If you wanted to play an RPG on the trail (hiking, backpacking, picnic-ing, etc.), how would you set it up so you could roll dice in a non-aggravating way? I know dice-rolling software is the obvious choice, but let's just ignore any electronic solutions for the sake of argument. And let's say no diceless systems, too.
Best thing I can think of is a box, like RPGs often used to come with. Keep it near the top of your pack if it isn't stuffed too fully, or on the outside wrapped in a layer or two of garbage bag. A bit of tape stored in the box for emergency repairs in the field.
The up side of this is that it dovetails well with the old BECMI-style separate 64 page saddle stitched books for player and referees form factor. Which happens to be the one I'd use to keep weight down for a "go anywhere" type RPG designed to be played out of a backpack with a bunch of newbies. The box stores the game when you're not playing.
The down side is I'd have no idea where to buy such a box, or which manufacturer to trust for quality, assuming there are any manufacturers who sell retail. Buying an old RPG just for the box would seem like an expensive way to get a sturdy cardboard box.
I was also thinking about a box made of a light metal like aluminum, and lined with a bit of felt inside so it doesn't make a huge racket every time somebody makes a roll. It would hold up better, but probably be much more expensive. On the other hand, it might be easier to source a product like that.
I suppose an expert could try the "I roll on my hardcover PHB" method.
Ideas?
Edit: I just tested the "I roll on my hardcover 1e Deities & Demigods" method. It worked best with the book opened, pages up. The paper was a "faster" surface than the cover, and the opposite page formed a fairly effective backstop. Problem is the angle, which would need to be adjusted every time a different person is rolling, which would mean significantly slower play, and everyone pawing your nice hardcover down there in the dirt. I suppose a small piece of ground sheeting would solve the dirty pawing problem, though.
Edit2: I just discovered gamecrafter.com, which seems to be a good start. They sell game boxes.
Best thing I can think of is a box, like RPGs often used to come with. Keep it near the top of your pack if it isn't stuffed too fully, or on the outside wrapped in a layer or two of garbage bag. A bit of tape stored in the box for emergency repairs in the field.
The up side of this is that it dovetails well with the old BECMI-style separate 64 page saddle stitched books for player and referees form factor. Which happens to be the one I'd use to keep weight down for a "go anywhere" type RPG designed to be played out of a backpack with a bunch of newbies. The box stores the game when you're not playing.
The down side is I'd have no idea where to buy such a box, or which manufacturer to trust for quality, assuming there are any manufacturers who sell retail. Buying an old RPG just for the box would seem like an expensive way to get a sturdy cardboard box.
I was also thinking about a box made of a light metal like aluminum, and lined with a bit of felt inside so it doesn't make a huge racket every time somebody makes a roll. It would hold up better, but probably be much more expensive. On the other hand, it might be easier to source a product like that.
I suppose an expert could try the "I roll on my hardcover PHB" method.
Ideas?
Edit: I just tested the "I roll on my hardcover 1e Deities & Demigods" method. It worked best with the book opened, pages up. The paper was a "faster" surface than the cover, and the opposite page formed a fairly effective backstop. Problem is the angle, which would need to be adjusted every time a different person is rolling, which would mean significantly slower play, and everyone pawing your nice hardcover down there in the dirt. I suppose a small piece of ground sheeting would solve the dirty pawing problem, though.
Edit2: I just discovered gamecrafter.com, which seems to be a good start. They sell game boxes.
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