The dinosaur game for dinosaur fans.
An Original TTRPG Celebrating Dinosaurs for Being Dinosaurs!
Funded within two days of launch. Live on Kickstarter until October 23, 2026.
Welcome to Herd of Horns!
Herd of Horns was born of a simple idea; creating a tabletop roleplaying game focused on dinosaurs that doesn’t involve anachronistic crutches like modern technology, time travel, aliens, magic, or other contrivances.
Herd of Horns' characters are Ceratopsids - powerful four-legged dinosaurs with a rhinoceros-like body, impressive horns, and a bony frill. As a Ceratopsid, your character is a social being, living in a large multi-species herd that thrives because of the diversity of skills, abilities, and insights the members bring to the group.
Your character’s job is to explore the land, secure new territory, and lead your community to prosperity. Standing in your way are some of history’s greatest predators, a mercurial environment, and rival herds who are competing with you over scarce resources.
Predators and a hostile environment aren’t your only threats. Your herd is a complex ecosystem of competing ideals, politics and intentions. You and your mates must manage the social landscape as much as the ecological one if you want your herd to stay safe.
Herd of Horns challenges you to balance the needs of the many with the goals of the individual. The game’s rules are designed to reward cooperation and collective risk, but with a few notable exceptions where individual goals take the spotlight.
Your Character
The players play Ceratopsids who, together, fill key roles in a multi-species herd (much like the herds in the present-day Kalahari and Serengeti where zebras, wildebeest, impala, warthogs, and other animals band together for collective protection).
Your characters are part of a larger community called the EightPeaks. The EightPeaks herds are composed of eight Ceratopsid species, each of which bring different outlooks and experiences to the herd. Within the EightPeaks, diversity is celebrated, and community and mutual support are prioritized.
The EightPeaks Community
Each species of Ceratopsid enjoys special physical abilities. Those differences help ensure each species brings something unique to the herd. The playable eight species are:
Centrosaurus
Centrosaurs are the most numerous species in the EightPeaks herds and claim to be the oldest Ceratopsids in Laramidia. They are the calm and measured bedrock of the EightPeaks community.
Chasmosaurus
Chasmosaurs are decisive, intuitive, and insightful.
Pachyrhinosaurus
Pachyrhinosaurs tend to be political, gregarious and friendly.
Pentaceratops
Pentaceratopsians are well-regarded for their bravery and warriors’ hearts.
Regaliceratops
Regaliceratopsians are known for their wisdom and insights.
Spinops
Spinopsians are thinkers, artists, and dreamers.
Styracosaurus
Styracosaurs place a premium on stamina, strength, and physical accomplishment.
Xenoceratops
Xenoceratopsians are explorers and questioners.
Ceratopsid characters have nine Attributes (seven core Attributes as well as Health and Size). The seven core Attributes are Bones, Heart, Horns, Nature, Nurture, Vision, and Voice.
- Bones
- Heart
- Horns
- Nature
- Nurture
- Vision
- Voice
To help your character overcome challenges, you have access to Skills and Features. Skills allow you to initiate a challenge, add bonus dice to a roll, and define how you will overcome a challenge. Features are special abilities that grant you access to a special metacurrency called Nudges. Nudges do a number of things, including allowing you to manipulate and redefine the result of rolls.
Mechanical Basics
Herd of Horns uses 10-sided dice (d10s). To resolve actions you roll a pool of d10s drawn from your character's Attributes and Skills. In general, you want as many dice showing the same number as possible. Two dice showing the same face value are called a pair or a match. A single match is normally all that’s needed to overcome an obstacle. The more dice that match (called the “width” of the roll) the greater the success. The face value of a given dice (the “height”) matters in a number of ways, but higher numbers are not always better.
One of the core mechanics used to simulate a dinosaur-as-character is the introduction of High, Low, and Mid ranges. In Herd of Horns you will not always want to roll high, particularly if you are trying to protect or defend someone or something. Instead, you want matches within the range of the type of action you are attempting. If you are trying to protect your clutch from nearby predators, you want matches with numbers one through four.
Low Range
Low numbers (1–4, called “the Low Range”) are for actions that are defensive, nurturing, or seek to preserve the status quo.
Types of Low Range Actions (1, 2, 3, 4): Conceal, Conserve, Defend, Educate, Evade, Heal, Nurture, Withstand
Mid-Range
There is a third Range covering the middle numbers of five (5) and six (6). This is the “Mid-Range.” Successes in the Mid-Range generally represent a moment to reassess, or special cases. They rarely count as successes towards the player’s intended action. Instead, they help the character’s next action. When used thoughtfully, Mid-Range successes can turn a temporary setback into a future victory.
High Range
High numbers (7–10, called “the High Range”) reflect actions that are exploratory, aggressive, or seek to break the status quo.
Types of High Range Actions (7, 8, 9, 10): Confront, Convince, Explore, Investigate, Inspire, Order, Shatter, Subdue
There is considerably more in terms of mechanics within the game. (For tabletop rpg veterans, this system uses elements and concepts inspired by the One Roll Engine and the Stakes System). In case you missed it, there is a free intro packet (called “No Crown, Only Frills”). Everything in there is designed to give you a taste of what the Herd of Horns core book will look like and get you playing right away! You will find No Crown, Only Frills on DriveThruRPG -- HERE.
Your Herd
Herds play an important role in our game and in many ways act as a character unto itself. Herds are not created using the standard Attributes and Skills available to your characters. Instead, a Herd uses its own Attributes: Cohesion, Morale, Population, and Territory.
- Cohesion
- Morale
- Population
- Territory
Players take turns guiding and directing their Herd during periods of crisis and urgency. When the Herd acts, it does so using its own relevant Attribute combined with one of the Lead character’s own relevant Attributes (and, sometimes, Skills). Because the Lead character can (and will) change from Round to Round, different characters will apply their Attributes and Skills differently when directing the Herd. The shift from character-to-character and action-to-action is a process called “herding.”
While fending off predators or crossing a raging river are key moments in the survival of the herd, conflicts and challenges within the herd often represent the most pressing and enduring problems the players will need to overcome. Factions within the herd are called “caucuses” and politics play a central role in the game. Some characters may choose to join a caucus, and that choice will color how the herd sees itself and resolves problems. How the players manage cross-faction rivalries and politics both within the herd and across other EightPeaks herds is one of the game’s central challenges.
The EightPeaks Caucuses
The caucuses are informal groups and philosophies that make up the rich mosaic of the EightPeaks. Below is a sample of EightPeaks Caucuses that will be featured in the core book. This list is not exhaustive.
- Beholden
- There is truth in beauty. The Beholden seek to understand the mysteries of life by looking for a hidden meaning in beauty. They believe that aesthetic and enjoyment are not merely random events, but are part of a larger natural pattern, likened to a language spoken by some unseen guide (but on an ecological scale). That guide, known as “The Speaker” is said to use the dappling of sea light, cocktail scents of meadow flowers, or the overlooked warmth of a summer's dusk to attract observant ceratopsids. Outsiders often see Beholden as dilettantes and hedonists, yet recognize them as some of the EightPeak's greatest artisans and performers.
- Darkwatch
- The night is full of enemies and the herd must be protected when it is most vulnerable. The Darkwatch are protectors first and foremost and dedicate their personal strength and stamina to protecting the herd. Each member of the Darkwatch is expected to regularly stand sentinel over their herd during the night and still be quick of wit and horn the next day. They are also considered elite warriors by many within the EightPeaks. The Darkwatch have a strict honor code that focuses on strength through sacrifice and protecting the elderly and young (or, as the Darkwatch would say, “safeguarding our wisdom and our future”).
- Foundationalists
- This caucus is the connective tissue that actively binds the herds of the EightPeaks together. Foundationalists maintain a robust network of contacts and allies outside of their herd, making each Foundationalist a node in a larger communications network. Because of their network of friends and allies throughout the herds, Foundationalists are the best-informed ceratopsids in terms of news and events from around Laramidia.
- Echoed
- Some of the most experienced and wise EightPeaks linguists believe there was once a single song that linked all the species of Laramidia together. This Song, which bound the people of the Rangelands and allowed even the fiercest enemies to freely communicate, was supposedly lost during a great cataclysm that rent the world into two great pieces, of which Laramidia is only one part. The Echoed search for signs and clues of the Song both in the physical world and within their language itself. They look for evidence of “The Song-in-One” within speech patterns, the use of similar words and sounds, and in art and artifacts from across the species that call Laramidia home. The Echoed believe that if enough of the Song is recreated, there may be a way to live in complete harmony with the other species.
- Wordweavers
- This caucus is filled with iconoclasts and freethinkers who are eager to challenge the status quo. Many Wordweavers actively seek to find the right social balance between challenging norms while not alienating their herd. Wordweavers are known to be excellent scouts, and more than a few of the best grazing lands were discovered because a Wordweaver was willing to forego conventional wisdom to explore new regions. Perhaps not surprisingly, Wordweavers are often seen as malcontents and troublemakers by traditional EightPeaks ceratopsids, a badge of honor many within the Caucus wear with pride.
The Setting
Herd of Horns is set in the late Campanian Stage near the end of the Cretaceous on the continent of Laramidia (in what will become North America). The Campanian Stage is a time well before the famous extinction event that heralded the end of the dinosaurs - over eighty million years before our own time. This is a golden age for the dinosaurs, especially the Ceratopsids. The number and diversity of Ceratopsids is near its all-time peak.
The specific setting of our game is eastern Laramidia. Laramidia comprises a land mass that will eventually become western North America, including the area of the Dinosaur Park fossil beds in southern Alberta and Northern Montana (and to a lesser extent the Kaiporowits, St Marys, and Foremost formations). Laramidia is generally composed of areas now known as the Rocky Mountains and stretches north to south. The eastern side of Laramidia faces the vast inland sea and is known as the Rangelands to the Ceratopsids who inhabit the area. Vitally important plains, swamps, forests, and valleys flank the mountains across the Rangelands.
The temperatures are warmer and balmier than they are today. Flowering plants, trees, cycads, fungus, conifers, and ferns dominate the landscape. Pterosaurs, crocodilians, marine reptiles, small mammals, and many types of dinosaurs (avian and non-avian) wander the land, covering the Rangelands in a rich tapestry of communities.
The EightPeaks Ceratopsids are by no means the only herbivores to be found in the Rangelands. They share this fertile region with solitary ankylosaurs and massive herds of hadrosaurs. Both groups compete with the Ceratopsids for food in lean seasons but largely cohabitate in peace. Predators stalk the land in search of prey – foremost among them the Gorgosaurs and Daspletosaurs. These bipedal killers are not as large as their more famous descendant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, but they are certainly formidable enough.
Where Are Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops?
In geologic time, they will come later. Herd of Horns intentionally focuses on an era a bit before icons like Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops burst onto the scene. The main driver for selecting the Campanian era is the diversity of species available. The Campanian is also a time when two different Tyrannosaurids exist, giving us more iconic antagonistic species to play with.
Why Crowdfunding?
Funded within two days of launch. Live on Kickstarter until October 23, 2026.
Securing the “Project We Love” badge is a big deal for a small indie publisher like Weaponized Ink.
We need funds to help with:
- More art!
- Layout and graphic design.
- Another round of editing.
- Offset printing and logistics costs.
- Your feedback (playtesting).
- And, possibly, seed money for the first two supplements (and an art book).
The alpha version of Herd of Horns is already complete and undergone playtesting and editing. The full game clocks in at over 37,000 words. The game is in good shape but we seek additional stress testing to ensure the rules are as fun and robust as possible. That’s where you come in. We are hoping you can help us make Herd of Horns the best game it can be.
- $20
- Veteran of the Herd
- .PDF of the Core Book
- All Additional Unlocked Rewards in Digital Format (.pdf)
- $60
- Elder of the Herd
- .PDF of the Core Book
- All Additional Unlocked Rewards in Digital Format (.pdf)
- Premium Physical Copy of the Core Book
- Print on Demand Discount Codes for all unlocked rewards.
- Shipping: Anywhere in the world
If you want a premium copy of Herd of Horns in physical form, please back at the Elder of the Herd level. We will charge shipping closer to when the books are ready to be delivered. Please note: If your country is not listed in the "Ships To:" field and are interested in backing Herd of Horns, please contact us via DM here or at WeaponizedInk@gmail.com.
We are interested in doing two supplements. The first will focus on adding detail to Laramidia and the Rangelands. The second proposed supplement would be an exploration of the EightPeaks herds, particularly the social and political dynamics. These stretch goals will be available as .pdfs and PoD.
- Stretch Goal 1: $12,000 – The Book of Laramidia
- Stretch Goal 2: $21,000 – The Book of the EightPeaks
Burning Questions
How scientifically accurate is the game?
A key design goal was to get the science as accurate as possible. The designers are lifelong paleo-nerds and spent hundreds of hours reading and researching, particularly on recent revelations on dinosaur behavior. We also spoke to paleontologists to help guide our decisions. However, we also sought to balance that accuracy with playability and compelling narratives. We are storytellers, first and foremost. There are bound to be inaccuracies. Some of those inaccuracies are intentional (to facilitate the narrative), but some will inevitably be mistakes or oversights on our part.
Why Only Ceratopsids?
We decided to implement design guiderails to help keep things focused, while also providing players a wide range of character options. Without those guiderails, the game could have become too expansive and unfocused. By focusing on a specific family of dinosaurs, we endeavored to create a balance between offering a wide range of character options while also keeping the setting focused and approachable. Also? We really dig ceratopsids. They are awesome. In time, and depending on the success of this crowd-funding campaign, we may explore other types of dinosaurs and their communities.
Generative AI?
No. Never.
I want to talk about Herd of Horns. Where can I?
The best place is on the WeaponizedInk Discord: https://discord.gg/2crQ6XwUfR
The Team
The core team is composed of Chris Gunning and Simon Berman. Chris and Simon are long-time rpg veterans with considerable credits to their name.
Chris Gunning
Chris is a multi-Ennie award winning writer and game designer. He has worked in the rpg industry for over 25 years. His writing credits include work with Son of Oak, Arc Dream, White Wolf, Renegade, Dream Pod 9, Privateer Press, and a host of other companies. His personal imprint is WeaponizedInk, which delivered a successful KS campaign for The Hammer and the Stake. He is married and the father of three daughters, one of whom helped him conceptualize and playtest early versions of this game.
Simon Berman
Simon has been a tabletop gamer since 1993 and has worked as a writer in the tabletop games industry since 2008. He was a staff writer for the first three editions of WARMACHINE and HORDES and the Iron Kingdoms full Metal Fantasy Roleplaying game. His writing credits also include Eclipse Phase, Dune: Adventures in the Imperium, and The Hammer and the Stake. His work on both the IKRPG and Dune won Gold Ennies in their categories, respectively, for Best Game and Best Writing. Currently, he is the war gaming news correspondent for Bell of Lost Souls and the General President of the Brush Wielders Union, a worldwide organization of miniatures painters of all skill levels. He also runs his own small-press publishing company, Strix Publishing, and paints more miniatures than he can keep track of.
Adam Works
On the art side, Adam Works is the primary artist for Herd of Horns. Adam is a freelance Illustrator and enthusiastic aspiring paleoartist who has been working in merch design and editorial artwork for clients like Bitmap Books, Fangamer, Eightysixed, and Harper Collins among others. He has a deep passion for the prehistoric creatures and mythological beasts.
Aram Papazyan
Aram Papazyan is an illustrator based in Yerevan, Armenia. He works in both traditional and digital mediums and is known for the exacting detail he invests in his paleo art. Over the years he produced numerous works, collaborated on various IPs (including Primal Dominion Aftermath, Primal Carnage: Extinction, and Primal Carnage: Evolution), and worked with a wide range of individual clients, building a substantial portfolio over more than a decade.
Other art credits include Jati “Toro” Kuncoro, Paul H. Way, Dean Oyebo, and Saga Mackenzie.