Afraid of the Dark
Java mod listed for Minecraft 1.16. Downloads from the MC Java Mods app on Android.
⬇ Download on CurseForge
The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane. - Nikola Tesla
Afraid of the Dark is a magic mod updated for Minecraft 1.16.5 featuring massive custom generated dungeons and a complete research system familiar to fans of Thaumcraft.
To begin, you will need to search for Altar Ruins which are commonly (but not exclusively) found in Eerie Forest biomes. Pick up the journal at the center, open it, and it will guide you. If you need help finding Altar Ruins you can use the vanilla "/locate afraidofthedark:altar_ruins" command. Note: For mod version 1.7.0 and below, you'll need to find the journal in a Crypt instead.
Altar Ruins:
There are currently no spotlights for the 1.14 - 1.16 versions, but there are some for the 1.8.9 version which are similar.
Thank you to all the awesome people that did mod play-throughs!
thornofnight (v1.3.0):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR7lmvd9J3g
The Minecraft Overlord Part 1 (v1.1.3):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awTiusYHmYI
GlitchReaper (Not purely AOTD, but shows the mod off well, v1.1.3):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilGDMNwz2so
The Technomancer (v1.0):
Peer into the night sky and find meteors through your telescope:
A hint of mod structure gen:
A research system Thaumcraft players will be akin to:
A page of research:
A taste of what you can do with some later game researches:
Some more crazy world gen:
An "Erie" Biome (This is where you begin the mod!):
Awesome new armor and mobs:
Easy to use spell system that Ars Magica 2 fans will love (Textures are a work in progress):
1) I have a great idea for this mod! Where do I suggest this?
Just post on to this curse post. I'm always excited to see what people have to say!
2) My game crashed! What do I do?
Head up to the issues tab at the top of the curse project. Submit an issue ticket there! If that doesn't work, you can also direct message David_M1A2 or comment on the mod.
3) Is this mod optifine compatible?
As far as I can tell, yes. I have not had any issues with optifine so far. If you crash with it, please report that.
4) Is this mod compatible with X mod?
Most likely yes. Again, if you have any problems with one mod just report it like any bug.
Incompatibilities found:
- Any mods that try and add mobs to the nightmare make the game less enjoyable, but it's still playable.
- Tinker's Construct. A fix is being worked on for 1.16.
5) Text in the journal is full of question marks, what does that mean?
If you are using a language not supported by the custom font you will see "?" characters. To fix this use the Calibri font instead by enabling "Use Calibri Font" in afraidofthedark.cfg.
6) Werewolves aren't attacking me or someone specific!
Werewolves only attack players that have started the mod. This is to avoid werewolves killing players playing other mods especially in modpacks.
Lead software developer: David_M1A2
Lead graphics designer, modeler, and tech tree design: Tagii
Graphics designer: namcap
Special thanks to the guys at MCAnimator for allowing us to make epic models and animations!
Thanks to Thaumcraft and Ars Magica 2 for inspiration for various parts of our mod!
You may use the mod in your own modpack, but please leave a comment in the forum saying which pack you are using it in.
- Edition: Minecraft Java
- File type: .jar
- Minecraft version listed: 1.16.5
- How to install: Install the matching mod loader (Forge, Fabric or NeoForge) for your Minecraft version. → Download the .jar. → Put it in the .minecraft/mods folder and launch that loader profile.
- Where to get it: Opens on CurseForge — not every file is mirrored on our own servers.
Install steps are the general flow for this file type — How to install Minecraft Java mods & modpacks walks through it step by step.
- Ships as AfraidOfTheDark-1.8.9-1.1.3.jar — drop this file into the mods folder
- Download size: 26.2 MB
- Download link checked 13 Oct 2026 — working
These come from our own check of the pack file, not from the source page.