The brainchild of Donald C. Moehlenkamp, Kurt Moehlenkamp and James August Mohow, along with their coauthors, Robert Bausser, and Brian Coyle in the late 1970s, The Chronicles of Darkus Thel finally hit the Fort Wayne market after years of play testing and anticipation by the game’s many fans. The game had been in development since 1979, and was published by Sorcerers’ Guild Publications, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1986.

The First Edition was well received locally, but had a very limited run, and an even more limited distribution. It was sold for a short time at hobby and games stores in Fort Wayne, as well as at the local gaming convention, PentaCon, held each November. There were even national “players wanted” advertisements in at least one edition of FASA’s Stardate Magazine. The game had mostly local appeal, though, due to its lack of an ISBN, as well as the aforementioned lack of distribution.

In 1994 The Chronicles of Darkus Thel Book Two was published, in a hole punched binder version. There were many corrections made to the previous rules, as well as the addition of some new professions. While this version was an improvement, there was still a lack of appeal beyond Indiana.

In 2009, Bluewater Miniatures of Heltonville, IN announced that they would be the authorized distributors of the Third Edition of The Chronicles of Darkus Thel, as well as making miniatures for the game (In the past, Darkus Thel players seldom used miniatures, or, if they did, they had to use miniatures from other game systems, since Darkus Thel never had a line of miniatures.)

It finally looks as though this game may be getting some new life breathed into it. Fort Wayne area gamers have loved this RPG for over three decades now. It has gone through hell and high water. But The Chronicles of Darkus Thel won’t go away any time soon. As the Darkus Thelians are oft heard saying, “always walk in the Light”.

Happy Gaming.

http://darkusthel.tripod.com/whatisdt.html

http://www.bluewaterminiatures.com/