[Applause] [Music]
you find yourself at the foot of a snowy
you find yourself at the foot of a snowy mountain your purpose is clear you have
mountain your purpose is clear you have
mountain your purpose is clear you have set out on your first great adventure a
set out on your first great adventure a
set out on your first great adventure a quest of great importance you see at the
quest of great importance you see at the
quest of great importance you see at the top of this mountain sits an ancient
top of this mountain sits an ancient
top of this mountain sits an ancient white dragon that has been terrorizing
white dragon that has been terrorizing
white dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for months and you and
the countryside for months and you and
the countryside for months and you and your compatriots have taken it upon
your compatriots have taken it upon
your compatriots have taken it upon yourselves to slay it once and for all
yourselves to slay it once and for all
yourselves to slay it once and for all the people on either side of you make up
the people on either side of you make up
the people on either side of you make up your adventuring party each of you with
your adventuring party each of you with
your adventuring party each of you with a specific set of skills tailored to fit
a specific set of skills tailored to fit
a specific set of skills tailored to fit any situation the snow beneath your feet
any situation the snow beneath your feet
any situation the snow beneath your feet is firm and the wind howling through the
is firm and the wind howling through the
is firm and the wind howling through the valleys cuts you to the bone how are you
valleys cuts you to the bone how are you
valleys cuts you to the bone how are you gonna make it to the peak will you dare
gonna make it to the peak will you dare
gonna make it to the peak will you dare to venture into the ice caverns that
to venture into the ice caverns that
to venture into the ice caverns that wind their way up the interior of the
wind their way up the interior of the
wind their way up the interior of the mountain will you break out your shiny
mountain will you break out your shiny
mountain will you break out your shiny new climbing gear and try and scale the
new climbing gear and try and scale the
new climbing gear and try and scale the side of the rocky slope or will you try
side of the rocky slope or will you try
side of the rocky slope or will you try to lure the dragon down from its perch
to lure the dragon down from its perch
to lure the dragon down from its perch so you can fight it on the ground and on
so you can fight it on the ground and on
so you can fight it on the ground and on your own terms you find yourself at the
your own terms you find yourself at the
your own terms you find yourself at the foot of a mountain but this mountain is
foot of a mountain but this mountain is
foot of a mountain but this mountain is not of stone and snow this mountain is
not of stone and snow this mountain is
not of stone and snow this mountain is of metal the glass panes flicker in your
of metal the glass panes flicker in your
of metal the glass panes flicker in your eyes there’s not a dragon at the top of
eyes there’s not a dragon at the top of
eyes there’s not a dragon at the top of this mountain but the CEO you have a
this mountain but the CEO you have a
this mountain but the CEO you have a group presentation coming up you know
group presentation coming up you know
group presentation coming up you know you can do this you’ve conquered trolls
you can do this you’ve conquered trolls
you can do this you’ve conquered trolls and troglodytes alike how do you want to
and troglodytes alike how do you want to
and troglodytes alike how do you want to do this we use Times New Roman or Comic
do this we use Times New Roman or Comic
do this we use Times New Roman or Comic Sans for your presentation we I think we
Sans for your presentation we I think we
Sans for your presentation we I think we used Helvetica now we understand that
used Helvetica now we understand that
used Helvetica now we understand that this might sound a little bit ridiculous
this might sound a little bit ridiculous
this might sound a little bit ridiculous but we promise that there is a
but we promise that there is a
but we promise that there is a connection between a world where
connection between a world where
connection between a world where adventurers are scaling a mountain to
adventurers are scaling a mountain to
adventurers are scaling a mountain to slay an ancient dragon and a world where
slay an ancient dragon and a world where
slay an ancient dragon and a world where you were nervous about giving a
you were nervous about giving a
you were nervous about giving a presentation to your boss I want you to
presentation to your boss I want you to
presentation to your boss I want you to think for a second about all the
think for a second about all the
think for a second about all the practical skills that come into play in
practical skills that come into play in
practical skills that come into play in each of these scenarios in order to slay
each of these scenarios in order to slay
each of these scenarios in order to slay the dragon you’re gonna have to be able
the dragon you’re gonna have to be able
the dragon you’re gonna have to be able to communicate with your team to survive
to communicate with your team to survive
to communicate with your team to survive the frigid encounters with the dragon
the frigid encounters with the dragon
the frigid encounters with the dragon cultists you’re gonna need to be able to
cultists you’re gonna need to be able to
cultists you’re gonna need to be able to negotiate your way past the greedy cave
negotiate your way past the greedy cave
negotiate your way past the greedy cave troll that is guarding the entrance to
troll that is guarding the entrance to
troll that is guarding the entrance to the dragon’s lair ultimately you’re
the dragon’s lair ultimately you’re
the dragon’s lair ultimately you’re gonna be need to be able to identify the
gonna be need to be able to identify the
gonna be need to be able to identify the strengths of your team and play to them
strengths of your team and play to them
strengths of your team and play to them in the correct situations to find the
in the correct situations to find the
in the correct situations to find the greatest chance of success you are going
greatest chance of success you are going
greatest chance of success you are going to have your chance to shine and you’re
to have your chance to shine and you’re
to have your chance to shine and you’re gonna help your friends find theirs
gonna help your friends find theirs
gonna help your friends find theirs similarly in the quest to get the group
similarly in the quest to get the group
similarly in the quest to get the group presentation done you need to work with
presentation done you need to work with
presentation done you need to work with your team what strengths will you
your team what strengths will you
your team what strengths will you highlight that is someone better at
highlight that is someone better at
highlight that is someone better at making bar graphs because I’m not are
making bar graphs because I’m not are
making bar graphs because I’m not are their weaknesses that need to be
their weaknesses that need to be
their weaknesses that need to be mitigated as a team both of these
mitigated as a team both of these
mitigated as a team both of these scenarios the dragon and the group
scenarios the dragon and the group
scenarios the dragon and the group presentation are designed to challenge
presentation are designed to challenge
presentation are designed to challenge you as your time as an adventurer or a
you as your time as an adventurer or a
you as your time as an adventurer or a person and we at the Barnes College hope
person and we at the Barnes College hope
person and we at the Barnes College hope to help foster those skills with our
to help foster those skills with our
to help foster those skills with our program good afternoon my name is Calder
program good afternoon my name is Calder
program good afternoon my name is Calder Schweitzer put to my friends I am Drake
Schweitzer put to my friends I am Drake
Schweitzer put to my friends I am Drake Albert Barnabas tracks refrigerator ACO
Albert Barnabas tracks refrigerator ACO
Albert Barnabas tracks refrigerator ACO scarce Maryland McCracken the gnomish
scarce Maryland McCracken the gnomish
scarce Maryland McCracken the gnomish Druitt I’ve been adventuring for a year
Druitt I’ve been adventuring for a year
Druitt I’ve been adventuring for a year and a half and I’ve been a dungeon
and a half and I’ve been a dungeon
and a half and I’ve been a dungeon master for a year hi everyone
master for a year hi everyone
master for a year hi everyone my name is Nolan wodsworth and to my
my name is Nolan wodsworth and to my
my name is Nolan wodsworth and to my friends sometimes I have the Tsarist
friends sometimes I have the Tsarist
friends sometimes I have the Tsarist Cartwright the 1/2 for crime or who
Cartwright the 1/2 for crime or who
Cartwright the 1/2 for crime or who rules with an iron fist
rules with an iron fist
rules with an iron fist sometimes I’m Lady Elise Elton s’en a
sometimes I’m Lady Elise Elton s’en a
sometimes I’m Lady Elise Elton s’en a wizard a court wizard in a sleepy town
wizard a court wizard in a sleepy town
wizard a court wizard in a sleepy town long past its prime and world without
long past its prime and world without
long past its prime and world without dragons I am the other co-founder of the
dragons I am the other co-founder of the
dragons I am the other co-founder of the bards College and I’ve been a dungeon
bards College and I’ve been a dungeon
bards College and I’ve been a dungeon master for 3 years now so tonight as
master for 3 years now so tonight as
master for 3 years now so tonight as your dungeon masters we welcome you to
your dungeon masters we welcome you to
your dungeon masters we welcome you to the fantastical so we represent the
the fantastical so we represent the
the fantastical so we represent the bards College a non-profit set right
bards College a non-profit set right
bards College a non-profit set right here in Guelph that uses tabletop
here in Guelph that uses tabletop
here in Guelph that uses tabletop role-playing games to help young adults
role-playing games to help young adults
role-playing games to help young adults become socially intelligent so we get it
become socially intelligent so we get it
become socially intelligent so we get it tabletop role-playing might be a little
tabletop role-playing might be a little
tabletop role-playing might be a little weird like it’s a new thing for you so
weird like it’s a new thing for you so
weird like it’s a new thing for you so let me give you a little background so
let me give you a little background so
let me give you a little background so it started off in with wargames set
it started off in with wargames set
it started off in with wargames set during major conflicts and isolated
during major conflicts and isolated
during major conflicts and isolated scenarios players would be assigned
scenarios players would be assigned
scenarios players would be assigned different roles in a combat zone some
different roles in a combat zone some
different roles in a combat zone some would be the general some would be the
would be the general some would be the
would be the general some would be the local priest or the mayor in a town and
local priest or the mayor in a town and
local priest or the mayor in a town and they would all have a goal and a
they would all have a goal and a
they would all have a goal and a narrative the premise has shifted since
narrative the premise has shifted since
narrative the premise has shifted since but the foundation remains the same
but the foundation remains the same
but the foundation remains the same friends sitting around a table engaging
friends sitting around a table engaging
friends sitting around a table engaging in a story together so our story begins
in a story together so our story begins
in a story together so our story begins not unlike that the legends of your Gary
not unlike that the legends of your Gary
not unlike that the legends of your Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson sat around a
Gygax and Dave Arneson sat around a
Gygax and Dave Arneson sat around a table and found a way to implement their
table and found a way to implement their
table and found a way to implement their favorite fantasy lore with the mechanics
favorite fantasy lore with the mechanics
favorite fantasy lore with the mechanics of a war game and thus Dungeons and
of a war game and thus Dungeons and
of a war game and thus Dungeons and Dragons was born now there’s been a
Dragons was born now there’s been a
Dragons was born now there’s been a resurgence in the popularity of these
resurgence in the popularity of these
resurgence in the popularity of these types of games since the release of
types of games since the release of
types of games since the release of Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition fifth
Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition fifth
Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition fifth edition is the easiest of them to learn
edition is the easiest of them to learn
edition is the easiest of them to learn and that makes it perfect for our
and that makes it perfect for our
and that makes it perfect for our program because you see fifth edition is
program because you see fifth edition is
program because you see fifth edition is by nature a game of bricks before you
by nature a game of bricks before you
by nature a game of bricks before you even get to the table and start
even get to the table and start
even get to the table and start role-playing you have to create your
role-playing you have to create your
role-playing you have to create your character this is the person the
character this is the person the
character this is the person the character that you are going to be
character that you are going to be
character that you are going to be controlling for the entirety of your
controlling for the entirety of your
controlling for the entirety of your adventure or unless their life is
adventure or unless their life is
adventure or unless their life is tragically cut short the character
tragically cut short the character
tragically cut short the character creation method gives you a series of
creation method gives you a series of
creation method gives you a series of bricks to choose from that you can
bricks to choose from that you can
bricks to choose from that you can arrange in any way you see fit to create
arrange in any way you see fit to create
arrange in any way you see fit to create something for example you start off by
something for example you start off by
something for example you start off by choosing a race will you be a strong
choosing a race will you be a strong
choosing a race will you be a strong stubborn dwarf how about a elegant and
stubborn dwarf how about a elegant and
stubborn dwarf how about a elegant and dexterous elf versatile and learn at
dexterous elf versatile and learn at
dexterous elf versatile and learn at human or perhaps some socially
human or perhaps some socially
human or perhaps some socially misunderstood tiefling
misunderstood tiefling
misunderstood tiefling what class are you gonna be are you
what class are you gonna be are you
what class are you gonna be are you gonna be a stalwart fighter a magical
gonna be a stalwart fighter a magical
gonna be a stalwart fighter a magical wizard a nefarious rogue or a sinister
wizard a nefarious rogue or a sinister
wizard a nefarious rogue or a sinister warlock then think about how was your
warlock then think about how was your
warlock then think about how was your character raised are they a priest a
character raised are they a priest a
character raised are they a priest a sailor a soldier whether you hermit did
sailor a soldier whether you hermit did
sailor a soldier whether you hermit did they grow up in a monastery learning the
they grow up in a monastery learning the
they grow up in a monastery learning the art of hand-to-hand combat did they work
art of hand-to-hand combat did they work
art of hand-to-hand combat did they work as a field healer in the Great War or
as a field healer in the Great War or
as a field healer in the Great War or maybe they’re just a dorky kid from a
maybe they’re just a dorky kid from a
maybe they’re just a dorky kid from a small town looking to make their way in
small town looking to make their way in
small town looking to make their way in the world and prove himself to somebody
the world and prove himself to somebody
the world and prove himself to somebody all of these bricks that you put
all of these bricks that you put
all of these bricks that you put together will create your character and
together will create your character and
together will create your character and in turn that character will act as a
in turn that character will act as a
in turn that character will act as a brick of itself which will be taken by
brick of itself which will be taken by
brick of itself which will be taken by your dungeon master and used to lay the
your dungeon master and used to lay the
your dungeon master and used to lay the foundation of a grand story that you
foundation of a grand story that you
foundation of a grand story that you will tell together your campaign so
will tell together your campaign so
will tell together your campaign so we’ve kind of examined how the process
we’ve kind of examined how the process
we’ve kind of examined how the process of creating character is brick by brick
of creating character is brick by brick
of creating character is brick by brick everything kind of forms together into
everything kind of forms together into
everything kind of forms together into the structure but we’re gonna take a
the structure but we’re gonna take a
the structure but we’re gonna take a step back we’ve gained we’ve gained a
step back we’ve gained we’ve gained a
step back we’ve gained we’ve gained a level now we’ve learned a few things
level now we’ve learned a few things
level now we’ve learned a few things we’re gonna take a step back and look up
we’re gonna take a step back and look up
we’re gonna take a step back and look up the mechanics of the game the foundation
the mechanics of the game the foundation
the mechanics of the game the foundation of dungeon dragons is built upon three
of dungeon dragons is built upon three
of dungeon dragons is built upon three bricks combat exploration and social
bricks combat exploration and social
bricks combat exploration and social interaction each of these challenge the
interaction each of these challenge the
interaction each of these challenge the player and you
player and you
player and you in different ways some will have to
in different ways some will have to
in different ways some will have to somewhere more expert in combat some are
somewhere more expert in combat some are
somewhere more expert in combat some are the trackers and others are the bards
the trackers and others are the bards
the trackers and others are the bards who do all the talking now our program
who do all the talking now our program
who do all the talking now our program with the bards college is focused
with the bards college is focused
with the bards college is focused specifically on the latter of these
specifically on the latter of these
specifically on the latter of these three social interaction see as the
three social interaction see as the
three social interaction see as the dungeon masters of the program we can
dungeon masters of the program we can
dungeon masters of the program we can engineer situations for our players to
engineer situations for our players to
engineer situations for our players to go through that will allow them ivenn
go through that will allow them ivenn
go through that will allow them ivenn use to practice certain skills for
use to practice certain skills for
use to practice certain skills for example if we get our players together
example if we get our players together
example if we get our players together and we say all right we want you to
and we say all right we want you to
and we say all right we want you to practice speaking with people
practice speaking with people
practice speaking with people interacting with the public we may say
interacting with the public we may say
interacting with the public we may say ok you stand in the Town Square nearby
ok you stand in the Town Square nearby
ok you stand in the Town Square nearby you know there’s an ancient ruin
you know there’s an ancient ruin
you know there’s an ancient ruin shrouded in mystery inside rumors of a
shrouded in mystery inside rumors of a
shrouded in mystery inside rumors of a great treasure mill around the town you
great treasure mill around the town you
great treasure mill around the town you must speak with the locals and gather as
must speak with the locals and gather as
must speak with the locals and gather as much information as you can for you see
much information as you can for you see
much information as you can for you see nobody has ever returned from that ruin
nobody has ever returned from that ruin
nobody has ever returned from that ruin and you want to make sure you’re as
and you want to make sure you’re as
and you want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for what you’re
prepared as possible for what you’re
prepared as possible for what you’re gonna face and then later on if we think
gonna face and then later on if we think
gonna face and then later on if we think ok they’ve gotten some practice social
ok they’ve gotten some practice social
ok they’ve gotten some practice social interaction let’s let’s focus on
interaction let’s let’s focus on
interaction let’s let’s focus on teamwork now we can say yes you’ve made
teamwork now we can say yes you’ve made
teamwork now we can say yes you’ve made it through the ruin you’ve defeated the
it through the ruin you’ve defeated the
it through the ruin you’ve defeated the boss and your treasure is secured in
boss and your treasure is secured in
boss and your treasure is secured in your bag of holding but all of a sudden
your bag of holding but all of a sudden
your bag of holding but all of a sudden all of the doors to the main chamber
all of the doors to the main chamber
all of the doors to the main chamber seal you feel the ground start to rumble
seal you feel the ground start to rumble
seal you feel the ground start to rumble in the ruin begins to collapse around
in the ruin begins to collapse around
in the ruin begins to collapse around you now we face them with a puzzle where
you now we face them with a puzzle where
you now we face them with a puzzle where they have to work together and interact
they have to work together and interact
they have to work together and interact so that they may escape with their lives
so that they may escape with their lives
so that they may escape with their lives so we’ve seen how like the mechanics of
so we’ve seen how like the mechanics of
so we’ve seen how like the mechanics of the game and the character building all
the game and the character building all
the game and the character building all kind of coalesce into this brick like
kind of coalesce into this brick like
kind of coalesce into this brick like structure other things that might add to
structure other things that might add to
structure other things that might add to it are magical items I staff of bird
it are magical items I staff of bird
it are magical items I staff of bird calling that just makes bird noises it’s
calling that just makes bird noises it’s
calling that just makes bird noises it’s pretty cool important non-player to
pretty cool important non-player to
pretty cool important non-player to characters like casseras Cartwright who
characters like casseras Cartwright who
characters like casseras Cartwright who I mentioned earlier who serves as the
I mentioned earlier who serves as the
I mentioned earlier who serves as the antagonist for the heroes reoccurring
antagonist for the heroes reoccurring
antagonist for the heroes reoccurring and following their plots or rapid an
and following their plots or rapid an
and following their plots or rapid an unexpected plot progression you could go
unexpected plot progression you could go
unexpected plot progression you could go from flank goblins for a farmer for five
from flank goblins for a farmer for five
from flank goblins for a farmer for five copper pieces a day for a hard day’s
copper pieces a day for a hard day’s
copper pieces a day for a hard day’s work to negotiating peace between
work to negotiating peace between
work to negotiating peace between empires and whose Kings are also dragons
empires and whose Kings are also dragons
empires and whose Kings are also dragons it gets a little weird sometime you see
it gets a little weird sometime you see
it gets a little weird sometime you see a gate so it gets weird
see the thing about this is that the
see the thing about this is that the pace the pacing of the game is very
pace the pacing of the game is very
pace the pacing of the game is very special in that players will often get
special in that players will often get
special in that players will often get very attached to their characters
very attached to their characters
very attached to their characters because they kind of grow up with them
because they kind of grow up with them
because they kind of grow up with them and earn experience in the game as the
and earn experience in the game as the
and earn experience in the game as the players aren’t experienced with these
players aren’t experienced with these
players aren’t experienced with these characters and something like this
characters and something like this
characters and something like this happened to me when I was playing last
happened to me when I was playing last
happened to me when I was playing last year I had this character who was very
year I had this character who was very
year I had this character who was very Darwinian in his view of the world he
Darwinian in his view of the world he
Darwinian in his view of the world he believed that the fit survived the unfit
believed that the fit survived the unfit
believed that the fit survived the unfit did not and that was the way things went
did not and that was the way things went
did not and that was the way things went as what happens with most first-time
as what happens with most first-time
as what happens with most first-time characters at low levels this character
characters at low levels this character
characters at low levels this character was killed very early on however he was
was killed very early on however he was
was killed very early on however he was given the chance to be resurrected from
given the chance to be resurrected from
given the chance to be resurrected from the dead
the dead
the dead now I remember sitting here thinking
now I remember sitting here thinking
now I remember sitting here thinking about how this would happen and
about how this would happen and
about how this would happen and realizing that while me called her
realizing that while me called her
realizing that while me called her really liked this character I want to
really liked this character I want to
really liked this character I want to see where he would go I wanted to bring
see where he would go I wanted to bring
see where he would go I wanted to bring him back but I realized that this
him back but I realized that this
him back but I realized that this character because of his moral
character because of his moral
character because of his moral philosophy wouldn’t have wanted that he
philosophy wouldn’t have wanted that he
philosophy wouldn’t have wanted that he would have seen himself as unfit and he
would have seen himself as unfit and he
would have seen himself as unfit and he would not choose to return so quietly I
would not choose to return so quietly I
would not choose to return so quietly I I denied the resurrection and let my
I denied the resurrection and let my
I denied the resurrection and let my first character slip into the afterlife
first character slip into the afterlife
first character slip into the afterlife at that point I realized that there
at that point I realized that there
at that point I realized that there really was no option at all you see the
really was no option at all you see the
really was no option at all you see the character had transcended the player and
character had transcended the player and
character had transcended the player and I was sitting there I realized that I
I was sitting there I realized that I
I was sitting there I realized that I was not thinking of this character as
was not thinking of this character as
was not thinking of this character as something made up in my head I was
something made up in my head I was
something made up in my head I was seeing him as a collection of
seeing him as a collection of
seeing him as a collection of experiences with his own opinions as his
experiences with his own opinions as his
experiences with his own opinions as his own worldview and his own moral
own worldview and his own moral
own worldview and his own moral philosophy and at that point I realized
philosophy and at that point I realized
philosophy and at that point I realized that while this was happening I almost
that while this was happening I almost
that while this was happening I almost felt as if I was sitting watching this
felt as if I was sitting watching this
felt as if I was sitting watching this character make this decision instead of
character make this decision instead of
character make this decision instead of being the one making it myself so we’ve
being the one making it myself so we’ve
being the one making it myself so we’ve seen how like there’s a very unique
seen how like there’s a very unique
seen how like there’s a very unique connection with the player character and
connection with the player character and
connection with the player character and the character itself there’s a bunch of
the character itself there’s a bunch of
the character itself there’s a bunch of themes that really tie in nicely to
themes that really tie in nicely to
themes that really tie in nicely to Dungeons and Dragons that kind of mirror
Dungeons and Dragons that kind of mirror
Dungeons and Dragons that kind of mirror the world we live in today there are
the world we live in today there are
the world we live in today there are elements of racial divisions where half
elements of racial divisions where half
elements of racial divisions where half works and tea flings and goblins are met
works and tea flings and goblins are met
works and tea flings and goblins are met with fear and mistrust by their human
with fear and mistrust by their human
with fear and mistrust by their human and elven counterparts there are
and elven counterparts there are
and elven counterparts there are elements of class divisions where a
elements of class divisions where a
elements of class divisions where a world with nobility and king
world with nobility and king
world with nobility and king who are disconnected from their
who are disconnected from their
who are disconnected from their constituents really drives a sense of
constituents really drives a sense of
constituents really drives a sense of disenfranchisement mm-hmm
disenfranchisement mm-hmm
disenfranchisement mm-hmm one of the most important themes that
one of the most important themes that
one of the most important themes that comes into this game however is
comes into this game however is
comes into this game however is consequence and it dungeons dragons and
consequence and it dungeons dragons and
consequence and it dungeons dragons and his players have a very interesting
his players have a very interesting
his players have a very interesting relationship of consequence and that
relationship of consequence and that
relationship of consequence and that everything that happens happens in their
everything that happens happens in their
everything that happens happens in their own theater of the mind and the
own theater of the mind and the
own theater of the mind and the collective imagination of the group so
collective imagination of the group so
collective imagination of the group so this gives people the chance to
this gives people the chance to
this gives people the chance to experiment with certain situations and
experiment with certain situations and
experiment with certain situations and how they would handle them and see how
how they would handle them and see how
how they would handle them and see how things work out and this there’s an
things work out and this there’s an
things work out and this there’s an example of this happened quite recently
example of this happened quite recently
example of this happened quite recently to me in my weekly Sunday night game my
to me in my weekly Sunday night game my
to me in my weekly Sunday night game my party was investigating the trafficking
party was investigating the trafficking
party was investigating the trafficking of illicit magical drugs within a city
of illicit magical drugs within a city
of illicit magical drugs within a city called yard tar and we were tipped off
called yard tar and we were tipped off
called yard tar and we were tipped off that we might be able to get some
that we might be able to get some
that we might be able to get some information from a character named the
information from a character named the
information from a character named the water baron now we were speaking with
water baron now we were speaking with
water baron now we were speaking with this water baron and he wasn’t really
this water baron and he wasn’t really
this water baron and he wasn’t really giving us what we were looking we tried
giving us what we were looking we tried
giving us what we were looking we tried to take the honest route as most
to take the honest route as most
to take the honest route as most adventuring parties you know start off
adventuring parties you know start off
adventuring parties you know start off doing but he we weren’t really getting
doing but he we weren’t really getting
doing but he we weren’t really getting what we wanted so we thought okay we
what we wanted so we thought okay we
what we wanted so we thought okay we need to get a little bit more aggressive
need to get a little bit more aggressive
need to get a little bit more aggressive here so my character stepped forward now
here so my character stepped forward now
here so my character stepped forward now backgrounder this character has some
backgrounder this character has some
backgrounder this character has some magical abilities let him control among
magical abilities let him control among
magical abilities let him control among other things the four elements so he
other things the four elements so he
other things the four elements so he stepped forward and pulled out a tankard
stepped forward and pulled out a tankard
stepped forward and pulled out a tankard it was like a big medieval Cup and he
it was like a big medieval Cup and he
it was like a big medieval Cup and he cast the spell create water into it and
cast the spell create water into it and
cast the spell create water into it and what happened was this tanker began
what happened was this tanker began
what happened was this tanker began overflowing his ten gallons of water
overflowing his ten gallons of water
overflowing his ten gallons of water were created within it simultaneously
were created within it simultaneously
were created within it simultaneously and he set forward he said look lookie
and he set forward he said look lookie
and he set forward he said look lookie here water Baron if you don’t give us
here water Baron if you don’t give us
here water Baron if you don’t give us the information we want if you don’t
the information we want if you don’t
the information we want if you don’t tell us what we’re looking to here I’m
tell us what we’re looking to here I’m
tell us what we’re looking to here I’m gonna create fresh water for all the
gonna create fresh water for all the
gonna create fresh water for all the people of yard tour and give it away for
people of yard tour and give it away for
people of yard tour and give it away for free and ruin your livelihood and in my
free and ruin your livelihood and in my
free and ruin your livelihood and in my mind I was being incredibly smart and
mind I was being incredibly smart and
mind I was being incredibly smart and very creative and very intimidating I
very creative and very intimidating I
very creative and very intimidating I didn’t expect to be met with laughter
didn’t expect to be met with laughter
didn’t expect to be met with laughter because see while I had assumed that the
because see while I had assumed that the
because see while I had assumed that the water Baron had control over the
water Baron had control over the
water Baron had control over the drinking water supply of this town it
drinking water supply of this town it
drinking water supply of this town it turns out he actually had control over
turns out he actually had control over
turns out he actually had control over the waterways that ran through it and by
the waterways that ran through it and by
the waterways that ran through it and by extension much of the local trade and I
extension much of the local trade and I
extension much of the local trade and I was sitting here being laughed at by my
was sitting here being laughed at by my
was sitting here being laughed at by my enemies and my friends and honestly
enemies and my friends and honestly
enemies and my friends and honestly laughing at my own ignorance I realized
laughing at my own ignorance I realized
laughing at my own ignorance I realized that I had taken zero time to prep
that I had taken zero time to prep
that I had taken zero time to prep anything for this encounter I asked him
anything for this encounter I asked him
anything for this encounter I asked him no questions I didn’t ask anybody what
no questions I didn’t ask anybody what
no questions I didn’t ask anybody what his deal was and I frankly probably
his deal was and I frankly probably
his deal was and I frankly probably didn’t pay very much attention when he
didn’t pay very much attention when he
didn’t pay very much attention when he was speaking
was speaking
was speaking and in that way by taking that chance I
and in that way by taking that chance I
and in that way by taking that chance I realized I learned something I learned
realized I learned something I learned
realized I learned something I learned that I need to prepare for these types
that I need to prepare for these types
that I need to prepare for these types of situations or there will be lasting
of situations or there will be lasting
of situations or there will be lasting consequences that being we’ve had to
consequences that being we’ve had to
consequences that being we’ve had to interact with that character on more
interact with that character on more
interact with that character on more than a few occasions since and he has
than a few occasions since and he has
than a few occasions since and he has never taken me seriously since that
never taken me seriously since that
never taken me seriously since that situation happened so you might be
situation happened so you might be
situation happened so you might be thinking okay that’s a funny story in a
thinking okay that’s a funny story in a
thinking okay that’s a funny story in a world far off and our own imaginations
world far off and our own imaginations
world far off and our own imaginations how does this apply to me in any way so
how does this apply to me in any way so
how does this apply to me in any way so I want you to try I want to challenge
I want you to try I want to challenge
I want you to try I want to challenge your imagination we’re gonna play a bit
your imagination we’re gonna play a bit
your imagination we’re gonna play a bit of D&D here just in a different kind of
of D&D here just in a different kind of
of D&D here just in a different kind of setting instead of this being the water
setting instead of this being the water
setting instead of this being the water Baron that called it was interacting
Baron that called it was interacting
Baron that called it was interacting with this is the interviewer you’re
with this is the interviewer you’re
with this is the interviewer you’re going for a job interview and just like
going for a job interview and just like
going for a job interview and just like caller you could go in knowing only the
caller you could go in knowing only the
caller you could go in knowing only the title of the position you want and try
title of the position you want and try
title of the position you want and try to charm your way and like I’m sure
to charm your way and like I’m sure
to charm your way and like I’m sure we’ve all tried but he runs a really
we’ve all tried but he runs a really
we’ve all tried but he runs a really high risk of misinterpreting the
high risk of misinterpreting the
high risk of misinterpreting the situation and making himself look like a
situation and making himself look like a
situation and making himself look like a fool so you know after Sunday night game
fool so you know after Sunday night game
fool so you know after Sunday night game he could wake up on the Monday and think
he could wake up on the Monday and think
he could wake up on the Monday and think like okay I know the title the position
like okay I know the title the position
like okay I know the title the position I want maybe I should do some prep work
I want maybe I should do some prep work
I want maybe I should do some prep work like maybe so I you know get actually
like maybe so I you know get actually
like maybe so I you know get actually get the job so it’s these kinds of
get the job so it’s these kinds of
get the job so it’s these kinds of lessons that we hope to subtly pass on
lessons that we hope to subtly pass on
lessons that we hope to subtly pass on through the games that we run for high
through the games that we run for high
through the games that we run for high school students in Guelph ultimately
school students in Guelph ultimately
school students in Guelph ultimately when it boils down RPGs can act as a
when it boils down RPGs can act as a
when it boils down RPGs can act as a simulation of reality taking place in
simulation of reality taking place in
simulation of reality taking place in the fantastical realm they play with the
the fantastical realm they play with the
the fantastical realm they play with the idea of morality of stability both
idea of morality of stability both
idea of morality of stability both personally and societally you know they
personally and societally you know they
personally and societally you know they can they can help people explore things
can they can help people explore things
can they can help people explore things like classism and racism and all these
like classism and racism and all these
like classism and racism and all these things that are very complex issues can
things that are very complex issues can
things that are very complex issues can be simplified and better understood
be simplified and better understood
be simplified and better understood through this game going beyond the game
through this game going beyond the game
through this game going beyond the game table we hope to bring these lessons to
table we hope to bring these lessons to
table we hope to bring these lessons to young people through our work with the
young people through our work with the
young people through our work with the Bart’s college and by extension the
Bart’s college and by extension the
Bart’s college and by extension the greater population because we believe
greater population because we believe
greater population because we believe that these lessons are important to
that these lessons are important to
that these lessons are important to learn and can be learned through this
learn and can be learned through this
learn and can be learned through this medium of tabletop role-playing so
medium of tabletop role-playing so
medium of tabletop role-playing so another element that I like to add to my
another element that I like to add to my
another element that I like to add to my storytelling
storytelling
storytelling and by extension of Dungeon Master I
and by extension of Dungeon Master I
and by extension of Dungeon Master I like to add complex moral situations
like to add complex moral situations
like to add complex moral situations into the story by give by introducing
into the story by give by introducing
into the story by give by introducing this other brick into the stories
this other brick into the stories
this other brick into the stories telling structure you-you-you add a like
telling structure you-you-you add a like
telling structure you-you-you add a like a layer of depth to it that not a lot of
a layer of depth to it that not a lot of
a layer of depth to it that not a lot of things can explore in such a safe manner
things can explore in such a safe manner
things can explore in such a safe manner take this for an example you’re a
take this for an example you’re a
take this for an example you’re a venturing party enters a town and it is
venturing party enters a town and it is
venturing party enters a town and it is stricken with poverty and crime rules
stricken with poverty and crime rules
stricken with poverty and crime rules the city and you want to you know
the city and you want to you know
the city and you want to you know reintroduce a sense of order there’s
reintroduce a sense of order there’s
reintroduce a sense of order there’s multiple ways that you could approach
multiple ways that you could approach
multiple ways that you could approach this you could approach the nobility
this you could approach the nobility
this you could approach the nobility whose apathy whose has long since driven
whose apathy whose has long since driven
whose apathy whose has long since driven this this discontent in the town that
this this discontent in the town that
this this discontent in the town that you you you get to self-evaluate how you
you you you get to self-evaluate how you
you you you get to self-evaluate how you feel about the rule of law nobility
feel about the rule of law nobility
feel about the rule of law nobility class divisions or he could approach
class divisions or he could approach
class divisions or he could approach Viserys cartwright the crime lord and
Viserys cartwright the crime lord and
Viserys cartwright the crime lord and he’ll he’ll happily enforce the laws but
he’ll he’ll happily enforce the laws but
he’ll he’ll happily enforce the laws but if you get to look the other way for
if you get to look the other way for
if you get to look the other way for when he does his own shady dealings this
when he does his own shady dealings this
when he does his own shady dealings this this adds to the depth and lessons that
this adds to the depth and lessons that
this adds to the depth and lessons that a person can learn through dungeon
a person can learn through dungeon
a person can learn through dungeon dragons myself evaluating how you feel
dragons myself evaluating how you feel
dragons myself evaluating how you feel about something and by extension your
about something and by extension your
about something and by extension your character feels something about
character feels something about
character feels something about something that you you grow as a human
something that you you grow as a human
something that you you grow as a human and that’s something we hope to pass on
and that’s something we hope to pass on
and that’s something we hope to pass on so a good campaign can go on for years
so a good campaign can go on for years
so a good campaign can go on for years and while Noll and I could stand up here
and while Noll and I could stand up here
and while Noll and I could stand up here for an equal amount of time and talk to
for an equal amount of time and talk to
for an equal amount of time and talk to you about how passionate we are for this
you about how passionate we are for this
you about how passionate we are for this game and the benefits it confers to
game and the benefits it confers to
game and the benefits it confers to those who play it we have to come to a
those who play it we have to come to a
those who play it we have to come to a logical conclusions so keep in mind that
logical conclusions so keep in mind that
logical conclusions so keep in mind that in the game as in life adventure is
in the game as in life adventure is
in the game as in life adventure is never far off there’s always going to be
never far off there’s always going to be
never far off there’s always going to be a dragon to slay a presentation to give
a dragon to slay a presentation to give
a dragon to slay a presentation to give an experience to gain on behalf of the
an experience to gain on behalf of the
an experience to gain on behalf of the bards College we thank you for your time
bards College we thank you for your time
bards College we thank you for your time and may the dice always roll in your
and may the dice always roll in your
and may the dice always roll in your favor
favor
favor you
”
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