Broken Shores Dark Fantasy;Post-Apocalyptic;Survival;Rules Lite;Exploration-Driven;Classless;Old-School Renaissance (OSR)
At-a-glance: Dark Fantasy/OSR • d100 • 1-4 + optional GM • Low prep • Rules-lite • 2-4h sessions
Theme and Setting
Broken Shores plunges players into Zephrous, a world drowned by an ancient cataclysm where only scattered islands and floating derelicts remain. You play as Drifters—survivors who sail the One Sea scavenging for resources, ancient relics, and Godshards (crystallized divine essence that fuels magic). The gods are dead, fresh water is worth more than blood, and humanity clings to existence in a cruel, watery hellscape. The setting blends dark fantasy with post-apocalyptic survival, where magic is dangerous, often forbidden, and the key to ultimate power.
Core Mechanics and Rules
The game uses a streamlined d100 system that is quick to learn and deadly in execution. Character creation is classless—your abilities emerge from your background, skills, and equipment. The rules cover spell-casting with unpredictable magical effects, brutal critical hits and wound systems, ocean exploration via hexcrawl procedures, crafting from scavenged materials, and survival mechanics including thirst, hunger, and exposure. Combat is lethal and to be avoided when possible; smart Drifters talk, sneak, or sail away from fights they cannot win. The game supports both traditional GM-led play and solo gameplay using oracle tables and procedural generation.
What Makes It Unique
Broken Shores stands out through its aquatic post-apocalyptic setting and the tension between survival and ambition. The ocean hexcrawl procedure generates a unique archipelago for each campaign, with derelict ships to explore, forgotten ruins to plunder, and rival Drifters competing for the same scarce resources. Magic operates through Godshards—rare and coveted items that make spellcasters targets. The Drifter economy creates natural conflict: do you trade your last clean water for passage, or risk sailing into storm-wracked waters? The game's flexibility for solo or group play, combined with its fully illustrated 133-page presentation, makes it a complete package for survival-focused campaigns.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Broken Shores is designed for players who enjoy brutal survival scenarios, exploration-driven gameplay, and dark fantasy atmospheres. It appeals to OSR enthusiasts who appreciate resource management and creative problem-solving over combat dominance. Solo players will find robust tools for emergent storytelling, while groups can embrace the cooperative tension of shared scarcity. The game rewards careful planning, creative use of found materials, and knowing when to cut losses. Fans of settings like Waterworld, Subnautica, or Dark Sun will find familiar yet distinct territory here—survival horror on the high seas of a ruined world.
