Role-Playing Games

This is a list of the current RPG games which are accepting new players. It includes new games who are recruiting players in order to start, and ongoing games which have space for new players.

If you want to start a new group, please sign in using CERN SSO and use the link below.

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D&D 5e

Knowledge and Wisdom

Background

More than four hundred years ago, Torsa was the most powerful empire in the world. With the help of magic and overwhelming military might, it conquered one country after another. This came to an abrupt end when, in their arrogance, they turned against even the gods. Now the empire has crumbled, the former capital is cursed and the descendants have been deprived of the blessing of the gods. Eager to atone for their sins and to win back the favour of the gods, they have renounced all battles and now live in a peaceful little village called Torsale, in a small enclosed valley a short distance from Torsa, secluded from the rest of the world; unaware of some developments...

Game Information

Torsale resembles a central European, medieval village with just about 400 inhabitants. The population of the known lands consists almost entirely of humans. Elves, half-elves, dwarves and halflings are known, but are rare. The player characters are inhabitants of the village of Torsale (not necessarily limited to humans). The player characters are supposed to be non-evil. It will start with four to five characters of 1st level.

Newcomers are welcome.

There will of course be fights and puzzles, but player interaction and role-playing are expected to play an important part in the game.

Game Master: Philipp Fleischmann
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 5
Campaign Length: >10 sessions
Meeting Day(s): Tuesday Time(s): 18:30
Contact Link: https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/cern-games-club/channels/knowledge-and-wisdom

Created by pfleisch on

GUMSHOE system / Night's Black Agents

The Dracula Dossier

Dracula is not a novel. It’s the censored version of Bram Stoker’s after-action report of the failed British Intelligence attempt to recruit a vampire in 1894.

In 1893, a visionary spymaster in the British Naval Intelligence Department launched a plan to recruit the perfect asset: a vampire.

Operation Edom began promisingly. The British NID made contact with Count Dracula, deep in Transylvania. A meet was set and made. A safe house and a headquarters in England were prepared. Then it all went wrong.

Dracula betrayed his minder and double-crossed NID. Outsiders – possibly with their own ties to foreign espionage — became involved. British intelligence ordered a sanction: They barred Dracula from England, and hunted him down on his home earth, where – during the great eruption and earthquake of 31 August 1894 – they terminated him, with extreme prejudice and two knives.

Or so they thought.

Dracula lives. The year is 2015 and now it’s up to you to finish the job!

Game Master: Pedro Rosales
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 5
Campaign Length: open-ended
Meeting Day(s): Thursday, Friday Time(s): Every other Thu or Fri @ R1 from 18:30ish to 20:30-21:00ish
Contact Link: mailto:cuernoblanco@gmail.com

Created by Pedro Rosales on

Wolves Upon The Coast

@@@@@@@ Voyages

Your history is gone. It was taken from you, or you from it.

You were thralls.

Now your master lies dead in the bottom of a raiding vessel, equipped for adventure.

You are free.

This is a campaign running Luke Gearing's Wolves Upon The Coast, a viking setting/system in the vein of OD&D.

We meet Wednesday weekly after work, drop-in (Just message the channel before coming so I can get a head count). Open to beginners and veterans alike!

Game Master: Jorge Velasquez
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 6
Campaign Length: Until ragnarok
Meeting Day(s): Wednesday Time(s): After 18h00
Contact Link: https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/cern-games-club/channels/wolves-upon-the-coast

Created by jovelasq on

Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition

Eldermire - West Marches

ELDERMIRE: THE EDGE OF THE EXPLORED WORLD. SQUALID MARSHES, SILENT FORESTS; places where the likes of the living do not dare to tread. Day by day, the mire crawls ever further forward to encroach upon the continent. Upon the precipice of this vast unknown lies Meridian, an ancient city whose importance has been forgotten, even by the very folk who live there, left to rot out on the veil between the world and whatever else is out there.

Impenetrable thicket and marshland is all that seems to await any adventurer that makes the foolhardy journey into Eldermire. Yet beneath the haze, something seems to stir. Low roars, skittering and chittering, and the crack of branches keep the townsfolk awake at night, and each morning, they find the corruption has spread just a little closer. All those that manage to make it back to civilisation ramble of a lost world of sunken fortresses reclaimed by the peat, an inescapable feeling of panic, and caverns that spew forth an ominous booming of drums deep, deep below.

At the very end of the Ley Road lies Meridian. Once opulent, built from moonstone, standing defiant against Eldermire, the city now withers away. Moss and mulch scars what is left of the city walls. The north watchtower gave out and collapsed under mysterious circumstances only days ago. The townsfolk who have lived here for generations only know the tales of when the walls stretched for leagues, when the people thrived, safe and protected in this seat of power. After centuries of decay, only a small handful of villagers remain, determined to see the city restored to its former glory.

A place as forsaken as this presents a unique opportunity to the ones willing to brave the murky beyond. Framed against a wall of the Stumble Inn, the local tavern, is a row of maps. Some ancient, some worn, most illegible, one stands out as a modern legend for the townsfolk. A single napkin, from this very tavern, with the only modern sketch of Eldermire, hastily scribbled by a team of drunkard explorers who tumbled out of the marsh, half mad and heavy with plunder. Out there lies the promise of whatever you may be willing to find, whether it be riches, honour, experience. Why, what better place than this to hone your craft? You may just be able to make some new acquaintances. Remember, however, that this land is dangerous. Many adventurers make the pilgrimage, but not all leave Eldermire.

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Eldermire is a “West Marches” D&D 5E campaign that emphasises player agency and an open-world structure. In this format, the campaign world is meticulously crafted, yet its exploration and direction are driven by the players themselves. Sessions are scheduled flexibly, with players forming expedition parties amongst themselves for each mission to accommodate for availability, fostering a collaborative and diverse community of adventurers. The world of Eldermire is expansive and ever-evolving, with diverse landscapes, marsh-sunken ruins, and enigmatic locales to discover. Instead of a linear narrative, the adventurers’ choices shape their experiences and the world around them. Communication and coordination play a crucial role in Eldermire. The central hub of Meridian serves as a meeting point for players to share information, plan expeditions, and exchange stories, both in and out of game sessions.

Game Master: James Bradford
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 12
Campaign Length: Open-ended
Meeting Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Time(s):
Contact Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1A71mDtlr_0Xyum11MTEoNYtP7OUVGA3sfU-scKkgVMs/edit?usp=sharing

Created by retaylor on

Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG

Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG

Chaos Rising!

Remember the good old days, when adventures were underground, NPCs were there to be killed, and the finale of every dungeon was the Chaos Lord on the 666th level? Those days are back.

Dungeon Crawl Classics adventures don’t waste your time with long-winded speeches, humdrum scenarios, or NPCs who want you to kill ten shadow cats. Each adventure is 100% good, solid dungeon crawl with monsters you have never seen before, traps that spare the flesh but destroy the soul, and the secret portals that lead to a thousand insane worlds.

To have even the faintest chance of survival, the adventuring party must consist of a well-rounded team learned in the arts of warfare, thievery, wizardry, and holy might. Otherwise, they are certain to meet their doom.

Game Master: Michael Davis
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 8
Campaign Length: 8 weeks+
Meeting Day(s): Sunday Time(s): 13.00-18.00
Contact Link: https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/cern-games-club/channels/dungeon-crawl-classics

Created by mdavis on

Shadowdark

The Echos of Albain

Albain has fallen. The great power of Vican, ruled by the Iron Queen, has torn asunder the rule of the old Kings of Albain and, in their stead, her Regent, Lord Alastair Campbell, rules the land with his agents and allies. For some a new era of prosperity begins, as the technology and magic of Vican are used to increase their power and wealth. For others, old ways of life are ending and leaving them destitute, barely scraping a living. They long for the return of the old ways and the old kings.

For adventurers there is coin to be had from both sides and intrigue will beget opportunity. Albain is a place of old magic, old gods and deep hidden treasures. There are dungeons, secret temples, faerie groves and dark caves where ancient treasures can be recovered. But beware the darkness that lies there, crawlers - a sudden just of wind or an unlucky step and you could lose your light. And then the Shadowdark will come to claim you...

We play the campaign with the new Shadowdark rules, a fast paced gritty fantasy setting where death is always near and clever planning, teamwork and quick wits are needed for the players to survive. Download the quick starter rules from The Arcane Library.

Game Master: Graeme Stewart
Beginner Friendly? Yes
Maximum Number of Players: 8
Campaign Length: TBD - as long as we are all having fun, we carry on
Meeting Day(s): Wednesday Time(s): 19h-22h30
Contact Link: https://mattermost.web.cern.ch/cern-games-club/channels/shadowdark

Created by graemes on