# Forbidden Lands

Forbidden Lands is a sandbox survival fantasy RPG where you play rogues and raiders exploring a cursed world. Winner of four ENNIE Awards, it features hex-crawl exploration, base-building, and the acclaimed Year Zero engine. Discover lost tombs, fight monsters, and build your own stronghold in this open-world retro fantasy.

## At a Glance

Fantasy • 2-4 players • Needs GM • 4/5 complexity • Medium prep

## Why It Fits

A strong fit for groups that want fantasy adventure with a clear play identity, with exploration-Driven helping define the experience.

## Fit Facts

- Players: 2-4 players + GM
- Session length: 120-240 minutes
- Prep: Medium

## Facets

- Genres: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
- Systems: Year Zero Engine
- Mechanics: Exploration-Driven, Sandbox, Resource Management, Survival

## Scores

- Complexity: 4/5
- New GM Fit: 2/5
- Roleplay Focus: 3/5
- Combat Focus: 3/5
- Tactical Depth: 3/5
- Campaign Depth: 4/5

## Best For

- Groups that want fantasy adventure with a clear play identity
- Groups that want place, travel, and discovery to stay central
- Long-form campaigns with room for the table to build momentum

## Avoid If

- You want a very light rules load
- You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover
- You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table

## Directory Notes

Forbidden Lands casts players as rogues, raiders, and adventurers in a cursed fantasy world where civilization has crumbled. Unlike traditional fantasy RPGs where you play heroes on noble quests, here you are survivors scraping by in a brutal land filled with ancient ruins, terrible monsters, and rival factions.

## Theme and Setting

The setting blends Scandinavian folklore with classic fantasy tropes, creating a world that feels both familiar and eerily dark. The Ravenlands were sealed behind a magical blood mist for centuries; now that the mist has lifted, explorers venture forth to claim treasure and territory.

## How Play Feels

Death lurks around every corner, and the game makes no pretense about your character's expendability. Forbidden Lands uses Free League's Year Zero engine , a pool-based system where you roll attribute-specific dice (base) plus skill dice, looking for 6s to succeed.

## What Makes It Distinct

The more 6s you roll, the better the result. Pushing rolls allows rerolling non-6s at the cost of potential attribute damage or gear degradation.

## Where It May Not Fit

You want a very light rules load You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover.

## Links

- Directory page: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/forbiddenlands
- Agent JSON: https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/forbiddenlands.json
- Publisher or official site: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/forbidden-lands/
- Reviews or retailer page: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/258593/forbidden-lands-core-game?affiliate_id=1659151