Use of props in games.

[Tortoise]

I stumbled on a great place to buy some props for the game and wanted to pass it along. I'm also curious about what types of things people use in their games for props.

http://www.mardigrasoutlet.com/default.asp

Hopefully this place can help everyone that is looking for some props. I just ordered some coins and a few other items.

 

[Tortoise]

I know I'm not the only DM that uses props in my game. Come on folks, I'm looking for ideas for cheap or interesting props and links to places to buy possible props. Any ideas, thoughts, etc?

 

[AFGNCAAP]

Letters. I'd either write or type up (using a hadwriting, archaic, or rune-like font) a letter for the PCs. It'd either be on parchment-like paper (available at office stores--costly for a small amount, though), or I'd print on regular paper, soak it in tea, then allow to sun-dry.

I'd often use pictures instead of props, though--more often than not, I'd be running at someone else's house, I'd find a perfect picture for the person/place/thing I was describing.

I have a nifty brass coin which I use as an example of what my world's currency looks like; on occasion, I also use some nice metal coins made for the local SCA barony.

Bit of acting on my part helps as well--using a goblet to drink from while depicting an NPC in a tavern; holding a silverware knife like a dagger; using dice as an improptu prop for gems; draping an arm over the chair, acting like it's a throne; etc. Not necessarily for the actual "look" of the object, but for the look of the action.

 

[alsih2o]

IMG, my wife plays a druid with an owl companion. She continually forgot to use the owl and eventually BK brought in a life-sized plastic lawn ornament owl and placed it in the room as a gentle reminder.

It eventually got in the way and our host (edge3343) placed it atop the back of his recliner, in her visual scope but out of the way.

Some hour or so later he shifted in the chair and caught the large, looming owl over top him and gave a start. Caught him quite off guard...we laughed long and hard.

Then he left it in the linen closet for his wife to stumble on....but that is not a game story.

 

[Tortoise]

Some cool ideas so far, especially including the ideas for physical actions to augment things.

The owl gives me an idea. I think I saw some fake crows/ravens/pigeons/doves in a store recently. A couple of birds might come in handy for familiars.

Some of the things I just ordered include Mardi Gras dubloons made of aluminum in silver, gold, red, green, and purple of various shapes and sizes. I also ordered a couple of "amulets", and a small broach pin of a purple domino mask trimmed in gold.

 

[Captain Howdy]

You can probably find some interesting bottles at glass/antique shops. Just fill them with an appropriate color of koolaid, and you have potions. Also, the old paper-with-burnt-edges-soaked-in-coffee prop is easy and cool. The best props usually come out of a little creativity though, not a store.

 

[shilsen]

Simple idea for a prop which isn't really a prop - next time your rogue picks a lock on a treasure chest, hand him an envelope full of little chits of paper. Each chit has the description of an item in the chest. In my experience, players find it much more exciting to encounter something like this than get a description from the DM - esp. when they come to the chit which says, "A small blue gem which - BOOM!!"

 

[Tortoise]

Simple idea for a prop which isn't really a prop - next time your rogue picks a lock on a treasure chest, hand him an envelope full of little chits of paper. Each chit has the description of an item in the chest. In my experience, players find it much more exciting to encounter something like this than get a description from the DM - esp. when they come to the chit which says, "A small blue gem which - BOOM!!"

You just gave me a great idea. Thanks! A little parchment, some sealing wax, a riddle and a letter opener and some unlucky PC will be rolling a saving throw.

 

[shilsen]

You just gave me a great idea. Thanks! A little parchment, some sealing wax, a riddle and a letter opener and some unlucky PC will be rolling a saving throw.

Glad to be of help. Another way to do that with a prop is to print or write out a letter (or sign or page in a book or...) which has a particularly weird looking symbol in the middle of the text. Hand it to the PC who is in a position to read it. Wait until he asks, "What's this symbol?" Open the PHB and show him the spell explosive runes

 

[diaglo]

RESPECT... aretha would be proud

i love props in game.

tea leaves, bags of chocolate gold coins, dice and cards, etc...

visual aids help some people get into character better.