New adventure Darkness Neath Rivenshore

I've just released a new Hero Kids adventure; Darkness Neath Rivenshore!

This seven-encounter adventure takes place in the ancient tunnels, chambers, and cisterns beneath Rivenshore.

When the town’s well runs dry, a child’s pleas for help echo from the dry pit. The kids must delve to rescue the lost child. Yet something sinister lurks in the ancient structures beneath the town, and the kids will need all their skill and bravery to rescue the lost child Emon.

• Adventure with seven encounters and maps
• Monster Cards for the unique monsters (water beasts, dire rats, slime, slime beast)
• Additional 14 modular encounter maps

I'm trying something new with this adventure, it includes two possible endings, one for younger kids, and another for more mature players:

• The heroes rescue the lost child and reunite him with his parents
• The heroes discover that the lost child is a ghost who died in the well long ago

In the ‘rescue’ ending, the heroes find the child hiding in the final room, and reunite him with his parents. In the ‘ghost’ ending, the heroes find the child's bones, and take them to the cemetery to bury alongside his family.

I playtested the adventure with the 'ghost' ending, which my kiddos found challenging, but not distressing.

Once we got to the climax of the adventure, my youngest - Dash - twigged pretty quickly about the bones at the bottom of the fountain pool.  Violet was a bit more affected by the ending of the ending of the adventure, but they both determined to help reunite Emon with his (also long-dead) parents.

All in all, I was very proud of how they dealt with the adventure.

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Check out the Hero Kids Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle at DriveThruRPG

Reign of the Dragon adventure!

Folks, it's been a long time coming, but I've finally finished the latest Hero Kids adventure: Reign of the Dragon.

This is by far the largest Hero Kids adventure yet, weighing in at a whopping 57 pages of encounters, maps and monsters.

This premium adventure takes the kids on a journey to rescue the dragon Algoxarth. Can the kids slip past the cultists who have surrounded Rivenshore? And can they rescue Algoxarth and her dragon egg from the Dragon Prince, or will he succeed in his fiendish plan?

• Premium adventure with 11 encounters
• Includes monsters; cultists, dragon, dragon hatchling, dragon prince
• Includes two playable heroes; dragon hatchling and dragon warrior
• Comes with 13 new modular map tiles and more variations

The kids certainly had a blast helping out with this adventure.  They both chose a core hero and a pet for this one.  Violet chose the female warrior (Ayla) and the fox (Bliss).  Dash chose the warlock (Warlock) and the wolf (Wolfy).

But it's quite long, so I recommend splitting it up across at least two sessions.

Check it out here at DriveThruRPG:

DriveThruRPG: Hero Kids - Reign of the Dragon

Hero Kids designer podcast interview

I'm interviewed by the amazing Boomer Radio Network, so listen in to hear all about the development of Heroes Against Darkness, the ongoing world of Hero Kids, and my latest Forge Engine Universal Role-Playing System.

https://www.brnau.com/the-obligatory-rpg-show/2017/9/15/qzzbm0shxx3cvxebaei2lb6w7kbu3y-nh26n

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Check out the Hero Kids Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle at DriveThruRPG

Hero Kids reviews and feedback roundup

It's been a little while, but I've been working/slaving on... Hero Kids things!

In the interim, there's been lots of reviews and random feedback for Hero Kids, so let's round it up:

"I just wanted to give you a quick shout to say thanks again for the complementary copy of Hero Kids. I played Basement O' Rats with my 8- and 5-yo boys and they went completely nuts over it! So I went and bought the full fantasy bundle and it has quickly become our favorite hobby.

Once I was comfortable with the system I ran a couple more sessions for my kids and their cousin (11-yo), along with my brother and my sister's boyfriend (both in their 30's) and it was a huge hit with everyone. Of course the adults added their own "flavor" to the game, secretly backstabbing each other and creating some pretty hilarious situations. Both my boys have created their own characters and pets, and my older son has started making maps and wants to run his own games eventually.

Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered the game as it has given me another way to connect to my kids, which is invaluable to me. I appreciate that you gave me a chance to check it out. Thanks and take care!"

Next, how about this:

"6.5 year old has very much enjoyed the game - we've played 2 of the adventures so far - one of which we did one evening while on a family vacation - just had printed the adventure beforehand - handful of 6 sided dice and a very compact game to play whereever the desire (or boredom) may strike.

Simple rules, simple math, the adults have had fun, she has had fun. Works on listening skills, critical thinking, some good math practice for the age group, and at least one of the adventures highlighted a discussion we needed to have on what kinds of things are appropriate for "keeping secrets" vs what should be discussed with an adult."

And maybe this:

"What a great system to introduce RPGs to my 6yo boy! I was an AD&D and GURPS player from waaaay back when, and have been missing the hobby. When my son found my old D&D books and expressed interest, I jumped at the opportunity. I went looking for an age-appropriate system, ultimately landing on Hero Kids.

We had our first extended session this past weekend, and boy howdy did he have fun! He picked up the game mechanics straight away, and I got back into my old GM groove (just like old times!) He immediately gravitated to the Wolfchild character, and we spent several hours just developing his backstory, and my mind is abuzz with some fun ideas for an extended storyline. I'm so jazzed he's taken to the hobby so enthusiastically, and that I'm able to scratch that RPG itch after so long.

Thanks for creating such a great game!"

And how about this:

"I DM D&D for my family and friends, but my younger kids and their friends want to play, too, and it is just over their heads. Hero Kids is simplified enough where the kids can grasp the concept, yet versitile enough that they can bring their own flair to the premade characters, or create their own custom characters. The system is well thought out and balanced fairly. I like how the hit points are simplifed and are "knocked out" instead of killed (Though I have some kids with huge imaginations that want the deaths to be cartoon bloody. lol).

I bought the complete package with extra heros, bad guys, and adventures. They're all awesome. I absolutely love that every hero and mob comes with a paper mini, too, that can be colored in for personalization. :)"

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Check out Hero Kids - Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle on DriveThruRPG

Hero Kids Bundle of Holding!

Friends, the latest Bundle of Holding is all Hero Kids, all the time!

This bundle includes over $80 of fantasy and sci-fi Hero Kids PDFs for a fantastic low price, and in support of the Reading is Fundamental charity.

If you've only got the core Hero Kids rules, this is a great opportunity to complete your collection.

Hero Kids - Bundle of Holding

Monster Compendium 50% off in print!

Alrighty-then.  The new Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium softcover book is DONE!  Here's proof:

Let's take a look inside:

Use this link for 50% off the softcover Hero Kids Monster Compendium:
Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium

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Hero Cards in Italiano!

The Hero Kids hero cards are now available in Italian on DriveThruRPG!

Grab them here: Hero Kids - Supplement - Hero Cards - Italian

Special thanks to Marco Montanari for the translations.

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

Hero Cards in Polish and Swedish!

The Hero Kids hero cards are now available in Swedish and Polish on DriveThruRPG!

Polish: Hero Kids - Supplement - Hero Cards - Polish

Swedish: Hero Kids - Supplement - Hero Cards - Swedish

Special thanks to Ulf Bengtsson and Filip Pawlicki for the translations.

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

New Adventure - Yuletide Journey

A new Christmas-themed Hero Kids adventure is now available:

The Yuletide Journey adventure takes place in the days before Rivenshore's annual midwinter Yuletide feast.   But the village has not heard from the festival's annual guest, Odin, who is the protector of the Brecken Vale.   The kids set out on a journey to Odin's home in the northern mountains, and along the way they meet new friends, overcome dangerous challenges, and face fearsome enemies.

•  Adventure with six encounters and two new maps
•  Includes two new elf heroes; Woodswalker and Druid
•  Includes a new monster, the Ettin Brute, as well as the Dire Wolf and Wolf

Here's the link to DriveThruRPG:

Hero Kids - Adventure - Yuletide Journey

Platinum seller, thanks to you!

Thanks to you, Hero Kids is now a Platinum Seller on DriveThruRPG.

This means that it is among the top best-selling RPGs on the site, in the hallowed company of games like Numenera, Fiasco, Pendragon, Eclipse Phase, Legend, Vampire, Legend of the Five Rings, and more...

DriveThruRPG - Platinum Metal Products

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

Interview with me about Hero Kids!

Here's an interview with me about Hero Kids and its ENnie award nomination for Best Family Game:

Hero Forge Games - ENnie Interview

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

Review of Hero Kids!

Tim Knight at the awesomely named HeroPress (not to be confused with Hero Forge Games, which is me) has just posted a review of Hero Kids:

Review of Hero Kids by Justin Halliday

I'm only going to bore you a couple of quotes from this lovely review:

"The book is gorgeously illustrated with hero and monster art by Eric Quigley, which has a very 'easy-on-the-eye' smooth cartoony/anime style about it."

"Hero Kids manages to model the core aspects of more adult games in a very simple fashion and looks like the perfect game for young wannabe gamers."

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

Uber-Discount Bundle Available!

Don't tell anyone, by there's a special temporary Hero Kids bundle up on DriveThruRPG. This bundle includes all the PDFs: Hero Kids core rules and introductory adventure, six normal adventures, and the one premium adventure.

The price is a rock bottom $9.99, which is a massive 67% discount over the full price for all of these!

Grab it here (while it lasts):

Hero Kids - Uber-Discount Bundle!

Hero Kids review at Roving Band of Misfits

Several moons ago, while listening to a Dice of Doom podcast, I came across this comment by Benoit from Roving Band of Misfits:

"I love Paul's idea of assigning dice to 3 key abilities for a 'rules light, kid friendly' RPG.   Super quick, easy, and understandable. I may try this with my kids."

I figured I'd save Benoit the trouble and just send him a copy of Hero Kids instead!   Luckily, Benoit has taken the challenge, played Hero Kids with his family, and posted a comprehensive review of the game on his site:

Hero Kids the new RPG for kids

Quotes?   These are quotes:

"The game is smooth, simple, fun, and definitely geared towards kids.   But that doesn’t mean 'dumbed down.'   It just means 'not overly complicated.'"

"I had a chance to sit down with my kids and wife last week to play a couple of sessions, and we had a blast.   We used the adventure that comes with the base RPG (Basement O’ Rats)"

"Each character also has some special attacks or benefits that are situational, but if you’re playing with younger kids, they’re completely optional. My two youngest (3 and 5) played just with their dice pools, and had a blast.   My wife and oldest daughter (12), on the other hand were able to use the special options on their character sheets, which made the game more interesting for them.   The game did not break from either ignoring or using the special abilities on the character sheets."

"Most of the monsters that come with the modules are 'minions' (one hit and they’re dead), with the bigger bosses having 3 hit points.   This makes the combats go quickly.   This is an advantage not to be underestimated when playing with kids."

"Finally, the production values of this game are top notch.   Each character is fully illustrated in a kid-friendly cartoony style, and many of the statistics on the character sheets (stats, skills, and inventory) are symbols so that even the younger non-reading kids can understand their character sheet."

"Every adventure module comes with print out maps and monster standees included.   And bonus: the maps are all interchangeable!   The entrances and exits to cave maps are all in the same place, so pieces of the 'Basement O’ Rats' maps can be used with map pieces from 'The Lost Village' adventure, which are interchangeable with the 'Minotaur Maze' map pieces."

"All in all, I highly recommend this game.   It is a great introduction to RPGs for kids, and the simple smooth mechanics guarantee that it will also be a staple on your gaming table for a long time to come."

Nice!

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Check out Hero Kids and its adventures at DriveThruRPG:

Hero Forge Games at DriveThruRPG

Hero Kids print version out now!

The softcover print version of Hero Kids is now available from DriveThruRPG for a low-low price of $11.99 (this includes the PDF of the game and the introductory adventure Basement O Rats):

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/106605/Hero-Kids---Fantasy-RPG

The 6x9 inch softcover book is 72 pages and features the core rules, plus heroes, and a bunch of monsters.   But I know you're only here for the pictures:

Hero Kids now at Paizo.com

For those Pathfinder players out there, Hero Kids is now available on Paizo.com:

Hero Forge Games at Paizo.com

Hero Kids print version underway...

I've been slaving away on the annoying process of converting Hero Kids to a POD (print on demand) version.

Tonight I submitted the converted files to OBS (One Book Shelf, which encompasses all of DriveThruRPG, etc) to be approved!

With any luck, there'll soon be a print version of Hero Kids available here:

DriveThruRPG: Hero Forge Games