Books That Are Games

The Urbana Free Library has a small collection of roleplaying game books.  I confess to never having played an RPG, so I'm not sure exactly how they work.  I do know that you can find some core rule books and guides in our collection.

According to an Amazon review [1], The Mouse Guard is a suitable roleplaying game for all ages [2].  The system is simple and the characters, mice with capes and swords from the comic books of the same title, are attractive to younger players.  The game master directs the weather and predators against which the players as the Mouse Guard attempt to defend their territory.  In addition to rules, character info, and maps, this book includes several adventures.  Personally, I'm drawn to the simplicity of this title and would recommend it as an entry level RPG for the uninitiated.

We have Dungeons & Dragons books from Advanced D& D to the current fourth edition, so if you're nostalgic for your younger D& D days or you want to check out the newest edition, we've got you covered.  In addition to the core rulebooks, we have other references, including monster manuals, dungeon master guides, and player handbooks [3]. 

Our most recent acquisition is the 6th edition of the Call of Cthulhu horror roleplaying game [4], which according to the cover, requires only this book, some dice, and players.  While it originally seemed like a fringe interest, loving Lovecraft looks to be going mainstream [5], so you should be able to find some interested persons to game with you.  If you lack dice, I'll re-refer you to Armored Gopher Games up on Cunningham [6], where they've got some cool custom Gopher dice.  Tell Dave I sent you and maybe he'll give me a free set.

The Star Wars Roleplaying Game's core rulebook [7] includes the rules for game masters and players and a reference with stats for characters, creatures, weapons, etc.  The core rulebook also includes a full-color map.  The Scum and Villany supplement adds more info for running games on the fringe of the Star Wars universe, expanding on the abilities of smugglers and bounty hunters, adding new races, and providing an entire adventure on the fringe.

For more advanced roleplayers, The Song of Ice and Fire roleplaying game sounds like it might be your thing [8].  In reviews, fans have stated that they love the system, and site the high number of character abilities.  Perhaps you should see for yourself by checking out the freely downloadable quick start guide [9].  Once you're hooked, head over our way--the library owns the rulebook and the campaign guide, all you need to create games in George R. R. Martin's Westeros. 

If you have any suggestions of roleplaying books the library, or places we should look for info on which ones are the best, please let us know.  We're happy to add popular games in book form to our collection.

Footnotes/Links:

1. William F. Hostman's Amazon review of Mouse Guard



2. Check out the Mouse Guard Roleplaying Game from our collection

3. See all the Dungeons & Dragons game books held in our collection

4.Check out the Call of Cthulhu Horror Roleplaying Game from our collection

5. See for yourself -- check out some Lovecraft stories from our collection

6. Official website of Armored Gopher Games

Close up pic of the custom Gopher dice

7. Check out the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, or the Scum and Villainy supplement from our collection


8. Check out the Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying Game and the Campaign Guide from our collection

9. The free quickstart PDF download from Green Ronin Publishing--scroll down to the bottom of the link.