List of campaign settings

This is a list of campaign settings published for role-playing games. Since role-playing games originally developed from wargames, there are many historical and alternate-history RPGs based on Earth. The settings for such games are excluded from this list, unless they include significant fictional elements.

Many RPG campaign settings are based on fictional universes from books, comics, video games, or films. Campaigns have been created for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and James Bond, for example.

Fantasy campaigns Campaign setting name Subgenre Setting location Game system(s) Publisher(s) Period(s) published NotesAgoneHigh fantasyMultisim1999-2008Al-QadimArabian fantasyThe continent Zakhara on planet Abeir-TorilAD&D 2nd editionTSR1992-1998The Diamond ThroneMedieval fantasyd20 System2003A giant-dominated setting; created by Monte Cook and first published in 2003.Arcanis: the World of Shattered EmpiresMedieval fantasy The continent of Onara on the Planet of Arcanisd20 System, Arcanis rules system, 5ed D&DParadigm Concepts2001–PresentFocuses on moral ambiguity and politicsArs Magica Medieval fantasy, heroic fantasyMythic EuropeArs Magica rulesLion Rampant, White Wolf, Wizards of the Coast, Atlas Games1987-2004BirthrightMedieval fantasyThe continent of Cerilia on the planet AebrynisAD&D 2nd edition, D&D 3rd editionTSR1994-2005Players each run their own country, and vie economically, politically, and militarily with or against each other and the rest of the countries on the map.BlackmoorHigh fantasyThe planet MystaraD&DJudges Guild, TSR, Zeitgeist Games1977-2009First role-playing game campaign setting developed (1971-) for the purpose, later placed on Greyhawk, then on Mystara, then again relaunched as a standalone worldBlue RoseRomantic fantasyThe planet AldeaTrue20Green Ronin Publishing2005–presentCouncil of WyrmsHigh fantasy; Dragon-centric AD&D 2nd editionTSR1994-1999Players roleplay dragon charactersThe Dark EyeSword and sorceryAventuriaFantasy Productions, Ulisses Spiele1984–presentPrimarily in GermanDark SunPost-apocalyptic Sword and SorceryThe planet AthasAD&D 2nd edition, D&D 4th editionTSR, WotC1991-2010DiscworldHigh fantasyGURPS DiscworldSteve Jackson Games1998-2002Based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld seriesDragonlanceHigh fantasy; Dragon-centric The planet KrynnAD&D, D&D 3rd edition, D&D 5th editionTSR, Sovereign Press, Inc1984–presentEarthdawnSword and sorceryprovince BarsaiveFASA1993–presentEberronHigh fantasyD&D 3rd edition, D&D 4th edition, D&D 5th editionWotC2004–PresentExandriaHigh fantasyThe continents of Tal'Dorei, Wildemount, and EiselcrossD&D 5eGreen Ronin Publishing, WotC, Darrington Press2015–PresentOriginally created by Matthew Mercer for his personal Pathfinder campaign. It is now the setting for campaigns in the web series Critical Role and the spinoff web series Exandria Unlimited; it is also an official D&D setting.ForceliaHigh fantasyThe continent of AlecrastD&D (not TSR's official), Record of Lodoss War, Sword World RPG, Legend of Crystania and Rune SoldierGroup SNE1989–presentPrimarily in Japanese.Forgotten RealmsHigh fantasyThe continent of Faerûn on the planet Abeir-Toril AD&D, AD&D 2nd edition, D&D 3rd/4th/5th editionTSR, WotC1987–presentOriginally created as a paracosm by Ed Greenwood in 1967 to provide a setting for his childhood stories.Garweeze WurldSword and sorceryThe planet AldrazarHackmaster 4th editionKenzer & Company2001Based on the main setting played by the characters of the Knights of the Dinner Table comic series. It is strongly characterized by Hackmaster's wuss slapping honor system, +12 swords, sidewinder fireballs, etc.GloranthaHigh FantasyThe planet GloranthaRuneQuest, Hero Wars, HeroQuest, 13th AgeChaosium1978–presentFirst introduced in White Bear and Red Moon board game in 1975.GolarionMulti-cultural Medieval fantasyPathfinder ChroniclesThe planet of Pathfinder Roleplaying GamePaizo Publishing2008–presentRegions strongly similar to Europe, Arabia, and AfricaGreyhawk (aka World of Greyhawk)High fantasyThe planet OerthAD&DTSR, WotC1980-2008HackjammerSword and sorceryThe sky, Wildspace, the PhlogistonHackmaster 4th EditionKenzer & Company2005Parody of Spelljammer, and add-on to Garweeze WurldHârnMedieval fantasyThe planet KethiraHârnMasterColumbia Games1986-2003Hollow WorldClassical fantasyInside the planet MystaraD&DTSR1990-1992Hyborian AgeSword and sorceryEarth during the Hyborian AgeConan Role-Playing Game, GURPS Conan, Conan d20, Conan: The Roleplaying GameTSR, Steve Jackson Games, Mongoose Publishing1985, 1988-1989, 2004-2007Based on Robert E. Howard's Conan storiesIron KingdomsGaslamp fantasyImmorenPrivateer Press2004-2013JakandorSword and sorceryIsland of JakandorAdvanced Dungeons & DragonsWizards of the Coast1997-1998The setting was released in the form of three books, as part of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Odyssey line.KalibruhnSword and sorceryGeneric, d20 systemCreations Unlimited, Necromancer Games, Different Worlds1987, 2001-2004Developed by Robert J. Kuntz, who began running his own "Castle El Raja Key" campaign for Gary Gygax in 1973. His campaign world was known as Kalibruhn. Kuntz pulled in some elements of his own campaign into Greyhawk, and some levels of El Raja Key were merged into Castle Greyhawk.Kara-TurWuxiaThe continent of Kara-Tur on planet Abeir-TorilAD&DTSR1985-1990Located on the same continent and Planet as Forgotten Realms and Al-Qadim. Created for the 1st edition of Oriental Adventures but not used for the 3rd edition product of the same nameKingdoms of KalamarSword and sorceryThe planet TelleneD&D 3rd edition, HackMaster 5th edition Kenzer & Company1994-2008Lankhmar – City of AdventureSword and sorceryThe city of Lankhmar on the planet of NehwonAD&DTSR, Inc.1985-1992Legend of the Five RingsHistorical fantasy based on BushidoEmpire of RokuganD&D 3rd edition, L5R rulesAlderac Entertainment Group1997-2010Rokugan was previously used for the D&D 3rd edition Oriental AdventuresMatter of BritainHigh fantasyMythological Great Britain and BrittanyMultiple, first used by PendragonMythology, Setting is used by multiple RPGs1985-present A default setting for all RPGs taking place in the world of King Arthur, Merlin and Morgan le Fay.Middle EarthHigh fantasyMiddle-earth Role Playing (MERP) rules system, Lord of the Rings RPG (CODA System)Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE), Decipher, Inc.1984-1999, 2002-2006Multiverse (Magic: The Gathering)Sword and sorceryMultiple planes including Ravnica, TherosD&D 5th editionWizards of the Coast2005-presentThe various planes from the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.MystaraSword and sorcery (early), high fantasy (late)The planet MystaraD&DTSR1981-1996Originally referred to as the "Known World", Mystara first appeared in X1 Isle of Dread and Moldvay edition D&D Expert Set. Some earlier D&D Basic modules were integrated into the Mystara world.NorrathSword and sorceryThe planet NorrathEverQuest RPGVerant Interactive and 989 Studios2002-2006NumeneraScience fantasyThe Ninth World; a future Earththe Cypher SystemMonte Cook Games2013–presentNanites and technology from eight previous advanced civilizations litter the otherwise medieval Ninth World, and some beings can tap into these forces as mages of other fantasy settings could with magic.The Old WorldSword and sorceryWarhammer Fantasy Roleplay1986-2009A spin-off and a parallel universe to Warhammer Fantasy Battle miniature gamePalladium FantasySword and sorcery1983–PresentPlanescapeSupernatural interdimensional fantasyThe Great Wheel, aka the MultiverseAD&D 2nd editionTSR1994-1998Interconnects campaigns via pathways and portals but also by providing opportunities for characters from different planes to meet in Heaven, Hell, and in the other planes on the Great Wheel.Scarred Landspost-apocalyptic fantasyThe planet Scarnd20 SystemSword & Sorcery Studios (part of White Wolf Publishing)2000–present The rights were acquired in 2013 by Nocturnal Media and Onyx Path Publishing to revive the setting.Shadow WorldHigh fantasyThe planet KultheaRolemasterIron Crown Enterprises1987–presentSpelljammerSpace operaThe sky, Wildspace, the PhlogistonAD&D 2nd edition, D&D 5th edition TSR1989-1993Solar systems contained within crystal spheres floating in the Phlogiston. Spelljammer interconnects other campaigns, by allowing characters to travel between crystal spheres.TékumelSword and sorceryThe planet TékumelEmpire of the Petal ThroneTSR, Different Worlds Publications, Guardians of Order 1974-2005The creation of this imaginary world originates in the 1940s. Original D&D in 1974 inspired its development as an RPG setting.ThéahHigh fantasyThe continent Théah7th Sea (role-playing game), (d20 System) (Swashbuckling Adventures)Alderac Entertainment Group1999 - PresentModelled on historic EuropeThieves' WorldSword and SorceryThe city of Sanctuary, the Rankan EmpireGeneric, Runequest 3rd edition, d20 systemChaosium, FASA, Green Ronin1981-1986, 2005-2007Based on Thieves' World novels series.TitanSword and sorceryThe continents of Allansia, Khul and the "Old World"Fighting Fantasy RPG, Advanced Fighting Fantasy, d20 systemPuffin Books, Arion Games1984-2014Originally a setting for Fighting Fantasy game books since 1982.Warcraft UniverseSword and sorceryPlanets of Azeroth, Draenor and others Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game (d20 System)Blizzard Entertainment2003-2005WesterosHigh fantasyA Game of Thrones RPG2006-presentBased on the setting of American author George R. R. Martin, as featured in his series of high fantasy novels titled A Song of Ice and Fire. The Wheel of TimeHigh fantasyWheel of Time RPG, d20 SystemWotC2001-2002Based on an epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Wilderlands of High FantasyHigh fantasyGeneric D&D, D&D 3rd editionJudges Guild, Necromancer Games1976-1983, 2004-2005Better known as City State of the Invincible Overlord, it is the first ever published city setting for RPG and the surrounding world developed around it.The WitcherHigh fantasyThe ContinentModified Interlock System (2018)MAG (2001) R. Talsorian Games (2018)2001, 2018Based on an epic fantasy series by Andrzej Sapkowski. First game, dubbed (The Witcher: A Game of Imagination), was published in Poland by MAG in 2001. Second game, , was published in 2018 by R. Talsorian Games.World Tree RPGHigh fantasythe World TreePadwolf Publishing 2001Focuses on the culture and social structure of anthropomorph animals and monsters in a surreal setting where the world is a large living treeCastlemournPost-apocalyptic fantasyPlanet of CastlemournD&D 4th editionMargaret Weis Productions2006-2008DragonMechGaslamp fantasyPlanet of DragonMechd20 SystemGoodman Games, Sword & Sorcery Studios2004-2006EredaneDark fantasyd20 SystemFantasy Flight Games2003-2009PtolusGaslamp fantasyPlanet of PraemalD&D 3rd editionMalhavoc Press2002-2009Urban ArcanaGaslamp fantasyGeneric local setting d20 ModernWizards of the Coast2002-2003 Builds on a small campaign model and adds magic and monsters to the game, and rules for playing Shadowkind characters.Uresiaanime fantasy Planet of UresiaSystemless, Big Eyes, Small MouthGuardians of Order2003-2012Written by S. John Ross.

Diablo universe (set on the World of Sanctuary) Grimm Magnamund (the world the Lone Wolf d20 rpg takes place in) Midgard Alshard Dragon Fist Bushido (role-playing game) Creation is the name for the Exalted series of RPGs scenario. Weapons of the Gods

Horror The Buffyverse (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel) Chill The Chronicles of Darkness (White Wolf Publishing house setting introduced in the 2000s) Cthulhu Mythos Delta Green (1990s/2000s) CthulhuTech by Wildfire - H.P. Lovecraft's horror with Mecha and Anime influences Engel The Esoterrorists (contemporary occult conspiracy, using the Gumshoe System) The GURPS Cabal setting (contemporary monster conspiracy) Kult a nightmare universe parallel to our own, heavily influenced by gnosticism