Forbidden Lands

Forbidden lands is an RPG created by Free League, a Swedish gaming company renowned for their atmospheric and mechanically solid games. The game’s goal is to capture that classic old-school RPG feeling while leveraging the proven reliability of Free League’s Year Zero Engine.

At its core, Forbidden Lands is built around the concept of exploration and survival in a cursed realm. After decades of being sealed away by powerful magic, the Ravenlands have reopened, and adventurers rush in to explore forgotten ruins, establish strongholds, and uncover ancient secrets.

The Year Zero Engine provides a streamlined yet tactical foundation that emphasizes:

• Dice Pool Mechanics: Roll a number of six-sided dice based on your attribute + skill combination
• Push Your Luck: You can re-roll failed dice, but risk gaining Conditions (exhaustion, injury, etc.)
• Resource Management: Food, water, arrows, and torches aren’t just bookkeeping—they’re survival tools
• Fast Combat: Initiative-less combat that flows naturally while maintaining tactical depth

Exploration: The hexcrawl structure encourages organic discovery. Each hex on the map holds potential adventures, from ancient ruins to dangerous monsters.

Survival: Weather, hunger, and the harsh wilderness are constant threats. Players must balance risk-taking with resource conservation.

Base Building: Unlike many RPGs, Forbidden Lands actively encourages players to establish and develop their own strongholds, creating a sense of permanence and investment in the world.

While many RPGs claim to be “old-school,” Forbidden Lands actually delivers on that promise through:

• Meaningful random encounters that drive narrative
• Player-driven exploration without railroading
• Consequences that matter without being punitive
• A magic system that feels dangerous and unpredictable

The game strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modern game design, offering the wonder of discovery that defined early RPGs while avoiding the frustrating mechanics that often came with them.