Ruins of Symbaroum: Dark Fantasy RPG in Czech

The Mytago publishing house proudly announces the arrival of one of the most acclaimed dark fantasy games of today to the Czech market. We are preparing the Czech translation of Ruins of Symbaroum, which will be released under the title Zkáza říše Symbaroum. This game is an adaptation of the award-winning Swedish RPG Symbaroum, tailored for the rules of the world's most popular roleplaying game – the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons as well as its Czech variant, the roleplaying game Jeskyně a draci.

Everything for Ruins of Symbaroum 5e

If you are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons or Jeskyně a draci but are looking for a more mature, grittier, and more dangerous experience, the gate to Davokar is opening for you. Foreign reviews agree that this is one of the most successful 5e adaptations ever, retaining its unique Nordic atmosphere and visual style thanks to the unmistakable illustrations by Martin Grip.

A World Full of Conflict and Forgotten Secrets

At the heart of the experience is a fascinating and deeply developed world built on the conflict between an expansive civilization and ancient nature. You will step into the shoes of an adventurer in the kingdom of Ambria. While it won the war against the Dark Lords, the magic used in battle turned their land into a wasteland. Standing against you and your party is the vast and dark forest of Davokar.

It hides not only natural wealth but, above all, the ruins of the fallen Symbaroum empire, filled with treasures, artifacts, and forgotten knowledge. However, the forest is not deserted. It is guarded by the elves of the Iron Pact, wild barbarian tribes, and terrifying creatures ready to destroy anyone who dares to disturb the slumber of the darkness. It is not just a backdrop, but a living and menacing enemy where politics and factions play as important a role as swords and spells.

Rules Forged in Darkness

Zkáza říše Symbaroum is not just a simple expansion; it is a comprehensive overhaul of the rules. Instead of races, you choose an Origin, which directly influences your background. Standard 5e classes have been replaced by new archetypes that fit the world better: Captain, Hunter, Mystic, Scoundrel, and Warrior. These further branch into specializations called Approaches, so your Mystic can be a Wizard, Theurg, or Troll Singer. The system also introduces new types of Feats, including so-called Burdens, which grant you a +2 to an ability score but burden you with a permanent ailment.

Survival rules have also been significantly toughened. Neither Short nor Long Rests, nor Hit Dice, will fully restore your health – to do that, you must spend 24 hours in safety with a so-called Deep Rest. Traveling through the wilderness involves the risk of Death Marches, which can cause permanent failures on death saving throws, and social interactions have received formalized rules for negotiations and audiences, where the approach of your entire party matters.

Magic, Corruption, and Three Books for Survival

A key element of the game is the Corruption mechanic, which replaces alignment. Magic here is a powerful but dangerous force. Every spell takes its toll, and when casting, you must carefully monitor your Corruption Threshold. If you exceed it, you risk permanent physical and mental changes, and in extreme cases, your character becomes a mindless NPC monster. Furthermore, corruption is caused not only by spells but also by using powerful artifacts or consuming potions, and you can sacrifice your Hit Dice to lower your corruption level.

In Czech, you can look forward to three beautiful full-color books: the Player's Guide with rules for character creation, the Game Master's Guide with descriptions of the world and expeditions, and a beautifully illustrated Bestiary. Prepare your torches and sharpen your sword; the expedition to Davokar is coming later this year!