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Forbidden Lands

Forbidden Lands

2–6 players 2018
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About this Game

Forbidden Lands is a new take on classic fantasy roleplaying. In this sandbox survival roleplaying game, you’re not heroes sent on missions dictated by others – instead, you are raiders and rogues bent on making your own mark on a cursed world. You will discover lost tombs, fight terrible monsters, wander the wild lands, and if you live long enough, build your own stronghold to defend.

Categories

Fantasy Survival

Mechanics

Dice Pool System

How to Play Forbidden Lands

World of Game Design walks you through everything you need to know about how to play Forbidden Lands, including game play, how to make a character, and how combat works.

Profession

Druid

Druid

Ever since the god Clay shaped the world, you and the brothers and sisters of your order have been tasked with safeguarding nature. You maintain the balance of the world. Your hand can be gentle or cruel, depending on what the situation requires, but you always act with respect and exercise judgment. You hold the forces of nature in your hands – the earth, the weather, the plants and the animals all listen to your voice. You are a Druid.

Fighter

Fighter

You have followed the way of the sword as long as you can remember. Wiped the blood of countless enemies from your blade. Felt many wounds heal into ugly scars on your body. You fear battle, yet you yearn for it. The battle is your life. Your task is to protect your weaker friends from all enemies and you take that task very seriously – but the truth is, you live for the thrill of battle itself. When the fight is over, you clean your blade and get ready for the next fray. You are a Fighter.

Hunter

Hunter

The wild lands are your home. In the forests and the mountains, on the open plains and by the winding rivers – that’s where you find inner peace. People say that the wilds are dangerous, that they are evil. Granted, you have seen the monsters that roam the lands. But you know how to move unseen and unheard, and to kill effectively if you need to. And when you bring home your prey to the camp and it’s time to eat, no one is complaining. You are a Hunter.

Minstrel

Minstrel

When the road is long, when the wind is fierce or the night is black, everyone needs a light in the darkness. A reminder of past deeds or treasures waiting to be found. Whether through song, poetry or prose, it’s your job to spread a little hope and joy by the campfire. You have the ability to chase away despair and inject courage and hope into the hearts of your friends. And if you should all one day meet your final fate, your chronicles will let the world know of your adventures. You are a Minstrel.

Peddler

Peddler

Bargaining, buying for little and selling for more, turning two silvers into three, has always been your way to survive. While the Blood Mist lay thick across the lands, trade between the villages was limited and very local. Now, the mist has lifted, and the Forbidden Lands and its treasures are yours for the taking or buying, then selling to the highest bidder. You are a Peddler.

Rider

Rider

The legends say that the animals in ancient time mocked the humans for having only two legs. For that reason, your ancestors allied themselves with the horses on the great plains. Now, you have six legs together and hands to wield spear and bow. You ride faster than anyone, you strike, and you are gone before the enemy has realized what happened. You love the open plains as the fiery blood of Aslene runs through your veins. You are a Rider.

Rogue

Rogue

No one will ever give you what you wish for. To get what you want, you will have to take it for yourself. This is a lesson that you learned at a young age, and already as a child you became very skilled at liberating others from belongings that you needed more. Before, people used to spit at you and kick you. Now, as an adventurer with the Forbidden Lands at your feet, your expertise in the arts of moving silently in the shadows has become highly sought after. You are a Rogue.

Sorcerer

Sorcerer

Let them stare at you in fear and disgust. Let them shy away from you, afraid that your dark arts will infect them. They fear you, but they need you. Who else can force nature itself to bend to their will? Who else can make fire roar, water freeze and the earth shake? You, and only you, have seen what is beyond the veils of the world and stared into the inner core of existence. This insight is your burden to bear, so that others don’t have to. You are a Sorcerer

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplies do I need to play Forbidden Lands?
Obviously this will vary from table to table, but here are some good places to start! If your game is played in person, most likely you will want to get a set of dice, something to write with, and paper to take notes. If your game is hosted online instead, you will probably need to make accounts on a few sites for things like character sheets, access to the Virtual Tabletop for maps and tokens, and sites like Discord or Zoom for video/voice calls during the session. You won't always need to have the rulebooks to start, but if you want to read through them to make sure you know all the rules, this might also be a good option.
What if I'm not comfortable with certain themes or topics in Forbidden Lands?
If there are specific themes or content that you’re uncomfortable with, let your group and GM know before the game, and have an open conversation about these topics. Any group worth playing with should be respectful and understanding of your concerns and the game can be adjusted so everyone is having fun. All tables on StartPlaying use “Safety Tools.” These tools help ensure that these conversations are handled easily, and everyone has a voice at the table.
What makes Forbidden Lands different from other games?
In this game, you are not heroes sent on missions dictated by others – instead, you are raiders and rogues bent on making your own mark on a cursed world. You will wander the wild lands, discover lost tombs, fight monsters, and, if you live long enough, build your own stronghold to defend. During your adventures, you will uncover the secrets of dark powers lurking in the shadows and, in the end, you can be the ones to decide the fate of the Forbidden Lands.
How do skill checks work in Forbidden Lands?
When you perform an action, you first describe what your player character does or says. Then you grab a number of six-sided dice equalto your skill level plus your current score in the attribute that is connected to that skill. If you have some sort of gear that may be helpful, you will get extra dice from that as well. Then you roll all the dice at once and a six means success.

Get This Game

Buy the book! Purchase
Foundry VTT VTT
Nils Gulliksson ARTIST
Alchemy RPG VTT
Niklas Brandt ARTIST

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