Found Family

Found Family

Imagine a table where strangers become family. Sessions blend small moments with significant stakes. You plan a job, bicker over snacks, patch each other up, and then confront the challenge that would break anyone alone. Downtime scenes are important. You pass the lucky charm, teach a new move, and raise a glass to the one who saved the day. The story develops from care, inside jokes, and hard-won trust, rather than from birthright. By the end, the ship, the wagon, or the safehouse feels like home.

It works at the table because relationships guide the way. Players always know whom they protect, who needs encouragement, and what line they won’t cross. Beginners find it inviting, as character goals stem from emotions, not lore. Families appreciate the gentle stakes and shared spotlight. Team events utilise it to practice listening and support in a low-risk narrative. Veterans enjoy slow-burn arcs, messy choices, and the payoff when trust finally holds under pressure.

A professional Game Master can run found family in various systems. Common choices include D&D 5e, Blades in the Dark, Fate, Monster of the Week, Kids on Bikes, Masks, or Wanderhome. The tone is yours. Cozy slice of life, scrappy heists, heartfelt road trips, or bittersweet drama. A professional Game Master establishes safety tools, calibrates spotlight, and paces growth over one-shots or full campaigns. Browse the game systems to find the feel you want.

Common questions

How does "Found Family" differ from traditional heroic play?

Found Family focuses on who you choose to call home. The mission supports relationships, rather than the other way around. Quiet moments of care, promises, and small rituals carry significant weight. Conflicts often challenge trust, loyalty, and boundaries. Loot, lineage, or destiny are less important than keeping each other safe and acknowledged. A professional Game Master shapes choices around these bonds, invites personal backstory hooks, and allows the group to decide what they will protect. Expect callbacks, running jokes, and growth that comes from being there for one another.

Which game systems are best suited for Found Family?

Several systems shine when the story revolves around chosen kin. D&D 5e is great for heroic action with character Bonds to rely on. Blades in the Dark fosters crew identity and downtime development. Masks suits teen teams learning to trust one another. Monster of the Week supports close-knit hunters. Kids on Bikes and Wanderhome offer gentle, rules-light experiences. Fate highlights relationships through Aspects. A professional Game Master will tailor complexity to your group. Browse the game systems to compare options by tone and depth.

Is this genre suitable for children or complete beginners?

Yes. Beginners find clear goals by deciding who their character cares about, rather than memorising lore. For kids, choose a lighter rules game and a shorter session, around 90 to 120 minutes. A professional Game Master keeps themes age-appropriate, avoids scary content on request, and offers prebuilt characters with ready-made connections. Expect plenty of guidance and shared spotlight, so no one feels lost. Older kids can handle mystery or heist themes, while younger groups do best with cosy challenges and problem-solving over combat.

Can the tone be warm, gritty, or somewhere in between?

Absolutely. During a brief planning chat, you inform the professional Game Master about what you’d like to explore and what to keep offscreen. A cosy tone allows for more comfort scenes, lower risk, and gentle humour. A grittier tone increases pressure, limits resources, and results in tougher consequences for choices. A professional Game Master adjusts threats, pacing, and the impact of interpersonal conflict. You can also choose someone whose table vibe aligns with yours. See GM playstyles to find facilitators who lean towards heartfelt, cinematic, comedic, or grounded.

Booking Form


Click to select dates

0/1500
Illustration of a dragon perched on a rock, with wings spread and detailed line art, similar to a dragon from LOTR.

Sent!

Illustration of a dragon perched on a rock, with wings spread and detailed line art, similar to a dragon from LOTR.

Nat 1, give it another go!

Please try again or email info@storyforgers.nz

Game systems for Found Family

  • 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
  • Fabula Ultima

    • Anime +5
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Fabula Ultima brings classic JRPG drama to your table. Join forces for epic battles, daring magic, and deep connections in a narrative reminiscent of Final Fantasy. Ideal for those seeking vibrant heroes, intense emotions, and high fantasy stakes with an anime flair.

    View system: Fabula Ultima
  • Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game

    • Martial Arts +5
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Immerse yourself in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender with dynamic martial arts, bold bending, and meaningful choices. The PbtA-inspired rules emphasise balance, growth, and relationships. A professional Game Master delivers cinematic action and heartfelt, humorous team moments that capture the essence of the show.

    View system: Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game
  • Masks: A New Generation

    • Superhero +6
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Simple rules

    Masks is the teen superhero RPG where your powers are immense and your emotions are even greater. Join forces, confront villains, and discover your identity while the city observes. Imagine the chaotic heart of Spider-Man combined with rapid, narrative-driven action.

    View system: Masks: A New Generation
  • Werewolf: The Apocalypse

    • Werewolf +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Fight for a dying world as a werewolf in Werewolf: The Apocalypse. You and your pack hunt down corruption in urban streets and wild landscapes, caught between rage and responsibility. Imagine Underworld, but you are the monsters with a purpose, bound by tribe, spirit, and an impending doom.

    View system: Werewolf: The Apocalypse
  • Tales from the Loop

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

    Be kids in the 80s that never were, where robots stand idle in fields and a vast particle accelerator hums beneath your town. Tales from the Loop combines warm nostalgia with gentle chills, reminiscent of Stranger Things but with a kinder touch, using simple rules that keep friendship, curiosity, and bikes at the forefront.

    View system: Tales from the Loop
  • Kids on Bikes

    • Mystery +5
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Simple rules

    Cycle to the outskirts of town, then venture into the unknown. Kids on Bikes is a collaborative mystery game filled with small-town bravery and unusual occurrences, ideal for beginners and groups of varying ages. Imagine the vibe of Stranger Things, infused with heart, led by a professional Game Master.

    View system: Kids on Bikes
  • 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
  • Doctor Who: The Roleplaying Game

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

    Grab a sonic, hop in a TARDIS, and save people with brains instead of blasters. Doctor Who: The Roleplaying Game captures the TV show's clever, time-twisting adventures, from alien mysteries to heartfelt heroics. Perfect for groups seeking clever strategies, quick wit, and a sense of wonder.

    View system: Doctor Who: The Roleplaying Game

What players think

  • Ruby was fantastic; this was our group’s first DnD experience, and she helped everyone grasp the rules and enjoy themselves.

    Adam

  • We had a fantastic time; the boys really enjoyed their campaign, and Evan was excellent. I would definitely recommend Evan. Thank you!

    Cheidhia

  • Geert was a lot of fun and very enthusiastic! We were in stitches laughing :D

    Wessel

  • 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

Related genres

  • Mystery

    Follow the clues, construct timelines, and apprehend the culprit. Think Knives Out, but you are the detective, assembling alibis and…

    View genre: Mystery
  • Heroic

    Stand tall, make the right choice, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring brave oaths…

    View genre: Heroic
  • Rural

    Comfortable fields, muddy boots, local drama, and harvest festivals. Imagine Stardew Valley with mysteries at the hedgerow, family ties…

    View genre: Rural
  • Space Opera

    Epic sci-fi drama set among the stars, featuring brave pilots, heroic rebels, tyrants wielding planet-destroying weapons, and a crew that…

    View genre: Space Opera
  • Cozy

    Warm, low-stakes tales about tea, neighbours, and small joys. Imagine Stardew Valley with friends, where gentle challenges inspire kind…

    View genre: Cozy
  • by Amber

    Anime

    Big emotions, striking archetypes, and dynamic battles. Assemble your team, exchange witty banter, and advance in narratives that resonate…

    View genre: Anime
  • Exploration

    Set out with a map and a question. Exploration stories pursue horizons, chart ruins and wilderness, and reward curiosity, much like Indiana…

    View genre: Exploration
  • Whimsical

    A whimsical fantasy where logic takes a breather and kindness resolves issues. Imagine Alice in Wonderland, filled with curious rules…

    View genre: Whimsical
Black diagonal cross icon, commonly used to close popups or dismiss notifications on websites.

We’re Looking for Game Masters!

StoryForgers is seeking enthusiastic and imaginative Dungeon Masters to become part of our team.
Are you keen?