Pulp

Pulp

Imagine a table filled with rapid cuts and narrow escapes. A roaring biplane, a ticking idol, a rooftop chase as rain slicks the tiles. You exchange quips, swing on cables, and kick open secret doors. Villains deliver monologues. Gadgets spark. Every scene concludes on a cliffhanger that makes you grab the dice, then you dive straight into the next. Pulp is a big-hearted, high-contrast adventure or crime, featuring bright heroes, dirty tricks, and bold choices. It’s all about momentum, gumption, and stylish trouble.

At the table, it thrives because turns are brief and objectives are clear. Stunts invite cheers, and failure often enhances the story. Beginners grasp it quickly. Families and mixed groups appreciate the serial rhythm and vibrant stakes. Company teams bond over teamwork, creative problem-solving, and the opportunity for every role. Veterans enjoy how punchy scenes reward decisive play and genre savvy. Our Game Masters frequently spotlight each player, ensuring no one waits long for a daring move.

For rules, our Game Masters often opt for Savage Worlds, Fate Core, Spirit of the Century, Pulp Cthulhu, and Adventure!. We can also run many other systems in a pulpy style. See examples on our game systems page. The tone can range from matinee fun to gritty noir. Keep it globe-trotting or street-level. Add weird science, occult hints, or none at all. Combat-light or stunt-heavy, it’s your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes pulp from noir or conventional crime?

Pulp favours bold heroes, breakneck pacing, and cliffhangers. Noir relies on a bleak tone and slow-burn suspicion. In a pulp game, you swing on cables, trade quips, and take dramatic risks. Investigations are present, but they unfold through chases, brawls, and daring break-ins. Villains are flamboyant, equipped with gadgets and monologues, rather than being quiet masterminds. Moral lines are clearer, even if the city is grimy. A professional Game Master frames tight scenes and keeps the spotlight moving, ensuring that momentum takes precedence over meticulous forensics.

Which RPG systems capture pulp most effectively?

Fast, stunt-friendly rules stand out. Popular choices include Savage Worlds Adventure Edition for bennies, quick chases, and mook rules. Fate Core or Spirit of the Century for aspects, stunts, and compels. Pulp Cthulhu for two-fisted mystery with Mythos flavour. Adventure! for cinematic talents and weird science. A professional Game Master can also adapt other systems for pulp beats. If you wish to explore options and examples, visit our game systems page.

Is pulp suitable for beginners or children?

Yes. Pulp features clear objectives, vibrant archetypes, and quick turns, allowing new players to join in swiftly. Children appreciate the episodic pace, chase sequences, and inventive gadgets. Our Game Masters can run a matinee version with PG-rated action, no gore, and straightforward victories. For teenagers or adults, your Game Master can introduce tougher challenges and difficult decisions. You establish content limits beforehand and utilise simple safety tools at the table. To align with the desired tone and energy, you can also explore various GM styles on the playstyles page.

What can we anticipate in a pulp one-shot?

Expect a dramatic start in a tight spot, followed by a dash through 2 to 3 set pieces, such as a rooftop chase or a booby-trapped vault, culminating in a finale featuring a ticking device or an escaping zeppelin. Pre-generated pulp archetypes are available, each with a unique signature move. Rules are introduced as you progress. A professional Game Master navigates swiftly between players, ensuring everyone has their moment to shine. Cliffhangers frame the scenes, and failures lead to new opportunities. You will leave with a headline-style epilogue and a clear victory or a narrow escape.

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Game systems for Pulp

  • Savage Worlds

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

    Savage Worlds powers quick, cinematic adventures across any genre. Pursue cultists, duel desperados, battle aliens, or don a cape, all with one streamlined system. Imagine the energy of Indiana Jones at the table, expertly tailored by a professional Game Master for your group.

    View system: Savage Worlds
  • Fate

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

    Fate is a quick, adaptable system where your character's traits influence every scene. Craft thrilling, high-octane stories ranging from audacious heists to two-fisted heroics. Imagine the momentum of Indiana Jones, driven by aspects and fate points, all overseen by a professional Game Master.

    View system: Fate
  • 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
  • Dungeon Crawl Classics

    • Dark Fantasy +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Dungeon Crawl Classics immerses you in a world of pulp fantasy where steel, spells, and luck determine your fate. Imagine the gritty essence of Conan, bizarre magic, and deadly dungeons driven by unpredictable dice rolls and daring decisions. Ideal for groups seeking adventure, treasure, and hard-won victories.

    View system: Dungeon Crawl Classics
  • Scum and Villainy

    • Space Opera +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Scum and Villainy is a fast-paced, cinematic space-opera heist game where your crew undertakes daring jobs, evades syndicates and the Hegemony, and keeps the ship in the air. Imagine Firefly with effective tools for teamwork and conflict. Ideal for one-shots or ongoing campaigns.

    View system: Scum and Villainy
  • Genesys

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

    Genesys is a universal tabletop RPG that prioritises storytelling with custom symbol dice. With a professional Game Master, your group can embark on high fantasy quests, neon cyberpunk adventures, or thrilling space operas, ranging from heists to heroic deeds. Imagine sweeping adventures in the spirit of The Lord of the Rings.

    View system: Genesys
  • Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game

    • Space Opera +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Blast stormtroopers, race TIE fighters, and swashbuckle across the galaxy in West End Games' classic D6 Star Wars RPG. Fast-paced, thrilling, and cinematic, it captures the essence of the original trilogy. Ideal for daring heists, Rebel missions, and family-friendly adventures with 2 to 6 players.

    View system: Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
  • Eat the Reich

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Simple rules

    Engage in a thrilling heist as vampire commandos in Nazi-occupied Europe. Imagine Inglourious Basterds but with fangs. The rules are light and punchy, facilitating audacious stunts, dark humour, and a brisk pace, making it ideal for a focused one-shot with 2 to 5 players.

    View system: Eat the Reich

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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