Dungeons and Family

Years ago, so many years ago that nostalgia washes over me every time I think about the simpler days in Decorah, when I could get together with my friends almost anywhere in town by hopping on a bicycle for a short ride, my good friend Craig introduced us to a new game called Dungeons and Dragons.  We were teenagers, we had time, we loved fantasy -- we were hooked.  Soon, we were playing every chance we had, and I spent most of my waking hours reading, thinking, talking and designing for the game. 

Around the country, and around the world, others were falling in love with this game which allowed its players to assume the roles of adventurers in imaginary worlds full of epic fantasy, searching dark, dangerous dungeons; facing both creatures well known from myth and monsters of new imaginings; rescuing the weak from the forces of evil.  The Role Playing Game had been invented, inspiring a whole new class of entertainment.  But these larger issues were not important to us.  We, the players, just loved the game.  And, in those few times we thought about the future, we longingly imagined being able to gather again to play the game, even in those far away times when we were finally adults.  In fact, we, who started playing as sixteen-year-olds, and who continued playing during our college breaks, imagined that, perhaps, someday, we would gather in our retirement to play again.

Yet never did I imagine what the game could mean to me in my life as a father.

When my boys were young, it was clear they loved the fantastic as much as I did.  So it was easy -- natural, even -- to introduce the idea of giving them each a character and having those characters fight "bad guys" with dice.  This was one of many, many activities we had together.  Sports, plays, movies, vacations, and other more traditional games filled most of our time.  But there was always fun to be had with a couple of miniature figures -- a warrior and a wizard, perhaps -- and a few dice.

But could the fun continue?

I'm here to tell you that it certainly has.  Last night, my boys, together with one of my girls, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and friends of theirs, invaded a castle, were made prisoners, escaped, and then defeated an extremely powerful vampire who had been preying on a city for more than a hundred years.

As a gamer, I still enjoy playing this game. But far more importantly, as a father I cherish opportunities to share experiences with my children.  Over thirty years ago, when I first encountered this game, I could not have predicted how much enjoyment it would bring to me as a father.  Now, even in the midst of it, I find it hard to believe.  But oh how I appreciate it!

Game On!