Kobold Press to Launch Whimsical New Tabletop RPG, RiverBank, in 2025

Kobold Press has announced its latest project, RiverBank RPG, set to launch on BackerKit in April 2025. The game, designed by acclaimed author Kij Johnson, promises a unique blend of charm, whimsy, and narrative-driven gameplay, offering a fresh departure from the company’s previous works.

RiverBank RPG transports players to a world of anthropomorphic animals navigating a society filled with tea parties, garden strolls, grand balls, and village fairs. Players take on the roles of elegant Animals, balancing their characters’ Animality and Poetry as they embark on curious quests. The game emphasizes storytelling and character interaction, with decisions influencing the unfolding narrative.

Unlike Kobold Press’s previous d20-based systems, RiverBank RPG introduces a new game system optimized for 3 to 5 players. It uses standard dice (d4, d6, d12) to resolve actions, focusing on narrative mechanics rather than combat-heavy gameplay.

Kij Johnson, the game’s designer, and a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “I am so excited to see RiverBank RPG happening,” Johnson said. “I have loved every minute of designing the game, and I feel so lucky that Kobold Press is doing it. I can’t wait for players to join us on the River Bank.”

Fans can sign up for updates and be notified when the BackerKit campaign launches by visiting the official website at https://riverbankrpg.com/.