50% Funded on Kickstarter! Tethered Flesh, the first TTRPG from solo indie studio The Blackened Hand

When I began creating Tethered Flesh, I wanted to immerse players in a world that pulls no punches, a crumbling, grotesque realm where survival means sacrifice. The Celestial Levels are unforgiving, filled with unspeakable horrors that force players to confront a delicate balance between power and humanity. Tethered Flesh is more than a traditional RPG; it’s a journey into visceral, body horror-fueled storytelling.

A review from one of the backers on Kickstarter:

At its core, Tethered Flesh is a rules-lite, dark fantasy tabletop RPG where players must navigate survival in a brutal, decaying world. With a focus on minimalist mechanics, players can delve deep into the story, unraveling mysteries within the labyrinthine Celestial Levels. Here, survival comes at a physical cost. Each class, whether a resilient Spartan, a resourceful Nomad, or a power-hungry Fanatic, offers unique abilities and challenges that force players to think twice about every move. Magic is not just a tool; it’s a risk that scars both mind and body.

The game embraces the grotesque in every aspect. Magic, known as Fleshworks, involves spells that transform the caster’s body in strange and unsettling ways, leaving behind scars, mutations, or worse. Fanatics are the masters of this dark art, casting spells with devastating effects that take a toll on their physical form. Then there are the Spartans, combat-driven survivalists who rely on brutal injectors for power boosts, each one a painful and often unpredictable modification. Nomads, the wanderers, have adapted in other ways, finding their own, less mystical but equally disturbing means of survival.

The World of Tethered Flesh

The Celestial Levels are a world on the edge of collapse, a massive labyrinth constructed by entities known only as the Celestial Architects (or CELARCs). Now, this decaying realm barely serves as a home for humanity’s remnants, with collapsing floors, crumbling structures, and the constant presence of a mysterious, menacing force. In these unforgiving surroundings, settlements are sparse and often threatened by Tethered, horrifying, flesh-hungry creatures that move in hordes, consuming anything in their path.

The game has attracted attention not just for its setting but for the difficult moral choices it presents. Resources are scarce, and survival often requires players to make painful sacrifices. Starvation is a constant threat, and Fleshpaste, a grisly concoction made from whatever remains available, is often the only sustenance. In Tethered Flesh, no victory comes without consequence.

Mechanics and Art Direction

In creating Tethered Flesh, I aimed for mechanics that support immersive, gritty storytelling without bogging down gameplay. Combat is designed with a focus on survival and tactics, not heroics. The game uses a D20 under system, keeping calculations simple and quick while still delivering impactful decisions. The beauty of Tethered Flesh lies in its simplicity: it’s easy to pick up, yet challenging to master as players weigh every choice in the face of relentless threats.

Reviews from our playtest backers regarding the mechanics:

The stunning cover art by Ishani Gairola perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of the game, eerie, unsettling, and hauntingly beautiful.

50% Funded, But the Journey Continues

After launching the Kickstarter campaign, Tethered Flesh reached 50% funding quickly, and I’m immensely grateful for the support. But the journey is far from over. I’m eager to bring this world to life in the most vivid way possible, and the continued backing of our community will allow for the creation of more art from Ishani Gairola, expanded lore, and the addition of future game content.

If you’re drawn to dark fantasy, moral ambiguity, and the grotesque beauty of survival horror, Tethered Flesh offers an experience like no other. I invite you to back the campaign, join us on this journey, and prepare to face the relentless horrors of the Celestial Levels.

Ada Hatton, The Blackened Hand