Dolmenwood
Dolmenwood is a fantasy adventure RPG built on the acclaimed Old-School Essentials rules, presenting a familiar B/X D&D experience with a lavishly detailed setting inspired by the fairy tales and eerie folklore of the British Isles. Like traditional fairy tales, Dolmenwood blends the dark and whimsical, the wondrous and weird, creating a unique campaign world that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original.
Theme and Setting
The game is set in Dolmenwood, a moss-clad forest on the borders of Fairy, rife with intrigue, secrets, and magic. This is a world fractured by sordid betrayal, magical mishaps, and ancient chaos, where players explore perilous lands, traverse fairy roads, unearth shrines, and contend with the unpredictable weather of the many seasons and unseasons. The setting draws heavily from British folklore—the kind of stories where the Brothers Grimm meet the hedgerows and standing stones of rural England.
Seven major factions vie for control of the forest: the Cold Prince, the Drune, the Human Nobility, the Longhorn Nobility, the Pluritine Church, and the Witches. Players can explore 200 detailed map hexes, visit 12 settlements, and encounter over 280 NPCs. The campaign book provides extensive rumor tables, hex descriptions, and narrative seeds to fuel years of sandbox play.
Core Mechanics and Rules
Dolmenwood uses a streamlined version of the Old-School Essentials system—essentially a refined B/X D&D clone—with several quality-of-life improvements. The game uses the familiar six ability scores (rolled 3d6 in order), ascending Armor Class (higher is better), and a d20-based attack roll system that will feel immediately comfortable to D&D players.
Kindreds and Classes
Characters choose from six unique Kindreds (races): proud goat-headed Breggles with horn-related psychic powers, starry-eyed immortal Elves from Fairy, tricksome cat-shapeshifting Grimalkin, worldly Humans, fungus-riddled Mosslings with fermentation abilities, and capricious bat-faced Woodgrue. Each Kindred brings distinct flavor and mechanical quirks to play.
Nine classes provide diverse playstyles: the charming Bard, ardent Cleric, wilful Enchanter, dashing Fighter, jolly Friar (who can destroy undead), stealthy Hunter, haughty Knight (who can assess the worth of any steed), enigmatic Magician (who detects magic innately), and wily Thief. The game supports separate race and class selection, allowing for varied character combinations.
Improved Systems
Dolmenwood modernizes several B/X mechanics. Saving Throws are streamlined into five categories: Doom, Ray, Hold, Blast, and Spell—making them easier to adjudicate than the original B/X system. Combat uses declared actions (flee, cast, or parry) before initiative is rolled each round, creating strategic depth. The Treasure Types system is improved, and the game includes comprehensive rules for travel, camping, foraging, and exploration.
What Makes It Unique
Dolmenwood distinguishes itself through several key features:
- British Folklore Aesthetic: Unlike generic fantasy settings, Dolmenwood draws specifically from the fairy tales, folklore, and eerie landscapes of the British Isles—standing stones, fairy rings, hedge witches, and ancient pagan traditions.
- Unique Kindreds: The playable races are genuinely distinctive. Playing a goat-headed Breggle merchant, a fungus-communing Mossling, or a shapeshifting cat-fairy Grimalkin offers roleplaying opportunities unavailable in standard fantasy games.
- Complete Package: The game comes as three lavishly illustrated hardcovers—the Player's Book (complete rules), Campaign Book (470+ pages of setting), and Monster Book (bestiary). Everything needed for years of play is included.
- Modern Presentation: Despite old-school roots, the books feature impeccable layout, hyperlinked PDFs, bolded key rules, and gorgeous varied artwork that makes the game accessible to newcomers.
- Strategic Combat: The declaration system and old-school lethality create tense, tactical encounters where avoiding combat is often wiser than engaging.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Dolmenwood serves multiple audiences:
- OSR Veterans: The B/X foundation provides familiar mechanics while the setting offers fresh inspiration for experienced old-school players.
- D&D 5E Players: The modern presentation and clear procedures make this an excellent gateway into OSR play for those curious about older styles.
- Folklore Enthusiasts: Players who love the aesthetic of films like Labyrinth or stories by writers like Susanna Clarke will find the setting deeply satisfying.
- Sandbox Fans: The 200-hex map with detailed locations, factions, and rumor tables provides everything needed for open-world exploration.
The player experience emphasizes emergent storytelling through exploration and faction play. Characters are fragile—death comes at zero HP with no death saves—so clever problem-solving and strategic thinking are essential. The game rewards players who engage with the setting's unique elements: bargaining with fairies, navigating political intrigue between factions, and treating the forest itself as a character worthy of respect and caution.
