantly recognise it, and if you don't know the game then it doesn't matter - you can play Dark Dungeons on its own merits.
The game is completely self-contained in a single book which you can download for free, or if you prefer you can buy the book in printed form.
Character sheets for Dark Dungeons are available in the "Extras" section of this website.
If you wish to discuss Dark Dungeons, or any of the other games on this website for that matter, the official forum for the game is graciously hosted by The Piazza, and can be found here: Dark Dungeons Forum.
The Dark Dungeons rulebook is available for download in three different versions. All these versions have exactly the same content, but the formatting in each is tailored for different purposes.
The Download Version is full colour and bookmarked. This is the standard version for people who wish to use the PDF as a reference (or main rulebook) during play. It can be downloaded from here: Dark Dungeons Download Version
The Print Shop Version has no covers, and is in grey-scale; with images and example text having been adjusted for maximum contrast and printing quality. This version is for people who wish to take the PDF to a print shop and have it printed so that they can bind it themselves. It can be downloaded from here: Dark Dungeons Print Shop Version
The Home Print Version also has no covers, and is in grey-scale; with example text having been adjusted for maximum contrast and printing quality. However, this version has also had all the images removed to save ink for people printing the game on their home printers. It can be downloaded from here: Dark Dungeons Home Print Version
Dark Dungeons is available in printed form from the Lulu print-on-demand publisher. The printed versions of the game are not totally free (you will have to pay Lulu for their printing and delivery services), but they are sold at cost price. There is no commission charged on any of the printed books.
There are three different versions of the game available. All three have the same page count and contents; they only differ in physical aspects.
The softcover version of Dark Dungeons is the cheapest version, although some people may prefer softcover books to hardback books regardless of price. The book is A4 in size, so the text is slightly (about 10%) larger than the other versions. It is printed in black and white on normal grade (90gsm) paper, weighing 0.96kg at 344 pages. The softcover version can be ordered here: Dark Dungeons Softcover Book
The hardback version of Dark Dungeons is the standard version. The book is 273mmx210mm, and is printed in black and white on normal grade (90gsm) paper, weighing 0.88kg at 344 pages. The hardback version can be ordered here: Dark Dungeons Hardback Book
The deluxe hardback version is more expensive than the normal hardback version, but it is premium quality. The book is 273mmx210mm, and is printed in full colour on heavy grade (115gsm) paper, weighing a whopping 1.32kg at 344 pages. It is significantly thicker than the normal hardback version despite the same page count. The deluxe hardback version can be ordered here: Dark Dungeons Deluxe Hardback Book