We are living through a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) renaissance! Game publishers and educators alike realize that people of all ages benefit from games, resulting in new and exciting titles being created and introduced in classrooms and libraries. This TTRPG roundup is all about fantasy, where players can take on the roles of adorable animals and outlandish creatures fighting injustice and tyranny, or dive into a post-apocalyptic world where teamwork is the key to defeating giant crabs and saving the day.

Creatures of Ruin: A Bastion Cycle TTRPG. Space Wizard. 2024. 2-6 Players. $20.95. ISBN 9781960247339.
Gr 6 Up–Set in the fictional universe of Alex Kingsley’s post-apocalyptic book series, “The Bastion Cycle,” this RPG takes place in a barren world overrun by crab monsters called desertwalkers. Bastion, a lone human city, sits between the Infinite Ocean and the desert wasteland, and players can choose to be either humans or desertwalkers. Humans scavenge the wastelands in search of artifacts from a previous time. They live in factions, employed by different organizations or religious groups, all of which affect and influence game play. Desertwalkers roam the earth, also living in factions with a rich culture of which humans have little to no comprehension. Parties can choose to work together or at odds. The game offers thought-provoking prompts and suggestions for sessions, non-player characters (NPC), and setting design. Roll charts provide Game Masters with locations to explore, dangers, and bonus items. Character creation is beginner-friendly and encourages players to choose from a multitude of interesting backstories. A blend of two-color and black-and-white illustrations give life to various types of desertwalkers, offering imaginations a jumping-off point. Kingsley spends a good amount of time encouraging creativity in game play and providing a safe and comfortable space for all. This volume contains one campaign’s worth of adventure and side quests, an appendix of puzzles to enhance game play, and NPCs to introduce to the campaign. VERDICT An LGBTQIA+ friendly game for post-apocalyptic fans that encourages collaboration and de-escalation over traditional hack-and-slash gaming.

Pathfinder. Paizo, Inc. 2019. 2-6 Players. $59.99. ISBN9781640781689.
Gr 10 Up–Originally created in 2009 as a direct response to changes made to the third edition ofDungeons & Dragons,Pathfinderhas since flourished and expanded to offer a more rules-heavy TTRPG experience, but one that allows greater freedom to players.The Core Rulebookprovides a formidable starting point for those dipping a toe into the game’s vast universe. At over 600 pages, this substantial tome contains all the essential rules for players and Game Masters, combining both sets rather than splitting them into separate volumes. Game Masters will appreciate the sage advice on preparing and running campaigns, while players will have everything they need to create characters and develop skills in one volume. This covers character creation, combat, magic, monsters, and world exploration. There are six core races—Elf, Dwarf, Human, Goblin, Halfling, and Gnome—and 12 classes, including Wizard, Cleric, Fighter, and Sorcerer. Gorgeous, full-color art throughout transports readers to a fantasy universe of dreams.

There are dozens of official adventure modules and expanded resource books like theBestiary, which contains new and exciting monsters to encounter;Mythic Adventures, which allows players to create magical characters with powerful spells and artifacts; andHorror Adventures, which brings things that go bump in the night to gaming tables.Pathfinderstill exists under an Open Gaming License (OGL) that allows third-party publishers to create adventures, fostering an open community of content creators and opening the door for thousands of modules and game play enhancements. VERDICT For those seeking an epic, long-running game in the vein ofDungeons & Dragons, this highly customizable TTRPG experience prioritizes player freedom over Game Master rulings while delivering a rich fantasy adventure.

Root: The Roleplaying Game Core Book. Magpie Games. 2022. 3-6 Players. $39.99. ISBN 9781952885082.
Gr 6 Up–The TTRPG adaptation of the popular 2018 board game, where players are vagabond woodland creatures who act as mercenaries and take on “jobs no one else can or will do” in the hopes of freeing their Woodland home from the rule of the oppressive Marquise de Cat. The core book contains everything a game master needs to get a campaign up and running. Nine playbooks, or character archetypes, provide players with foundations upon which to build their characters, with options including the masterless Ronin, the charming Vagrant, and the clever Tinker. Each class contains core skills, species from which to choose, and options for expanding on character backgrounds. Thanks to uncomplicated character creation, the game play is easy to learn. The emphasis on using misdirection and negotiation before resorting to violence makes this an excellent choice for younger players and those looking for an alternative to swordplay and fighting games. The Woodland world is beautifully fleshed out, with plenty of examples, illustrations, and NPCs to jump-start game play. A sample one-shot campaign provides players with a starting ground. Colorful illustrations and handy checklists throughout will keep this guide at the forefront of RPG collections. VERDICT An absolute must-add to TTRPG collections for middle school and high school. Gamers new and seasoned will flock to the table to explore these characters and environs.

Root: Travelers and Outsiders. Magpie Games. 2022. 3-6 Players. $39.99. ISBN 9781952885099.
Gr 6 Up–This expansion for theRootRPG is loaded with new player and Game Master options and an enriched game world. Ten new playbooks allow gamers to choose character classes like pirates, heretics, and scholars. New factions introduce intrigue and manipulation: a zealous Lizard Cult and a shadowy Corvid Conspiracy have their own agendas that may work at odds with the party, providing intrigue and further world-building. There are new skills to develop, new weapons and equipment to amass, and mischief to be made. Expanded locations push the game’s boundaries and allow players and NPCs to grow past the familiar Woodland areas, setting the stage for greater adventures. With valuable opportunities for both players and Game Masters to stretch their skills, this expansion adds replay value to the core RPG. VERDICT An essential purchase for anyone interested in running aRootcampaign. Especially recommended for libraries servingHumblewoodplayers or animal fantasy readers.

Scales & Tales: A Beginner’s Guide to Fantasy Role-Playing Games. Andrews McMeel. 2024. 2-6 Players. $18.99. ISBN 9781524885564.
Gr 2-6–One of the easiest entries into fantasy RPGs, this guide-and-game combo has everything readers need to start playing, wrapped up in one easy-to-read, easy-to-learn volume. Writer and illustrator Kevin Sherry uses kid-friendly language to explain the nuts and bolts of RPGs, covering basics like the roles of the Game Master and players, and sprinkling in fun bonus content like how to make game sets and miniatures on a budget. After a brief overview of RPGs, Sherry introduces readers to a playable campaign called Toad Island, where players step into the roles of students at the Sherrywood Forest Institute for Heroes. Villain Edwin Tortice attacks and steals the magical moon dragon Tazzaphur (Tazz), and the headmaster charges the group with Tazz’s retrieval and investigating the reasons for Tortice’s attack. Sherry includes 14 potential quests for the group, with prompts to keep future campaigns rolling. The guide is packed with mini-games that kids will be familiar with, including Telephone and Pictionary, as potential substitutions for ways to combat creatures. Best of all, there’s no dying! Characters that dip below their assigned hit points can break for a round to restore their health and keep playing. Characters include a bevy of creatures, including ogres and humans, and Sherry’s cartoonish fantasy illustrations add extra fun to this easy-to-play, easy-to-love game. Downloadable resources are available, allowing libraries to keep their copies safe. VERDICT A lighthearted introduction to the basics of RPGs with a fun and playable game included, offering an adventure that keeps the stakes low and the fun high.

Rosemary Kiladitis is a Community Library Manager at Queens Public Library and has been rolling Initiative for over 30 years.