I wrote, designed and illustrated Perils & Princesses
in 2022 and 2023. I wanted to play a role-playing game that was full of adventure and excitement and strange dangerous places and monsters, but I wanted the characters to be more akin to my favorite childhood books and movies. Heroes that might not be steely knights or magnificent wizards or powerful barbarians, but that are tough and tender and rely on their resolve, wits and humble magic.

Frodo wasn’t strong, but he had Sam’s friendship and Gandalf’s guidance. Dorothy Gale relied on her heart and devotion to her friends but wasn’t above slapping a lion or drenching a witch. Luke Skywalker blows up the death star when he trusts his feelings. He defeats Darth Vader when he throws down his sword. Snow White braved the forest, and made friends with the strange folks within. What if her adventure wasn’t cut short by the evil queen and she continued to build her home and go on adventures in the woods? 

This game is dedicated to my daughter Alice, whose passion for the fantastic is unrivaled. Whose fierce imagination inspires me every day. Who will put on a pink princess dress, brandish a toy sword, and fight all the scary dragons, green witches and goblins in ourliving room. Her magic is deep and powerful.

This game is also for my son Frank. His love of games is pure and his unique perspective is astounding. He has given me endless ideas on how to run games and create worlds with his whip smart mind, playful intuition and tender heart.

I’m so lucky to be able to share this game with you all, and I hope you have the best time and leave inspired and filled with dreams and wishes.
-Ryan Lynch

For more creative endeavors by the author visit
outridercreative.com

A girl wearing a pink hooded cape, white dress with pink accents, holding a staff, stands on a pink mountain with a castle on a hill in the background.

Meet the Team

  • A man with shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, and a mustache, wearing a striped sweater, sitting indoors with a potted plant and wall in the background.

    Ryan Lynch

    DESIGNER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Ryan Lynch is a graphic artist, illustrator and the creator of Perils & Princesses. Inspired by folklore, storybook illustration and adventure stories of every genre, he uses hand-crafted illustration and unconventional layout to bring tabletop games to life.

    When he’s not dreaming up the next Perils & Princesses project, he crafts illustration and design for others in the tabletop gaming and fantasy literature worlds.

  • Young man smiling with glasses, wearing an orange shirt, against a brick wall background.

    Destiny Howell

    ADVENTURE WRITER

    Destiny Howell was born in Florida and decided to become a lawyer to learn all the rules before she quit to write novels about clever kids who break them. Her debut novel, High Score, was released by Scholastic in 2022 and the sequel, Second to None, comes out October 2024.

    She is the author of Sweet Revenge the Ennie-nominated campaign for Perils & Princesses, creator of the fantasy audio drama podcast Absolutely No Adventuresand a writer on One-Shot Wonders by Roll & Play Press.

  • Portrait of Sean Foer

    Sean Foer

    EDITOR, ADVENTURE WRITER

    Sean Foer is a Chicago-based writer, editor, game designer, and video creator for tabletop roleplaying games. He's best known as scene_four on TikTok, where he dispenses GM advice and talks up indie games, which are his passion.

    He wrote the official adventure for Perils & Princesses The Secret of the Night Market. The only thing he loves as much as RPGs is food.