In 1974, Gary Gygax and David Arneson, influenced by tabletop wargames and the epic and pulp fantasy novels of their era, developed a new kind of game: Dungeons & Dragons. What set Dungeons & Dragons apart from its predecessors was its emphasis upon roleplaying and player agency, which over time, has developed into its own genre both on and off the tabletop–the roleplaying game, or RPG. Today, I’m focusing specifically on the tabletop variety, abbreviated as TTRPG.
For people who love stories and storytelling, TTRPGs are an experience like nothing else. Truly dynamic storylines are enabled by player agency, offering a fascinating insight into what makes stories work and how we as people tell stories together and to each other. Dungeon Masters (or Game Masters, Lore Keepers, etc.) often have a story in mind when they begin running a campaign: an evil dragon is attempting to usurp the kingdom and has sent his agents out through the land to do his bidding. This is the premise, the set-up for the campaign. Following this, the DM might envision an ending for the campaign where the players arrive at the foot of the dragon’s lair to slay them, once and for all. But maybe, instead, the players arrive at the foot of the dragon’s lair to join the dragon. Maybe they see the kingdom that the dragon seeks to overthrow as more evil than the dragon itself. Or maybe the players open a coffee shop and make money off of other adventuring groups who are all on a quest to slay the dragon.
While there are realistic limits to how stories play out, there is a limitless quality to TTRPGs that makes the stories parties tell together truly special. No two campaigns will ever be quite the same because every party is defined by the personalities of its players and the characters they create together. They’re not always satisfying stories or cohesive or logically consistent, but they’re built in an exercise of friendship and community, and a bit of everyone’s personality shines through in the finished product: a collection of memories of fun and make-believe that you rarely get outside of childhood. And then, sometimes you do get stories that are satisfying, cohesive, and logically sound; and they’re all the more powerful for knowing they were unplanned and unrehearsed, a raw expression of collective creativity and the passion of a few nerdy people.
In short, if you’ve never played D&D or another TTRPG, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It has been a highlight of my life and a constant source of comfort and support in troubled times. Art brings us together and ensures we’re never totally alone in our feelings. The art we create together–or if not art, the fun we share–only more so.
BeCaffinated and WSP work together to host D&D every second Monday of the month. Follow us at our Instagram to keep up with when we meet next. Whether you are a new player or a veteran, there’s a table waiting for you.
