LSRPG is our latest participatory project at Compass, which will build a brand-new table top game, based on real people and places in Leeds, and made by real Leeds residents.

Created by Leeds-based artists Jack Sibley and Matt Allen, the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) will be developed through public workshops, giving local audiences a chance to provide legends, anecdotes, myths, overheard tales, and unreal memories to the game’s narrative — through this process, our city will become a playable, collaborative experience.

What is a ‘TTRPG’?

TTRPG stands for Tabletop Role-Playing Game. It is a collaborative storytelling game where participants describe their characters’ actions through speech and make choices that shape the narrative. Outcomes are usually determined by a set of rules and dice rolls.

The first TTRPG to be developed was Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the first edition of which was published in 1974. In recent years, D&D has gained a sizeable cult following, in part due to its inclusion in the hit Netflix Series, Stranger Things (2016).

The popularity of TTRPG’s more broadly may be credited to the format’s focus on collaborative storytelling between players as opposed to action or competition, as seen in many gaming genres.

LSRPG puts a local twist on this classic format, inviting you to sit at the table and step into a fictionalised, reimagined version of Leeds. Built entirely from local legends, personal anecdotes, and collective community imagination, the city itself becomes our map – and you have the power to shape it.

Workshop Details

Four free workshops are taking place in Farsley and Pudsey throughout July. Participants are invited to come along, create, test, and build the game. You don’t need to be an expert in game building – just someone who enjoys making, world-building, local history, or trying something new!

The workshops will take place in 2 parts:

The first workshop (LSRPG: Worldbuilding Workshop) will focus on game development, oral history and lore building. These sessions will be led by Leeds-based artist, writer and storyteller Matthew Bellwood, who will introduce participants to world-building through imagined, historical and autobiographical versions of the city.

Participants will be invited to share stories, create places, imagine characters, develop rumours and contribute ideas that may become part of the final game world.

The second workshop (LSRPG: Game-Testing Workshop) will be a chance for participants to play-test an early version of LSRPG and give their feedback. Players will be introduced to the rules and characters of the game, based on the stories, lore and local histories shared by participants in the Worldbuilding Workshop.

Participants are welcome to attend one workshop or take part across the full series. Those who do attend both workshops may see their ideas, stories and imagined versions of Leeds carried forward into the later game testing sessions.

No previous experience of tabletop role-playing games is needed. The workshops are suitable for people interested in storytelling, Leeds, local history, games, creative writing, oral history or imagined worlds.

 

Booking Tickets

Want to get involved? Reserve your free place via the Ticket Tailor booking links below:

PART 1: Worldbuilding Workshop

  • Monday 6 July, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley (1-4PM) BOOK HERE
  • Saturday 18 July, Grand Strategium, Pudsey (1-4PM) BOOK HERE

PART 2: Game-Testing Workshop

  • Monday 27 July, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley (1-4PM) BOOK HERE
  • Sunday 2 August, Grand Strategium, Pudsey (1-4PM) BOOK HERE

There are 12 spots available per workshop.

Please email any questions to producing@compassliveart.org.uk