FAQ

What is Dungeons and Dragons?

Dungeons and Dragons (as well as other tabletop RPGs) is a game of the imagination. You create a character based on the rules of a world, and interact with the story as that character would. There is no board, per se; although Battlemaps and Grids can be used to help dictate combat scenarios, the vast majority of gameplay happens in the minds of those at the table. All of the rules, sourcebooks, and dice are used to keep everyone playing in the same world, with systems developed to ensure that your group can create the experience that you’re looking for.

What age is appropriate for D&D?

Table-top RPG’s require logic, math and communication skills. As long as a player is able to handle those basics, or are proficient at video games that require some reading (Pokemon, RPG’s, etc) then they can sit at the table.

Where do we play?

I come to you. Everything I have is mobile and I bring the party where you might be most comfortable.

What do you provide?

I supply minis, maps, dice, and pencils-the simple necessities to run the game, as well as sourcebooks and other supplies to help make the game more interesting. For newer players I also provide pre-generated characters. The only thing that you may wish to supply yourself is a notebook or sheets of paper to write events/clues down and characters if you are interested.

What version of the game do you run? Are you willing to run others?

For most players I will run 5th Edition. This edition is remarkably user friendly and one of the best systems I’ve seen for being accessible to new players. For advanced players looking for a challenge or older players (like myself) yearning for the good ‘ol days, I can also run 2nd and 3.5

I will never run 4th ed.

Do I have to know anything before I play?

Nope. I mean, we should all know things like how to boil and egg and such, but you can sit down without any knowledge of the game and I will have you slaying goblinses in no time.

How long do sessions run?

Minimum is 2 hours. Maximum is…negotiable.

What is “raw” and “rai”, and what do they mean?

Rules as Written versus Rules as Intended.

RAW is building something in game using the strictest interpretation of the text in the game. When taken to the extreme, this may lead to Powergaming (loading stats in a way to overpower the character beyond their level) or Rules Lawyering (saying that you cannot increase or decrease the price of materials printed in the sourcebooks, regardless of the reason), which can cause friction in a game group unless the group has spoken about and agreed to that type of game.

RAI is using the sourcebooks and other game materials as a guide, sometimes suspending rules in favor of more interesting or efficient storytelling (using multiple rolls for attacks that have little chance at hitting, adjusting material pricing based on in-game realities of supply and demand, etc)

What makes a good adventuring party?

Any group willing to dive in and work with everyone at the table is a good party, regardless of class balance. You’re making a story happen, so if you want to be a band of Rogues villianing it up, or an order of Clerics called to restore a temple, the DM will make the game work for you. Balancing classes has its advantages, but the sometimes the most interesting stories are the ones where our heroes really struggle, as any good son of a gaffer would know.