Song of the River Prince

The Riverlands teem with life as the tributaries froth, the branching streams babble, frogs croak their solemn cry and birds chitter along the shoreline. This is the River Prince’s song, and it is all around you.

Everyone has a story to tell along the Riverlands. Rafts carrying goods to the far-off cities to the south bring news from the mountains from which the rivers are born. Merchants venture from the cities seen in the far distance to ply their trades along the docks as pontoon boats make landfall at sunset. Children scream in peals of laughter that echoes through the deep valleys that form in places as they run through the long grass. This is the River Prince’s song, and it is all around you.

Here too there is mystery, love, and danger. A cloaked man passes a note to a boat captain, ordering the assassination of a merchant in the city of Estuary. A young woman swims across the river to meet in secret with her lover on the other side, against her mothers’ wishes. A barge catches fire just as it turns a corner, entering a dock-filled village, putting the whole settlement in danger. This, too, is the River Prince’s song. It is all around you.

What will your story be? What song will the River Prince sing for you?

Welcome to Song of the River Prince, a cozy, narrative-focused roleplaying game that immerses you in the gentle magic of the Riverlands. Whether you’re an experienced gamer or just discovering TTRPGs, this project invites you to explore a world of winding waterways, tranquil forests, and friendly communities.

Song of the River Prince is a self-contained roleplaying game built on a streamlined, intuitive system that lets you begin playing within minutes. It includes dedicated rules for navigating the rivers and streams of the Riverlands, introducing twists and obstacles along your journey. Detailed downtime mechanics invite you to explore each settlement’s activities and culture, encouraging meaningful interactions between adventures. The book showcases six distinct towns scattered across the Riverlands—each with its own festivals, seasonal weather patterns, and vibrant communities—alongside random tables for shaping your travels, compelling adventure hooks, memorable NPCs, unique wildlife, and tantalizing rumors to uncover.

Game Overview

Song of the River Prince uses a simple, narrative-first rules system designed to emphasize story and character development. Each character has three core Attributes—Physical, Mental, and Emotional—that influence how they approach challenges. When uncertain outcomes arise, you combine one of these Attributes with a relevant Skill, then roll a D20, plus one additional die tied to their Skill to see if you meet or surpass a Difficulty. Success yields meaningful progress, partial success might carry small complications, and failure means you’ve spent your day’s effort or risk setbacks.

Magic and quiet heroism shape the tone of Song of the River Prince. Rather than focusing on grand battles, the game encourages you to forge alliances, safeguard local festivals, gather rumors, or weave everyday wonders into your journey. The River Prince’s gentle melody flows through the setting, allowing players to cast subtle spells or sense faint enchantments if their characters learn the right Skills or open their hearts to the land’s living energy.

Between major adventures, characters engage in downtime activities that reflect the life of the Riverlands—crafting lanterns for a festival, exchanging stories with townsfolk, or meditating by starlit waters. This downtime fosters collaboration, letting you strengthen bonds and refine your abilities at a relaxed pace. Every choice you make, from forging delicate trinkets to striking pacts with reclusive hermits, shapes your party’s path.

The game is played with a few dice, a flexible skill list, and a focus on open-ended storytelling. Whether you explore meandering rivers by boat, wander marshy glades for rare herbs, or delve into whispered legends of the River Prince, each action you take resonates with gentle magic and the promise that even the smallest kindness can change a realm.

Song of the River Prince is designed for those who seek gentle roleplaying experiences—a chance to gather around the table with friends and craft stories marked by calm wonder rather than epic strife. If you love heartfelt encounters, cozy communities, and a sense of place that welcomes exploration at any speed, you’ll find a home here. Novices will enjoy the game’s straightforward rules and nurturing atmosphere, while seasoned players may relish the break from high-stakes combat to savor subtle intrigue and personal connections.