From The Third Horizon to The Great Dark: The Evolution of Coriolis
The Coriolis RPG franchise has undergone a massive metamorphosis. What began as “Arabian Nights in Space” has evolved into a gritty, industrial-pulp survival horror. Whether you are a veteran of the Third Horizon or a new “delver” looking to explore the Lost Horizon, here is everything you need to know about the transition to Coriolis: The Great Dark.
The Legacy of the Third Horizon: Religion Meets the Void
Originally published in Swedish in 2008 by Järnringen, Coriolis became the foundational DNA of Free League Publishing. In fact, the company took its name from a central faction within the game’s lore. The 2017 English edition, Coriolis – The Third Horizon, broke the mold of western sci-fi by ditching standard tropes for a Middle Eastern-inspired atmosphere. It introduced a world where:
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Faith is Functional: Prayer isn’t just flavor; it’s a core mechanic that allows players to reroll dice, though it grants the GM “Darkness Points” in return.
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The Year Zero Engine: The game utilized a d6 dice-pool system that emphasizes risk and fast-paced resolution.
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Social Pressure: Success depends as much on political standing and spiritual obligation as it does on your ship’s hull integrity.
What is Coriolis: The Great Dark?
Free League describes The Great Dark not as a simple 2nd Edition, but as a standalone sequel. The star portals that defined the previous era are dead. The galaxy is cold, disconnected, and desperate.
The Shift in Tone
If The Third Horizon was about politics and interstellar travel, The Great Dark is about pulp archaeology and deep-sea-style expeditions. Inspired by 19th-century explorers, players now launch from Ship City—an asteroid metropolis—to scavenge the “Lost Horizon.”
New Mechanics and Hazards
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The Slipstream: A new logic for movement that replaces the old portal jumps.
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The Blight: A creeping corruption found in ancient ruins that twists both the body and the mind of Explorers.
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Streamlined YZE: The rules have been tightened for faster character creation and more focused “delve” gameplay.
The Flowers of Algorab: A Campaign with Teeth
To truly experience this new era, Free League is releasing the Flowers of Algorab box set. This isn’t just a book; it’s a toolkit for a tactile gaming experience. The campaign kicks off with a noir-style mystery: the death of a veteran delver and a missing stone tablet. From there, the crew is propelled into the Hammurabi Arm, a perilous region of space.
What’s Inside the Box?
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Campaign & Expedition Booklets: Deep dives into the plots and the geography of the Lost Horizon.
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Physical Artifacts: Large color maps of Ship City and blueprints for the Akhander and Rigel Greatships.
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Solo Play Tools: Official support for 1–5 players, making it accessible for lone explorers.
Why It Matters for Tabletop Gamers
The Great Dark succeeds because it doesn’t require a history degree in lore to play. The philosophy is simple: reveal the world through action. You don’t read the manual to learn about the Great Dark; you survive an expedition to understand it. With its blend of cosmic horror, industrial grit, and the high-stakes risk of the Year Zero Engine, Coriolis: The Great Dark is a masterclass in how to evolve a setting without losing its soul.
