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Worlds Without Number hero art
Sine Nomine Publishing / Kevin Crawford

Worlds Without Number

"The fantasy twin of Stars Without Number — and the best GM sandbox toolkit going."

Free B/X
Diced20 (combat) + 2d6 (skills)
Players3–6
Prep~20 min
Foundry VTTCommunity
Complexity
What is this system

Worlds Without Number is Kevin Crawford's old-school fantasy RPG, the fantasy companion to Stars Without Number. B/X heritage with ascending AC, but its real strength is the generators — nations, factions, maps, and dungeons — that turn prep into a pleasure. A distinct 'Arts' magic system and heroic paths make characters mightier than classic old-school.

Setting

The Latter Earth — a post-apocalyptic fantasy built on the ruins of countless dead civilizations. Magic here is the weapon that once shattered the world; it is feared and outlawed. The Gyre region teems with fallen empires, forgotten wonders, and factions clawing for power. A ready-made sandbox for a long campaign.

What it looks like at the table
The party enters a sand-choked temple from before the Cataclysm. The delver tests an ancient mechanism: 2d6 + Dexterity + skill against difficulty 10. She rolls 11 — success, and the slab grinds aside. Between sessions, a faction turn: a neighboring cult rolls to Expand Influence and seizes a village on the road. The world moves on its own, no GM rails.
Playstyle
Exploration Combat Sandbox Fantasy
Key mechanics

Sandbox GM toolkit

Generators for nations, factions, maps, dungeons, and hook tables. A whole world and the living powers within it come together in an evening — minimal hand-crafting, maximal play.

The Arts (magic)

Low, High, and Adept traditions are distinct paths. Magic is dangerous and world-shattering, and it's decoupled from combat power, so a mage need not be fragile.

d20 + 2d6 hybrid

Combat is familiar d20 vs AC. Skills are 2d6 + attribute + skill against a difficulty. Two simple mechanics in the old-school D&D idiom.

Foci & heroes

'Foci' and backgrounds customize a character, while heroic paths grant epic stunts. Fully compatible with Stars Without Number — mix fantasy and sci-fi freely.

What people say
Kevin Crawford's Worlds Without Number builds on the excellent foundation established by its science fiction predecessor, Stars Without Number, to deliver a compelling and unique fantasy game with special interest for GMs.— Sami Yuhas, The Gaming Gang
Art & materials
Free resources

Written and curated by Kejid — TTRPG player & GM

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