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

Name: Game Designer Panel & Game Session: "Thieves of the Tome"
Start: 2026-01-28T18:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-28T22:00:00-05:00
Location: Side Quest Books & Games

Schedule

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

UTC-05:00

Location

Side Quest Books & Games | Somerville, MA

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.