It is a typical Friday night. The drinks are poured, the gang’s all here, and we are getting ready to go—sit on the couch and play Dungeons and Dragons.
What immediately comes to mind are the dimly-lit basements of the 70s featuring tables of nerds—real nerds—snack foods, and game pieces. Many imagine it to be cult-like with lit candles and costumes. It’s just like Sam, Bill and Neal from Freaks and Geeks.
However, it’s not. Is it? Roll a D-20 to find out.
During my freshman year of college, my friend Reed approached me and said he played the game once in high school and asked if I wanted to try it. Finally, after weeks of asking, I told him I would try it—these stereotypes in mind.
He offered to be the dungeon master and write our story, and we began.
First, he explained the real rules: the game follows an interactive script written by the dungeon master with the characters pushing the plot ahead.
To start, the players fill out a character sheet detailing what their quest aesthetic would be. They can really be as creative as they want in every aspect of this game, which keeps it fresh and innovative.
Obviously I picked myself to be Jamie Lee Lohan, the embodiment of Lindsey’s Lohan’s Freaky Friday character. I gave her a wolf as a sidekick and loaded her full of cool super useful spells like the ability to create water whenever I want.
So, beers in hand, my group of friends set out on our Saturday night quest, which was to help Emerson Chief of Police Bob Smith.
Did we? Roll a D-20 to find out.
Jokes aside, this game doesn’t deserve the bad rep it has been given. The game is surrounded by stereotypes and people are unaware of the fun possibilities of this game.
You can engage in a grueling battle with Guy Ferrari, Demi-god and lose everything, or you can battle the neighborhood gang.
Unsure of what to do with your friends when you are bored? Roll a D-20 to find out.
Text by Rebecca Szkutak