The Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game is about storytelling in make-believe worlds of sword and sorcery. In this game, a group of players create imaginary characters and band together to embark on an imaginary adventure. D&D provides structure to these adventures by using a set of rules combined with an element of chance to determine the consequences of the characters' actions. Players roll dice to resolve whether or not their character is able to accomplish some heroic feat or daring gambit. Anything is possible, but the dice make some things more probable than others. Playing Dungeons & Dragons provides everyone opportunities to use and develop fundamental interpersonal, academic, and life-long skills. Thanks to the nature of the game being set in an imaginary world, players get to learn how to solve problems, resolve conflicts, manage resources, overcome adversity, and how to work together as a team, all in a safe environment. Playing D&D gives players a chance to exercise their organizational skills, analytical skills, basic math skills, and their imaginations. Players frequently need to be resourceful, resilient, and creative over the course of a game as a sudden plot twist in the story turns the characters' plans on their heads. And because D&D takes place in a make-believe fantasy world, it offers unlimited potential for self-expression. It's most valuable benefit, however, is that it simply gives people a chance to play a fun game together face to face with their friends. Instructor Doug Martilla has been an Athenian Afterschool Enrichment Instructor and Summer Instructor for over 9 years, leading campaigns with excellent story-telling skills and extensive knowledge of the D&D world.
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