Author | Flames

Flames Rising is an online resource for fans of Horror and Dark Fantasy entertainment. This horror fanzine offers reviews of Games, Fiction, Movies and more ranging from Top-Selling authors to the coolest Small Press and “indie” publishers. The popular Interviews at Flames Rising include Horror authors, artists and other creators of dark entertainment. Stay tuned to the Flames Rising news feed for the latest news on upcoming products, genre conventions and industry developments.

Flames Rising continues to add new Features and expand the Fiction and Articles sections of the site with topics of interest to Horror and Dark Fantasy fans the world over.


Chronicles of Darkness: The Contagion Chronicle is now available!

Posted on September 23, 2020 by

The world is ill. You have everything to lose through its sickness.

Loss. Change. Chaos.

Your own blood will rebel against you. Your own herd.

Your own loved ones. Do not believe that just because you’ve had a hundred years on this earth, you’ll be exempt. Just because you were ignorant of it until now does not make you immune. Your waking to the reality of this world — of the great machine in its heart, and the sickness in its veins — is just the first step. You must find others like you and me and make them swear to drive back this Contagion. This world doesn’t have long left. You may be a monster, but perhaps with other monsters, you can drive back the destruction of everything.

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Onyx Path continues the 2nd Edition of the Scion RPG with Demigod!

Posted on September 4, 2020 by

As a Hero, a Scion becomes a figure of myth and story, an exemplar of some virtue of their chosen society or the culture they’re born into. Even before their Visitation, the children of the Gods are a breed apart. But some want more than this lesser form of immortality, forever in the shadow of their parents. The golden ichor within the Scion’s heart sears and cooks them, ever burning away any human frailties of the Scion and driving them toward more audacious Deeds. They seek to become truly transformational figures, leaving The World forever different in their wake. At the fifth dot of Legend, it all reaches a tipping point, where the Scion is formed more of divine ichor than mortal flesh–more immortal than mortal, a true Demigod. They have declared to The World that they will not be pawns of Fate, but players in their own right. They will succeed in becoming a God, or they will die with their failure.

Everything up to this point was your prologue. Now it’s time to live your myth in Scion: Demigod.

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Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Debuting this Fall for Dungeons & Dragons

Posted on August 24, 2020 by

What wonderful witchery is this? Dungeons & Dragons presents a magical mixture of new rules options and subclasses for the world’s greatest roleplaying game with Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. The contents of Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything will be available on November 17, 2020, with a cover by Magali Villeneuve and an alt-cover by Wylie Beckert only available through local game stores. Pre-orders are available now, and fans will get a chance to preview some of the new subclasses and more at D&D Celebration, an online gaming event open to fans all over the world, taking place September 18-20.

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Water Woman: Into the Deep by Steffie de Vaan and Crissie Brown!

Posted on August 11, 2020 by

Water Woman is a new indie comic written by Steffie de Vaan with art by Crissie Brown. The two both participated in Gail Simone’s Comic School, hosted during the lockdown, and combined forces to make a joint vision come true.

Into the Deep tells the story of Niqui, a young artist living in Miami, her mom Pearl and her abusive soon-to-be ex Romain. It’s a story about escaping domestic violence, artistic creation, and renewal. When Romain knocks Niqui overboard on a trip to the Bahamas, Niqui finds herself transformed into Water Woman. After a harrowing return, Niqui must face her fears and bring Romain to justice.

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Join Paizo at Gen Con Online with the Advanced Player’s Guide and more!

Posted on July 30, 2020 by

Join Paizo for the Best Four Days in Gaming during Gen Con Online today through August 2 and play amazing Pathfinder and Starfinder games with friends from around the world! The year’s biggest releases await players, including the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide, Starfinder Starship Operations Manual, and Pathfinder Lost Omens: Legends!

Ready to go beyond the basics? Expand the limits of what’s possible with the Pathfinder Advanced Player’s Guide! This 272-page Pathfinder Second Edition rulebook contains exciting new rules options for player characters, adding even more depth of choice to your Pathfinder game! Inside you will find brand new ancestries, heritages, and four new classes: the shrewd investigator, the mysterious oracle, the daring swashbuckler, and the hex-slinging witch! The Advanced Player’s Guide also includes exciting new options for all your favorite Core Rulebook classes and tons of new backgrounds, general feats, spells, items, and 40 flexible archetypes to customize your play experience even further!

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Bury Yourself in Gothic Horror with the Curse of Strahd Revamped Premium Edition

Posted on July 28, 2020 by

Unearth the terror of Ravenloft one more time! Wizards of the Coast presents a collector’s edition boxed set for the world’s greatest roleplaying game: Curse of Strahd Revamped. Packaged in a coffin-shaped box, Curse of Strahd Revamped provides everything a Dungeon Master needs to stage chilling and thrilling scenes starring the vampire villain Count Strahd von Zarovich. This deluxe box is packed with irresistible treats, including updated adventure content, a beautifully illustrated and foil-stamped Tarokka deck, and lots more to satisfy even the most bloodthirsty fan of Gothic horror. Curse of Strahd Revamped rises from the grave everywhere on October 20, 2020, just in time for Halloween!

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Beyond the Grave with Matthew Dawkins

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

Onyx Path Publishing has launched a new Kickstarter for their StoryPath System line of RPGs. A companion to the previous They Came From Beneath the Sea!, you can now jump into campy horror with They Came from Beyond the Grave! Onyx Path describes the new game as:

They Came from Beyond the Grave! is a dramatic, hammy, and horrifying tabletop roleplaying game encompassing the shock, terror, eroticism, and humor of 1970s horror. This game allows you to play with all the magnificent content from the movies of Hammer, Amicus, and Roger Corman, and promises fun and thrills of the horror movie genre!

We had the chance to ask developer Matthew Dawkins about this project. You can also check out some actual play videos from the recent Onyx Path Virtual Gaming Convention too!

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Matt Forbeck’s Shotguns & Sorcery: The Roleplaying Game hits the digital shelves!

Posted on July 3, 2020 by

Welcome to Dragon City, a grim, gritty metropolis ruled over by the Dragon Emperor, with legions of zombies scratching at the city walls by night.

Whether in the streets of Goblintown or the prestigious halls of the Academy of Arcane Apprenticeship, people try to scrape by, make a living, and survive from one day to the next. You, however, are looking for something more than simple survival. And in this city, if you don’t make your own adventure, another adventure is sure to find you.

Based on the fantasy noir novels of bestselling author Matt Forbeck and powered by Monte Cook’s Cypher system — written by Forbeck, with rules by legendary game designer Robert J. Schwalb — Shotguns & Sorcery: The Roleplaying Game contains everything you need to launch your campaign.

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Fantasy Flight Games’ announces the Lord of the Rings: The Board Game Anniversary Edition

Posted on July 2, 2020 by

First published in 2000, The Lord of the Rings: The Board Game has been a seminal classic and an iconic tabletop retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, created by world renowned game designer, Reiner Knizia, and brought to life with the stunning artwork of John Howe. Twenty years later, the game returns to print in a brand-new anniversary edition—a faithful recreation that now includes beautifully sculpted plastic miniatures for the Hobbits, Sauron, the threat die, and the One Ring.

The Lord of the Rings: The Board Game Anniversary Edition is the definitive edition of this classic cooperative board game, challenging you and up to four other players to play through the entire trilogy, from the long darkness of Moria and the ferocious battles beneath the walls of Helm’s Deep, to the shadows of Shelob’s Lair and the dusty grey wastes of Mordor. In every location, you and your fellow Hobbits must push forward, battling the forces of the Dark Lord and marching ever closer to the Cracks of Doom and the destruction of the One Ring. The road is long, the Eye of Sauron is watchful, and the threat of the Ring’s corruption is ever-present. Can you save the Free Peoples of Middle-earth and destroy the One Ring?

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Acclaimed Game Designer Justin Achilli Rejoins World of Darkness as Brand Creative Lead

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

World of Darkness, the transmedia entertainment brand behind celebrated fantasy horror properties like Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse, has announced the hiring of Justin Achilli as Brand Creative Lead. The author and designer of a wide range of World of Darkness games, rulebooks, and supplemental material over the last 23 years, Justin rejoins the World of Darkness team as the brand continues to expand in 2020 and beyond. Martyna “Outstar” Zych, a popular YouTuber, Twitch Streamer, and Vampire: The Masquerade enthusiast, has also recently joined as Brand Community Developer and now broadcasts a weekly livestream show “WoD News.”

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Jim Zub’s SKULLKICKERS in development at Copernicus Studios

Posted on June 17, 2020 by

New adult 2D animated comedy adventure series in the works

Copernicus Studios Inc is proud to announce a development deal to adapt the SKULLKICKERS comic series written by Zub and illustrated by Edwin Huang and Chris Stevens into an animated action-adventure series for adults.

“Demand for adult animated content is on the rise.” Says Paul Rigg, President of Copernicus Studios. “Over the past few years we’ve seen the popularity of anime and other content for mature audiences increase in North America. Shows like Castlevania, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, and Rick & Morty are grabbing attention for good reason. It’s a great time to make our mark in this space.”

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Read a Full Excerpt of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

Posted on May 28, 2020 by

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is an epic novel that follows Kira Navárez, who, during a routine survey mission on an uncolonized planet, finds an alien relic that thrusts her into the wonders and the nightmares of first contact. Epic space battles for the fate of humanity take her to the farthest reaches […]

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Guest Design Post: Pawlik on Empire of the Ghouls and More!

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

Hi, my name’s Kelly Pawlik and I’m one of the contributors to Kobold Press’s Empire of the Ghouls, the Underworld Player’s Guide, and Underworld Lairs. I was very kindly asked if I wanted to share some experiences and highlights of working on the project, so I’ll get started! How to Run a Marathon in Two […]

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D&D Online to Raise Money for Charity in June

Posted on May 21, 2020 by

Rise of the Last Imperials Interview with Hiromi Cota

Posted on May 18, 2020 by

FlamesRising.com is pleased to present an interview with Hiromi Cota conducted by Monica Valentinelli, the Dark Eras 2 lead developer. Hiromi worked on the Rise of the Last Imperials chapter which takes place in 17th century China and presents material for hunters and mummies. Hiromi has been a special operations heavy weapons expert, an adjunct professor, a rave journalist, and the flaming-sword-swinging lead in a heavy metal opera. They’ve lived around the world, but settled down in Seattle with their spouse Randi and their dog Nasus. Outside of crafting roleplaying games, Hiromi writes queer science fiction/fantasy, produces the inclusive and comedic D&D radio drama podcast “Dear High Elves,” programs video games, and gets into sword fights as a member of the Seattle Knights actor-combatant troupe. To learn more visit HiromiCota.com or follow @HiromiCota on Twitter.

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Kickstarter Exclusive! Arrrrr… the Sea of Legends Board Game

Posted on May 11, 2020 by

Explore a wildly re-imagined Caribbean, bursting with magic and mayhem!

Sea of Legends is a narrative-driven, open-world tabletop game for 1 to 4 players. Swashbuckle and swindle your way to victory as one of four unique captains. Raid ports, bury treasure, fall in love, and defeat your nemesis as you compete to become the most legendary pirate on the open sea.

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Technocracy Reloaded, a new supplement for Mage: the Ascension

Posted on May 7, 2020 by

Onyx Path Publishing Launches Kickstarter for Technocracy Reloaded, a Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Supplement

Rich Thomas, founder and Creative Director of Onyx Path Publishing, announced the launch of a new Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition Kickstarter for the deluxe printing of Technocracy Reloaded. In the words of co-developer, Travis Legge: “The world is on the brink of destruction. The Enlightened Scientists of the Technocratic Union are humanity’s best hope against Reality Deviants, Monsters, Aliens, Climate Change, and any of a hundred other ills you may have read about in the Book of Revelations or the Weekly World News. Humanity is in desperate need of saving. Are you ready to suit up?”

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Play the Evil Dead 2 Escape Room from home

Posted on April 28, 2020 by

Hourglass Escapes, LLC is proud to announce the May 2020 opening of: The Original Evil Dead 2: DEAD BY DAWN Live Video Escape Room

For a limited time only, you have the chance to escape the evil dead before they swallow your soul in the first officially licensed live video escape room, granted by Studiocanal S.A.S., based on Sam Raimi’s classic horror/comedy Evil Dead 2: DEAD BY DAWN.

Hourglass Escapes, LLC and their hit Escape Room is coming to your home in this streaming Live Action Evil Dead 2 Escape Room experience. This world famous 5 star rated escape room and be played anywhere worldwide. Tickets will be on sale May 8th with games starting May 15th.

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Matt Corley explores the The Devil’s City

Posted on April 27, 2020 by

The Devil’s City: Horror Fiction & 5e Gaming Conjoined is An illustrated, collectible novella & companion 5e RPG setting exploring the growing darkness in Chicago of late 1800s. Currently funding on Kickstarter.com with only a few days left. This project is led by by Sara Tantlinger, Matt Corley and M.T. Black. This morning Matt Corley stopped by to tell us a bit more about what inspired the project.

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Wizards of the Coast Distributes Free Digital Enrichment Kits for Librarians and Educators

Posted on April 24, 2020 by

Wizards of the Coast today announced that the company will distribute 2,000 digital kits to schools and libraries in the U.S. and Canada to provide educators and librarians with resources to engage their communities with Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering virtual play while many are practicing social distancing.

Each kit will include a Legendary Bundle for D&D Beyond that unlocks access to all current rules and adventure content for D&D as well as a 15% discount on future D&D Beyond purchases and 30 Magic: The Gathering Arena digital codes, which can be redeemed for three Ikoria booster packs. The kits will also feature tips to help teachers and librarians engage their audiences in a virtual play environment.

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11 Tales of Ghostly Horror

    Reviews Wanted!

    The new Review Guidelines have been posted on the Flames Rising website. We are currently seeking a few good reviewers to help us expand our collection of horror and dark fantasy reviews. RPGs, fiction, movies, video games and more are all welcome on the site...

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    The Devil’s Night WoD SAS

    Free Devil's Night | White Wolf