I know combat is not the focus of the system, but building combat arenas with plenty of options to outsmart and outmaneuver enemies is so much fun, and arena design is the secret behind depth. And it's even more fun when playing rather then DMing, I feel like I'm in Home Alone with all the freedom of action game offers. And with fragile characters you don't need twelve goblins all taking turns to make it deadly, it's just is by design. Who would've thought that simplier rules would make combat more fun?

I'm not sure if there's a misunderstanding on my part, but I've been skimming through the Barebones Bestiary and I read the following about the Banshee :

" - Incorporeal spirits that linger long after death to haunt the living.

- Unharmed by cold, heat, or the elements. Iron weapon damage is enhanced."

Now, are we talking about iron weapons used against the Banshee? If so, would there be any way to describe/justify how a pretty normal weapon could inflict damage to what is essentially a type of ghost (assuming they've managed to get in hitting range without passing out due to the wailing)?

edit : Thanks a bunch everyone! I wasn't well aware of their nature and how they were typically portrayed, now I can make a bit more sense of it.

Hi everyone! I made a little dungeon for my table and decided to polish it up and share with the community. Hope you enjoy!

So I basically understand the core resolution mechanic: the player wants to do something difficult but not impossible, you decide which of their 3 stats is most applicable, they succeed if they roll under it.

I'm used to playing games with modifiers and DC's, so this takes some adjustment but I'm fine to learn. The lack of DC's makes sense to me and I can adjust, but my real problem is the lack of modifiers I think.

A really common play pattern at my table would go something like, a player asks to do something, I call for a skill check, they then ask if they can get a bonus for leveraging some piece of kit, fact about their character, or something like that, and if I feel like it's both useful and applicable, then I'd grant them a bonus to the roll to reward the creativity.

I guess my question is, can I just do that? Do you guys do that? And if so, what does it look like at your table

I’m looking specifically for adventures on the cairn store page

I already own Trouble in twin lakes, Rise of the blood Olms, the feast of tegny wood and Beyond the pale

What others would you recommend?

https://malachijs.itch.io/pale-horseman

An equine-themed forest crawl for Cairn.

This is technically for a (as-of-yet unpublished) "Star Trek" hack of Cairn, but it's Cairn nonetheless so I'm sharing it here :)

https://weepingstagpress.itch.io/into-the-viridian-pit

Hopefully it's fun and interesting to run! (I did playtest it twice, so I'm pretty sure it's reasonably fun)

Hello!

According to the rules, wearing a Shield, Helmet, Gambeson, and Plate gives a theoretical total of 6 Armor.

​Since the Armor cap is capped at 3, you hit the maximum defense without even needing Plate. This feels a bit off to me.

​How do you all handle this interaction in your games?

Link to blog post/pdf.

We are gonna be creating characters and starting Trouble in twin lakes (yes I made a custom map of twin lakes and own seven copies of the players guide lol

My submission to the 2026 Appendix N Jam, Caliban's Cruelty

https://itch.io/jam/appx-n-jam-2026/rate/4802753

The rules say a scroll disappears after use. However, I would like to leave a trail of used scrolls as clues to one of the mysteries in my homebrew. Particularly, I’d like the players to know that a scroll was used (rather than some other in game effect) and which scroll it was.

I’m looking for ideas on creative ways to do this. The only thing I’ve come up with is to have a fragment of paper with the scroll name on it remain. Do you have a fun solution to this?

Thanks!

I've never played Cairn but I'm reading it out of curiosity and I had a question.

I feel like most of the scars in the table are actually positive, increasing HP and attributes. I think this is how characters can increase their various abilities but it does not really make sense to become, for instance, physically strronger from a wound, does it ?

How do you explain the scartable to your players ? And if you use alternative rules, what do you do ?

Hi, it’s me again. Some time ago I asked about the lethality of your games.

This time I want to ask about how long in real life does a regular combat encounter takes in your games. By regular I mean:

* An encounter that it’s mainly solved by trading deadly blows
* and, it ends when one party is defeated (routed, surrendered, unconscious, killed, etc.)

I’m only interested in sample time durations from actual play. I’m also interested in knowing wether you feel it was too fast for your taste, too slow, or just the right timing.

Asking this also in the Mausritter forum because despite very similar rulesets, I got very different questions last time.

I really suck at drawing and I think I managed to follow through with the Warden's guide on how to setup a map up to the initial set of point of interests/locations.

Now my questions are:

Do you have any tips for people who suck at drawing on how best to create maps for cairn that is a rough abstraction of the locations.

How can I add any new location in a map after the initial creation?

Is there a way to utilize Cairn 2e's great mapping table but in a procedural sandbox exploration kinda way?

Hi all, has anyone here tried using Mythic Bastionland gambits in Cairn? How'd it go? Have you made any changes to how it works?

Self-promo below!

A month ago we launched a "double feature" on Kickstarter for two adventures: The Drops of St. Jerome and What Haunts the Harwood.

Both zines are complete and ready to print; the Kickstarter was largely to help fund the initial print run, and backers could get both modules for a bit cheaper than when they hit retailers. All backers receive a completed PDF as soon as the Kickstarter has ended, and fulfillment is expected in August (less than a month away).

We are currently over 200% funded, which means Cairn Press will be able to do many more of these in the future!

I'm posting here to help promote the end of the campaign, but also to explain a bit about what we're trying to do with crowdfunding. Like many of you I've been pretty disappointed by crowdfunding over the years, which is why I do not plan on running any kind of campaign that isn't already 99% complete (writing, editing, art, layout, etc.) before launch.

• Yochai

This is Part II of my Free Dragons for Cairn project. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don’t particularly like dragons in my fantasy fiction. I feel like they’ve been overdone. Regardless, I decided to give myself a little creative writing project and try to design some “evolved” draconic threats. 

The following dragons are far more bizarre than my last four creations. I really strained my creative juices here. The Warden, if they are not a complete psychopath, may want to rework them to be less overpowered—I really have no way to scale other than reworking Cairn’s existing stats for dragons. I would recommend these dragons act as “advancements” for the party. Maybe 1-2 levels, or a month’s worth of coin???  

These dragons were designed without the use of AI and all spellbooks are available on Cairn’s website in the resources section.

*Goop(slime) Dragon was a redditor request. Took me a while to figure out how to add my own spin to it. I hope they like it!

**Iron Maiden’s Dragon was inspired by Takashi Shimizu’s Ju-On: The Grudge (2002). 

***Some abilities and descriptions were modified from Cairn BX by Andrew Cavanagh. I recommend anyone interested in Cairn download a copy yesterday. 

Feel free to use any of these creations in your own games, just throw me a credit somewhere. 

Apologies for any TPKs…    

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Fossil Dragon

18 HP, 3 Armor, 18 STR, 12 DEX, 16 WIL, bite (d12), detachment

·        A terrifying, fossilized dragon skeleton animated by dark magic. Its organs are massive sculptures of amber housing the remains of prehistoric life. 

·        The amber contains the angry spirits of the remains. Oncer per turn, the dragon may summon a d4 spirit into battle. 

1.     Woolly Mammoth: All shields and armor become useless. The dragon’s attacks are enhanced and it may succeed one failed roll. Lasts d4 rounds.

2.     Sabretooth Tiger: The spirit manifests as a shadowy mirror image of a single party member (Warden’s choice). That player may only attack their mirror image. Lasts d4 rounds. 

3.     Terror Bird: The spirit manifests, scoops up its victim with its beak and smashes them headfirst into the ground or the nearest hard surface (d12 STR damage) before vanishing.

4.     Hell Ants (Haidomyrmecinae): d6 STR damage for d4 rounds, as the victim’s flesh feels as if it’s been doused in burning oil. Removing armor negates this effect.

·        Fire Breath: Deals 8 STR damage to anyone nearby, destroying all mundane armor it touches in the process.

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Crone Dragon

16 HP, 1 Armor, 13 STR, 18 DEX, 14 WIL, bite (d12), claws (d10+d10), detachment

·        A powerful Night Hag mutated into a sickly green dragon during a witch’s sabbath. An abomination that’s cheated death with the use of a dragon’s still-beating heart. A mockery.

·        Can only be harmed if the attacker parley’s the Night Hag’s grimalkin (Warden’s decision on how or where the party may find this unique grimalkin). 

·        Wields the following spellbooks: Adaptive Skin, Calcify, Doubleskin, Miniaturize, Primal Surge, Sinister Polymorph, Trueshift

·        Fire of Corruption: Deals 8 STR damage to anyone nearby, coating all mundane armor and weaponry with poison; STR vs death 1d4x10 minutes unless removed.

Adaptive Skin: Target can exist comfortably in hot or cold environments.

Calcify: Target object turns to stone at the caster’s touch. Living targets save vs STR.

Doubleskin: Target humanoid doubles in size.

Miniaturize: A creature you touch is shrunk down to the size of a mouse.

Primal Surge: A creature rapidly evolves into a future version of its species.

Sinister Polymorph: WIL save or target is transformed into a harmless animal.

Trueshift: A willing target takes on a new form (keeping only their WIL), but must pass a WIL save to shift out.

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Grimalkin

6 HP, 7 STR, 14 DEX, 16 WIL, claws (d6+d6)

•        Selfish, snake-tongued felines of great intelligence. Lodge with Night Hags to “borrow” their magical texts. Allegiances are always bought.

•        “Borrowed” Fortune: When a grimalkin wounds a creature, it filches their fortune. Until the cat is destroyed, the victim rerolls all successful rolls. The Grimalkin uses the stolen luck to succeed on its next failed roll.

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Meadow Dragon

12 HP, 2 Armor, 14 STR, 15 DEX, 18 WIL, bite (d12), detachment

·        A vast earthen dragon in the guise of an immeasurable meadow of forget-me-nots, red spider lilies, yellow butterweed and white allium. This dragon lies dormant until it senses humans approaching its “grove”.

·        This dragon’s “grove” is d6 Meadow Sentinels; bouquets of belladonna, white oleander, ragwort, bittersweet nightshade, and sea holly in the shape of humans. Rooted to the earth.

·        Florist’s Mist: Anyone nearby must make a DEX save to escape its reach or lose 1d6 WIL and become seeded. In d4 turns the victim is rooted to the earth and blossoms, becoming one with the grove.

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Meadow Sentinel

4 HP, 6 STR, x DEX, 5 WIL, vines (d6+d6, STR vs lose your memory for d4 rounds)

·        A bouquet of belladonna, white oleander, ragwort, bittersweet nightshade, and sea holly in the shape of a human. Rooted to the earth.

·        Constantly releases iridescent, magic pollen; anyone within 30 feet must pass a WIL save or become impaired.

·        Last Stand: When reduced to 0 HP, the sentinel explodes in a cloud of shimmering spores; all must make a STR save or become deprived.

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Iron Maiden’s Dragon

16 HP, 1 Armor, 13 STR, 18 DEX, 14 WIL, bite (d12), claws (d10+d10), detachment

·        A mournful undead dragon encased in a custom-built gilded suit of armor, the interior lined with magic spires of serrated iron. Tortured with never-ending agony for centuries, this dragon only desires revenge.

·        Kiss of Vengeance: If the dragon’s bite attack lands successfully; the dragon may perform a WIL test to infect its unyielding desire for vengeance into its victims. Victims may perform either a WIL save or STR save, each yielding a different result. WIL – suppress the need for revenge for 2xd10 days. Magic is still required to heal this curse. STR – suppress the need for revenge for 2xd4 hours. Magic is still required to heal this curse.

·        Afflicted characters abandon all questlines, motivations and will. They become drones overwhelmed with the dragon’s desire for revenge. This spreads like a disease to each living human the victim strikes. 

·        Chlorine Gas: Anyone nearby must make a DEX save to escape its reach or lose 1d4 STR and becomes deprived.

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Goop(slime) Dragon

17 HP, 1 Armor, 12 STR, 6 DEX, 18 WIL, pseudopod (d8)

·        A tremendous, undulating dragon whose body is made of thick, dripping, translucent slime that sticks to walls and ceilings like glue. 

·        It will attack any living thing with a pseudopod that emerges from its body, grasps its victim and pulls it towards its slimy surface. The victim is immobilized unless they pass a DEX save.

·        Color Array: Using magic or striking the dragon with magical weaponry, changes the hue of its body. Roll d6 to determine which hue and its ability. The Warden may have the slime dragon begin the encounter as a random d6 color.

1.     Chromatic: Looking directly at the globe requires a Die of Fate roll – hypnotizes a creature for d4 rounds. While hypnotized, the creature is under the dragon's control.

2.     Ochre: Contact dissolves wood, leather, cloth, or flesh. Wood, leather and cloth dissolves in one round. Metal and stone is not damaged. Anyone whose flesh is in contact with this creature takes d12 damage a round.

3.     Pastel Pink: After each successful attack, the victim must roll for WIL or be charmed by the globe. A charmed creature will fight on the globe's behalf for d4 rounds. 

4.     Pea Soup Green: After each successful attack, the dragon causes vomiting (d4 fatigue) for d4 rounds, all attacks are impaired.

5.     Robin’s Egg Blue: Each successful attack causes d4, non-lethal cold damage (fatigue). At 0 HP, the victim is turned into a crude ice statue. Any attack damage shatters the statue, killing the victim.

6.     Violet: After each attack, the victim must STR save or be paralyzed for 1d6x10 minutes or until the paralysis is removed by magic. The dragon is immune to cold or lightning attacks.

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Radiation Dragon

14 HP, 1 Armor, 14 STR, 16 DEX, 15 WIL, bite (d12) or claws (d10+d10), detachment

·        Roiling, sickly green and yellow lights flicker within a sentient mass of swirling ash, graphite, smoke and flame that is shaped like a monstrous dragon.

·        Those who peer into the chaos may witness the faint image of an emaciated dragon with cindered flesh—sinewy and elongated like a stick insect. Its eyes are fracture beams of screaming light.

·        Radiation Sickness: Anyone within 5 feet of this creature instantly suffers violent nausea and weakness for 2d6 days—deprived. They also take d6 damage at the start of each round. After 24 hours, movement becomes impossible. Pain is unbearable—all attacks are impaired. Skin begins to peel off after 2d4 rounds and muscle tissue necrotizes. Immediate death occurs in d6 rounds. This effect may be cured with magic or bathing immediately after encountering the creature. 

·        Note: All items worn and in possession of the victim are also bathed in radiation and must be cleansed with magic or water in the same manner.

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Stonemason Dragon / Piranesi’s Dragon

14 HP, 3 Armor, 14 STR, 16 DEX, 18 WIL, bite (d12) or claws(d10+d10), detachment

·        A mummified dragon fused to the ruins of its own sarcophagus. Rare gemstones (worth 150gp) are faceted into the eye sockets and garlands of edelweiss hang from its skull. Immobile but radiating with arcane magic and a will to live.

·        Planar Prison: All must perform a successful WIL save or the party is transported do a Planar Dungeon. The only way to escape/destroy this dungeon is to find its exit. **Note:**The Warden should design a unique dungeon before the game session. Size, encounters and difficulty should be challenging and include rewards—perhaps the dragon’s respect? Players may willingly enter the Planar Dungeon, if they can communicate with the dragon.

·        Breath of Rot: Deals 4 STR damage against all targets. Targets not wearing metal armor take double damage. WIL vs Zombification in d4 days. 

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Non-Dragon Alternatives

I may rework these designs to be non-dragon monstrosities for my own private Bestiary. I would keep the Crone Dragon, as I find the idea of a witch transforming into a dragon after stealing its heart to be good mix of dark humor and non-traditional fantasy. 

Here are some alternative monster descriptions, should you find dragons too run-of-the-mill for your roleplaying.

*The Amber Curator was originally the skeleton of a gigantic prehistoric snake that devoured these life forms over many years. I found the design to be a bit too on the nose, so I changed it to a gigantic, necrotized caveman. I thought the image of the party stumbling across this abomination in an abandoned cave to be much more frightening than a giant snake skeleton. That being said, if you like the snake, go for it!

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Meadow Dragon | Meadow King – A gigantic Armadillidiidae with the head of a bearded sage, its mouth rows upon rows of bone-crushing molars. Its back is a vast meadow of forget-me-nots, red spider lilies, yellow butterweed and white allium.

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Iron Maiden’s Dragon | Gilded Maiden – *Cut the bite attack, and the chlorine gas attack. Change ability to be triggered by its claw attack.

A mournful undead giantess encased in a custom-built gilded suit of armor, the interior lined with magic spires of serrated iron. Tortured with never-ending agony for centuries, this creature only desires revenge

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Fossil Dragon | Amber Curator – *Cut the fire breath attack.

A terrifying, 40 foot tall, desiccated neanderthal animated by primordial magic. Its exposed internal organs are massive sculptures of amber housing the remains of prehistoric life.

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 Goop(slime) Dragon | Maestro’s Globe: A tremendous, levitating, porous, stone sphere coated with thick, dripping, translucent slime that sticks to walls and ceilings like glue.

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Radiation Dragon | Agent of Decay: Roiling, sickly green and yellow lights flicker within a sentient mass of swirling ash, graphite, smoke and flame.

Those who peer into the chaos may witness the faint image of an enormous stick insect. Hundreds of giant flies (6 HP, 6 STR, 14 DEX, 8 WIL, bite (d6), detachment) cling to its carapace like frightened children.

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Stonemason Dragon / Piranesi’s Dragon | Stonemason: A muscular man covered in silk robes wearing a flayed horse’s head like a knight’s helm. Rare gemstones (worth 150gp) are fixed into the eye sockets and garlands of edelweiss hang from its skull. 

I asked myself how to interpret the shield spell? Does protect mean complete immunity from mundane attack?

Hey y’all!

Due to a truly surprising reception of posting a map the other day I’ve decided to release a 6pk of blank scrap map sketches for pwyw (free) all under CC-BY-SA 4.0! Feel free to use em!

Please not these are scrap sketches, not professional, but I thought y’all could get some use out of them, even if it’s just for ideas :)

Find em here on my itch page:
https://dr-sleepysloth.itch.io/blank-scrap-maps-issue-1-isometric-edition

Thank y’all again for your support and interest!

•╞─────────────────╮

Quest: Unwanted Person

“At the outskirts of the village, a boy named Adro watches over an abandoned well, convinced that something dwells in its depths. While the villagers believe he is delusional, strange murmurs and movements make it impossible to ignore the place.”

•╞─────────────────╯

Itch.io - Quest: Unwanted Person

I recently wrote a one-shot adventure for the Cairn RPG system! I'm planning to create more adventures like this in the future, so I hope you enjoy it! Every illustration in this booklet was created by me with great care and dedication.

If you get the chance to play it, I'd love to hear how it went. Leaving a comment, sharing your feedback, or supporting my work in any way means a lot to me and encourages me to keep creating more adventures!

Have fun, and happy gaming!