JUNGLE of the JADE JAGUAR
A downloadable game
The cult classic JUNGLE of the JADE JAGUAR is back and bigger than ever!
Jungle of the Jade Jaguar is a system-neutral jungle crawl, with unique d12 based mechanics for exploration, a rival encounter system, 8 unique locations, and a lot of magic swords.
INCLUDES:
One-page rules for SWORD: THE ROLEPLAYING GAME. Inspired by retro dungeon games, SWORD can be played solo or with friends.
- An original d12 + narrative currency system.
- Magic Sword Generator
Jungle of the Jade Jaguar and Sword the RPG are a submission for the APPX. N JAM.
100 percent human made!
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $4 USD. You will get access to the following files:
COMMUNITY COPIES
Support this game at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.
PLEASE TAKE A COPY FOR ANY REASON
If you can't afford to purchase a copy (or would like to give it a test run before buying) please feel free to take a copy! If you enjoy the game, please leave a 5 star review!
Development log
- new lost page: THE VERDANT KNIGHTAug 11, 2025
- FORGE Printer FriendlyJul 25, 2025
- Forge: a sword generatorJul 19, 2025
- New page found! The RivalsJul 15, 2025
- Black and white printer friendly now available.Jul 11, 2025
Comments
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“Jungle of the Jade Jaguar” has enough content to run and the Sword system is interesting and thematically appropriate.
JJJ could definitely be expanded into a much larger adventure and the text “Magic pulses from this weapon, a cut straight into the dimension of THE GREEN – and from that cosmic wound pours an unending reservoir of life. Flora and fauna, ceaselessly evolving, spill forth in a riot of unchecked creation...” is an interesting enough premise that it could support a much lengthier module and bestiary - which i would like to see.
So as it is, it’s pretty good! And the skeleton it provides could be laden with a very weird body for an even more involved module.
I'm confused by the Shard Actions, and feel like I must be overcomplicating it in my head.
The two paragraphs for Narrative Currency and Actions seem to be saying the same thing with just slightly different wording in the first sentences. Is there a way in which the player uses Shards differently for Narrative Currency vs. Actions?
And do the list of Actions get "unlocked" at the different tiers of Decay similar to how the number of Shards gained changes at each tier of Decay? That's what the dotted horizontal dividing lines are leading me to believe e.g. I get access to Repair and Improvise when I'm in the 10-12 range, and then Reveal/Conceal/Open when the sword gets into the 7-9 range, and so on down the list for each tier of Decay? I noticed Power is repeated twice in the list so that made me think maybe I only get to use the specified Actions within the particular ranges of Decay.
great questions, let me see if I can clarify:
- They essentially are saying the same thing. Narrative currency is meant to explain the concept; while the action section discusses the mechanics themselves.( i can see why that could be confusing, maybe ill clean it up a bit)
- As your sword decays it becomes more magically raw and powerful - unlocking more abilities as you decay. that second power should probably read "additional power". My intent is that you lose abilities as the sword is repaired.
let me know if that helps or if you have any other questions!
Thanks that does help!
And now I noticed on a re-read that the Decay section says, "and additional boons per tier". I had a thought - maybe this point about unlocking the additional Actions could be re-iterated in that top right section describing the Actions in place of the redundant language.
What is the Improvise action referring to exactly? Is it the only way to do any non-Sword related activities? If so, it feels like in the beginning of the game when my Sword Score is high it would cost a high number of Shards to do anything. But I'm thinking maybe that's an intentional design choice to incentivize/force people to engage with their Sword first and foremost?
Apologies if these questions/suggestions feel nitpicky. I'm super into this game and your whole aesthetic, so I'm just motivated to play it correctly and help make any clarifications to the presentation of the rules.
Those are really great notes - at some point I plan to release all this as a collected work with some new content and ill probably update the language to make it more clear.
- Yes, the idea was that since you only have one stat - SWORD - you are forced to navigate the world only by force at the start of the game but as you take damage you gain more powers and the ability to improvise actions outside of using your sword. The main crux of the game play is needing to decide if you want access to more of your sword's inherent strength or do you want to risk it gain more abilities and flexibility. I was inspired by classic Samurai films - I wanted the player to feel heroic at the beginning of the adventure, able to take on a room full of foes quickly but then have the dynamic shift as the stakes increase and the adventure goes on.
- No need to apologize! I love feedback / constructive critique! Nothing is better when people engage with stuff you've made with curiosity (as im sure you know as a person who makes games).
Excellent - thanks so much for your thoughtful replies. I'll look forward to the collected edition!
I love this so much.
In the Sword Traits table I'm wondering if it's supposed to read "9-12" rather than "9-10"?
Thank you! Yes it is, ill add it to my typo list, good looking out!
Excellently written and designed, fits the Appendix N vibe perfectly, and I'm really looking forward to trying out the SWORD system.
that HI/LO + EVN/ODD call is inspired
Thank you! I was trying to confine myself only to a d12 but didnt just want d12 tables (or have the room lol).
Hey DNGNCLUB master!
Thank you for this work!
The SWORD system is realy interesting, I am going to try it on a solo session!
May I ask if a printer friendly version of the FORGE PDF is in your backlog, please? <3
I can make that happen!
its live!
Creative, smart, reactive, generous...
You are incredible, mate, thank you so much!
One little detail: I fould out that on the printed bw SWORD page (JJJ bw V2.pdf, page #4), the "1" on the sword tip is missing or in black color.
Maybe a little hotfix is needed? :)
Hey thank you! (And thanks for the fix, I'll put it on my list!)
Really gorgeous layout and awesome idea for a pointcrawl! Good luck in the jam
Thank you so much!
When failing to defend against a non-Wielder (Animus), is Sword score decreased? Does one only gain shards on a successful attack hit?
Yeah, anytime you fail a roll the idea is that sword takes the brunt of the blow to protect you, and as it does it's score reduces and shards splinter off of it.
I can see the wording there being unclear. The intent is that you gain shards when you fail rolls and take damage or when you break down loot at camp -- not when you successfully attack.
In locations, does "take damage" mean decreasing Sword score?
Yes! As the adventure itself is meant to be system agnostic I used vague TTRPG language there, lol.
What is the best way to print this as a pamphlet? My usual methods of Apple Preview -> Print as Booklet and Adobe Acrobat -> Print as Booklet do not get me the nice nice foldable.
The color file isnt really intended to be printed. The black and white printer friendly should print nicely. Ive had a few people express interest in an expanded version of the adventure, which i might work on set up a POD option, if enough people are interested.
The SWORD system is super cool too!
Double thanks!
Super cool adventure, DNGNCLUB.
Thank you!
How is the colour version meant to be printed as if you use a booklet the cut here line is on the wrong side.
Is this like a poster print or zfold? Gatefold?
Just wondering as both colour and b&w version the cut here is on the outside edge.
Thanks in advance :)
Color version isn't meant to be printed. It's suppose to be excerpts from a fictional novel.
Lol, I meant to delete the "cut here" for the b&w. I'll update that soon.
If people are interested I'd love to expand this into an 8-10 page full color pod option.
The Appx N Jam's rules were 4 A5 pages
Thanks for clearing this up :)
Thanks for the info, would love to see a fully fledged booklet :)
I'm having cover confusion. How is the cover and sword page supposed to be oriented in a double sided single page print supposed to look?
The full color version is meant to be an excerpt from a fictional novel (it could only be four pages per the rule of game jam) and not really intended to be printed.
The black and white pages are the printer friendly version.
If there is enough interest in an expanded version of the adventures I would love to make a full color one for print on demand.
OK. Thanks for the reply. That helps with understanding. You are not meaning the "cut here" line to be taken literally and physically (it is just a part of graphic design). Still, for my own sanity, I'll edit the sword page and move the cut line from the left to the right side of the page (problem solved). Then I'll have a nice 11x17 double sided color print that opens like a western booklet.
yes! just a fun little graphic. I reuploaded the bw print pdf without it!
Wow, I love you illustration's style, is awesome!! A totally retro experience :D
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words!
I don't know what this retro vibe is called but I like it.
Thank you!
Whoah this is brutally cool!
Thank you, friend!
any chance of uploading a pdf with pages instead of spreads?
II'll be posting a printer friendly version that will be in pages!
Wizard! Thanks!
Printer friendy version is up!
This looks RAD AS HELL. Stoked to give it a whirl!
Thanks, homie!
This is excellent. A cool idea, well executed.
Thank you!