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Handiwork Games, in association with Adrian Tchaikovsky, is proud to bring you The Tyrant Philosophers Roleplaying Game.

There has always been a darkness to Ilmar, but never more so than now. The city chafes under the heavy hand of the Palleseen occupation, the choke-hold of its criminal underworld, the boot of its factory owners, the weight of its wretched poor and the burden of its ancient curse.

What will be the spark that lights the conflagration?

Despite the city’s refugees, wanderers, murderers, madmen, fanatics and thieves, the catalyst, as always, will be the Anchorwood – that dark grove of trees, that primeval remnant, that portal, when the moon is full, to strange and distant shores.

Ilmar, some say, is the worst place in the world and the gateway to a thousand worse places.

Ilmar, City of Long Shadows.

City of Bad Decisions.

City of Last Chances.


The Tyrant Philosophers Roleplaying Game features a rules system specially adapted from Malcolm Craig’s Cold City Hot War, by Morgan Davie (a|state second edition)

Trust, betrayal, love, hope and despair all meet in the backstreets of Ilmar under the heel of the Pallaseen Sway. The game is built to create tense stories of rebellion and resistance at both a deeply personal and epic political level.

Art and illustration from Tyrant Philosophers Series cover artist Joe Wilson, Jon Hodgson, and the Handiwork Games team

We’re planning a tour de force of in-world imagery and epic scenes from the world of the novels. Our games are always lavish visual productions and this will be no different.

Setting consultancy from the series author Adrian Tchaikovsky

Adrian is working as a close member of the creative team to ensure that this is the definitive, playable guide to his intricate and well-realised setting.

System consultancy from legendary game designers Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi (The One Ring Roleplaying Game)

Known for their incredible work adapting complex and well-loved literary works to the gaming table, Francesco and Marco are ideally placed to make this game truly sing.

Adrian Tchaikovsky, Author of The Tyrant Philosophers series: “The world of the Tyrant Philosophers is one of my absolute favourite settings to write in, and stretches so much further than you see on the page. I’m absolutely delighted that players are now going to get the chance to explore it for themselves.”

Jon Hodgson, Managing director of Handiwork Games: “As a long time fan of both The Tyrant Philosophers series and the work of Adrian Tchaikovsky, I’m so just excited to pull together a truly amazing team to bring this setting to the gaming table. You’re going to love it.”

The Tyrant Philosophers Roleplaying Game

Coming to Kickstarter Autumn 2026

We’re heading into the summer season of conventions here in the UK, and we thought it would be a good idea to let you know where you can find us. We don’t do a lot of shows, but do the ones we like and we like the ones we do!

• UKGE, May 29-31, Birmingham

Once again we’re being hosted by our friends at GMS Hobby Games. We’ll have a larger area dedicated to our games which is amazing! Jon will be there throughout, and Malcolm will be joining us on the Saturday. 

• Carronade June 6th, Falkirk

One of our favourite shows. In its new larger location, we’re getting an 18ft stand for the first time. We’ll have the full range of backdrop books and a selection of RPGs

• Ayrshire Games Expo, August 22nd, Troon

We’re trying to fit this one into the calendar, and will confirm once we know if we can go. 

• Tabletop Scotland 4th-6th September 

We’re not exhibiting this year, but Jon will be helping out on the GMS stand, where you’ll be able to get a curated selection of our wares. 

See you there!

The Pro Series opens with this collection of 32 gradients and more abstract images to use behind your miniatures!

Here’s a look at all the included backdrops. There’s a mix of colour gradients and textured backgrounds.

Of course if you want scenic backdrops then we have a range of 10 books of those also available now!

Out now to order on our web store, or in PDF exclusively at DrivethruRPG: BEOWULF Age of Poems collects all the poems created by Dave Oliver for Handiwork Games’ BEOWULF tabletop roleplaying game. 

Within the book you’ll find 21 unique poems evoking the Early English style, each illustrated with specially adapted artwork from the game, reflecting on topics such as the meadhall, dragons, and the woes of kingship.

The poems are gathered from the core setting book “BEOWULF Age of Heroes”, the scenario collection “The Trials of the Twin Seas”, the free introductory scenario “The Hermit’s Sanctuary”, and the rulership supplement “KING BEOWULF”.

About Dave Oliver
Dave Oliver is a multi-talented poet, storyteller, performer and puppeteer based in the ancient county of Devon, in the United Kingdom.

About BEOWULF Age of Heroes
BEOWULF Age of Heroes is an award-nominated collection of rules for playing 5th edition in the half-remembered ancestor time of the Early English. Play is focused on one player and one games master, allowing you to enjoy roleplaying adventures with just two people.

We’ve collected all the poems commissioned for our various BEOWULF titles from poet, performer and puppeteer Dave Oliver into a single volume.

We’ll be making it available in PDF and print preorder soon. It’ll be a lovely book of poems, novel-sized, and illustrated in full colour with art from the game books.