When you imagine "Dungeons and Dragons," there's kind of an image that comes into your brain. It's a bunch of neck-bearded guys with cheeto dust coating their fingers, rolling dice, and taking everything a little bit too seriously.
The reality is that D&D is a fun storytelling game where you can be anything you can dream up and have a good time with your friends while you invent your own world. The kids from "Stranger Things" knew what was up, they had a great time playing, and for good reason. As well as being a great game, D&D comes with a few great life lessons.
1. Never underestimate your ability to pull something out of your ass and make it sound good.
If you're the Dungeon Master, or storyteller, in this game, sometimes your players will think up things you would never have considered. This will leave you about five seconds to just completely make something up. Improv skills come in handy in the real world more often than you think. You'll be thanking D&D when you get asked a question out of left field in a job interview.
2. Don't shy away from the absurd, that's where the most fun is.
Dragon in the way and you know there's no way you can beat it? Ask your Dungeon Master if you can roll to flirt with it. If you manage it, that'll make a hilarious story. If not, oh well. Likewise, there are many chances in the real world to jump into something childish. Don't say no because it seems ridiculous: you never know what fun you're missing.
3. Sometimes, fate just isn't in your favor.
Life would be so much easier if we could all roll a natural 20 every time. But we can't, it's just not how the dice work. Life also wouldn't be as interesting if everything went our way every time. Instead of getting frustrated, try to take the tougher things life hands you and learn from them.
4. Don't ever count your chickens before they hatch.
Think you know where your DM is going with a story? Think you know what monsters are coming? You don't. DMs are magic, insane creatures that will always keep you guessing. In the real world, take a moment to step back and remember that we live in a world where you can't expect the unexpected.
5. Rules are meant to be broken (or at least bent).
The rules manual for this game looks daunting. And sometimes you just don't feel like looking through a whole book to see if a player can actually do the thing they want to do. Sometimes it's okay to bend the rules so things can go smoothly. Likewise, so long as you're not doing anything incredibly illegal, don't be afraid to try and see what rules you can fudge.
6. Don't be afraid to embrace the embarrassing.
Like I said, there's an image you get in your head when you think of Dungeons and Dragons. And if you're willing to step back and not be afraid of what people will say about you if they should hear about your involvement, everything gets easier. There are plenty of opportunities you'll be met with that are a little outside social norm. Once you let go of the fear of judgment from others, you'll have a lot more fun — in D&D and in life!
"Dungeons and Dragons" is more than a fun, silly storytelling game. The "Stranger Things" kids knew what they were talking about. It's a place where you can learn a lot about your friends, and about life in general. So grab a character sheet, find your d20, gather your friends, and go fight some dragons.
