The Origin of Fablecraft

The story of Fablecraft begins in the midst of the pandemic, a time when the world of tabletop gaming saw a dramatic shift toward digital platforms. For many TTRPG enthusiasts, the challenge of keeping games alive during this period when you couldn’t physically be near anyone else highlighted the limitations of existing virtual tabletop (VTT) tools. This is where the creators of Fablecraft, David Hohusen and Andrew Habers, found their inspiration. Both avid players of TTRPGs since the mid-90s, they realized that while current VTTs offered powerful features, the setup time and complexity often deterred players, especially those new to the genre.

Determined to create a solution, David and Andrew founded Riftweaver in 2021 with the vision of making TTRPGs more accessible and enjoyable in a digital-first format. Rather than adapting a traditional, physical game into a virtual environment, they set out to design both the platform and the game of Fablecraft together from the ground up. The result is a game that seamlessly integrates gameplay with digital tools, allowing players to jump in without the usual hurdles.

“Fablecraft is our answer to that,” Joey Davidson explains. “It’s a digital-first tabletop RPG. The platform and game were built together, so we’re not trying to bend a physical ruleset around a digital system. The result is a TTRPG that’s super easy to get into, regardless of each player’s familiarity with the genre.” 

This approach not only simplifies the experience but also ensures that the gameplay feels natural and intuitive, without the need for extensive preparation or complex rulebooks. Fablecraft is designed to be easy to pick up and play, whether you’re hosting a game night with friends or exploring the world of Mythas from the comfort of your own home.

I know that in checking out D&D and what it takes to know what to do with that system, it’s been daunting just looking at it, let alone spending hours reading the book and hours of prep for each session. It seems that FableCraft has a good solution to this issue, and gives you something you can more easily dive into and play with your friends.

What Makes Fablecraft Unique?

Fablecraft distinguishes itself from traditional TTRPGs and other virtual tabletop platforms by embracing a digital-first design philosophy. Unlike adaptations of physical games that often feel constrained by their analog roots, Fablecraft was built specifically for virtual play. This unique approach allows for a seamless integration of gameplay and digital tools, making the experience both intuitive and accessible.

One key difference is Fablecraft’s streamlined setup and playability. Designed to minimize preparation time, it enables players to jump into the action with minimal fuss. The game includes built-in video chat and interactive battlemaps, which allow for a more cohesive and engaging experience compared to the often fragmented nature of other platforms. The maps were cool in the demo and arena modes that I played. More on that later.

Additionally, Fablecraft’s cross-platform play supports PCs and Macs. They are aiming to hit tablet compatibility this fall (2024), and mobile devices in early 2025, ensuring that friends can connect easily regardless of their device preference. The game is designed to accommodate groups of up to 5 players and 1 GM, and while plans for a solo mode are still in development, the existing features provide a rich and flexible experience for group play. The download itself is around 4GB, so pretty standard to lite for game nowadays.

Riftweaver’s focus on accessibility doesn’t just stop at ease of use; the game is also welcoming to new players who might be hesitant to dive into traditional TTRPGs. With a user-friendly interface and a game structure that caters to all levels of experience, Fablecraft provides an ideal starting point for newcomers while still offering depth and variety for veteran players.

Key Features of Fablecraft

Fablecraft offers a suite of features designed to make your tabletop role-playing experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Whether you’re a seasoned player or entirely new to the genre, Fablecraft’s thoughtful design choices help to eliminate the common barriers that can make TTRPGs feel overwhelming. Here’s a closer look at what makes Fablecraft stand out:

1. Integrated Digital Tools: We’ve touched on this, but one of Fablecraft’s biggest strengths is its fully integrated digital platform. Unlike many virtual tabletops that adapt physical games for online play, Fablecraft was built with digital interaction in mind from the start. With features like integrated video chat, interactive battlemaps, and in-game asset management, everything you need to play is at your fingertips. This makes Fablecraft not just a game, but a complete digital tabletop experience. The animations are cool, trust me.

2. Ready-to-Play Adventures: Fablecraft includes adventures that are easy for Game Masters (GMs) to run with minimal preparation. The free campaign, “The Road to the Starfall Festival,” offers a compelling entry point with a five-session adventure that introduces players to the world of Mythas. It’s perfect for first-time GMs and players who want to dive straight into the action without a steep learning curve.

3. Cross-Platform Play: Flexibility is at the heart of Fablecraft’s design. Currently available on Steam for PC and Mac, the game is expanding to iOS and Android tablets later this year, with full mobile support planned for 2025. This cross-platform capability ensures that friends can easily connect and play together, no matter what device they prefer.

4. In-Game Marketplace: Fablecraft’s in-game marketplace offers additional adventures, cosmetic upgrades, and asset packs for GMs, expanding the possibilities for gameplay. As Joey Davidson explains, “Only GMs need to buy additional content—split it with your table or suffer the GM tax alone—so there’s no risk in downloading it.” This model keeps Fablecraft accessible for players, while allowing GMs to enhance their campaigns as desired.

5. Accessibility and Approachability: Fablecraft is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their TTRPG experience level. The platform’s intuitive interface and built-in guidance make it easy for anyone to jump in, making it an ideal choice for introducing friends to the world of tabletop RPGs.

Fablecraft’s commitment to accessibility, combined with its rich feature set, ensures that every game night is less about setup and more about storytelling, strategy, and fun.

Dive into the Free Campaign: The Road to the Starfall Festival

One of Fablecraft’s standout features is its free introductory campaign, “The Road to the Starfall Festival.” This five-session adventure serves as the perfect gateway into the vibrant world of Mythas, offering players an exciting mix of storytelling, combat, and exploration. Designed to introduce the game’s mechanics and lore, this campaign is an ideal starting point for both newcomers and experienced players alike.

In “The Road to the Starfall Festival,” players are tasked with guarding a caravan that carries a valuable and powerful artifact. But as often happens in the world of adventure, things quickly go awry. The party must track down the culprits responsible for the theft and ensure the safety of the artifact, all while navigating the unique challenges and threats that Mythas has to offer. This adventure not only provides an engaging narrative but also serves as a tutorial of sorts, gradually introducing players to Fablecraft’s various systems and mechanics.

For first-time Game Masters GMs, this campaign is a dream come true. It’s structured to be easy to run with minimal preparation, allowing GMs to focus more on storytelling and less on managing complex rules. The sessions are designed to be completed in roughly 90 minutes each, making them perfect for regular game nights that fit comfortably within a couple of hours.

Explore the Land of Mythas

As you journey through Fablecraft’s free campaign, you’ll find yourself drawn into the vibrant and diverse world of Mythas, a land where magic, mystery, and adventure are at every turn. Mythas is not just a setting—it’s a living, breathing world waiting for you and your friends to explore together.

From the glowing grasses of the Long Meadows to the ever-shifting Wildwoods, each region of Mythas offers unique cultures, landscapes, and inhabitants. Connect with the nomadic Longstriders, who traverse the star-lit meadows in search of magical fragments, or the sociable Wavechasers of the Coral Coasts, who bring life and color to every shoreline. Encounter the wise and mysterious Woodlanders of the Wildwoods, and the sturdy Highlanders who carve their homes into floating mountain peaks. In Mythas, every adventure is an opportunity to connect with others, discover ancient secrets, and leave your mark on a world brimming with untold stories.

If you want to learn more about Mythas, you can download the full lore book “The Book of Mythas” from the Fablecraft website. 

Community and Future Content

Fablecraft’s commitment to accessibility and fun extends beyond just the gameplay; it’s also about building a vibrant community of players and creators. As the game continues to grow, Riftweaver is actively fostering a community where players can share experiences, find groups, and contribute to the evolving world of Fablecraft.

The primary hubs for updates and community interaction are Fablecraft’s Discord server (which currently has over 4,300 members), YouTube channel (with over 1,000 subs), and you can download the game for free and check out the free campaign on their Steam page (where they sport mostly positive reviews). The Discord server, in particular, has become a gathering place for players to connect, discuss strategies, and stay updated on the latest game developments. 

Looking to the future, Riftweaver plans to expand Fablecraft’s in-game marketplace, which currently offers adventures, cosmetic items, and asset packs for GMs. This marketplace is set to become a hub for creative content, with Riftweaver aiming to eventually allow homebrew creators to sell their own adventures and custom content. This will not only add variety to the game but also empower the community to shape the world of Mythas in new and exciting ways.

Riftweaver’s approach ensures that the core game remains accessible while offering a pathway for more dedicated players and GMs to enhance their experience. As Joey Davidson mentioned, the goal is to provide ample content for everyone, with only GMs needing to make purchases if they wish to expand their campaigns further. This model supports both casual play and deeper engagement without locking essential content behind paywalls.

By prioritizing community engagement and continually expanding its content offerings, Fablecraft not only delivers a compelling TTRPG experience but also a welcoming and active community that players can be excited to join.

Dungeon Lords Review of FableCraft

I don’t have a party to play with at the moment, so I gave the solo features of FableCraft a go. First I started with the demo which helped walk me through the mechanics of the game as I made choices, rolled dice, and even participated in some combat. I can see how it can be fun to traverse the different locations they’ve created and fight the different monsters.

Some of the mechanics seem to be loosly based on the simpler mechanics of Fate Core. You get 2-3 six-sided dice that have either a 0, 1, 2, or -1 count. Objectives in the game are given a difficulty level that you must overcome with your roll. You either meet the requirement, don’t, have an epic fail (that gives you a penalty usually), or an epic win (that gives you a boost to your attacks). The number of dice is different that fate, and we’re not invoking aspects for bonuses here that I saw, but these simplified mechanics have the echoes of fate.

I also checked out the battle arena which was the only other solo mode they have at the moment. It was several stages of combat and a short story where I controlled three mages as they tried to figure out what was wrong with the rock monsters.

 I will say that the combat was fun. Each player had HP, which is different than Fate, and there were cool animations to go along with attacks and defenses. It was also nice that move distance was already precalculated and not distance you have to track. I was a little disappointed that there was no option to defend against attack, and damage taken solely relied on how well your enemy did or didn’t roll. What I did notice was that after several rounds, defense became a part of special moves where it would deal damage and give you a certain number of defense points for the next round. Seeing that defense was involved somehow made me feel better about how combat played out in the game.

It was fun to cast spells and strategize to take enemies down. Most spells I used only required one point on the dice to trigger, so misses were few and far between. It was fun that some special moved healed allies while dealing damage to enemies. I can see how the game would be a lot of fun with friends and more exploration aspects instead of combat the whole time, but again, I didn’t try out any of the role playing features with other people. 

I would recommend that everyone download FableCraft from Steam, check out the solo modes, and once you get a feel, start sending it to your usual tablemates and getting them involved too. If you’re new to TTRPGs, it’s a video-game-esque way to get started into the world of virtual tabletops, and get a real feel for how role playing games work.

Plus, they have a fun, smarmy sense of humor like D&D. 

Give FableCraft a Try For Your Next Game Night

Ready to embark on your next great adventure? Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the world of Mythas with Fablecraft! Whether you’re gathering friends for a remote game night or looking to introduce new players to the magic of tabletop RPGs, Fablecraft offers a seamless, fun, and engaging experience that’s perfect for everyone.

Download Fablecraft for free on Steam and start your journey today. Dive into the free campaign, “The Road to the Starfall Festival,” explore new adventures in the in-game marketplace, and join a thriving community of players eager to share their own stories. Be sure to follow Fablecraft on Discord, YouTube, and Steam for the latest updates, developer insights, and community events.

Give Fablecraft a try and see for yourself why it’s becoming a favorite in the TTRPG community.

Adventure awaits—download Fablecraft and gather your party today!