Practically every game has equipment of some kind, and RPGs are no exception. The hobby has been characterized as expensive and "merchandise-heavy" by many critics, but this is largely, I think, a mistake: good gaming can be done with coins and scrap paper. Still, most gamers have at least a basic arsenal of gaming gear. Below, a catalogue of the typical trappings of a D&D gaming session.
1. Players, obviously, are the most important element of any game. This is especially true of RPGing: the game's "action" takes place in the players' imaginations, and all the paraphenalia is but an aid to that imagining.
2. Rules, usually in the form of big, expensive, lavishly illustrated tomes. D&D in particular is known for its sheer volume of rules, layering levels of detail as deep as the most fanatical enthusiast could wish to go.
3. Dice with various numbers of sides: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20. In RPGing, dice represent the unpredictable element of life: while skill and raw talent are usually the best predictors of success, sometimes the weak succeed where the strong fail. Of course, some of us seem luckier with dice than others...
4. Miniatures have been a part of RPGing from the beginning: in fact, RPGing grew out of miniatures war gaming, so the miniatures actually came first! Minis serve as placeholders in situations where the relative locations of characters are important, such as combat. They also help give players a mental image of their characters. From the left, these minis are a Dwarf cleric, an Elf warrior, and a hooded rogue of indeterminate species.
5. Maps are the most important tool in RPGing, more important even than dice or minis. Exploration--of worlds, kingdoms, caverns, towns, etc.--is a key element of RPGing, and maps are essential to this. Beautiful maps drawn by professional artists are usually included with published game scenarios, but notebook and graph paper work just as well!
6. Snacks, because RPGing is above all else social. Chips and salsa are gaming staples, as are Doritos, Twinkies, and pizza.
Since sessions frequently last into the wee hours, caffeine is vital. Mountain Dew: the official soft drink of D&D.
But this is the South, right? So let's brew some sweet tea, too!
1. Players, obviously, are the most important element of any game. This is especially true of RPGing: the game's "action" takes place in the players' imaginations, and all the paraphenalia is but an aid to that imagining.
2. Rules, usually in the form of big, expensive, lavishly illustrated tomes. D&D in particular is known for its sheer volume of rules, layering levels of detail as deep as the most fanatical enthusiast could wish to go.
3. Dice with various numbers of sides: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 20. In RPGing, dice represent the unpredictable element of life: while skill and raw talent are usually the best predictors of success, sometimes the weak succeed where the strong fail. Of course, some of us seem luckier with dice than others...
4. Miniatures have been a part of RPGing from the beginning: in fact, RPGing grew out of miniatures war gaming, so the miniatures actually came first! Minis serve as placeholders in situations where the relative locations of characters are important, such as combat. They also help give players a mental image of their characters. From the left, these minis are a Dwarf cleric, an Elf warrior, and a hooded rogue of indeterminate species.
5. Maps are the most important tool in RPGing, more important even than dice or minis. Exploration--of worlds, kingdoms, caverns, towns, etc.--is a key element of RPGing, and maps are essential to this. Beautiful maps drawn by professional artists are usually included with published game scenarios, but notebook and graph paper work just as well!
6. Snacks, because RPGing is above all else social. Chips and salsa are gaming staples, as are Doritos, Twinkies, and pizza.
Since sessions frequently last into the wee hours, caffeine is vital. Mountain Dew: the official soft drink of D&D.
But this is the South, right? So let's brew some sweet tea, too!
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