The Stillwater Public Library is hosting “Getting Started with RPGs” on Thursday, March 20, at 6 p.m. Attendees will learn the basics of gameplay and how to become a game master (GM) for tabletop role-playing games. The program is free and open to the public and will take place at Knight Arms Games, located at 113 S. Perkins Rd. Registration is required as there is limited space.  

Role-playing tabletop games, called RPGs, include many genres, such as fantasy, science fiction, heroic action and horror. Some popular types of RPGs include Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder and Starfinder. The program is geared toward adults and teens 16 and older. 

 Brenna Gilchrist, an adult services librarian, is grateful to Sierra Phipps and Preston Bobo, who lead the teens’ Pathfinder campaigns, for agreeing to share their knowledge of RPGs with others.

"There have been many people requesting an adult program on RPGs since the library started the teen program," Gilchrist said. "Sierra and Preston graciously agreed to host the program and will also help attendees set up their own guilds." 

Phipps and Bobo will discuss the many different types of games and the ways to play them. For those who are familiar with playing RPGs already but are interested in running a campaign, they will also instruct on how to be a GM, also known as dungeon master (DM), judge or storyteller.

For those who want to get a head start, books on rules for different types of games and players' guides are also available for checkout at the library. Patrons can stop by the library's help desk for assistance locating books.

• "The Ultimate Micro-RPG Book: 40 Fast, Easy, and Fun Tabletop Games" (793.93 ULT)
• "The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide: Role-play the Best Campaign Ever- No Matter the Game!" By James D'Amato (793.93 DAM)
• "The Everything Tabletop Games Book: From Settlers of Catan to Pandemic, Find Out Which Games to Choose, How to Play, and the Best Ways to Win!" by Bebo (794 BEB)
• "So You Want to Be a Game Master: Everything You Need to Start Your Tabletop Adventure for Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Other Systems" by Justin Alexander (793.93 ALE)
• "Dungeons & Dragons: Player's Handbook" (793.93 DUN)
• "Pathfinder: Core Rulebook" by Logan Bonner (793.93 BON)

Gilchrist is thankful to Knight Arms Games for hosting the program at their location while the library's meeting room building is closed to replace the fire suppression system. 

“The library has been working hard to ensure the construction does not interfere with patron services, including programming,” Gilchrist said. "Finding alternate locations for programs can be hectic, and we really appreciate Knight Arms Games for partnering with us."   

Community members planning to attend can register for the program online at stillwaterok.gov/LibraryRegister or by calling the Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 ext. 8106.