A sad note last week as another creator of Dungeons and Dragons died. I played the game through a good portion of my childhood. I loved everything about it (except the social stigma of being a nerd).
I credit the game for several aspects of who I am. And only a few of those aspects are bad! Due to making statistic decisions and constantly calculating the possible die roles, I’ve developed a knack for percentages and mathematical estimations. Because of D&D’s character creation I tasted how it was to slip into someone else’s skin. That inspired me to get into acting and a reason I strive to add texture to the characters in my comics. But most of all, I credit D&D with allowing me to tinker with story lines. Finding balance between harsh boring reality and the world of make believe can be a challenge. D&D gave me the opportunity to test those waters; figure out what works and what doesn’t.
The article I link to above mentions that Dungeons and Dragons “spawned video games, novels, a cartoon, and a movie.” I think in a literal since that is true. But the amount of spinoffs D&D inspired in many mediums, especially video games, goes well beyond that. To the moon really.
As a testament to that “many mediums” claim, here is a little something I wrote a long time ago:
- Dark tan skin with well warn hands
- He was a tall 13th Level Fighter.
- His strength was immense
- And his intelligence wasn’t to be reckoned with.
- His name was Dirk.
- Orcs, goblins, ogres, and trolls
- Didn’t have a pixies chance against him.
- Gnolls, minotaurs, and dragons
- were chopped down like our rain forest.
- His name was Dirk.
- He had a +4 vorpal sword with a jeweled hilt.
- He had magical +5 platemail armor.
- He had gauntlets of Giant Strength.
- He had anything he wanted.
- He was awesome.
- No matter where in the world this man went
- He battled evil ruthlessly, effortless.
- And wherever he was
- Whatever evil he is destroying.
- I am there too.
- I love him.
- His name is Dirk.
(Please do not mistake this poem as being sincere.)
