Owlbear Rodeo

Owlbear Rodeo

Owlbear Rodeo is a streamlined virtual tabletop that operates entirely in your browser. It manages battle maps, tokens, drawing tools, measuring, and simple fog of war, allowing everyone to see positioning at a glance. It keeps the focus on conversation and decisions at the table, rather than on software overhead. Ideal for quick scenes, one-shots, and theatre-of-the-mind with a light visual aid.

For players, setup is minimal. You simply follow an invite link and the map opens directly in your browser. There’s nothing to install, and there are no player fees. Any modern desktop browser works well, and a laptop or large tablet enhances viewing and moving tokens smoothly.

A professional Game Master often pairs Owlbear Rodeo with Discord or Zoom for voice and video, along with online character sheets or dice rollers your group already uses. If you want to compare online options, see the overview of online play platforms.

How to use Owlbear Rodeo

Before the game starts, ensure your browser is updated and check your internet connection. Your Game Master will send an invite link. No account is required. Click the link, enter a display name, and the tabletop will open in your browser. If possible, use a laptop or desktop, and a mouse is helpful for moving tokens and panning maps. Owlbear Rodeo does not have built-in voice or video, so please join the Discord or Zoom call provided by your Game Master. Test your microphone and speakers there, and confirm you can see the map and move your token.

A player laughs across the table from a bearded Game Master during a tabletop roleplaying session.
A player laughs across the table from a bearded Game Master during a tabletop roleplaying session.
Purple eight-sided die with gold numbers 5 and 8 visible.
Purple eight-sided die with gold numbers 5 and 8 visible.

Common questions

Do I need an Owlbear Rodeo account to join?

Players don’t need an account. Your Game Master sends a room link, you enter a display name, and you’re in. No installation required.

Which devices and browsers are most compatible with it?

A recent desktop browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari works well. Laptops are ideal for moving tokens and viewing maps. Large tablets are usable, but phones are not recommended. A mouse or trackpad makes panning and dragging easier.

Does it support voice or video, and will I need a webcam?

Owlbear Rodeo does not include voice or video. You will need to use a separate call, usually Discord or Zoom, for audio and optional video. A headset or earbuds with a microphone help keep sound clear and minimise echo. A webcam is optional unless your group prefers video.

Can we use it alongside Discord, Zoom, or online character sheets?

Yes. Keep Owlbear Rodeo open for the map and tokens, and run your voice call along with character sheets or dice rollers in other tabs or windows. No special integration is required. If you are comparing online tools, check the overview of online play platforms here.

Booking Form


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Nat 1, give it another go!

Please try again or email info@storyforgers.ie

What players have to say

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the kids and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did an excellent job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a significant portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't fully understand how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but see it as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his deep knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided a brilliant experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a present for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was an excellent GM who adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left the game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another session with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A nice and clear first experience with D&D. Amber was able to explain and guide the game effectively, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack routes was an enjoyable activity and provided great insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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We’re Looking for Dungeon Masters!

StoryForgers is seeking enthusiastic and imaginative Dungeon Masters to become part of our team.
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