Confessions of a Geek

Revisiting an earlier topic The mind to write? III I talked about using props and told you that I play RPG's, and not just video games the old fashioned table-top variety.

Well when I moved I started playing AD&D: Pathfinder every other Saturday with a group, its odd having something that resembles a social life. Not traditional D&D, the storyline that we are playing with is more than just sword and sorcery, its Steam-Punk, which makes me smile as another favorite genre.

As a veteran gamer its hard to give me a challenge or something new, Pathfinder is doing both, new worlds and new toys in different setting with the great lore that I have come to love. More than a new world I'm playing a character class that I have admired but never played before. Bard: as many people know these characters are a type of magical musician, what I didn't really understand is that they are a subset of Rogues (Thieves) but she, my character is dual classed with Fighter so I haven't completely left my comfort zone. For a gamer its like training wheels.

But I like my props, I don't just mean dice and a little pewter figure. When I explained that it helped me set the mood or get into the role. When I started thinking about setting up my gaming kit for Tara I though back to what I wrote before and thought I could share another example.

Tara Songwind
Bard/Fighter: Enchanted Lyre, Longsword

Bards: Song Book/Hymns (spell-book), instruments
Fighter: Armor, weapons.

Since I am not LARPing I don't want any large props, so no sword or lyre. Small things that I can play with without being distracted from my game. Since D&D Bards use there songs as a type of spell casting a songbook is a great option.

Songbook: Small Music Notebook I can print copies of the bard spells and secure them inside the notebook.

Tin Whistle: Irish Penny Whistle Its a small, easily portable instrument, as I don't play I'm not looking for a major investment.

Chain-mail: A type of armor quite popular, and fortunately something I am adept at crafting myself, a quick set of bracers.

Thick Leather Belt: Bridle Belt I know I said I'm not interested in costuming... But I can't help it, holding this idea and the bracers for the fighter aspect. Its just not smart to use weapons in costuming, it gives the illusion. I probably won't do this, but sharing.

Pewter Miniature: Anwyn Female Bard Nobody does it better than Reaper.

You can guess I could keep going but I think I'm done for now.