BROKEN WONDERS - Fantasy Forged in the Dark
A downloadable game
Broken Wonders is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game system for playing out classic adventures in a medieval-fantasy world. The system is a toolkit open and flexible enough to be used for dungeoncrawls, adventures of the week or epic quests.
Design
This game was inspired by the similarities between Forged in the Dark and OSR on the importance given to fictional positioning. It aims to reproduce “classic” adventures typical of OSR movements, but modernizes them with an approach that gives characters greater importance and chances of survival, without denying their mortality or the difficulties of their endeavors. It’s also designed to minimize prep time and encourage improvisation and collective creation.
As a standalone game based on Blades in the Dark, the rules have been adapted to offer a new game experience focused on adventure and medieval fantasy.
The rules are mostly setting neutral and should be easily adapted to your favorite setting if needed.
Main Content
- Bookmarked PDF, 100 pages
- Character sheet (PDF, and high-resolution image file to play on virtual boards)
- 4 backgrounds: Disciple, Warrior, Mage & Rogue, each with 14 abilities to unlock
- A free-form magic system with 3 faiths and 3 magic paths as starting examples
- Useful list of items with price and load
- GM guidelines and advices
- Rules for epic play or harder difficulty
Latest update: 2.2
What is different from "vanilla" Forged in the Dark?
- Actions have been reduced to 6
- A free-form magic system
- New rules for harm and recovery
- Trauma replaced by exhaustion allows for characters with a much higher potential campaign lifespan, while keeping the importance of stress management
- A new mechanic: Endurance reserve to soak harms (replaces special armor and offers new tactical possibilities for the players)
- New special abilities
- Group actions are no longer overpowered, some teamwork actions are simplified
- The addition of fumble as opposed to critical success
- A way to manage downtime and resources adapted to the adventurer's life
Information
- Recommended Players: 3-5
- Recommended Age: 15+
- Playtime: 2-6 hours per session
- Display: the PDF is designed to be displayed in double-page format and with "separate cover page" in your PDF reader's options
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $7.70 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Community Copies
Support this game at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
Community Copies
Every purchase beyond the minimum price will generate a community copy. If you can't afford this game, enjoy a free copy
Development log
- Broken Wonders 2.265 days ago
- Fixed character sheet 2.1Jan 12, 2024
- Broken Wonders 2.1Jan 10, 2024
- SECOND EDITION: New features and changesMar 24, 2023
- Broken Wonders 1.2Nov 27, 2022
- Broken Wonders 1.0 release notesOct 29, 2022
Comments
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A clarification about harm. How much do you suggest to inflict for the various positions? Old BitD had the light/moderate/severe harm. How would you translate it in your game? Or did I miss something? Thanks!
It depends on positions like in Bitd, but also on the Might/Scale of the things that hurt you. It's on page 21 (Action roll : action roll outcomes) and 28 (Might and Scale) for the details.
You can also nuance minor/normal harm : minor harm for things like a tavern brawl, normal harm for serious fights (page 34, Consequences : Harm). Hope that helps !
I'm using your rules (albeit slightly modified version) for my current solo campaign, and I'm having a blast! Thank you! BW is amazing!
I'm pleased to know you're enjoying it! Thanks for your feedback! :)
I'm about to start a solo as well. Would you mind sharing some tips on your modifications? Thanks
Oh, wow, it's been a long time. I merged some DnD templates in Obsidian, modified them, then added Let's Talk and Keeping Contacts social systems (they're free and can be found on Dr. Gerald Ravenpie's site) and generated list of random events and NPCs to roll and choose from (you can come up with a list yourself or ask AI to give you some draft ideas). I also added in-game calendar and attached every event to a particular timeframe (like, this event will take 5 days to be completed, that will take 2 days, etc.).
Will you add more community copies?
Yes, you just missed the last batch (usually 10). People grab them very quickly
Of course, the game is wonderful
Thanks! By the way, I've added some new copies
You best! Thx
I've looked at a few games that adapt Forged in the Dark rules to an OSR-style, high fantasy type setting and this is the first that really clicked for me. I just finished running my second session and it's been a lot of fun! Extra recommend for groups that like a dungeon crawl type game, but are maybe adverse to the number crutching of D&D or OSR-type games.
Thanks for the feedback! Glad the game clicked for you :)
So it seems i missed the new community copies by a hair...too bad. Any chance for either a couple more cc or maybe a sizeable preview / promo of the game?
I very much like the idea of FitD for fantasy, so this has my interest.
I'll think about a better preview. New community copies added !
Will you add more community copies?
I did
Thank you very much!
I cant say enough how glad I am to found this game! I really liked BitD system, but was homesick of a fantasy setting. So thank you!
Is there a discord or a forum where people can talk about the game?
Thanks for your enthusiasm, I appreciate it and hope you enjoy the game! And sorry for the delay, I've been traveling offline for a while.
A discord server is being set up, all those who own the games will be notified as soon as it's ready!
Will it have more community copies one day ? I can't afford the game now.
Took a while but yes, there is a new batch
Thank you for the community copies, I'm absolutely broke but was looking for a system to run a D&D style heist and I think I found it in Broken Wonders. As soon as I'm on my feet, I'll make a donation to thank you.
any chance of more community copies?
I just added a few! I add them regularly but they go away quickly
oh, I will wait, thanks bro, the game sounds fucking cool
Let me know what you think when you've read or played it!
if you can tell when you add them, will be cool
Thanks to generous tippers, I added a few more ! I hope you can grab one in time
This is a wonderful adaptation of the BitD system! Very well done. I think I’m going to add back in certain fatigue conditions because I’ve found that playing with trauma in BitD is very fun and generative for my players. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much!
You can totally add a personality quirk to a fatigue or to replace a fatigue, and even reward with xp if they use it to get into trouble!
I like the latest update, can't wait for more! Do you plan to add a list of magic items? And maybe some treasures as well?
Thanks! Yeah, I expect to include a lot of random tables in the next update.
It's done!