Attention all adventure-seekers and fantasy enthusiasts! Did you know that the Library offers resources for playing Dungeons & Dragons?
For those who are unfamiliar with the game, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game in which players create characters and embark on quests in a fantasy world guided by a Game Master or Dungeon Master. The game involves exploration, combat, and problem-solving, all in the context of an immersive and unique storyline.
D&D has grown in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to its inclusion in popular culture. Shows like Community, Stranger Things, and The Big Bang Theory have featured the game, and even celebrities such as Vin Diesel and Stephen Colbert are known to be avid players. More recently, Paramount produced the Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves film based on the game.
However, D&D is more than just a trendy pastime. It has been shown to have several benefits. It encourages creativity and imaginative thinking, as players must create unique and detailed characters and work together to solve problems. It also promotes literacy and socialization. In this article, Yevonne Le Lacheur, the program director at Autism Nova Scotia observed students who play D&D “start kind of becoming comfortable in that social setting, and because it’s that special interest that they have, they’re comfortable to talk about it and be a little creative and maybe less shy.” So, with the resources at the Library, you can gather some friends, grab your dice, and start playing!
Need a space to play? We have reservable spaces at the Library as well!
Find these titles in our online catalog:
Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook by James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, and Bruce R. Cordell
The Elfish Gene: dungeons, dragons and growing up strange by Mark Barrowcliffe
Dragons & Treasures: a young adventurer’s guide by Jim Zub, with Stacy King and Andrew Wheeler.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: the Druid’s Call by E.K. Johnston
Slaying the Dragon: A Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons by Ben Riggs
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (DVD)
Here are a few additional online resources:
D&D Beyond – learn the basics of playing D&D
Roll20 – play D&D online or create a virtual board
Critical Role Handbooker Helper – videos and podcasts with gameplay and character creation