A while back Cameron Corniuk, one of our Authors at RPG knights talked about using props for games. I always thought that was a really neat idea. Give the players something physical to hold onto (this is what you find, here you go). I decided that I wanted to start to implement that into my games. This will help enhance the experience for my teen players.
I’ve already got my dungeon tiles which give a nice visual effect but combine it with props, now that will set the game to a new level. I had a friend of mine ask me once “Why do you do all this. You have to make all this and lug it around with you. I wouldn’t do all that and if I did I would just use a grid map” I don’t remember if I gave him a good explanation or not. My reply was probably “just because” or something like that.
Why do I go through all this trouble? Well one reason, honestly I just get a thrill out of making/collecting things that will go well with the game. It makes me feel like something I can be proud of. You know the whole spiel about making something with your own two hands. Two, the wow factor, every time I bring my things to the table the kids go wow that’s so cool, or hey you’ve added “fill in the black” It helps build imagination and creativeness.
First thing I knew I had to get was a treasure chest. I went to Hobby Lobby and got me one that was 7in x 5 1/2in x 4 1/2in (L x W x H) for 5$. It’s not quite to scale, but it’s to symbolize the real thing. The wood was kind of a whitish color so when I got home I painted it up to look more like a treasure chest. First I base coated it black, then painted over it with a dark brown, then went back over it with a light brown. I think it came out really nicely.
Now you can’t have a treasure chest without coins. I knew where I was going to get them, the Dollar tree store, but they don’t sell them anymore. At least they don’t at the location I go to. So I think I’ll go try Party City and see if theirs look ok. I’ve got some metallic paint to paint them with. That way I can also have silver and copper coins as well as gold.
I’m also going to need to get a pouch to put some money in it, amongst other things. Also at Hobby Lobby I found some glass vials and I said to myself “that would be perfect for potions/poisons. A key is another good prop to have. “You find a key to a hidden door, a treasure chest, take the cell keys from the guard” etc.
Of course making maps and letters to give the players is a must. Maybe even make a cool, old spell book. My search to find props begins, off to the craft stores I go. Do you use props for your games? What cool and unique things have you found? Do your players appreciate them? Let me know what happens at your table.