Ironsworn: Starforged

This evening I played the second session in a new campaign of the RPG Ironsworn: Starforged. It is such a great game and I'm buzzing after the experience. I think there's many different reasons that people play roleplaying games but, for me, one of the awe-inspiring elements is being present while a compelling story forms from simple ingredients.

Starforged is a masterful game, designed by Shawn Tomkin. It is such a focused and effective combination of elements. The moves, the random tables, the guard rails for the person running the game. I'm tempted to say it is the best introductory RPG a person could play. Certainly it is an amazing tool for becoming a better GM. I feel like you can't play this without gaining confidence on improvisation, characterization, and story structure.

I would sound like a broken record to say it's a shame that D&D is the first and often only RPG that people encounter. D&D is beloved by many people, and for good reason I suppose, but Shawn Tomkin's games seem so generous by comparison. It's like giving someone a fish versus telling them how to catch one, or maybe how to populate an ocean with sea creatures they've not yet imagined.

This post is not a good explanation of what Starforged is for people unfamiliar with the game, or with the heritage of games it descends from, but I really just wanted to capture the excitement I'm feeling at the moment for a great game. 

Starforged is fantastic. I had a great time with it this evening, and I know it has way more potential beyond what I have enjoyed with it so far.