Torchbearer
A survival-focused dungeon crawler where light, food, and supplies deplete constantly. Players must balance risk versus reward as they explore dangerous ruins, with mechanics that emphasize the physical toll of adventuring. Every decision matters when your torch is burning down and you are low on rations.
Dungeon survival • Heavy resource management • Burning Wheel lineage • Medium complexity • 3-5 players + GM • 2-4 hour sessions
Torchbearer casts players as desperate adventurers exploring dangerous ruins at the edges of civilization. The world is crumbling, pressed by darkness and monsters.
Theme and Setting
Most people huddle behind walls, leaving the brave or foolish to venture into the unknown for treasure and glory. The game uses a modified Burning Wheel system with heavy emphasis on resource management.
How Play Feels
Players track light sources, food, water, and equipment degradation. The grind of exploration takes a toll—characters become hungry, thirsty, angry, and afraid.
What Makes It Distinct
Conflicts use a card-based action selection system where teams script their actions in advance. Unlike traditional dungeon crawls that focus on combat and loot, Torchbearer emphasizes the logistical challenge of exploration itself.
Where It May Not Fit
You want a very light rules load You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table.
What this game is about
A strong fit for groups that want fantasy adventure with a clear play identity, with resource Management helping define the experience.
Structured data and an explicit decision profile JSON document are available for remote agents.