For those of us who have long been captivated by the world of tabletop role-playing games, the launch of Tales of the Valiant (TotV) by Kobold Press was a seminal moment. Born out of the turbulence caused by the Open Gaming License (OGL) controversy in early 2023, TotV represents not just a new imagining of the D&D game, but a rallying cry for openness, creativity, and community-driven development.

On a cool January day in 2023, Wizards of the Coast set the stage with the announcement of proposed restrictive OGL changes, sparking widespread community backlash from creators and fans alike. In response, Kobold Press announced Project Black Flag, signaling their commitment to creating an open and innovative D&D system. Their Kickstarter campaign for Tales of the Valiant (Kickstarter Link), launched later that year, was a resounding success, raising over $1.2 million from more than 11,000 supporters. This positioned it as one of the most successful 5E RPG Kickstarters and demonstrated the significant community support for an open D&D system.

Why Tales of the Valiant Excites Me

Several aspects of TotV stand out to me, and I’m eager to explore them in depth:

1. Long-Time Support for Kobold Press: Having backed Kobold Press products for years, I trust their dedication to quality. Their supplements have consistently enriched my campaigns, and I have no doubt that TotV will continue that tradition.
2. Compatibility with 5E: The ability to use familiar mechanics while introducing new elements ensures that TotV is both accessible to newcomers and refreshing for veterans. This compatibility allows me to continue to use existing materials and still enjoy the new.
3. Openness, Flexibility, and Digital Tools: TotV encourages creativity and collaboration. Whether you’re a homebrew enthusiast or a third-party publisher, the open nature of this system invites experimentation. Additionally, its flexibility extends to digital tools, enabling developers to create innovative platforms for campaign management, NPC generation, and more—giving GMs and players unprecedented support. Kobold Press has already demonstrated their commitment to this by releasing multiple VTT versions of the TotV material.
4. The Labyrinth Concept: For me, one of the standout features of TotV is its “Labyrinth” concept, reimagining the D&D multiverse as a core component of the system. This concept expands the possibilities for storytelling, allowing GMs and players to explore interconnected worlds and parallel dimensions. The Labyrinth isn’t just about physical spaces; it represents a framework for infinite creativity, where campaigns can shift seamlessly between diverse settings and genres. For someone who enjoys blending different ideas and themes in their games, this multiverse approach is incredibly inspiring.

What to Expect from Tales of the Valiant

At its heart, Tales of the Valiant is about empowering players and GMs to tell incredible collaborative stories. The core product line includes the Player’s Guide, the Monster Vault, and the Game Master’s Guide, each packed with features that build on the foundation of 5E while introducing new ideas and mechanics. The Monster Vault, for example, brings familiar D&D monsters into the system with fresh ideas and twists, continuing Kobold Press’s strong legacy of monster publications from the Creature Codex and Tome of Beasts series.

Kobold Press is clearly putting a huge amount of effort into growing the ecosystem of support for TotV, from adventures and supplements to third-party content, and supporting multiple VTTs (Foundry, Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, Shard, and Alchemy at time of writing). As part of the original Kickstarter stretch goals, they created the Guide to the Labyrinth, with another already funded (Enter the Labyrinth Kickstarter) to produce the Labyrinth Worldbook and Adventures. This is an update I can hardly wait for…

This level of support underscores their commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable system.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, I’ll be delving deep into Tales of the Valiant, reviewing its core components and highlighting what makes it special. From exploring the revamped character creation process to dissecting its innovative world-building tools, I’ll be sharing insights, tips, and practical applications for GMs and players alike.

Whether you’re a die-hard Kobold Press fan like me, a 5E player looking for something new, or a creator excited by the possibilities of an open system, Tales of the Valiant is worth your attention. Stay tuned for a series of posts that will unpack this exciting system and showcase how it can enhance your gaming experience.