Ishanekon World Shapers (2022)

Overview

Ishanekon: World Shapers is the (probably) biggest free Indie TTRPG with over 2,500 character options. It has been mainly developed by Jan Luyken, aka Blaze Reason, with the aim of creating a game that can compete (if not surpass) the current biggest games on the market while remaining affordable for anyone. With its easily adaptable rules and wide range of options, from beginner-friendly to highly complex, it is designed to satisfy the needs of almost any story and play style. Description From epic fantasy and sci-fi to mundane humans facing everything from common threats to cosmic horror, Ishanekons: World Shapers’ modular design lets you easily adjust the rules to help you experience your stories. This game is designed with the idea that you bring the flavor, and the mechanics help you bring it to life. The 10 Archetypes with over 200 Sub-Archetypes, 1000+ Abilities, 600+ Talents, 300+ items and upgrades, and more allow you to build anything from a simple cat to a city-destroying kaiju. Role and complexity filters let you find what you need quickly while helping you avoid those features that might be too overwhelming for your liking. System Overview & Key Features
Combat d20, Skill d10 The core of combat is built around d20 attack and defense rolls with modifiers that try to beat the enemy's Evasion and DR Power, respectively. Skills, on the other hand, are rolled with d10s, creating somewhat of a dice-based separation between combat and non-combat.
Cinematic Actions While IWS has a solid tactical core that will satisfy most war gamers, it also comes with so-called “Cinematic Actions”. These allow narrative-driven actions, independent of what the rules say your character can do, balancing the rule of cool so that role players have a rules-light way to interact with the action, bringing the best of both worlds.
Flexible Character Customization This system allows you to mix and match all sorts of Archetypes, features, and Abilities. It encourages such behavior and does not introduce any blocks, such as stat requirements. All sorts of interesting mechanical and flavor combinations open up once you start experimenting. This is also true for items. An extensive upgrade and crafting system exists that can turn any old blade into whatever you want.
Carefully Balanced The system's core math has been calculated to ensure that every character option is viable. Breaking the game is not trivial, and you will feel strong, no matter if you are a martial, caster, or something in between. Every weapon and armor type can be wielded to great effect, and each Stat has its uses. “Optimal play” should never get in the way of what fits your character narratively.
Regular Patches As a digital product, IWS can be easily expanded. Monthly patches bring new content, buff weak options, and nerf broken combos to help this game evolve and become the best it can be. New digital tools are also added and expanded, such as online character sheets and an encounter calculator.
Build Your Own Creatures The website comes with more than 100 creatures, each of which has Level 0 to 15 versions, but creature templates and an online creature builder help you as the GM to create whatever monstrosities you want to throw at your players. All those 2,500 options can also be used for whatever you cook up.
Additional links world-shapers.com https://world-shapers.com/ - Official website world-shapers./resources/adventures https://world-shapers.com/resources/adventures/ - Free adventures Super short rules https://world-shapers.com/guides/beginner-introduction/super-short-rules/ - Get started with Ishanekon fast

Active games and players

ISHANEKON
Ishanekon: World Shapers
Online
Oneshot
Dragon Hunt of Mirdonar
Players
5/6
GM
1/1
Ishanekon: World Shapers
en English

Dragon Hunt of Mirdonar

Combat focused Combat focused
Newbie friendly Newbie friendly
In this one-shot  You will be playing as a group of adventurers that the dwarven city of Mirdonar has hired to go to a glacier and hunt down a young ice dragon named Yoksontar, who has built a lair in the area. They want you to take it out before it grows up and becomes a real problem. this is a begginer frienly game  and is a level 1 one-shot.  I am going to run it  8 of agust  18:00 CET. this is a free game. Genre: Fantasy Primary Focus: Combat Secondary Focus: Exploration If you are interested please contact me.

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New
Posted 23 hours ago
en English
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
PATH2E
Pathfinder 2E
...
Online
Jared
Hi, I am magnus! I have been playing ttrpgs for a VERY long time. I am 27 at the point of writing this, I enjoy creative and kind out there settings and concepts and will always appreciate making a few new friends.
en English es Spanish
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
PATH2E
Pathfinder 2E
...
Online
antonioGUAK
Hi, I am Antonio. I am looking to play some games. I prefer pathfiner 2e, lancer or drawstell  or ishanekon world shapers (if you GM it) but I am flexible. I am more of a optimizer. like to build and combat. my time zone is GMT+1 so if the game is in europe the better. and I can only play friday night, saturday and sunday. I am currenly studing. and another thing. I am not interested in paid games. I dont have the money.

Other entries

VVD (Vivid)
Tools & Platforms

VVD (Vivid)

English
Worldbuilding
Free
VVD is a visually driven world-building and campaign management platform launched in 2024. Created by an independent developer, it positions itself as a streamlined, "distraction-free" alternative to complex wikis like World Anvil. In 2025, the platform gained massive popularity on social media for its "clean UI" and its strict No-AI pledge, promising that all art and assets on the platform are created by human artists.  Description VVD is built for the "sparks of inspiration." It uses a card-based system to organize NPCs, locations, and magic items, allowing users to connect them visually through an interactive graph. Unlike traditional folder-heavy organizers, VVD feels like a digital corkboard or a personalized Wikipedia that prioritizes aesthetics and ease of use. It is a web-based tool, meaning it requires an internet connection, but it is highly optimized for mobile devices, making it a favorite for GMs who need to jot down world-building notes on the go. System Overview & Key Features The Infinite Canvas VVD features a spatial "Canvas" mode where users can drag and drop their lore cards to create mind maps. This allows you to visually plot out character relationships, political factions, or historical timelines, with lines and labels connecting each element in a fluid, non-linear way. Interactive Map Pins Users can upload high-resolution maps and place interactive pins that link directly to lore cards. If a player visits a new town, the GM can click the pin to instantly pull up the town’s description, NPCs, and local rumors without searching through a menu. Auto-Linking Wiki System The platform automatically recognizes the names of your lore cards within your writing. If you mention a specific character in a location description, VVD will create a hyperlink to that character's card automatically, ensuring your world remains interconnected and easy to navigate. Human-Artist Focus In a direct response to industry trends, VVD has built its brand on supporting human creativity. They pledge 10% of their revenue to supporting real artists and feature a marketplace of hand-drawn assets, ensuring the platform remains a haven for traditional and digital illustrators. Quill (Story Writing Tool) New for 2026, "Quill" is an integrated manuscript editor. It allows authors to write their novels or campaign guides side-by-side with their lore cards, enabling them to reference character stats or world history in a split-screen view while they draft. Publishable World Wikis Paid users can turn their private world-building into a "public wiki" with a single click. This generates a sleek, readable website that GMs can share with their players or authors can share with their readers to show off their setting's depth and art. Additional links vvd.world - Official website and application portal

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Rotating Heroes
Actual Play & Podcasts

Rotating Heroes

English
Dungeons & Dragons
Actual Play
Follow the adventures of a rotating cast featuring the funniest comedians, actors and improvisors around. Listen as they attempt daring deeds, epic exploits and behave like buffoons in this comedy actual play series from Jasper William Cartwright. Started by Zac Oyama in 2020 the show is now entering a new era as from Arc 8 Jasper William Cartwright will be taking over the reigns as DM, continuing the story in the world of Amalar & beyond into Axis. Links headgum.com - Podcast feed spotify.com - Spotify feed patreon.com - Patreon page

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Beyond Tabletop
Tools & Platforms

Beyond Tabletop

Virtual tabletop (VTT)
English
Free
Beyond Tabletop is a streamlined, web based suite of tools designed to enhance both online and in person roleplaying sessions. Developed as a lightweight alternative to bulky virtual tabletops, it focuses on speed, simplicity, and real time synchronization using Google Firebase technology. It is built for players who want digital character sheets and tactical maps without the steep learning curve or high system requirements of more complex platforms. Description Beyond Tabletop is designed to remove the "baggage" often associated with digital gaming tools. It offers a clean, mobile friendly interface that works on any device with a web browser. The platform provides dedicated support for Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Pathfinder, featuring automated character sheets and a highly intuitive mapping system. Rather than replacing the tabletop experience, it seeks to modernize the traditional pen and paper feel through real time collaboration and easy link sharing. System Overview & Key Features [feat]Real Time Firebase Integration Every change made to a character sheet or a map is updated instantly for all connected players. There is no need to refresh the page or manually save progress, making it one of the most responsive browser based tools for tracking combat and health. Streamlined Character Sheets The platform includes built in libraries for core classes, feats, spells, and conditions for 5e and Pathfinder. These sheets are designed to handle the tedious math of leveling up while remaining flexible enough for homebrew customizations and unique character builds. Simple Tactical Mapping The map tool focuses on core utility over flashy graphics. GMs can quickly upload background images, place tokens, and draw shapes to define the battlefield. It includes a built in initiative tracker and status effect markers that are visible to the entire party. Device Agnostic Design Because it is a lightweight web application, Beyond Tabletop runs smoothly on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This makes it a perfect companion for in person games where players want to manage their sheets digitally without taking up massive space at the physical table. Easy Link Sharing Sharing a campaign or a specific map is as simple as sending a URL. There are no complicated server permissions or software invites required, allowing new players to join a session and see the game state in seconds. Donation Based The full suite of tools is available for free. The developers maintain the servers through the generosity of the community, ensuring that there are no paywalls or subscription tiers blocking access to essential gameplay features. Additional links beyondtabletop.com : Official Beyond Tabletop website beyondtabletop.com/blog : Official development blog and updates

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Reviews

Sorted by:
Skrat
Skrat
3 months ago

I'm too dumb for crunchy games so Blaze added a trait that removes all the complicated stuff and lets you perform cinematic actions for free at a reduced potency. Am I insulted? Maybe Was it awesome? Yes

GoldZephzellian
GoldZephzellian
3 months ago

Ishanekon has been my favourite TTRPG for a good while now, and it's largely thanks to the excellent berth of character customization and very strong gameplay. Character customization is the vastest it's ever been here, with 3.5e levels of options... but unlike 3.5e where various options were traps, NOTHING is a trap here. Everything has a use for some build, even if they aren't the best on EVERY build. With over 200 Sub-Archetypes (think Classes) to choose from alongside all the other customization, you'll be going crazy if you're a character creating freak like I am. The gameplay is pretty dang great too; the System seems pretty lethal on the surface, and it can be, but the game is actually pretty heavily in the Player's favour when you learn to use the tools you have. This is especially so with the core Meta Resource, Narrative Momentum, which not only allows you to reroll dice, but also perform Cinematic Actions, which are unique actions to kinda do whatever you can think of within reason. Everything here is just... really sweet. And it's all FREE. I've given Blaze money because I feel bad about not paying for this, though. If that isn't a high state of praise, I don't know what is.

Zakary
Zakary
3 months ago

Far and wide the most in-depth and expansive character customization Ive seen in any ttrpg. You can find a build for nearly anything your brain can dream of. My character was able to conjure mobs of disease ridden peasants to fight and spread sickness; never done that in any other ttrpg before hahah.

Nat
Nat
3 months ago

If you like DnD, you should try this. 🩷

antonioGUAK
antonioGUAK
3 months ago

Ishanekon is my favorite TTRPG and the game that more I play as a GM and a player. I highly recomend it.

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