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Liminal Horror Deluxe Edition

Created by Space Penguin Ink LLC

Liminal Horror Deluxe Edition is the definitive edition of the world's greatest horror rpg.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

5 days left...layout update, podcasts, and a CULTS preview!
about 1 year ago – Sat, May 10, 2025 at 07:14:45 AM

We're in the final stretch of the campaign! If you haven't backed yet you definitely don't want to miss out (here's a link for a quick jump to the Liminal Horror Deluxe Edition main page).

The next set of stretch goals is in sight: "Einfühlung", a Haunted House Starter Adventure (PDF $120,000 / physical zine $150,000). When we hit the $120k stretch goal that means all backers (even the $20 digital only tier) are going to get the pdfs for The Deluxe Edition, Investigators, Case Files 01, Einfühlung, The Mall Remastered, The Bureau (original), One Night at the Shelterwood Inn, The Bloom and The Parthenogenesis of Hungry Hollow. 

And if we're honest, I can definitely see a world where we unlock The Bureau Remastered (which is an update of the original zine with some added content, procedures, and goodies). So if you're thinking of backing, or if you know someone who is (or if you just want to share the campaign), now's the time!

But on to the main events:
1. Layout Update 
2. Podcasts 
3. Cults Preview

LAYOUT UPDATE

One of the goals for the dev team was to have the manuscript ready by the launch time. We wanted to be prepared as possible and be able to really devote the post campaign time to the nuances of building the book. For the most part we hit that goal. Of course there are a few bits left to polish up (and some additions that get revealed during layout) but this has really allowed us to keep momentum on the text/book.

One of the key portions is that Josh has been building templates for each of the sections. This allows us to create a unified design for each section that is clean and usable both in print and digitally. The process has been that I (Goblin) have been putting the sections into a draft layout that Josh will then go back through and do a final tinkering/design pass on. It lets them devote their pass to more of the minutia while I work on getting the bulk of the pieces in place.

As of today I have completed the draft layouts for the two largest sections in the book: The Catalog of the Strange (130 pages) and the Haunted Pacific Northwest (71 pages but still has one adventure, Cult Classic, left to go into layout).





As for whats left to do:
- Layout on Investigators Guide, Facilitators Guide, Appendices
- Final design tweaks and flourishes.
- Josh gets to finish making all the Generic Location Maps!!!
- Final edit pass
- Annotating and hyperlinking
- Indexing
- Layout and finishing of Case Files 01 
- If we unlock it, finish the last bits of Einfühlung, then go into layout and finishing up.

There's definitely work left to do, but we've been making good progress, and as summer starts there then is more time to dedicate to some of these pieces. Our timelines were super intentional and we aimed to be very realistic with our own pacing. And we have the benefit of being a pretty well oiled team which helps immensely. 


PODCASTS

If you're into podcasts, we've been featured on a few as of late!

THE LOST BAY PODCAST
The most recent was on The Lost Bay Podcast for a two-part interview that Iko so kindly called A Liminal Horror Masterclass.
PART 1: 
PART 2

THE WEEKLY SCROLL PODCAST
Josh hopped onto The Weekly Scroll to do a deep dive presentation on the Deluxe Edition. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0YSLrHZ0Iw&ab_channel=TheWeeklyScroll

VINTAGE RPG PODCAST
I had the pleasure of popping on to The Vintage RPG podcast to talk about the Deluxe Edition:
https://www.vintagerpg.com/2025/03/liminal-horror-2/

Josh was also interviewed by the amazing Mario | La Esquina del Rol https://www.laesquinadelrol.com/joshdomanski/



CULTS

We couldn't do modern horror without including a section on cults. These groups are presented on a smaller scale than factions, but are still major players in the world of Liminal Horror.

WHAT IS A CULT IN LIMINAL HORROR?
Cults are relatively small human organizations bound together by strange beliefs that strive to access terrible powers. Their unorthodox practices are generally religious or spiritual in nature, though some practice an extreme devotion to the arts and sciences. What sets cults apart from other organizations in their fanaticism and the lengths they go to complete their goals. While some cults are relatively harmless, it is often those with more esoteric goals that pose a threat to all around them.

Presented in the text is advice on using cults, creating your own, hierarchies, rituals, rites and sacrements. And of course, a generic cult stat block:
CULTIST
STR: 11 DEX: 10 CTRL: 8
HP: 4
Dagger (d6) or Gun (d6)
  • Rituals: There is a 1-in-6 chance that a cultist has access to Rituals (p. X) granted by their specific communion.
  • Devout: Something about the teaching of the cult has drawn the cultist in, and so they give of themselves completely.
  • Safety in Numbers: Cultists are rarely alone, as power is derived in number, and it is hard to waver if always with another.

Each of the cults in this section include a description, notable members, a cult specific rite they are trying to complete, known rituals, and assets or entanglements that act as hooks for your game.

Lets take a look at one of the cults you can encounter within the Deluxe Edition (both in the Catalog of the Strange and in the Haunted Pacific NW):

CHURCH OF THE DIVINE MUTILATION

A group of individuals that shed their flesh in order to prepare their body of integration in the “Divine Machine”. The construction of their “Divine Machine” is their main focus. Ritual self-mutilation is required to attain higher status within the cult.

And a special treat for backers below...a look at the Cult Generator

$100k Stretch Goal Unlocked! What's Next?
about 1 year ago – Mon, May 05, 2025 at 09:44:31 AM



We've unlocked the $100,000 stretch goal that allows each and ever backer to receive the PDF Adventure Bundle!

This means that each and every person who has backed will get PDFs for the entire official Liminal Horror catalog! This means that along with the digital campaign releases (The Deluxe Edition, Investigators Edition and Case Files 01), each backer is going to get a digital copy of The Bloom, The Mall, The Bureau, One Night at the Shelterwood Inn, and The Parthenogenesis of Hungry Hollow.

 

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON IN REGARDS TO STRETCH GOALS?

Looking forward at the final stretch of the BackerKit campaign, we have some pretty killer stretch goals left that I think everyone is going to want.


"Einfühlung", a Haunted House Starter Adventure PDF ($120,000)

Still not sure where to start? This brand-new haunted house adventure by series creators Josh Domanski and Goblin Archives is designed to ease new Investigators and Facilitators into the LIMINAL HORROR experience.

"Einfühlung", a Haunted House Starter Adventure Zine ($150,000)

But why stop there? Add "Einfühlung" to your LIMINAL HORROR shelf at no extra charge, just for being part of the movement. For all physical reward tier backers.




"The Bureau Remastered" PDF ($180,000)

If you liked what we did with The Mall Remastered, you're gonna love what we do with this. An all-new revision of the 2022 adventure module, The Bureau Remastered puts your Investigators deep in the labyrinthine headquarters of The Bureau in the midst of an extradimensional crisis. A fan favorite! 

"The Bureau Remastered" Zine ($210,000)

As above, so below: all physical reward tier backers will receive The Bureau Remastered as a softcover zine, the first time this particular product has seen print. 

IS THAT ALL OF THEM?

Trust me when I say that Josh and I always have something cooking, and if we blow past these remaining stretch goals we may have something in the hopper to pull out for you all.

And we have some cool updates planned coming up so stay tuned!

Monster Variants
about 1 year ago – Fri, May 02, 2025 at 11:05:48 AM

We’re quickly approaching the $100k stretch goal that gets every backer all of the official PDFs!

Then it’s onwards to our haunted house starter adventure!

Now onto a sneak peak at an aspect of the Catalog of the Strange that will bring a ton of usability…monsterous variations of listed horrors. 

One of the major things we wanted to do with the Catalog of the Strange was to provide a plethora of options for each Horror presented in the book. 

When it comes down to it, monster stats in Liminal Horror are pretty straight forward
Name
STR DEX CTRL
HP Armor
Weapon
  • Special Ability

One of the design goals was to provide ample information for each Horror, giving Facilitators plenty of usable options for their tables. One of the types of tables we are including with many of the Horrors are lists of variants. These provide a framework for augmenting the genre type for the Horror, making it usable, fresh, and a wide range of option. But better than telling you about them, why don't we show you a few.

REANIMATED DEAD
(the classic zombie)
Variants
  1. Lurker: Slow shamblers. Grapple and drag down their victims.
  2. Naked: Shredded or no clothing. Stained with coagulated blood.
  3. Grave: Buried bodies risen from the grave. Significant decay.
  4. Sprinter: Charge at victims with intense speed.
  5. Bloater: Swollen from water exposure or filled with gas. Bursts upon taking Critical Damage (d4, blast).
  6. Dried Out: Leathery skin from prolonged sun exposure, +1 Armor.
  7. Creeper: Ambush hunters that lurk in the dark and attack at opportune moments.
  8. Prototype: Rapid mutations heal 1 HP/STR per round.



HOUNDS
(like a dog but so much worse)

Variants
  1. Guard: Pure bread and exceptionally well trained. Owned by law enforcement and security forces or as property guards.
  2. Split Head: Their heads split open, revealing a maw of teeth that latch down when biting a target, requiring a STR Save to break free.
  3. Reanimated: Dead and decaying bodies. They don’t die when STR is 0 and can only be killed through destroying the brain or complete annihilation.
  4. Warped: Twisted and mutated bodies. Their tails split into three with spikes at the tips that can be launched outward towards targets.
  5. Hellhound: Sleek black skin, glowing red eyes. Exceptionally intelligent.
  6. Ghost: Impressions of their former selves. More bark than bite. (See Ghosts, p.x)

ABOMINATION
(a twist on giants)
Variants
  1. Giant: A massive, towering form. +2 STR and greatly extended reach.
  2. Hammer: One arm is disproportionately massive compared to the rest of their body, dealing d10 damage.
  3. All Mouths: Toothy maws cover its body. Upon dealing Critical Damage, it shoves the victim into one of its many open mouths.
  4. Flesh Sack: Most of their bones have dissolved or turned to cartilage, allowing them to squeeze into cramped places.
  5. Walking Incubator: Host to a colony of horrid creatures. Upon taking Critical Damage, their brood bursts forth. 
  6. Wall of Flesh: Several bodies bound together into one form. Upon taking Critical Damage, they rip apart into their individual members.

Generic Locations (one of my favorite additions to the book)
about 1 year ago – Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 10:30:08 AM

Ever since I started running modern horror I have wanted to make this resource, and so I am beyond excited to have it included in the Deluxe Edition. 

The goal of the Generic Locations is to provide maps and keyed places that can be easily picked up by Facilitators when planning for their tables. 

The Generic Locations present a collection of ready-made mundane locations and maps that can be used as needed during sessions. They serve as a basic template to take and twist with the horrors. 

Need to quickly plan a session? Take a generic location and leverage some of the other resources provided in the Deluxe Edition to generate or expand on a session quickly. Some of the recommended pairings within the book are:
  • Mystery Spark Table
  • Scenario Threads
  • Omens
  • Investigation Threads
  • Factions
  • Allies & Adversaries
  • Horrors
  • Resonant Artifacts
  • Location Generator Tables
The presence of Horrors and Resonant Artifacts twist these once normal spaces, making them into strange havens for the weird. 

We even provide an example of a modified generic location in the unlocked stretch goal scenario Silent Street Station. This scenario was built on the framework presented in Subway Concourse and Subway Platform.

Let's look at some spreads! Remember, these give you enough to get started and all you have to do is twisted and warp them with the weird in order to make them perfect foundation for your session.


Want to run a Evil Dead Rise style scenario? Take these generic locations and slap some deadite horror onto it (want deadite style demon possession stats? We got you covered with the Dark Ones in Case Files 01).


Both the medical facility (think Halloween 2, The Void, Reanimator, Exorcist 3, and so many more) and school (Haunted School, The Faculty, Carrie, Suspiria, to name a few) are classic horror locations. Use those films as inspiration or take them, slap on one of the Horrors in the catalog of the strange, and you got your self a ready to run session.


These two locations are special within the book because they act as an exemplar for how you can take them and quickly turn them into a horror scenario. These are the framework we used to make the stretch goal scenario Silent Street Station (which combines a zombie like horror with a subway outbreak). If you are a backer we include a spread from that adventure below:

Deep Dive Inside The Catalog of the Strange
about 1 year ago – Fri, Apr 25, 2025 at 10:33:09 AM

We've been so excited about the reception around Liminal Horror Deluxe Edition that we wanted to provide a look at what the inside of the book will look like. Below are a few different spreads that give you a sense of what the different sections of the book will look like, and to see what our vision for layout will be. The manuscript is completed, first round of edits are in, and we've been working away at laying out this 350+ page book.

FACTIONS
One of the parts of The Catalog of the Strange (our take on a bestiary) are the Factions. These organizations are secondary antagonists that can help or hinder the Investigators as they grapple with the weird. One of the main Factions in the text, and throughout the official modules, is The Bureau.


One of the writing/design goals of this project was to create usable material that supports play. So for factions we wanted to give enough for Facilitators to leverage these forces within their games. This includes the goals of the factions, key personnel, headquarters, resources & methods, allies, adversaries, and contracts that they could offer Investigators. We also include stats for different operatives aligned to the faction.

HORRORS
The Catalog of the Strange is by far the largest chapter of the book (coming in at around 1/4 of the total manuscript). One of the largest parts of that are the Horrors. We have a ton of different monsters presented for use within your games. Some cover a single page, a spread, or even multiple pages. The goal for them was to provide usable and dynamic toolkits to help you in running and using them at your table. Below is a spread that includes two example single page monsters.


Liminal Horror stat blocks are pretty straight forward (with stats, weapon, special abilities, and small description). We wanted to expand these as well to provide usable content to help you understand how to tweak and run these. For the Warped, we included a table of variants that provide unique twists on the original creature along with seeds for how they were warped. For Dissonant Artifacts we include variants and information on how to scatter them through your game.

RESONANT ARTIFACTS
Our take on magic items, these objects are infused with the same resonant energies that make the monsters within the game. They offer great boons and sometimes come with a terrible cost. We have around 50 of these objects within the text.



OTHER SECTIONS IN THE CATALOG
We have a few other sections in the catalog that include Cults and a list of weird NPCs called Allies & Adversaries

EXCLUSIVE
Exclusively for backers is an additional horror spread detailing The Shadow (below).

Next time we will take a look at my favorite part of the the book... the Generic Locations!