The basic D&D rules are free.
You can read them on Geek Native but they’re not the only core RPG systems available as free downloads. If you want to learn RPGs, there are other means.
The Challenge DUNGEON RPG is free at DriveThrurRPG, 162-pages and is a complete game.
Perhaps even more promising than merely free, Challenge Dungeon RPG has had updates from Kohei Kato, Lin Yasuda and Eugene Ryan.
Here’s how they describe the game;
Challenge Dungeon is a tabletop role-playing game (TRPG) set in the world of swords and sorcery in which adventurers take on quests entering dungeons where they attempt to overcome monsters and traps in order to achieve their goal.
This book is the rulebook which shows you how to play Welcome dungeon.
This game has been designed to be compact, simple and easy to play. As such, you should be able to finish one game in around 2 hours. 5 such game sessions should be enough for the players to reach the highest level for their characters, just so long as they can stay alive!
Geek Native has extracted some art and text from the game. Here’s a sample.
ARCADIA
It was a land where dragons roamed the earth
and magic was real, where people sheltered behind castle walls
from the unnamed terrors without. And yet there were those who embraced the danger.
ADVENTURERS
Leaving the high walls behind them, they faced the monstrous foes.
Legend told of a lost gemstone that could bring peace back to the land.
It was in search of this they went forth. The monsters’ lairs, where the adventurers dared to go, were known by the people as DUNGEONS
Daily life in Arcadia
Excepting the existence of magic, the world of Arcadia can be thought of as resembling medieval Europe. For example:
- Torches are of the flaming rather than the electric variety.
- Tools are made of iron, glass and ceramic.
- Town dwellers do not stray beyond city walls.
- Water supply and drainage are limited to such as survived from the Magical Kingdom epoch.
History
The Challenge Dungeon adventures are set in a time several millennia after the Magical Kingdom epoch, the golden age of magic and a time when the land was rich with jewels.
- The jewels were used for making magic.
- The use of the jewels was regulated by the Stone Labyrinth.
- The magic king fashioned most of the labyrinths and jewels.
- At some point in the distant past, the Magic Kingdom was suddenly destroyed
Society & Politics
Like our own world, the world of Challenge Dungeon consists of several continents and islands.
- It is a world of many city-states, each bounded by their castle walls.
- There is no trade between the cities.
- People cooperate in fighting monsters.
- It is a monarchical society where the good of the kingdom is the highest aim of governance.
- The economy is based on gold.
- Adventurers must obey city laws.
Quick Links
- Download: Challenge Dungeon RPG.
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