Hobbies, Part 3
In this installment, we examine my own favorite hobby…
Roleplaying Games
Since one of my best net-buddies asked, let me explain.
A roleplaying game (rpg) can be described as cops and robbers with rules. If you were to watch my group play you would see 5 or 6 guys (RPG players are predominantly male) sitting around a large table. We would have several books, different shaped dice, papers, and pencils on the table before us. One of us (currently me) describes/verbally acts out scenes and people while the others at the table verbally act out a particular person. It has elements of improvisational theater. Typically you play the same character for an extended period of time (weeks, months, or even a year or two in real time).
It sounds incredibly dull when described like that. Here’s a more imaginative description:
A small band of fortune-seekers, explorers, and heroes made their way through the jungle to the lost city. They knew not what to expect, but prepared for trouble. Dr. Otensheisser and his Nazi goons may very well be awaiting the heroes, but they knew his secret and were ready for his machinations. A flock of noisy colorful tropical birds burst, squawking, from the trees ahead.“I reckon that’s the sign we’ve been loong for,” said the Jack Resolute, the American leader of the group.
“I’ll go on ahead and scout out their position,” said Kasaji, the martial artist whose skills bordered on mystical.
“Doc, You ready with that inmvention of yours,” Jack asked you.
….Are you ready?…Will you defeat the Nazis?…What frightening surprise awaits you and your friends in the Lost City?
OrThe Northern Barbarian, the dwarf, the peasant, and the elf drifted down the river on their ad hoc raft. The wagon had served well on land and with a few minor alterations, was taking them from the destruction at Himmelbrecht. After several days of southerly travel, the harsh northern winter had become the cool beginning of spring. Expecting the next town–and hoping to book passage on a real river barge–the group instead saw a huge net, over six feet high, strung across the width of the river.
In a matter of seconds the raft was entangled in the net. As Gustav the peasant and Hrothgar the barbarian worked on cutting them free they heard a huge splash from the bank. All heads turned and saw a pair of ogre’s, nearly twice Hrothgar’s height, wading toward them. The pair were barely clad in rags and bits of bone fashioned into a necklace of trophies. The larger monster, and the one in the lead, carried a huge axe in his gnarled hands. The other carried a spiked club. The adventureers on the raft had only a few minutes to prepare…
…What will you do? …Do you continue trying to cut through the net in hopes of escape?…Do you brace for mortal combat with the fast approching brutes?
If you ever read a book or seen a movie and thought, “I wish I could spend some time in that world, having those kinds of adventures,” then you have some idea what motivates us to play RPGs. The most well-known RPG is Dungeons & Dragon. It has, in the past, been slurred as a demonic activity used to inculcate kids into the occult. Frankly it is an activity that draws highly imaginative people and is subject to its abuses.
Over the years playing roleplaying games has been accused of promoting suicide, devil worhsip, and other heinous acts. None of these claims have substantiated. A study by the CDC concluded that roleplayers are no more likely to commit suicide than the general population. And in fact, another report suggests that they are much less likely to commit suicide than the general population.Here are a few responses to the typical “Jack Chick”-ian attacks on Roelplaying:
The Pulling Report
Facts and Fictions about RPGs (pdf file) http://www.theescapist.com/facts-and-fictions-about-RPGs.pdf
A Lovely FAQ for you http://www.theescapist.com/basic_gaming_faq.htm
OH! That sounds like loads of fun! Very cool! I wonder why guys are the predominant players? Is it because the game is like adventure type stuff and girls aren’t into that kind of thing? Is a player an enemy or are you all on the same side?
I recall my son was interested in Dungeons and Dragons. I was not happy about it, in part because I was afraid that he would become so absorbed in it that the line between real life and RP would blur. I have that same fear with some of the virtual worlds that people create on the computer.
Nonetheless, there have been more than a few books where I have become so absorbed in the story that I dream about the characters and story line, inevitably BEING one the characters!
BTW, your post came through about 6 times on your blog.
I’m glad you’re back!
My Dh and oldest son play RPGs. I have never had the patience for them.
Philippa,
The players are almost always “on the same side.” They are the Fellowship of the Ring, or Luke, Han, Cheewie, and Leia.
With few exceptions RPGs are not about winnig and losing. They are about having fun telling a story together.
You said, “I was not happy about it, in part because I was afraid that he would become so absorbed in it that the line between real life and RP would blur.” That is a pretty common worry for the uninformed. But it is no more a danger than in any highly imaginative endeavor, perhaps less than some because it is a group activity and the group can help check deviant behavior.
As to the predominance of male players, a recent survey found that approx 1 in 5 players were female. I think part of the reason is RPG’s heritage: they grew out of miniatures wargaming.
What an awesome idea Raphael! That’s all I need to do…get involved in RPGs! When would I do my ironing?!
I can hear it now. Instead of me yelling to the kids, “Dinner time! Get in here now!” the kids would be yelling, “Mom, PUT DOWN THE GAME! It’s time to eat! NOW!!!”
LOL!