In 1998 Dark Conspiracy was revived by Dynasty Presentations Inc., a boutique publishing company led by Ken Whitman. With the support of a small but active group of fans, DPI published a 2nd edition of the game (which while included little in the way of revision, did combined many of the 1st edition source books into the core rule set).
Although this revival only lasted a few years, it was long enough to see the first new official material published in almost a decade with three (of a proposed six) Sin City adventures released, as well as a draft of a fully revised 2.5 edition (although again this was never published).
Unfortunately, all of the released Dark Conspiracy 2nd edition books were produced in a ‘lightning press’ small factor sized format, and printed on yellow-tinted paper. This, when combined with various misaligned formatting faults, an inconsistent bleed issue and the fact that the art consisted mostly of poorly scanned images from original Dark Conspiracy releases, resulted in these publications being of a very low quality.
Player’s Handbook – Masters Edition (DPI 1000)
Description – Core Rulebook (Masters Edition)
Author – Lester W. Smith
Published – 1998
Page Count – 400 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-00-6
PDF – 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook (Master)
Shapes that rip and tear. Shadows that live in corners. Windows in space and time that lead to realms of madness and decay. A dark, lurking horror that feeds off the echoing anguish of a billion souls.
When an ancient, brooding evil is released from its dimensional prison, humanity’s worst nightmares come to life. Set in the near future, the world of Dark Conspiracy is fraught with peril and challenge. Can you turn back the forces of darkness?
This Player’s Handbook contains all the rules to create and run characters in the world of Dark Conspiracy, Including material from previous released Dark Tek and Empathic Sourcebook. This book contains revised character sheets, expanded equipment list and in-depth empathic abilities section.
Are you game?
Difference between the Basic & Master Edition?
Less than half the size of the Master Edition, the Basic Edition has fewer character examples; a truncated careers list; only about half of the Empathic Sourcebook; about a third of the equipment entries (especially those of the DarkTek Sourcebook); and both the Vehicle & Travel Combat, and Space Travel sections completely removed. The Basic edition books were added after the initial publishing run, as they are not referred to in either the original 2nd Edition print or their end-papers.
Player’s Handbook – Basic Edition (DPI 1001)
Description – Core Rulebook (Basic Edition)
Author – Lester W. Smith
Published – 1998
Page Count – 180 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-02-2
PDF – 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook (Basic)
Shapes that rip and tear. Shadows that live in corners. Windows in space and time that lead to realms of madness and decay. A dark, lurking horror that feeds off the echoing anguish of a billion souls.
When an ancient, brooding evil is released from its dimensional prison, humanity’s worst nightmares come to life. Set in the near future, the world of Dark Conspiracy is fraught with peril and challenge. Can you turn back the forces of darkness?
This Player’s Handbook contains all the rules to create and run characters in the world of Dark Conspiracy, Including material from previous released Dark Tek and Empathic Sourcebook. This book contains revised character sheets, expanded equipment list and in-depth empathic abilities section.
Are you game?
Player’s Expansion (DPI 1002)
Description – Unpublished
Author – Unknown
Published – N/A
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
This unpublished book was designed to to bridge the gap between the Basic and Masters editions of the Player’s Handbook. Reference to this specific expansion appears only in the later supplements, although it was listed as being ‘In Stock’ in these products.
Referee’s Guide – Masters Edition (DPI 1010)
Description – Core Rulebook (Masters Edition)
Author – Lester W. Smith
Published – 1998
Page Count – 462 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-01-4
PDF – 2nd Edition Referee’s Guide (Master Edition)
Shapes that rip and tear. Shadows that live in corners. Windows in space and time that lead to realms of madness and decay. A dark, lurking horror that feeds off the echoing anguish of a billion souls.
When an ancient, brooding evil is released from its dimensional prison, humanity’s worst nightmares come to life. Set in the near future, the world of Dark Conspiracy is fraught with peril and challenge. Can you turn back the forces of darkness?
This Referee’s Guide contains material from previously released Dark Races and Proto-Dimensions. This book contains a large section on creatures and new dimensions for players to explore. You will find all the rules, start-up adventures and creatures from the dark abyss to play in this dark game of sci-fi horror.
Are you game?
Difference between the Basic & Master Edition?
Less than half the size of the Master Edition, the Basic Edition has fewer Dark Races, little, if any information on proto-dimensions and halves the content on the Empathic Underground. The Basic edition books were added after the initial publishing run, as they are not referred to in either the original 2nd Edition print or their end-papers.
Referee’s Guide – Basic Edition (DPI 1011)
Description – Core Rulebook (Basic Edition)
Author – Lester W. Smith
Published – 1998
Page Count – 180 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-03-0
PDF – 2nd Edition Referee’s Guide (Basic Edition)
Shapes that rip and tear. Shadows that live in corners. Windows in space and time that lead to realms of madness and decay. A dark, lurking horror that feeds off the echoing anguish of a billion souls.
When an ancient, brooding evil is released from its dimensional prison, humanity’s worst nightmares come to life. Set in the near future, the world of Dark Conspiracy is fraught with peril and challenge. Can you turn back the forces of darkness?
This Referee’s Guide contains material from previously released Dark Races and Proto-Dimensions. This book contains a large section on creatures and new dimensions for players to explore. You will find all the rules, start-up adventures and creatures from the dark abyss to play in this dark game of sci-fi horror.
Are you game?
Referee’s Expansion (DPI 1012)
Description – Unpublished
Author – Unknown
Published – N/A
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
As with the Player’s Expansion, this unpublished book was designed to to bridge the gap between the Basic and Masters editions of the Referee’s Guide. Reference to this specific expansion appears only in the later supplements, although it was listed as being ‘In Stock’ in these products.
Referee’s Screen (DPI 1020)
Description – Referee’s Screen & Adventures
Author – Creede & Sharleen Lambard, & Dr Michael C LaBossiere
Published – 1999
Page Count – 3 + 48 pages (Hardcover Screen & staple bound insert).
ISBN – 1-892886-04-9
PDF – Referee’s Screen
This three-paneled referee’s screen (33″ x 8.5″) is beautifully illustrated by fantasy artist Larry Elmore. This Referee’s Screen has everything a Referee needs for quick reference to speed up game-play.
Also included is a 48-page book with material from the previously released Ice Daemon and Nightsider adventures, both of which are sure to frighten and delight horror role-players of any age.
Dark Rumors Vol 1 (DPI 1050)
Description – Unpublished
Author – Unknown
Published – N/A
Page Count – 120?
ISBN – N/A
As described in the end-pages of the 2nd Edition Players Handbook:
A collection of two adventures from the first edition of Dark Conspiracy: Among the Dead and Heart of Darkness. In Among the Dead, characters must make a mystical trip to Moscow for the knowledge needed to save New Boswash before it succumbs to the grip of the Dark. In Heart of Darkness, characters track the trail of a 1000-year-old wizard and his magical talisman in hopes of putting ancient evil to rest.
Dark Rumors Vol 2 (DPI 1051)
Description – Unpublished (Adventures)
Author – Unknown
Published – N/A
Page Count – 120?
ISBN – N/A
As described in the end-pages of the 2nd Edition Players Handbook:
A collection of two adventures from the first edition of Dark Conspiracy: New Orleans and Hellsgate. In New Orleans, people are disappearing, and something in the swamps north of the city is responsible. In Hellsgate, characters travel beyond the asteriod belt to unlock a gate to hell. Life is about to become terrifying.
The Shadow Falls – Sin City Vol 1 (DPI 1100)
Description – Adventure
Author – Mike Marchi
Published – 1999
Page Count – 108 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-07-7
PDF – The Shadow Falls Adventure – Sin City 1
Welcome to New Centennial City, or “Sin City” as the people who live here call it.
New Centennial City is a new Hong Kong – a place of commerce, opportunity and dark secrets. It is a foreboding place, crouched somewhere in the shadows between Tim Burton’s Gotham and the Los Angeles of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.
New Centennial City is a place where powerful men prey on the weak-minded with disastrous results. A series of violent crimes and a mysterious explosion, draw the players into the clutches of the Calendites, a modern-day Mayan cult led by the enigmatic Ethan Rayne. In trying to learn its secrets, the players are caught up in the frenzy of impending doom. The stage is set! The end of the world is nigh!
Of Gates and Gods – Sin City Vol 2 (DPI 1105)
Description – Softcover Adventure
Author – Marcus Bone
Published – 1999
Page Count – 108 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-06-5
PDF – Of Gates and Gods Adventure – Sin City 2
Something strange just crashed into a heavily populated region of New Centennial City and someone is trying to keep it a secret.
As the players investigate, they will be introduced to the subculture of the Citadel. The Citadel can be best described as the personal playground to the elite of New Centennial City. Big parties, big business and big money flow through this area at neck-breaking speeds.
The Citadel is dangerously out of control. Greed and corruption can be found on every corner. Certain elements attempt to change the world as we know it. What is happening behind the scenes and can your party stop it before it’s too late?
And no matter what happens in Sin City, just remember… it’s just business.
Masks of Darkness – Sin City Vol 3 (DPI 1110)
Description – Softcover Adventure
Author – Geoff Skellams
Published – 1999
Page Count – 108 pages (Softcover)
ISBN – 1-892886-07-3
PDF – Masks of Darkness Adventure – Sin City 3
‘Just what the hell is going on here?’
Something is happening behind the scenes in New Centennial City. A gang war has erupted in the Projects and an influenza epidemic sweeps the city. Meanwhile, a man has gone missing and no one seems willing to help find him. The players get asked to help and inadvertently get pulled into a web of lies, deceit and confusion.
Masks of Darkness introduces several new underground empathic cells that are active in New Centennial City. They, together with the players, will work together to uncover the truth that lurks behind the façade of everyday city life. If the players aren’t careful, they could get more than they bargained for.
And no matter what happens in Sin City, just remember… a mind is a terrible thing to waste!
Sin City Vol 4-6 (DPI 1115/1120/1125)
Description – Unpublished
Author – Unknown
Published – N/A
Page Count – 108?
ISBN – N/A
The Sin City series was never completed although a few drafts were scoped for the 5th book at least. There had been some discussion of revisiting the series after the release of Dark Conspiracy 2.5, but this did not eventuate.
Dark Conspiracy 2.5 Edition
Late in 2000 Mike Marchi and Geoff Skellams began to work on a 2.5 edition of Dark Conspiracy. As posted on the DC mailing lists (sourced from Mike’s own Dark Conspiracy News page):
Dynasty Presentations, Inc. (an adventure game publisher located in Lake Geneva, WI) announced today that it will publish Dark Conspiracy Version 2.5.
Mike Marchi, designer of Dark Conspiracy 2.5, said “I’ve been a fan of DC since the first edition, and officially working on it since the release of the second. When I was offered the chance to revise the history and game mechanics for version 2.5, I jumped at the chance! The one thing I definitely wanted was some new material added to the game. The referee will now have two entirely new introductory adventures, as well as an updated timeline which fills gaps in world events since DC first went to print. There are a lot of little tweaks in both the game mechanics and many of the elements of the game itself. We want people who decide to buy 2.5 to feel they got their money’s worth, even if they bought the previous versions.“
Dynasty’s Creative Director Tony Lee stated, “It was time Dark Conspiracy got the attention it needed and we felt Mike was the best designer for the job. He lives for this world!”
Dark Conspiracy 2.5 will be available in retail gaming stores this April, and there will be eight revised releases for the line by this August.
Dark Conspiracy Player’s Handbook v2.5 (DYP-1046)
Description – Unpublished
Author – Mike Marchi & Geoff Skellams
Published – N/A (Listed Date – October 2000)
Page Count – 202 pages (PDF draft)
ISBN – 1-892886-00-6
Suggest Price – $20.00
Set in the early years of the new millennium, the world has suffered a global economic collapse, and a disintegration of the traditional nation-states. Nations still exist, but their actions are increasingly irresponsible. Populations have fled rural areas to swell the borders of already overcrowded cities. Free of government regulation, the mega-corporations have become rival world powers.
From the shadows, they orchestrate a conspiracy of events the plunges the earth deeper into the abyss, then feed off the fear and misery their influence has wrought.
Only a select few individuals suspect these Dark Minions are among us. They band together and fight against overwhelming odds to bring humanity back from the brink.
The Player’s Handbook contains everything needed to create and run characters in the world of Dark Conspiracy. In addition to essays introducing the game world, there are sections covering character generation, task resolution, combat and damage, wounds and healing, and equipment tables.
Dark Conspiracy Referee’s Guide V2.5 (DYP-1042)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – October 2000)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
Shapes that rip and tear. Shadows that live in corners. Windows in space and time that lead to realms of madness and decay. A dark, lurking horror that feeds off the echoing anguish of a billion tortured souls.
Set in the near future, the metroplexes, where most of the world’s population lives, are a blend of lawless gang turf and corporate fortresses ruled by men and women powerful enough to be above the law. The countryside is sparsely inhabited, its natives suspicious and violent. And increasing areas of countryside are turning into Demonground, from which few humans return.
The Referee’s Guide contains everything you need to create and run your own Dark Conspiracy adventures and campaigns. Rules for creating NPCs, Dark Races, DarkTek and Protodimensions sit alongside detailed descriptions of the Dark Earth. Included in this book are tips for maintaining the veil of mystery and horror that typifies this genre, plus an all-new introductory adventure!
Dark Conspiracy Player’s Expansion V2.5 (DYP-1048)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – December 2000)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
The Player’s Expansion contains expanded rules for the Empathy attribute and its related skills, new character types and careers, rules for vehicle combat and space travel. Plus an expanded equipment guide, including pictures and detailed descriptions of the toys and devices every Minion Hunter needs in the war against the dark.
Dark Conspiracy Referee’s Companion V2.5 (DYP-1044)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – December 2000)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
The Referee’s Companion takes the rules presented in the Referee’s Guide and expands the concepts with fleshed-out examples. This book lists specific Dark Races, the DarkTek devices they use and the Protodimensions many of them call home. This indispensable volume contains an all-new introductory adventure module, plus enough adventure seeds and encounter ideas to keep your players sweating bullets for a good long time.
Sin City Chronicles Vol 1 (DYP-1052)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – January 2001)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
Welcome to New Centennial City. The locals call it “Sin City”. It is a new Hong Kong – a place of commerce, opportunity and dark secrets.
Each Sin City Chronicle contains two full adventure modules for use in the Dark Conspiracy role-playing game. Each adventure can be run independently, or combined with the other adventures in this series to reveal an epic, campaign story arc. Each volume also contains detailed sourcebook material, further expanding upon the history and inner workings of New Centennial City.
Sin City Chronicles Vol 2 (DYP- 1054)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – February 2001)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
An influenza epidemic sweeps the city, a gang war erupts in the projects, and a group of up-n-coming corporate executives are missing. A state of emergency is declared as the bitter gang war overflows the projects dumping into the middle-class regions of Sin City. The corporate police force falters under the onslaught, and must take desperate measures to keep the rioters in check. What is the secret that drives all these conflicts? The players must find the answers before it’s too late. But the answers may change the face of Sin City forever!
Sin City Chronicles Vol 3 (DYP- 1056)
Description – Unpublished
Author – N/A
Published – N/A (Listed Date – March 2001)
Page Count – N/A
ISBN – N/A
Suggest Price – $20.00
The players have learned the dark secret behind the ultimate power in New Centennial City. Now, the players must flee before the onslaught of an un-stoppable force. With the final confrontation is at hand, the players must take the fight back to the source of the corruption, and come face to face with their doom. The outcome of this struggle could determine the destiny of an entire city – and the world beyond its borders.