Lies By Omission: A Tabletop RPG Inspired by Gothic Italian Horror

by Chain Assembly

Inspired by classic Italian Horror films like Zombi, Deep Red, and Suspiria, Lies by Omission is a simple, combat-light RPG system that focuses on mystery, investigation, and DREAD.

LIES BY OMISSIONis a narrative-driven tabletop role-playing game of creeping dread, fractured truths, and occult conspiracies. Inspired by the eerie elegance of ItalianGiallocinema from the 1960s and ’70s, players step into the roles of ordinary people unraveling extraordinary horrors.

Built for small groups and heavy roleplay, this system empowers investigation, manipulation, and exploration over combat- placing you in dialogue with a web of characters whose loyalties are never clear. The deeper you dig, the darker it gets.

Conflicts are resolved using theDread Deck– a unique tarot-based mechanic that reveals fate’s shifting favor (or, if you prefer, with a standard deck of cards or a pair of ten-sided dice). Simple to learn, rich in mood, and dripping with atmosphere,LIES BY OMISSIONinvites you to pull on a thread… and see what bleeds.

This project is holistically designed to pull you as deep into the world of Lies By Omission as you dare to go.

• The Core Rulebookcontains everything a player or Director (our term for the GM) needs to build a mystery and run a game. In approx. 100 pages, it outlines how to break your story into breadcrumbs- clues and red herrings your players will uncover during their investigations and missteps. It also includes rules for using your tarot deck to deliver Knowledge and to build the ever-changing Dread Deck, a creeping mechanic that must be balanced with moments of serenity and release.
• The Player’s Guideis a streamlined zine that gets players up and running fast. At just over 30 pages, it distills the core concepts from the rulebook into an approachable, bite-sized format. It’s perfect as a “homework booklet” to help players create their characters and prepare for their first session.
• L’Isola Lacrimeis the first full campaign setting for Lies By Omission. This 200+ page hardcover dives deep into the history, secrets, and conspiracies of Isola Mezzogiallo, a fictional Mediterranean island caught in a web of political fear, folklore, and occult corruption. The book includes 50 named Cast members (NPCs), 30+ detailed locations, and over five interconnected Mysteries to unravel.
• The Collector’s Editionis your key to full immersion. Housed in a deluxe box, it includes the Core Rulebook, Player’s Guide, and L’Isola Lacrime campaign book- plus a trove of exclusive components designed to help you sink further into the island’s unsettling beauty and brutal truths. This Collector’s Edition box will NOT be reprinted after this campaign.

Estimated Shipping date : June 2026

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