Something Obscure Part 1: DnD!

The dimly lit room of hunched over figures, shadows dancing in the light of a flickering dim bulb. Each dressed in casual wear, however the comfortable environment turned foreboding as gazes are slowly shifted to the robed figure sitting at the front of this long table. Baubles and trinkets decorate the surface of the table, and the figure's upper body is obscured behind a trifold sheet of cardboard and paper. Dice litter on top of a worn and sketched out map, and figurines seem to almost shift in the dancing light. The figure seated at the front smiles, the glint of glasses and shine of light flashing against white teeth piercing the shadows obscuring countenance. Slowly, the figure speaks in a deep rolling voice, sending shivers down their player's spines: "Roll Initiative."

Now, that little description is only half the imagination of what DnD looks like in the minds of common people. That image has been left into the minds of those who might watch Critical Roll or seen Stranger Things or know of some other mainstream popularized DnD ideal. However, the common person might also imagine a table of skinny white boys, the stereotypical nerdy teens with braces and stutters, uttering some "cringe" comments and using a petty fantasy world to get women that they will never actually approach irl. Albiet a funny concept, that is also not the case. You see, DnD is closer to improve acting in my opinion. It can be this gigantic theatrical preformance, or it can be the nerdy rules and books and practical definitions all encyclopedia-like. But for me and my friends, DnD is storytelling near-perfection.

To start a game of DnD, you need to have a Dungeon Master. Anyone can be one, but if you try, you can be one yourself! Especially if you like reading stories or writing, it will make it much easier. DnD isn't about "playing it right", even though there are technically rules. It is about having fun with friends, challenging the psyche of a group, and just messing around. It is casual and mindless at times, but intense and gripping at others. The long droves of books are important in a sense, but as inspiration. Yes, I own all those expensive books, yes, some of which were a waste of money, but it has only taught me more about what DnD is and is not. It is a game about people, about others. And when you play as the DM, you have to respect your players. Its not just about your good time, its about making a fun experience for them. And if you are the kind of person who gets joy by seeing others enjoy your creations, Dungeon Mastering is for you.

There is a concept of making a completely unique campaign, cuz what DnD is on a base level is creating a story and having players run through it. Don't even think about the dice or the books or the stats or the rules or the thousands of guides yet: DnD is an interactive story and roleplaying game where you hang out with friends and immerse yourself in another world to complete challenges and go on an epic adventure. This adventure could look like anything, because individual characters have different ideas of what a cool adventure would look like. Maybe to the knight it is stealing the lady and killing the dragon, but to the wizard perhaps that princess is overrated and the dragon's tome of infinite wisdom makes a much better prize. That leads us to our next point, this outdated terminology of like winning humans. DnD is old, and sometimes people connect the dots of this old timey championing bullshit and this amazing game, and see that wow thats the only thing characters could want to do. And to that, I say nah, I dont even having to explain why misogyny is wrong to explain why  that doesn't fit the theming. Becasue not every character in DnD is this white knight savior. Was Batman fighting for a partner (from this point on I'm going to say partner, I can't even stomach this ironic bullshit anymore, ill get back to this in a sec)? No, he fought for honor and vengence. How about antiheros? ones that kill, ones that do bad things. People have more reasons to do stuff than just simple material pleasures, perhaps a backstory has fueled the character's motives. To truly enjoy a game, you have to work with your players to develope a character who fits your theming. The pirate aint going to fullfil her dream of being a swashbuckling bandit in the desert, and the berserker warrior isn't going bloodthirsty in the city streets without some consequences. Dispite how cool a character is or how funny it is to play out a different scenario, part of playing DnD is making a character that both fits the setting and is cool to the player and DM. If a character does not match the setting or is not approved, it doesn't mean you have to scrap it. Just save it for another time! Make a new cooler character with the DM that fits setting better. A good player and DM need to work together to make situations turn out well. 

So. To actually play DnD in a way that you enjoy, print up some sheets, look up a couple tutorials, but then make your own judgement call. Get some friends or offer to some acquaintances a hangout session where you try to play a game,  and follow the rules until they dont fit. If a player says, "can I do ___", decide if you would let them do it before consulting rules. If it doesn't seem too problematic, say sure. If it does seem problematic, say sure, but you reserve the right to change your mind. If they dont like that, remind them it is better than saying no. Part of your job is to be a mediator of the chaos, not in a power struggle way, but in the benevolent god of the game's world sense. You are only all powerful inside the world you made, but outside you are just a person perfectly capable of hurting others feelings too. Do not get too seperated from your impact on others outside of the game, make sure it doesn't leave anyone with hurt feelings! when you make calls others disagree with, be polite and firm. Stick to your guns, trust your gut, but don't be afraid to make acceptations or change your mind. 

Honestly, playing DnD is like being in a fun version of a group project. It can build personal leadership skills, and teaches you to adapt and learn. I'm sure you've noticed by now I havn't explained any of DnD's numerous rules and steps, because there are countless guides online in interesting ways of doing so. Play for yourself, for your players, for fun. Enjoy your world when you make it, enjoy the company. Because in my opinion, DnD is kinda like a love letter between friends, a story we weave and mend and laugh and live in, a life far away from our own problems, but safe if we let it be. 

Thanks for reading, and if theres another topic you want me to talk about shrowdedly, lemme know in the comments! my next topic will be: Background lore in games and stories! have a great day!