Spend an hour prepping for a 15-minute encounter, only to die after.

However, indie TTRPGs are full of fresh takes on worldbuilding.

Players begin Kingdom by creating a community and deciding on its details.

TTRPG Podcasts

Players start off with creating a world, but not everything gets fleshed out right away.

Take a step outside of D&D and discover some other TTRPG podcasts.

Players begin the game by rolling to see what god they are, determined by a table of domains.

From left to right: A skeletal demon-like creature faces the viewer. A WW1 era soldier wearing a gas mask looks onward, carrying a rifle. A hooded figure smirks while facing the viewer. An angelic looking figure with long hair and glowing eyes tilts their head back slightly.

The game ends when everyone is satisfied with their world.

That’s where the story begins, and it’s your job to explore the tatters of what remains.

It’s a bit abstract, but it’s great once you get the hang of it.

Split image of Cyperpunk, Warhammer, and Paranoia Tabletop art

These tabletop games are sure to be a hit with fans of dark fantasy.

A set of D6s is recommended, but not strictly necessary.

As the title implies, the events of the game will span through an entire in-game year.

A series of different maps and player notes from different TTRPGs

Gameplay is divided into four phases, each representing a different season of the year.

Players create a timeline of events and start from there.

There’s been a massive jump in the popularity of tabletop RPGs these last handful of years.

collage of Mork Borg, GURPS, and Rifts TTRPG art

Credit: Netal

But what about the system that came before?

Player notes and printouts for Kingdom TTRPG, sitting on a wooden table with some pencils

Charcoal art featuring a tower within a ring of walls

A crudely drawn map on a grid featuring a large cat and a monstrous plant creature

Credit: Netal

A stone Buddha statue sits underwater while text reads “ORICHALCUM”

Credit: Justin Quirit

Photograph showing a Beak, Feather & Bone booklet, some pens and a deck of cards sitting atop a hand-drawn map

Photo of people playing Gathering Storm while drawing images on a hex map. Playing cards are laid on top of the map.

Closeup from the rulebook for Dialect showing the character creation process

The Quiet Year RPG: Front cover art and it’s components laid out on a table

Tabletop