Finnish tabletop designer Jan-Erik Ehrström has announced a crowdfunding launch date of 22 September 2026 for his massive solo project, Hex Ferrum. The upcoming dark fantasy roleplaying game arrives as a completed two-book system spanning 830 pages of detailed mechanics, worldbuilding lore, and tactical options.
Hex Ferrum is built as an evolution of the Parabellum RPG engine, which Ehrström originally published two decades ago. The system uses a modular rule framework centred on a custom d20 mechanic. This design approach lets gaming groups dial the complexity up or down. You can resolve encounters with high-detail simulationist tactical combat featuring precise hit-location tracking, or switch seamlessly to a streamlined, fast-paced playstyle using the same core metrics.
The game world, Vidoq, comprises 24 distinct realms, each with competing religious factions, airship fleets, occult guilds, and parallel mechanical progression tracks for social influence, craftsmanship, and reputation. To demonstrate the mechanical split, Ehrström has released a free quickstart rulebook. The standalone introductory module features an adventure called The Black Wedding, pregenerated characters, and a simplified ruleset compatible with the wider core framework.
While the text, setting, and systems are entirely human-authored, the project relies significantly on generative artificial intelligence to hit its massive visual scale. The rulebooks include over 550 illustrations created using AI-assisted image generation. The layout, selection, and digital post-processing were handled manually by Ehrström. This visual strategy drew notable community scrutiny during the campaign’s preview phase, driving the designer to retroactively update the project description to guarantee full transparency and meet platform guidelines.
The complete package splits across two distinct A4 hardcovers: the Player’s Rulebook and the Game Master’s Rulebook. Alongside the general mechanics and character development pathways featuring 50 professions and 300 skills, the books bundle a full 120-creature compendium and a dedicated core-rules scenario titled The Ashes of the Inquisitor. Physical copies and digital formats will be available when the crowdfunding portal goes live.
