Historical Research, Public Engagement, and Tabletop Role-Playing Games

When: Tuesday 07 July, 19.00-21.00
Where: Michael Sadler Building: LG.19
Open to: All Welcome (IMC Delegates and the Public)
Price: £15.50
How to Book: Advance Booking Required via IMC Registration

Directed by Linette Withers and Dominic Carroll
'A GM, a grognard, and a medievalist walk into a tavern'

Tabletop role-playing games, also known as TTRPGs, turn the roll of a handful of dice into the swing of a sword, the click of a lock, or the last flourish of a song. Since the 1970s, groups across the world have got together to engage in a varied and unique form of shared storytelling and role-play. While TTRPGs are not inherently set in a specific time or place, many focus on the fantasy genre and medieval settings. In 2020, Anachronalia published an RPG supplement called Incunabula, bringing together the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons with the history of book production, including new spells and feats, with over 130 copies sold as well as multiple stand-alone adventures inspired by history and book production.

This collaborative and creative workshop explores how the medieval period can inspire, inform, and enhance your own tabletop role-playing games, by drawing on the parts of history that may be less familiar to the wider community. Whether you are a dice-hoarding gremlin or simply curious, Anachronalia will take you through the process of developing historically inspired magical objects, spells, monsters, and plot-hooks, using your favourite historical fact or niche research interest, with examples from the Incunabula RPG series - now in its fifth year.

If time allows, there will be an opportunity to create some simple printed monster and item cards for you to collect at the IMC Craft Fair later in the week and use in your own games or classrooms. All participants will also receive an exclusive Anachronalia TTRPG item to commemorate the event.

Linette Withers is a medievalist and heritage bookbinder who combines her knowledge of medieval studies and early book history with 30 years of role-playing experience. She completed an MA in Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds before joining the IMC team as Senior Congress Officer. She has been binding books since 2005 and since 2012 has worked as a professional book binder, producing codices and stationery inspired by historical examples.

Dominic Carroll is a game designer with a passion for public engagement, book and printing history, and tabletop role-playing games. When he's not writing games or folding paper with Anachronalia, he works as a speech and language therapist with a focus on disability, neurodiversity, and augmentative and alternative communication.

The workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants. Early booking is recommended.

The ticket price includes a donation to Dragon's Nest, a Leeds-based LGBTQIA* and disability-friendly charity which meets in person and online.