What weird props do you use?

[sniffles]

I'm wondering if other groups use unusual items as props like my group does. For example, we collect the white plastic doodads that pizza delivery places use to keep the pizzas from sticking to the box lid. We use them to set minis on to represent characters who are are flying or are on a higher level, such as the 2nd floor of a building.

One GM works at a photo lab, and he collects the empty plastic 35mm film canisters, which get used as pillars or barrels. The containers often come with colored caps, and we use those to signify who's carrying the light source (orange cap), or someone who's affected by a spell (usually grey cap, but sometimes green or blue, depending on the spell effect). He also has a wide variety of other containers and film spools that serve various purposes. And lately he's been using the clear plastic lids from tubes of potato chips (like Pringles) to show area effects. The clear acrylic dice boxes have also seen use as spell effects, or force fields for superhero games.

Another GM took home some molded cardboard pieces that are used to keep printer toner cartridges rigid in the box. He cut them up to use as terrain and structure pieces.

Anybody else have unusual uses for common household items or other stuff you pick up at work?

 

[kenobi65]

We also use the "pizza doodads" (which I tend to call "Barbie tables") to represent flying (if the mini is atop it) or invisibility (if the mini is underneath it).

 

[diaglo]

i give mad props to all my homies....

i mean, we use all sorts of stuff. books, coins, dice bags, tea spilt on paper and then baked, charcoal and blood drawings, etc...

 

[Zander]

I've used row tally counters to keep track of hit points, spell durations, arrows etc. Row tally counters are normally used in knitting. They consist of two rings numbered 0 to 9 that can be rotated around an axle to indicate any number from 00 to 99. They're available in various colours and are pretty cheap.

There are some shown here: http://www.yarn-store.com/row-counters.html

I used the sleeve of a jacket once to represent a purple worm.

At CoC game at a con, I was assigned a monocle-wearing PC. I used my keyring (with the keys removed!) as my eye piece.

 

[Rel]

I've used row tally counters to keep track of hit points, spell durations, arrows etc. Row tally counters are normally used in knitting. They consist of two rings numbered 0 to 9 that can be rotated around an axle to indicate any number from 00 to 99. They're available in various colours and are pretty cheap.

There are some shown here: http://www.yarn-store.com/row-counters.html

Nice!

 

[diaglo]

why would someone want to count the number of arguments you are having over your knitting?

 

[sniffles]

I've used row tally counters to keep track of hit points, spell durations, arrows etc. Row tally counters are normally used in knitting. They consist of two rings numbered 0 to 9 that can be rotated around an axle to indicate any number from 00 to 99. They're available in various colours and are pretty cheap.

There are some shown here: http://www.yarn-store.com/row-counters.html

I used the sleeve of a jacket once to represent a purple worm.

At CoC game at a con, I was assigned a monocle-wearing PC. I used my keyring (with the keys removed!) as my eye piece.

Hey, I like the row tally counter idea! One of my friends crochets - I'll have to suggest that to her (I know crochet isn't the same, but she goes to yarn stores all the time).

 

[Quasqueton]

A dozen+ cardboard tubes from rolls of toilet paper to represent ancient (large) trees in a forest.

Quasqueton

 

[Old One]

Well...not a direct gaming prop, but we used to keep a jester's hat that someone picked up at a RenFaire which was rotated around when someone rolled really bad or did something particularly bone-headed. That person had to wear the hat until "relieved" by the next fool...

Somehow, the same 2-3 players always seemed to end up playing the fool...coincidence?

~ OO

 

[Tarangil]

What really works for a good effect is that any player that's wearing a helm (espcially a full helm) to talk into a large Beer/pop mug (glass works best) It gives voice resonance that sounds like that they're actually talking from inside the helmet.. As a DM I've used it with any Knight I've NPC'd. It's also good for giants if you have a really large mug.