cairn pdf

Cairn PDF⁚ A Guide to the Adventure Game

Cairn is a fantasy role-playing game by Yochai Gal, available on itch.io. Download the PDF character sheet and the rules summary to play Cairn with your friends.

Cairn is a PDF and softcover book for one facilitator and one or more players. It is based on Knave and Into The Odd, and compatible with OSR settings like Dolmenwood.

Cairn is an adventure game about exploring a dark and mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Character generation is quick and random, classless, and relies on fictional advancement rather than through XP or level mechanics. It is based on Knave by Ben Milton and Into The Odd by Chris McDowall.

Cairn is an adventure game for one facilitator (the Warden) and at least one other player. Players act as hardened adventurers exploring a dark amp; mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Based on Knave by Ben Milton and Into The Odd by Chris McDowall, Cairn is an attempt at making Into The Odd …

Cairn is an adventure game for one facilitator (the Warden) and at least one other player. Players act as hardened adventurers exploring a dark amp; mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Based on Knave by Ben Milton and Into The Odd by Chris McDowall, Cairn is an attempt at making Into The Odd semi-compatible with popular OSR settings like Dolmenwood.

Cairn is an adventure game about exploring a dark and mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Character generation is quick and random, adventures are tense and reward careful exploration, and combat is frantic and deadly. The game was written by Yochai Gal.

Cairn is a free PDF game based on Knave and Into The Odd, where you explore a Wood full of strange folk and monsters. You can download the PDF, the Affinity Publisher file, and submit your own content on the official website.

Cairn is an adventure game about exploring a dark amp; mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Character generation is quick and random, classless, and relies on fictional advancement rather than through XP or level mechanics.

Cairn is an adventure game about exploring a dark and mysterious Wood filled with strange folk, hidden treasure, and unspeakable monstrosities. Character generation is quick and random, adventures are tense and reward careful exploration, and combat is frantic and deadly. Grab the Wardens Guide as a companion book as well. More information.

What is Cairn?

Cairn is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) that immerses players in a dark and mysterious woodland environment known as the “Wood.” This wilderness is teeming with strange creatures, hidden treasures, and unspeakable monstrosities, making for an engaging and suspenseful adventure. The game is designed for a single facilitator, known as the “Warden,” who guides the players through their journey, and at least one other player, who takes on the role of a hardened adventurer exploring this enigmatic world.

Character creation in Cairn is a quick and random process, eschewing traditional class systems. Players are not limited to pre-defined roles but instead are given a unique set of attributes and abilities based on a randomized system. This fosters a sense of unpredictability and encourages players to embrace their characters’ strengths and weaknesses.

Cairn’s gameplay is centered around storytelling and player choice, rather than complex rules and mechanics. The emphasis is on creating compelling narratives and engaging in exciting encounters. The game’s rules are intentionally streamlined, allowing for a more fluid and immersive experience.

One of the defining features of Cairn is its reliance on fictional advancement, meaning that character progression is driven by the stories they create and the choices they make. This contrasts with traditional TTRPGs where progression is tied to experience points (XP) or level-based mechanics. Cairn’s system encourages players to focus on the narrative impact of their actions rather than simply accumulating numerical gains.

Cairn’s Gameplay

Cairn’s gameplay is characterized by its focus on player agency and narrative exploration. The game prioritizes storytelling and immersive experiences over intricate rules and mechanics. The Warden, who acts as the facilitator, sets the scene and guides the players through their journey, but ultimately the players drive the narrative through their choices and actions.

The game’s rules are intentionally streamlined, allowing for a fluid and dynamic gameplay experience. Players aren’t bogged down by complex calculations or extensive rulebooks. The emphasis is on creating engaging encounters and fostering a sense of suspense and danger.

Cairn’s gameplay is heavily influenced by the “OSR” (Old School Renaissance) movement, a revival of classic tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. The game incorporates elements of classic OSR design, such as simplified rules, a focus on character development, and a sense of uncertainty and risk.

One of the key elements of Cairn’s gameplay is its unique approach to character advancement. Unlike many TTRPGs where character growth is tied to experience points or level-based progression, Cairn emphasizes fictional advancement. This means that characters develop and evolve based on the stories they create and the choices they make during the game. This approach encourages players to focus on the narrative impact of their actions rather than simply accumulating numerical gains.

Character Creation

Character creation in Cairn is a streamlined and engaging process designed to quickly get players into the heart of the adventure. The game eschews traditional class systems and level-based progression, opting for a more flexible and narrative-driven approach. This allows players to create characters that reflect their unique personalities and playstyles without being confined by rigid character archetypes.

Character creation in Cairn is based on a randomized system that encourages players to embrace the unexpected. Players roll dice to determine their character’s starting attributes, skills, and background. This element of chance adds a layer of unpredictability to the character creation process, ensuring that each character is unique and memorable.

Cairn’s character creation system is designed to be fast and efficient, allowing players to quickly create compelling characters without spending hours poring over complex rules and options. The game’s streamlined approach to character creation is intended to encourage players to focus on the narrative potential of their characters and the stories they can create together.

The game provides a set of core character options and guidelines, but players are encouraged to be creative and add their own unique twists to their characters. This approach fosters a sense of player agency and allows players to personalize their characters in a way that feels meaningful and engaging.

Cairn’s Setting

Cairn’s setting is a dark and mysterious Wood, a place of both wonder and danger. The Wood is a place of ancient secrets, hidden pathways, and strange creatures. It’s a place where the laws of nature seem to bend and twist, and where the boundaries between the mundane and the magical are blurred. The Wood is a place of both beauty and terror, with its towering trees, whispering winds, and eerie silence.

The Wood is home to a variety of strange and wonderful creatures, both friendly and hostile. There are talking animals, mischievous sprites, and ancient beings of immense power. There are also dangerous predators, lurking in the shadows, waiting to ambush unsuspecting travelers. The Wood is a place where anything is possible, and where the unexpected is always lurking around the corner.

The Wood is also a place of mystery and intrigue. There are ancient ruins hidden deep within its depths, whispering tales of forgotten civilizations and lost treasures. The Wood is a place where players can explore, discover, and uncover the secrets of a world that is both familiar and alien. The Wood is a place where players can test their courage, their wits, and their survival skills.

The Wood is a place where players can create their own stories and adventures, guided by the game’s rules and their own imaginations. The Wood is a place where anything is possible, and where the only limit is the players’ own creativity.

Cairn’s Mechanics

Cairn’s mechanics are designed to be simple and elegant, emphasizing narrative and player choice over complex rules. The game is rules-light, with a focus on fast-paced, dynamic gameplay. The core mechanics are easy to learn and understand, allowing players to quickly dive into the action and create their own unique stories.

Character creation is quick and random, with a focus on classless, freeform character development. Instead of relying on traditional class systems, players create characters based on their individual backgrounds and motivations. This allows for a greater degree of player customization and encourages players to embrace their unique strengths and weaknesses.

Combat is fast-paced and deadly, with a focus on tactical decision-making and resource management. The game emphasizes the importance of careful planning and strategic thinking, as players must carefully choose their actions to survive. Combat is designed to be a thrilling and unpredictable experience, with each encounter potentially leading to dramatic consequences.

Cairn’s mechanics are designed to support a variety of playstyles, from gritty realism to high-fantasy adventure. The game’s open-ended nature allows players to create their own stories and explore the Wood in their own way. Whether players prefer to explore ancient ruins, hunt for treasure, or battle monstrous creatures, Cairn offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Cairn’s Inspiration

Cairn’s inspiration stems from a rich tapestry of influences, drawing heavily from the world of old-school role-playing games (OSR) and a desire to create a unique and engaging gameplay experience. The game’s creators sought to capture the spirit of classic RPGs while introducing fresh ideas and mechanics that would appeal to both seasoned players and newcomers.

Two key inspirations for Cairn are the games Knave by Ben Milton and Into The Odd by Chris McDowall. Knave’s minimalist approach to character creation and its focus on narrative storytelling heavily influenced Cairn’s design. Into The Odd’s emphasis on exploration, danger, and player choice further shaped the game’s core mechanics, creating a sense of immersive adventure and unpredictable outcomes.

Cairn also draws inspiration from the rich tradition of fantasy literature and folklore, particularly the concept of a dark and mysterious forest filled with wonder, danger, and unknown creatures. This sense of mystery and exploration is woven into the game’s setting, encouraging players to delve into the depths of the Wood and uncover its secrets.

Cairn’s creators sought to create a game that would be both challenging and rewarding, offering players a sense of accomplishment and immersion in a world filled with intrigue and adventure. The game’s inspirations are evident in its design, creating a unique blend of classic RPG elements and innovative mechanics that have captivated players worldwide.

Cairn’s Editions

Cairn has seen multiple editions released, each building upon the core mechanics and themes of the original game while introducing new features and refinements. The first edition of Cairn, released in 2020, quickly gained popularity for its streamlined rules, focus on player agency, and evocative setting. The core mechanics of the first edition, including character generation, exploration, and combat, laid the foundation for subsequent releases.

The second edition of Cairn, currently in playtesting, promises to expand upon the established framework, introducing new mechanics and expanding the game’s world. The playtest version of Cairn 2e, released in July 2023, features revised character sheets, updated equipment lists, and expanded rules for healing and magic. The playtest is an opportunity for the game’s community to provide feedback and help shape the final version of Cairn 2e.

The evolution of Cairn through its various editions reflects the dedication of its creators to continually refine and improve the game. Each new edition builds upon the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new elements that enhance the overall experience. This iterative process ensures that Cairn remains a fresh and engaging game for both experienced and new players.