The rules are light, intuitive, and story-driven, allowing StoryGuides (GMs) to focus on drama, character, and worldbuilding instead of crunch. Players grow their heroes organically through use-based advancement, gaining experience by rolling their skills in tense moments. Combat is fast and tactical, with dodges, parries, and special results that make every battle cinematic.

SagaBorn D100 also embraces horror, heroism, and consequence. Magic tempts the soul, violence leaves scars, and characters must balance their sanity against the terrors of the Dark Return.

Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, defying empires, or delving into forbidden tomes, SagaBorn D100 gives you the tools to tell your story – your saga – together.

Ruleset:

Why use a D100 system?

For those coming from the Big Dragon game, you will find a more nuanced system that allows for multiple game styles. SagaBorn D100 is based on Chaosium’s skill-based Basic Roleplaying Universal Game Engine. This system is easy to learn and easy to run. That is the biggest difference: without levels, the power creep that plagues many D20 games is minimized. Due to that, it is easier on the Gamemaster to design and run sessions. This means less prep, less frustration, and more fun at the table. It is also more than a big system on how to kill things; this is all skill-based, so you can have your heroes run an investigation one night that leads to a large battle the next. 

And you always know the difficulty level of tasks. It is all a 1-100% chance. No figuring out bonuses vs DCs plus magic items, plus spell buffs, etc. It is all just a percentage skill roll. Is it hard? The skill gets cut in half. Is it easy? The skill gets doubled.

We took the great core system of BRP, streamlined it, and wrapped it around Michael Bielaczyc’s art and vision for the world of the Dark Return.

What are the differences between SagaBorn D100 and Basic Roleplaying?

While SagaBorn uses the core skill system of BRP (Basic Roleplaying), it has incorporated many unique elements from our old system to make our fantasy world fit within the game. SagaBorn is based in the world of Atheles, a world ravaged by war and left in a dark age for many centuries. When magic recently returned, it shifted the power systems, and once again, the world is facing the same power struggles and destruction that happened in past ages. There are also rifts opening to another universe, allowing demons to lurk through and invade the world. This is the world the adventurers will find themselves in.

But, how does the SagaBorn system differ from the basics of BRP?

• SagaBorn will incorporate worldbuilding from the Dark Return setting and the fantastical art of the Brothers Bielaczyc.
• We have many basic Professions imported from BRP, but we also add Archetypes, a system that allows for more customization beyond the core skills you have.
• Archetypes are built by gaining Talents, special abilities that define and customize your character.
• SagaBorn is a heroic setting, so starting skill points will be high, and health will be doubled from BRP.
• The familiar 7 Characteristics are there, but we have changed them a bit to fit the world.
  • Power is now Acumen, a measure of both street smarts, luck, and the character’s spirit.
  • Charisma is now Social, your character’s ability to persuade and charm others.
• Magic uses Power Points like BRP, but we call it mana, and have customized spells to focus on the riskier magic of the Dark Return.
• Equipment is essential, and crafting is simple, allowing heroes to have more powerful items and things to do between sessions.
• Strongholds are built into the system, expanding crafting, building a link with the world, and offering a place to spend those gold coins from the adventure.
• Combat is simplified.
  • Weapons fall into categories instead of each having its own skill.
  • Turns are based on Dex Initiative rolls.
  • Turns are broken up into Move, Standard, and 2 Free actions.
• Saga Points allow rerolls and help players shape their own stories.
• Sanity has been reworked as Horror, allowing for horror based gameplay with a better system.
• A full Creature Compendium and Character Gallery are freely provided to make setting up adventures quick and easy.
• Maps, adventures, and setting information are all for free on DarkReturn.com 
• And finally, a Character Generator (coming soon!)

In SagaBorn, the stakes are high, the wounds are real, and every decision could be your last.

This is a world where magic is rare, feared, and dangerous, requiring years of study or raw, reckless talent. Casting spells drains your essence, and tapping into more power can come at terrible cost. Fumble your casting, and you may not just fail—you could harm your allies, or worse, draw upon forbidden sources that corrupt your body and soul.

Heroes are not invincible. Health doesn’t regenerate overnight, and armor only goes so far. Even the lowest goblin can take you down if you’re careless. Combat is fast, deadly, and often unforgiving.

And the monsters? They are not cannon fodder. Every creature is dangerous—there are no “safe” encounters. Players are expected to use strategy, preparation, and caution, because charging headfirst into a fight may end with your character dead—or worse.

SagaBorn d100 is not for the faint of heart. It is a game where survival is earned, and power comes with a price. It is for players who want immersion, tension, and consequence woven into every roll of the dice. If you’re ready to walk the dangerous paths of the Dark Return, the world of Uteria awaits.

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SagaBorn d100 Resources

The Sagaborn D100 System Resource Website – All the rules, free and online!

Pre-Generated D100 Characters

Visit D100 Heroes to get all the pregenerated Sagaborn characters you need!

• Full Blank Character Sheets
• Link to our blank Digital Character Spreadsheet
• Pregenerated Characters (both starter characters with limited skills and links to full characters)

Character Sheet:

Tools

Character Creation Tools

1. Character Generation Video
2. SagaBorn D100 Characteristic Calculator
3. SagaBorn D100 Talent Card Generator
4. SagaBorn D100 Spell Card Generator
5. Sagaborn D100 Encounter Calculator

StoryGuide Resources

• StoryGuide’s Codex
• Creature Compendium
• Other Supplements

Adventures

• Sagaborn D100 Road West Solo Play Rules

• 
  The Fishery – D100 Adventure
• 
  Free Adventure – The Eyes Above
• 
  Free Adventure – Orlock Mushroom Farm

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More about SagaBorn d100:

Explore the SagaBorn D100 Roleplaying System – Powered by Basic Roleplaying

SagaBorn D100 uses a modified version of Chaosium’s acclaimed Basic Roleplaying (BRP) system. Built from the foundation of percentile dice mechanics, SagaBorn D100 offers a streamlined experience perfect for fantasy adventures in the dark and dangerous world of Uteria. Designed with ease of play in mind, this system removes complexity without sacrificing tactical depth or rich storytelling.

A System for Storytellers, Explorers, and Monster Hunters

At the heart of SagaBorn D100 is the philosophy of heroic storytelling. The system emphasizes open-world exploration, character progression through skill use, and intense, dangerous combat. It includes flexible rules for magic, corruption, sanity-like horror effects, and harvesting monsters—giving both players and SGs tools for crafting dynamic adventures. With support for downtime activities, allies, and strongholds, SagaBorn D100 also provides sandbox elements for long-term campaigns and West Marches-style play.

Custom Fantasy Rooted in Lore – More Than Just a Clone of BRP

While rooted in BRP traditions, SagaBorn D100 is entirely its own system. Set in the richly developed world of The Dark Return, with factions like the Uthgard Empire and magic systems shaped by ancient eldar ruins, SagaBorn merges system and setting seamlessly. The Core Rulebook site hosts not only the full ruleset and bestiary, but also spellbooks, encounter tools, and integration-ready XML for Fantasy Grounds Unity. Built by indie creator Michael Bielaczyc, SagaBorn D100 invites you to join a growing community of creators and explorers. Start your journey at SagaBornD100.com and discover a BRP-compatible system built for modern fantasy gaming.