Ancient

Ancient

Oil lamps illuminate stone columns. Market criers drown out the sound of distant marching feet. In an Ancient game, you might plead your case before a senate, smuggle a relic past border patrols, or lead a cohort through desert ruins. The gods feel close, whether as omens in the entrails or thunder on the horizon. A one-shot can centre on a trial, a chariot race, or a temple heist. A campaign can chart the fortunes of a family, a legion, or a trading house across provinces and seas.

Ancient settings are easy to visualise, so beginners settle in quickly. Families enjoy clear roles such as soldiers, scribes, priests, and traders, with room for discovery and bravery. For team events, it excels at diplomacy, logistics, and puzzles drawn from real problems. Veterans find intricate tactics, political manoeuvring, and long-term stakes. It works well in short formats with a focused goal, and in long arcs where choices resonate through law, reputation, and patronage. Topics like empire and slavery are handled with care, respecting your table’s boundaries.

Our Game Masters can run Ancient adventures in many systems. Agon for mythic Greek heroics. Lex Arcana for Rome with omens and augury. Mythras or RuneQuest for grounded Bronze and Iron Age grit. Fate for fast intrigue. D&D 5e for sword-and-sandal action. Hillfolk for talk-first drama. If you prefer investigation, Cthulhu Invictus works well. The tone can be bright or brutal, low magic or touched by capricious gods, combat-heavy or all politics. Explore options here: game systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ancient differ from medieval fantasy games?

Ancient settings focus on city-states and empires, rather than feudal realms. Politics occurs in assemblies, courts, and patron-client networks instead of royal courts and guilds. Warfare relies on legions, hoplites, skirmishers, triremes, and siege engines, not armoured knights. Religion involves public rituals and omens. Daily life is urban, coastal, and driven by trade routes. Magic, if present, feels like signs from gods or ancient curses, rather than widespread spellcasting. Plots revolve around law, reputation, citizenship, and family honour.

Which game systems are best suited for Ancient adventures?

Agon highlights heroic deeds and rivalry in a mythic Aegean tone. Lex Arcana combines Roman investigations with augury and omens. Mythras or RuneQuest provide gritty skills and tactical combat for Bronze or Iron Age tales. Hillfolk excels in talk-first politics. Fate manages fast-paced intrigue. D&D 5e supports sword-and-sandal action. For mystery, Cthulhu Invictus introduces investigative tools. Unsure what to choose? Browse the game systems overview and consult a professional Game Master for a recommendation.

Is Ancient suitable for beginners or family groups?

Yes. The world is well-known from school and film, allowing players to settle in quickly. Clear roles such as soldier, scribe, priest, merchant, or scout help keep choices focused. Many one-shots revolve around a senate hearing with timed speeches, a chariot race featuring team roles, a border convoy with difficult decisions, or a temple heist with puzzles and guards. A professional Game Master can provide pre-generated characters, introduce rules gradually, and establish lines and veils for sensitive topics. For younger players, it’s important to discuss tone and content beforehand.

Can we opt for realism or mythical gods, and adjust the tone?

Absolutely. You can keep it strictly historical, incorporating superstition and politics but no overt magic. Alternatively, you could invite myth, featuring speaking oracles and curses, or monsters glimpsed in desert ruins. The focus can be on battlefield tactics, legal drama, or local intrigue. Topics such as conquest and slavery are only addressed within your group’s safety boundaries. Our Game Masters will adjust mechanics and pacing to suit your preferences. See styles that complement this genre in the GM playstyles overview.

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Game systems for Ancient

  • RuneQuest

    • Mythological +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • In-depth rules

    RuneQuest brings mythic Bronze Age adventure to Glorantha, where gods, spirits, and clans influence every decision. Imagine The Iliad with runes and spears. Percentile skills, gritty hit location combat, and cult-bound magic ensure that every victory feels hard-won and unforgettable.

    View system: RuneQuest
  • Dungeons & Dragons

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 1 – 7 players
    • Moderate rules

    Forge your own fantasy tale with Dungeons & Dragons. Create a party of brave heroes, outsmart traps, negotiate with dragons, and claim treasure in vibrant worlds. Imagine the camaraderie of The Lord of the Rings, but you decide the paths, the battles, and the conclusion.

    View system: Dungeons & Dragons
  • Call of Cthulhu

    • Cosmic Horror +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Call of Cthulhu is the classic game of investigative cosmic horror. Take on the roles of doomed investigators delving into occult mysteries and the fragility of sanity.

    View system: Call of Cthulhu
  • Daggerheart

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Daggerheart is a high-fantasy RPG where every roll uses Hope and Fear d12s. Grand heroics meet significant consequences in quick, story-driven play.

    View system: Daggerheart
  • Vampire: The Masquerade

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Vampire: The Masquerade is a contemporary roleplaying game centred around hunger, power, and secrecy. Imagine Interview with the Vampire, but you are in control. Conspire, charm, and endure as a coterie while a professional Game Master animates a city filled with dark political intrigue.

    View system: Vampire: The Masquerade
  • Cyberpunk

    • Cyberpunk +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Dominate the neon sprawl with Cyberpunk RED, the near-future game of mercenaries, megacorps, and tough decisions from R. Talsorian Games. Experience fast, lethal action, sleek technology, and high-stakes heists. If you're familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, you already appreciate the grit and flair.

    View system: Cyberpunk
  • Lancer

    • Mecha +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • In-depth rules

    Pilot a custom-built mech in high-stakes missions that combine sharp tactics with character-driven drama. Lancer offers intense battles and expansive sci-fi themes of duty, politics, and hope. If you enjoy Gundam, you'll feel right at home.

    View system: Lancer
  • Starfinder

    • Space Opera +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • In-depth rules

    Starfinder is Paizo’s science-fantasy setting filled with blaster battles, spell-slinging technomancers, and starship confrontations. Imagine Mass Effect but with magic. Our Game Masters will lead you through bizarre worlds, audacious heists, and extraterrestrial enigmas that reward collaboration and courageous decisions.

    View system: Starfinder

What players think

  • 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.

  • Pim is truly brilliant as a DM! Cheerful, adaptable, and exceptionally experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in an enjoyable manner and engaged every player in the story, regardless of whether they were vocal or reserved. If you embark on an adventure with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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