If you have had what I hope you’d perceive as the joy of meeting me, you would know that my favourite game is Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), I LOVE THIS GAME!
As a former theatre nerd – the combination of acting and props are nearly a no-brainer for me. Props in a traditional sense are used as symbolism and a manifestation of the world you act in.
In D&D, however, it’s the latter that helps with my D&D Games.
The Job of a Dungeon Master
As a Dungeon Master (DM), it is your job to describe the world in immense detail, I think of it as reading adjectives and verbs in a fictional novel to paint the scene. Describing how cold a sword hilt is or how wrinkly the leathery remains of a corpse are adds drastically to the immersion of your players. It beats the nondrescript “you pick up the sword hilt” or “The corpse is long dead”.
Props vs Handouts
Whilst props are excellent to use for immersion in the theatre world, a player having a giant foam sword at the table and swinging it can seem cool on paper, there is a downside to it. Props particularly massive or fidgety ones can distract players from what you, the DM, describe. I do not say this to dissuade you from props, I would love to make my own spellbook for my Orc Wizard and bring that to my weekend game to keep me in-game.
Handouts however are what I consider to be small group props that anyone may examine and use to help with game development. They have a purpose in the game. What are some examples of this? Letters, notes and summons that are plot-relevant! These may hide details within them that will make sense later. I, as a DM, prefer to leave handouts on the table in front of my dm screen so players can constantly see them and be reminded of their presence. How many times has the DM handed out a plot-relevant letter or item and a player added it to their inventory, only for everyone to forget about its existence, or worse still, for no one in the party to record it in their inventory.
Maps
Who could forget? MAPS!
Maps are by far the most important of all handouts! Every module has a map of the region you play in, as a DM I think if you do not partake in player handouts – YOU MUST GIVE THE PLAYERS A MAP!
Maps are more than just an immersion tool, they help players make informed decisions, seeing the distance between Location A and Location B can dictate how long they choose to stay in a location, which location they travel to next and adds to player agency, reducing the feeling of being “railroaded” and increases the sandbox feel of your campaign.
As for how to make handouts, EPIC Ipswich (and The Crafty Studio) have a range of products to help you make engaging props and handouts (watch out for that in an upcoming blog). If you don’t prefer physical props or handouts, I implore you to at the minimum send your players pictures or virtual copies in a group chat.
Dungeons and Dragons are supposed to be the world’s greatest Role-Playing Game. These are steps to help encourage, cultivate and nurture that in your play group.
Your Friend and Ally,
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