Picts to be Brought to Life in New Game Based on Ground-breaking Research
Carved in Stone, a new collaboration between tabletop roleplaying game designers and archaeologists, is bringing to life an exciting period of Scottish history for storytellers, players, and heritage enthusiasts of all ages.
*UPDATE* Carved in Stone has now been released. Read about the launch or purchase your copy from Stout Stoat Press.
Dig It! and Edinburgh-based game design company Dungeons on a Dime have teamed up to combine the latest archaeological research with a new tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) that will enable the public to learn more about life in Scotland 1,300 years ago.
TTRPGs are collaborative storytelling games in which players take on the role of characters in the story. Typically, one person—sometimes called the Game Master or Narrator—manages the world and the challenges while the players explore and problem-solve. One of the most famous and elaborate examples of a TTRPG is Dungeons & Dragons, which appeared in the hit TV show Stranger Things.
In most TTRPGs, all players need is dice and a system of game rules. Setting books such as Carved in Stone describe the world in which the adventure takes place and can be used with any TTRPG rules system, whether that is Dungeons & Dragons or systems created by independent game designers, many of which are available for free online.
Carved in Stone concept art (© Faye Stacey / @pppondi)
Carved in Stone covers the period after the Battle of Nechtansmere in 685 CE when the Picts defeated the Northumbrians to become the leading political force in what is now Scotland. Game Narrators can use it to build adventures in which players explore the landscape, meet members of society, and create their own stories.
The book provides historically accurate details about elements that could help or hinder players during their adventures, but that doesn’t include skirmishes with the stereotypical naked Pictish warriors covered in blue tattoos. Carved in Stone is designed to address these types of misconceptions about the past, encourage critical thinking, and spotlight contemporary archaeological research which proves that Scotland has always been a multicultural, multilingual and socially diverse country.
The team have created concept art and layouts and now need to raise enough funds to produce the book. The Carved in Stone crowdfunding campaign launched on Saturday 13 November on Kickstarter with a range of digital, printed and special rewards for supporters, including game designing and fantasy writing workshops.
If successful, Carved in Stone will be available for purchase with copies donated to School Library Outreach, Glasgow’s school library service, which has provided literacy and education advice on the project. The text will later be released digitally under a Creative Commons license which means that anyone will be able to access, use and remix this project for free.
Carved in Stone cover and spread (© VER/@verface and © Emily Cheeseman/@emcheeseman)
Brian Tyrrell, Director at Dungeons on a Dime, said:
“History and archaeology are conversations between the past and present. For too long the same perspectives have dominated that conversation, interpreting evidence to reflect their own interests. A single book won’t undo decades of trauma, but we hope it can help inspire more people to examine their past critically and find that there was always a place for them in history where they previously thought there was none.”
Lizy Simonen, Learning Assistant at Glasgow Life (School Library Outreach), said:
“Roleplaying games are a mix of literature, storytelling, improvised theatre and visual arts. They bring people together to tell stories, problem solve and challenge each others’ imaginations. Research shows that these games have exceptional benefits, aiding in the development of identity and unity across minority and majority groups, teaching vital social skills and engaging vulnerable people. This is an exciting part of Scotland’s story and we are looking forward to helping tell it.”
Dan MacLean, Community Engagement and Finds Specialist at the Northern Picts Project and Carved in Stone consultant, said:
“We are currently experiencing an archaeological revolution in terms of understanding the 1st millennia CE, particularly the Pictish kingdoms. Excavations and project work by universities (especially Aberdeen and their Northern Picts project), commercial companies, community groups and museums are writing a new and exciting chapter in Scottish history. Carved in Stone lets you get in on the action—just in time for Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022”.
For more information, visit Kickstarter.
Dig It! is coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland.
(Header Image © VER – @verface)
