The Relationship Between TTRPGS and Youth Self Advocacy- Book of Spirits Highlight

The Relationships of TTRPGs and Youth Emotional Advocacy: Book of Spirits: Written By Thomas R Wilson

To be a youth today involves the constant barrage of social media, bullying, expectations, and community pressures. And within all of that, communicating needs while emotionally overwhelmed is difficult. However, as someone who works to serve youth with various lived experiences, I often find that many youth are not adequately educated on honoring their emotions while communicating. This lack of education can be for a variety of reasons. However, one primary reason is the youth's access to capable education on their emotional needs, creating a power vacuum between healthy daily living and the fallout of their actions. Because of this, we must provide youth with the resources they need to live their best lives. Furthermore, we live in an era of access to quality programs that provide unique and insightful introductions to understanding how to process, manage, and utilize their emotions. One singular option that is seeing a surge in use is the active play incorporated in Table Top Role Playing Games, partially due to the genre's evolution.

The reality is that TTRPGS( Table Top Role Playing Games) are designed to develop various unique skills. These games include real-time decision-making, math development, self-advocacy practice, public speaking practice, and leadership development. Skilled Game Masters worldwide are using these games to craft safe spaces for youth to be themselves without judgment and practice these skills with a safety net. As a Neuro Diversity specialist whose foundation is rooted in developing these skills, I have seen hundreds of youth be more confident and aware of their needs through active play. This idea may seem odd to you if you have yet to experience it firsthand, but I assure you it is true. Additionally, this is a growing niche within the world of mentorship that is greatly encouraged by the recognition of the practical use of active play to foster positive relationships. Overall, there is a great deal of promise within game systems like Book of Souls in more inclusive environments.

Book of Spirits has some truly unique mechanics. One of my favorites is how it utilizes the human psyche and emotional experiences to fuel gameplay. This aspect ranges from story options to monsters based on various emotional elements. As a Game Master who adores using emotions in the tone of combat, implementing a character narrative into the depth of the fight to pull my players in, this strikes a chord. One of my least favorite aspects of D&D is how little it often uses emotions well. We have all heard of a barbarian raging, but where is the element of play that dives into how spells can be tied inherently to a character's inner narrative or even nightmares? Yes, some GMs utilize this, but it is not often a central component of the story.

Furthermore, systems like these are perfect for youth who want to express themselves emotionally and learn ways to process the fallout. To be clear, TTRPGs are not therapy, and no game master should ever treated as a therapist if they are not serving that role. But it has to be stated that emotions are so human, and a system like this can really help develop immersive human stories that have real impacts.

To further explain this, I will break down some critical ways that TTRPGS is helping youth build their self-advocacy around their emotions. One of the most potent aspects of this is real-time decision-making. TTRPGS, as a whole, is built around asking players to constantly make wise, mindful, and even potentially competitive decisions. These decisions impact stories and help the stories told to be far more immersive, pulling you in and helping them better understand how their actions will play out. Rewarding players can build upon this by giving them in-game rewards or acknowledging these decisions and having them add core elements of the story into the lore. The other aspect is helping youth to find the native of their emotional decisions without real-world punishment. Another aspect of this is building confidence. TTRPGS helps build trust by helping youth role-play ideas and develop their thoughts and understanding of their actions and peer relationships. These benefits can help youth feel less alone, build friendships, and even get a better handle on expressing their emotions.

There is even a feeling of safety and comradery that can be developed due to games such as Book of Spirits. As a professional Game Master who emphasizes helping youth find their creative advocacy, I can not say enough good things about TTRPGS. One particular reason for this is that these games are built around community. We, as Game Masters, can help youth to better understand their emotions by establishing safe and Sensory spaces. When I say Sensory Spaces, I mean spaces that honor our players auditory, visual, stimulus, and emotional needs. Again, no game master should have to serve in this role if not wanted. However, honoring our players' sensory needs can help them feel safer and be more at home during gameplay. It can help them build stronger, longer-lasting friendships and express themselves more freely. I should also say that when youth express themselves many times, they are seen as disruptive. However, I need to note that all behavior is communication. And it is essential to understand why this communication is being told. I would also say that when youth are treated with respect, they may be more willing to hear your opinions on what they are expressing. Additionally, I would say that the more we build relationships of mutual respect, the youth at our tables will fully be able to own the space.

While I have touched on the importance of TTRPG, I want to spend a moment honoring emotions. Emotions are an integral aspect of what makes us human. No matter the emotions, when we know how to express them effectively, we can better connect with society and those around us. I also believe that experiencing the impact of negative emotions is also an essential human experience. These experiences, good or bad, allow us to understand ourselves and our lives better. Even the fallout of these emotions can make us better when we learn from them. Books like Book Of Spirits can help us understand these connections and experiences without that fallout. They can help us also learn how to connect to our emotions. And as a Game Master who greatly values emotions, I love this niche.

Game systems like Book of Spirits ultimately craft a unique niche that can genuinely empower players. This system can help us build better connections to our characters, stories, and fellow players. It can help us better understand ourselves as storytellers and build better worlds because of it. I hope that the Book of Spirits helps to inspire more emotionally driven systems so that, as a community, we can all grow, not just the youth at our table.

I highly recommend checking out this system and any other works by its creators.

And to find more work by me check out my linktree at https://linktr.ee/ndttrpg