• Grim horror with map-making
• Light rules for a powerful story
• Intense one-shot experience

Totem - The Spirits RPG is a narrative horror RPG that takes a group of players on a chilling journey into supernatural realms. The game draws inspiration from classic ghost stories like Poltergeist, Paranormal Activity, or The Exorcist, with the goal of establishing contact with entities from other planes of reality. Take on the roles of Seekers who explore haunted locations, exorcise demons, and try to understand the will of otherworldly beings.

Map creation and simple rules

One of the key elements of the game is the collaborative creation of a map of the haunted location. Players gradually describe what they see and draw it on the map. The Game Master, who takes on the role of the Spirit, then introduces supernatural elements and challenges into these spaces.

Totem - The Spirits RPG uses simple rules that prioritize deep immersion in the story and environmental description over complex mechanics. Challenges are resolved by flipping the Coin of Destiny. Failures worsen the psychological or physical state of the Seekers, which can lead to possession by the spirit inhabiting the location. Optionally, you can use a spirit board or tarot cards for inspiration and interaction with the spirits.

Who is the game for

The game is ideal for those looking for an intense experience for a single evening; one game session usually lasts 2–3 hours. It is suitable for 2 to 6 players, including the Game Master. The title is intended for a mature audience that will appreciate dark themes such as the afterlife and demonic possession. The manual also includes safety tools, such as "lines and veils," which help ensure the comfort of everyone at the table.

Aesthetics and production

The manual has approximately 76 full-color pages with illustrations by Francesco Biagini and Voidface. The illustrations on a black background use cold colors, such as blue and purple, to help build an oppressive atmosphere.

The game won 4 NDU Awards in 2024 for Game of the Year, Best Setting and World-building, Best Game Mechanics, and Best Art. These awards are organized by the Italian portal No Dice Unrolled, which focuses on tabletop RPGs and gamebooks.

The manual is in English.

Totem is a Narrative Map-Making Horror Role-Playing Game with simple rules inspired by classics of the Ghost Story genre, from Poltergeist to Paranormal Activity, as well as The Ring, Insidious, Silent Hill, The Exorcist and other such disquieting masterpieces.

Totem will guide your group of Seekers along a chilling voyage through the uncanny in search of contact with entities populating other planes of reality. You’ll explore haunted houses, exorcize demons, pry into the will of otherworldly entities with the Spirit Board, and even cross the threshold into the farthest reaches of Limbo!

What to expect

The Game Master (GM) will take on the role of the Spirit and introduce otherwordly elements into a collaborative narrative where the players (referred to as the Seekers) must sketch the Map of the haunted location in an attempt to understand how to exorcise the Spirit.

During the investigation, the Spirit will reveal to the players three elements related to the reason for its presence in our world (the Bindings) and will present chilling challenges that must be resolved by flipping the Coin of Destiny.

With each Failure, the Seekers’ psychological or physical conditions worsen to the point where the Spirit might gain control of the them!

And… yes, you play with a Spirit Board!