I became involved with playing “Dungeons & Dragons” (aka "D&D") in August of 2016. Both my boyfriend and I were interested in playing, and a friend of ours invited us to play at a local game store. We both fell in love with it. Specifically, I fell in love with how accepting and open both the people, and the game are.

What I love the most about "D&D" is that even if you aren’t great at role-playing, you can still enjoy yourself. Don’t want to haggle with a shopkeeper for a lower price because your charisma is too low? Try intimidation. Don’t want to charm your way out of a situation? Just fight your way out of it. I’m not saying that it’s necessarily the correct method, but the fact that alternatives exist make it a much more inclusive game.

I also love the creativity that comes with creating characters. Creating characters was a little difficult at first, but I eventually got the hang of things. For example, I’ve created a character based on a broke college student who starts adventuring only to pay off student loans. Since my character is not as enthused about fighting, it makes her more fun to role-play as, since before this I’ve only played characters that stab now and think later. Since I enjoy writing and using my imagination, "D&D" grants me the ability to be creative. In fact, many "D&D" players have written books based off of the characters they have created and the campaigns (adventures) they’ve experienced.

Another reason why I love "D&D" is that it helps people make connections. Having social anxiety can make it hard to connect with people. Although I had a hard time with my anxiety when I first began playing "D&D," once I became comfortable in my environment, I began to really connect with people. Although we were strangers before meeting, the people in a campaign (usually about 5-7 in all) get to know not only each other as characters, but as people. When I broke my foot, the people in my campaign showed great concern for me, and were very accommodating. Also, when the Dungeon Master (the person who runs and narrates the campaign) found out I have social anxiety, he helped me out if I had a hard time role-playing.

Overall, "D&D" is an amazing game with so many possibilities in it. Although the rules can become a bit complicated, usually if you’re new people are willing to help and explain what is happening. If you’re creative, enjoy social situations, or just want to try something new, "D&D" is definitely for you. You don’t have to be typically ‘nerdy’ or ‘geeky’ to fit in. You just have to show up and roll initiative.