Ironsworn
SOLO / CO-OP / TRADITIONAL TTRPG (2018) by SHAWN TOMKIN — FREE core rules PDF. Signature: TRIPLE-PLAY design (solo + co-op + traditional GM'd); PBTA-INSPIRED (Powered by the Apocalypse); IRON-AGE FANTASY setting ('The Ironlands'). MOVES-based resolution with 3 dice (1 action + 2 challenge d10s); STRONG HIT / WEAK HIT / MISS. Signature MOVES: 'SWEAR AN IRON VOW' — character makes solemn quest oath + tracks PROGRESS on quest track. Ideal for SOLO PLAY via ORACLES + prompts. STARFORGED (2022 sequel) = sci-fi ('Forge' star system). Massive OSR-adjacent indie following.
Quick facts
Category
Tabletop Role-Playing
Type
Individual
Players
1–6
Duration
~120 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
2018 core rules PDF by Shawn Tomkin (free); Delve expansion 2019; Starforged sci-fi 2022 (Kickstarted $1.4M); Sundered Isles 2024
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Complete IRON VOWS (character-driven quests) via dice-based moves; drive personal narrative.
Rules
Basic rules
SETTING: 'The Ironlands' — iron-age Norse-inspired dark fantasy peninsula colonized by warriors sworn to iron vows
Signature setting.
STATS: 5 stats (EDGE, HEART, IRON, SHADOW, WITS) rated 1-3
Signature 5 stats.
DICE POOL: roll ACTION DIE (d6) + STAT, vs 2 CHALLENGE DICE (d10s)
Signature 3-dice system.
RESULTS: beat both challenge dice = STRONG HIT (success); beat one = WEAK HIT (yes, but...); beat neither = MISS (failure)
Signature hit levels.
MOVES: SWEAR IRON VOW starts a quest; ENDURE HARM/STRESS + FACE DANGER + SECURE ADVANTAGE etc.
Signature move library.
PROGRESS TRACKS: vows + fights + journeys use step-by-step advancement
Signature progress tracks.
SOLO PLAY: use ORACLE tables + prompts (Ask the Oracle) to generate story
Signature solo oracles.
MOMENTUM: resource earned from strong hits, spendable to convert dice results
Signature momentum resource.
Scoring
Narrative-focused; no XP but character advancement via completed vows.
Win condition · Long-term: fulfill your character's oaths + reshape the Ironlands.
Equipment
Ironsworn rulebook PDF (FREE) or physical book
Signature rulebook (free!)
d6, d10 (multiple), d100 dice — no d20 needed
Signature dice (no d20!)
Character sheet with iron vows, progress tracks, momentum
Signature character sheet
Oracle tables (in rulebook or online generators) for solo prompts
Signature oracles
Terminology
- Iron Vow
- Solemn quest oath sworn by character; tracked on progress track.
- Strong Hit
- Both challenge dice beaten — clear success.
- Weak Hit
- One challenge die beaten — success with cost/twist.
- Miss
- Neither beaten — failure, GM/oracle introduces trouble.
- Momentum
- Meta-resource; earned on strong hits, spent to convert future results.
- Ask the Oracle
- Solo move: use tables + Yes/No probability rolls to generate story.
- PBTA
- Powered by the Apocalypse — game design lineage from Apocalypse World.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Ironsworn official site (free PDF)— Shawn Tomkin