The Chanute Public Library is offering a place for the community to gather and learn about a type of game which has grown in popularity in recent years.
Peter Hungiapuko recently moved to the Chanute area. He brought his love of tabletop games with him from the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. This love of games, and the desire to be more involved in his new community led him to host the TTRPG Club at the library. TTRPG stands for tabletop role-playing games.
“I figure most people are familiar enough with it, and maybe they want to give these games a try,” Hungiapuko said. “This gives them the opportunity to do that.” He said TTRPG games such as “Pathfinder” or “Dungeons & Dragons” allow players to create the world they are playing in. He also said that playing games in a group can benefit one’s mental health by having social interaction and having an outlet that allows one to relax.
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“It’s also kind of about escapism,” Hungiapuko said.
He likened the feeling of playing TTRPG games as “like a mini-vacation.” Hungiapuko also said the games help players learn to think on their feet, often requiring strategic, creative thinking.
“It’s up to the player to determine what type of world they want to be in, and what they want to create,” Hungiapuko
said.
Strategy is particularly important for tabletop card games like “Magic: the Gathering,” where players summon creatures and cast spells to try and defeat their opponent.
Other games are more about creating a character, luck, and reacting to the word of the game, like “Dungeons & Dragons.”
Hungiapuko said he hoped that there is enough interest to do one-off campaigns.
“Those can be wrapped up in two or three hours, or so.”
Matt Meerian said he often played various role-playing video games, but tabletop games were new to him.
“I wanted to see what it was about,” Meerian said.
Librarian David Shaw said he and many of his coworkers enjoy roleplaying games, and said he would likely join in on the sessions when he is not working.
“I think it’s important because young people need to do something other than play video games alone,” Shaw said. “They need to be social.” Hungiapuko said players of all skill levels are welcome, from new players to veterans. The club meets in the adult library each Monday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and is open to those 16 and older.
