Crossing Cultures: Ready, Set, Play!
A Tabletop Roleplaying Experience at the Asian Civilisations Museum
From the 10th to the 12th of October 2025, Lore Obscure and our good friends at Meeple Finder had the absolute joy of joining the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in Singapore for their Crossing Cultures at ACM: Ready, Set, Play! event.
It was a celebration of games and stories across time — from ancient board games to modern tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) — and we were honoured to be a part of it.
Day One: When Dungeons & Dragons Met Gyan Chaupar
Custom Character Sheets and Minis for The Game of Knowledge
On the 10th of October, Lore Obscure was invited to create and run a special tabletop role-playing experience inspired by ACM’s Let's Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games exhibition on the rich history of board games.
We decided to merge two seemingly distant worlds — the iconic Dungeons & Dragons system and Gyan Chaupar, the ancient Indian game that eventually became Snakes and Ladders. The result was a one-of-a-kind storytelling adventure we called The Game of Knowledge, that blended myth, morality, and a touch of playful chaos.
Our team spent weeks researching and designing a session that would let visitors experience the spiritual and cultural roots of Gyan Chaupar, while exploring its timeless themes through a D&D-inspired lens.
With the help of our wonderful Lore Masters, players stepped into the roles of the Manava — “Children of God” — tasked with protecting their Maharaja from an ancient evil. As they climbed the board, moving ever upward toward enlightenment, a dark force tried to drag them back down.
It became a story of good versus evil, growth, and wisdom — echoing the same moral lessons found in Hindu mythology and Vedic tales.
By evening, the room was alive with laughter, curiosity, and storytelling. Many players left our tables not just entertained, but having learned a little more about how games from centuries ago continue to shape the way we play and imagine today.
Players face the final encounter in The Game of Knowledge
Day Two & Three: Nostalgia and Play with Meeple Finder
A fierce game of Carrom
The next two days brought a different kind of joy. As part of the Crossing Cultures showcase, Meeple Finder joined other passionate local boardgame designers and enthusiasts in ACM’s main foyer to run a selection of games designed in and inspired by Southeast Asia .
We brought along two familiar and traditional favourites — Carrom and Congkak — both staples of childhood for many in Singapore and across the region. It was incredible to see visitors light up as they recognised the boards, whispering stories of playing at home with their families.
Between rounds of play, we shared the history behind each game — their cultural significance, their origins, and how they continue to connect generations across time.
And of course, we were delighted (and slightly humbled!) to find ourselves bested at our own tables by some seriously skilled players. The laughter, nostalgia, and friendly competition made these two days truly special.
Members of the public have fun with Congkak and Carrom
A Weekend of Connection and Storytelling
Looking back, the Crossing Cultures event reminded us why we love what we do. Whether through tabletop roleplaying games or timeless classics like Congkak and Gyan Chaupar, games have always been a bridge — connecting people, memories, and cultures.
We’re deeply grateful to the Asian Civilisations Museum for hosting such a beautiful celebration of play, and to everyone who stopped by our tables to share stories, roll dice, and make new memories with us.
At Lore Obscure, we’re constantly exploring how stories and games can cross borders — cultural, historical, or imaginative — to bring people together.
If this inspires you to experience storytelling in new ways, explore our catalogue of original TTRPGs and discover adventures that span worlds, myths, and imagination.
Until next time — play boldly, play curiously, and never stop exploring.
Players picking their character sheets for The Game of Knowledge
