The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Special Collections is excited to present a free catalog of items that can be used to supplement Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs)! Each in-game item was inspired by a real-life object in the Library's Special Collections. Check out the Oddities and Wonders: A Selection of Unusual Artifacts catalog online.

Unsure of what to do with the catalog, or even exactly what it is? Here’s the breakdown:

What are Special Collections?

Special Collections is exactly what it sounds like: collections that are special! Unlike the rest of the Library, where you can check out materials, the materials in Special Collections cannot be brought home. They’re unique objects that have special value, like old historical books or fine art prints. Because of this, they need special care. That being said, anyone is welcome to see the objects in Special Collections! We just ask that folks make an appointment first, so that the staff has time to research, pull, and care for the materials that you’ll be viewing. You can learn more about Special Collections and all the different collections contained within them (as well as how to contact us) on the Special Collections Department page.

What is a Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG)?

Let’s break it down into two parts:

Tabletop: This designation means that the game is played communally. Oftentimes, that means in person, around a table, with paper and pens. Many people in the modern age play TTRPGs electronically via apps like Discord and Roll20; however, they are still interacting in real-time with other players. This distinction is what differentiates a TTRPG from a video game. 

Role Playing: This term refers to the fact that the participants are playing characters, often of their own creation, and working together to construct a story. There are many different types of role-playing games. Many popular video games, such as Assassin’s Creed, Stardew Valley, and Mass Effect, are considered RPGs because the player assumes the role of a character in a fictional world. In some games, players can think and act as complex individuals with nuanced motivations and backgrounds that are developed over time. In others, a character can be as simple as "a bear who is a criminal."

The Library has TTRPGs that you can learn about or play in our catalog.

What is Dungeons and Dragons? 

Dungeons and Dragons, often abbreviated as D&D or DnD, was one of the first popular TTRPGs. Created in 1974 by Gary Gygax and David Arneson, it evolved from wargames, where players would simulate battles between armies. The game is currently on its fifth edition, and has a plethora of adventures and lore to learn about. The setting of D&D is a medieval fantasy world, where magic abounds and humans live with creatures such as elves, dwarves, and orcs.

D&D and many other TTRPGs have one person running the game alongside the players. This person is known as the "Dungeon Master" (DM) or the "Game Master" (GM). The GM does not get to participate as a player, but instead controls the world that the characters are in. To get started with D&D, you can check out their official books in our catalog.

It’s important to note that while D&D is the most popular TTRPG, there are a multitude of other options. While Dungeons and Dragons has a high-fantasy vibe, the sky's the limit when it comes to the setting of the world you are playing in. There are sci-fi games, superhero games, horror games, and realistic games. Rather than long rulebooks, there are lots of easy games for beginners, where the rules are less than one page. There are TTRPGs where there is no Game Master, and instead, everyone works together to shape the setting during play. You can even create your own game! I once played a friend’s Accountants and Actuaries game, where the characters were white-collar workers in an office (I swear it was more fun than it sounds). This catalog was created with Dungeons and Dragons in mind, but can be used for any tabletop role-playing game!

Why did you make the catalog?

A few years ago, the Map Collection and Children’s Literature Research Collection (CLRC) collaborated on an exhibition called Mapping Imagination: The Art of World-Building, which explored the creative and artistic choices that mapmakers use to build worlds and enhance storytelling. Included in the exhibition were some Dungeons and Dragons materials held by CLRC. The popularity of those materials was what inspired this project. To learn more about what Dungeons and Dragons objects are housed in the Children’s Literature Research Collection (including an early 1981 edition of the D&D rulebook!), take a look at the Dungeons and Dragons Reference list. Remember: you can view these materials by making an appointment.

How do I use this catalog? 

Your imagination is the limit! The catalog is composed as if it’s a catalog from a fictional library in the Dungeons and Dragons world, called the Free Library of Roraz Ást. You can incorporate this library and all of its objects into your game, or pick and choose specific objects to drop in as rewards (or punishments) for your players. Each object was written so that GMs (Game Masters) can make changes to fit their specific campaigns and playing styles. Use them as a jumping-off point to create your own fun, magical items!

Want to learn more about the Special Collections objects featured? Many of them are available in our Digital Collections. 

Currently, the catalog is only available in digital format, although individual pages can be printed. A bindable version is in the works, so make sure to check back for that! 

How can I share feedback?

How do you feel about this catalog? Do you have ideas that can improve it? We want to hear from you! Fill out the feedback form!