Respectful Worldbuilding: Incorporating Indigenous Themes and Folk Traditions into Your TTRPG Campaigns
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have always been about storytelling, exploration, and cultural exchange. Many players and game masters (GMs) draw inspiration from real-world history, mythology, and folklore to enrich their campaigns. However, incorporating Indigenous themes and folk traditions into TTRPGs requires thoughtful research, respect, and an awareness of cultural sensitivity.
Why Respect Matters
Indigenous cultures have long histories of misrepresentation, appropriation, and erasure in popular media, including games. When GMs and players borrow elements from these traditions without understanding their deeper meanings or cultural significance, they risk reducing rich and complex cultures to stereotypes or tropes. However, when done thoughtfully and respectfully, incorporating Indigenous influences can deepen the narrative and create more immersive, meaningful experiences for everyone at the table.
Steps to Thoughtful Incorporation:
Do Your Research
One of the most important steps in incorporating Indigenous themes into a TTRPG is to learn about the cultures you wish to reference. Read books, listen to Indigenous voices, and seek out authentic sources such as Indigenous scholars, historians, and cultural leaders. Be aware that many Indigenous traditions are oral, and some knowledge is meant to remain within the community. Respect what is shared publicly and do not attempt to replicate restricted or sacred practices.
Avoid Stereotypes and Simplifications
Many TTRPG settings have drawn from broad, often inaccurate depictions of Indigenous cultures—especially in fantasy and colonialist narratives. Avoid one-dimensional portrayals such as the “noble savage,” the “mystical shaman,” or the “spiritual warrior.” Instead, look at the diversity of Indigenous societies, their governance, technological advancements, and dynamic histories. Indigenous cultures are not monolithic; each nation or community has unique traditions, languages, and ways of life.
Use Cultural Consultation and Sensitivity Readers
If you’re developing a campaign that involves Indigenous themes, seek input from Indigenous consultants or sensitivity readers. Many professionals offer services to review stories, settings, and character depictions to ensure they are respectful and accurate. Paying for these services acknowledges the value of their knowledge and helps avoid harmful misrepresentations.
Respect Sacred Practices and Stories
Some stories, symbols, and rituals are sacred or closed to outsiders. When incorporating Indigenous themes, avoid using real sacred ceremonies, religious rites, or protected cultural knowledge. Instead, focus on broader, publicly shared aspects of the culture, such as folklore, food traditions, clothing styles, or non-sacred mythology. Always ask: “Is this something that should be represented in a game?” If in doubt, err on the side of respect.
Collaborate and Uplift Indigenous Creators
One of the best ways to include Indigenous representation in TTRPGs is to support and amplify Indigenous game designers, artists, and writers. Many Indigenous creators are producing their own TTRPGs, supplements, and game settings. Purchasing, playing, and promoting these works not only brings authenticity to your table but also helps ensure that Indigenous voices are heard and valued in the gaming industry.
Create Inspired, Not Appropriated, Content
Rather than directly lifting elements from real-world Indigenous cultures, consider using them as a source of inspiration. Develop cultures in your world that are distinct and unique while honoring the themes and values that inspire you. For example, if you are drawn to the emphasis on kinship and community in certain Indigenous societies, you can create a fictional culture where relationships and mutual aid are central without replicating real-world religious practices or language.
Be Open to Feedback and Willing to Adjust
Even with the best intentions, mistakes happen. If someone points out that a cultural element in your game is problematic or misrepresentative, listen with an open mind. Acknowledge the feedback, do further research, and make changes accordingly. Growth and learning are continuous processes, and making respectful adjustments demonstrates your commitment to responsible storytelling.
Examples of Respectful Incorporation
Building a Fantasy Culture Inspired by Indigenous Values: Instead of copying an existing Indigenous culture, you can create a fantasy society where storytelling is the primary way laws are passed down, inspired by oral traditions. Their governance could be based on consensus rather than monarchy, reflecting some real-world Indigenous leadership structures.
Exploring Themes of Connection to the Land: Many Indigenous worldviews emphasize a deep connection to nature. A campaign setting could feature a people who live in harmony with the land, using sustainable practices, rather than exploiting it for resources.
Introducing Indigenous-Inspired Mythology and Creatures: Instead of borrowing specific deities or spirits from real-world cultures, create original mythical beings inspired by the themes of transformation, trickster figures, or elemental spirits found in various traditions.
Play with Purpose
Bringing Indigenous themes into your TTRPG campaign is a chance to tell richer, more meaningful stories, but it’s also an opportunity to foster respect and learning. If you’re interested in including these elements, commit to doing so responsibly—research thoroughly, seek Indigenous voices, and support Indigenous creators.
Start by exploring TTRPG materials by Indigenous designers, such as Coyote & Crow, an original sci-fi/fantasy game created by a team of Indigenous writers and artists. Seek out sensitivity readers if you plan to build a campaign with Indigenous-inspired cultures, and be open to growing in your understanding.
By approaching these themes with care, curiosity, and respect, you can help ensure that gaming remains an inclusive and enriching space for everyone. Now, grab your sword, keep on adventuring, and craft a world that celebrates diversity, honors storytelling traditions, and brings players together in a spirit of adventure and respect.
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