Dudes and Doubt

Photo by Erica Li on Unsplash

Thelon rolls a one.

Not to believe in luck is a very structed way to live life. Working throughout each day, with some thoughts to how the day is going to play out, due to the work that is done, the preparation that were completed, and the resolve in how to function with one’s tasks. It’s not a hard concept, nor one that that would be deemed odds by any means. This is the way millions of play out their lives.

This is not the case in Dungeons and Dragons.

“Halarai throws the dagger. It soars over the last goblin’s head, who didn’t flinch by the miss. Goblin’s turn.

The rest of the party groan in unison.

“The Goblin runs up to attack you, avenging his slaughtered party.” The DM, Andy, rolls his die. He looks up Thelon, then the rest of group. “Natural 20— critical hit.”

Andy takes his time to explain the next action.

“The Goblin slides his short sword in to your side, lodging it just underneath your studded leather chest piece. His laughter feels yours ears, and you slump on his sword. He pulls it out, and side steps, allowing your body to slide on the ground. His laugh fades from your senses.” 

“Motherfucker!” Chad yells.  “This is stupid.”

“Let’s pick up from here next time.”

The group packs up their stuff. Thelon looks at his twenty-sided die, still reflecting the 1 result. He can’t believe what just happened.

“Did I just wipe the party?”

“No.” Erika responds.

“Not likely.” Andy chimes in.

“Absolutely.” Chad does not calm down from his initial reaction. “This is all your fault.”

“What did I do?” Thelon really wants to know.

“You don’t know how to play your character. You picked a class to sneak around, but you refuse to. You don’t pay attention, and that takes my guy out, and you can’t even finish up the last goblin to keep the campaign alive.”

 “Chad—”

“No, he needs to figure this shit out. I’m tired of this.”

“It’s his first game.”

“Maybe he should play a different one.”

“Okay, not warranted. It’s late. Let’s just cool off, and just resume this next time.”

“Whatever.” Chad wonders off, packing his stuff and leaves.

“Guys, I’m really sorry.” Thelon wants to gain control of his future. “Next time, I’ll pay more attention and figure out what I did wrong.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Ericka says. “If you didn’t piss off Chad at some point in one of our games, you wouldn’t belong.”

“She’s right.” Andy agrees. “He gets into it pretty quick, but he’s more abrasive than he means to be.”    

“Does it…get better?”

Andy and Ericka look at each other.

“Let’s look at it this way.” Andy decides to take lead in his. “I’m sure you’ve been in a scenario where you have that teammate that’s…well, that’s too passionate.”

“That’s Chad.” Erica says, completing the analogy.

“Do you guys have any pointers?” Thelon asks.

“The only think you can really do to get better at role-playing games is paying attention. If you pay attention, everything gets easier.”

“But there’s already so many rules, and I can’t really figure out what’s going on.”

“Which is fine. It takes time.”

“Just say engaged as long as you can” Erika adds.

“How so?”

“Like that time you got up and got a snack.”

“I mean, we all got snacks. Isn’t that what they’re for?”

“Yes, that’s right, but Andy was in mid-conversation with you.”

“Everybody has their part in this.” Andy says, budding in. “Everybody is important. It’s like each player in a team has a role. Baseball is really hard without a short stop.”

“Or a goalie in soccer.” Erica adds.

“Or a seeker in Quidditch.”

“What was that last one?”

“My main point is,” Andy says, in closing. “Pay attention and have fun. That’s the only thing you really have to do to play.”

“It’s the only reason I keep playing.” Erika says.

“So, I didn’t do a bad job?” Thelon packs up his stuff, but still wonders if he can continue doing this. “Like, can I keep playing?”

“It all depends.” Andy smiles. “Do you want to?”