BEYOND THE TABLE •
BEYOND THE TABLE •
Tabletop gaming shapes us in ways that extend far past our gaming sessions. Here, Chicago's TTRPG community explores the bigger questions, deeper connections, and real-world impacts of our shared passion.
From examining how games can build democratic habits to advocating for accessibility and inclusion, these contributor stories dive into what happens when we take the lessons learned around gaming tables and apply them to our lives, our city, and our community.
Featured voices. Critical perspectives. Community conversations.
Beyond the Table showcases the thoughtful analysis and diverse experiences of Chicago's tabletop gaming community. Want to contribute? Contact us to pitch your story.
2026 TTRPG Conventions Schedule with Dates
There were far, far more TTRPG conventions happening in the Midwest and the wider U.S. than I could possibly have imagined. Here’s every one that I could find, along with their dates and links to the con’s site.
New Year, Same Dice: Refreshing Your Table Without Starting Over
A new year in tabletop roleplaying games doesn’t usually mean abandoning everything and starting over. More often, it looks like small resets. A new arc. A different system for a short run. A shift in how the group plays together. For a lot of tables, January is simply a chance to pause and ask what kind of game they actually want to be playing.
Next Level Night | 2025
It’s been an incredible year of events here at CTGA! From the Daggerhart launch to learning the secrets of Mynarrh from Anjali Bhimani to building our first adventures through the Windy Realm, we’ve gotten to meet so many incredible gamers here in Chicago. 2026 is going to be packed with even more events, but to make that happen, we need to raise a little cash.
Create TTRPG Festivals Inspired by Obscure Holiday Traditions Around the World
One of the easiest ways to make a tabletop roleplaying world feel alive is to give it holidays. Not just generic harvest festivals or winter feasts, but celebrations that feel specific, strange, and rooted in the lives of the people who observe them. Looking to lesser-known holiday traditions from around the world can offer rich inspiration, as long as we approach them with curiosity and care.
Quest Craft: Windy Realm Encounter Jam | Fall 2025
On November 30th, 2025, CTGA held Quest Craft, their first-ever Encounter Jam. For two weeks prior, local creators had been working on their own creations for attractions and dangers that players might encounter within the Windy Realm.
Shieldwall 2025 Wrap-Up: Community, Play, and Collective Power
What began as an idea to bring Chicago-area gamers together around mutual aid and community defense turned into an inspiring day full of learning, laughter, and generosity. This year’s Chicago Tabletop Gaming Association Shieldwall event was a reminder of what our community can accomplish when we gather with purpose, passion, and a shared commitment to protecting one another.