I try to point the camera at my friends sometimes and not just at their Dungeons & Dragons minis. Here’s Tad showing us how Ian’s sweet Matrix-like move is gonna work.

Taj and Angel listen to our DM as she describes the scene.

When Myntilly died the other night we had the traditional chocolate binge. Something about chocolate just facilitates the grieving process. Speaking of eating….

This is an old picture but still one of my favorites of Sarah. It also shows old friend Melissa, who’s moved to Arizona.

Last, there’re hardly ever pictures of me, so here’s a (fairly) recent picture of me from our trip to Mt. Rainer.

Happy Holidays to all of our D&D friends!

Here’s hoping your Christmas is wonderful and your New Year bright.

As I stared at my reflection, I tried to see me in those dark eyes. The face shook its head while the hands caressed the beard. “I have a lot to learn about this body.” And peeing standing up is probably the least of my troubles.

Better to face the group sooner rather than later. Pity, laughter, distrust, disappointment…. I had no idea what to expect and I couldn’t have told you what I wanted to get from my friends.

As I walked into the room, everyone fell quiet. Ian was the first person to talk. He walked over and took my hand. “I really don’t understand it. Not at all.” It was weird to be almost eye level with him. “Don’t trouble yourself, brother. I am thankful to be alive. I am Pelor’s instrument and He wills as He wills.”
“I’d never done reincarnation before but I’ve heard of other races happening. I mean, of someone coming back the wrong race. I don’t think that anyone has come back the wrong… sex.” He paused. “I am truly sorry.”

Buzz walked over. Tears welled up in his eyes. “It’s my fault. All my fault. I was so lost without you and I sinned. I sinned in trying to bring you back.”
I shook my head and reached a hand up to his face. “No, no. Shhhhh. It’s OK. It really is. Once I’m used to some of the basic, um functions, I think I’ll like this body.”
He began to cry in earnest. “You are so brave!”

“No. It’s not that really. It’s just. Well, here I am and let’s just move forward right? Maybe that’s a dwarf thing, but I just think what’s done is done. Move on.”

Myntilly had been standing away from the group. “I think I know why, why or maybe how this” she waved her hand up and down in front of me. “How this happened.”
I nodded. “It’s pretty obvious, right? My crush on Jenya. So the gods made this little mistake in my gender. I like girls so I must be a guy.” She nodded mutely.
“It’s kinda funny.” No one spoke. “No, really. You guys, listen.” I raised my voice to catch everyone. “It’s funny and who knows if it’s permanent but screw it — I’m incredibly, profoundly thankful to be alive.”
I turned to face Buzz and Ian. “And I wouldn’t be here except for the two of you. Thank you.”

In the silence Sadi shook my hand. “I like having a dwarf in the party. Now we won’t get screwed by merchants.” She looked hard at me. “You do have that dwarf thing with appraisal, right?” I smiled. “We’ll find out, won’t we?”

Acgar had a thoughtful look. I was aware that she’d not spoken yet. “Acgar? Are you OK with this? I don’t, I mean I won’t be here if you object.”
She shook her head. “It’s weird. It’s beyond weird, but you’re you. And I think, you’re more of the old you, the good you again, aren’t you?”
I laughed. “Yeah. I think so. Let’s go smite some evil and make sure.”

We have off this week. House party at Michelle’s instead of gaming tomorrow night! So here’s a little meta post….

Many of the pictures I take for the blog end up with hands in them. Usually Michelle’s hands, which makes sense — DM controls the map and so her hands would be all over the place. Some of the pictures are too fun not to see the light of day. Here, for you enjoyment are some of my favorites….

Dragon circling above us

Are we about to die?

Legos make good body parts

Figuring out loot

Is that a secret door?

Taj putting bunny ears on Acgar

I’m a life-long gamer. I was bored with World of Warcraft. I liked playing D&D minis with my partner, Debbie but we both wanted to try playing Dungeons & Dragons, for real.

We were already buying our minis from the best game store in town — Guardian Games, so when the store calendar showed a “ladies” group for D&D forming, we thought “Yeah, let’s try this out.”

I hadn’t played D&D since high school (um, about 25 years ago, give or take) so I felt like a true beginner. I did what I always do — I got some books so that I could read up on D&D before I had to actually (gulp!) play with human beings. By far my favorite was “Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies.” I was nervous about playing a spellcaster, but I knew the group needed a healer and I was drawn to the Cleric class anyway. The books helped me feel more comfortable.

The people made me feel even better. We got there, that first Wednesday night. Angel’s store was still in the old space. We walked in and found our way up to the platform space. A young woman was sitting at a table and we assumed (hoped!) that she was one of the D&D ladies. It was Taj and she was so friendly and warm and charming that both Deb and I felt immediately at ease.

Michelle showed up next, laden with books and props, setting the theme of the next two years — fun, innovation, inclusiveness, experimentation — all the things that make the Divas who we are. It might have been her first night DMing.

Susan breezed in and fiddled with her laptop. “Ah, “I thought, “no paper and pencil for Susan!” We learned about our new friends. Taj worked for the Oregon Food Bank. Susan’s a nurse. Michelle works for OMSI. Everyone was nice, friendly and totally fine with our level of zero experience with D&D.

When Angel arrived, we were ready to play! It was exhilarating! I loved every moment of it. The people, the story, the strategy. It was so much better than what I’d hoped for. I was hooked.