Without Magic, What Kind of Adventures Can an RPG Offer? When we think of roleplaying games, our minds often drift to realms brimming with magic, mythical beasts, and arcane mysteries, and Stone Age adventures don’t really seem to fit. These fantastical elements have become almost synonymous with the RPG genre, setting a certain expectation for what these games entail. Venturing … Read More
First Look: The Raven Totem Path (Shaman Subclass)
As we gear up for our exciting Kickstarter launch, I’m thrilled to begin our series of first-look posts. These posts are designed to give you an exclusive glimpse into the various facets of our game. Today, we’re diving deep into the first Totem Path to be fully publicly revealed – the Raven Totem. Please note, all material presented here is … Read More
Randomworlds Q&A with Loren Small (Born from Ice)
On January 16, 2024 Randomworld TTRPG Chatroom hosted Loren Small, designer of Born from Ice, for a Q&A session on their Discord server. This chat is archived on the Hardboiled GMshoe’s website, and has also been transcribed here. Included are name and time stamps, to help keep it clear who is typing. It has been lightly edited for readability on … Read More
RPG Comparison: Würm by Chaosium
Note: This is one of several articles that looks at other games (Würm by Chaosium) comparing what they do with Born from Ice. The intent is not to critique or find fault, but rather to try to present the scope of prehistoric tabletop RPG options that are available, and show the unique things that Born from Ice brings to the … Read More
Why 5e?
5e is the Perfect Platform for Born from Ice Often, I’m asked, “Why base this game on 5e?” It’s a fair question. Dungeons & Dragons, after all, is a prominent name in the RPG world, and I fully recognize that there are players who prefer RPGs outside the Wizards of the Coast umbrella. This diversity in gaming preferences is fantastic! … Read More
Monsters of the Stone Age: A Halloween Special
The Haunted Corners of Prehistory Halloween is upon us, and while the holiday may not have existed during the Stone Age, the fear of the unknown, the dark, and the monstrous certainly did. Today, we’re exploring the terrifying creatures that our ancestors might have feared. These aren’t the fantastical dragons or undead beings from your typical D&D game. No, these … Read More
Prehistoric Movies and TV: Cinematic Inspiration
Film and Television Meet the Stone Age Creating a prehistoric setting for a tabletop RPG is a big task, especially when the aim is to capture the raw, visceral essence of a time long gone. Movies and TV shows that delve into this era often serve as a fertile ground for inspiration. However, not all portrayals are created equal in … Read More
Why No Magic? Making a No-Magic Setting
Moving on from Magic Magic is a cornerstone of most fantasy tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), especially Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The allure of casting fireballs, healing wounds, and transforming into fantastical creatures is an integral part of the D&D experience. So, why would anyone want to remove such a compelling component from the game? That’s the question I grappled with … Read More
Historical Accuracy and Gameplay in Born from Ice
How To Make A Game Historically Accurate A major question I wrestled with while designing Born from Ice was, “how do I make a game historically accurate?” This isn’t a new question for game designers, because while it sounds simple and innocent (and maybe even easy to answer), it actually opens up a whole lot of secondary questions that end … Read More
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