Caribbean Folklore Enters the TTRPG Space
How Monsters & Myths Brings Cultural Representation Through Community Collaboration with BARDD
Bridgetown, Barbados – Caribbean folklore is stepping into the spotlight of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) with Monsters & Myths, a bold new RPG that fuses regional mythology with an innovative card-driven system. More than just representation, this project is about authenticity—bringing the rhythm, storytelling traditions, and cultural depth of the Caribbean straight to the gaming table. And at the heart of that authenticity? A community-driven collaboration with Barbados Dungeons & Dragons (BARDD), a veteran TTRPG collective shaping the local gaming scene.
"You can’t just tell a story about Caribbean folklore—you have to tell it the Caribbean way," says Marc Gibson, lead designer of Monsters & Myths and CEO of Skylarkin’ Media Inc. "That means community, that means oral tradition, that means playing off each other’s energy. So when we started working with the Barbados Dungeons & Dragons crew, it wasn’t just ‘Oh hey, test our game.’ It was: ‘Come in. Help shape this thing. Let’s make something that feels like home.’"
A True Caribbean Tabletop Experience
BARDD has been a cornerstone of the Caribbean TTRPG community, running public and private tabletop games for years. Their involvement with Monsters & Myths goes beyond simple playtesting—it’s about ensuring the game truly reflects the way Caribbean players interact with storytelling and mechanics.
"BARDD has been running tabletop games in Barbados for years now, so they know the culture, the cadence, the little things that make a Caribbean table different," Gibson explains. "The way we banter, the way we story-tell, even how we argue about rules—it’s all part of the experience. Working with them wasn’t just about playtesting; it was about making sure that when people sit down to Monsters & Myths, they feel that authenticity from the jump."
The collaboration has also extended to live-play events, where BARDD’s Senior GM and co-founder, Drew, has brought Monsters & Myths to life in real time.
"On the live plays we've done so far, a Session Zero and a Session One, my role is to manage the stream," says Gibson. "Yet I can't help but find myself entranced by Drew's abilities to adapt the rules and the Village Over Yonder adventure module into this compelling, engaging narrative. I know what's coming from having created it, but it's a true thrill to see it unfold all the same. The flavour is a bit different in the best way, but the ingredients are familiar. Drew's also fantastic at adapting to the wild shenanigans of his players while maintaining the shape of the narrative."
More Than a Game – A Movement
At its core, Monsters & Myths is about more than just introducing Caribbean folklore to the TTRPG space—it’s about carving out a permanent space for Caribbean creators, players, and game masters.
"The cool thing about working with BARDD is that they’re just as passionate about building up our local scene as we are," Gibson continues. "We’re not just making a game—we’re showing that Caribbean creators belong in this space. That our myths, our stories, our playstyles are worth bringing to the world stage. And trust me, we’re just getting started."
The game has already proven its momentum, reaching full funding within just two days as part of the BackerKit/Pocketopia 2025 crowdfunding event. With an enthusiastic community rallying behind it, Monsters & Myths is shaping up to be more than a game—it’s a statement.
"At the end of the day, Monsters & Myths isn’t just about representing Caribbean folklore—it’s about representing how we play," says Gibson. "The energy, the back-and-forth, the sense that the game is just the starting point and the real magic happens at the table. BARDD got that from day one, and that’s why this collaboration was such a perfect fit."
Join the Story
The Monsters & Myths campaign is live now on BackerKit, with more updates and live-play sessions rolling out. Fans of folklore-driven RPGs, narrative-first gameplay, and cultural storytelling can get an exclusive look by tuning in to BARDD’s ongoing live play series on YouTube.
For exclusive interviews, previews, and first-hand gameplay demonstrations, contact Skylarkin' Media Inc.
Media Contact:
Marc Gibson CEO & CCO, Skylarkin' Media Inc.
info@info@skylarkinmedia.com
Instagram: @alluhwicomics
About Skylarkin’ Media Inc. Skylarkin’ Media Inc. is dedicated to bringing Caribbean storytelling to the world through comics, games, and immersive entertainment. With a focus on authenticity, innovation, and cultural representation, the company is building an interconnected transmedia universe where Caribbean folklore takes center stage.
Campaign Details: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/skylarkin-media-inc/monsters-myths-a-multi-world-rpg-system
About BARDD
Barbados Dungeons & Dragons (BARDD) is the leading TTRPG community in Barbados, fostering a welcoming space for players of all experience levels to explore immersive storytelling through role playing games.
