Dungeons and Dragons

What?  Didn't this go out about the time they came out with 3rd edition?

The fact that I know they came out with a third edition a rule book should indicate that I do things that perhaps some think a man shouldn't.

Because I still play.  In fact, the name Torggil comes from one of my most successful characters.  He wasn't a particularly good person, just chaotic neutral.  And he did things that weren't all good.  But he wasn't bad either.  He was, however, my richest character, and even killed a dragon, well, for the horde of course.

So I still play, but there are reasons for this.  The biggest reason is that its cheaper than a night out. 

Cost.  Here, in Australia, a rather frugal night out usually means spending $40 or more down at the pub (more if you eat).  I can play for $12- a few cans of Pepsi max and a bag of Doritos.

Avoids Legal Complications.  It eliminates the worry of a DUI.  I play with my mates on Skype now.  I don't even leave the house, even if I decide to have a couple beers.

Stress Relief.  If I run into orcs, or a character that is at odds with mine, I can fight or kill, and not worry about jail time.  My character could end up getting killed, but that's okay.  A pen and piece of paper will have me up and running with another in no time.  I can also pretend that thing is my boss, or one of the turds at work that I look after, and they can get a piece of my wrath.

Enjoyment.  It activates my imagination and stimulates my creative skills, allows me to interact with people or things on a different level, and allows me to be someone else, somewhere else. I get to walk right away from my problems for a while, and deal with completely different ones.  That time may allow me a fresh approach on the old ones, a different viewpoint can sometimes be seen if you can stop obsessing for a while.

Being Social.  It gives an excuse to meet up with my best mate and brother on a more or less regular basis.

In the last decade though, I do have to wonder if the game has been making a comeback. Episodes that featured D&D have been seen on Futurama and my one of my personal favourites, the IT Crowd.

So as far as I'm concerned, its fun.  And with the game only once every couple weeks or so, even The Wife lets it slide.