I'm 50 years old. My children are grown, and they play D&D with me on a semi weekly basis, and have been since they were around 10. We bonded slaying monsters and telling fantasy stories. I'll probably play with my grand children. I've been married 28 years, have my own business, and I will play until I can't hold the dice anymore! Game on!
DummyUrD I've come close a few times. The reaction of my youngest when her rogue went to grab those 'hovering coins' and got enveloped by a gelatinous cube was priceless.
IRL I'm a tiny, 5'1", full-time nurse, and full-time student. However, in D&D I'm a big scary barbarian woman wielding a broad sword. I enjoy playing a dumb and impulsive/reckless character because I can never act that way as a real life healer. Every day when working in the ICU or studying for classes I critically think to solve problems. As a barbarian I get to turn all of that off, "rage", and hit things harder than any other character on the board can. It's empowering, really. -Niki, Registered Nursomancer.
Nerdarchy Hey! healer can be fun. Artificer healing may not be the best or the most efficient but when the chips are down I can usually pump out 3d8+13x2 heals at (3rd level). Plus if you're an arty, you can make homunculi for cheaper and make them much stronger than usual
I teach 5-12 year olds. Always need to be organized, patient, flexible, understanding, etc. I've never played a non-chaotic character. Equips +2 weapon of math instruction.
I made a mediator character who wasn't a cleric, but well educated in medical field. My friends thought it was stupid, but I wanted to go for it. Any time he was present I talked out every issue we had with the enemy, helped those monsters out and usually befriended them, if not at least were allowed on our merry way. I'd patch up creatures, medicate baby orcs, revive and treat those that needed it. Work out peace with villages and tribes of goblins. We got to a point where the BBEG was one who refused logic, couldn't respond to reason, and after putting myself at risk and approaching in a diplomatic way, he struck me down. And my friends had to retreat. As my friends planned new ways to get revenge in a near by town, they here what they thought was an army coming to wreak havoc on the town. When they went outside they saw it was the Orc tribe that swore an oath of honor to pay me back, sentient animals who we explained their new mental state and introduced them to the city nearby, The goblin and the villagers who had developed a booming economy and have been working together since, giants, a dragon and an assortment of other races, and creatures that I had helped. The word had spread of my death, and those that I had helped knew that only something of pure death and evil would strike me down and came to avenge me. The BBEG was destroyed and the races came together, joined as a single faction and sword oaths in my name to honor the code I set forth, and to honor their pledges that day to one another. First time a character I had die where I was 100% okay with it. :D
... Holy... I usually like to play magic characters. I max out my casting stat and get all the awesome spells I can muster. But only one time have I had something like THAT happen to me. I was a catfolk scout, second level, and we walk into this small dwarven town. We're tasked with trudging to a kobold warren to clear them out so the dwarves could get to the mithril inside, offered a nice reward to do so. So we walk for a half day and come upon the warren. Something is immediately off. There are guards standing by the entrance, but there's children playing outside. So my character stands up and walks straight towards the entrance to the warren. Weapons sheathed, the guards don't react threateningly. one of the other party members joins me and together we go inside. we are introduced to the chief of the warren of between 100-200 kobolds of all ages, and come to find that the dwarves are evil worshippers of Tiamat and want to murder them all in cold blood for material gain. I begin to cry because of the shame of my intent in coming here to murder these kind people. The chief lays his hands on my shoulders and whispers to me, "It's alright my child, no harm was done, no atrocity committed. You now know the truth behind the intent of the dwarves, and you're cleansed from all sin." We explained everything to the rest of the party and faced off against a small band of dwarves, fully classed NPCs of our level, and with a hard fought engagement we defeated them. We ended up literally blowing the town sky high because the idiots had barrels of Alchemist's Fire in the catacombs beneath the city, and we lit those up. Also, I died later and was resurrected as an Aasimar Paladin (in-game cursed-disease that all PCs had), and my new friends the kobolds helped me almost fully complete a suit of Mithril Full Plate armor in two weeks. I invented the assembly line. All stemming from making friends. I am so going to play a more diplomatic character next time I play!!!
... Holy... I usually like to play magic characters. I max out my casting stat and get all the awesome spells I can muster. But only one time have I had something like THAT happen to me. I was a catfolk scout, second level, and we walk into this small dwarven town. We're tasked with trudging to a kobold warren to clear them out so the dwarves could get to the mithril inside, offered a nice reward to do so. So we walk for a half day and come upon the warren. Something is immediately off. There are guards standing by the entrance, but there's children playing outside. So my character stands up and walks straight towards the entrance to the warren. Weapons sheathed, the guards don't react threateningly. one of the other party members joins me and together we go inside. we are introduced to the chief of the warren of between 100-200 kobolds of all ages, and come to find that the dwarves are evil worshippers of Tiamat and want to murder them all in cold blood for material gain. I begin to cry because of the shame of my intent in coming here to murder these kind people. The chief lays his hands on my shoulders and whispers to me, "It's alright my child, no harm was done, no atrocity committed. You now know the truth behind the intent of the dwarves, and you're cleansed from all sin." We explained everything to the rest of the party and faced off against a small band of dwarves, fully classed NPCs of our level, and with a hard fought engagement we defeated them. We ended up literally blowing the town sky high because the idiots had barrels of Alchemist's Fire in the catacombs beneath the city, and we lit those up. Also, I died later and was resurrected as an Aasimar Paladin (in-game cursed-disease that all PCs had), and my new friends the kobolds helped me almost fully complete a suit of Mithril Full Plate armor in two weeks. I invented the assembly line. All stemming from making friends. I am so going to play a more diplomatic character next time I play!!!
you roll a 20, everyone is actually decent human beings, and decides that tomorrow, instead of indulging in black Friday, just decided to chill at hope, playing D&D.
My favorite D&D story is this: During our first session we encountered your standard orc attack. We were defending a war camp. We killed all the little orc peons and subdued the orc warleader. We ended up taking him captive, bribing and threatening him into leading us back to his camp, and then growing to kind of like him. We left him tied up at the bottom of a cave shaft while we burned his camp down, but we also left him some food. At the end of the session we took him back with us to our war camp. The next session, our DM's brother-in-law joined the campaign... as the orc war chief. An in-game character became a player character because we thought outside the box.
I presented my mid-level (8th & 9th level) players with a scenario. They came across a goblin caravan. As mid level characters they immediately began slaying goblins, laughing with amusement at how weak they were and how easily they were winning. They went on laughing right up to the moment when they looked in the back of one wagon and saw the caravan was a group of refugees, women, children, the elderly, the sick and wounded, all noncombatants and all fleeing war, forced conscription, and genocide. Ever since that encounter, whenever my players come across a gathering of any sort, regardless of how it first appears, they try to find out what is actually going on before taking action.
I love presenting players awful dilemmas (Skyrim style - so you never know which thing is the right thing to do), but also add both good and bad consequences of their actions.
That reminds me of the first time I played an RPG. It was set in a post-apocalyptic world where many humans had turned into mutants and many animals had mutated into intelligent and anthropomorphized versions of their original species. Technologically, the world was largely at a late 18th/early 19th century level, with some scavenged Old World tech thrown into the mix here and there. I was a cyborg, a 'remnant' from the pre-war civilization who had recently stepped out of a bunker after waking up from a long cryo-sleep, carrying upwards of half a dozen advanced weapons in addition to my greatly enhanced strength etc (including a funny gyrojet pistol). I came across a small town where there was obviously something strange going on. I decided to investigate... for some reason. I heard rumors of strange things happening at a nearby cemetery and headed over there. When climbing over the wall surrounding the cemetery I accidentally ruined the home of a mutated squirrel who was living inside the wall. I helped repair the damage and decided to ask him if he'd noticed anything unusual going on in the area. In exchange for some booze I had bought earlier I got the information I sought and could proceed with my investigation. After the session the GM told me that I was the first player to have resolved the encounter at the cemetery in that fashion. All my friends who had played the scenario before me had responded in the same way: they immediately killed the squirrel.
HideousConformity The game you describe sounds a lot like "MUTANT - Undergångens Arvtagare", a game I've played and loved for a long time. I like it when players don't immediately butcher everything on sight. I usually play characters who won't fight unless they have to. Talking can lead to so much more interesting things, killing is a one-way trip.
I'm pushing 60, and I started playing before most folks had even heard of it. I have friends of a similar age who have been gaming together regularly for 20+ years. My wife and I played with our friends for years, watching first their son, then ours grow up. It stays with you. But back in 1981, i played with a group of shipmates, most of whom had never gamed before, while on patrol in the Carribbean. Joining our crew was an INS agent, who held a masters degree in history. He created a world for us based on Norse mythology, and spun our adventures without rule books or maps, creating the whole landscape based on real geography of actual places. Situations and adventures were based on historical facts and lifestyles extrapolated by historians, and featured mythological creatures pulled right out of Beowulf. Night after night, for a nearly six week patrol, we kept ourselves entertained for hours. It was the most amazing gaming experience I've ever had.
My son is on the autism spectrum, and he and I have been playing in a father & son group for a few years now. It's been a big help for him. His finest moment was when his wizard polymorphed a flying dragon into a turkey. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
As someone on the spectrum myself this always makes me so happy, because sometimes it's really stressful to find other ways of going out and interacting, but so far this game has been perfect.
I got my sister on it, and she's also on the spectrum. She was non-verbal aside from a few grunts and hums if you don't have her interest. Got her into it, and now she plays online with a few friends and she's a chatterbox so long as she's in the mind of her character.
@Scott Whatever this is an amazing idea. I am surprised that no-one looked into it. Glad that you do. After all, don't we all play a character all day long?
I see Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, Jann, and even Half-Elves and some Half-Orcs as humanities brother's and sisters. I see Orcs as brutes for raiding and pillaging even themselves. I see Elves as arrogant turncoats. I see Dark Elves as barbaric versions of their cousins. The rest I view neutrally. But I'm willing to view anyone as a potential ally and friend if they're willing to treat me likewise. Also, screw the fey, preferably with iron.
I think his lessons were pretty well, I do not agree with him still putting RPGs into the "Nerd" corner alone, he refuted that argument earlier by showing a lot of "non-Nerds" who had to do with RPGs
DummyUrD It is indeed not just in the 'nerd' sphere alone and as much as we dislike labels and so on sometimes it is easier for the sake of time. I know plenty of non-nerds who roleplay. Also isn't being a nerd or a geek about having passion for something, whether you are a boardgame geek or a football nerd, you have a great passion for it and want to be involved with it. Think he did it for ease of use considering he only had a short time to talk and we for one can talk about Roleplaying for days lol :)
+How to be a Great Game Master hell yeah man i try to tell people about my game and i can go for hours on one game but their eyes glaze over and they slip into comatose.😜
I think the coolness would be sucked out if teachers who didn't really care about tabletop culture tried teaching it. I have an awesome teacher in my school who actually runs a game club, focusing most on the tabletop, but card, board, and video games are played too. From what I can tell though he doesn't bring it into the classroom.
I'm a trainee primary teacher and former EFL teacher, and on my last school placement I started working on an RPG-themed gamification programme. It was really successful and am currently in the process of writing up what I did as a resource for other teachers and parents.
Like with videogaming it would require sacrifices that teachers (reasonably) are not willing to make. In the case of D&D, the big one is time. You'd be spending an enormous amount of time dealing with things that are not related to what you are trying to work with. Want to teach math? Well you'll quickly find that an inordinate amount of time is spent with the story and character decisions. Want to teach storytelling? What are you going to do when "I attack the ____" is their solution to everything (something totally legitimate in D&D)? Characterization is probably the only thing that will work. I applaud teachers for looking into these things, but as someone once looking to become a special education teacher myself, and a gamer in terms of both videogames and D&D, I would never use these as a primary means of teaching content. The existing educational framework is incompatible, and you won't be building the specific skills you are expected to build at a fast enough rate. These games are successful because of tangential learning. You can think of it almost as RNG learning: roll the dice and see what they learn. Problem is, teachers are expected to teach students in a very specific order, and stick with their specialty, the metaphorical equivelent would be that you need the results to be specifically 2, 4, 6 on a d6 roll, in that order. That's not how D&D or videogames work. You get greater enthusiasm, yes, and you will definitely learn, but what you learn when cannot be controlled, and attempting to control it destroys the engagement you were seeking in the first place. That said, I believe games absolutely have a place in the school system. Extra time after school for a D&D club would be very appropriate, or letting kids play whatever videogames their parents will allow during their breaks (with a rare exception for games with few to no redeeming qualities, but I feel most teachers would take that way too far in their definition). But not as a primary means of teaching content. There are a few exceptions, like Oregon and Amazon Trail. But even educational games are usually to rigid.
True story: I am a man, but, in a D&D campaign with friends, I played for a long time a half-elven female archer and bowyer. I had so much fun with her, that I developed an interest in bows, started to investigate about it, found a school in my town, began to practice, bought my own recurve bow and got a whole new hobby! From D&D to real life. :)
Do it the way my campaign did: use "disguise self" to seduce him as a lady troll.... Or don't. Actually, long story short we ended up having to castrate him. :-/
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that, but it's certainly beneficial to supplement them with storytelling born from our own imagination.
I'm about to turn 20. In high school, I was somewhere between the stereotypes of nerd and jock, with many of my friends in the same group. I had been interested in D&D for years, and one day one of my friends approached me about wanting to play. We got our other friends involved and started a group. This changed our friendships forever. We talked about it all the time, and other groups started sprouting up around the school. Before we knew it there were 5 to 6 regular D&D groups in our high school. We played whenever we could, we even did a one of in the hotel during our senior trip. D&D helped us stopped arguing, helped us grow our friendships, and even saved one of my relationships with a guy in my group. 10/10 would play again
TED Talk: Once per battle, the user can do a TED Talk to inspire the party. On a successful DC 15 roll, inmediately cancel any INT-based charms affecting the players. All players in the party gain a +1 to Intelligence, gain advantage on Wisdom saving throws, and are immune to Charm effects.
Played a game where someone ran off with a baby...😅 We're all sitting back as she hurtles into the cave tunnels towards grumpy rats saying ' come back! You don't split up the party!'
you prob won't believe this but; where I grew up half the school played D&D or Vampires or Exalted etc. (Mostly D&D) Some of the most fondest memories I have is enjoying these games together. And it wasnt your stereotypical geek and nerds.. preppy kids, goth kids, stoners, jocks, hell even the teachers...somehow it magically bridged a gap.. Of coarse real life has a way of getting in the way of such things but unless i lose my mind I will always have these memories.
I had gotten all my high school friends into it. When I started college only a couple months ago, I ended up bringing people together that would've never met otherwise. We meet every Saturday and it's been a blast so far. D&D brings people together like no other game can.
I’m a pretty shy person. Not very confident, not the loud one in a crowd. When I speak to coworkers, they don’t care to listen. When I talk to my family, they care, but they don’t listen as closely as I listen to them. But when I’m the Dungeon Master, everyone is hanging on my every word. I feel confident, I’m louder, I’m doing voices, I’m acting. These are things I never thought I could do. Which gives me more confidence in real life. I find that the more I DM, the more I take on the real world with the attitude of someone that people should be listening to.
Over half the people I know that play D&D are women like me - please try to help dispel the myth of it being a "boys club" kind of game. Many of us never had a chance to try because nobody thought to invite us. Everyone, male or female, who I have introduced to the game loves it. I only started because I found a Star Wars starter set (Invasion of Theed) and said to a few friends "hey, I've always kinda wanted to try this, shall we?" - in the years since then we now play 3 systems (Dragon Age, Star Wars Saga Edition after we moved on from previous core rules, and D&D 5e), in many campaigns. I've sat both sides of the GM screen and made new friends across the table as well as reinforcing old friendships. I wish someone had asked me to play when I was younger. I was the kid in the library reading a bunch of fantasy books, daydreaming and writing things of my own. I know when I start a family some day that my children will play too.
Truth, half my RP group is female, and as a guy I can say without a doubt role-playing is something that is 100% gender equal and is only limited by the individuals imagination.
UltimateToby 17 they are literally everywhere. Step 1 to meeting more nerdy girls is to stop thinking we are a rarity ;) Step 2 is never question or test our geek cred. It's hugely off putting and doesn't make us feel friendly towards people who do this but sadly some still do :( Step 3 try conventions - many geek girls don't always wear it plain in sight all over the place (unlike me with a wardrobe full of nerd shirts and a penchant for merch everywhere), so try places where nerds go. Conventions, websites, video games, comic shops, etc etc. Step 4 is simply just remember to treat us a people not as specifically girls. I have a pet hate for other video gamers who refer to us as "girl gamers" as if being female somehow makes us different to any other gamer. We are all equal in our passion for geeky pursuits :)
Jay Cumming It can vary. The mentality of "people who play D&D are lonely socially awkward guys who eat cheetos and drink mountain dew" still exists in those outside of gaming quite heavily putting some potential gamers off the hobby. Thankfully we are seeing a bit more of a shift now with board games becoming more popular and places like Roll20 making RPGs more accessible to everyone, but there have been awkward times like when my friend and I walked into a local game shop and one of the customers sat at a table was saying "woah but they are girls what are they doing in here!" - needless to say both I and the store owner who we know shot him down a bit there, but it was still an odd moment. Sorry I do have a tendency to ramble, in short while most of us don't there are still some who treat D&D as very much a guy thing, and I think those who are in the spotlight talking about our favourite hobby have the power to start changing that. Like Geek and Sundry, they do an awesome job
Jenivere S Thanks for responding. I don`t really have opportunities to go to conventions though. And the only girl I can think about that might be a gee in my school just has a straight awful personality.
DMing for a group involving 2 female party members/players. I've never been in an all male campaign. (Well there was one but the guys were... not the most likeable.)
I was lucky enough to have had an amazing and supportive DM that helped to train me in DMing. I prefer playing but DMing is rewarding if you give it a while.
This video brings up a lot of good points! recently I've realized how much my verbal communication skills have increased since I've started playing D&D. As a DM the first rule of preparation is "expect the unexpected" from your players. being in the medical field I can honestly "encounter many different people and walks of life and be confident in any scenario. All while being able to control the flow, pace and direction of conversation.
I think there is a clip of him on DVD if you ever watch the Chronicles of Riddick where he talks about how he has a really big role playing fan and he likes to play DND...
@@bladeshards5065 Vin Diesel also told that DAME Judy Dench are GM for her grandkids. I think he even told that she GM'ed a game for him, Carl Urban and a few more of the cast on Chronicles of Riddick. My mind was blown!
At my community library we have these dances, basically clubs for preteens but instead of going me and my friends have a D&D night and guess what? The only guy there is my best friends dad the DM XD
This brought me back. My two friends and I played D&D and we were hopelessly addicted to the arcade game Gauntlet. And we used our teamwork to rip off an arcade for around 1,000 dollars in cash without anyone realizing how we did it or why, and we were only 10 years old.
My party as well! And surprisingly enough, the girls are far more eager to toss some fireballs while the guys are scheming behind the scenes to overthrow evil empires
Of the girls in my party, one of them is CE (the player, not her character. She plays CN mostly) one is a total wimp. Her characters are all usually push overs, and one is...well, she's the DM's GF. She's learned a lot from him. She plays a wide variety of characters but as a general rule, they're usually pretty young and innocent.
I have memories of D&D going back to '79 when I started playing. They exist in my head as real things. They aren't stories I read or movies I saw - they are real events I took part in. I love these memories and all the people I've played with and continue to play with.
I remember my first D&D game. We were escaping a prison as goblins swarmed it. Not only did I not hit a goblin Not only did I not get downed on the first combat encounter Not only was I one death saving throw from dying 30 minutes into the game But now my friends won't let me live it down but I couldn't ask for anything better.
This video made me cry.! Yes D&D does all this and more. In 93-94 I was hired by a homeschool group to "teach" D&D to kids. All the above of Ethan's points, plus a skyrocket in math and reading skills. By week two the boys were talking about bell curves and probabilities. And they had to read (and did - quickly devouring the rule books) Best of all, one pair of brothers about, 12 and 9, where the older brother was being a bit of a bully, turned around and became a protector for his younger sibling.
42 still playing ever since my dad and his friends started playing when I was 8... for awhile my whole family played 1/week... for awhile there some fundamentalist Christians thought we were really Summoning demons and fighting dragons but nothing they could do would stop people from playing. still playing today its probably the best game you could ever play with your kids. want to know what's going on in there heads? want to teach specific moral lessons? run an adventure and see what creative thinking your kids are capable of...
You see a human in a tee shirt....Roll initiative. Lessons? The straightest line between 2 points is always trapped. Find the alternate route, and the journey will be worth it. I learned that being a generalist instead of hyper specialized, helped navigate life. Always think the other guys knows something you don't, it will force you to listen. When there is no logical way to choose a course of action, choose one and go confidently. OH - and keep a D20 in your pocket when you truly can't pick between choices.... Don't spend all your time worrying about the unknown. Deal with whats in front of you, and the rest will come into focus eventually. Great Talk Ethan.
I maintain for always that D&D is sooooo good for perople. It teaches confidence, public speaking, agency, problem solving, networking, etc. I only wish I'd found it sooner. These "games" are powerful. They are wonderful.
I found this gem of a TH-cam video by accident :) it just makes me more exited for our weekend d&d day tomorrow! Haha I used to look down on people who played d&d. But after playing it, I found a love for it. I use my skills from acting in plays when I strike up an improv conversation with the dm's bartender. I played a lot of sports in high school and get the same feeling of accomplishment when the party works together as a team. But that being said, there have been times where we "split the party" lol. We weren't cooperating and ended up failing miserably and our dm had to effectively call in a divine intervention or else we would have "never been heard from again" :) what a fun game lolol
I went to school to be a teacher and decided after some practicum experiences that it was not for me. I started playing DnD a year ago, roughly a decade out of college, and have been saying that this game needs to be used to teach young children and adolescents skills that you've mentioned. Love it
This was the best TED ever. My friends and I only survived the 80s because we had role playing games like D&D to keep us sane. At 50 I'm not the only one. I also still play and am actually helping my teen sons organize a D&D club at their high school. They have friends who are waiting to get things started as I've agreed to DM and my friend who I've gamed with for 37 years now will be mentoring them through his 37 yr old character, who has achieved 21st lvl as a multiclass Thief/assassin/acrobat/duellist, with no lower than 10th lvl in each of his 3 subclasses. Quite a teacher. :)
roll20.net, check out their 'looking for group' section. They have amazing digital maps (even some fancy stuff) and native voice and video chat for the group. I suggest playing a few games, and making a list of the people you enjoyed playing with. Get them together for a full campaign.
As kids, my brother and I would play make believe, as most people would call it. One of us was, essentially, the game master, creating the world and the challenges, and the other was the player, trying to survive or be a hero or an explorer. It wasn't until my twenties that I learned that D&D really is just a game of make believe with some rules to keep everyone on the same page; that's what any TTRPG is. And I've had so much fun playing the past few years! It's nice to be able to play a hero, someone a bit better than I'm able to be. It's fun to be able to cleverly solve problems and play with a team. And it's also fun to create a world and challenge others and to see the hilarious and clever ways they solve the problems you throw at them. And it's a great way to get to use your imagination, create things, and play with friends all at the same time; creativity is so often a mostly solitary endeavor. And I think it's given me a lot of new ways to look at things when I write stories, too.
One of my favorite things about D&D is that it brings people together. I have met young and old nerds that can bond over the game despite the differences in edition.
I remember coming across a couple articles where games like D&D have been useful for treating anti-personal disorders. This is similar to how team based MMO games help people to socialize in a way that is still relatively anonymous or violent video games can give people an outlet for aggression that they might not otherwise have readily available.
Great work in pointing out the seriousness of game - Like Huizinga used to say - and in particular of RPG. The exceptional role of role (yes) playing game in connecting with something basic of humanity is the conclusion I agree with the most.
i used to live at the mouth of the piscataqua river in new castle new hampshire when i was 10 (went to maude h trefethren elementary school). so awesome .D&D and other many games i have played have helped me my entire life. i learned how to read from games like dragon warrior on the NES, learned teamwork in mmoRPGs like ultima online. leadership from D&D and world of warcraft and more. this video hit home for me as i also had a sick mother that died soon after leaving new hampshire. gaming helped me cope. she was a gamer too and was the one that got me into it (and an avid reader which i am as well) so in a way i feel like i am keeping her legacy alive through my gaming...
AD&D 2e taught me to expand my vocabulary. It taught me math, not the numbers, but the problem solving that schools like to use. It taught me the idea of consequences, good and bad (Do X, Y happens) happen, and to be mindful of them. It is a useful series of skills that have all aided me in the 33 years I've been playing, ever since I was 11. It changed my life for the better.
Having played D&D in the late 80's and 90's as a 8-16/17 year old kid and now at 41 am getting back into the game, this is why! I missed the adventures of the mind, the hills and forests I have roamed, and Castles that I have snuck into. The moments where I can slay a Dragon and laugh, choking back laughter as I swig a coke and cold pizza! My 20's and 30's I Raised my kids and was definitely the hero of my everyday life......I missed being the hero of my fantasies! Lol great speech!
I had a difficult youth, one of my fondest memories was after being shunned by my family because I left the cult of JW's was finding the game AD&D(1988). I remember going home after playing with my ribs aching because of all the laughter. It was the only thing good thing in my life at the time. (Life has much improved since).
When I was a kid, I never really had friends. I was alone throughout my school age years, hiding in the library after eating my lunch rather then going out on the playground. Kids picked and bullied me mercilessly up until the day I graduated. I have asperger's syndrome, I never really learned how to interact with people my own age. When I turned 19, I discovered tabletop rpgs through some investigation and listening to podcasts and stories. I went to a gaming store and, after buying the wrong books, I got the ones for 3.5. My first games were rocky and they were with people I learned didn't exactly think of me in the best possible light. But I stuck with it and when I moved to a new state, away from home, I found my people. I've been gaming with my group for years now and I am 28. If I didn't have D&D, I'd be a miserable closet shut in who'd be afraid to say anything to anyone. D&D and TTRPGs saved my life. I hope to the Gods that they continue to help anyone and everyone grow as people! Everyone needs an outlet to explore parts of themselves they can't normally express. In the realm of Fantasy, all things are possible!
I am going with the 1st & 2nd ed rules on his lecture. I'll say that the troll is actually the prince polymorphed. So first I'm going to use true seeing spells, or maybe a low level divination like augory. If my first concept is incorrect, i may enter into negotiations with the enslaved troll. He would be valuable asset.
I just played my first game. A lawful evil guy on my team uses a chaotic type of magic that has random side effects when he casts spells. So he tried to troll me by standing close and hoping something bad would happen to me. BUT, he turned himself into a potted plant... seizing the moment; I picked him up, still in potted plant form, and used him to smash a charging goblin in the face. I don't know what this has taught me about life... but I'm glad it happened! PS: There's a girl on our team!
I'm trying to get my family to play D&D for this very reason. It was a rough start but once my 5 and 8-year-old got the idea, they're growing, in the game and personally. Like programming, it helps you to deconstruct adversity into its smallest part and solve it in steps. This game allows you to take risks, fail fast, and learn from the outcome while bonding as a family in a fun and safe environment. As my kids refuse to kill anything in the game, (they continuously try to find ways to outsmart, bargain, compromise or 'knock out' monsters as a last resort), leaving me with interesting challenges on how to constantly resolve outcomes. It's fair to say we're all learning through this game.
As an avid role player for 2 years, who has played about 20 systems, I find risk/reward is no longer a part of my playing. I am 90% focused on role playing, and having fun. Sometimes failing leads to more fun that you would have thought, winning all the time is boring. Becoming godlike in an RPG is not enticing to me. Gold just distracts from scene time, and if you get stronger, so do your enemies. 'Role Playing' doesn't need xp or levels or gear, just a rule set for conflict resolution. 'Leveling Up' is my least favorite thing about role play games; making everyone laugh, gasp, or widen their eyes is what the real experience is all about, and that's enough xp for me. Just a personal opinion, everyone has their own fun.
Virgil Levinger Congratulations. You have effectively integrated all of that into role playing. It's still there but its so fun you don't notice anymore.
I very much agree with you. Most of the people I play with are not interested in dungeoneering anymore. We like more intricate intrigues, that require investi and the odd fight. My favourite thing is when we force the DM to improvise because we are taking a crazy approach.
As a dungeon master to another, you have put the points of how great D&D can be for you in a far more efficient and understandable format than I ever could. I still cringe when dealing with Chaotic Neutral players though because they pretty much build their characters around just being horrible people within the fantasy world I built (seriously, none of my villains compare to how they are).
as a pen&paper group, if you have one of those huge grids with only white tiles for combat situations, here is something you can do to spice things up a lot and get more creative without too much effort or money (tried it in a d&d 3.5 group and it turned out to be very versatile and useful): get different sheets of colored cardboard or colored drawing paper or something similar (ordinary paper is probably too thin and therefore too easily moved around by accient) and cut out different shapes that fit on the tiles, e.g. covering a single tile or multiple tiles in a straight line (so think tetris blocks but you might want to stick to recangular shapes). because there is no texture and just raw color, you can use it as all sorts of things and let the imagination do the rest, e.g. long dark blue shapes for a river, single brown or green tiles for trees and other vegetation etc. in the end, this makes it quite easy to set up a dynamic combat scene that always looks different and you can even easily manipulate/change the terrain during combat as well. the DM can allow the players to help setting up the scene by giving some instructions (up to you how specific these instructions are, the DM can still make adjustments afterwards). in this case, consider making sure to place the players' figurines after the entire terrain is done so they won't (subconsciously) try to get an advantage. overall, the approach works great for most outdoor/natural terrain scenes, but its not that great if you want to use lots and lots of walls, e.g. for buildings or dungeons: you don't have walls that go inbetween tiles (if you use stripes that thin they are easily moved around by accident) and it might take a bit to set up all those walls (plus you might run out of cardboard pieces, though you could use two different colors for walls to make up for that). so i recommend you stick to combat layouts that are relatively simple on the big scale (say a single corridor with a 2-tile-wide entry to a single big room) with more details on the smaller scale (pillars, rubble, furniture and so on). from my experience, having plenty of small shapes (1x1, 1x2, 1x3) works out best (2x2 not as often) but it also depends on what you'll be using it for (cutting smaller shapes is more work and you can still cut them into two smaller pieces if you have to). in doubt, cut them a tiny little bit smaller than the tiles so you won't have issues with overlapping, instruct players to be a bit careful not to accidently move the tiles around too much e.g. when placing figures on top of them and you should be fine. if you want to cover really big areas with a single color (say, a lake) and don't have enough pieces, consider only outlining the edge of this area. i suppose you could first try it out with few shapes so you don't have to spend much effort and see it it works out for your player group and to figure out if it is worth the effort to do on a proper scale. colors i recommend to have plenty of (though it obviously depends on preference): grey (walls, pillars, rocks, maybe also for things that are actually white, such as eggs), blue (water, ice, glass/crystal), colors i recommend to have a moderate amount of: brown (trees, wooden walls, bridges, doors, tents, horses, tables/furniture, some vehicles), green (any sort of vegetation, swamp-water), red (fire, lava, special/magical things that should stand out). of course you can have even more different colors, its really up to preference/style.
I gotta say he does make really great points about role playing, but I've always thought of rpg's as exercising my imagination and just playing "make-believe." I was a soldier. I was a knight. I was an explorer, a deep-sea diver, an astronaut, a race car driver. I always knew I was none of those things, but I still managed to have fun. I have the perspective that folks that think D&D is evil and those that go to great lengths explaining D&D are all over-thinking a simple premise--it's just people having harmless fun. If you think of it as anything else than having fun, you're doing it all wrong.
The absolute best memories of my 80's childhood was of D&D and my friends hanging out. I am 100% sure my current success is connected to that activity: reading, creating, thinking and trying.
I played for about three years in high school. Passed my books on to the kids at the school where I work. I hope they are enjoying them as much as I did.
I relate to this Ted Talk big time. I started in '79 at about 11 years old as well, then quit as I got older. I started again later in life and at almost 50 am still at it. My kids found my old gaming stuff in the shed and wanted me to run a game. It has kept going since then. They introduced my to Pathfinder and started bringing their friends to the house to game. We don't have a dining room, we have a gaming room. no tv, no internet, no cell phones.. just pencil, paper, dice, fun and lots of junk food.
Not too delve too much into politics here but its the critical thinking learned by stretching your imagination that is not emphasized in modern education that allows the speaker to think outside the box. Sadly the education system focused on standardized test scores rather than teaching children the think objectively about subjects they encounter.
+jtjr26 I think you're right; I'm of a mind that the education system was primarily created to create workers. The way students are "tracked" sort of sets-up a caste system in which only the top-tier students get a great deal of exposure to enrichment activities, whereas run-of-the-mill students are generally taught a lot of rote memorization, which is being ruled obsolete in an era where we all walk around with tiny computers at our hip. -Ryan
I loved hearing Ethan's story, so honest and heartfelt. I'm so glad my son has introduced me to such a brilliant way to play, to connect, with all my children, one of whom has Autism and I feel that it is teaching him some very valuable lessons to use in the real world.
My girlfriend broke up with me and d&d helped me escape the hole of depression I fell into. The ability to create a world and choose a path that isn't my own showed me the possibilities of life. It helped me through the hardest part of my life so far.
I am 61 years old, I started playing D & D when we had three paperback books and we had to fold our own dice out of paper. lol We had a blast. Later after I moved away from home. I was invited to a church to listen about the evils of d&d lol. I stood up and told them. Where would you rather have your Kids? At home playing a game. or out running around getting into trouble. This all happened because of an rpg game called Call of Chathulu. Our dm was an artiest and had painted a mural in a public park. it was grand. Made the News Paper as a satanic cult practice. So much for having fun in the bible belt.
I can definetly say that any game of dnd I've played definetly sticks out in my mind and does seem easier to recall than some memories. So as a learning tool im all for it
I once played at a gaming convention. There was a DM that brought the same “series of death traps” dungeon and pregenerated characters to the Con every year with updated rules for the latest incarnation of D&D. As a group we players traversed death trap after death trap. When the allotted time arrived for the game to end, all the PC’s were still alive. After the game the DM called me over to talk to me. He told me that he had run this dungeon at every Con sense it started. Never had every character lived. Often every character died before time was up. Never did anyone make it as far as we did in the dungeon. He told me that it was because of my unorthodox use of spells as a sorcerer and my coordinating the other characters that we accomplished these feats. He told me that he was torn between asking me to never again join his game and insisting that I be at every one. In the end he told me that I could join any time and he would hold the sorcerer for me. Sadly, I was never able to make any of the future Cons. The DM told me that a particular trap (the giant toilet bowl) always killed every party member that entered that room. On this particular occasion, every member of our party was in the room when it flooded. Everyone lived because of my use of spells.
As a autistic myself, I love that you're doing this as I just got into D&D myself and I'm loving it. Although I do find the word suffer here is one you probably shouldn't use, as it's offensive to many people all across the spectrum and is a commonly talked about thing. But that's another talk for anther video. Glad you found something fun for him.
thanks for letting me know this. I guess a better phrase is suffers the social stigma that others put on him because he's so wonderfully, quirky and different.... please note I've also learned that the phrase "you are autistic" makes you a label, not the beautiful person you are. Words, no matter how they are arranged will still offend someone. So no matter what you run into a wall of sorts. :)
Sj Powol Sj Powol Actually, around 3/4ths of fellow autistics I've spoken with (who knew about the different sides of the discussion instead of only being introduced to the person first perspective by parents and such) prefer this. It's because it affects all aspects of our lives. I can't be separated from my autism and still remain myself. Our brains would have to be completely rewritten, and even if we could just be turned neurotypical we'd have to adjust to the world all over again. Being autistic has caused issues, especially up until about four years ago. However, I've been hurt far more by how others treat me and how hard it is to be understood in a world constantly expected me to try and understand, not realizing it should be a two way street. It's come with double standards and misunderstanding and the way I never feel like I belong. Yet, in accepting myself and the fact autism is a part of who I am, I've gained a lot of confidence and connected with many others on all parts of the spectrum. Nonverbal. Quote on quote "high functioning", ones who are dependent on others, those who have college degrees and amazing jobs. Just like nuerotypicals we come from all different abilities and personalities, but we're all autistic. I respect the decision of someone on the spectrum to want to use person first language. I've seen it quite a few times in people who've been bullied or treated horribly because of who they are. I can understand that. However, most I speak with, and again who actually know both sides of the discussion, usually choose to identify as autistic. I don't want to feel shame in who I am. My autism has caused issues, but I've also found ways to turn some of those into strengths. My hyper focusing has introduced me to lots of interesting subjects that I've been able to connect over. I've been able to see a different perspective than most people (it's a very interesting thing to study. Apparently we're less prone to group think, which is why it's so hard to just take things as they are with some of us), I use my sensory issues to improve description in my writing, I use cases where I've experienced discrimination to connect to other groups who are in need. I just had to realize that was actually something I could do. If I kept thinking about being autistic only having drawbacks, then there's a lot I wouldn't be able to contribute. I've seen this trend all over the board. I'm not damaged by this anywhere near as much as I've been damaged by societal perceptions. The meltdowns caused by the bullies thinking it was funny to push me into them. The people who made me think I was just lazy and uncooperative. The ones that made me feel like I was broken. Less human. For many of us first person language is actually extremely offensive, because it pushes forth the thought process that many of the people who refused to understand us held themselves. The ones who put us through painful therapy thinking they could bring out the child that had been "stolen" from them. The doctors who just shoved more medication at us instead of listening to what we say. Parents who always thought they knew best without taking our thoughts into account because we, despite being the ones to live as we do, "wouldn't know as much as the professionals". If your son doesn't wish to use this, that's HIS choice to make, but I made mine and many others have too. Though, sadly, many don't seem to want to listen. Unless you hang around autistic communities, I'm not surprised you might not have heard this before, cause there's another common topic we discuss. The fact we're constantly talked over by those outside of the spectrum who believe they know better. I am autistic, and I'm not ashamed. Everything I do is affected by this, and there's no beautiful human to shine through beneath. Because there is no beneath. Everything is fused together, unable to be pulled apart. There's no insult in embracing that. And it's true that no matter what you do someone will be offended, but I've found the best policy is to listen to those who it directly affects, and listen to their voices first.
This is the first video comment section I've seen with universally positive comments. I acknowledge all the good points he made about the game. I started and ended playing during college. We played a little too long and too hard. Frankly the time would have been better spent elsewhere, starting with sleep and study. YMMV.
I found D&D or it found me at the age of 10 in 1980 just after the death of my father to a Hart attack, it helped me to adjust to my grief and control my feelings a rage at the world. This video resonates strongly with me. Also, writing this I am sitting preparing my new 5e D&D campaign.
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I'm 50 years old. My children are grown, and they play D&D with me on a semi weekly basis, and have been since they were around 10. We bonded slaying monsters and telling fantasy stories. I'll probably play with my grand children. I've been married 28 years, have my own business, and I will play until I can't hold the dice anymore! Game on!
until you have to kill their first pc :D
DummyUrD I've come close a few times. The reaction of my youngest when her rogue went to grab those 'hovering coins' and got enveloped by a gelatinous cube was priceless.
captcorajus And today, life lessons by the townguard is.
Don't steal, or at least dont get caught.
You're so cruel! I love it
I wanna you speak with my relatives and teach them about rpg man.
IRL I'm a tiny, 5'1", full-time nurse, and full-time student. However, in D&D I'm a big scary barbarian woman wielding a broad sword. I enjoy playing a dumb and impulsive/reckless character because I can never act that way as a real life healer. Every day when working in the ICU or studying for classes I critically think to solve problems. As a barbarian I get to turn all of that off, "rage", and hit things harder than any other character on the board can. It's empowering, really.
-Niki, Registered Nursomancer.
I'm glad you didn't let your group stick you with playing the healer!-Ryan, Registered Nerdarchist
Nerdarchy Hey! healer can be fun. Artificer healing may not be the best or the most efficient but when the chips are down I can usually pump out 3d8+13x2 heals at (3rd level). Plus if you're an arty, you can make homunculi for cheaper and make them much stronger than usual
Lovely words. Got upvote for the Nursomancer.
I teach 5-12 year olds. Always need to be organized, patient, flexible, understanding, etc.
I've never played a non-chaotic character.
Equips +2 weapon of math instruction.
Niki Bird lol !!!! Anger management
You come across a good tedx talk, take d6 inspiration
I would give a d10 for that.
roll for initiative!
*rolls*...Dammit, wasted a good Crit on initiative...there goes my rolls for the evening. :)
I'd give 300 experience points.
Natural 1 -1 for me wearing heavy armor.
I made a mediator character who wasn't a cleric, but well educated in
medical field. My friends thought it was stupid, but I wanted to go for
it. Any time he was present I talked out every issue we had with the
enemy, helped those monsters out and usually befriended them, if not at
least were allowed on our merry way. I'd patch up creatures, medicate
baby orcs, revive and treat those that needed it. Work out peace with
villages and tribes of goblins. We got to a point where the BBEG was one
who refused logic, couldn't respond to reason, and after putting myself
at risk and approaching in a diplomatic way, he struck me down. And my
friends had to retreat. As my friends planned new ways to get revenge in
a near by town, they here what they thought was an army coming to wreak
havoc on the town. When they went outside they saw it was the Orc tribe
that swore an oath of honor to pay me back, sentient animals who we
explained their new mental state and introduced them to the city nearby,
The goblin and the villagers who had developed a booming economy and
have been working together since, giants, a dragon and an assortment of
other races, and creatures that I had helped. The word had spread of my
death, and those that I had helped knew that only something of pure
death and evil would strike me down and came to avenge me. The BBEG was
destroyed and the races came together, joined as a single faction and
sword oaths in my name to honor the code I set forth, and to honor their
pledges that day to one another.
First time a character I had die where I was 100% okay with it. :D
chaosincarna your legend has crossed the infinite Multiverse to now be told at the many taverns scattered across the continent of Arton
may his memorie live through eternity
chaosincarna That story is beautiful. You are a legend worthy the great fictional pacifists like Vash the Stampede.
...
Holy...
I usually like to play magic characters. I max out my casting stat and get all the awesome spells I can muster.
But only one time have I had something like THAT happen to me. I was a catfolk scout, second level, and we walk into this small dwarven town. We're tasked with trudging to a kobold warren to clear them out so the dwarves could get to the mithril inside, offered a nice reward to do so.
So we walk for a half day and come upon the warren. Something is immediately off. There are guards standing by the entrance, but there's children playing outside.
So my character stands up and walks straight towards the entrance to the warren. Weapons sheathed, the guards don't react threateningly. one of the other party members joins me and together we go inside.
we are introduced to the chief of the warren of between 100-200 kobolds of all ages, and come to find that the dwarves are evil worshippers of Tiamat and want to murder them all in cold blood for material gain.
I begin to cry because of the shame of my intent in coming here to murder these kind people. The chief lays his hands on my shoulders and whispers to me, "It's alright my child, no harm was done, no atrocity committed. You now know the truth behind the intent of the dwarves, and you're cleansed from all sin."
We explained everything to the rest of the party and faced off against a small band of dwarves, fully classed NPCs of our level, and with a hard fought engagement we defeated them.
We ended up literally blowing the town sky high because the idiots had barrels of Alchemist's Fire in the catacombs beneath the city, and we lit those up.
Also, I died later and was resurrected as an Aasimar Paladin (in-game cursed-disease that all PCs had), and my new friends the kobolds helped me almost fully complete a suit of Mithril Full Plate armor in two weeks.
I invented the assembly line. All stemming from making friends.
I am so going to play a more diplomatic character next time I play!!!
...
Holy...
I usually like to play magic characters. I max out my casting stat and get all the awesome spells I can muster.
But only one time have I had something like THAT happen to me. I was a catfolk scout, second level, and we walk into this small dwarven town. We're tasked with trudging to a kobold warren to clear them out so the dwarves could get to the mithril inside, offered a nice reward to do so.
So we walk for a half day and come upon the warren. Something is immediately off. There are guards standing by the entrance, but there's children playing outside.
So my character stands up and walks straight towards the entrance to the warren. Weapons sheathed, the guards don't react threateningly. one of the other party members joins me and together we go inside.
we are introduced to the chief of the warren of between 100-200 kobolds of all ages, and come to find that the dwarves are evil worshippers of Tiamat and want to murder them all in cold blood for material gain.
I begin to cry because of the shame of my intent in coming here to murder these kind people. The chief lays his hands on my shoulders and whispers to me, "It's alright my child, no harm was done, no atrocity committed. You now know the truth behind the intent of the dwarves, and you're cleansed from all sin."
We explained everything to the rest of the party and faced off against a small band of dwarves, fully classed NPCs of our level, and with a hard fought engagement we defeated them.
We ended up literally blowing the town sky high because the idiots had barrels of Alchemist's Fire in the catacombs beneath the city, and we lit those up.
Also, I died later and was resurrected as an Aasimar Paladin (in-game cursed-disease that all PCs had), and my new friends the kobolds helped me almost fully complete a suit of Mithril Full Plate armor in two weeks.
I invented the assembly line. All stemming from making friends.
I am so going to play a more diplomatic character next time I play!!!
"...you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. Roll initiative"
You roll a one, your mother acts first and excuses a family member of doing something terrible.
+Deathbringersora your cousin that nobody likes prepares an action: take far too many biscuits if the plate comes to him.
you roll a 2, when the mashed potatoes comes to you it's gone and your little brother grins because he knows he took your favorite food.
you roll a 20, everyone is actually decent human beings, and decides that tomorrow, instead of indulging in black Friday, just decided to chill at hope, playing D&D.
You roll a 20! The plates come around to you first, and you get a nice helping of all your favorite foods.
My favorite D&D story is this:
During our first session we encountered your standard orc attack. We were defending a war camp. We killed all the little orc peons and subdued the orc warleader. We ended up taking him captive, bribing and threatening him into leading us back to his camp, and then growing to kind of like him. We left him tied up at the bottom of a cave shaft while we burned his camp down, but we also left him some food. At the end of the session we took him back with us to our war camp. The next session, our DM's brother-in-law joined the campaign... as the orc war chief. An in-game character became a player character because we thought outside the box.
That sounds amazing. :D
I presented my mid-level (8th & 9th level) players with a scenario. They came across a goblin caravan. As mid level characters they immediately began slaying goblins, laughing with amusement at how weak they were and how easily they were winning. They went on laughing right up to the moment when they looked in the back of one wagon and saw the caravan was a group of refugees, women, children, the elderly, the sick and wounded, all noncombatants and all fleeing war, forced conscription, and genocide. Ever since that encounter, whenever my players come across a gathering of any sort, regardless of how it first appears, they try to find out what is actually going on before taking action.
I love presenting players awful dilemmas (Skyrim style - so you never know which thing is the right thing to do), but also add both good and bad consequences of their actions.
That reminds me of the first time I played an RPG. It was set in a post-apocalyptic world where many humans had turned into mutants and many animals had mutated into intelligent and anthropomorphized versions of their original species. Technologically, the world was largely at a late 18th/early 19th century level, with some scavenged Old World tech thrown into the mix here and there. I was a cyborg, a 'remnant' from the pre-war civilization who had recently stepped out of a bunker after waking up from a long cryo-sleep, carrying upwards of half a dozen advanced weapons in addition to my greatly enhanced strength etc (including a funny gyrojet pistol).
I came across a small town where there was obviously something strange going on. I decided to investigate... for some reason. I heard rumors of strange things happening at a nearby cemetery and headed over there. When climbing over the wall surrounding the cemetery I accidentally ruined the home of a mutated squirrel who was living inside the wall. I helped repair the damage and decided to ask him if he'd noticed anything unusual going on in the area. In exchange for some booze I had bought earlier I got the information I sought and could proceed with my investigation.
After the session the GM told me that I was the first player to have resolved the encounter at the cemetery in that fashion. All my friends who had played the scenario before me had responded in the same way: they immediately killed the squirrel.
HideousConformity The game you describe sounds a lot like "MUTANT - Undergångens Arvtagare", a game I've played and loved for a long time.
I like it when players don't immediately butcher everything on sight. I usually play characters who won't fight unless they have to. Talking can lead to so much more interesting things, killing is a one-way trip.
I'm pushing 60, and I started playing before most folks had even heard of it. I have friends of a similar age who have been gaming together regularly for 20+ years. My wife and I played with our friends for years, watching first their son, then ours grow up. It stays with you.
But back in 1981, i played with a group of shipmates, most of whom had never gamed before, while on patrol in the Carribbean. Joining our crew was an INS agent, who held a masters degree in history. He created a world for us based on Norse mythology, and spun our adventures without rule books or maps, creating the whole landscape based on real geography of actual places. Situations and adventures were based on historical facts and lifestyles extrapolated by historians, and featured mythological creatures pulled right out of Beowulf. Night after night, for a nearly six week patrol, we kept ourselves entertained for hours. It was the most amazing gaming experience I've ever had.
in my first game, in my first action, I rolled a 1 on Dex and broke my leg.
we couldn't stop laughing.
The Stitch I have rolled almost all twenties and ones. Those numbers between one and twenty are just there for aesthetics.
I've had Advantage in 5E a couple times with shocking grasp with my Moon Elf wizard, and two times with Advantage I crit failed...
In my first session I was DMing 3 players. One of then got 6 consecutive nat ones. 1/64,000,000 chance.
HistoryIsLove RNGsus has abandoned you
Weep alone for you are boned
Aye, first game, frist action, rolled a 1 on a Str check to break in a huge double door and broke my arms.
My son is on the autism spectrum, and he and I have been playing in a father & son group for a few years now. It's been a big help for him. His finest moment was when his wizard polymorphed a flying dragon into a turkey. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
LMAO.. great reference.. the mental image of them throwing turkeys from a helicopter still makes me laugh
As someone on the spectrum myself this always makes me so happy, because sometimes it's really stressful to find other ways of going out and interacting, but so far this game has been perfect.
I got my sister on it, and she's also on the spectrum. She was non-verbal aside from a few grunts and hums if you don't have her interest. Got her into it, and now she plays online with a few friends and she's a chatterbox so long as she's in the mind of her character.
WKRP in Cincinnati!!! baby!
@Scott Whatever this is an amazing idea. I am surprised that no-one looked into it. Glad that you do.
After all, don't we all play a character all day long?
"Your torches, your grappling hook, your backpack..." Your 50 feet of rope! Seriously. Who leaves home without 50 feet of rope?!
And a ten foot pole
And the holy water. Don't forget the holy water!
And the Warhammerse
ALWAYS CARRY SILVER!
or a ten foot pole
I find that many who play RPG do not see skin color as a Different RACE .... but just as a different skin color
I see a lot of half-orcs running around, but that's about it. Just humans and half-orcs.
Most boring campaign ever.
They see spiky ears as a difrent race tho
I see Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, Jann, and even Half-Elves and some Half-Orcs as humanities brother's and sisters. I see Orcs as brutes for raiding and pillaging even themselves. I see Elves as arrogant turncoats. I see Dark Elves as barbaric versions of their cousins.
The rest I view neutrally.
But I'm willing to view anyone as a potential ally and friend if they're willing to treat me likewise.
Also, screw the fey, preferably with iron.
One of my players asked me what race the human n.p.c. was, and I said, “Human. You just said it...”
@@leyd1642 Weird! Never heard that question in 40 years of playing!
Name: Ethan Gilsdorf
Race: Human
Level: 20
+5 Persuasion
+5 Performance
+5 Perception
+5 Insight
-5 Deception
Dont forget to add proficiency
He was multiclassing both in nerd and in entertainer.
Aaron, He said that he is a level 17 Nerd
not scientifically possible, unless you treat the average bonus/malus of advantage/disadvantage as flat modifiers and don’t have any other modifiers.
Absolutely agree that stories and narrative create connection. Great talk around role playing.
I think his lessons were pretty well, I do not agree with him still putting RPGs into the "Nerd" corner alone, he refuted that argument earlier by showing a lot of "non-Nerds" who had to do with RPGs
Oh you here :D
DummyUrD It is indeed not just in the 'nerd' sphere alone and as much as we dislike labels and so on sometimes it is easier for the sake of time. I know plenty of non-nerds who roleplay. Also isn't being a nerd or a geek about having passion for something, whether you are a boardgame geek or a football nerd, you have a great passion for it and want to be involved with it. Think he did it for ease of use considering he only had a short time to talk and we for one can talk about Roleplaying for days lol :)
Oh my gosh you're here
+How to be a Great Game Master hell yeah man i try to tell people about my game and i can go for hours on one game but their eyes glaze over and they slip into comatose.😜
I think that the RPG game system / framework could be used as a great educational tool in schools to teach storytelling and characterisation..
I think the coolness would be sucked out if teachers who didn't really care about tabletop culture tried teaching it. I have an awesome teacher in my school who actually runs a game club, focusing most on the tabletop, but card, board, and video games are played too. From what I can tell though he doesn't bring it into the classroom.
Not to mention basic math and reading comprehension. And percentages.
Some people do this, teachers who have a passion for the game.
I'm a trainee primary teacher and former EFL teacher, and on my last school placement I started working on an RPG-themed gamification programme. It was really successful and am currently in the process of writing up what I did as a resource for other teachers and parents.
Like with videogaming it would require sacrifices that teachers (reasonably) are not willing to make. In the case of D&D, the big one is time. You'd be spending an enormous amount of time dealing with things that are not related to what you are trying to work with. Want to teach math? Well you'll quickly find that an inordinate amount of time is spent with the story and character decisions. Want to teach storytelling? What are you going to do when "I attack the ____" is their solution to everything (something totally legitimate in D&D)? Characterization is probably the only thing that will work. I applaud teachers for looking into these things, but as someone once looking to become a special education teacher myself, and a gamer in terms of both videogames and D&D, I would never use these as a primary means of teaching content. The existing educational framework is incompatible, and you won't be building the specific skills you are expected to build at a fast enough rate. These games are successful because of tangential learning. You can think of it almost as RNG learning: roll the dice and see what they learn. Problem is, teachers are expected to teach students in a very specific order, and stick with their specialty, the metaphorical equivelent would be that you need the results to be specifically 2, 4, 6 on a d6 roll, in that order. That's not how D&D or videogames work. You get greater enthusiasm, yes, and you will definitely learn, but what you learn when cannot be controlled, and attempting to control it destroys the engagement you were seeking in the first place.
That said, I believe games absolutely have a place in the school system. Extra time after school for a D&D club would be very appropriate, or letting kids play whatever videogames their parents will allow during their breaks (with a rare exception for games with few to no redeeming qualities, but I feel most teachers would take that way too far in their definition). But not as a primary means of teaching content. There are a few exceptions, like Oregon and Amazon Trail. But even educational games are usually to rigid.
True story: I am a man, but, in a D&D campaign with friends, I played for a long time a half-elven female archer and bowyer. I had so much fun with her, that I developed an interest in bows, started to investigate about it, found a school in my town, began to practice, bought my own recurve bow and got a whole new hobby! From D&D to real life. :)
+DIYEyal Not with that attitude
+DIYEyal yeah be eSTATIC
Try running your fingers in our hair and then touching a balloon
+Darkbash ...or flying kites with keys tied to them in lightning storms- the results may be shocking! -Ryan
When you’ve mastered the bow, the ultimate step is transitioning into a girl.
Did anyone else think a solution for the level 1 character trying to get past the troll is to bribe it with pancakes?
Do it the way my campaign did: use "disguise self" to seduce him as a lady troll.... Or don't. Actually, long story short we ended up having to castrate him. :-/
Mimi Sardinia you ain't got no pancake mix!!!
same here
Not Quite Dovahkiin Counts as lawful neutral in my book!
+Amanda Lee Dube LN in the Harmonium's book! (Planescape reference)
"We used to sit around the fire, telling each other stories...today we've settled for being passive consumers of prepackaged narratives."
Complacency is a sad sight to behold indeed.
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that, but it's certainly beneficial to supplement them with storytelling born from our own imagination.
Prepackaged if you’re a chump who doesn’t homebrew campaigns
I'm about to turn 20. In high school, I was somewhere between the stereotypes of nerd and jock, with many of my friends in the same group. I had been interested in D&D for years, and one day one of my friends approached me about wanting to play. We got our other friends involved and started a group. This changed our friendships forever. We talked about it all the time, and other groups started sprouting up around the school. Before we knew it there were 5 to 6 regular D&D groups in our high school. We played whenever we could, we even did a one of in the hotel during our senior trip. D&D helped us stopped arguing, helped us grow our friendships, and even saved one of my relationships with a guy in my group. 10/10 would play again
His name is literally Gilsdorf. Of COURSE he plays DnD
Bahahahaa! I thought the exact same thing x3
Fr!
TED Talk:
Once per battle, the user can do a TED Talk to inspire the party.
On a successful DC 15 roll, inmediately cancel any INT-based charms affecting the players.
All players in the party gain a +1 to Intelligence, gain advantage on Wisdom saving throws, and are immune to Charm effects.
Hah, sounds like a feat to me! -Ryan
There is a feat in 5e that's based around making an inspiring speech.
the only thing I regret about D and D is not playing it earlier in my life
I thought it was hilarious that he said "Never spilt the party."
Riley Scott a mantra as old as dice themselves...
Played a game where someone ran off with a baby...😅 We're all sitting back as she hurtles into the cave tunnels towards grumpy rats saying ' come back! You don't split up the party!'
Unless your a DM like Chris and want them to suffer 🤣
Riley Scott a truth indeed
party of 10 accidentally split all the time in tiny dungeon corridors
You loot the TH-cam recommendations feed... You discover the greatest Ted Talk known to man.
Benny Blue would you like to roll to loot the recommendations again?
Man, I always roll nat 1s in my recommendation feed. My search rolls tend to be high though
you prob won't believe this but; where I grew up half the school played D&D or Vampires or Exalted etc. (Mostly D&D) Some of the most fondest memories I have is enjoying these games together. And it wasnt your stereotypical geek and nerds.. preppy kids, goth kids, stoners, jocks, hell even the teachers...somehow it magically bridged a gap.. Of coarse real life has a way of getting in the way of such things but unless i lose my mind I will always have these memories.
That's something truly beautiful, and my local games store is trying to make this a reality here.
I had gotten all my high school friends into it. When I started college only a couple months ago, I ended up bringing people together that would've never met otherwise. We meet every Saturday and it's been a blast so far. D&D brings people together like no other game can.
Another person that could be added to the list of people who have played D&D is entrepreneur/author Timothy Ferris. -Ryan
You, and how to be a great GM on the same vid? This must be good...
yo
And Joe Manganiello
I’m a pretty shy person. Not very confident, not the loud one in a crowd.
When I speak to coworkers, they don’t care to listen. When I talk to my family, they care, but they don’t listen as closely as I listen to them.
But when I’m the Dungeon Master, everyone is hanging on my every word.
I feel confident, I’m louder, I’m doing voices, I’m acting. These are things I never thought I could do.
Which gives me more confidence in real life. I find that the more I DM, the more I take on the real world with the attitude of someone that people should be listening to.
That's awesome! Good on ya!
I want to play... *Has zero friends and has no idea where to start*
YOU CAN PLAY ONLINE? :D Thanks
roll20
With either roll20 or Tabletop Simulator you have an actual playing field too.
Kuroda Cursus wanna play? Message me on twitter @joshjmack or email mack.joshuaj@gmail.com
Kuroda Cursus Same... that moment you realize you're too nerdy and asocial to even play D&D...
i started dnd for the first time because of this video
Cool. How is it going so far? Are you having fun? :)
Everyone is loving it. Having our third session this Saturday. D&D feels like pure creativity and imagination - it's awesome.
Awesome :) Have fun!
@@Daemus_TV I wish I had people to play with. Kudos to you man. Enjoy it for both of us!
Cool. What's your party made of? What do you play?
Over half the people I know that play D&D are women like me - please try to help dispel the myth of it being a "boys club" kind of game. Many of us never had a chance to try because nobody thought to invite us. Everyone, male or female, who I have introduced to the game loves it.
I only started because I found a Star Wars starter set (Invasion of Theed) and said to a few friends "hey, I've always kinda wanted to try this, shall we?" - in the years since then we now play 3 systems (Dragon Age, Star Wars Saga Edition after we moved on from previous core rules, and D&D 5e), in many campaigns. I've sat both sides of the GM screen and made new friends across the table as well as reinforcing old friendships.
I wish someone had asked me to play when I was younger. I was the kid in the library reading a bunch of fantasy books, daydreaming and writing things of my own. I know when I start a family some day that my children will play too.
Truth, half my RP group is female, and as a guy I can say without a doubt role-playing is something that is 100% gender equal and is only limited by the individuals imagination.
Jenivere S Nicke to hear. Hope I meet a nerdy girl someday... (As a friend)
UltimateToby 17 they are literally everywhere.
Step 1 to meeting more nerdy girls is to stop thinking we are a rarity ;)
Step 2 is never question or test our geek cred. It's hugely off putting and doesn't make us feel friendly towards people who do this but sadly some still do :(
Step 3 try conventions - many geek girls don't always wear it plain in sight all over the place (unlike me with a wardrobe full of nerd shirts and a penchant for merch everywhere), so try places where nerds go. Conventions, websites, video games, comic shops, etc etc.
Step 4 is simply just remember to treat us a people not as specifically girls. I have a pet hate for other video gamers who refer to us as "girl gamers" as if being female somehow makes us different to any other gamer.
We are all equal in our passion for geeky pursuits :)
Jay Cumming It can vary. The mentality of "people who play D&D are lonely socially awkward guys who eat cheetos and drink mountain dew" still exists in those outside of gaming quite heavily putting some potential gamers off the hobby. Thankfully we are seeing a bit more of a shift now with board games becoming more popular and places like Roll20 making RPGs more accessible to everyone, but there have been awkward times like when my friend and I walked into a local game shop and one of the customers sat at a table was saying "woah but they are girls what are they doing in here!" - needless to say both I and the store owner who we know shot him down a bit there, but it was still an odd moment.
Sorry I do have a tendency to ramble, in short while most of us don't there are still some who treat D&D as very much a guy thing, and I think those who are in the spotlight talking about our favourite hobby have the power to start changing that. Like Geek and Sundry, they do an awesome job
Jenivere S
Thanks for responding. I don`t really have opportunities to go to conventions though.
And the only girl I can think about that might be a gee in my school just has a straight awful personality.
Women play! I've been a DM since 1979 myself.
my fiance plays as well! Me and her have grown closer due to DnD! It sucks media only pans it out as men being lonely nerds who only play it :(
That's why Critical Role is so great imo, you've got a pretty balanced cast of men and women of all kinds!
DMing for a group involving 2 female party members/players. I've never been in an all male campaign. (Well there was one but the guys were... not the most likeable.)
You are a rare sight.
Most people don't last a week DMing.
I was lucky enough to have had an amazing and supportive DM that helped to train me in DMing. I prefer playing but DMing is rewarding if you give it a while.
This video brings up a lot of good points! recently I've realized how much my verbal communication skills have increased since I've started playing D&D. As a DM the first rule of preparation is "expect the unexpected" from your players. being in the medical field I can honestly "encounter many different people and walks of life and be confident in any scenario. All while being able to control the flow, pace and direction of conversation.
HE NEVER ROLLSTHE GIANT D20
HE DID you just rolled a nat 1 on perception my dude
Vin. Diesel. Plays. D&D.
there is a video on here of him playing with the Critical Role guys, should check it out.
@@TheN9nth Isn't it just with Matt and a few more? Still pretty cool though.
I think there is a clip of him on DVD if you ever watch the Chronicles of Riddick where he talks about how he has a really big role playing fan and he likes to play DND...
He has written the foreword to "30 Years of Adventure - A Celebration of D&D". :)
@@bladeshards5065 Vin Diesel also told that DAME Judy Dench are GM for her grandkids. I think he even told that she GM'ed a game for him, Carl Urban and a few more of the cast on Chronicles of Riddick.
My mind was blown!
At my community library we have these dances, basically clubs for preteens but instead of going me and my friends have a D&D night and guess what?
The only guy there is my best friends dad the DM XD
Nice!
Rolling for fortitude check when he almost cried remembering his mom ... I just made it, lol.
geoffrey lewis and...
Natural 20, the room floods 😀
Dillon Hartwig curse you counter rolls *waves fist angrily at the sky*, lol
geoffrey lewis have you played 5e? Fortitude isnt a part of the game anymore.
Austin Swindler I know that. Figured it would sound better than a constitution check or anything like that. It was purely for the funny, nothing more
geoffrey lewis ah. Sorry. Just being sure. Sorry if it came off as rude.
This brought me back. My two friends and I played D&D and we were hopelessly addicted to the arcade game Gauntlet. And we used our teamwork to rip off an arcade for around 1,000 dollars in cash without anyone realizing how we did it or why, and we were only 10 years old.
It'd be cool to see Matt on here talking about crit role and VOs
I'm actually playing in a group right now where (not counting the DM) the males are outnumber by females.
suprising actually.
Me too!
We had a make over episode when the orc barbarian wanted a prettier character portrait :p
My party as well! And surprisingly enough, the girls are far more eager to toss some fireballs while the guys are scheming behind the scenes to overthrow evil empires
Of the girls in my party, one of them is CE (the player, not her character. She plays CN mostly) one is a total wimp. Her characters are all usually push overs, and one is...well, she's the DM's GF. She's learned a lot from him. She plays a wide variety of characters but as a general rule, they're usually pretty young and innocent.
I had a group recently that, barring me, was all female. And they were all no-good, scheming, murder hobo munchkins. And they were all awesome.
I have memories of D&D going back to '79 when I started playing. They exist in my head as real things. They aren't stories I read or movies I saw - they are real events I took part in. I love these memories and all the people I've played with and continue to play with.
You empathise with a good ted talk. Gain 10xp
I will never stop playing D&D. Precisely because of this video.
You're definitely weakminded if you're that easily swayed.
+Prowly-b Weak minded? He just simply loves the game...
+Prowly-b nah, he just failed his will save
I remember my first D&D game. We were escaping a prison as goblins swarmed it.
Not only did I not hit a goblin
Not only did I not get downed on the first combat encounter
Not only was I one death saving throw from dying 30 minutes into the game
But now my friends won't let me live it down but I couldn't ask for anything better.
This video made me cry.! Yes D&D does all this and more. In 93-94 I was hired by a homeschool group to "teach" D&D to kids. All the above of Ethan's points, plus a skyrocket in math and reading skills. By week two the boys were talking about bell curves and probabilities. And they had to read (and did - quickly devouring the rule books) Best of all, one pair of brothers about, 12 and 9, where the older brother was being a bit of a bully, turned around and became a protector for his younger sibling.
42 still playing ever since my dad and his friends started playing when I was 8... for awhile my whole family played 1/week... for awhile there some fundamentalist Christians thought we were really Summoning demons and fighting dragons but nothing they could do would stop people from playing.
still playing today
its probably the best game you could ever play with your kids. want to know what's going on in there heads? want to teach specific moral lessons? run an adventure and see what creative thinking your kids are capable of...
You see a human in a tee shirt....Roll initiative.
Lessons?
The straightest line between 2 points is always trapped. Find the alternate route, and the journey will be worth it.
I learned that being a generalist instead of hyper specialized, helped navigate life.
Always think the other guys knows something you don't, it will force you to listen.
When there is no logical way to choose a course of action, choose one and go confidently.
OH - and keep a D20 in your pocket when you truly can't pick between choices....
Don't spend all your time worrying about the unknown. Deal with whats in front of you, and the rest will come into focus eventually.
Great Talk Ethan.
I maintain for always that D&D is sooooo good for perople. It teaches confidence, public speaking, agency, problem solving, networking, etc. I only wish I'd found it sooner. These "games" are powerful. They are wonderful.
My state of mind improves whenever I brainstorm SOMETHING...ANYTHING for my potential campaign.
as a german it helps me to learn lots of new english vocabulary :-)
Avon Bärnthal what class do u like to play and what race? haha
Roger Sy Hello Roger, my favourite class is the wizzard in combination with an elf race. :-P
Mark Smyth You are totaly right but I can't do anything to solve your/that problem.
+Avon Bärnthal Be a good person. Be better than the people that let those events transpire.
You do realize that the sins of the father are not the sins of the son, correct?
That "never split the party" was so well timed.
If you play dnd you already know this anyways but it's great to see a ted talk about it
We call our dm "dungeon mother" she is the mom friend
I found this gem of a TH-cam video by accident :) it just makes me more exited for our weekend d&d day tomorrow! Haha I used to look down on people who played d&d. But after playing it, I found a love for it. I use my skills from acting in plays when I strike up an improv conversation with the dm's bartender. I played a lot of sports in high school and get the same feeling of accomplishment when the party works together as a team. But that being said, there have been times where we "split the party" lol. We weren't cooperating and ended up failing miserably and our dm had to effectively call in a divine intervention or else we would have "never been heard from again" :) what a fun game lolol
Logan same but I'm playing on Sunday. nerdom forever.
I learned to problem solve, lead, be prepared, and face my fears....things I still use today 30 years later
I went to school to be a teacher and decided after some practicum experiences that it was not for me. I started playing DnD a year ago, roughly a decade out of college, and have been saying that this game needs to be used to teach young children and adolescents skills that you've mentioned. Love it
"3 Charisma... mmm, not so good" -- lol
This was the best TED ever.
My friends and I only survived the 80s because we had role playing games like D&D to keep us sane. At 50 I'm not the only one. I also still play and am actually helping my teen sons organize a D&D club at their high school. They have friends who are waiting to get things started as I've agreed to DM and my friend who I've gamed with for 37 years now will be mentoring them through his 37 yr old character, who has achieved 21st lvl as a multiclass Thief/assassin/acrobat/duellist, with no lower than 10th lvl in each of his 3 subclasses. Quite a teacher. :)
i have the game but i dont have enough friends to play it so it remains unplayed and look at it and long to play it
Go meet some new friends at roll20.net and play online. :)
roll20.net, check out their 'looking for group' section. They have amazing digital maps (even some fancy stuff) and native voice and video chat for the group. I suggest playing a few games, and making a list of the people you enjoyed playing with. Get them together for a full campaign.
app.roll20.net/lfg/search/ here's a direct link, the site is a tad fiddly.
thank you
Have you tried Adventure league? You get to meet new people in person, but roll20 online is good too
As kids, my brother and I would play make believe, as most people would call it. One of us was, essentially, the game master, creating the world and the challenges, and the other was the player, trying to survive or be a hero or an explorer.
It wasn't until my twenties that I learned that D&D really is just a game of make believe with some rules to keep everyone on the same page; that's what any TTRPG is. And I've had so much fun playing the past few years! It's nice to be able to play a hero, someone a bit better than I'm able to be. It's fun to be able to cleverly solve problems and play with a team. And it's also fun to create a world and challenge others and to see the hilarious and clever ways they solve the problems you throw at them. And it's a great way to get to use your imagination, create things, and play with friends all at the same time; creativity is so often a mostly solitary endeavor.
And I think it's given me a lot of new ways to look at things when I write stories, too.
"How do you wanna do this?" - Matt Mercer
How do I wanna do this? -Matthew Mercer
One of my favorite things about D&D is that it brings people together. I have met young and old nerds that can bond over the game despite the differences in edition.
Mountain Dew...
Doritos...
MLG D&D
Excactly what i thought when i heard it i was like: illuminad&d
Pizza
I remember coming across a couple articles where games like D&D have been useful for treating anti-personal disorders. This is similar to how team based MMO games help people to socialize in a way that is still relatively anonymous or violent video games can give people an outlet for aggression that they might not otherwise have readily available.
Great work in pointing out the seriousness of game - Like Huizinga used to say - and in particular of RPG. The exceptional role of role (yes) playing game in connecting with something basic of humanity is the conclusion I agree with the most.
I really needed this right now. I feel more inspired to get a campaign going
i used to live at the mouth of the piscataqua river in new castle new hampshire when i was 10 (went to maude h trefethren elementary school). so awesome .D&D and other many games i have played have helped me my entire life. i learned how to read from games like dragon warrior on the NES, learned teamwork in mmoRPGs like ultima online. leadership from D&D and world of warcraft and more. this video hit home for me as i also had a sick mother that died soon after leaving new hampshire. gaming helped me cope. she was a gamer too and was the one that got me into it (and an avid reader which i am as well) so in a way i feel like i am keeping her legacy alive through my gaming...
AD&D 2e taught me to expand my vocabulary. It taught me math, not the numbers, but the problem solving that schools like to use. It taught me the idea of consequences, good and bad (Do X, Y happens) happen, and to be mindful of them. It is a useful series of skills that have all aided me in the 33 years I've been playing, ever since I was 11. It changed my life for the better.
This was a fantastic presentation. Thank you very much for sharing it.
Having played D&D in the late 80's and 90's as a 8-16/17 year old kid and now at 41 am getting back into the game, this is why! I missed the adventures of the mind, the hills and forests I have roamed, and Castles that I have snuck into. The moments where I can slay a Dragon and laugh, choking back laughter as I swig a coke and cold pizza! My 20's and 30's I Raised my kids and was definitely the hero of my everyday life......I missed being the hero of my fantasies! Lol great speech!
I had a difficult youth, one of my fondest memories was after being shunned by my family because I left the cult of JW's was finding the game AD&D(1988). I remember going home after playing with my ribs aching because of all the laughter. It was the only thing good thing in my life at the time. (Life has much improved since).
Wow, what an inspiring man. Shows real character, talking about sensitive personal issues to a large crowd. The world could do with a few more Ethans.
Talk to the troll. Find out he's the Prince who's been enchanted into a troll. Roll to reverse the spell. Roll a 5. He turns back... sort of. LOL.
When I was a kid, I never really had friends. I was alone throughout my school age years, hiding in the library after eating my lunch rather then going out on the playground. Kids picked and bullied me mercilessly up until the day I graduated. I have asperger's syndrome, I never really learned how to interact with people my own age. When I turned 19, I discovered tabletop rpgs through some investigation and listening to podcasts and stories. I went to a gaming store and, after buying the wrong books, I got the ones for 3.5.
My first games were rocky and they were with people I learned didn't exactly think of me in the best possible light. But I stuck with it and when I moved to a new state, away from home, I found my people. I've been gaming with my group for years now and I am 28. If I didn't have D&D, I'd be a miserable closet shut in who'd be afraid to say anything to anyone.
D&D and TTRPGs saved my life. I hope to the Gods that they continue to help anyone and everyone grow as people! Everyone needs an outlet to explore parts of themselves they can't normally express. In the realm of Fantasy, all things are possible!
I am going with the 1st & 2nd ed rules on his lecture. I'll say that the troll is actually the prince polymorphed. So first I'm going to use true seeing spells, or maybe a low level divination like augory. If my first concept is incorrect, i may enter into negotiations with the enslaved troll. He would be valuable asset.
I roll to pick-pocket
A rogue needs to keep his hands moving
Jeremy Ellwood I roll to negate. Paladin's gotta keep the law.
I roll to take your cupcake, pelt the Orc with it, pick-pocket him, and leave you all to fight it out. Chaotic Neutral's gotta stay in character.
Who's D'Ming this clusterfuck?
16:00 Lesson 4th ..high expectation from yourself and tolerance for others
18:00 the illustration map
I just played my first game. A lawful evil guy on my team uses a chaotic type of magic that has random side effects when he casts spells. So he tried to troll me by standing close and hoping something bad would happen to me. BUT, he turned himself into a potted plant... seizing the moment; I picked him up, still in potted plant form, and used him to smash a charging goblin in the face. I don't know what this has taught me about life... but I'm glad it happened! PS: There's a girl on our team!
I know this was from a couple of years ago, but...brilliant move! 😂
I'm trying to get my family to play D&D for this very reason. It was a rough start but once my 5 and 8-year-old got the idea, they're growing, in the game and personally. Like programming, it helps you to deconstruct adversity into its smallest part and solve it in steps. This game allows you to take risks, fail fast, and learn from the outcome while bonding as a family in a fun and safe environment. As my kids refuse to kill anything in the game, (they continuously try to find ways to outsmart, bargain, compromise or 'knock out' monsters as a last resort), leaving me with interesting challenges on how to constantly resolve outcomes. It's fair to say we're all learning through this game.
As an avid role player for 2 years, who has played about 20 systems, I find risk/reward is no longer a part of my playing. I am 90% focused on role playing, and having fun. Sometimes failing leads to more fun that you would have thought, winning all the time is boring. Becoming godlike in an RPG is not enticing to me. Gold just distracts from scene time, and if you get stronger, so do your enemies. 'Role Playing' doesn't need xp or levels or gear, just a rule set for conflict resolution. 'Leveling Up' is my least favorite thing about role play games; making everyone laugh, gasp, or widen their eyes is what the real experience is all about, and that's enough xp for me. Just a personal opinion, everyone has their own fun.
Virgil Levinger Congratulations. You have effectively integrated all of that into role playing. It's still there but its so fun you don't notice anymore.
Some of our best moments in d&d are when we roll a fumble (1) and get to describe the damage to ourselves or party. Always comical!!!
I very much agree with you. Most of the people I play with are not interested in dungeoneering anymore. We like more intricate intrigues, that require investi and the odd fight. My favourite thing is when we force the DM to improvise because we are taking a crazy approach.
As a dungeon master to another, you have put the points of how great D&D can be for you in a far more efficient and understandable format than I ever could. I still cringe when dealing with Chaotic Neutral players though because they pretty much build their characters around just being horrible people within the fantasy world I built (seriously, none of my villains compare to how they are).
imagine playing dnd with Robin Williams & his 100 voices
Man, that would be exhausting though. You'd need so much Mountain Dew to keep up with his level of energy!
Man... He might've been able to have his own Critical Role
as a pen&paper group, if you have one of those huge grids with only white tiles for combat situations, here is something you can do to spice things up a lot and get more creative without too much effort or money (tried it in a d&d 3.5 group and it turned out to be very versatile and useful):
get different sheets of colored cardboard or colored drawing paper or something similar (ordinary paper is probably too thin and therefore too easily moved around by accient) and cut out different shapes that fit on the tiles, e.g. covering a single tile or multiple tiles in a straight line (so think tetris blocks but you might want to stick to recangular shapes).
because there is no texture and just raw color, you can use it as all sorts of things and let the imagination do the rest, e.g. long dark blue shapes for a river, single brown or green tiles for trees and other vegetation etc.
in the end, this makes it quite easy to set up a dynamic combat scene that always looks different and you can even easily manipulate/change the terrain during combat as well. the DM can allow the players to help setting up the scene by giving some instructions (up to you how specific these instructions are, the DM can still make adjustments afterwards). in this case, consider making sure to place the players' figurines after the entire terrain is done so they won't (subconsciously) try to get an advantage.
overall, the approach works great for most outdoor/natural terrain scenes, but its not that great if you want to use lots and lots of walls, e.g. for buildings or dungeons: you don't have walls that go inbetween tiles (if you use stripes that thin they are easily moved around by accident) and it might take a bit to set up all those walls (plus you might run out of cardboard pieces, though you could use two different colors for walls to make up for that).
so i recommend you stick to combat layouts that are relatively simple on the big scale (say a single corridor with a 2-tile-wide entry to a single big room) with more details on the smaller scale (pillars, rubble, furniture and so on).
from my experience, having plenty of small shapes (1x1, 1x2, 1x3) works out best (2x2 not as often) but it also depends on what you'll be using it for (cutting smaller shapes is more work and you can still cut them into two smaller pieces if you have to). in doubt, cut them a tiny little bit smaller than the tiles so you won't have issues with overlapping, instruct players to be a bit careful not to accidently move the tiles around too much e.g. when placing figures on top of them and you should be fine.
if you want to cover really big areas with a single color (say, a lake) and don't have enough pieces, consider only outlining the edge of this area.
i suppose you could first try it out with few shapes so you don't have to spend much effort and see it it works out for your player group and to figure out if it is worth the effort to do on a proper scale.
colors i recommend to have plenty of (though it obviously depends on preference): grey (walls, pillars, rocks, maybe also for things that are actually white, such as eggs), blue (water, ice, glass/crystal),
colors i recommend to have a moderate amount of: brown (trees, wooden walls, bridges, doors, tents, horses, tables/furniture, some vehicles), green (any sort of vegetation, swamp-water), red (fire, lava, special/magical things that should stand out).
of course you can have even more different colors, its really up to preference/style.
I gotta say he does make really great points about role playing, but I've always thought of rpg's as exercising my imagination and just playing "make-believe." I was a soldier. I was a knight. I was an explorer, a deep-sea diver, an astronaut, a race car driver. I always knew I was none of those things, but I still managed to have fun. I have the perspective that folks that think D&D is evil and those that go to great lengths explaining D&D are all over-thinking a simple premise--it's just people having harmless fun. If you think of it as anything else than having fun, you're doing it all wrong.
The absolute best memories of my 80's childhood was of D&D and my friends hanging out. I am 100% sure my current success is connected to that activity: reading, creating, thinking and trying.
I played for about three years in high school. Passed my books on to the kids at the school where I work. I hope they are enjoying them as much as I did.
I relate to this Ted Talk big time. I started in '79 at about 11 years old as well, then quit as I got older. I started again later in life and at almost 50 am still at it. My kids found my old gaming stuff in the shed and wanted me to run a game. It has kept going since then. They introduced my to Pathfinder and started bringing their friends to the house to game. We don't have a dining room, we have a gaming room. no tv, no internet, no cell phones.. just pencil, paper, dice, fun and lots of junk food.
and handling the technical failure proved what he have learned - adapt, there is always a solution for the problem
If Matthew Mercer did this TED talk, he would absolutely kill it. Please bring Matt Mercer to TED :D
Not too delve too much into politics here but its the critical thinking learned by stretching your imagination that is not emphasized in modern education that allows the speaker to think outside the box. Sadly the education system focused on standardized test scores rather than teaching children the think objectively about subjects they encounter.
wow....completely unrelated
***** its as related as any hobby done by a child could be.
+jtjr26 I think you're right; I'm of a mind that the education system was primarily created to create workers. The way students are "tracked" sort of sets-up a caste system in which only the top-tier students get a great deal of exposure to enrichment activities, whereas run-of-the-mill students are generally taught a lot of rote memorization, which is being ruled obsolete in an era where we all walk around with tiny computers at our hip. -Ryan
I loved hearing Ethan's story, so honest and heartfelt. I'm so glad my son has introduced me to such a brilliant way to play, to connect, with all my children, one of whom has Autism and I feel that it is teaching him some very valuable lessons to use in the real world.
Oh my god the way he cracks up when talking about his mother......
My girlfriend broke up with me and d&d helped me escape the hole of depression I fell into. The ability to create a world and choose a path that isn't my own showed me the possibilities of life. It helped me through the hardest part of my life so far.
I love D&D. Although it can silence a room if you assert that you play. So, I just refer to it as a "collaborative story telling table top game.
I only played once and I absolutely fell in love with dnd. Never felt more included and in tune with those around me~
I am 61 years old, I started playing D & D when we had three paperback books and we had to fold our own dice out of paper. lol We had a blast. Later after I moved away from home. I was invited to a church to listen about the evils of d&d lol. I stood up and told them. Where would you rather have your Kids? At home playing a game. or out running around getting into trouble. This all happened because of an rpg game called Call of Chathulu. Our dm was an artiest and had painted a mural in a public park. it was grand. Made the News Paper as a satanic cult practice. So much for having fun in the bible belt.
I can definetly say that any game of dnd I've played definetly sticks out in my mind and does seem easier to recall than some memories. So as a learning tool im all for it
That chick laughed a little too hard at "twerking"
_seems suspicious_
I once played at a gaming convention. There was a DM that brought the same “series of death traps” dungeon and pregenerated characters to the Con every year with updated rules for the latest incarnation of D&D. As a group we players traversed death trap after death trap. When the allotted time arrived for the game to end, all the PC’s were still alive.
After the game the DM called me over to talk to me. He told me that he had run this dungeon at every Con sense it started. Never had every character lived. Often every character died before time was up. Never did anyone make it as far as we did in the dungeon. He told me that it was because of my unorthodox use of spells as a sorcerer and my coordinating the other characters that we accomplished these feats. He told me that he was torn between asking me to never again join his game and insisting that I be at every one. In the end he told me that I could join any time and he would hold the sorcerer for me. Sadly, I was never able to make any of the future Cons.
The DM told me that a particular trap (the giant toilet bowl) always killed every party member that entered that room. On this particular occasion, every member of our party was in the room when it flooded. Everyone lived because of my use of spells.
i have been using this as a tool to help my child who suffers from autism navigate interpersonal relationships. its working :D
As a autistic myself, I love that you're doing this as I just got into D&D myself and I'm loving it. Although I do find the word suffer here is one you probably shouldn't use, as it's offensive to many people all across the spectrum and is a commonly talked about thing. But that's another talk for anther video. Glad you found something fun for him.
thanks for letting me know this. I guess a better phrase is suffers the social stigma that others put on him because he's so wonderfully, quirky and different.... please note I've also learned that the phrase "you are autistic" makes you a label, not the beautiful person you are. Words, no matter how they are arranged will still offend someone. So no matter what you run into a wall of sorts. :)
Sj Powol Sj Powol Actually, around 3/4ths of fellow autistics I've spoken with (who knew about the different sides of the discussion instead of only being introduced to the person first perspective by parents and such) prefer this. It's because it affects all aspects of our lives. I can't be separated from my autism and still remain myself. Our brains would have to be completely rewritten, and even if we could just be turned neurotypical we'd have to adjust to the world all over again.
Being autistic has caused issues, especially up until about four years ago. However, I've been hurt far more by how others treat me and how hard it is to be understood in a world constantly expected me to try and understand, not realizing it should be a two way street. It's come with double standards and misunderstanding and the way I never feel like I belong. Yet, in accepting myself and the fact autism is a part of who I am, I've gained a lot of confidence and connected with many others on all parts of the spectrum. Nonverbal. Quote on quote "high functioning", ones who are dependent on others, those who have college degrees and amazing jobs. Just like nuerotypicals we come from all different abilities and personalities, but we're all autistic. I respect the decision of someone on the spectrum to want to use person first language. I've seen it quite a few times in people who've been bullied or treated horribly because of who they are. I can understand that.
However, most I speak with, and again who actually know both sides of the discussion, usually choose to identify as autistic. I don't want to feel shame in who I am. My autism has caused issues, but I've also found ways to turn some of those into strengths. My hyper focusing has introduced me to lots of interesting subjects that I've been able to connect over. I've been able to see a different perspective than most people (it's a very interesting thing to study. Apparently we're less prone to group think, which is why it's so hard to just take things as they are with some of us), I use my sensory issues to improve description in my writing, I use cases where I've experienced discrimination to connect to other groups who are in need.
I just had to realize that was actually something I could do. If I kept thinking about being autistic only having drawbacks, then there's a lot I wouldn't be able to contribute. I've seen this trend all over the board. I'm not damaged by this anywhere near as much as I've been damaged by societal perceptions. The meltdowns caused by the bullies thinking it was funny to push me into them. The people who made me think I was just lazy and uncooperative. The ones that made me feel like I was broken. Less human.
For many of us first person language is actually extremely offensive, because it pushes forth the thought process that many of the people who refused to understand us held themselves. The ones who put us through painful therapy thinking they could bring out the child that had been "stolen" from them. The doctors who just shoved more medication at us instead of listening to what we say. Parents who always thought they knew best without taking our thoughts into account because we, despite being the ones to live as we do, "wouldn't know as much as the professionals".
If your son doesn't wish to use this, that's HIS choice to make, but I made mine and many others have too. Though, sadly, many don't seem to want to listen. Unless you hang around autistic communities, I'm not surprised you might not have heard this before, cause there's another common topic we discuss. The fact we're constantly talked over by those outside of the spectrum who believe they know better.
I am autistic, and I'm not ashamed. Everything I do is affected by this, and there's no beautiful human to shine through beneath. Because there is no beneath. Everything is fused together, unable to be pulled apart. There's no insult in embracing that. And it's true that no matter what you do someone will be offended, but I've found the best policy is to listen to those who it directly affects, and listen to their voices first.
This is the first video comment section I've seen with universally positive comments.
I acknowledge all the good points he made about the game.
I started and ended playing during college. We played a little too long and too hard. Frankly the time would have been better spent elsewhere, starting with sleep and study. YMMV.
Ethan Gilsdorf has won the role-playing award tonight, you get a free feat.
I found D&D or it found me at the age of 10 in 1980 just after the death of my father to a Hart attack, it helped me to adjust to my grief and control my feelings a rage at the world. This video resonates strongly with me. Also, writing this I am sitting preparing my new 5e D&D campaign.