Cairn 2e Fantasy; Old-School Renaissance (OSR); New School Revolution (NSR); Classless; Sandbox; Exploration-Driven; Low Prep; Rules Lite; Quick-Play

At-a-glance: OSR/NSR lineage • d20 saves • 3–5 + Warden • Low prep • Rules‑lite • 2–3h sessions

Theme and Setting

Cairn 2e takes place in a mysterious Wood—ruins, burrows, and strange folk at the edges of civilization. It doesn’t dictate a canon. Instead, it offers prompts, tables, and procedures to spark grounded, perilous adventures where treasure, travel, and tension matter.

Core Mechanics and Rules

Characters are classless. Ability scores drive saves, and advancement is lean. Encumbrance and inventory do heavy lifting: gear and kits define capability more than feats or classes. Combat is deadly and brief; rest and risk are strategic choices, not defaults. Procedures support exploration turns, travel, and timekeeping so choices have weight.

Resolution stays minimal: make a save when failure has stakes; otherwise, keep moving. Monsters and hazards are terse yet flavorful, enabling quick rulings without page-flipping. The Warden’s tools emphasize clarity and pacing over rules density.

What Makes It Unique

This edition sharpens the first game’s intent: faster onboarding, stronger GM (“Warden”) guidance, and a toolkit approach that foregrounds dangerous places and meaningful logistics. It reads quickly, plays quickly, and encourages “rulings over rules” with just enough structure to keep tension honest.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Great for groups who want OSR feel without heavy subsystems: classless characters, fast prep, risky combat, and exploration-first play. New players grasp it fast; veterans will appreciate the clean procedures and how inventory choices shape tactics. Expect clever problem‑solving, consequential choices, and satisfying resource pressure.