Zairoo: The Pan-African Steampunk Fantasy Role Playing Game

ZAIROO is a Pan-African Fantasy tabletop roleplaying game set in a richly reimagined world where five vibrant kingdoms rise from the ruins of a cataclysmic past. In this alternate 17th–18th century where African & New Afrikan Myths come alive. Players step into a land where science, spirituality, and the supernatural intertwine. You’ll fight with steam spear, rifles and ancestral magic while soaring over volcanic deltas on Airborne Kente clad dreadnoughts, their brass engines fueled by sacred oils, raid the All-Blue Sea aboard submersible canoes, hunting Eldritch leviathans, and island coasts teeming with forgotten magic, answering one pivotal question: Will you heal the scars of war, or succumb to the lure of Discord?

Zairoo is created and led by a team of Africans & New Afrikans worldwide, crafted with a deeply rooted love for African history, mythology, and Afrofuturism. But this world isn’t just for us, it’s for all who crave fresh adventures beyond Eurocentric fantasy.

Over 5,000 years ago, the Supreme Creator Zyramu danced existence into being, until Keteku, the Discordant, ruptured the fabric of reality. From this fracture crawled the Eldritch Beasts: the Water Buffalo of Ruin, the Hell’s Snake, the Moth Goddess, and more.

Now, the five kingdoms of:

• Nkutu Enclave (Central Africa-inspired: jungles/marshlands), 
• Maravi Isles (West Africa/Caribbean/New Afrikan inspired: coastal trade hubs), 
• Saharadune Sultanate (North Africa-inspired: desert/deltas), 
• Illmoran Dominion (Southern Africa-inspired: savannah/grasslands), and 
• Enzi Mlimani (East Africa-inspired: mountains/river valleys) 

Struggle to rebuild after the Second Encroachment, an apocalyptic war against these cosmic horrors.

Magic pulses through Zairoo like rhythm through a drumbeat. Every newborn’s first cry is answered by a bell ringing for Harmony. Yet, where rituals fail, Discord festers, warping kin into monstrosities and birthing cursed lands.

*All you need: Pencil, paper, and standard six-sided dice (d6).*
 

Zairoo runs on a 2d6 + Stat engine where every roll weaves consequences into the story:

• 10+: Success without cost
• 7–9: Success with a complication (choose a cost or accept a consequence)
• 6 or lower: Disaster strikes (Story Singer twists the narrative)
• Natural 12: Trigger a Momentum Surge (clear a condition or grant an ally Tempo)

Example: Convincing a warlord to stand down (roll +Vibe). On a 9, they agree but demand your airship as payment.

With the Tempo mechanic Control the flow of battle, gain advantage or disadvantage based on narrative momentum:

• With Tempo: Roll 3d6, keep the HIGHEST
• Against Tempo: Roll 3d6, keep the LOWEST
• Tempo shifts dynamically based on story choices (ex. a heroic speech gains Tempo; ambushed enemies lose it).

No initiative tracking, scenes unfold like a dramatic sequence.

Harmony vs. Discord: Will your character’s journey culminate in transcendence (Harmony) or corruption (Discord)?

• A 7-stage path tracking your character’s moral journey
• Harmony 7: Transcend as a legend (retire heroically)
• Discord 1: Fall to corruption (become an NPC villain)
• No XP-your fate shifts through story choices, not points.

Play as one of 12 unique Kin:

• Humans (First Kin), the adaptable backbone of civilization.
• Abatwa (Fairy Kin), tiny fey with insect wings and herbal mastery.
• Ataikin (Bird Kin), skyborne journalists and scholars.
• Alokozay (Giant Kin), half-elephant, towering builders of stone and song.
• And more, each with deep cultural lore and mechanical flair.

Choose from 13 dynamic Classes:

• ǁUab's ǂui, arcane scholars who weave spells with an extra finger.
• Fasimba, shield-bearing warriors sworn to sacred covenants.
• Olóyè, sun-worshiping healers who mend flesh and spirit.
• Gao's ǃõab, casters channeling forbidden Onirowo masks.
• And more, each with deep cultural lore and mechanical flair.

Pre-Generated Heroes: 12+ Legendary Champions of Zairoo
Jumpstart your adventure with iconic champions forged in Zairoo's strife! Each ready-to-play hero comes with:

• Deep ties to the Five Kingdoms
• Unique elemental or cosmic powers
• Pre-defined Harmony/Discord motivations

Play as Zawadi "Mama Nne" Mwamba, the demi-god commanding flower tsunamis and lava tornadoes to heal Nkutu's jungles. Or become Nzana the All-Star, whose cosmic whips rewrite reality to protect Maravi's coasts. Legendary figures like the sand-serpent summoning Bastet Sandclaw and time-bending healer No Shout.

Conditions & Consequences

Five core stats (Grit, Vision, Soul, Vibe, Flow) each have Major/Minor Conditions:

Recovery: Minor conditions clear after scenes; Major conditions require story resolutions (ex: mending a broken alliance to cure "Reckless" condition).

Core Moves: Narrative-Driven Actions

Universal actions tied to your stats:

• Strike with Intent (Grit): Attack precisely, inflict conditions
• Read the Flow (Vision): Uncover hidden dangers ("What’s the biggest threat?")
• Shape the Moment (Vibe): Persuade or manipulate ("They comply but demand a favor")
• Become Myth: At max Harmony/Discord, sacrifice your character to rewrite history as the Story Singer for one scene.

Combat = Conversation: Duels and debates use identical rules.

Unique Mechanics

• Face Destiny: When near death, roll against the Story Singer. Lose and choose:
  • Be Defeated (exit scene)
  • Lash Out (unleash chaos, push toward Discord)
  • End Your Song (heroic/tragic finale)
• Enemy Conditions: Foes suffer narrative-altering effects when hit (e.g., a warlord "Strained" collapses his own fortifications).

Progression: Legends Over Levels

• Short-Term Goals: Achieve personal milestones to boost stats or clear conditions.
• Long-Term Goals: Complete group quests to cement your Legend. Then:
  • Write a fireside tale of your deeds.
  • Evolve your character: Swap Gifts/Burdens, unlock abilities, or spread your fame across kingdoms.
  • Your legend grows, NPCs react to your reputation, opening new story paths.

WHY ZAIROO?

By Us, For Everyone
Crafted by Africans and New Afrikans worldwide, Zairoo is a love letter to our myths, centering Black narratives while welcoming all to a world outside the typical eurocentric fantasy

Redefine History, learn Myths
In this alternate 17th–18th century, you shatter colonialism’s shadow. Forge alliances with friends, command steam-powered dreadnoughts, and heal kingdoms scarred by eldritch wars. And learn about African mythology that is so routinely hidden and ignored from major media and entertainment.

A World Reborn, Not Perfected
Five vibrant nations rise from ruin, but Discord’s corruption festers. Will you mend the world with Harmony... or succumb to its whispers?

Play Your Way
Dive in instantly with pre-generated demigods and star-weavers, or craft your own legend. Our streamlined d6 system rewards creativity, with rhythm-driven battles and character fates that echo in fireside tales.

*For veterans craving depth. For newcomers seeking wonder. For all who believe fantasy’s future must be reforged.

THE CORE RULE BOOK

We are producing a beautiful 300+ page hardbound book, loaded with illustrations and containing all of the rules you'll need to play Zairoo. Included in the book (and PDF) will be:

• Detailed history of this alternate world
• Descriptions of daily life and culture in Zairoo, and the cultures/society of the 5 kingdoms
• Rules for creating and advancing your characters, including 13 Kin, 12 Creeds and 5 Major Stats for a massive variety of options
• A condensed Monster Manual with descriptions and stats for mythical creatures, infamous bosses, shadowy organizations and dangerous cults that can challenge players endlessly
• 14 of pre-generated Hero characters if you want to jump right into playing the game with unique backstories, abilities, and ties to Zairoo’s lore. 
• A collection of 7-10 adventures spanning low to high levels, designed to showcase Zairoo’s diverse challenges and narratives.
• So much more!

SHIPPING

We will be shipping Worldwide (especially Africa)

YOUR PLEDGE

•  Kin: $20
  With this pledge, you receive the Zairoo Digital PDF. This is a digital-only reward tier. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.
• Solidarity: $30 (plus shipping)
  With this pledge, you receive the Zairoo Digital PDF and the Zairoo Paperback. Ships anywhere in the world. Limited to 5,000 backers. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.
• Solidarity DONATION ONLY: $30
  With this pledge, you receive the Zairoo Digital PDF, and we donate a Zairoo Paperback copy on your behalf. Limited to 5,000 backers. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.
• Liberation: $100 (plus shipping)
  With this pledge, you receive the Zairoo Digital PDF, a Zairoo Hardcover for yourself, and we donate an additional Zairoo Hardcover copy. Ships anywhere in the world. Limited to 5,000 backers. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.
• Diaspora: $200 (plus shipping)
  With this pledge, you receive 6 × Zairoo Hardcover copies. For Brick and mortar storefronts only. Ships anywhere in the world. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.
• Ancestor: $300 (plus shipping)
  This premium pledge includes all benefits from other tiers. Your book will be signed with a personal note by Molombo Thillia Thillot III, and you'll receive six high-quality art prints of artwork featured in the book. Ships anywhere in the world. Estimated delivery: Feb 2026.

Founder, Lead Writer, and Worldbuilder:

Molombo Thillia Thillot III (Congolese-American)

African/Black Executive Leadership:

Khalil Combs, Director of Operations

African/Black Game Design Team:

VJ Harris, Lead Game Designer
Tafarri Clark, Game Designer

African/Black Writing Team:

Steven Underwood
Boaz Carson Ochieng

African/Black Art & Visual Design Team:

Joshua Clarke (AOJC), Character & Environment Design Lead
Yaela Grimes, Illustrator & Character Developer
Middnite, Concept Artist & Thematic Illustrator
Adrian (ZekeTe),  lead creature artist and environmental artist
Amisalamii (AMI!), Visual Artist

African/Black Web Development Team:

Reginald Amedee, Web Developer (UX/Technical Lead)
Keino, Web Developer (Full-Stack)

Non-African/Black Team Members:

Anya Combs, Kickstarter Lead
Jonathan Sweeney, Systems Architect & Optimization

Final Note

The seed of Zairoo was planted when I was just 13. Its name honors the Congo's original identity. While it's my first game project, my love for fantasy runs deep. As a child, my father , a Congolese immigrant, would read The Lord of the Rings to me at bedtime. That spark grew into years of avid reading, playing, and fandom. I've long dreamed of creating a world that showcases Africa's brilliance and centers the inherently Black experience. Fantasy is a powerful way to combat pessimism. I'm incredibly proud of the passionate team we've assembled. We're united by a shared belief in this project's destiny: to become a vital, almost prophetic fixture within our communities. I'm confident we will deliver not just a truly memorable role-playing experience, but an expansive world that transcends any single medium. Thank you for joining us on this journey - Molombo Thillia Thillot III, founder