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Bluebeard's Bride

Core Rulebook
The Bride’s divided selves investigate her new husband’s haunted mansion.
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Best For

Groups who want a single-session gothic horror investigation through competing facets of one heroine.

Core Mechanic

When a move calls for a roll, a Sister rolls 2d6 plus Blood, Carnality, or Resilience. A 10+ is an unmitigated hit, a 7–9 is a hit with a compromise, and a 6 or less lets the Groundskeeper decide what follows.

Dice2d6
System FamilyPbtA
PublisherMagpie Games
Year2017
ComplexityHow much there is to learn
Medium

The 2d6 move loop and its hit ladder are quick to learn. Ring control and trauma add distinct decisions for players. Groundskeeper room creation links the Bride’s fears to each encounter.

AvailabilityHow you get the rules
  • Free to tryNothing freeNo free rules or starter
  • Get it nowSold newIn print or as a legal PDF
RunnabilityWhat the book gives you to run it
  • ✓IndexFind any rule by page number
  • ✓GM guidanceA chapter on how to run the game
  • ✓Examples of playRules shown in action at the table
  • ✓Quick referenceCheat sheet or summary tables
  • ✓Cross-referencesRules point to each other by page

5 of 5 book tools found in the core book

Highlights

Proposing a truth about each room yields a Faithful or Disloyal token, so the Sisters’ interpretations steer the Bride toward different endings. Passing the ring among Sister playbooks changes who directs the Bride and which moves are available. The Groundskeeper builds rooms from the Sisters’ descriptions and themed threats, turning their choices into new horrors.

Considerations

The game is structured for one session and has no character advancement for a continuing campaign. Violence resolves through a single move rather than a tactical combat system. Sexual and gendered violence are central to the horror premise, so the book recommends setting boundaries with the X-Card.

No verified third-party publishing route found · Reviewed 2026-09-22 · Summary only, not legal advice. Check current terms before publishing. Rules license Proprietary A bounded review of the core credits, publisher FAQ, community page, and general store terms found no verified Bluebeard’s Bride publishing route or explicit game-specific prohibition.

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