Game Designer Panel & Game Session: "Thieves of the Tome"

Wed Jan 28 2026 at 06:30 pm to 10:00 pm UTC-05:00

Side Quest Books & Games | Somerville

Side Quest Books & Games
Publisher/HostSide Quest Books & Games
Game Designer Panel & Game Session: "Thieves of the Tome"
Advertisement
Join game designer George Philbrick for a discussion of his wild new RPG, "Thieves of the Tome" Sign up to play a session after the talk.
About this Event

Game designer George Philbrick will join Side Quest's Heather Silva to talk about his inspiration for Thieves of the Tome, the use of physical books in gameplay, and game design more broadly. After the chat, George will run a session for those who would like to play!

Agenda:

  • 6:30-7:30pm, discussion
  • 7:30-9:30/10pm, game session

Ticket options:

  • $5 discussion only
  • $15 discussion + game session


ABOUT THE GAME

The horrid wizards have stolen magic from every realm. They stole our spells, our destiny, and it's time to take it all back. Thank goodness you're here — a thief, cunning and resourceful.

You may not know how to cast magic, but you will cast magic nonetheless! Revel in the consequences of infinite arcane power and finite knowledge. For every spell that shrinks you to the size of dead skin, another will grow mountains in your foe's stomach.

Improvise and twist every wretched spell effect into something that can help you escape. Use every tool at your disposal to beat the wizards.

Do as Na'zar intended and embrace your destiny. Become a Thief of the Tome.

This explosive TTRPG is played using real books. You read that right, real books. You will bring a book from your shelf and turn it into a spellbook for another player to cast from. The GM will bring a book for you to dive into, shaping the world around you and the obstacles in your way.


ABOUT THE DESIGNER

George Philbrick is a forever GM and game designer living in Somerville. I design games largely with anti authoritarian and anti capitalist theming, and have a love of horror. I am currently in the midst of a 3 year Call of Cthulhu campaign and regularly run games at PAX U and PAX E conventions with Games on Demand.


ABOUT THE VENUE

Side Quest Books & Games is a woman-and-queer-owned fantasy shop for magical books, indie TTRPGs, and nerdy knick-knacks. It is located on the balcony level of Union Square's Bow Market in Somerville. (Please visit bowmarketsomerville.com for parking and transportation info.) Outside food & drink are allowed in. Masks are optional for this event, but please let us know and stay home if you fall ill.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Side Quest Books & Games, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, United States

Tickets

USD 6.24 to USD 16.74

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Discover more events by tags:

Art in SomervilleMagic-show in Somerville

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Somerville

Side Quest Book Club: "Nine Goblins" @ SQBG
Tue, 27 Jan at 07:00 pm Side Quest Book Club: "Nine Goblins" @ SQBG

Side Quest Books & Games

Stop Fighting Food: A 3-Part Dinner Series For The Diet-Tired
Wed, 28 Jan at 07:00 pm Stop Fighting Food: A 3-Part Dinner Series For The Diet-Tired

355 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143, United States, Somerville, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02143

Brian O\u2019Donovan Legacy Series: Revels Pub Sing
Wed, 28 Jan at 07:30 pm Brian O’Donovan Legacy Series: Revels Pub Sing

The Burren

The Brittany Fund - 2026 Boston Marathon
Thu, 29 Jan at 06:00 pm The Brittany Fund - 2026 Boston Marathon

Café Saint-Germain

TTRPG Game Jam Night @ SQBG
Thu, 29 Jan at 06:30 pm TTRPG Game Jam Night @ SQBG

Side Quest Books & Games

Liza Treyger
Thu, 29 Jan at 07:00 pm Liza Treyger

Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre

Joey Thieman Trio at Aeronaut Somerville
Thu, 29 Jan at 07:30 pm Joey Thieman Trio at Aeronaut Somerville

Aeronaut Brewing Company (Somerville, MA)

Somerville is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Somerville Events