Free is the newest member of the OnTableTop (OTT) team and so we wanted to make sure you got a chance to get to know her!

With that in mind, I asked Free a few questions about tabletop gaming and where it all began...

Introduce yourself and what your role is as part of the OTT Team!

My name is Freeland, but everybody calls me Free. I smile a lot, with the hope that the smile is contagious to those around me. Sharing good vibes, a 'puppies and rainbows' personality with a spice of Edgar Allan Poe. The smell of a new card deck straight from the pack to me is a smell unlike no other - to me, it is as nostalgic as the smell of a library. If you hadn't guessed by now, I am a card and board game fanatic.

At OnTableTop I will have my fingertips to the keys, reporting and writing on the newest of the news for predominately card games and board games. However, you will see articles surrounding miniatures games news from me too. I have been fortunate enough to be immersed in miniatures gaming by my wonderful colleagues here at OnTableTop and Wayland Games.

What's your favourite form of tabletop gaming?

Do I prefer board games or card games? That is the question - and it sure is a toughie! On one hand (pun very much intended), card games are my reason for loving tabletop gaming in the first place - there is nostalgia and it opened a whole new world for me to explore.

On the other hand, board games have come so far since I first started playing. It is not just as simple as playing Risk and Catan any more. There are a plethora of games readily available, all containing a new miniature universe in each individual box. I cannot commit to one defining favourite form. However, the love I share for board games and card games are uncomparable, so I choose both like a spoiled child!

What is your favourite game and/or games?

If there was a game to play flawlessly, that my life depended on it: Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game would be my defining choice. Especially as the game is still expanding. They may have taken a break for 2020, but I am super excited to see what Fantasy Flight Games has next for The Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game this year in 2021.

I play a lot of board games as a way of chilling and returning to my 'zen place', as I find board gaming incredibly therapeutic - well, that depends on what game I am playing! This is why solo board games make my eyes twinkle!

As an animal lover and all things pastel-coloured, I knew that I was going to love Wingspan just by looking at the box! I would describe this game to be included in my perfect Sunday. Feed the birds, lay their eggs and unlock abilities, and all from the comforts of my sofa in a pair of fluffy socks over, and over again.

How did you get into tabletop gaming?

As a girl of eight years old, I became consumed with the world and creatures that dwelled within Middle-earth. My eyes glistened as I feverishly turned through each page of The Hobbit, and as I grew older, I progressed into all of the other Tolkien adventures such as the Children of Hurin, and of course, The Simarillion.

I was so excited to embark on an adventure with the Ents of Fangorn, and Beorn near the river Anduin. But my adventures were hindered and cut short: by repeatedly turning over the last pages of the books, and reaching the end credits of the extended editions of the movies on a loop.

This was until a Christmas gift changed my intrigue, I too could now traipse through the Mines of Moria across the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. I could now be part of the unfolding events at the Battle of Helms Deep, shouting "break the dam, release the river!", and other obscure quotes at the top of my lungs as if I were really there.

I had travelled there and back again, and The Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game allowed me to be part of the unfolding events time and time again. Introducing me to a tabletop world of opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to in tabletop gaming currently?

The use of Kickstarter for tabletop gaming has been inspiring! I lurk Kickstarter most days, in search of new adventures to embark on. But specifically, the next title I am looking forward to is Root: The Marauder Expansion.

I enjoy Root for the chance to explore. As I find a lot of board games may be replayable, but it is not often where a game continuously expands and exploration is in your favour. Root and its evergrowing expansions make me feel like I am playing a new game each time I start. I already own everything from Root - and this train is not stopping!

What's a side of tabletop gaming that you'd love to explore more?

As you have probably realised, I am somebody who enjoys being engrossed in story and campaign when I game. Whilst I am not knee-deep in board game components, I am attached to my PS5 controller and my favourite genre is of course RPG. Yet the world of RPG gaming on the tabletop - I am merely a novice.

I have started to learn the mechanics of Malifaux. With a large scope of fantasy characters to choose from, I was drawn to the Neverborn and their dark and mysterious mannerisms. As a keen creative in my personal time, I have now decided to wield my airbrush for a new purpose - to paint and to get my miniatures tabletop ready so I can learn and explore a new avenue in tabletop gaming.

I am keen and fully equipped, with Sting in one hand and a Pokeball in the other. I am hoping to share my love for board and card games, and learn a lot more about RPGs and Miniatures Games on the journey ahead.

Thanks, Free and we can't wait to dive into more from the tabletop world with you as part of OTT!

Make sure to keep an eye out for more from Free over the coming weeks in the news section and as part of the Weekender team. There is a wide tabletop gaming world out there and it will be fun to explore more facets of it.

What got you started in tabletop gaming and would you like to see more of these team deep dives?