Archmage's Gate: A Solo RPG Adventure Gamebook

Archmage’s Gate is a standalone, open-world solo adventure RPG gamebook.

It combines the fast, choice-driven structure of classic gamebooks with the freedom, character progression, and world-shaping decisions of a tabletop RPG.

Everything you need is in the book – no extra rulebooks required.

No Game Master needed – play on your own, anytime.

Play at your own pace – explore, fight, and make choices whenever you like.

Familiar to RPG fans – especially if you enjoy 5e or OSR-style fantasy.

Accessible on its own – even if you just want a complete solo adventure in one volume.

Standalone – The complete game is in the book.

Open-world – Explore a hex-based world map freely and travel wherever your discoveries lead you.

Solo – Designed for solo play, but you can also read aloud and adventure with friends.

Adventure – A full fantasy campaign packed into a single volume, with quests, dungeons, secrets, and meaningful consequences.

RPG mechanics – Create your character, roll dice, track your progress, and shape the world through your actions.

Gamebook format – Follow the story, make choices, and resolve outcomes yourself, without needing a Game Master.

5e & OSR compatible – If you enjoy classic d20 fantasy, you’ll feel right at home.

Every chest, barrel, hidden path, and secret has been carefully designed to make exploration rewarding and memorable.

Every encounter, treasure, and consequence is placed with intention – no filler, no meaningless randomness, just rich, purposeful adventure.

Explore Saross – an Imperial province that was once a proud sovereign kingdom.

Caught between ancient traditions and foreign rule, it is a land of mystery, conflict, and adventure. Inspired by Central European folklore and classic sword & sorcery, Saross blends grounded, mythic storytelling with dark magic, political intrigue, and forgotten ruins waiting to be uncovered.

Here’s our work-in-progress map of the Province of Saross.

You’ll notice section numbers beneath the major locations you’re already familiar with from the start of the game.

As you explore, you’ll discover new locations in every hex. When you do, simply note the section number in the appropriate hex on your map.

We've prepared a demo, in which you will take the role of a premade character, Lýdia, and explore one of the province’s regions (specifically, hex H5):

Check out the playtest video prepared by one of our writers – Maciej Bardo himself!

As an add-on to the main book, we’ve created a spell deck that also functions as a fast-paced solo card game:

Watch our gameplay video to find out!

Our second add-on to the main book is Adventurer’s Guide to Saross – a system-agnostic campaign setting and sourcebook that explores the realm in which Archmage’s Gate takes place:

Adventurer’s Guide To Saross with other add-ons.

For those who want the complete Archmage’s Gate experience, the Collector’s Set includes everything from the Essentials Kit, plus a trove of exclusive and deluxe items:

Liquid Core Dice Set – crystal-clear dice with a luminous eye suspended within

Fine Paper Map of Saross – A3 format (11.7" × 16.5"), perfect for the table or the wall

Archmage’s Gate Dice Tray – sturdy, elegant, and made for long sessions

“Archmage” Magic Beanie Hat – complete with magic item stats hidden on a tag inside

Exclusive Designer’s Notes Booklet – available only in this set:

a 40+ page behind-the-scenes volume featuring scanned, fountain-pen handwritten notes from the game’s creator, design sketches, abandoned ideas, and bonus materials

Game design & writing: Maciej Wróblewski aka Archmage Arispen

Additional writing: Krzysztof Dylewski, Maciej Bardo

Maps: Marek Izraelski

Illustrations: Paulina Grudzieńska, Saad Ayolo, Azeez Razaq, Maciej Hetmańczyk, Marta Marcinkowska, Maciej Wróblewski

Book layout: Justyna Kramarz

Book cover, photos: Oskar Sosnowski

Music: Jakub Zeranski

Editing: Mikołaj Gołębiewski

This project draws from a blend of classic games and books that shaped its mechanics, tone, and approach to storytelling:

The foundational simplicity of Dungeons & Dragons B/X by TSR, the broad accessibility of D&D 5e by Wizards of the Coast, and the elegant, classless design of Knave by Ben Milton.

The open-world immersion and freedom of The Elder Scrolls series by Bethesda Game Studios, combined with the deep, single-player role-playing experience of Baldur’s Gate by BioWare / Black Isle Studios.

The open-world exploration and player agency of Fabled Lands by Dave Morris & Jamie Thomson, and the fast-paced, quest-driven structure of Destiny Quest by Michael J. Ward.