Overview
TJ Library is hosting a 3-part introduction to the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons!
Players will choose a pre-made, beginner character and work as a team to explore a magical library, a trove of research and artifacts related to sleep, dreams, and nightmares. After each game session, players will engage in a brief discussion of information literacy concepts related to the story and their character's decisions.
Why play this game?
- Learn to play D&D, the most well-known tabletop role-playing game
- Meet new people or play with friends
- Participate in short discussions that introduce critical thinking about libraries and access, the cost of information, search strategies, credible sources, and more.
Read the game details, then complete the interest form (linked below) for Fall 2025.
Game Details
Schedule
- Session 0: The group will have an introductory meeting of ~ 1 hour to cover the following:
- Introduction to the story
- The basics of D&D
- Choosing characters
- Deciding when to meet
- Safety tools
- Sessions 1-3
- ~ 2 hours of game time
- ~ .5 hr of post-game discussion and other questions
The exact times and dates are dependent on the players' and librarian's availability. If you cannot commit to the entire game, please consider waiting until a future semester.
Gameplay
- Each player will choose a pre-made level 1 character. Pre-made characters mean that you do not have to spend time calculating your character's stats, writing down special abilities, etc. Details like the character's name, personality, etc. are open for customization. Each character has a beginner-friendly character sheet to make it easier to reference your stats and abilities, especially during combat.
- Players will not level up during this game.
- We will use the 2024 5th edition rules.
Other Details
- The game will include 4-5 players. You are welcome to sign up with friends, but each person should complete their own interest form.
- You do not need to bring your own dice, minis, etc., although you are welcome to do so if you already have some.
- Space is limited. If there is not enough room for all interested students this semester, we will reach out again to potential participants in the spring.
- If space and schedules permit, we will meet in the library for each game session.
Interest Form (deadline 5 PM Wednesday, September 10th)
Please keep a close eye on your email after completing the interest form.
Questions? Contact librarian Libby Wheeles at eawheeles@umsl.edu.
