January 2026 Update

Adam Donovan
10 minutes ago
9 min read

[January 2026]

The year of the sweet release...

Greetings all, and welcome to the January(2026) update for Roguelike Games!

We're back for a new year, working hard to bring the reality of Moralinth to life, and, for January, we have some exciting news:

With both the Uncanny Edition and Enclave Edition of the Moralinth: Gothic Horror Roleplaying Game fully written, we're in the final stages of completion (working through proofreading, editing, layout and playtesting), which means we're on track to release both editions of Moralinth to crowdfunding in 2026! Our projected start to the crowdfunding campaign is late autumn / early winter 2026.

We haven't set a specific date for the launch of the crowdfunding campaign yet, as there are some details to finalize. However, we'll update the blog as soon as we have a date. It's been a long journey from the beginning, starting back in 2013 with our first Pathfinder 1st Edition-compatible version of Moralinth, leading up to our current versions compatible with the Cypher System and Year Zero (and a future Pathfinder 2nd Edition-compatible version). There's still a lot to accomplish with the project, but the end is in sight! Of course, the release of Moralinth is just the beginning. We plan to support this game continuously with updates, supplements, character options, adventures, and many other bits of new material to enhance your stories in the world of Moralinth. The two core books should provide hours upon hours of entertainment while we work to add to the Moralinth mythos.

Crowdfunding

As a small independent studio consisting of just two people at the time of writing, we always understood that crowdfunding would be essential to bring Moralinth to life. Although we possessed the drive, determination, and vision to learn the necessary skills for such a project, we recognised that we lacked the financial resources to turn our vision into reality. With decades of experience in the tabletop roleplaying arena, this marks our first endeavour into publishing an entire setting. We realised we would need to hire additional help to complete it, finance our ongoing content creation, and ultimately manage a business. This is where crowdfunding plays a crucial role. While the core books are complete and written, we need external funding to continue creating the content we love. Therefore, we are launching a crowdfunding campaign to not only compensate for the work we've done but also to pay the people we need to involve in completing the project and to secure the future of Moralinth and Roguelike Games as a whole.

The good news for those joining us at the beginning of the crowdfunding campaign is that we will be offering the game at a price well below market value, as we aim to build and nurture a fanbase for our content. What better way to do this than by showing the same appreciation and trust that has been shown to us.

Whether you choose to play the Uncanny or Enclave Edition (or both!), you can expect to pay significantly less than anticipated.

We have decided to use Kickstarter as our crowdfunding platform of choice, due primarily to its reach when it comes to spreading the word of projects to the widest selection of backers. We're not averse to using different platforms for future products, but we feel that with something as big as the launch of our flagship game, we want to try and let as many people as possible know about our project.

Pledge Options

We aim to provide multiple ways for people to support our goal of making Moralinth a top TTRPG in the gothic horror genre. To achieve this, we're planning to offer various pledge tiers similar to other Kickstarter projects, along with stretch goals if the game attracts a significant number of backers. While we haven't finalised all the tiers and stretch goals yet, here are our main selections:

Pledge Tiers

To keep things simple, we'll probably have less in the way of Pledge Tiers overall for the crowdfunding campaign for Moralinth, but the following are definitely being included:

SPARKED TIER (Price $1/£1+) This tier will be for people who wish to simply support the project, or are curious to see what it is.

Includes:

A copy of the Moralinth: Uncanny Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Uncanny version) (PDF)

A copy of the Moralinth: Enclave Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Enclave version) (PDF)

UNCANNY TIER (Price TBD) This tier will be for people specifically interested in the Uncanny Edition of Moralinth, which is powered by a variant of the Cypher System.

Includes:

A copy of the Moralinth: Uncanny Edition Core Rulebook (PDF)
A copy of the Moralinth: Uncanny Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Uncanny version) (PDF)
A copy of The Ties That Bind introductory adventure (Uncanny version) (PDF)
A copy of The Imperial Encyclopaedia Estania lorebook. (PDF)
Access to the above products on the Moralinth Archive (see Stretch Goals)

ENCLAVE TIER (Price TBD) This tier will be for people specifically interested in the Enclave Edition of Moralinth, which is powered by a variant of the Year Zero Engine.

Includes:

A copy of the Moralinth: Enclave Edition Core Rulebook (PDF)
A copy of the Moralinth: Enclave Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Enclave version) (PDF)
A copy of The Ties That Bind introductory adventure (Enclave version) (PDF)
A copy of The Imperial Encyclopaedia Estania lorebook. (PDF)
Access to the above products on the Moralinth Archive (see Stretch Goals)

NARRATOR TIER (Price TBD, but will be the cost of one edition, and the second at half price.)

This tier will be for people who either wish to try both versions of the game or who are undecided and want to take advantage of the lower cost of entry for owning both versions.

Includes:

A copy of the Moralinth: Uncanny Edition Core Rulebook (PDF)
A copy of the Moralinth: Uncanny Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Uncanny version) (PDF)
A copy of The Ties That Bind introductory adventure (Uncanny version) (PDF)
A copy of the Moralinth: Enclave Edition Core Rulebook (PDF)
A copy of the Moralinth: Enclave Quickstart Guide (PDF)
A copy of the Sleepers at Dockside introductory adventure (Enclave version) (PDF)
A copy of The Ties That Bind introductory adventure (Enclave version) (PDF)
A copy of The Imperial Encyclopaedia Estania lorebook. (PDF)
Access to the above products on the Moralinth Archive (see Stretch Goals)

Stretch Goals

We have the following stretch goals in mind for the project, with likely more added before we go to live on the crowdfunding stage:

The Moralinth Archive (online)

We are looking to create an entire database of everything Moralinth to be included online, where people can access, reference and maybe even play Moralinth through. Our intention is for this site to grow with our product line, adding the contents of each book to the online repository so that people who own our products can access that content anywhere that has an internet connection. Our plan is to make membership on the site free, and anyone who owns one of our PDFs can access any of the information recorded in that PDF, online as well. For example, if you purchased the Uncanny Edition PDF, you would have access to that area of the Moralinth Archive, with all the information from that PDF available online, hyperlinked, and able to be connected to your favourite online VTT. This will also work in advance after the crowdfunding campaign, so anyone can purchase lifetime access to a portion of the website and get a copy of the corresponding PDF for free. To use the previous example, if you missed the Kickstarter, you could sign up to the Moralinth Archive for free, and purchase lifetime access to the online version of the Moralinth: Uncanny Edition Core Rulebook, unlocking that content on the site, but also providing you with your own PDF copy to download and keep.

We will not be using a subscription model. Once you unlock a book online or buy the PDF, you get access to both indefinitely on your free account.

Tailored Character Sheets

The Uncanny and Enclave Editions of Moralinth each have their own standard character sheet, covering everything needed for any character or combination. Because of this, some of the information might not be pertinent to every character, meaning there may be some empty space on your sheet.

If we meet this stretch goal, we'll create specific character sheets for each Type (if the Uncanny Edition) or Calling (if the Enclave Edition), holding only the relevant information and created in a style associated with that Type/Calling.

If this stretch goal is met, every backer, regardless of Tier will have access to downloadable copies of:

Adept Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Combatant Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Dilettante Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Explorer Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Rapscallion Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Sleuth Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Spiritualist Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Technocrat Type Character Sheet (Uncanny Edition) (Editable PDF)
Chymist Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Dilettante Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Explorer Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Industrialist Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Inquisitor Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Medium Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Mercenary Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Occultist Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Priest Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Rapscallion Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Sharpshooter Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition) (Editable PDF)
Sleuth Calling Character Sheet (Enclave Edition)

If you can think of any other stretch goals you'd like added, please let us know!

Roadmap for 2026

Going forward into 2026, we'll be following a fairly strict roadmap, looking to hit our goals in time for autumn or winter. As a result, our updates going forward will focus on these progress points in the roadmap, so expect the blogs for February, March, April, May and beyond to give summaries of how far we are along on this roadmap.

Here is our rough roadmap for 2026:

Q1 2026

Complete proofreading of Uncanny Edition Core Rulebook
Finalise Layout choices for Core Rulebook (both editions) and Quickstart Guide (both editions)
Additional editing for Core Rulebook (both editions)
Proofreading, Editing and Layout for The Imperial Encyclopaedia Estania

Q2 2026

Moralinth: Uncanny Edition Internal Playtest
Moralinth: Enclave Edition Internal Playtest
Final editing of Core Rulebook (both editions) based on Playtest feedback.
Marketing and advertising

Q3 / Q4 2026

Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
Work on Stretch Goals (if applicable)
Deliver Quickstart Guides (and introductory adventure) to backers at the same time the crowdfundingunding Campaign launches

Spread the word!

One of the areas we've yet to research - but which is rapidly approaching - is marketing. It doesn't matter how great and playable we think Moralinth is if nobody knows about it, doesn't buy it and doesn't get a chance to play in this wonderful world we've created for you all. As part of our 2026 Roadmap in quarter two, we're going to be looking into how to successfully market a project such as Moralinth, but we need your help!

Still one of the best ways to promote something you believe in is by word of mouth, so get out there and tell your friends! flood your socials! Let everyone know you're excited to step into this world of gothic horror and beauty - and maybe they should be too!

We would humbly ask that you do all you can to get the word out about Moralinth, and rest assured, we'll be doing the same! Feel free to use our Facebook and Discord groups to discuss and promote anything to do with Moralinth, but don't feel the need to stop there! If you've got any Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky or similar platforms, dropping some information about what we're trying to do here certainly wouldn't hurt. Every little helps, and we appreciate anything you get the time to do.

Roguelike Community

FACEBOOK

The Moralinth Official Facebook Group is the place to visit for quick and concise updates for those who only want the summarised details of what is happening with Moralinth and is a great place to see the artwork, lore snippets, and updates. We're looking to add more to it so that we can add extra information, but we need your help! What sort of things would you like to see included in the Facebook Group that isn't there already? Feel free to leave comments so we can know what is a priority for everyone, and make sure you tell your friends!

DISCORD:

For a more in-depth and interactive playground for all things Moralinth, you can head over to the Morlainth Official Discord Server. We're looking to foster the community and grow it out, and a few of the messages we've received of late have asked for more ways to interact with the game world, as well as an increase in setting information. We're looking to try and grant both requests simultaneously, so keep an eye on Discord for more information! Feel free to invite anyone who you feel might want to follow the project but please remember they need to verify their account when they first join the server (you need to click the little "tick" to be granted the Uncanny role and gain access to all the Categories, Channels and Events).

Future Plans

It's going to be a busy year for us here at RLG, with us focusing entirely on the Moralinth: Uncanny and Enclave Editions to prepare for crowdfunding. As such, the updates will represent a summary of our progress in that area. Each month, starting with February, we'll let you know how we're getting along so you can join us on this last part of the journey. To say we're excited that it's all coming together is somewhat of an understatement.

....and that wraps up our update for this month! Feel free to drop us a message or come visit us on our Facebook page or our Discord Group if you'd like! Until our next update,

Happy Gaming!

- Adam