Dernière Lune: A Dark Fantasy TTRPG Forged in Passion and Perseverance

If you’ve ever tried to bring a TTRPG to life—let alone launch one on Kickstarter—you know the sheer blood, sweat, and sleepless nights it takes. From balancing mechanics to world-building to funding, it’s a monumental task. So when a project like Dernière Lune (DL) comes along, with 20+ years of relentless passion, a thriving community, and a fully realized dark fantasy world, you sit up and pay attention.

Dernière Lune didn’t just materialize overnight. This heroic fantasy meets sword-punk universe started in the early 2000s in the south of France, first captivating players through live-action role-playing (LARP). Hundreds of participants took on the roles of war-weary survivors, braving the grim world of Dernière Lune across intense, story-driven weekends that left a lasting mark on its creators. The LARP campaigns—like The Scourge, Hystéria’s Ashes, and Tarkan’s Gates—weren’t just fun weekend distractions; they were immersive sagas that tested friendships, alliances, and survival instincts.

Fast-forward to 2010, and the team transformed this rich universe into a tabletop RPG, self-publishing a rulebook that, despite being born of sheer determination and DIY spirit, quickly earned a devoted following.

Imagine a dying continent where 14 fantasy races—elves, orcs, trolls, fairies, minotaurs, and more—must set aside their differences to survive. Over half a million survivors are all that remain, forced to unite under the fragile banner of the Unification against a nightmarish, world-ending force: The Beast. This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill fantasy setting. Moral dilemmas, fragile alliances, and desperate battles define this world, making every decision a matter of life and death.

Dark fantasy? Check. Deep, strategic gameplay? Check. A world with real stakes where every choice matters? Double check.

One of the boldest design choices of Dernière Lune is that it abandons dice rolls in favor of a card-based mechanic. The goal? More control, less random chaos.

Gone are the moments where a single bad roll ruins your master plan. Instead, DL’s card system ensures that actions remain consistent, players’ choices stay impactful, and immersion never breaks. Whether you’re a battle-hardened elf, a troll scholar, or a lycan diplomat, you’ll finally have the control to shape your story without the dice deciding your fate for you.

Unlike many large-scale RPG projects, Dernière Lune isn’t some corporate cash grab. This is a labor of love, built over decades by Fabrice, Franck, Élodie, and Serguei, who have poured everything into it—not for financial gain, but because they believe in this world.

This isn’t just an RPG; it’s a multi-media universe. The team has already launched a collection of illustrated short stories (with more on the way), a board game prototype, and even a playable video game demo in the works. Add in original music composed by Franck, and you’ve got a project that isn’t just a game—it’s a living, breathing world.

Yes, Dernière Lune uses AI-generated art—but only as a base. Every illustration undergoes extensive hand-drawn refinements, touch-ups, and edits. The writing, music, game mechanics, and lore? All 100% human. The team has never taken a profit from this project; every penny goes right back into refining the experience for the community.

The Kickstarter: Why You Should Back It

With a loyal following, a universe two decades in the making, and an obsessive dedication to quality, Dernière Lune: Year 10 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling indie TTRPGs of the year.

If you love dark fantasy, strategic storytelling, and a game built by people who actually care about RPGs, then this is one Kickstarter you don’t want to miss.

Back Dernière Lune on Kickstarter

Because some worlds deserve to be played.