The Birch and Wolf: Where to get NSR and OSR books in Europe?

When I started getting into the NSR and OSR scene, I really struggled to get my hands on books, modules and printed materials. Being from Europe, and the eastern part of it, I was a bit envious when I saw pictures of stacked stores in the US, browsed through Exalted Funeral or similar stores, only to be put off by delivery fees. So I had to look around. Thankfully I found a local store and over the years managed to build up a database of various European brick and mortar and online stores which stock NSR, OSR and Indie games.

I wanted to write this article for some time now, because I often see the same question being asked around regularly. To share my go to places in Europe. This list is based on my experiences and is not by far the complete overview of the European scene. Knowing that, I asked around and included some recommendations from others, by country at the end of the article. If you know of a great store, that is not mentioned here, please me know I will be more than happy to add it to the list and share it with others!

Oh yeah and I am not pretending this is some “objective” ranking. Nah, just places I enjoy and why I enjoy them and hope you might too.

So yeah, if you are starting out in Europe and don’t know where to begin, are looking for a new source, or are visiting and want to drop by a place, start here!

My favorites

There are two categories here: brick-and-mortar stores you can walk into – I include their addresses and online stores/websites – and purely online stores with just the links to their websites, plus an overview of what you can expect from them.

Imago

Website: https://www.imagotribe.eu/

Address: K Myslivně 2362/9 70800 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic

I can’t really start the list with another store, as it is my most “local” store and a place where I have gotten plenty of things. Their brick-and-mortar store is located in Ostrava, Czech Republic (though I have not yet visited the new one in person) and they ship across Europe. The online store stocks a decent selection of OSR and some NSR titles for decent prices. I got my Vaults of Vaarn for some 24€, for example.

They stock books and modules for OSE, Odd-likes, Borgs, LotFP, and others, as well as having a selection of indie RPGs – most notably a great offer of Free League titles. Oh yeah, they have restocked Frontier Scum recently.

All the Problems in this World

Website: https://alltheproblemsinthisworld.com/

Address: Blücherstr. 14, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Probably my favorite store. Not only because I got my printed OSE books from here. A small place in Kreuzberg, Berlin, that has all kinds of wonderful OSR/NSR materials, and the proprietor Jan is just a marvel. They stock books from Dolmenwood to Cloud Empress or Mothership and Bastionlands, zines you will struggle to find elsewhere, DCC materials, GM guides and tools (like the Primer Books from Anna Urbanek), solo games, dice, and other RPG materials. That aside, they also have a selection of books on art, graphic novels, shirts, and even Dungeon Synth tapes. While the online store works, it is definitely worth a stop or a detour when you are in Berlin. Go there, say hi to Jan, and support the store.

World’s End

Website: https://www.worldsendcomics.com/

Address: Ketelvest 51B, 9000 Gent, Belgium

A new entry to the list and a very pleasant surprise from a few weeks back. When I was there two years ago I found some indie titles, but mostly the big ones – WotC, Paizo, and such. When I walked in this time, I found box sets of Cairn 2e looking at me from the shelves, along with materials for OSE, Mythic Bastionland, smaller zines, modules, and others. While the online store doesn’t show it (yet), the physical store has started stocking more and more of the good stuff. They are also a comic book and board game store, as well as a café / pub and a place to play games.

Sphaerenmeisters Spiele

Website: https://sphaerenmeisters-spiele.de/?k=564&lang=eng

This German-based store might be one of the most definitive ones in Europe. They really have a huge selection of systems, campaign books, modules, zines, and other materials. Too big for me to go through, but if there is something you are looking for, it is highly likely they stock it. For example, it’s one of the few places you will find physical Carcass Crawler zines, EcoMofos books, His Majesty the Worm, or the Tales Under the Oak Dolmenwood soundtrack LP. I could go on. If what you are looking for is currently not in stock, it most probably will be soon.

Now, there are two issues I have with this store. The first one is that the price of products is a bit on the above-average (even expensive) side. The second one is that the English-language store is a pain to navigate. It’s broken and unintuitive, and if you do not know exactly what you are looking for, you can get stuck. Therefore, if you want to browse through their store, start here.

Thylgames

Website: https://www.thylgames.fr/

Address: 142 rue Pierre Mauroy 59000, Lille, France

Okay, this is a bit of a wildcard. Located in Lille, a couple of minutes from the train station, which makes it really accessible if, like me, you are just passing through. Now, this is a French store, obviously, and like most French stores, they carry mostly, almost exclusively, French games or games in French. Not a surprise for a country of this size with a great RPG (JDR) scene. Unfortunately, my French is not yet there to be able to dive into the amazing-looking world of French-language games.

The reason why I am including it here is that they have a second-hand section. And maybe I have been lucky each time I’ve visited them, but it often holds great surprises and finds. In English, obviously. I’ve found various 1e and 2e materials, Stars Without Number, and other OSR books in their second-hand bins. It can be a hit or a miss, but hey, worth a try?

Other unusual options

I am including two more options, which have worked well in my experience. Places I would not think of looking at first thought.

Vinted

Yep, that’s right. They started including books and games and all kinds of things. Recently I got the Duchy of Karameikos, Against the Slave Lords, and Into the Wyrd and Wild all off of Vinted for superb prices. I just search for RPG and browse through what’s on offer, perhaps stopping to look at some seller's page if they are offering something special. It can take time to browse, so once a month or so when I have a bit of time (at work or otherwise), I browse through. Oh, look, someone is selling a physical copy of Basic Fantasy and someone else a copy of 4e Pendragon for cheap. Don’t mind if I do.

Two things about Vinted: The offer is regional, so I only see what people have in the countries selected for me, based on my country of registration. It will, therefore, differ for you.

Second thing: people sell overpriced stuff on there, looking to find a sucka and turn a profit. I’ve seen materials more expensive than in actual stores.

Take your time and give it a go. It’s worth it.

Willhaben

This is the Austrian online marketplace, where people put their ads and sell stuff. I live really close to the Austrian border, so shipping has not been an issue, and I’ve managed to get the Monstrous Manual or the 4e DM Guide (grossly underrated in my opinion) on there for far cheaper than I’ve seen on eBay. There are a lot of 1e / 2e materials, even good condition 1e DM Guides. Just like with Vinted, I browse through every so often and filter out the overpriced things.

Now this is Austrian, and shipping depends on your agreement with the seller. If you live nearby, it might be usable. But all countries have their version of an online marketplace, be it Bazoš or Leboncoin. Check them out and you might be surprised.

So those are my recommendations and experiences. Below you will find an overview of stores recommended by people from the community (plus the ones I have mentioned) sorted by country. Thanks so much to everyone who added their suggestions!

Hope this helps; if you have suggestions to add, please let me know and enjoy.