Photo By Yanelli Z. Robles / Staff
TABLETOP TONIC—Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts swear the game has healing powers, alleviates stress and develops confidence.
By Diego Higuera
From the land of Dungeons and Dragons comes the eternal wisdom of the War Forged Bard, Otis the Gray and Morgan the Half-Elf. It warms the World of Mayan Temples on the Mesa of The Sun.
D&D is tonic for stressed Southwestern College students.
Dungeons and Dragons is one of humankind’s most popular role-playing tabletop games with more than 50 million players. Famous Dungeon Masters run online campaigns such as “Critical Role,” “Adventure Zone” and “Dimension 20,” amassing more than 2 million viewers.
Legions of Southwestern College students have consumed the bubbling brew, which they insist can relieve stress. D&D magic, they say, can empower vocabulary building, problem solving, teamwork, communication, listening skills, storytelling and imagination.
And it is fun.
SC alumnus Parker Claudio, a senior at CSU Fullerton, said he has played Dungeons and Dragons for three years.
“My favorite character I ever created is a war forged bard, which is essentially a robotic bard,” he said. “Its name is Kreator. He speaks in a monotone and is very rational. His purpose is to create beautiful art, music and plays (based on works) downloaded to him. His goal in life is to create something original, which is hard because he only knows the things imprinted on him.”
Claudio said Kreator is his way to express how he feels about pursuing a BA in fine arts. His alter ego represents a side of himself best expressed in a fantasy setting.
“What could happen if I took the reins of a character based on me?” he asked. “That led to my character being a bard.”
Kreator helps Claudio cope with stress and face down real-life demons, he said.
“My parents taught me to confront my problems, but I love that (creative) space (where) I can tap into my happy place,” he said. “That’s why D&D is so special to me. It’s another way of scratching that itch. It helped me to become a better person and to find my passion.”
SC student Lydia Aldana said D&D made her a better person.
“I got into Dungeons and Dragons because some friends (said I) should check it out,” she said. “It was a very enjoyable experience and I enjoy it to this day.”
Dungeons and Dragons helped her to make new friends and to focus on the positive, she said.
“I definitely have one character that stands out for me,” she said. “She is a half elf named Morgan. Half breeds are often seen as a negative thing in society. I wanted a character who felt like an outcast but had good intentions and wanted to improve as a person.”
Playing D&D with friends makes her feel better, Aldana said.
“I’ve definitely had a lot of stress from life,” she said. “(While) I play the campaign I become a different character. It is very therapeutic. I could have the worst day, but a few hours later I am ready to take on the world.”
D&D has cast its magic on her friends, too, she said.
“I have seen people come in really grouchy or in a really bad mood,” she said. “After the campaign was over they were in a completely different mood. They were socializing and happy. This game impacts people.”
Four year D&D player Gavin Leavell is a U.S. Navy gas turbine specialist onboard the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Tripoli.
“My Dungeons and Dragons adventure started as a high schooler in Russellville, Arkansas,” he said. “Making a character that interacts with the world in ways that can drastically change the outcome of a story piqued my interest. We strive to make a difference in our world. (Getting) a dose of that, even in a make-believe point of view, (is inspiring).”
Leavell said D&D helps sailors manage frustration in a productive manner.
“D&D stops people from doing things that could send them to the captain’s mast (for discipline),” he said. “One of my friends was (disciplined) and stuck on the ship for a month. To pass the time a group of friends played D&D. It was the best way for him to vent his feelings. D&D can create bonds between people around the table.”
A wise rabbit helped enlighten bored young navy men.
“One of my favorite D&D moments was playing a homebrew rabbit race I named Otis the Gray, who was a monk subclassed into The Way of The Sun Soul,” he said. “My monk prioritized information and (serving) the greater good (to benefit) the world.”
Otis represented the person Leavell believes he can be, he said. Otis tried to do the right thing. He often failed but kept trying. This taught Leavell to acknowledge regrets and strive to be better.
“That effort by Otis, despite his living in a semi-cruel world, inspired me,” he said.
Leavell said Dungeons and Dragons is “home to millions of misfits” that inspires them to become better versions of themselves.
“They turn their fantasy into their reality.”
