Welcome back to the weekly Tabletop Games thread! This thread is where we can talk about all kinds of RPGs, card games, board games, etc. Whether you gather around a physical table in the real world, or use a virtual space to play with friends who may live far away from you, this is where you can discuss your favorites, ask for and/or receive recommendations, recap your recent adventures, or even find some people to play games with!

Discussion Prompt: A lot of TTRPGs involve secrets of one kind or another. The GM is usually trying to keep the players in the dark about the full scope of the BBEG’s evil plan, or waiting to reveal the treasure horde behind a secret door. But player characters could (and maybe even should) have secrets of their own–things they don’t really want their friends and allies to know about. The Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign for D&D 5e comes with a whole section of secrets that the PCs can choose from (or be assigned randomly). Secrets like this can provide a secondary motivation for your character’s in the game, and can increase the tension between the players for dramatic results. But sometimes, keeping secrets can lead to frustration and bad feelings–if, for instance, one player decides to secretly go behind the others’ backs and cut a deal with an NPC. Let’s shed some light on the best way to use secrets in your games, when and how to provide clues, and how to decide when is the right time for the big reveal.

If you would like to suggest a prompt or contribute a write-up or discussion topic of your own, let me know in the comments!