From publisher blurb:
Liminal Horror is a classless, rules lite system the eschews leveling for high lethality and narrative growth. Players act as investigators navigating a modern world full of terrible and unknowable things that hide in the spaces between, looking for a way in.
Developed as a modern cosmic horror hack of Yochai Gal’s Cairn (inspired by Into the Odd & Knave), it adds a Stress & Stress Fallout system that warps characters the closer they get to the abyss.
Liminal Horror is a rules-lite, fail forward system that leverages creative problem solving in order to create memorable experiences at the table. Its open framework allows facilitators to use other mysteries/horror adventures at the table.
For fans of Junji Ito, cosmic horror, Call of Cthulu, Monster of the Week, Silent Legions but wanting rules-lite NSR/OSR philosophy.
This Exalted Funeral edition contains additional content such as: a mystery framework to plan sessions, an example mystery (Plague of Frogs) and spark tables.
Gameplay: Fast and simple rules (the summary fits onto a single page). There are 3 stats (Strength, Dexterity, Control) and players makes saves when there is a risk of failure. Rolling equal to or under is a success. There are not rolls to hit (damage is dealt automatically).
Stress & Fallout: Play deals with horror themes. This is represented mechanically by Stress and Fallout. Fallout is how characters are changed encountering horrors. The design avoids using mental illness and trauma as game-play mechanics.
Wounds: A new system for detailing the lasting physical effects of injuries, including locations and severity.
This updated edition contains:
Cleaner layout
Clarified text
A new Wounds system
New Archetypes for quicker character creation
Tools to align the focus more on “modern horror” than “cosmic horror”