11/12/2025

Happy Thursday, adventurers, and welcome back to Tabletop Thoughts!

Let’s talk about something I’ve come to love in my campaigns — the bulletin board. You know the one: a weathered board covered in notices, wanted posters, and scribbled messages tacked up by desperate townsfolk. It’s the fantasy world’s version of a community Facebook group (but with more rats and fewer conspiracy theories).

A good bulletin board is more than just set dressing. It’s a storytelling tool. It gives players direction without railroading them, and it makes the world feel alive. Every slip of parchment and wax-sealed note tells a story waiting to unfold.

Actual bulletin board from one of my campaigns

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Why You Need a Bulletin Board

Think of it as your campaign’s quest hub — a simple way to present hooks, rumors, and local color all in one place. When your players roll into town, they can head to the board at the tavern or town square to see what’s new. It’s an easy in-game reason for them to find adventures you’ve already seeded in the world.

It also helps balance structured and sandbox play. Players get to choose what interests them — maybe the “bandit trouble” catches their eye, or maybe they’d rather help the farmer with the “mysterious crop-eating pests.”

Either way, they feel in control, and you look like a genius for having a world that runs on its own logic.

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A blank bulletin board to use if you need

Building the Board (Digitally!)

Here’s the fun part: in our modern age of glowing screens and endless layers, building your own bulletin board is super easy.

Programs like Photoshop, Paint.NET, or even Canva make it simple to bring your idea to life. Start with a background — a wooden board, a stone wall, or the side of a tavern. Then, make each notice its own layer. You can find images of wanted posters or just blank old paper and create your own notes!

That way, you can easily move, change, or remove items as your campaign evolves. Maybe the “Missing: Blacksmith’s Daughter” poster comes down after the heroes rescue her. Or a new “Town Festival!” notice goes up as the solstice nears.

Your board becomes a living document — always changing, just like your world.

Once it’s ready, export it as an image to share online for virtual games, or print it as a handout for your in-person table. Either way, it’s a fantastic prop that keeps your players coming back to check what’s new.

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What Goes on the Board?

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Wanted Poster: “Dead or Alive! 100 gold for the capture of ‘One-Eyed Bren’, highwayman and known scoundrel.”
• Job Posting: “Reliable torchbearer available for hire. Knows how to run when things get weird.”
• Help Wanted: “Rats. Big ones. They took my cat. Need brave souls to clear my barn.”
• Announcement: “Harvest Festival this weekend! Games, food, and the annual pie-eating contest!”
• Rumor Note: “Strange lights seen over Old Barrow Hill. Best not to go poking around there after dark.”

You can even drop in subtle foreshadowing — a torn note mentioning a far-off kingdom, or a faded symbol that ties into your main plot later.

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Final Thoughts

A campaign bulletin board is one of those small touches that pays off big. It’s visual, interactive, and endlessly adaptable. Your players will love checking it every time they’re in town, and you’ll love having a flexible way to introduce quests and world flavor.

So grab your digital hammer and nails, adventurers — it’s time to start pinning up some stories.

If you’re looking to add some extra life to your table, check out my miniatures and terrain pieces over at DM David’s Prints on Etsy. Every piece is printed, painted (or unpainted if you prefer), and ready to ship — perfect for bringing your next session to life.

Keep on gaming!