What is Saga Forge RPG?

Saga Forge RPG (SFRPG) is a new tabletop role-playing game system currently being developed by Crystal Forge Games. The system is meant to embody a fast, cinematic style of play where characters are defined by their personalities and skills rather than specific classes or archetypes. The rules are intended to be universal and applicable to any style of play, and combat is meant to be deadly, dangerous, and fast-paced.

Our goal with SFRPG is to create a system that focuses on allowing players to create characters of nearly any concept and to have agency in nearly every action. Additionally, the system is being designed with customizability in mind, allowing game masters to tailor the system to the type of game they want to run. Some of the main features of the system are highlighted below, with more detail to come in the future, or you can read more about why we are developing Saga Forge RPG.

A Universal Game System

The core rules of SFRPG are designed to be universal and relatively simple, but also highly adaptable and customizable. The system is designed without a particular setting in mind, and can be used for fantasy, horror, cyberpunk, and more, simply th just a few modifications. Game Masters can use whatever game setting they prefer, then customize the rules to fit by selecting which skills and equipment are available.

Just One Die

You will only need a single twenty-sided die to play Saga Forge RPG. Every roll (whether skill or ability check) is done with a single die, modified by a character's abilities, skills, and equipment. That doesn't mean you won't be rolling often, as nearly every action involves opposed rolls.

Everyone is Equal

Heroes are made, not born. Every player character (PC) and non-player character (NPC) starts with the same ability points and skill points, though how those points are allocated are what make characters unique. That means every character and NPC starts on the same level, becoming more powerful through skills, training, and equipment.

A Truly Classless System

There are no character classes in Saga Forge RPG. Characters are defined strictly by their skills, talents, and how they represent themselves. Your character concept can be just about anything you want, so long as they have the skills to back it up.

Fast and Deadly Combat

Combat is designed to be fast and deadly. Drawing a weapon can be risky, as weapons can often take out enemies in one or two hits. Characters need to know how to take care of themselves in a fight, whether they practice martial arts, are expert shots with a bow, or prefer to duel with blades. However they choose to fight, mastering combat skills is key to survival.

Why Create Saga Forge RPG?

With so many tabletop RPG systems on the market, it seems like an odd choice to create yet another system. However, a large number of systems currently available are theme specific, overly complex, stagnant and unsupported, or have endless versions and supplements. While there are a few universal systems available, few of them are created to be truly extensible. Additionally, in the current market of restrictive licenses, we wanted to make a game system that uses a truly open license that other creators can use without restriction.

Theme Agnostic

It shouldn't be necessary to learn any entirely new rule system just because you want to play a horror game instead of high fantasy. Rules shouldn't be so intertwined with the setting that an update to the rules requires re-releasing an entire setting. Only with rules that are completely separated from a theme can you have a universal system.

Simple and Understandable Rules

Players shouldn't need to read a 300 page textbook to understand how to play a game. Game masters shouldn't be required to memorize a thousand different rules across dozens of systems just to run a game. With a simple set of core rules, universal to any game, players and game masters can easily learn the basics and jump into any game based on the core rules.

A Living Rule System

No one should be required to buy dozens of new books because a new version changes a few basic rules. Rules that don't work should be able to be adjusted, and new ideas should have a way to be implemented without breaking the rule system or requireing an entirely new version. With a rule system that lives online, rather than printed and forgotten, rules can adapt over time and always be up-to-date.

Extensibility

Game masters shouldn't have to wonder how to make a house-rule to change a core aspect of the game, or if it's even possible. It shouldn't be necessary to change a large number of rules, or select an entirely different system just to play a specific style of game. With information on how to create new rules, and a large selection of optional rules, its easy for a game master to make the game their own, or for content creators to add on to the game.

Open Licensing

Closed and restrictive licenses prevent creators from making content for a game that they can share with others. Supposedly "open" licenses shouldn't give one company rights over another's creative ideas. Players, game masters, and content creators should be allowed to create, share, and even profit off their games, ideas, and content without having to create their own system or give up their rights.

Coming Soon

If the Saga Forge RPG system sounds interesting to you, we're happy to hear it! Keep this site bookmarked, and when we finish developing the core rules, they'll be added here. If you want to be notified of updates as we release them, please subscribe to our mailing list.