Pulp

Pulp

Imagine a table filled with rapid-fire action 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 hidden doors. Villains deliver monologues. Gadgets spark to life. Each scene ends on a cliffhanger that has you grabbing the dice, then you dive straight into the next. Pulp is a big-hearted, high-contrast adventure or crime narrative, featuring bright heroes, underhanded tricks, and bold choices. It’s all about momentum, determination, and stylish trouble.

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

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

Book nowQuestions & answers

Common questions

How does pulp differ from noir or traditional 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 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 momentum takes precedence over meticulous forensics.

Which RPG systems capture pulp the best?

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 a Mythos twist. Adventure! for cinematic talents and weird science. A professional Game Master can also adapt other systems for pulp vibes. If you wish to explore options and examples, visit our game systems page.

Is pulp suitable for beginners or children?

Yes. Pulp uses clear goals, vibrant archetypes, and short turns, allowing new players to jump in quickly. Kids enjoy the serial rhythm, chase scenes, and clever gadgets. Our Game Masters can run a matinee version with PG action, no gore, and clear victories. For teens or adults, your Game Master can introduce tougher challenges and difficult choices. You set content limits upfront and use simple safety tools at the table. To match tone and energy, you can also explore different GM styles on the playstyles page.

What can we expect in a pulp one-shot?

Expect a cold open in trouble, followed by a race 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 signature move. Rules are taught as you progress. A professional Game Master transitions smoothly 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, blast aliens, or don a cape, all using 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 from audacious heists to two-fisted heroics. Imagine Indiana Jones-style momentum, driven by aspects and fate points, all overseen by a professional Game Master.

    View system: Fate

  • Starfinder

    • Space Opera +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Comprehensive rules

    Starfinder is Paizo’s science-fantasy adventure filled with blaster battles, spell-slinging technomancers, and starship confrontations. Imagine Mass Effect but with magic. Our Game Masters lead you through bizarre worlds, daring heists, and alien 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 pulp fantasy world 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 well-deserved 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 story with custom symbol dice. With a professional Game Master, your group can dive into high fantasy quests, neon cyberpunk, or pulpy space opera, ranging from heists to heroics. 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, pulpy, 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 game features light, punchy rules that facilitate audacious stunts, dark humour, and fast pacing, making it ideal for a focused one-shot with 2 to 5 players.

    View system: Eat the Reich
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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

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