Free5e: Releasing D&D into the Wild Forever
What if we told you that Dungeons & Dragons core books could be free, fully accessible, and open to everyone forever? That’s the mission behind Free5e, a project designed to make D&D not just a hobby but a movement for equity and inclusion.
On March 4, we’re launching the Kickstarter for Free5e, a collection of three fully-illustrated core D&D-compatible books built on high-quality Creative Commons-licensed content from TTRPG legends like Sly Flourish, EN Publishing, and KibblesTasty.
Why Free5e?
The TTRPG world has long been gated by affordability and access. People shouldn’t have to decide between playing D&D and paying rent. We aim to knock those gates down and create a future where anyone, anywhere, can join the adventure.
Here’s what makes Free5e a game-changer:
1. Open to Everyone, Everywhere, Forever
Free5e isn’t just about making books free—it’s about breaking barriers. With its Creative Commons license, anyone can:
- Translate the books into languages D&D would never reach. Imagine D&D thriving in local languages and cultures, with local printers and creators adapting and selling copies to support their economies. And nobody could take their license away!
- Customize the content to fit their culture, community, or gameplay style.
- Create copies for families, FLGSs, or local clubs with illustrations, photos, house rules, and other details specific to that group. (Imagine a FLGS creating a localized version the way all those Monopoly clones do!)
- Create custom gifts by replacing the photos in one of the books, turning it into a graduation, birthday, or anniversary gift.
- Do anything they want with it!
2. Perfect for Schools, Nonprofits, and More
Free5e makes it easy for schools, nonprofits, mentoring programs, and therapeutic settings to:
- Provide copies to everyone involved—players, Game Masters, educators, and students.
- Adapt the content for specific educational, cultural, or therapeutic needs.
3. Permanently Billionaire-Proof
Once released, Free5e’s core books will belong to everyone, not to a corporation, investors, or self-important billionaires. No matter who buys WotC or what happens to the TTRPG market, Free5e will remain a community resource, free to download, adapt, and share, and nobody can stop it!
What’s Inside?
Each Free5e book is packed with expertly curated content from some of the best TTRPG creators:
- Player’s Book: Subclasses from KibblesTasty and spells from EN Publishing bring creativity to every character.
- Game Master’s Book: Encounter-building tools and tips from Sly Flourish make running games easier than ever. Magic Items from EN Publishing make treasure more exciting.
- Monster Book: Encounter guidelines from Forge of Foes and unique monsters from EN Publishing inspire unforgettable adventures.
Accessible to Everyone
Every Free5e book will be available in a range of accessible formats to meet the needs of every player:
- Dyslexia-friendly PDFs designed with low-vision readers in mind
- ePub files for e-readers
- Digital braille for visually impaired players
- MP3 Audio for visually impaired players or for listening on the go
- Markdown for easy customization
- Print-on-demand options with black-and-white artwork to keep print costs low
- Source files to easily create new versions
Inclusivity at Its Core
Free5e isn’t just another set of rulebooks—it’s a promise to create a more welcoming TTRPG community. These books include tips and rule options to help Game Masters and players make their games more inclusive, ensuring every adventurer feels welcomed and valued.
Backer Rewards to Remember
Backing Free5e isn’t just about supporting a great project—it’s about getting unique rewards:
- Game Accessories: Enhance your sessions with handmade tools for the table.
- Commemorative Items: Celebrate your role in this movement with exclusive keepsakes.
These one-of-a-kind rewards, crafted in-house by our team and specifically designed to last for generations, are a thank-you for helping make Free5e a reality. You’ll be able to show them to future generations and explain that, back in your day, not everyone could afford D&D, but that changed because of you!
March Forth with Us!
On March 4 (See what we did there?), join us on Kickstarter to help fund the editing, layout, and human-made artwork needed to bring Free5e to life. Follow the project now to stay informed, and don’t forget to sign up for The Hoard, our email announcements, to get early access to draft manuscripts for playtesting.
Free5e isn’t just a set of books—it’s a movement. Whether you’re a TTRPG veteran or a newcomer, you can be part of something that makes gaming more inclusive, accessible, and open to the world.
Mark your calendar for March 4, and let’s rewrite the rules—together.
👀 Get 10 Free Adventures
I already love this.
Niw I want a t-shirt with Marx and Engels playing D&D exclaiming “Seize the means of RPGing!” XD
😆 That’s funny.
While this project is intentionally apolitical, it was inspired by Trump’s election. Because of our company focus on accessibility and disability representation, we have a lot of disabled fans who live on very tight budgets. Since one of Trump’s platforms (and attempts in his first term) was to cut disability assistance, Medicaid, and other programs that help those with limited incomes, we wanted to respond with compassion for those who will be affected. #DefiantKindness
Then the more we worked on it, the more we realized the far-reaching benefits it could have, way beyond our initial scope.
Thanks for the encouragement.