Dragonbane

Dragons and Demons · Drakar & Demoner

Dragonbane

Dragonbane is high fantasy with a playful twist. Heroes traverse wild frontiers, explore ancient halls, and clash with cunning beasts. The tone is lively, but the dice can bite. Scenes unfold quickly, filled with mishaps and unexpected victories that keep everyone laughing 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 from a treasure hunt, monster chase, or open exploration. Available in person or online, for 2 to 6 players, lasting about 3 to 4 hours. Discover available options with our Game Masters.

How to play Dragonbane

You describe your hero's actions, then roll a d20 against a skill. Rolling equal to or lower than the rating means success, while a higher roll indicates trouble. Edges and setbacks grant extra d20s, and you keep the best or the worst result. You can push a failed roll once, trading safety for a second chance.

Players come with a character idea and a positive attitude. Your Game Master can provide pre-made characters if you want to dive straight in. Dice are great, but for online sessions, your Game Master supplies virtual dice, maps, and handouts. The Game Master teaches the rules as you progress, manages monsters and NPCs, and keeps the pace lively. A one-shot aims for a clear goal with a neat conclusion. A campaign connects quests, includes travel and downtime, and allows your choices to shape the world. For online tools, see our online play overview.

Close-up of painted fantasy miniatures on a blue battle map during a tabletop RPG encounter.
Close-up of painted fantasy miniatures on a blue battle map during a tabletop RPG encounter.
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.

Common 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’ll 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, but the monsters can still be dangerous. It excels in one-shots and short campaigns, requiring less preparation for players. If you're considering your options, you can also check out 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.

What edition do you play, 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, providing ample time for a focused quest with clear stakes and a satisfying payoff. It works well with 2 to 6 players. If you prefer a longer storyline, 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 and the level of danger adjusted to your comfort. A professional Game Master will steer clear of gore, 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 quick overview of common platforms and their offerings, check out 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

What players think

  • It was an amazing experience for the girls! Thank you, Marie! You were incredibly well prepared, the girls were captivated by your every word, and it felt like you had been playing together for years! Looking forward to seeing you next time!

    Annick

  • Tom was fantastic! He was really great with the kids and patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children 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 fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot 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 see it as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

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

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us move forward in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a 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 allowed the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

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