Coldbloods

When the light was divided into gentle night and burning day, the reign of the immortals ended and the age of humans began. The ancient immortals fled under the ground to hide from the sun. To be their eyes and hands in the mortal world, these Old Ones gifted some humans with immortality and a thirst for mortal blood.

Coldbloods is a story game for one Game Master and 2-4 players about bloodsucking immortals trying to infiltrate a human party at the behest of their inhuman elders. Can you pass as human when your own monstrous actions make you more monstrous-looking?

Choose your lineage's gifts and curses

You are a member of a line of immortals tracing itself back to an Old One, one of the former rulers of the world. From that Old One, each of you has inherited a unique gift – like silent movement or horrible strength. You've also inherited curses you share with the rest of your family: Perhaps food spoils in your presence or doors are forbidden.

Your actions change you

All die rolls are against the number representing your bloodtype. When you roll your number exactly, your bloodtype – and appearance – change. If you're trying to blend as human, you become more human-passing. If you're using your monstrous immortal powers, you become a little less human.

Drink mortal blood to gain their knowledge

To you, human beings are a resource. When you devour a living mortal, you gain access to what they know. At any time, you can cross off the name of a human you've devoured to ask the GM what they would know about the current situation.

Maybe, if you're lucky, earn the respect of your Family.

This is a two-page game: The first page is for the players, and can be used as a character sheet. The second is for the GM: it's covered with advice for running the game and helpful tables for generating an eventful party, wretched humans and their awful affairs.

Content notes

This game involves violence, often by the players against unsuspecting victims. Some of the character creation options include immortal children and goals to seduce humans or to end one's immortal existence. The Lines and Veils mechanics, created by Ron Edwards, are included, and it is recommended to discuss them before creating characters.

The cover art is a modification of an 1857 illustration by Paul Gavarni.

Coldbloods is based on John Harper's Lasers & Feelings. Playtesting & feedback from Zane Brown, Willy Elektrix, John R. Harness, Chase Kurkowski, Menachem Cohen and Adelheid Sigfridsdottir.

Fuck the IDF, free Palestine.