Dragonbane is a fantasy RPG full of demons, dragons, goblins, and undead and the wizards, elves, and different fantasy heroes who face off in opposition to them. It is quick taking part in with brutal fight but additionally some laughs. Dragonbane is on Kickstarter now and a free Quickstart is accessible. Tomas Härenstam of Free League was type sufficient to speak to me about this newly up to date RPG.

Charles Dunwoody (CD): Free League has a number of fantasy RPGs together with The One Ring (and a forthcoming D&D model: The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying for 5E), Symbaroum (additionally with a D&D model: Ruins of Symbaroum), and Forbidden Lands. What prompted you to deliver this sport with an up to date sport engine again and now obtainable to English audio system as nicely?
Tomas Härenstam(TH) : Drakar och Demoner is the basic RPG in Sweden, and initially we solely supposed to launch it in Swedish. But after we introduced the brand new version a couple of 12 months in the past, we bought loads of curiosity from our worldwide viewers as nicely. And as soon as we truly began engaged on the sport design, we slowly began to really feel that this sport might be too good to only hold to the Swedish market. So we determined so as to add an English version to the Kickstarter, simply to see the way it goes. And it went fairly nicely!

CD: For these unfamiliar with the sport, what’s the setting and base mechanics of play?
TH: Drakar och Demoner has at all times been a broad and pretty classical fantasy RPG – however with a twist of silliness at occasions, like speaking geese! We have determined to focus a bit of further on that, making Dragonbane a sport for good laughs on the desk – however suspense as nicely, in fact. Mechanically, Drakar och Demoner has its origins within the rulesets of early RuneQuest, and there are nonetheless some remnants of that on this sport, 40 years later. It’s a skill-based roll beneath system, however utilizing a D20 as a substitute of D100.

CD: Does Dragonbane assist long run play in addition to one pictures? How lengthy would possibly campaigns run?
TH: The sport is nicely fitted to fast oneshots and conference play, however longer campaigns are actually supported as nicely. The core set itself will embrace 8-9 adventures, related into an extended marketing campaign that may run for a dozen periods or extra.

CD: Dragonbane is described as mirth and mayhem. What does that imply regarding the guidelines and setting?
TH: As talked about earlier than, there are some comical components to the setting, like geese and different anthropomorphic animals. The guidelines lean extra towards the “mayhem” aspect of the tagline I feel, designed for quick and brutal play that by no means bogs down.

CD: Mallards (duck individuals with angle) are an choice to play they usually have tempers. How do they match into the setting?
TH: The mallards/geese have been a part of the Drakar och Demoner because the early 80s. They have at occasions been a divisive factor, topic to intense debates. In the tip, we strongly felt that the geese are part of what makes Drakar och Demoner/Dragonbane stand out amongst different fantasy RPGs.

CD: Monsters at all times hit in fight. I’ve by no means seen that mechanic in an RPG earlier than. Why the choice to at all times have monsters hit and are new gamers shocked at how the rule works?
TH: There was some shock at that, sure, particularly amongst Swedish gamers accustomed to earlier editions. The determination got here from the general design aim to make fight quick and harmful – particularly in opposition to monsters! We wished to take away pointless cube rolls that simply improve the “whiff issue”. There remains to be sufficient randomness there, as monsters assault utilizing a desk of random assaults, by no means doing the identical factor twice in a row.

CD: What are the three varieties of magic within the sport and are there magic objects?
TH: In the core sport, there are three faculties of magic – elementalism, animism, and mentalism. More could be added in later expansions. Yes, certainly there are magic objects!

CD: What extras are supplied within the kickstarter for Dragonbane?
TH: The solely actually Kickstarter unique merchandise is the deluxe material map of the Misty Vale setting, painted by Francesca Baerald. It’s a magnificence!

CD: Where can followers go to search out Free League’s work?
TH: Right now, the very best place is the Kickstarter for Dragonbane! At different occasions, attempt freeleaguepublishing.com.

CD: Any last feedback you’d prefer to share with the readers of EN World?
TH: Come be part of the Dragonbane marketing campaign earlier than it is too late! You will not remorse it!