Yes, ok? I admit it. I play Dungeons and Dragons.
*pause for dramatic effect*
I know you’re surprised. I would have been a few years ago if I’d found out that someone as cool as me played it.
I still clearly remember the days when I swore that I would never play this game because I’m not that much of a geek.
Evidently, I was wrong. I was convinced to give it a try by jml and to my chagrin I really enjoyed it. When I think about it, it really shouldn’t be surprising considering the fact that I play a lot of computer games. The difference is not at all huge, especially with the changes implemented in the new fourth edition rules.
In fact, if anything D&D gives me more of an opportunity to stretch my brain. I have a huge array of options available to me for use in any situation. I am not simply relegated to working out which object in the room requires me to walk up to it and hit the ‘use’ key.
See that bag of stuff on that pedestal over there? It is most likely trapped. In a computer game, I have a couple of options. I could walk over to it and take the item thereby setting off the trap or, I could walk over to it and use my Disable Trap skill. That’s it. Two options.
In D&D on the other hand, I could do either of the above or I could stand outside the room and try to knock the bag off of the pedestal with my sling and a stone, I could try to prod it off with a 10ft pole, I could attempt to lasso it, I could hang from the ceiling and try to grab it, I could use some sort of spell to levitate the bag… the list goes on.
The game is fun. More fun than its detractors would allow you to believe. You get to make up a character and do awesome stuff with it. You can make a min/maxed character in order to be as powerful as the rules of the game will allow, or you can create a balanced character and focus more on narrative and back story.
You can put on your character’s voice when they enter a conversation, or you can use the tried and true “My character says” method.
You can pick fights.
You can drink at a pub.
You can travel over the ocean.
You can be a hermit.
You can fall in love.
You can be caught in a compromising position (Can’t you Kevin?).
You can be incredibly stupid.
You can fly.
You can walk.
You can teleport.
You can kill.
You can be fanatical.
You can be boring.
You can be a hero.
You can be a villain.
You can be whatever you can imagine.
So instead of assuming the stereotype, give it a go.
If you don’t enjoy it, can I have your books? Because they’re overpriced in Australia.