Robert E. Howard's Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of

No rulebook or setting preparation required. A professional Game Master will explain the 2d20 basics in just a few minutes and teach you as you play. You’ll receive a brief overview of the Hyborian Age, its key nations, and the atmosphere of sword and sorcery. Pregenerated characters are available if you want to dive in quickly, or you can create one together before the game starts. If you’re a Conan fan, the GM can incorporate familiar names and lore. If not, you’ll be perfectly fine.

Conan uses Modiphius 2d20, rather than classes and levels like most D&D tables. You roll under target numbers with two d20s, build Momentum on successful rolls, and spend it for extra moves and details. The GM manages a Doom pool to counteract players. Armour reduces damage. Heroes keep track of Vigor and Resolve, with Wounds and Trauma as lasting effects. Magic is uncommon and perilous. The atmosphere is pulp action with quick, tough choices, rather than lengthy spell lists and dungeon maps.

You can be a thief from Zamora, a Pictish scout, a mercenary, a pirate, a noble schemer, a desert nomad, a grim scholar, or a rare sorcerer. There are no rigid classes. Lifepaths define your homeland, caste, and skills, while talents set you apart. For one-shots, pre-generated sheets keep things quick. For campaigns, character creation can be a brief session zero or organised in advance with the GM.

The setting is harsh. Violence, horror, and moral ambiguity are prevalent. It is designed for adults, not children. Your group can adjust the level of graphic content and decide which topics to avoid. A professional Game Master implements safety tools first, then aligns the level of danger with your comfort and objectives. You can opt for swashbuckling high adventure, grim survival, or courtly treachery. To explore tone options and how GMs facilitate gameplay, see GM playstyles.

Conan works best with 2 to 6 players over a duration of 3 to 4 hours, with the ideal number being 3 to 5. This balance helps maintain the flow of scenes and supports the Momentum economy. With just two players, you get a strong focus on each character, creating a lean and tense atmosphere. Six players can work if you prefer quicker rulings and larger set pieces. Our Game Masters schedule a short break and manage the pacing of fights, ensuring you spend more time making decisions and taking actions rather than flipping through pages.

Yes, but sorcery is uncommon and expensive. Player magic relies on rituals, pacts, and forbidden knowledge, rather than combat spells. The rules reflect risk through Corruption and mental strain. Spells may require time, materials, or grim deals. Alchemy and relics provide alternative options. If no one wishes to play a full scholar, minor tricks or occult backgrounds still suit the tone. Your GM will clarify options and ensure consequences are understood.