Tabletop Roleplaying Reimagined
No blade is forged with butterfly kisses.
Tribulation is a mature tabletop roleplaying game that features flawed heroes, clashing virtues, and consequential actions where you and your allies will face dire odds and be shaped by the hardships you overcome. Work together and consider each action carefully as you confront an unforgiving world of conflicting virtues and perilous trials.
Fast Paced. Consequential. Compatible.
Tribulation is ideal for any historical, historical-fiction, or fantasy setting with a brutal edge. The Ash & Ruin setting is tailor made for the Tribulation system. In the Ash & Ruin setting, players will explore a historically inspired world that will feel familiar enough to grasp, but distinct enough to keep within it a ample mystery and intrigue.
Coming Soon
Will you make some difference in the world with what life you have to offer? Will you die well?
Tribulation does not harbor tales of singular groups of brave, undying heroes in a world balanced in their favor. No, it tells the stories of the flawed, the limited, the mortal, who risk life and limb to claw a desperate hope. In Tribulation, characters reach their potential sooner, but might just as likely reach a grisly end.
Get to the bloody punchline, without the wasted crunch time.
Tribulation is built from the ground up with a narrative over numbers philosophy. This means that every feature of your character, from their gear to their chosen abilities, will be potent and definitive. Each system promotes creative embellishments, serving as a narrative inspiration without the math and minutia of the traditional roleplaying experience.
Explore your inner conflict with friends beside you and your foes before you.
People do not define themselves as mere vessels of good or evil. Rooted in authentic psychology, natures, virtues, and sins form the foundation of your character’s personality. Plot out the extremes of your character’s underlying urges by mapping their nature. Then, select the motivations that transcend their nature by adopting a paramount virtue. Finally, choose a sin that dissuades you from your ideal.
Work with your allies to overcome life’s perils and shape the world in your favor.
In Tribulation, violence is but one element of your adventure. Use your wit and guile to navigate tense intrigues, where the fates of many might rest on a single diplomatic exchange. Guide your allies and work together as you venture into consuming wilds, where a single misstep invites doom. Show your worth as you move resources in your favor, and prepare for hardships to come in the relative safety of a sanctuary.
The World of Ash & Ruin
A Once-Mighty Empire In Ruin
Explore the haunting landscape of Ash & Ruin, where the remnants of a fallen empire bear witness to the passage of time. Ravaged by plague, famine, and conflict, the people of the Protected Lands cling to the fading legacy of their ancestors while a new empire rises from the ashes, ushering in an age of uncertainty.
Folk Of The Fodelands
Descendants of the Olden Empire, the Folk are skilled agrarians who endure the burdens of disease and famine with resilience and adaptability.
Arahetians Of The Empire
Passionate and pious, the Arahetians are seafaring islanders who have forged a new empire through faith and sacrifice.
Turmoil And Conflict
Journey to the sword's edge, where the feudal nobility of the Protected Lands struggles for sovereignty amidst the disruptive influence of the Arahetian empire. Meanwhile, the proud Hern in the mountainous territories and the enigmatic Vret of the Treadlands each face their own trials and tribulations, shaping the fate of their respective realms.
Hern Of The Territories
Towering figures with a mysterious past, the Vret are warrior poets whose reverence for history and legend shapes their enigmatic society.
Vret Of The Territories
Dwelling amidst mountainous wilderness, the Hern maintain a strong sense of community and independence, united by shared traditions and a commitment to survival.
Tribulations To Come
Embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Ash & Ruin, where ancient traditions collide with the winds of change, and the fate of nations hangs in the balance.
Grow From Your Hardships
In Tribulation, life is cheap, and scars are lasting lessons. Every decision—from your chosen features to your gear—shapes your fate, demanding strategic preparation and wise endurance. Your life and your cause hang in the balance.
Take Creative Control
Seize the threads of fate and mold the story to your advantage. Earn potent boons, craft versatile kits on the fly, and personalize your gear in ways that reflect your unique character. With boundless creativity, shape the narrative to suit your vision.
Build Your Legacy
What legacy will you leave behind? While characters in Tribulation learn and improve rapidly, the specter of a sudden end looms ever present. Leave your mark on the world by developing sanctuaries, and passing on inspiring heirlooms. Even in death, your impact reverberates.
Explore The World Of Your Choosing
Lose yourself in the vast possibilities of Tribulation. With its core values of realism, practical function, and narrative flexibility, the game seamlessly adapts to any setting—whether historical, fantastical, or grounded in the unique lore of Ash and Ruin. Face your tribulations in any setting.
Coming Soon
Stray Goat Games
Stray Goat Games is the crucible of one man; Todd Frazie. Todd has emerged from the Appalachian wilds as a father, a software developer, a student of history, an armchair philosopher, an overthinker, a storyteller, and a lifelong game master. He’s been designing worlds and systems that others seem to enjoy since childhood. Now, he’s looking for like-minded folk from the wider world to share in his creative outlet.
The one thing a fool and a great man share in common is that they have dared to stand out. Only a fool would think himself the latter for the doing.
- Bastard Of The Hills
Stray Goat Games proudly maintains full creative control of its releases and pays no mind to the trends of the day. Judging each for its merits, it eschews what could be lost and innovates what could be better. If you are a brave soul looking for something that breaks the mold, we are here for you.
The Flagship
The tabletop roleplaying genre is dominated by big names. Simultaneously, it is inundated with indie titles jockeying for your attention. A good way to get noticed is to work with what is already popular. Marketing new material under the DCC, OSR, PbtA, or D20 umbrella is a wise move, all things considered. Stray Goat Games, on the other hand, has adopted the fool’s errand of presenting a built-from-the-ground-up system with the hopes that there are others out there willing to give something entirely different a shot.
Meet The Contributors
The Tribulation Guide features the work of artists from around the globe. The goal from the start was to include myriad creative voices in a chorus of vision. While this isn’t always easy, it has been well worth the effort.
Featured Artists
Ayrton Scviana from Brazil @ artstation.com/ayrtonviana
David Coppoletti from Ohio @ drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/17696/Dungeon-Remixer
Lucy Lisett from Serbia @ artstation.com/lucylisett
Mon Macairap from The Philippines @ artstation.com/monmacairap
Sarah Davidson from California @ thesketchdragon.com
Vincent Van Hoof from Washington @ artofvincentvanhoof.com
A Grievous Sin
While Tribulation of Ash and Ruin stands as a complete game ready for play, it bears a tarnish—a reliance on artificial intelligence art due to funding constraints. Despite years of development and significant investment in commissioning artists, some portions of the guide lack the human touch.
Redemption
Recognizing this shortfall, we refuse to compromise on artistic integrity. Through our upcoming Kickstarter campaign, you can join us in righting this wrong. Our "Adopt An Artist" tier allows you to contribute to the commissioned artwork, supporting talented creators while elevating the visual quality of the guide. In return, receive well-deserved recognition with a plaque bearing your name next to the commissioned art. With your help, we will purge all AI art from the guide, replacing it with the work of artists from around the world. Together, let's bring the Tribulation of Ash and Ruin to life in all its artistic splendor.