Dragonbane

Dragons and Demons · Drakar & Demons

Dragonbane

Dragonbane is a high fantasy adventure with a playful twist. Heroes traverse untamed frontiers, explore ancient halls, and clash swords with cunning creatures. The tone is lively, yet the dice can be unforgiving. Scenes unfold quickly, filled with mishaps and unexpected victories that keep everyone amused and engaged.

A professional Game Master harnesses that energy to create a clear, inviting session. Ideal for newcomers, mixed groups, parties, and teams. You can choose between a treasure hunt, monster chase, or open exploration. Available in person or online, for 2 to 6 players, lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours. Discover available options with our Game Masters.

How to play Dragonbane

You describe what your hero does, then roll a d20 against a skill. Roll equal to or lower than the rating to succeed; rolling higher means trouble. Edges and setbacks add extra d20s, and you keep the best or the worst. You can push a failed roll once, trading safety for a second chance.

Players bring a character idea and a can-do attitude. Your Game Master can provide pre-made characters if you want to jump straight in. Dice are nice, but for online sessions, your Game Master supplies virtual dice, maps, and handouts. The Game Master teaches the rules as you go, runs monsters and NPCs, and keeps the pace sharp. A one-shot targets a clear goal with a tidy wrap-up. A campaign links quests, adds travel and downtime, and lets your choices shape the world. For online tools, see our online play overview.

Group of four friends in playful sunglasses and dark outfits, posing indoors with a fun and casual vibe.
Group of four friends in playful sunglasses and dark outfits, posing indoors with a fun and casual vibe.
Close-up of a green twenty-sided die with gold numbers, used for tabletop role-playing games like dungeos and dragons.
Close-up of a green twenty-sided die with gold numbers, used for tabletop role-playing games like dungeos and dragons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to know the rules in advance?

No. A professional Game Master will guide you as you play. Dragonbane employs a straightforward d20 roll-under system, featuring clear advantages and disadvantages, along with a push-your-luck option if you wish to have another go. You will be making decisions and rolling with confidence in no time. Pre-generated characters are available for a quick start, or the GM can assist you in creating one swiftly. It caters to both newcomers and seasoned players at the same table.

How does Dragonbane compare to D&D?

Dragonbane is lighter and more dynamic. You roll a d20 against your skill, making results quick to interpret. With fewer modifiers, faster combat, and risk-taking choices, it creates sudden shifts that keep everyone engaged. The tone is bright and adventurous, yet monsters can still be dangerous. It excels in one-shots and short campaigns, requiring less preparation from players. If you're considering your options, you can also explore other game systems to find what suits your group.

What can I play, and how does magic function?

You can select from classic fantasy races, along with Dragonbane’s unique options like mallards and wolfkin. Your role can be martial, magical, or a combination, guided by your skills rather than rigid classes. Magic is simple and driven by your character’s will and energy, making your choices significant. Spells are potent but come with risks if you overexert yourself. The GM can offer pre-made characters or assist you in refining a custom concept to suit the adventure.

Which edition do you run, and how long does a session last?

Sessions utilise the 2023 Edition of Dragonbane from Free League Publishing. A typical booking lasts around 3 to 4 hours, which is sufficient for a focused quest with clear stakes and a satisfying payoff. It accommodates 2 to 6 players effectively. If you desire a longer narrative, the GM can connect sessions into a mini-campaign, allowing progress, travel, and downtime choices to develop over time.

Is Dragonbane appropriate for children or mixed age groups?

Yes. The tone can remain light-hearted and the level of danger adjusted to your comfort. A professional Game Master will steer clear of graphic content, emphasise teamwork, and simplify choices for younger players while ensuring it remains engaging for adults. Pre-generated characters and clear objectives help everyone get involved. If you prefer a gentler selection of monsters or a brief without scary scenes, just let the GM know and they will customise the adventure.

Can we play online? What tools do you use?

Yes. Dragonbane operates seamlessly online. Your Game Master sets up a virtual tabletop with maps, tokens, handouts, and integrated dice rollers, and offers a straightforward video and voice option. All you need is a stable internet connection, a headset, and a quiet space. For a brief overview of common platforms and their offerings, check our online play overview. In-person games are also available if you prefer a physical table.

Booking Form


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Genres you can play in Dragonbane

  • Heroic

    Stand tall, choose the right path, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring bold oaths…

    View genre: Heroic
  • Medieval

    Knights, castles, guild halls, and the burden of oaths. Feudal politics, harsh winters, and hard-earned honour, much like Game of Thrones…

    View genre: Medieval
  • Wilderness

    Boots on the trail, maps in hand, with miles of uncharted terrain separating you from safety. Imagine the Fellowship traversing the wilds…

    View genre: Wilderness
  • Pirate

    Salt spray, creaking decks, and cutlass duels as you pursue treasure and rivals across treacherous waters. Swashbuckling adventure…

    View genre: Pirate

What players think

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the children and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The kids asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a really good job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot and yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His attitude was fantastic, and he made the game enjoyable for all. I particularly appreciated how he could clearly explain what was required from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thank you!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I arranged a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very enthusiastic about it, and he was thoroughly pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • A very good GM, Baptiste adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. One issue was with the character sheets provided, which were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells (no healing spell) even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they'd ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach enabled the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by allowing them to control how they wanted their actions to be carried out. I would certainly work with her again.

    John

  • A pleasant and straightforward introduction to D&D. Amber was adept at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the rhythm and concentrate on the narrative. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack strategies was an enjoyable experience and provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a highly enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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