Pelgrane Press has debuted its latest core book, The Paragon Blade, at Conpulsion 2026 in Edinburgh, marking a significant mechanical gamble for the veteran publisher. While the title is currently a pre-order on the company’s e-commerce site, the convention offered the first opportunity for the public to handle the physical hardback.
The release is built on the GUMSHOE One-2-One system, a specialised ruleset designed exclusively for one Game Moderator and one player. By launching a major fantasy title under this banner, Pelgrane Press is betting that the future of the hobby lies in solving the “scheduling boss” problem, offering an intense, head-to-head alternative to the traditional, often-cancelled group session.
According to the official Pelgrane Press documentation, GUMSHOE One-2-One is a system for designing and playing investigative roleplaying games and adventures for one player and one Game Moderator, allowing them to create a story that evokes the classic solo protagonist mystery format.
Despite Cat Tobin’s status as a leading figure in the industry and her presence at the University of Edinburgh event, her name was notably absent from the official Conpulsion digital guest lists. This administrative oversight did not deter the activity at the Pelgrane stand, where individuals were seen enthusiastically engaged with the team, eager to see how Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan has adapted the investigative GUMSHOE mechanics for a “swords and sorcery” setting.
Unlike previous One-2-One titles like Cthulhu Confidential or Night’s Black Agents: Solo Ops, which lean into noir and spy tropes, The Paragon Blade enters the crowded fantasy market with a unique “Companion” mechanic. The lone hero is supported by a mentor or ally, ensuring the narrative remains collaborative without requiring a full party of players.
The gamble is clear: can a solo-focused product compete with the social juggernauts of the tabletop world? By focusing on the “Treacherous Artefact”, a relic that grants power while threatening the hero’s soul, Ryder-Hanrahan creates a moral friction that thrives in the intimacy of a two-person game. For Pelgrane, this isn’t just a new book; it is a move to redefine the “solo protagonist” as a cornerstone of modern fantasy roleplaying games.
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Conpulsion 2026 Coverage
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