West Marches Campaign Playstyle Handbook

This handbook is your guide to running and playing in a West Marches-style campaign. A living, breathing world where players forge their own paths.

Inside, you’ll find clear, practical advice on preparing sessions, running the game, and embracing character-driven storytelling.

Designed to be system-agnostic, it works with any RPG and helps GMs and players alike focus on exploration, discovery, and meaningful consequence.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to level up your game, this handbook will walk you through the process step by step.