Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) Club

Ages 13-18

About

Tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG): A game where participants take on the roles of imaginary characters in an adventure under the direction of a Game Master.

Thurber House TTRPG Club: A monthly gathering of teens who want to have fun and explore new games.

We are hosting a standalone TTRPG once a month for teens and want you to join us! Each game will start and finish that day so you do not have to attend each month. You do NOT have to have experience. All our games are 100% beginner friendly. We always choose rules-lite systems to make jumping in easy, and we'll teach you to play as we go! 

Specifics:

Each game is from 12-4 pm and costs $20. We'll provide everything you need - dice, snacks, writing utensils, etc. If you’re craving a specific snack or want to use your special shiny dice you love, you're welcome to bring them but it's not necessary! There will also be a themed surprise take-home item after each game.  

To keep it fun and moving along, each game is limited to six players so register early. We will keep a wait list and contact people if a spot becomes available. The fall games are listed below! 

Safety tools:

We always start sessions by discussing Lines and Veils as a group, which players will provide to the Game Master anonymously. We also use an X-Card so that anyone can pause gameplay at any time if they become uncomfortable for any reason. Learn more about Lines and Veils here and The X-Card here. 

Check out the games and dates below and register to join us!

REGISTER

For any questions or if you need financial assistance, please email Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org.

 

Business Wizards

October 10 from 12:00-4:00 pm

Game description: Explore the Arcane World of Business by writing your wizards' amazing backstory (resume), conducting mysterious rituals (SWOT analysis), and completing epic quests (projects). Even the most powerful wizards need a day job. 

Dialect

November 14 from 12:00-4:00 pm

Game description: Dialect is a game about an isolated community, their language, and what it means for that language to be lost. Explore how new words come from the fundamental aspects of a community: who they are, what they believe in, and how they respond to a changing world.

Honey Heist

December 12 from 12:00-4:00 pm

Game description: In this classic one-page TTRPG by Grant Howitt, players don the roles of criminal bears as they plan and execute a heist for honey. Bears must balance between their animal instincts and criminal tendencies or risk blowing the entire operation.

 

Meet the Game Master

Frances Wiley

Frances Wiley (she/they) has been involved with Thurber House for decades as a student, camp counselor, children’s and adult workshop teacher, and now facilitator of Young Writers’ Studio. Frances has been playing, leading, and creating TTRPGs since they were a teen and has been begging us to start this program. They are thrilled to kick it off this fall! 

 

  • LOCATION

    The club will be held at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215).

    PARKING

    • On Jefferson Avenue: Easy and free street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval. Note: only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.

    • Off N. 11th Street (behind Thurber House): Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street and located here. There is no time limit as long as you are visiting Thurber House. All other parking lots do not belong to Thurber House and you may be towed.

  • We encourage the involvement of all students and will do our best to make accommodations. Contact Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org to discuss any accessibility needs.

    The first floor of Thurber Center is handicap/wheelchair accessible, including the first floor restrooms.

    How to reach the wheelchair ramps:

    • If you park on Jefferson Avenue: There is a slight curb (some wheelchairs can navigate this). The closest “ramp” cut is the entrance to the large parking lot on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Long Street (here).

      • Thurber Center wheelchair ramp: Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber Center front gate. Take the sidewalk around the porch on the right side of the building. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp will appear on your left, past the porch.

    • If you park in the Thurber House rear parking lot: Follow the sidewalk between the handicap parking signs (here). The sidewalk will take you around the north side of our multipurpose building, Thurber Center.

      • Thurber Center wheelchair ramp: The ramp will appear on your right and leads up to the front porch.

  • There are no refunds of any kind unless the club is full or is cancelled by Thurber House.

  • Contact Meg Brown at megbrown@thurberhouse.org. To receive email updates about Thurber House children's education programs, please use the sign up form at the very bottom of this page.

  • Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by teachers and counselors in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.

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