Franklin Highschool offers quite a few opportunities for connection through clubs. For example, we have FFA, the CAMINO club, and Lights, Camera, Action. Another one of the clubs this school offers is Dungeons & Dragons. The Prowler Press stopped by a meetingto get some insight on this fun fantasy game.
Dungeons & Dragons, or D&D, is a tabletop roleplaying game in which you create a character, and make choices through that character on an adventure. The Dungeon Master is the leader of the campaign, and controls the flow of the story. A campaign in itself can last from one session, to tens of sessions.
Becka Dulaney, the leader of the club, is who overlooks each session. They make sure everyone’s campaign is going well and is appropriate for school.
When asked what inspired them to start the club here, they replied with, “I didn’t start the club. But when I first started working here, I found out that FHS also had a D&D club. I initially joined thinking I’d be playing D&D, but now I’m here running it.”
A common misconception people have about D&D is that it isn’t what you see in TV shows or movies. The game is more about problem solving and communicating with others. With this in mind, people can categorize D&D in a different light. The club helps you practice valuable skills, such as communcation, the ability to adapt, strategic planning, and critical thinking.
One member, Lucas Henry, Grade 12, shares with us difficulties he finds within the club. “The most challenging part of D&D is the math portion required for it and having the characters you put a lot of effort into die.”
Justin Mesa, Grade 12, says that Dungeons & Dragons can be tough if you don’t have a social group to work with. D&D can be hard. It’s a fun club where you can bond with friends and strangers likewise, but it can have its difficulties in certain aspects.
Even if D&D can be a bit hard for some, there is a great deal you can gain from it as well.
Pacie Parrish, Grade 11, describes that the best parts of Dungeons & Dragons for her is the inspiration it allows, the creativity that flows while participating, and the bonding with others while playing.
Kathryn Fails, Grade 9, speaks of her fondness of customizing characters within the D&D realm.
All in all, Dungeons & Dragons is a highly entertaining game that gives you the chance to connect, learn, and interact with both the story you’re building, and the people you’re building it with. It teaches you skills that are applicable outside the club, and lets your creativity flow.