The sand in the hourglass has run out. The team of heroes make their way upstairs to find that they are too late, and the Felicity Triskelion (a magical artifact) has already been activated and a gateway into an extradimensional realm is beginning to open releasing monsters and creatures into the world of Ravenica.
They make one last effort to save the world. Gwarigor, a minotaur wizard, tries and fails to use his powers of persuasion to convince Paetrix to hand it over peacefully. Ithil, a rogue elf, attempts to steal the Triskelion and is thrown across the room. Nix, a goblin sorcerer, uses a spell to grab it from the floor and manages to hold it steady. As a creature begins to emerge from the other realm, Nix is knocked unconscious and drops the Triskellion. Needing to regroup and heal, the band of heroes retreats to heal and fight the horrors that have been released on the world next month.
This magical teamwork isn't happening in a novel or a castle in another world but at the monthly meeting of the DMPL and Dragons program at Central Library.
Dungeons and Dragons has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years following the pandemic and with the popularity of Stranger Things, and the new Dungeons and Dragons movie. Currently there are monthly a Dungeons and Dragons programs for adults at Central Library and teens at the Franklin Avenue Library.
For adult services librarian, and the resident Dungeon Master, Dennis Dungeons and Dragons is more than just a game. Dennis grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends in the 80s. He was drawn in by the creativity of creating characters and telling stories.
As an adult, Dennis moved to Chicago. He didn't know many people, but he did know how to play Dungeons and Dragons. The shared interest in the game became a place where he formed lifelong friendships.
"It's hard to make friends, and I wanted to make Dungeons and Dragons accessible and to give people the opportunity to find their gaming community at the library," said Dennis. "The game gives people a reason to connect."
Athena worked with The Rook Room, a local gaming business, to start a Dungeons and Dragons program for teens at the Franklin Avenue Library. First she hosted introduction programs virtually and then in person. On the third Sunday of the month there is an Open Slay event for teens.
“The youth who come love it!” said Athena. “The kids who play Dungeons and Dragons are often those who don’t want to be in the spotlight on a stage performing, but they have this endless creativity inside them just waiting to come out. It’s a game for storytellers.”
Recently, Dennis and Athena showed the ins and outs of the game to the library’s youth programming team at a meeting at east, passing out free dice, showing the game board, and taking questions from librarians interested in hosting a Dungeons and Dragons program at their branch. Soon after the East Side Library decided to start their own program, and they will host an intro to Dungeons and Dragons event on April 27.
In April, Dennis will be hosting three learn to play events at Central Library in partnership with The Rook Room for people who are interested in dipping their toes into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, and for players who are interested in expanding their knowledge.
Upcoming D&D Programs at DMPL:
ADULT
April 5: Intro to Dungeons and Dragons: Learning the rules and how to create characters.
April 12: Intro to Dungeons and Dragons: How to be a Dungeon Master
April: 19: Intro to Dungeons and Dragons: Open Play
TEENS
April 16: Open Slay Dungeons and Dragons for Teens at the Franklin Avenue Library
April 27: Intro to Dungeons and Dragons for Teens at the East Side Library
Volunteer to be a Dungeon Master
The Franklin Avenue Library is currently looking for friendly and experienced Dungeon Master volunteers to run Dungeons and Dragons once a month for third level characters. Players are between the ages of 8 and 18. For more information visit the Youth Desk at the Frnaklin Avenue Library or email Athena at amriesenberg@dmpl.org.
Last Modified December 26, 2024