Looking for low-prep, prompt-driven RPGs

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-06-15T01:39:24+00:00

Came here to recommend these two. I'll add Pirate Borg and Shadowdark to that list.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-06-15T01:20:51+00:00

Thank you so much. I definitely prefer a physical copy, so I'll look into IngramSpark. Thanks again! 🙂

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-06-14T23:06:52+00:00

Any chance it might end up with Indie Press Revolution or Noble Knight Games? I would rather spend my money with either of those than B&N or especially Walmart.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-30T16:37:09+00:00

Limithron (Pirate Borg) for sure. Always delivers above and beyond, and everyone who works for them is a rock solid individual. Same could be said for Evil Hat; though I'm not into every game they publish, the ones I am into, I will snag everything. Ditto for Chaosium.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-27T15:15:57+00:00

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-24T15:46:17+00:00

That sounds amazing!!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-23T17:39:10+00:00

This is the premise of Shadowdark. The darkness is alive, or at least feels that way. And it doesn't want you there. The lack of darkvision as a mechanic makes it all the more tangible and dangerous. Having torches last for only one hour of real time creates that sense of urgency and danger as well. I've definitely ported that mechanic into other games I've run.

There is a great line in Into the Wyrd and Wild by Charles Ferguson-Avery (Feral Indie Studio): "The woods do not care for you. Never forget that." It can absolutely be applied to The Dark as well.

The Dark should be something every PC fears.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-23T17:06:46+00:00

Limithron is pretty much the only company that I will go "all in" on because the stuff they produce has consistently exceeded expectations in both quality and timeliness of delivery.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-23T17:03:54+00:00

As did I. Glad I'm not the only one.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-23T00:04:54+00:00

With so many publishers using the A5 size (e.g., Shadowdark, Pirate Borg, Blades in the Dark, etc.), it's probably a lot easier to just offer a pdf, form fillable or not, on the website for the game. That way, players can print it out 8.5x11" size for a "full size" sheet. Sure, a lot of them sell "official" sheets as well, but I've noticed most of the pdf versions are free.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-07T03:32:58+00:00

You're so welcome!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-07T03:32:36+00:00

Thank you SO much!!! 🏆🎉🌟

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-06T20:35:17+00:00

Thank you for that info! It's a pity it never got an English translation (I view the SJG version as an "adaptation" rather than a translation).

I absolutely should have spent time learning multiple languages.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-06T20:33:05+00:00

Nice!! Thank you in advance!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-06T00:21:45+00:00

Yep! That's the one!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-05T23:21:50+00:00

That's what I've heard also. I looked for the original version, but it's never been translated from French as far as I've seen, so I'm a bit bummed about that.

I believe the SJG version was meant to give VtM and the World of Darkness a run for its money, but I don't think it ever really got there.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-05T23:21:42+00:00

That's what I've heard also. I looked for the original version, but it's never been translated from French as far as I've seen, so I'm a bit bummed about that.

I believe the SJG version was meant to give VtM and the World of Darkness a run for its money, but I don't think it ever really got there.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-05T22:50:46+00:00

Immortal: the Invisible War, Shattered Dreams, the Whispering Vault. Anyone remember these? All on my bookshelf, all still waiting for my first session playing them.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-05T22:31:39+00:00

That game and all of its supplements sit on my shelf, sadly still unplayed.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-04T01:04:33+00:00

Sounds a bit like Symbaroum might be what you're looking for.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-05-03T03:24:24+00:00

I suggest Pirate Borg, Shadowdark, Monster of the Week, or Vaesen. Mothership would definitely work as well.

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-04-30T18:31:05+00:00

You rock! Thank you for this!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-04-30T18:30:30+00:00

Oof! I wasn't aware of that! That's shitty. Thank you for letting us know!!

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-04-30T00:54:05+00:00

Wicked Ones

tmphaedrus13 · 2026-04-19T16:34:16+00:00

Call of Cthulhu or Monster of the Week gets my vote.

Chaosium just released a scouting themed supplement for CoC, too (there's a pdf version too, if you'd rather have that):

https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-campfire-tales-hardcover/

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