I signed up to play Dungeons and Dragons.

Over the pandemic I got really into Critical Role and Dimension 20. And, growing up nerdy it always seemed like a think I might enjoy.

I started playing two different games online, which I found through Roll 20. One fell apart by the third session. One of the players was consistently a poor team player and all the other players slowly quit. The other has been going on for 10 weeks. I think we are probably 70% through the adventure.

I don’t feel as if I am “good” at the game of D&D. I pay attention. I have a goal of what to do on my turn. I take notes. I don’t step on player agency. That feels like it gets me to “not bad.”

I’ve been watching a lot of videos. Here is my focus for moving towards good.

Make Stronger Choices

Emily Axford (of Dimension 20 Fame) talks about making strong choices. The DM creates a world for people to inhabit. Making strong choices to fully engage in the world shows your team-mates¹ you care.

I think it has to be strong choices that move the story forward or your group together. In my game that fell apart, the problem player made strong choices. But his choices did not move the game forward. For example, he kept trying to pick-pocket people. He tried to capture a bat and make it a pet. None of his choices were honored of the other players or the story.

Think About Improv

I don’t mean this in the way of “I want to be funny.” I have some trouble interacting with my character. I feel very clunky. I wonder if learning about improv would help give me strategies to help in those moments..

I keep hearing that improv has rules and structures to help. The whole idea of “yes, and” is one. So I purchased a few books on improv to help understand how to be better in those moments.

Painting Better Pictures

In combat I like to talk through my decision. “My character sees that the princess is in trouble. So I am going to move over and attack the evil troll and try to make a trip attack.” I like the idea of describing the action more. So maybe “my character sees the the princess is in trouble. I run over, drawing my sword, the smell of the troll washes over me. I aim for the trolls feet to knock him down.”

Some of that is deciding to do it. Some of it is pre-planning and figuring out a structure to help start. What is going on. Describe the action. Add in feelings or senses. Eventually that might become natural.

Support Fellow PCs

This might just be a sub-section of the first two. Support your fellow players. Interact with them in a way that is fun, but does not take away their agency. Support their goals and find out ways to make them shine.

Here is a follow up to 60 to 50.

Exercise

Burpees were mixed. My cardio strength got better. But my ankle started to hurt. I don’t know if it was causal, but I developed Plantar Fasciitis. And, it was not fun. I did not look forward to it.

So I pivoted. I purchased a Meta Quest 2 Headset and every day I do exercise apps for 30+ minutes. Still too early to see the results, but I do look forward to it. I’m still figuring out how to include burpees on a regular basis, as I think it did me a lot of good.

Meditating

I do meditate a few times a week. I go back and forth between the Insight Timer App and one on the Quest called Tripp.

Counting Calories

I’m working on the MIND diet. I’ve reduced the amount of red meat. I eat beans and greens every day. I have not upped the fish as much as they want.

Journaling

I am not sure journaling is the way to solve my eating and anger issues. I was listening to a podcast on a book called Burnout. It resonated a bunch. I ordered the book.

I’ll update in a few weeks.