Bolthaven Folios

Welcome to Bolthaven!

Bolthaven Folios are a series of tabletop role playing game zines providing mini-systems to bolt onto existing "traditional" games like Dungeons & Dragons. I keep having ideas for little add-on rules for my games, so I thought I'd publish them and see if any other GMs could use a few more options in their toolkit. The project started with Issue #1: Forge & Fate, first available in June 2025.

What Design Principles Guide Bolthaven Folios?

I let the following principles guide me in creating each issue:

• Make It Useful. Detail a system that adds something cool. If I won't use the rules I develop, why bother writing them down?

• Make It Small. Limit the length to 4 pages, one sheet of paper folded in half (literally a folio), to describe each system succinctly.

• Make It Generic. Strive to remain system agnostic and setting-free for use on as many gaming tables as possible.

• Make It Extensible. In the spirit of early versions of D&D, provide some options, but encourage creativity beyond what's written.

• Make It Myself. I'm learning Affinity Publisher for this project, and I'm challenging myself to (mostly) create art myself.

What Does Each Issue Contain?

I'll maintain a list of issues here with links to order each one. I offer digital copies through DriveThruRPG and itch.io. I'm planning on offering physical copies as well, but the infrastructure isn't in place to handle physical orders yet.

1. Forge & Fate. (DriveThruRPG and itch.io) Offers random tables for component names (aka "The Macguffin BS Generator") and an advantage/disadvantage system for creating items.

2. Bard Bands. (DriveThruRPG and itch.io) Provides a system for Ensemble Casting, allowing 5e bards to enhance their spells through performance. Gives more power and magical options, but takes at least 2 rounds of extra time to cast.

3. Settle Down. (DriveThruRPG and itch.io) Ever wanted to build your own settlement from a camp to a village? This bare-bones system allows you to build infrastructure, hire specialists, trade resources for coin, and keep your citizens happy.

4. On Our Honour. (Coming soon to DriveThruRPG and itch.io) Characters need something to believe in, a place to belong, and a code to follow. Let's introduce an Honour score and find ways for them to test their honour, call in favors, and get into trouble for the sake of your game's story. Featuring four pieces of art from Nutti Drawz, my eldest (and only) offspring. I actually wrote this back in 2019 and shelved it for 7 years. Silly me.