On another thread there were some questions about the game “Dungeons and Dragons” or D&D. I started this thread to address them and explain what D&D actually is. D&D is a game about pretend imagination and story telling. A group of friends get together, and one person narrates a story while the other people participate in the story. For example:
The narrator says: “While out walking, you discover a dark cave”
The person participating in the story says: “Well I want to go explore this cave, so I step inside”.
The narrator says: “Inside you see a… [insert whatever here]”
In essence the story can be whatever you want it to be, but the purpose is always to have fun with friends. You can also play whenever/wherever you want, it doesn’t cost anything, and can be whatever. For example, my husband and I frequently play D&D when we’re driving long distances (>2 hours): it’s a way to use some imagination and having fun instead of just staring at boring highway.
Now, addressing some questions about Dungeons and Dragons (taken from the other thread):
In a way, yes. Note: the official "rules" are more of guidelines, and you can have "house rules" for how things work, just like any other game.
Yes it does tend to be cooperative: you and your friends are going out on an adventure together. But the setting doesn't have to be fantasy at all; it is whatever you want it to be (outer space, the Old West, mystery in Victorian London, etc).
Yes. Just like you have people who are super serious about Monopoly versus are super casual about it.
Also: D&D doesn't need to be played on a board and frequently/usually isn't.
Yep! Let me know if you have any more questions