Voidheart Symphony
A downloadable game
PSYCHIC REVOLUTION IN THE SHADOWS OF YOUR CITY
There’s a wound in the world, a rot eating at hope and community and empathy. You’ve seen it in dark alleyways and gleaming boardrooms, gifting terrible power to those who will use it to hurt others.
You’ve had enough. You’re going to dive through that wound into the nightmare castle on the other side. You’re going to find the avatar of the one bringing you misery, and strike them down.
But what’s next, once you’ve stolen their power and ruined their ambitions? Will you return to your daily grind? Cherish those who are close to you? Or revel in the power you have taken from the void?
Because within that wound, the castle waits, and it is hungry.
WHAT IS VOIDHEART SYMPHONY?
Voidheart Symphony is a tabletop roleplaying game about mundane people diving into a demon-filled labyrinth to save the ones they love. Based on Apocalypse World and Rhapsody of Blood, it’ll fill your story with dramatic choices and dynamic action.
Your rebels each have a core strength – they may be an Authority, a Provider, a Watcher. But your enemy is far too great for you to face alone. Those you care for will grant you powers of their own: an investigative journalist can give you the searing light of the Sun, and a caring mentor may give you the healing power of the Gardener.
You’ll need to use that strength as you investigate your targets in the mundane world, and as you fight breathtaking and uncanny foes in that nightmare castle.
The World and the Void will both offer you their power, and make their own demands. How will you strike that balance? What will your revolution fight for? That’s your story to tell.
If you're playing Voidheart Symphony online, you're very welcome to make a copy of this character keeperthis character keeper for your own use.
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $19.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Download demo
Development log
- Final Version!Mar 30, 2021
- Release Candidate version!Feb 25, 2021
- v0.9 - Near Culmination EditionDec 27, 2020
- New playbook layoutNov 01, 2020
- v0.8 - Intensified EditionOct 29, 2020
- v0.6: Connection and Condition editionAug 21, 2020
- Playtest PlaybooksJun 12, 2020
- Version 0.5: Revolution and RetaliationMay 30, 2020
Comments
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Hello, I have purchased the book and covenant cards from my local store, but they said they could only give me the .pdf for the book. Since it's not possible to purchase the convenant cards as .pdf separately, I was wondering if there is any way UFO Press could send me if I show proof of ownership?
Also what all is in the "all files.zip"? Is it just the book, the cards and the demo files?
Badass game, UFO Press!
Re: Covenant Cards
Is it just me, or are there two identical sets in the included deck? If so, why? As usual, maybe I’m missing something. I bought the deck at my FNGS, and was confused within moments of cracking the seal. Lol!
Is there ever going to be a Roll20 format for online play? Including templates for character sheets, covenant cards, and Vassel info sheets. (The google sheets keeper, as of now, barely has all the archetypes & world+void gauges. No proper space for covenants, castle stuff, really anything else.)
Or at the very least, are we getting PDF sheets like the ones between the archetypes in the Rebel Playbooks that we can edit?
I'm asking since my group just started getting into this, and the closest thing we have for online play is a bootleg Google Doc format because we searched and found nothing besides the playbooks and unfinished keeper sheets.
So I recently lost access to a account that I bought a few ttrpg on but still have the pdf on my PC so I'm try to see if it would be possible to get a copy connect to this account instead I understand if that's not possible
Do you have an update on when physical copies will be available for purchase for those of us who missed the Kickstarter? And where would be the best place to purchase this game for someone in the US? Thanks so much, really excited to read/play this!
YOU ARE IN LUCK!
I THINK they are available-both the standard hardcover AND the deluxe clothbound(!) version on the Rowan, Rook, & Decard store.
Do you have any tips to print covenant cards with a A4 printer ?
"As they dive in, the leader may call out to rebels unable to join the delve or otherwise unwilling to spend a Shadow Action. If their Crew Covenant is intense, they may answer and manifest as a wraith – the version of the rebel that exists in the crew’s minds "
I'm running a game currently and I hit this paragraph in the book. What's a "shadow action"? I can't find the term defined anywhere. I can find Shadow Move, but not Shadow Action.
Does this paragraph mean that players who have expended their two everyday/rebel actions for the day are unable to join on a delve into the Castle except as Wraiths?
It should say "unable/unwilling to spend a Rebel Action"
Do we know if the character sheet is gonna be updated, or is that the last version we'll see. genuinely curious to see before I start making copies. didn't want to start a campaign before the new sheets release.
If you mean the online character keeper - a new version is going to be put up soon! Thanks for your patience.
Is there going to be another chance to get a physical copy of this book?
Yes there is - it will go on wider release when it's been distributed to Kickstarter backers.
I love this game! I've been holding a regular game session since the end of last year, and it's great fun.
Glad to hear it!
I'm sorry, this is probably a dumb question, but when you say this game is based on Apocalpyse World/Rhapsody of Blood does that mean they are required reading/purchasing for this game?
They are not required, the systems are just very similar.
Thank you!
Congratulations on the release and a thank you for all your hard work in making this game a reality!
Congrats on getting this through to release! The layout is fantastic.
I totally love the 0.9 graphic and art. That "Gorillaz" style is cool and very defining.
Really interested in this! There's a minor typo in the rebel playbooks handout (in the current version), with the Inhuman. Where it should say "Play an Inhuman to:", it says "Play an Authority to:"
Wonderful work, though! Considering running this with some friends!
Hah, I was almost through v0.6. Now, I get to start over!
Hah, hope you enjoy the new version!
It's shaping up really well! I'm certainly interested in what a Tier S antagonist looks like.
Just a technical thing, there seems to be a glitch on Itch.io. I went to download this update but the page and my library didn't reflect that I already bought it. I'd gladly pay for it again but I assume this wasn't intended :p
I was able to reach the download page again via the link on the original purchazse confirmation email. This is just an fyi.
Very exciting game - beautiful layout, interesting mechanics. Super super pumped to be testing it out soon!!
thank you so much!
The discord link has expired.
Try this one: https://discord.gg/4ptNe7w
This needs a sequel called Voidheart Melody. Thats just like it, but the battles are all dance battles
I mean, the Persona series does have Dancing games too...
Hi!
Just purchased this today and I'm love with what I'm seeing so far!
I keep wondering if there's ways to involve the Minor Arcana in a more significant way.
Have you thought about making an alternate fortune system using the minor arcana to resolve rolls?
I'm thinking for the mundane world, drawing two A-10 cards and comparing to gauge x2. And maybe for the Castle using court cards, trying to match suits to the suit of the move? The higher the bonus the more cards you can draw?
It probably messes up the math a lot, but I'm wondering if it's a significant enough change. The benefit I see is that Tarot readers could, however, totally color their narration with what meaning the cards evoke. (An athletic success with a 10 of Wands, means probably that the character was able to 'let go of unnecessary weight')
Just some random thoughts! Thank you for this amazing piece of art!
It's an interesting idea! I've definitely been playing with adding optional tarot-reading elements to the game (see the Minor Covenant table and the final chapter of the new release), but using them for core resolution mechanics is a cool challenge. I'll ponder it and see what I can come up with.
So, here’s what I have so far:
In the city, the GM draws one card per mark in the gauge you’re checking against, and picks one they like best. They interpret it and say why that’s a miss, weak hit or strong hit.
In the castle, you draw one card plus one per stat point, pick one you like best, and interpret it to say why it’s a miss, weak hit or strong hit. (If your stat is -1, draw two and the GM picks which one you use).
Advantage
You and the GM both provide an interpretation of the chosen card, and the group decides which is more appropriate bearing in mind the advantage you're working with.
Disadvantage
Same as Advantage, but the others decide with is more appropriate bearing in mind the penalty you're under.
I didn't want a system where I simply use the card as a random number generator - and hopefully if you have meaning-rich tarot cards to hand and you'd like to use them in a game you'll enjoy the prospect of interpreting them ^_^It says up the top that I can get a physical copy hit when I follow the link it says it's not available. Will it become avaliable again?
Ah, it's reopened now!
Can I get this in the library? I have backed it, but everytime I go download it, I forget, I have to access the link through Backer kit.
I messaged itch support a month or so ago about sending keys out, but it seems like nothing's happened there. I'll try again with the next release, arriving very soon!
Not sure that they fixed it. I got the email today that there were updated files, and a link to download, but that just took me to the sale page. I was a KS backer. Looking forward to the physical version.
I've sent another email over to itch support, fingers crossed things are sorted soon.
Since the game is still up for pre-order, is the pdf you can buy now a complete playable version or is it not going to be *done* done until the actual release date? I loved Rhapsody of Blood and definitely want this game too, but I thought it best to ask if I should jump on it now or wait until the release.
Hi! If you buy it now, you'll get a playable but non-final version of the game. You'll also get free updates all the way to the game's release and after. It's not done done, but I've had a great time playing the current build and playtest feedback would be very appreciated! ^_^
Decided to take the bait and buy. Holy $%/+, this is actually pretty awesome. I look forward to this coming out!
Thanks for picking it up!
I picked this up almost as soon as you put it up, I loved Rhapsody of Blood's concept and was excited to see your modern day spin on it! Good luck with the kickstarter.
If you're still looking for new names for positive/negative projects, I'd suggest improvement and maintenance, respectively.
Oh, that's neat! I'll try out how it feels in my mind but that might be a winner :D
Any chance for a starter setting? Something with places, characters, secrets and plots.
I'm writing one up at the moment! Hoping to have it done in the next few weeks.
Ok, you got my money. I can't wait to read the full doc. Men, this game deserves a cool set of pictures, an improbable mix between Darkest Dungeon and Persona.
I loved what you did with Rhapsody of Blood!
Jay, this is a wonderful progression of the best World of Legacy. I love what you've done with it.
With all stats starting at -1, does the game start fairly weak and chaotic? I can't envision how that'd play out.
Thanks Aaron! The intent is that you get better pretty quickly, and your chances of success aren’t bad if others are helping you. Also remember that you’ll likely have 2 covenant moves as well, which, if they roll, will be rolling +1. I might tweak how quickly you gain static when you’re starting out, though.