Kobold Press Announces 'Cozy' RPG Riverbank

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Kobold Press--known for its D&D 5E compatible products--is diversifying into the world of cosy TTRPGs with Riverbank, a game of 'elegant animals, chaos, & whimsy'. The game has a page on Backerkit already, and launches in April.

Illustrated by Kathleen Jennings, and designed by Kij Johnson, the game allows you to attend tea parties, compete at the village fair, and dance at fancy balls. It uses a new game system which utilises a balance between the Animal and Poetry sides of your character.

In a RiverBank game, you join an intelligent society of anthropomorphic Animals and enter their life of cake and teatime by the slow part of the river. Here, the charm of cottagecore meets the whimsy of sophisticated critters as they navigate the intricacies—and often the bedlam—of polite Animal society.

Riverbank is a game about roleplaying, where your character choices directly impact the narrative. Weave farcical or dramatic tales of elegant characters on curious quests as you celebrate friendships, navigate social niceties, and weather the unique dynamics of Animal life. Attend tea parties, stroll through gardens, dance at fancy balls, and win the prize at the village fair—all while trying to keep a stiff upper lip and dodging difficult relatives.
 

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Waiting for it to be out to probably buy it (assuming it’s open to the public), rather than be a backer.

I turned the 3x adventure The Standing Stones into a bit of “The Wind in the Willows” cottagecore, when my players didn’t want to just leave at the end of the adventure, but stayed for months to help the animals turned into Humans and Halflings learn how to farm and do the other jobs necessary to keep the village going. It was a good use of the extensive 3x skill system and characters built more around story (“my dad was a blacksmith, so I learned smithing and weaponsmithing”) rather than min-max CharOp stuff.
 

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It's the last 48 HOURS for RiverBank: A cozy RPG of elegant animals, shenanigans, & whimsy!


Don't miss your final chance to weave farcical and dramatic tales as elegant Animals celebrate friendships, navigate social niceties, and weather the unique dynamics of polite life down by the Riverbank.



The $89 pledge tier provides the largest discount and is available exclusively during the BackerKit campaign. It includes everything necessary to play, including the hardback book, matching PDF, rosewood dice set, and RiverBank card decks.

Our 1,480+ supporters have already raised over $142K, unlocking the following stretch goals:
  • Official RiverBank character sheet
  • Riverside Chat video with the Writer and Editor
  • Old Greene's Day, a new scenario by Kij Johnson
  • All Out of Pipecleaners, a solo adventure by Kij Johnson

With your support we can unlock the final stretch goal at $150K. Don't miss your chance for endless paw-sibilities with the RiverBank RPG.

Pledge now before time runs out!

Click here to back now on BackerKit!
 
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Waiting for it to be out to probably buy it (assuming it’s open to the public), rather than be a backer.

I turned the 3x adventure The Standing Stones into a bit of “The Wind in the Willows” cottagecore, when my players didn’t want to just leave at the end of the adventure, but stayed for months to help the animals turned into Humans and Halflings learn how to farm and do the other jobs necessary to keep the village going. It was a good use of the extensive 3x skill system and characters built more around story (“my dad was a blacksmith, so I learned smithing and weaponsmithing”) rather than min-max CharOp stuff.

No worries - RiverBank will absolutely be available retail to the public once it releases!
 



Pretty pumped about this one. First crowdfund of 2025 (and me, a former KS superbacker...).
Can't wait for the book either.

Will give me an excuse to re-read WitW again. Although I just went to find my copy in the house and it wasn't where I thought it would be shelved 😱
 

Will give me an excuse to re-read WitW again. Although I just went to find my copy in the house and it wasn't where I thought it would be shelved 😱
Pretty sure it’s public domain now, it appears to be in project Gutenberg if you don’t mind the ebook thing!

I read Kij Johnson’s actual sequel novel when deciding whether to back this one. I’ve got a second hand copy of William Horwood’s The Willows In Winter en route as well.
 






Last Chance to Back RiverBank RPG!

More than 1,500 backers have joined Kobold Press for an unforgettable tea-time! This cozy roleplaying game of animal heroes and rural village life is entering the final 24 hours, which means there's still time to stop by for scones and some polite chaos.

During the final hours, you can get your paws on the hardcover rulebook and a free PDF for $49, a positively
scrumptious deal on this cheerful new system from award-winning author Kij Johnson.

There's still plenty of room at the table. Pledge on BackerKit today!




 


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