Cosmere RPG: Exploring Brandon Sanderson’s Universe Through Tabletop Storytelling

Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere RPG is one of the most ambitious and intricately connected universes in contemporary fantasy. Spanning multiple series and standalone novels, the Cosmere brings together distinct worlds, diverse cultures, and innovative magic systems under a unified mythological framework.

With each new release, the Cosmere expands both in scale and depth—most recently into the realm of tabletop gaming, introducing new opportunities for immersive storytelling.

What Is the Cosmere?

The Cosmere RPG is a shared universe encompassing many of Sanderson’s major fantasy works, including The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, Elantris, and Warbreaker. While each story takes place on a different planet with its own magic system and lore, they are all subtly linked through a common cosmology, recurring characters, and deeper narrative threads.

This interconnected design allows readers to enjoy each series independently while also rewarding those who follow the broader arc unfolding across multiple books.

Core Elements of the Cosmere

1. Investiture: The Essence of Magic

At the heart of every magic system in the Cosmere is Investiture, the fundamental force of power and creation. Similar to energy or matter in our world, Investiture takes different forms and functions depending on the planet and the influence of the divine entities that shape each world’s development.

2. The Shards of Adonalsium

The underlying mythos of the Cosmere centers on a now-destroyed godlike being known as Adonalsium. Its power was divided into sixteen pieces, called Shards, each representing a specific divine Intent—such as Honor, Ruin, or Cultivation. These Shards now shape the destinies, magic, and cultures of the worlds they influence.

3. The Three Realms

Reality in the Cosmere is structured around three metaphysical realms:

• Physical Realm—The material world where events primarily occur.
  
  
• Cognitive Realm—A space of thought and perception, known as Shadesmar on Roshar, which enables travel between worlds.
  
  
• Spiritual Realm—The least understood realm, associated with destiny, spiritual identity, and connections between souls.
  
  

4. Hoid: A Connecting Character

A mysterious and recurring figure named Hoid appears throughout nearly all Cosmere works. Acting behind the scenes, he subtly influences events across worlds and serves as a narrative link between stories, providing insight into the deeper cosmological forces at play.

Shardworlds: Distinct Settings with Shared Foundations

Each Cosmere story takes place on a unique Shardworld, shaped by its resident Shard(s). Some of the most prominent include:

• Roshar (The Stormlight Archive): A high-storm-lashed world of knights, ancient oaths, and sentient spren. Influenced by the Shards Honor, Cultivation, and Odium.
  
  
• Scadrial (Mistborn): A world of industrial evolution and metal-based magic systems, governed by the Shards Preservation and Ruin.
  
  
• Nalthis (Warbreaker): A vibrant world where magic is driven by the power of Breath and the Shard Endowment.
  
  

These worlds operate independently but are subtly interconnected through the Cognitive Realm, Investiture, and hidden histories.

The Cosmere in Tabletop Gaming: A New Medium for Exploration

Bringing the Cosmere to life in a new format, a dedicated Stormlight Archive Roleplaying Game (RPG) is set to launch in 2024. Developed by Brotherwise Games in collaboration with Dragonsteel Entertainment, the RPG introduces a flexible and narrative-rich system designed to reflect the complexity and depth of Sanderson’s fiction.

Key Features of the Cosmere RPG Framework:

• Flexible Character Progression: Replacing rigid classes with talent trees, players can build multifaceted characters who evolve across roles—reflecting the layered identities of Cosmere heroes.
  
  
• Narrative-Driven Mechanics: A traditional d20 system is enhanced by a "plot die," introducing dynamic storytelling elements such as unexpected challenges (Complications) or positive twists (Opportunities).
  
  
• Integrated Magic Systems: The game incorporates magic systems from across the Cosmere—Surgebinding, Allomancy, Awakening, and others—preserving their unique mechanics and narrative logic.
  
  
• Canon Expansion: In addition to exploring familiar lore, the RPG delves into lesser-known aspects of the Cosmere, offering new material consistent with official canon. This includes expanded details on the Cognitive Realm, historical conflicts, and magical artifacts.
  
  
• Cross-World Compatibility: Designed as a scalable and living game system, future expansions will support additional settings like Mistborn and Elantris, ultimately enabling inter-world adventures and collaborative storytelling across the Cosmere.
  
  

Simple Core Mechanics

At its heart, the game uses a familiar mechanic:

• Roll a 20-sided die (d20)
  
  
• Add a relevant skill
  
  
• Try to beat a target number
  
  

However, the system includes unique innovations built specifically for Cosmere-style storytelling.

Key Gameplay Features

The Plot Die

When a character attempts something dramatic or risky, the GM may ask them to "raise the stakes." The player then rolls a special Plot Die alongside the d20. This die can generate:

• Opportunities: A positive outcome, even on failure
  
  
• Complications: A twist that makes success more difficult
  
  
• Blank: No added effect
  
  

This adds narrative twists to each roll, keeping the story dynamic and cinematic.

Combat and Beyond

Combat in the Cosmere RPG includes fresh mechanics such as:

• Dynamic initiative based on player choices each round
  
  
• Unique combat actions like Gaining Advantage or Grazing an opponent
  
  
• Tactical decision-making that rewards creativity
  
  

In addition to combat, the game includes structured systems for conversations, investigations, exploration, and problem-solving, ensuring all aspects of the story are supported.

Build the Character You Want

Instead of selecting a single class, players build characters through talent trees that allow for flexible development. For example, a character can combine roles like:

• Scholar (Surgeon or Strategist)
  
  
• Warrior (Soldier)
  
  
• Leader (Officer)
  
  
• Windrunner (Radiant Knight)
  
  

Characters begin with a Heroic Path (such as Agent, Envoy, Hunter, or Leader) and may later follow Invested Paths, gaining powerful magical abilities as their story progresses.

Magic Systems True to the Books

The Cosmere RPG includes detailed rules for major magic systems, including:

• Surgebinding (Stormlight)
  
  
• Allomancy and Feruchemy (Mistborn)
  
  
• Awakening (Warbreaker)
  
  
• AonDor (Elantris)
  
  

Magic is designed to be both mechanically sound and creatively flexible. Players are encouraged to improvise and experiment, just like the characters in Sanderson’s novels.

A Living RPG System

The Cosmere RPG is built to grow alongside Brandon Sanderson’s expanding universe. The system supports storytelling across a wide range of settings, from medieval fantasy to sci-fi frontiers, and is ready to accommodate future novels and worlds.

Future expansions will include:

• Mistborn RPG
  
  
• Elantris and Warbreaker modules
  
  
• A future Worldhopper Campaign Setting that allows cross-world adventures
  
  

Canonical Campaign Adventures

Stormlight: Stonewalkers Adventure

This six-chapter campaign ties directly into the Cosmere’s main storyline. Written by Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells, it begins during Words of Radiance and leads into events from Wind and Truth. Players will interact with powerful characters like Heralds Taln, Pailiah, and Nale, and influence key moments in Roshar’s history.

Mistborn: Legacy Adventure

Set to follow the Stonewalkers campaign, this adventure will move between the two major eras of Mistborn—the Final Empire and the Age of Harmony. Players will explore a mystery that could shape the future of Scadrial.

Conclusion

Whether you're a longtime fan of Brandon Sanderson’s books or a newcomer to fantasy roleplaying games, the Cosmere Roleplaying Game offers a compelling way to engage with the universe. Built with care to reflect the themes, characters, and systems of the novels, it provides an immersive and flexible platform for storytelling.

From forging bonds with spren to uncovering lost Shardblades or unraveling ancient mysteries across Shardworlds, this RPG invites you to become part of the Cosmere—and shape its future.