Dragonbane is the system we schedule when the evening is short and the group wants a complete adventure anyway: roll-under d20, no modifier math, combat at twice a 5e clip, and danger real enough that players negotiate with goblins like adults. A booked table adds the pacing hands of a GM who runs it weekly, and suddenly a two-and-a-half-hour store slot holds an entire story.
The lapsed-gamer's homecoming
This is our first recommendation for groups with more nostalgia than free time: old-school dungeon feeling, modern manners, characters in twenty minutes (kin, profession, done), and sessions that end on time because the system stays out of the way. D&D veterans acclimate in one fight; the only adjustment is wanting to roll low, and the table will remind you. Loudly. Once.
Listings show the GM's reviews, seat price, and format; the Provo tavern is essentially a Dragonbane illustration you can sit in, and online tables run in your timezone.
Bring nothing, or bring a duck
Pregens wait at the table, the standard dice set covers everything, and the system overview is there if you want the two-minute read on why there are no levels and why the mallard kin is never a joke to the person playing one.
Frequently asked questions
How is Dragonbane different from D&D?
Roll under your skill instead of adding modifiers, no classes or levels (skills grow through use), and combat that resolves in half the time. Same fantasy adventuring, more mischief, less bookkeeping.
Is Dragonbane good for short sessions?
The best on our roster: tight two-to-three-hour slots hold complete adventures, which is why store-night listings love it. It's also forgiving of drop-in players mid-campaign.
Can beginners start with Dragonbane?
Absolutely; one rule covers the whole game, and the boxed set's reputation as the hobby's best on-ramp is earned. A booked beginner table skips even the box.
Can you really play a duck?
The mallard is a proud playable kin with webbed feet and a grudge, and at least one at our tables has died heroically enough to get a toast. Play it seriously; that's the secret.
What dice do I need?
The standard seven-die set, d20 foremost. Loaners live at every table, so the honest answer is "none, but you'll want your own by session two."