“I Was Told There’d Be Homebrew”: Using Open Resources to Build No Cost/Low Cost TTRPG Events

While tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) like Dungeons and Dragons 5e are more popular than they have ever been, access barriers still exist for some players hoping to get into the game. The cost of game materials such as rule books, dice, and miniatures (or minis ) can prevent some people from playing. This presentation gives an overview of open resources and low-cost/no-cost materials that librarians, educators, community event planners and others can use to eliminate barriers and welcome all gamers to the table. We will describe how Wizards of the Coast’s open gaming license and System Reference Document, virtual tabletop systems, and other resources can eliminate or minimize the cost required to build custom, or homebrew, campaigns. This presentation is perfect for instruction librarians looking to expand their approach to teaching information literacy, budget-conscious TTRPG event planners, and anyone who wants to make their game sessions more accessible and inclusive