Yes, there are plenty of role-playing games out there, so when a new one appears, the first question is: Do we really need another?
Well, when it features bipedal moose, known as the Ud’lan, the answer is a resounding yes.
It was an image of an Ud’lan that first caught my attention with Clans of Chayil, which led to a request for a sneak peek at this soon-to-launch Kickstarter project. While previews are never the full picture, the 150-plus-page look I received provided a solid sense of what players can expect.
At first glance, the game features familiar fantasy races—humans, elves, dwarves, halflings—but it’s a safe bet that most gaming tables will have at least one player begging (perhaps with bribes of Pocky sticks) to play an Ud’lan character.
As the title suggests, clans are central to this world—defining social structure, story direction, and character motivation. Each clan is distinct, offering players built-in narrative hooks and reasons to role-play beyond simple adventuring.
Designer Robert Porras sees this clan-based identity as part of a broader philosophy that sets Clans of Chayil apart.
“One of the mechanics of the game is Essence,” Porras explained via email. “We don’t have traditional magic users or mages. Every creature and clan—good or evil—has an Essence. It’s the life force that gives them existence.”
In Chayil, there are two intertwined realities: the physical world and the Essence world. Battles may occur simultaneously on both planes—one fought with weapons, the other in the realms of mind and spirit. This duality adds unusual depth to encounters, turning even a simple skirmish into something multidimensional.
“Essence is not bound by matter or form,” Porras continued. “It’s a timeless energy that transcends the material realm. In Chayil, there is a good essence called Naofa Fiain (‘The Holy Wild’) and a dark essence, Dorca Anon (‘Dark Soul’). Both flow through the world like lightning and wind.”
That conceptual richness extends to the gameplay philosophy.
“Clans of Chayil is more than a game—it’s an immersive world designed to pull players into living, breathing stories,” said Porras. “Each adventure unfolds like a television episode, full of drama, conflict, and twists. Players aren’t just rolling dice; they’re becoming their characters.”
He added that the game is meant to engage players across all four aspects of life—mental, social, physical, and spiritual—creating adventures that linger long after the session ends.
Porras’s inspiration for Chayil stretches back more than 20 years, when he ran a game for a group of 60 teenagers.
“I wanted something that captured their imagination and encouraged real-world interaction,” he recalled. “It was part role-playing, part hands-on problem solving. For many, it was their first RPG—and it was an overwhelming success.”
Years later, that memory became the foundation for Clans of Chayil—a game built to rekindle the magic of those early, communal storytelling experiences.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Clans is that it avoids the old black-and-white morality common in RPGs. The world is more nuanced, full of shades of gray.
“Creatures and entire races aren’t locked into rigid roles,” Porras said. “For example, there’s a tribe of orcs who’ve turned from war and now seek peace. What’s seen as an enemy might become an ally. Not everything is as it seems.”
That theme of curiosity over judgment—echoing Walt Whitman’s “Be curious, not judgmental”—runs throughout Chayil, inviting players to explore rather than assume.
Ultimately, Porras’ goal reaches beyond gameplay.
“My vision goes far beyond dice and character sheets,” he said. “I want Clans to be a catalyst for connection—something that brings people together. When players gather, laughter fills the room, conversations spark, and real bonds form.”
Of course, the experience will depend largely on the players. Some groups dive deep into character immersion; others, like mine, drift in and out of in-game chatter between discussions of football or local news. Either approach can work—Clans of Chayil seems built to support both.
Based on the preview, Clans of Chayil offers a setting that’s rich, thoughtful, and refreshingly original. For RPG veterans looking for something new—something that stretches the imagination—it’s absolutely worth watching for.
Check it out at clansofchayil.com.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Clans of Chayil Offers RPGers Much That Is Fresh
Well, when it features bipedal moose, known as the Ud’lan, the answer is a resounding yes.
It was an image of an Ud’lan that first caught my attention with Clans of Chayil, which led to a request for a sneak peek at this soon-to-launch Kickstarter project. While previews are never the full picture, the 150-plus-page look I received provided a solid sense of what players can expect.
At first glance, the game features familiar fantasy races—humans, elves, dwarves, halflings—but it’s a safe bet that most gaming tables will have at least one player begging (perhaps with bribes of Pocky sticks) to play an Ud’lan character.
As the title suggests, clans are central to this world—defining social structure, story direction, and character motivation. Each clan is distinct, offering players built-in narrative hooks and reasons to role-play beyond simple adventuring.
Designer Robert Porras sees this clan-based identity as part of a broader philosophy that sets Clans of Chayil apart.
“One of the mechanics of the game is Essence,” Porras explained via email. “We don’t have traditional magic users or mages. Every creature and clan—good or evil—has an Essence. It’s the life force that gives them existence.”
In Chayil, there are two intertwined realities: the physical world and the Essence world. Battles may occur simultaneously on both planes—one fought with weapons, the other in the realms of mind and spirit. This duality adds unusual depth to encounters, turning even a simple skirmish into something multidimensional.
“Essence is not bound by matter or form,” Porras continued. “It’s a timeless energy that transcends the material realm. In Chayil, there is a good essence called Naofa Fiain (‘The Holy Wild’) and a dark essence, Dorca Anon (‘Dark Soul’). Both flow through the world like lightning and wind.”
That conceptual richness extends to the gameplay philosophy.
“Clans of Chayil is more than a game—it’s an immersive world designed to pull players into living, breathing stories,” said Porras. “Each adventure unfolds like a television episode, full of drama, conflict, and twists. Players aren’t just rolling dice; they’re becoming their characters.”
He added that the game is meant to engage players across all four aspects of life—mental, social, physical, and spiritual—creating adventures that linger long after the session ends.
Porras’s inspiration for Chayil stretches back more than 20 years, when he ran a game for a group of 60 teenagers.
“I wanted something that captured their imagination and encouraged real-world interaction,” he recalled. “It was part role-playing, part hands-on problem solving. For many, it was their first RPG—and it was an overwhelming success.”
Years later, that memory became the foundation for Clans of Chayil—a game built to rekindle the magic of those early, communal storytelling experiences.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Clans is that it avoids the old black-and-white morality common in RPGs. The world is more nuanced, full of shades of gray.
“Creatures and entire races aren’t locked into rigid roles,” Porras said. “For example, there’s a tribe of orcs who’ve turned from war and now seek peace. What’s seen as an enemy might become an ally. Not everything is as it seems.”
That theme of curiosity over judgment—echoing Walt Whitman’s “Be curious, not judgmental”—runs throughout Chayil, inviting players to explore rather than assume.
Ultimately, Porras’ goal reaches beyond gameplay.
“My vision goes far beyond dice and character sheets,” he said. “I want Clans to be a catalyst for connection—something that brings people together. When players gather, laughter fills the room, conversations spark, and real bonds form.”
Of course, the experience will depend largely on the players. Some groups dive deep into character immersion; others, like mine, drift in and out of in-game chatter between discussions of football or local news. Either approach can work—Clans of Chayil seems built to support both.
Based on the preview, Clans of Chayil offers a setting that’s rich, thoughtful, and refreshingly original. For RPG veterans looking for something new—something that stretches the imagination—it’s absolutely worth watching for.
Check it out at clansofchayil.com.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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