Wednesday Night Dungeons and Dragons at Modern Myths

Dwarves and Dragon-born alike gathered around the table Wednesday night to embark on an adventure together. The Dungeon Master began with setting the scene and the players get a feel for this week’s quest. He described a shop, where the players could inquire about where to go next. All these elements transported these ordinary people to the extraordinary world of Dungeons and Dragons.

The tabletop game was created in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. Characters are created with specific talents and back-stories unique to each player’s preference. The Dungeon Master or storyteller guides the players by creating an imaginary world for their characters to interact in.

Alejandro Victoria has been a Dungeon Master, as well as an employee at Modern Myths comic book store, for almost two years. Victoria describes the game as being similar to the children’s game Telephone, where each player has the opportunity to change the direction of the story.

“The creativity and improvisation are my favorite parts,” said Victoria. “Everyone adds a little bit towards making the story unique, and everyone sees the story differently.”

David Dadamo, who is also a Dungeon Master, stopped playing for 35 years and recently started again to play with his 11-year-old daughter, Katherine Dadamo. David describes the sense of community as being his favorite aspect of the game. Katherine attributes her father’s revival as a player to her curiosity and increased interest in the game.

“The social part is the best,” said Dadamo. “Lots of people coming together from different backgrounds.”

Wayne Smith, whose character is a hill dwarf cleric, enjoys the game because it’s a good break from the monotonous work week.

“Here you meet a group of eclectic people from different walks of life,” said Smith. “I’ve played with doctors, lawyers and even army generals.”

Players said outsiders often perceive role-playing games as being odd. Smith offered advice for newcomers to Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games.

“The best advice is to keep an open mind,” said Smith. “When people describe a character everyone pictures something different in their mind, there is no right or wrong, just using your imagination is key.”

Modern Myths, at 822 Mamaroneck Ave Mamaroneck, NY 10543, hosts several games of Dungeons and Dragons every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. The store welcomes all levels and ages; children however must have parental consent before joining the night games.

“I have run games that can get very political and adult,” said Victoria. “I have also run games that are very straight forward for the kids, and have a story that only requires rescuing a princess.”