Last year during August I took part in the #RPGaDAY2019 thingy and wrote a series of blog posts covering that days theme.
Somehow I missed this years happenings for it. Didn’t even see it trend, or people post about it.
I was reminded of it as I went through previous D&D posts looking for one to share with a friend.
So after finding the post I was looking for, and sharing it with the friend. I googled #RPGaDAY and found out that there had in fact been one this year and I had missed it.
Bugger!
I’d enjoyed doing this last year. I enjoyed writing the posts around the theme. The daily theme was open to interpretation. You were creating content based on what that theme meant to you.
Wait a minute I can still do it, even if rather belated.
So I saved a copy of the image with the themes on. And decided for the next 31 days I would write about that days theme. Or at least try to. Apathy does kick in sometimes. Well a lot of the time.
They even had a dungeon map of the themes made up! I think it looks pretty cool.
So here is my day 1 post…
Beginning
I think sometimes knowing where to start or even starting is the hardest thing of all.
Back when I was a teenager in the eighties I stumbled upon D&D and roleplaying games in general through video games, and the home computer revolution.
I even purchased the Basic Starter set. But it wasn’t until I went to Polytechnic that I’d actually get to play an RPG. None of my school friends were interested in playing.
Fast forward to today, and there is a wealth of information about getting started, finding people to play with etc. Sometimes too much.
I think finding a curated list helps. I’ve written posts in the distant past about trying D&D for free. I don’t often point people to them, I usually point people to Matt Colville and his series of YouTube videos (which I do mention in my post if memory doesn’t fail me). WotC also have a good post or two about getting started. And I like the writings of Sly Flourish on the subject.
However as I mentioned at the top of this post I did share a post with a friend last night. It was a curated post about RPGs for Kids. A starting point for them to find an RPG they could play with their 6 year old daughter.
Why did I suggest basically playing D&D with their kid? I think there are a few positives that could be gained by doing so. The first quality family time. Always important. The whole telling a story together, creating memorable moments. Then there are the educational benefits, encouraging listening, speaking, problem solving, creative thinking, reading, basic maths, boosting confidence.
But it’s knowing where to begin, and finding a curated post/list sure makes it easier to take those first steps.