While Dungeons and Dragons often busies itself with its namesakes, there's a third D that warrants fear from the tabletop. Diseases are one of the most insidious ways to die among adventurers, be it from the stench of undeath or a deadly poison from creatures yet uncharted. And if there's one setting that blends disease with distinctly gothic vibes, it's Victorian England. Gothica: Plagueworlds takes that time period and amps it up in a twisted fashion.
Gothica boasts over 300+ pages of new lore, gore, and mechanics galore, as the best of DnD books should. Everything from disease-ridden deities to whole new classes add fresh variety to the tabletop. While the setting can be used for any TTRPG you deem fit, it was very specifically crafted for DnD 5e, much of its mechanics based on that ruleset.
A creative flourish I loved about the book is how it balances magic. In a setting where magic makes even death temporary, the writers had to come up with unique ways to justify physical healing. The place of magic is therefore shrouded in great mystery. One wrong chant, and magic may make things worse for the unfortunate patient. The most fascinating addition mechanically are the three new classes.
The Chimera are mutated mortals who utilize their affliction to their own benefit. The Saint, in contrast, gains power from martyrdom, not mutations. The more they suffer, the more the populace venerates their resilience, bringing saints closer to their goals. Finally, the Weaver is a mystic who can integrate magic into the very fabric of reality. With their understanding of magical leylines, weavers are versatile casters with a complex playstyle.
Of course, the OG 5e classes also get new subclasses of their own. From Plague Knight fighters steeled against death to clerics who would fit well into Papa Nurgle's grotesque cult, there's cool options for every 5e class. If you want to experience some of Gothica's vibes for yourself, there's a free pre-release guide on their Kickstarter page.
Gothica: Plagueworlds ends its Kickstarter campaign on December 1, 2025.
The Wargamer Discord is a cure-all for your tabletop community needs. If other horror DnD adventures are your obsession, these DnD horror oneshots will spook you.