Cairn RPG is a lightweight, classless adventure game blending elements from Knave and Into the Odd․ Designed for OSR compatibility, it offers a dark, mysterious setting with modular rules․
Background and Development
Cairn RPG was created by Yochai Gal, combining elements from Into the Odd and Knave to craft a system compatible with OSR modules․ It emerged to address the limitations of Into the Odd for fantasy settings, particularly its lack of spellcasting and industrial revolution default․ Licensed under CC-BY-SA 4․0, Cairn is freely available in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, and Google Docs, making it accessible for players and creators alike․
Key Features and Gameplay Overview
Cairn RPG offers quick character creation, a classless system, and progression through experience and survival․ It features a simple inventory system with 10 slots, managing bulk and encumbrance․ Combat relies on ability scores and saves, with death always looming but never random․ Magic is handled through spellbooks and relics, requiring resource management․ The game emphasizes exploration, critical thinking, and teamwork, with the Warden acting as a neutral narrator guiding the story and rules seamlessly․
Design Philosophy and Core Mechanics
Cairn RPG blends Knave and Into the Odd, focusing on a dark, mysterious setting with emergent narratives․ It emphasizes character vulnerability, meaningful choices, and the Warden’s neutral arbitration, using ability scores and simple inventory mechanics for gameplay․
Core Principles of Cairn
Cairn emphasizes emergent storytelling, player agency, and vulnerability․ Characters advance through experiences, not XP․ The game prioritizes clear communication and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring players understand risks and consequences․ Death is ever-present but never arbitrary, while inventory management and resource scarcity add strategic depth․ The Warden acts as a neutral arbiter, fostering a team-oriented playstyle focused on exploration and survival․
The Role of the Warden and Players
The Warden serves as the game’s facilitator, presenting situations, NPCs, and challenges while remaining impartial․ Players take on the roles of hardened adventurers, navigating a dark, mysterious world through collaboration and strategic decision-making․ The Warden ensures clarity in rules and narrative, fostering a shared storytelling experience․ Players are encouraged to engage deeply with the setting, contributing to the game’s emergent narrative and collectively overcoming obstacles․ This dynamic creates a balanced, immersive playstyle․
Character Creation and Advancement
Character creation in Cairn is quick and random, with players rolling for attributes and traits․ Advancement occurs through in-world experiences, not XP or traditional leveling systems․
Background, Traits, and Starting Gear
Players choose or roll for their character’s background and traits, which define their skills and personality․ Backgrounds provide context, while traits add unique characteristics․ Starting gear is determined by rolling on tables, ensuring each character begins with essential equipment․ This system emphasizes flexibility and randomness, allowing for diverse and dynamic characters right from the start․ Optional Gear Packages offer a more structured approach for those preferring traditional class-like setups․
Ability Scores and Character Progression
Characters in Cairn have three attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Willpower, rolled with 3d6 in order․ Players may swap two scores for balance․ Hit Protection (HP) is rolled with 1d6 and represents a character’s ability to avoid damage․ Progression is experience-based, with advancements tied to overcoming challenges and surviving dangers․ Characters gain new skills and abilities through in-world events, not XP or levels․ This system emphasizes vulnerability, with death always possible but never random, ensuring a tense and immersive experience․
Inventory and Resource Management
Cairn features a 10-slot inventory system, including a backpack, hand slots, and upper body gear․ Bulky items occupy two slots, and full inventories reduce HP to 0, enhancing risk and strategy․
Inventory Slots and Item Management
Cairn employs a 10-slot inventory system, including a backpack (6 slots), hand slots, and upper body gear․ Each slot typically holds one item, though small items can be bundled․ Bulky items occupy two slots, while weapons and armor take specific slots․ Players must manage their gear carefully, as exceeding capacity reduces HP to 0․ This system emphasizes strategic item management, ensuring adventurers balance utility and survival in their journeys through the dark, mysterious Wood․
Bulk, Encumbrance, and Fatigue
Bulk items occupy two slots, limiting carrying capacity․ Encumbrance is managed through inventory slots, with full inventories reducing HP to 0․ Fatigue, gained from deprivation or spellcasting, occupies slots and persists until rest․ This system ensures strategic resource management, penalizing overburdened adventurers and emphasizing survival over hoarding; Players must balance gear and risks, as neglecting these mechanics can lead to vulnerability in the unforgiving world of Cairn․
Abilities, Saves, and Combat
Strength, Dexterity, and Willpower determine ability checks and saves․ Players roll a d20, succeeding if results equal or under the relevant ability score․ Critical hits inflict severe injuries, emphasizing danger and strategy in combat encounters․
Strength, Dexterity, and Willpower
Strength (STR) governs physical power, used for tasks like lifting or resisting poison․ Dexterity (DEX) handles agility and reflexes, such as dodging or climbing․ Willpower (WIL) manages social interactions and mental resilience, like persuasion or intimidation․ Saves are resolved with a d20 roll; success occurs if the result is equal to or under the relevant ability score․ Critical outcomes (1 or 20) are always decisive, adding drama and risk to challenges․ These abilities form the core of resolving actions in Cairn․
Saves, Critical Damage, and Healing
Saves are resolved with a d20 roll, succeeding if the result is equal to or under the relevant ability score․ Critical outcomes (1 or 20) are always decisive․ Critical damage results in ability score loss, restored only with a week’s rest and a healer․ Healing restores lost HP, but leaves the party vulnerable․ Fatigue accumulates from deprivation or spellcasting, occupying inventory slots until recuperation․ These mechanics emphasize resource management and risk, enhancing the game’s strategic depth and survival elements․
Magic and Spellcasting
Spellbooks, scrolls, and relics are central to magic, offering unique spells with specific casting rules; Found in tombs or dungeons, they often come with unusual properties or risks, requiring careful management and ability checks to avoid adverse effects during casting․
Spellbooks, Scrolls, and Relics
Spellbooks and scrolls are core magical tools, each containing a single spell․ They are discovered in locations like tombs or dungeons and cannot be created or copied․ Spellbooks require both hands to cast, adding a Fatigue slot upon use․ Scrolls function similarly but may have unique casting rules․ Both attract attention due to their arcane power․ Relics are magical items with embedded spells, offering distinct abilities but differing from spellbooks and scrolls in origin and function․
Casting Spells and Managing Fatigue
Spellcasting in Cairn requires holding a Spellbook in both hands and reading its contents aloud․ This action adds a Fatigue slot to the caster’s inventory․ Players can enhance spells for increased effects but must succeed on a WIL save to avoid consequences like added Fatigue, spellbook destruction, or injury․ Resting restores lost HP but leaves the party vulnerable․ Ability loss from critical damage or deprivation requires a week’s rest or magical intervention to recover․
NPCs, Hirelings, and Morale
NPCs, Hirelings, and Morale in Cairn RPG involve creating hirelings with ability scores, HP, and equipment․ Hirelings cost 1-3gp daily and aid in expeditions․ Enemies must pass WIL saves to avoid fleeing when casualties occur, with leaders’ WIL sometimes used for groups․
Creating and Managing Hirelings
Hirelings are created by rolling 3d6 for each ability score, assigning 1d6 HP, and equipping them with a simple weapon․ They cost 1-3gp daily or a share of treasure․ Hirelings can carry items, reducing inventory burden, and gain Fatigue from spellcasting or deprivation․ Their morale is tied to WIL saves; if reduced to 0 HP, they flee unless they pass a WIL save․ Hirelings add flexibility and support to parties in Cairn RPG․
NPC Reactions and Morale Rules
NPC reactions are determined by rolling 2d6 and consulting a table, with outcomes ranging from hostile to friendly․ Morale rules require enemies to make WIL saves to avoid fleeing when casualties occur or numbers dwindle․ Leaders’ WIL can substitute for group saves․ Lone foes must save when reduced to 0 HP․ Hirelings can influence NPC reactions, but morale rules don’t apply to PCs․ This system adds depth to encounters, making NPC behavior dynamic and unpredictable in Cairn RPG․
Treasure, Economy, and Exploration
Treasure in Cairn is highly valuable, often bulky, and dangerous to pursue․ Economies thrive on local rarity, influencing trade․ Exploration includes quick or detailed searches, revealing hidden secrets and dangers in a structured, time-based system․
Treasure Types and Value
Treasure in Cairn includes gold, jewels, and magical items, often bulky and dangerous․ Value is determined by rarity and utility․ Gold pieces (gp) are the standard, with 1 gp equal to 10 silver pieces (sp) and 100 copper pieces (cp)․ Economies in villages, strongholds, and ports fluctuate based on local demand․ Treasure acts as a lure, drawing adventurers to perilous locations, making it a double-edged reward․
Exploration Mechanics and Searching
Exploration in Cairn is governed by two types of searches: quick and detailed․ A quick search takes one minute, covering a 30×30 space, revealing obvious details․ A detailed search takes 10 minutes, uncovering hidden information․ The Warden arbitrates outcomes, ensuring consistency with the game world․ These mechanics encourage careful investigation while maintaining pacing․ They can be adapted to various environments, from dungeons to forests, enhancing immersion and strategic play․
Compatibility with OSR Modules
Cairn seamlessly integrates with OSR adventures, offering flexible rules to adapt classic modules without extensive modifications, ensuring a smooth transition for both players and Wardens alike․
Using Cairn with OSR Adventures
Cairn is designed to seamlessly integrate with OSR modules, requiring minimal adjustments․ Its classless system and focus on fictional advancement align well with OSR’s flexible framework․ Wardens can easily adapt existing content, leveraging Cairn’s lightweight rules to enhance gameplay․ Players benefit from a system that emphasizes exploration and survival, aligning with the spirit of classic OSR adventures․ This compatibility ensures a smooth transition, allowing both new and veteran players to dive into familiar settings with fresh mechanics․
Adapting Rules for Different Settings
Adapting Cairn to various settings involves tailoring its flexible rules to match the unique tone and mechanics of your chosen world․ For fantasy, emphasize magic and mythical creatures, while sci-fi might introduce advanced technology and space exploration․ Horror settings can focus on sanity and survival mechanics․ Modify attributes, skills, and inventory management to reflect the setting’s demands․ Introduce new spells or abilities that align with the setting’s lore․ Ensure these changes enhance the narrative and gameplay without complicating the core system․ This adaptability makes Cairn versatile for diverse storytelling experiences․
Licensing and Availability
Cairn is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4․0․ The SRD is available for easy download in various formats, including Word and Google Docs, from the official repository․
Licensing Under CC-BY-SA 4․0
Cairn is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4․0 International License (CC-BY-SA 4․0)․ This open-source license allows users to freely view, modify, and redistribute the game’s content․ It encourages collaboration and customization, enabling fans to create and share derivative works․ The SRD is accessible in various formats, including Word, Google Docs, and more, from its official repository․ This licensing model fosters community engagement and ensures Cairn remains adaptable for diverse gaming needs․
Downloading and Accessing the Cairn SRD
The Cairn System Reference Document (SRD) is freely available for download in multiple formats, including Word, Affinity, Google Docs, and PDF․ Players and Wardens can access the SRD directly from the official repository or through designated download links․ This ensures easy access for everyone to explore the game’s mechanics, settings, and rules․ The downloadable versions are regularly updated to reflect the latest enhancements and community contributions, making it a dynamic resource for all Cairn enthusiasts․
Community and Resources
Cairn RPG fosters a vibrant community through online forums and social media groups․ Players and creators share resources, hacks, and adventures, enriching the game’s ecosystem collectively․
Online Communities and Forums
Cairn RPG has a thriving online community, with fans and creators engaging on platforms like Reddit, Discord, and Facebook groups․ These hubs serve as spaces for sharing resources, discussing gameplay, and showcasing custom content․ Players and Wardens alike exchange tips, adventures, and hacks, fostering collaboration and innovation․ The community’s active participation has led to a wealth of user-generated material, further enriching the game’s ecosystem and providing support for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts․
Additional Resources and Tools
Beyond the Cairn SRD, players and Wardens can access supplementary tools like character generators, inventory trackers, and adventure builders․ Third-party platforms offer custom maps, encounter tables, and pre-made NPCs, enhancing game preparation․ Community-driven assets, such as printable spellbooks and item cards, add tactile elements to gameplay․ These resources streamline the experience, allowing everyone to focus on storytelling and exploration, making Cairn a versatile and dynamic tabletop adventure․
Cairn RPG offers a captivating blend of simplicity and depth, perfect for fans of dark, mysterious adventures․ Its modular design ensures endless possibilities for future growth and exploration․
Final Thoughts on Cairn RPG
Cairn RPG stands out as a refined, versatile system that bridges simplicity with depth․ Its modular design, rooted in OSR traditions, offers a fresh take on dark, mysterious adventures․ By blending the strengths of Knave and Into the Odd, Cairn creates a unique experience․ The classless character creation and intuitive mechanics make it accessible yet engaging․ With a growing community and robust resources, Cairn is a compelling choice for both newcomers and seasoned players seeking a flexible, story-driven RPG experience․
Future Prospects and Developments
Cairn RPG shows promising growth, with its open-source nature fostering community contributions․ The CC-BY-SA 4․0 license encourages third-party content, expanding its ecosystem․ Regular updates and adaptations ensure compatibility with diverse settings․ The active community and accessible SRD promote creativity, allowing players and creators to shape its future․ With a focus on simplicity and flexibility, Cairn is well-positioned to evolve into a cornerstone of modern RPG design, offering endless possibilities for adventurers and storytellers alike․