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Nowadays, with the advent of a regular Tuesday TTRPG group, a bunch of my creativity has been geared towards the tools used to build great experiences, not just the games themselves.

This past week, I had a ton of fun cooking up a number of handouts for the group using Cthulhu Architect, an online note and handout maker. Here is a handout I threw together; as imperfect as it is, as a handwritten start-up flyer, its pretty neat!

Today, I’d like to talk about how using handouts and a town bulletin board in your games isn’t just a visual way to get players engaged, but can be used for subtle storytelling. Furthermore, I want to convince you to create a bulletin board for your own games!

Every campaign arc needs a place. Most often, it is a city, township, or region with various communities of which the PCs are compelled to interact with. The problem is, most items that any player will see are those within direct point-of-view, unless you gift them means to see the trove of opportunities available in the place they are exploring.

A bulletin board accomplishes just that! … As a regular place to check for new quest leads and happenings, a bulletin board centralizes much of the in-game overhead of presenting a multitude of options, while also showing many paths of activity that the players may otherwise not be aware of.

Naturally, the #1 use of such a board is to inform PCs of the ongoings of town, including those who need help. Its a stand-in for something as simple as tavern rumors, or scripted social encounters, except it is visual. A huge benefit of the bulletin board is to showcase opportunities beyond the current focus of the group, which is especially useful in sandbox or multi-linear narratives.

Not every post has to be a quest lead. Sometimes, the PCs are simply wanderers in a land with diverse peoples and needs, and smaller opportunities to roleplay and interact with NPCs are effective in making it a living, breathing setting. This can range from business cards, to advertisements, or even notes with side objectives to keep an eye out for. This can provide intel of current ongoings, awareness of other NPCs who aren’t in the PCs direct path, or a means to follow-up if the PCs reach a complicated point in a quest.

Chances are, you’re a GM that enjoys the prospect of giving your characters a reward for completing quests. Equipment, favor, or cash! … However, the question often arises as to how characters (especially more noble ones) may utilize some of those to fulfill their role as a defender of good. That, or a way to purchase more exotic goods, or gain more unconventional benefits.

For example, in my campaign, leveling requires gold cost, and that gold must leave the inventory without guarantee of reimbursement. Instead of a single handler or purchase, I’ve chosen to go with a more “mutual aid” route: donations, charity, fundraisers, covering communal expenses, etc.

Sometimes, in a setting that is focused on one area, it is important to remind the PCs of a larger world. Time spent in the starter town mean time passing everywhere else, with events, disasters, and other signs of life far from the PCs eyes and ears. … This is a brilliant way not just to provide a sense of scale, but also foreshadowing of things to come in later journeys.

Below is a short list of applications I have used in the past that you can wield to create a bulletin board with various notes, images, and other content.

What about you? Do you have your own clever ways of creating handouts, or posting in-game opportunities to your players? Please submit a comment below! … Now,… onto the round-up.

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