Imperium Maledictum PDF: An Overview
Imperium Maledictum is a new Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game set in the Macharian Sector. It is a sector forged in blood and fire. The core rulebook is available as a PDF. It contains everything needed to play, including a sector guide and enemies.
What is Imperium Maledictum?
Imperium Maledictum is a new Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game created by Cubicle 7. It plunges players into the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium, specifically within the Macharian Sector. This sector, forged through the conquests of Lord Solar Macharius, is now rife with peril and treachery. Unlike some other Warhammer 40,000 RPGs, Imperium Maledictum focuses on a lower level of power, drawing inspiration from the classic “Dark Heresy” system. Players take on the roles of agents working for a powerful Patron within the Inquisition or a similar organization. They investigate heresy, corruption, and threats to the Imperium, operating in the shadows and facing moral compromises. The game emphasizes investigation, intrigue, and survival in a hostile environment, rather than large-scale combat. The core rulebook provides everything needed to play, including character creation rules, a detailed setting guide to the Macharian Sector, and guidance for Game Masters. Think of it as a deep dive into the underbelly of the Imperium, where faith and corruption intertwine, and the fate of worlds hangs in the balance. It is a game of tough choices and desperate measures, where the line between right and wrong is often blurred. The game uses a d100 system.
Core Rulebook Details
The core rulebook for Imperium Maledictum contains all the necessary rules, background, and guidance for players and Game Masters. It includes character creation, gameplay mechanics, a detailed description of the Macharian Sector, and information on patrons and enemies.
PDF Availability and Content
The Imperium Maledictum Core Rulebook is available as a PDF download through various online platforms, including DriveThruRPG and the Cubicle 7 website. Purchasing directly from Cubicle 7 often grants immediate access to the PDF, alongside physical copies when they are shipped. The PDF version is typically a complete digital replica of the physical book, containing all the rules, lore, character options, and GM resources necessary to play the game. This includes detailed explanations of the game’s mechanics, character creation processes, combat rules, and psychic powers.
In addition to the core rules, the PDF also delves into the setting of the Macharian Sector, providing a rich backdrop for campaigns. It details the sector’s history, key locations, factions, and notable figures, allowing players to immerse themselves in the grim darkness of the far future. Furthermore, the PDF includes information on various patrons that characters can serve, each offering unique goals, resources, and challenges. It also presents a diverse array of enemies, from heretics and mutants to xenos threats, ensuring a constant stream of dangers for players to overcome;
The PDF format offers several advantages, including portability, searchability, and ease of access. Players can easily reference rules and lore during gameplay, and GMs can quickly prepare sessions using the digital format. Moreover, purchasing the PDF often includes additional digital resources, such as character sheets and reference guides, further enhancing the gaming experience. Some retailers also offer the PDF as a bonus when pre-ordering the physical copy of the core rulebook. This allows players to start exploring the Macharian Sector immediately while awaiting the arrival of their physical book. Overall, the PDF version of the Imperium Maledictum Core Rulebook provides a comprehensive and convenient way to access the game and its rich content.
Macharian Sector Setting
The Imperium Maledictum roleplaying game is primarily set within the Macharian Sector, a region of space within the Imperium of Man forged through the conquests of Lord Solar Macharius. This sector, once a testament to Macharius’s military genius and unwavering faith in the Emperor, has since fallen into a state of decay and corruption, plagued by internal strife, external threats, and the insidious influence of Chaos; The Macharian Sector is characterized by its diverse range of worlds, each with its own unique cultures, environments, and challenges. From heavily industrialized hive worlds to feudal planets steeped in tradition, the sector offers a rich tapestry of locations for players to explore and adventure in.
However, beneath the veneer of Imperial order lies a seething underbelly of crime, heresy, and rebellion. The sector is rife with corruption, with powerful individuals and organizations vying for control and exploiting the populace for their own gain. The influence of Chaos is also strong, with cults and warp-tainted entities preying on the weak and vulnerable. The Macharian Sector is beset on all sides and from within by the myriad enemies of the beleaguered Imperium, making it a dangerous and unpredictable place to live.
The Macharian Crusade, while initially a glorious endeavor, left a legacy of instability and resentment. Many worlds, forcibly brought into compliance, harbor deep-seated animosity towards the Imperium and are ripe for rebellion. The sector is also a hotbed of political intrigue, with various factions vying for power and influence. Noble houses, religious orders, and even elements within the Imperial bureaucracy are constantly scheming against one another, creating a volatile and unpredictable environment. This constant state of conflict and instability makes the Macharian Sector a compelling setting for Imperium Maledictum, where players must navigate treacherous political landscapes, combat dangerous enemies, and uncover hidden conspiracies to survive and serve the Imperium.
Gameplay Mechanics
Imperium Maledictum employs a d100 dice system. This system is used for skill checks, combat, and other actions. The core mechanic involves rolling percentile dice and comparing the result to a target number based on a character’s skills and attributes.
Dice System (d100)
Imperium Maledictum utilizes a percentile dice system, often referred to as a d100 system. This means that players will primarily use two ten-sided dice (d10s) to generate a number between 1 and 100. One die typically represents the tens digit, and the other represents the ones digit. A roll of “00” is generally treated as 100, though some variations might interpret it as a 0.
When performing a skill check or attempting an action, the player rolls the d100 and compares the result to their character’s skill value or relevant attribute score. If the roll is equal to or lower than the target number, the action is considered a success. The degree of success can be determined by how much lower the roll is than the target number, potentially leading to greater effects or additional benefits.
The system may also incorporate modifiers to the roll, either positive or negative, based on circumstances, environmental factors, or assistance from other characters. These modifiers adjust the final roll result, making it easier or harder to succeed. Furthermore, certain talents, traits, or pieces of equipment might grant bonuses or penalties to specific types of rolls.
The d100 system allows for a wide range of possible outcomes, making the game feel unpredictable and engaging. It also provides a granular level of detail, as small differences in skill values or modifiers can have a noticeable impact on the probability of success. This system is easy to learn, but offers depth for those who want to master it.
Dice can be purchased from hobby stores and are included in the Imperium Maledictum Starter Set. Ten-sided dice, or d10s, are typically marked from 0–9, where a roll of 0 counts as a result of 10, though some can be marked 10, 20, 30, and so on.
Related Products
To enhance the Imperium Maledictum experience, Cubicle 7 offers a range of related products. These include a starter set, GM screen, and adventures. The starter set provides an easy entry point. The GM screen offers helpful references. Adventures provide pre-made scenarios.
Starter Set and Adventures
The Imperium Maledictum Starter Set serves as an ideal entry point for new players and Game Masters alike. This boxed set typically includes pre-generated characters, a condensed rulebook focusing on essential mechanics, dice, and a starter adventure designed to introduce the setting and core gameplay loops. Specifically, the Starter Set provides a Guide to Rokarth, offering a detailed introduction to a specific location within the Macharian Sector. This guide helps players immerse themselves in the grim and treacherous world of the 41st Millennium. The starter adventure is crafted to be easily manageable, allowing newcomers to learn the rules and setting in a structured manner.
Beyond the Starter Set, a variety of adventures are available to expand the Imperium Maledictum experience. These adventures come in various formats, including free-to-download PDFs and larger, more comprehensive campaign books. One example of an adventure is “Chemical Burn,” which offers players a unique scenario to explore within the Macharian Sector. These adventures often delve into the political intrigue, cosmic horror, and relentless conflict that define the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They provide Game Masters with pre-written plots, non-player characters (NPCs), maps, and challenges, significantly reducing preparation time and allowing for more focused gameplay. Some adventures are designed for shorter play sessions, while others can be strung together to form longer campaigns. Furthermore, adventures often introduce new locations, factions, and antagonists, further enriching the Imperium Maledictum setting.
Inquisition Focus
Imperium Maledictum distinguishes itself from other Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying games by placing a significant emphasis on the Inquisition. Players typically assume the roles of agents working for a powerful Inquisitor, tasked with rooting out heresy, corruption, and threats to the Imperium within the Macharian Sector. This focus shapes the gameplay experience, emphasizing investigation, intrigue, and moral compromise. Characters are not necessarily heroic figures, but rather individuals operating in the shadows, making difficult choices to serve the greater good – or their Inquisitor’s agenda.
The Inquisition’s influence is woven into the core mechanics and setting of Imperium Maledictum. Character creation includes options for backgrounds and skills that reflect their ties to the Inquisition, and the game features a unique Patron system. Patrons are powerful individuals, often Inquisitors themselves, who provide resources, guidance, and missions to the players. Serving a Patron comes with both benefits and risks, as players must navigate the complex web of Inquisitorial politics and rivalries. The game also includes detailed information on various Inquisitorial factions, each with its own ideologies and methods. This allows players to align themselves with a specific faction or to play characters who are caught between conflicting loyalties. Moreover, the adventures and campaign settings are designed to highlight the themes of Inquisitorial investigation, conspiracy, and the constant struggle against the enemies of the Imperium, both internal and external.