Ancient

Ancient

Oil lamps illuminate stone columns. Market criers drown out the sound of distant marching feet. In an Ancient game, you might plead your case before a senate, smuggle a relic past border patrols, or lead a cohort through desert ruins. The gods feel close, whether as omens in the entrails or thunder on the horizon. A one-shot can centre on a trial, a chariot race, or a temple heist. A campaign can chart the fortunes of a family, a legion, or a trading house across provinces and seas.

Ancient settings are easy to visualise, so beginners settle in quickly. Families enjoy clear roles like soldiers, scribes, priests, and traders, with room for discovery and bravery. For team events, it excels at diplomacy, logistics, and puzzles drawn from real problems. Veterans find intricate tactics, political manoeuvring, and long-term stakes. It plays well in short formats with a focused goal, and in long arcs where choices resonate through law, reputation, and patronage. Topics like empire and slavery are handled with care, respecting your table’s boundaries.

Our Game Masters can run Ancient adventures in many systems. Agon for mythic Greek heroics. Lex Arcana for Rome with omens and augury. Mythras or RuneQuest for grounded Bronze and Iron Age grit. Fate for fast intrigue. D&D 5e for sword-and-sandal action. Hillfolk for talk-first drama. If you prefer investigation, Cthulhu Invictus works well. Tone can be bright or brutal, low magic or touched by capricious gods, combat-heavy or all politics. Explore options here: game systems.

Common questions

How does Ancient differ from medieval fantasy games?

Ancient settings focus on city-states and empires, not feudal realms. Politics occurs in assemblies, courts, and patron-client networks rather than royal courts and guilds. Warfare relies on legions, hoplites, skirmishers, triremes, and siege craft, not armoured knights. Religion involves public rituals and omens. Daily life is urban, coastal, and driven by trade routes. Magic, if present, feels like signs from gods or old curses, not widespread spellcasting. Plots revolve around law, reputation, citizenship, and family honour.

Which game systems are best suited for Ancient adventures?

Agon highlights heroic deeds and rivalry in a mythic Aegean tone. Lex Arcana combines Roman investigations with augury and omens. Mythras or RuneQuest offer gritty skills and tactical combat for Bronze or Iron Age tales. Hillfolk excels in talk-first politics. Fate manages fast-paced intrigue. D&D 5e supports sword-and-sandal action. For mystery, Cthulhu Invictus provides investigative tools. Unsure what to choose? Browse the game systems overview and consult a professional Game Master for a recommendation.

Is Ancient suitable for beginners or family groups?

Yes. The world is well-known from school and film, so players adapt quickly. Clear roles such as soldier, scribe, priest, merchant, or scout help keep choices focused. Many one-shots revolve around a senate hearing with timed speeches, a chariot race with team roles, a border convoy with tough decisions, or a temple heist featuring puzzles and guards. A professional Game Master can offer pregenerated characters, introduce rules gradually, and establish lines and veils for sensitive topics. For younger players, it's important to discuss tone and content beforehand.

Can we opt for realism or mythic gods, and adjust the tone?

Absolutely. You can keep it strictly historical, with superstition and politics but no overt magic. Or invite myth, from speaking oracles and curses to monsters glimpsed in desert ruins. The focus can be on battlefield tactics, legal drama, or neighbourhood intrigue. Topics like conquest and slavery are addressed only within your group’s safety lines. Our Game Masters will adjust mechanics and pace to suit your preferences. See styles that pair well with this genre in the GM playstyles overview.

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Game systems for Ancient

  • RuneQuest

    • Mythological +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Comprehensive rules

    RuneQuest brings mythic Bronze Age adventure to Glorantha, where gods, spirits, and clans influence every decision. Imagine The Iliad with runes and spears. Percentile skills, gritty hit location combat, and cult-bound magic ensure that every victory feels hard-won and unforgettable.

    View system: RuneQuest
  • Dungeons & Dragons

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 1 – 7 players
    • Moderate rules

    Craft your own fantasy story with Dungeons & Dragons. Assemble a group of brave heroes, outsmart traps, negotiate with dragons, and seize treasure in vibrant worlds. Imagine the camaraderie of The Lord of the Rings, but you decide the paths, the battles, and the conclusion.

    View system: Dungeons & Dragons
  • Call of Cthulhu

    • Cosmic Horror +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Call of Cthulhu is the classic game of investigative cosmic horror. Take on the role of doomed investigators delving into occult mysteries and the fragility of sanity.

    View system: Call of Cthulhu
  • Daggerheart

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Daggerheart is a high-fantasy RPG where every roll uses Hope and Fear d12s. Grand heroics meet significant consequences in quick, story-driven gameplay.

    View system: Daggerheart
  • Vampire: The Masquerade

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Vampire: The Masquerade is a modern-night roleplaying game centred around hunger, power, and secrecy. Imagine Interview with the Vampire, but you're in control. Scheme, seduce, and survive as a coterie while a professional Game Master brings a city of dark politics to life.

    View system: Vampire: The Masquerade
  • Cyberpunk

    • Cyberpunk +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Dominate the neon sprawl with Cyberpunk RED, the near-future game of mercenaries, megacorps, and tough decisions from R. Talsorian Games. Experience fast, lethal action, sleek technology, and high-stakes heists. If you're familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, you already sense the grit and flair.

    View system: Cyberpunk
  • Lancer

    • Mecha +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Comprehensive rules

    Pilot a custom-built mech in high-stakes missions that combine sharp tactics with character drama. Lancer offers intense battles and expansive sci-fi themes of duty, politics, and hope. If you love Gundam, you'll feel right at home.

    View system: Lancer
  • Starfinder

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

    Starfinder is Paizo’s science-fantasy filled with blaster battles, spell-slinging technomancers, and starship confrontations. Imagine Mass Effect but with magic. Our Game Masters lead you through bizarre worlds, thrilling heists, and alien enigmas that reward collaboration and daring decisions.

    View system: Starfinder

What players are saying

  • 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 as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varied experience levels, 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 for our less experienced players while 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

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I organised a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is really passionate about it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us make great progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided; they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A great first experience with D&D. Amber was excellent at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating on attack strategies with my colleagues was a fun activity that provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly a legend as a DM! He's cheerful, adaptable, and incredibly experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in a fun manner and engaged every player in the story, whether they were vocal or reserved. If you go adventuring with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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