Pulp

Pulp

Imagine a table filled with fast-paced action and narrow escapes. A roaring biplane, a ticking idol, a rooftop chase as rain slicks the tiles. You exchange quips, swing on cables, and kick open secret doors. Villains deliver monologues. Gadgets spark. Each scene concludes on a cliffhanger that has you grabbing the dice, then you dive straight into the next. Pulp is a big-hearted, high-contrast adventure or crime, featuring bright heroes, dirty tricks, and bold choices. It’s all about momentum, gumption, and stylish trouble.

At the table, it comes alive because turns are quick and objectives are clear. Stunts invite cheers, and failures often enhance the story. Beginners pick it up quickly. Families and mixed groups appreciate the serial rhythm and vibrant stakes. Company teams thrive on the teamwork, creative problem-solving, and the opportunity for every role. Veterans enjoy how punchy scenes reward decisive play and genre savvy. Our Game Masters frequently spotlight each player, ensuring no one waits long for a daring move.

For rules, our Game Masters often opt for Savage Worlds, Fate Core, Spirit of the Century, Pulp Cthulhu, and Adventure!. We can also run many other systems in a pulpy style. Check out examples on our game systems page. The tone can range from matinee fun to gritty noir. Keep it globe-trotting or street-level. Add weird science, occult hints, or none at all. Combat-light or stunt-heavy, it’s your choice.

Common questions

How does pulp differ from noir or traditional crime?

Pulp favours bold heroes, breakneck pacing, and cliffhangers. Noir leans on a bleak tone and slow-burn suspicion. In a pulp game, you swing on cables, trade quips, and take dramatic risks. Investigations are present, but they move through chases, brawls, and daring break-ins. Villains are showy, with gadgets and monologues, not quiet masterminds. Moral lines are clearer, even if the city is dirty. A professional Game Master frames tight scenes and keeps the spotlight moving, so momentum trumps meticulous forensics.

Which RPG systems capture pulp the best?

Fast, stunt-friendly rules are a highlight. Popular choices include Savage Worlds Adventure Edition for bennies, quick chases, and mook rules. Fate Core or Spirit of the Century for aspects, stunts, and compels. Pulp Cthulhu for two-fisted mystery with a Mythos twist. Adventure! for cinematic talents and weird science. A professional Game Master can also adapt other systems for pulp vibes. If you want to explore options and examples, visit our game systems page.

Is pulp suitable for beginners or children?

Yes. Pulp features clear goals, vibrant archetypes, and quick turns, allowing new players to jump in swiftly. Kids love the episodic rhythm, chase scenes, and inventive gadgets. Our Game Masters can run a matinee version with PG action, no gore, and clear victories. For teens or adults, your Game Master can introduce tougher challenges and difficult choices. You establish content limits beforehand and utilise straightforward safety tools at the table. To align with tone and energy, you can also explore various GM styles on the playstyles page.

What can we expect in a pulp one-shot?

Expect a cold open in trouble, followed by a race through 2 to 3 set pieces, such as a rooftop chase or a booby-trapped vault, culminating in a finale featuring a ticking device or an escaping zeppelin. Pre-generated pulp archetypes are available, each with a signature move. Rules are taught as you play. A professional Game Master moves swiftly between players, ensuring everyone has their moment to shine. Cliffhangers bookend scenes, and failures create new opportunities. You’ll leave with a headline-style epilogue and a clear win or a narrow escape.

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Game systems for Pulp

  • Savage Worlds

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

    Savage Worlds powers fast, cinematic adventures across any genre. Chase cultists, duel desperados, blast aliens, or don a cape, all with one streamlined system. Imagine the energy of Indiana Jones at the table, expertly tuned by a professional Game Master for your group.

    View system: Savage Worlds
  • Fate

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

    Fate is a quick, adaptable system where your character's traits influence every scene. Craft thrilling, high-octane stories ranging from daring heists to two-fisted heroics. Imagine the momentum of Indiana Jones, driven by aspects and fate points, all overseen by a professional Game Master.

    View system: Fate
  • 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
  • Dungeon Crawl Classics

    • Dark Fantasy +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Dungeon Crawl Classics immerses you in a pulp fantasy world where steel, spells, and luck determine your fate. Imagine the gritty style of Conan, bizarre magic, and deadly dungeons driven by unpredictable dice rolls and daring decisions. Ideal for groups seeking adventure, treasure, and hard-won victories.

    View system: Dungeon Crawl Classics
  • Scum and Villainy

    • Space Opera +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Scum and Villainy is a fast-paced, cinematic space-opera heist game where your crew undertakes daring jobs, evades syndicates and the Hegemony, and keeps the ship in the air. Think Firefly with effective tools for teamwork and mischief. Ideal for one-shots or ongoing crews.

    View system: Scum and Villainy
  • Genesys

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

    Genesys is a universal tabletop RPG that prioritises story with custom symbol dice. With a professional Game Master, your group can dive into high fantasy quests, neon cyberpunk, or pulpy space opera, ranging from heists to heroics. Imagine sweeping adventures in the spirit of The Lord of the Rings.

    View system: Genesys
  • Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game

    • Space Opera +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Blast stormtroopers, race TIE fighters, and swashbuckle across the galaxy in West End Games' classic D6 Star Wars RPG. Fast-paced, pulpy, and cinematic, it captures the essence of the original trilogy. Ideal for daring heists, Rebel missions, and family-friendly adventures with 2 to 6 players.

    View system: Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
  • Eat the Reich

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Simple rules

    Play vampire commandos on a daring heist through Nazi-occupied Europe. Think Inglourious Basterds with fangs. Simple, engaging rules drive audacious stunts, dark humour, and quick pacing, making it ideal for a focused one-shot with 2 to 5 players.

    View system: Eat the Reich

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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