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Pathwarden

Version 1.02
Classless fantasy heroes combine tactical battles with exploration, projects, and story threads
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Fantasy
TacticalClasslessCharacter BuildingExplorationSandboxCharacter-DrivenMana PointsStrong GM Support

Best For

Groups who want classless tactical fantasy with grid combat, build experimentation, and campaigns that alternate between exploration, conflicts, and long-term projects. It suits a Lorewarden comfortable preparing a regional sandbox.

Core Mechanic

Roll d20 + the relevant Proficiency and modifiers and meet or beat a difficulty. Beating or missing it by 10 produces a critical result, while a natural 20 or 1 shifts the degree one step. Benefit and Detriment change the difficulty by 5.

Diced20
System Familyd20 System
PublisherGhost Spark
Year2024
ComplexityHow much there is to learn
High

The d20 check and four result tiers are familiar. Player depth comes from classless advancement across three Paths, each opening Boons and specialized actions. Combat timing and spellcasting connect to a broader campaign layer built from exploration cycles and long-term projects. The Lorewarden must prepare regions and threats while adjudicating that interlock.

AvailabilityHow you get the rules
  • Free to tryNothing freeNo free rules or starter
  • Get it nowSold newIn print or as a legal PDF
RunnabilityWhat the book gives you to run it
  • –IndexNo back-of-book index or page-keyed reference tables
  • ✓GM guidanceA chapter on how to run the game
  • ✓Examples of playRules shown in action at the table
  • ✓Quick referenceCheat sheet or summary tables
  • ✓Cross-referencesRules point to each other by page

4 of 5 book tools found in the core book

Highlights

  • Fast and Slow Turns let players trade one action for acting before enemies, turning initiative into a round-by-round tactical choice.
  • Three classless Paths open Boons and Feats that let characters combine martial, magical, and skill-focused abilities.
  • Exploration and Horizon procedures connect regional travel, threat clocks, and long-term Projects to the consequences of each adventure.

Considerations

  • Grid combat asks players to track action costs, positioning, conditions, and multiple-attack penalties each round.
  • Character advancement spreads options across Boons, Feats, Skills, and magical Disciplines, so players compare abilities drawn from several chapters.
  • The campaign structure expects the Lorewarden to prepare an Adventure Map of regions and threats before play.

Rules license ORC License

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