Exploration Focused

A professional Game Master frames the journey as the main event. You choose routes on living maps, track time and supplies, and weigh risk against speed. Travel days matter. Navigation, weather, and terrain create choices, not filler. The GM populates the world with landmarks, rumours, and hidden paths. Hazards are communicated clearly and fairly. Discoveries alter your map and open up new options. At the table, this feels like a steady rhythm of scouting, problem-solving, and vivid location play, with combat used when it enhances the journey.

Curious players thrive here. If you enjoy lore, puzzles, and collaborating on a plan, this style resonates. Tactical minds get to optimise routes and resources. Story lovers find meaning in the places you uncover. It is beginner-friendly, as the GM explains tools and travel rules as you progress. Ideal for team events that seek shared problem-solving. It pairs well with survival play, sandbox campaigns, and light mysteries to uncover between waypoints. For online games that support mapping, see our overview of play platforms.

Common questions

How does this differ from a dungeon crawl or a game focused on combat?

Travel and route selection are the main focus, rather than clearing rooms or engaging in set-piece battles. You consider time, terrain, and supplies, deciding how to tackle hazards before they become a problem. Conflicts arise when they are significant to the journey, and dungeons appear as destinations rather than dominating the entire session.

Is this a suitable option for beginners or children?

New players adapt quickly as most choices revolve around where to go and what to bring, rather than mastering the rules. A professional Game Master employs clear maps, straightforward travel procedures, and prompts to steer decisions. For children, the GM shortens travel distances, ensures clues are tangible, and checks in with you regarding tone and attention span.

Can we run this as a one-off or a team event?

Yes, it works well in a single session. A professional Game Master sets a clear destination with a few rumours, then you chart a route and try to reach it before time runs out. For team events, roles like scout, navigator, and quartermaster ensure everyone has a job, and decisions are made collaboratively.

Which game systems are best suited for Exploration Focused?

Forbidden Lands and The One Ring 2e come with journey procedures built-in. D&D 5e, Pathfinder 2e, and Old-School Essentials are well-suited for hex-crawl travel, navigation checks, and resource management. Savage Worlds can also handle this with straightforward travel hazards and quick combat. For additional options, check the overview of all game systems.

Booking Form


Click to select dates

0/1500
Illustration of a dragon perched on a rock, with wings spread and detailed line art, similar to a dragon from lotr.

Sent!

Illustration of a dragon perched on a rock, with wings spread and detailed line art, similar to a dragon from lotr.

Nat 1, give it another go!

Please try again or email info@storyforgers.ie

Popular gaming systems

  • Dungeons & Dragons

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 1 – 7 players
    • Moderate rules

    Craft your own fantasy story with Dungeons & Dragons. Assemble a group of daring heroes, outwit traps, negotiate with dragons, and seize treasure in vibrant realms. Imagine the camaraderie of The Lord of the Rings, but you decide the routes, the conflicts, and the conclusion.

    View system: Dungeons & Dragons
  • Call of Cthulhu

    • Cosmic Horror +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Call of Cthulhu is the classic game of investigative cosmic horror. Take on the role of doomed investigators delving into occult mysteries and the limits of sanity.

    View system: Call of Cthulhu
  • Daggerheart

    • High Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Daggerheart is a high-fantasy RPG where every roll involves Hope and Fear d12s. Grand heroics intertwine with significant consequences in quick, narrative-driven gameplay.

    View system: Daggerheart
  • Vampire: The Masquerade

    • Vampire +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Vampire: The Masquerade is a contemporary roleplaying game centred around hunger, power, and secrecy. Imagine Interview with the Vampire, but you’re in control. Plot, charm, and endure as a coterie while a skilled Game Master animates a city filled with dark politics.

    View system: Vampire: The Masquerade
  • Cyberpunk

    • Cyberpunk +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • Moderate rules

    Take control of the neon sprawl with Cyberpunk RED, the near-future game featuring mercs, megacorps, and tough decisions from R. Talsorian Games. Experience fast, lethal action, cutting-edge technology, and high-stakes heists. If you're familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, you'll recognise the grit and flair.

    View system: Cyberpunk
  • Lancer

    • Mecha +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • In-depth rules

    Pilot a custom-built mech in high-stakes missions that combine tactical precision with character-driven drama. Lancer offers intense battles and expansive sci-fi themes of duty, politics, and hope. If you're a fan of Gundam, you'll feel right at home.

    View system: Lancer
  • Starfinder

    • Space Opera +6
    • 2 – 6 players
    • In-depth rules

    Starfinder is Paizo’s science-fantasy setting filled with blaster battles, spell-casting technomancers, and starship confrontations. Imagine Mass Effect but with magic. Our Game Masters will lead you through bizarre worlds, thrilling heists, and alien enigmas that reward collaboration and daring decisions.

    View system: Starfinder
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

    • Dark Fantasy +7
    • 2 – 6 players
    • In-depth rules

    Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay immerses you in the Old World, a bleak, disease-infested realm filled with cults, corruption, and difficult decisions. Imagine The Witcher, but with darker humour and even tougher odds. Expect gritty investigations, deadly battles, and chaotic magic, all overseen by our Game Masters.

    View system: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
  • ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

    • Survival Horror +7
    • 2 – 5 players
    • Moderate rules

    Stalk the darkness between the stars with ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game, a cinematic survival horror experience. Stress fuels panic and tough choices as you fight to survive. If Ridley Scott's Alien captivated you, this brings that same chilling dread to the table.

    View system: ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game

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.

Popular genres

  • Pirate

    Salt spray, creaking decks, and cutlass duels as you pursue treasure and rivals across treacherous seas. Swashbuckling adventure…

    View genre: Pirate
  • Steampunk

    Victorian grit, brass gadgets, and bold invention. Imagine Around the World in 80 Days with airships, clockwork automatons, and smokestack…

    View genre: Steampunk
  • Mystery

    Follow the clues, construct timelines, and apprehend the culprit. Think Knives Out, but you are the detective, assembling alibis and…

    View genre: Mystery
  • Survival

    Chilly nights, empty rucksacks, and tough decisions. Survival stories challenge your resilience and teamwork as you manage resources…

    View genre: Survival
  • Cyberpunk

    Neon nights, buzzing servers, and tough decisions. You take on the roles of hackers, street samurai, and fixers executing jobs for and…

    View genre: Cyberpunk
  • Gritty

    Difficult decisions, limited resources, and lasting consequences. Picture Game of Thrones, where trust is tenuous, debts must be repaid…

    View genre: Gritty
Black diagonal cross icon, commonly used to close popups or dismiss notifications on websites.

We’re Looking for Dungeon Masters!

StoryForgers is seeking enthusiastic and imaginative Dungeon Masters to become part of our team.
Are you interested?