Burden N' Blade

DEFEND.

DELIVER. 

DON'T DIE.

These words, in blood-red ink, are stamped across the contract in your hands—looming right above your scratch of a name. Come what may, you’re now a warden employed by the esteemed Burden n’ Blade Incorporated.

Soon they’ll charge ya with a parcel  (that’s what the long-beards call it—no matter ‘tis a message, piles of cannon shot, or a highborn noble's sniveling runt). You’re ta carry this parcel and see that it gets delivered in one piece. Aye. A right smart way ta make a load a coin, you might reckon… if it weren’t for that sprawling (“cursed” some say) wilderness between you and that shiny reward: the Mudwood.

The Mudwood… ‘tis full of ancient shadow pines, crumbly rock, blackthorn patches, and the thigh-deep muck that makes the dark woods famous. And don’t forget all the nasties waiting ta make a meal of ya! Giant spiders, webs thick as a wrist; dogwinkles (meat-lovin’ snails) the size of a carriage; and, of course, the goblins. The forest is overrun with the green buggers. And ya know they find boiled flesh a proper treat!

Aye… it’s dangerous. But riches and glory await… if you can fulfill that contract: defend. deliver, and try not ta die.

Burden N' Blade is a narrative table-top roleplaying game (One-Page RPG Jam 2024 entry). (1-4) players act as protagonists called Wardens. Another player narrates the story as the Guide. The PDF contains all the rules and some rollable tables for inspiration. 

You will also need: 

• Several six-sided dice (or d6)
• Some glass beads (or coins, poker chips, etc.) for tracking game resources
• Paper and pencil.

Burden N' Blade could also be used as an adventure resource for other roleplaying games (like Dungeons & Dragons). 

Cover Art: Connecticut Woods (c. 1858 - c. 1916) by Henry Ward Ranger