Sin Eater: Journaling Through Rituals, Religion, and Redemption

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A new journaling RPG explore the mythos around an unusual premise that explores religion, rituals, and our relationship with the dead through folklore-inspired storytelling.

Sin Eater is the first journaling RPG published by Hunter’s Entertainment, funded on Kickstarter, and written by Anica Cihla, who currently works over at the miniature-focused Hero Forge. The book’s concept is simple in its nature, where players become a “sin-eater”, a person whose profession was to ‘eat’ the sin of the deceased through ritual meals and religious practices.

The practice of sin-eating is a concept that’s been observed around the world. Mesoamerica, for example, had gods who would ‘eat’ sin to cover for them. But the first known use of the term ‘sin-eater’ that’s identified by scholars began in Scotland and Ireland, where poor people were hired to take on the sins of the deceased (thus helping them to avoid coming back as a ghost) by eating a meal specially prepared. It’s a practice that provided an ease of comfort to a family, but avoided involving the church (something that often drew ire and scrutiny from religious leaders at the time.) It also meant that sin-eaters were shunned and not allowed to live in society, having to isolate themselves until they were called upon to perform their due diligences.

The practice has captivated a number of creators, inspiring novels, films and even a Marvel character. But now Cihla’s helping people become sin eaters herself (at least in fiction.)

This practice captivated Cihla, who created a journaling RPG to explore its ideas. Journaling RPGs, for those not used to the practice, are often guided experiences where the journal owner uses prompts and randomized systems (dice, traditional card decks, tarot card decks) to determine what might happen. They’re a way to spark a writing experience and often explore a setting in a new way, providing an alternative to a multiplayer TTRPG that can still stimulate the desire to explore storytelling.

In this story, you’re a sin-eater hired to take care of one of the deceased. Most days, this is just a standard practice for you. You light candles, prepare appropriate elements and eventually consume a meal related to their sin. But what separates this sin-eating from all others is that it is someone you knew. Perhaps it was a sibling, or maybe an old friend. But now they are dead, and you must ensure they are appropriately treated. It’s also up to you to decide if you will absolve the deceased of their sin, or perhaps condemn them due to their actions in life.

The narrative is set in a historically agnostic world, thus avoiding heavy Christian influences or specific historical practices. It also hints at dark fantasy, with the practice of sin-eating changing the eater’s body so that they appear less human than those around them.

“It’s a chance to explore what sin-eating truly meant and how it might impact one’s relationship to others after death,” Cihla told TTRPG Insider.

The journal, which was provided to TTRPG Insider for review, is well-designed and exudes a mixture of classical artistic notions and modern gothic concepts. Much of that is due to Johan Nohr, the artist who created the unique metal vibes around the OSR game Mork Borg, as well as the layout artist Eryk Sawicki.  Cihla wanted the journal to feel as much like a piece of art as a guided journey, drawing on the artistic energies that permeate Mork Borg.

The book will begin its Kickstarter campaign on May 26, and the stretch goals will include potential expansions of the world’s ‘lore.’ Cihla also hopes to create a website that will allow users of the journal to share the tales they explore through the journal with others.

Note: The story was edited to reference Erick Sawicki, who was also involved in the book’s layout.

Thanks to Cihla for chatting with TTRPG Insider! If you want to learn more about this game, check out their Kickstarter!

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