Sword World RPG Preview

First English translation of the most popular Japanese TTRPG Coming in 2026

Record of Lodoss War is well known as one of the few good anime series, and is obviously derived from D&D campaigns. But because of some short-sighted decisions by TSR back in the ‘80s, Jap gamers had to resort to creating their own translation of the game. The 1989 release of Sword World proved highly popular so that by the time TSR finally did a Japanese translation of D&D it was dead in the water. Good!

Technically, this makes Sword World one of the very first OSR Retroclones (along with Palladium). If that fact alone doesn’t get you interested, this drawing of this wanton knife-ears will:

Pirotess is the only direct evidence we have that Ashram is actually a badass.

In an ironic twist of fate, western weeaboos have long demanded an English language Sword World translation but their hopes were repeatedly dashed. But now this translation is finally in the works, with a crowdfunding project due to start in 2026.

Today, the publishers released a preview of this translation, including the introductory rules, a tutorial (examples of skill tests, adventure breakdowns, and so on), and a one-shot adventure. You can download it here.

Now, having read through a bit of it, I see that the preview describes the setting as Raxia (the setting of the 2nd edition game) rather than Forcellia, the setting of the original game and home of Lodoss Island and Pirotess’s lovely, heaving bosoms. That’s kind of a bummer right off the bat, especially because I see a lot of ‘furry’ and floral races in Raxia.

The system uses 2D6 for all resolutions, although character attributes (DEX, STR, etc…) still appear to be generated using 3D6, and there is a skill or proficiency type target number system at work. Multi-classing is also a particular focus. That’s about all I know from my brief glance at it, but if you read through it, let me know your thoughts.