Kait Mae

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have blown up even more since the pandemic, thanks to Critical Role, Dimension 20, and several other groups discovered through social media. Regardless if you’re a fantasy or science-fiction lover, or just want to play a game with friends without those elements, there are several options for you. And for me, I keep getting inspired by my favorite books, shows, and movies. So, today, I’m sharing some of those ideas – from fully fleshed-out campaigns to a quick one-shot – that I hope to bring to life one day.

‘Glitter Hearts’

I saw this on TikTok for the first time, and after saving it to remember it later, I started getting ads for it all over social media and Amazon. So, I delved deeper, and it’s amazing.

It’s described as “an action-packed RPG” with characters that “transform into powerful super heroes”. I need to find a group to play this with, even if it’s a one-shot.

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’

It doesn’t matter if you love the books or not, you can’t tell me this high fantasy setting isn’t perfect for a TTRPG campaign. Mix that with so many creatures just in Prythian, as well as lore and magical items we haven’t even seen in the books yet, who wouldn’t find this fun?

I would love to play a campaign where we get to play Under the Mountain and then as characters trying to rebuild during the book series away from the main plot. Or – hear me out – we play during the days before the Wall was up? Imagine the possibilities!

‘Throne of Glass’

While I’m on my Sarah J. Maas TTRPG ideas, I’m going to talk about my favorite series of hers – I know, I know, I’m in the minority there. I think the world of Throne of Glass is perfect for any time period for a campaign.

My ideal campaign would take place as Terrasen is rebuilding after the war. But I’m also not against playing during Elena’s time or even further in the future with new non-canon characters and storylines.

‘Crescent City’

Last in my Sarah J. Maas-based ideas, I think Crescent City would be an amazing way to dip your toe into TTRPGs without being too high fantasy. Sure, it’s technically high-fantasy, but it’s got a more modern touch.

The way I imagine it is very similar to Dimension 20’s The Unsleeping City but with more fantasy races and species. As for the time I’d prefer to play in would be directly after the third book – there’s gotta be some new BBEG than what the books had somewhere, right?

‘Grishaverse’

Just like with the Sarah J. Maas series, I think the Grishaverse books are perfect settings and magic systems to dive deep into TTRPGs. To me, it’s a lighter version of Dungeons and Dragons and gives science-fiction lovers a chance to try out fantasy.

I love the game Netflix put out for iOS for the show, and I think a campaign like that would be perfect – especially if everyone at the table loved either the books or the show. (Also, since I always mention it: Netflix, I’m still mad you canceled the show before the Six of Crows got adapted.)

‘Shades of Magic’

Before I get into it: I have yet to read the books, but they’re a high priority for 2025. So, once I finish them, I’m one hundred percent going to be fixated on creating a campaign with the magic system and settings.

I would personally love to DM this campaign and let players jump between the Londons. As for any other details, those are still up in the air until I’ve read the series.

Disney’s ‘Treasure Planet’

You cannot tell me this wouldn’t be a bomb campaign. That said, I don’t think this could last as a long campaign. I can only see it going for 4 or 5 sessions depending on the amount of players.

I’d love to DM and play in this. That’s how much I love this idea. It’s the perfect mix of science-fiction and fantasy for me, and I know there are people out there who would love this just as much as me.

DM Creations

This is not based on anything other than a post I saw on TikTok. I can’t find the original video (because TikTok was banned in America), but I’ll explain. Just know that I would love to DM this game.

The DM would fill out character sheets for the players (with a few extras) and the players could choose which one called to them and create their character’s personalities and backstories based on the sheets. I’d love to see this come to fruition in my life.

‘Winx Club’

I have one caveat for playing this if I ever do – either as DM or player – and that I’d have to play with all girls who loved the original cartoon. I don’t think I’d enjoy it as much if they weren’t obsessed with it growing up like me.

Just imagine: this could go years if everyone was down. My ideal campaign would be the players going through life at Alfea and defeating evil like the Winx girls. And imagine the spell slots having cute names and characters being able to level up with new transformations! I have to find people to do this with soon!

‘Batman’ and ‘Gotham Knights’

I would love to do a Batman and Gotham Knights campaign. I see this as two separate campaigns, but I’m putting them together because they’re pretty much tangled together. But let me focus on the Gotham Knights campaign.

I’d love to do a Gotham Knights comic run-inspired campaign where players are the Batfamily following Batman’s death. And just like with the Winx campaign, the players and DM would have to be fans of these stories.

‘Red Rising’

Other than loving this book series (and desperately wanting a television adaptation), I also bought the game Stonemaier Games put out. And while it’s not technically a TTRPG game, it inspired me.

I am currently working on homebrewing an actual system so I can play this with people who have or have not read the books. When I finally get to do this, you can bet I’ll be on cloud nine – especially because I plan on being the DM for it.

‘Peter Pan’

Everyone knows the Disney version, but I’d love to do a darker Peter Pan campaign. I was inspired by Christina Henry’s Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook which retells Peter Pan from Hook’s perspective before he was Hook.

I don’t care if I DM this or not, but I do have ideas for gameplay. Most importantly, though, depending on the amount of players, we could easily all play Lost Boys or the Darling siblings. And you can’t tell me Peter being a DM character isn’t a key element for this to work.

‘Tinker Bell’

While I’m on the topic of Neverland, let’s switch tones and focus on this lighthearted Tinker Bell-inspired campaign. I still love the entire Disney Fairies franchise (books, films, and games), so I would adore playing a little fairy in Pixie Hollow.

I don’t know how Disney hasn’t delved into this since TTRPGs kind of blew up during the pandemic. Anyway, if I were to DM, I’d pull purely from the books telling the history – but I wouldn’t be mad if I just played in someone else’s version of Pixie Hollow, too.

‘Percy Jackson’

I’m genuinely shocked this hasn’t been created officially yet. I’m sure there are tons of fans out there who have already played PJO-inspired campaigns, but I want to, too. And that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing for Red Rising and working on homebrew mechanics.

I could see this working in several ways – most likely short campaigns following quests taken on by a small group of players. There’s so much Greek and Roman mythology and lore that could be pulled from – the possibilities are endless.

‘Fourth Wing’

I’ve yet to read past the first book – since I’m on a book-buying ban again – but I genuinely think a short campaign following characters at the Academy would be amazing.

As for the dragons and Sigils, I think it could work in two ways: chosen by the DM before the campaign based on the character sheets or if players choose randomly and get what they get. It would be interesting to see if they expected one thing and have to play around with their reality.

‘Anne with an E’

Maybe it’s just me and wanting a cozy campaign. Or maybe it’s just me and wanting to relive the show in any way I can. I’d have to play this campaign with people who also loved the show.

I could see a modern take on Anne with an E or even following different characters in Green Gables. I also see it as similar to Dimension 20’s A Court of Fey and Flowers – maybe a bit more romance? This is definitely a girlier campaign in my head.

Superheroes

I don’t know how I’d do this, but I was inspired when I saw the DC Heroes TTRPG on Kickstarter. I nearly backed it until I couldn’t justify spending all the money it would cost to get the materials I wanted.

If I could find something that works, or if I find a friend with that game system, or if I could homebrew the Dungeons and Dragons system perfectly in my head, I would love to do a long campaign for this. It also might just end up being Glitter Hearts, if I’m being honest.

‘Lorien Legacies’

If you’ve ever read even just one book – or saw the okay movie adaptation – you know why I think this would be a great campaign setting. It’s perfect for fans of the books or people who want a more science-fiction-based TTRPG instead of high fantasy.

In my head, I’d set it during (or after) the sequel series Lorien Legacies Reborn, but I’m down for whatever, to be honest. I’d prefer not to DM the game, but I would step up if need be.

‘Red Queen’

You can’t tell me this series and world isn’t perfect for a TTRPG campaign. I don’t have any details for what I’d want to play with this inspiration, but I’m one hundred percent down if anyone else is.

I’d love to play after the main series, but again, whatever anyone else is up for, I’m also going with it. And if anyone is thinking, “What about Powerless?” I haven’t read it, and I love Red Queen. That’s all I have to say.

‘Sailor Moon’

I backed the Soldier Lune TTRPG on Kickstarter, and I’ve read through the PDF a bit. It looks so fun!

I need to watch all of Sailor Moon first, but when I do, it’s on. I just need to find a group to play with. Actually, no I don’t – I’ll do a solo play if I have to.

‘The Hunger Games’

This is the only TTRPG idea I have that is a one-shot through and through. And it’s not even my own original idea. I don’t remember who I saw post this idea, but I’m running with it.

I would love to DM a group of friends who play as tributes in the Games. And it would only work as a one-shot for me because we don’t want to draw out the competition for weeks.

‘Graceling’

If you saw my post last week about me adapting Graceling, then you know I grew up with this series. So it also shouldn’t be a surprise that I’d love to do a campaign in this world.

I’d set it after Seasparrow so we can explore other lands in the world, but I’d let the players have free reign over what kind of players they choose and where they want to venture to as the campaign continues.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and ‘Avatar: Legend of Korra’

Magpie Games knew what they were doing when they made Avatar Legends. I backed it on Kickstarter and I absolutely love the system. Have I played yet? No. Do I really, really want to? Abso-freaking-lutely. And do I have some people who might be interested in playing? I think I do.

For this, I think I would try my hand at DMing before actually being a player. As for when I’d set it if I were the DM, I think during Aang’s adulthood would be great so players could see Republic City being created. And if I got a second try DMing a campaign, maybe set it during Korra’s lifetime? Let the players interact with the Spirit Realm and spirit creatures? Sounds perfect to me.

Cruise Murder Mystery

In a perfect world, I’d be able to DM this. I was first inspired by Death and Other Details and then by one of Smosh’s Ultimate Werewolf game videos. I have so many ideas for it, and I’m hoping I get the chance soon.

If I had the chance, each session would be one full day on the cruise, and I see it being seven to ten sessions. I’d also give players the option to be the killer before we started, but only the one I chose would know if they were. (I’d choose by random pull of a name.)

‘Star Wars’

Rounding out my TTRPG ideas, we’re talking about a very science-fiction fantasy franchise that I think should put a game system out already. A lot of their video games recently (I haven’t played the older ones yet except the Battlefront games), have felt TTRPG-inspired.

I’d love to play campaigns in nearly every era we know of in this world – and I think I could talk a few friends into this since they love the franchise.

Do you have some TTRPG ideas that you want to play? Let me know in the comments. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a group to make it come alive.