Libraries and Dragons
by Jillian Ocken
This summer, Ames Public Library is challenging you to “level up.” You might choose to level up your backyard projects, your reading time, or any number of skills. Personally, I’ll be leveling up in roleplaying games.
If you’ve never heard or Dungeons & Dragons or roleplaying games, or you aren’t sure what they are, here are the basics. “Tabletop” roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons are kind of a shared storytelling game, usually played in a small group with one person acting as the game master. The game provides the rules and structure. The players step into the role of their own character within the game world, deciding how their character would interact with the story. The game master slowly reveals parts of the story and decides the consequences of characters’ actions. Dice are usually involved, adding an element of chance.
Whether you’re new to roleplaying games or you’ve been DMing since Basic, you’ll find some great resources at the Library. Roleplaying game kits are probably the best place to start. You can check out a bin with everything you need to play a pre-written adventure, and they’re not just Dungeons and Dragons! There are kits for Fiasco, Numenéra, Masks, Vampire: The Masquerade, Tales from the Loop, Monster of the Week, Legend of the Five Rings, and Tails of Equestria!
You can also find roleplaying game books on the Library’s shelves. You can check out player guides, including the new D&D 2024 edition Players Handbook, supplements like “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything,” and adventures like the 5th edition version of the classic “Tomb of Annihilation.” There are also books from other systems, like Pathfinder and Call of Cthulhu.
The great thing about checking out books or kits is that you can create characters, flip through the rules, and try things out before you decide to invest a lot of money and time into a new game.
Once you’re on board, you might need some inspiration for a character or for your own adventure. Ideas can come from anywhere, but there are tons of Dungeons & Dragons novels—especially in Forgotten Realms—that make an easy starting point. Younger gamers might get some inspiration (or just enjoy reading) “Endless Quest” books, which are choose-your-own-adventure style Dungeons and Dragons stories.
Intrigued? Come to the Library and gear up for your next adventure!