I love the table-top role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). I think it is one of the greatest games ever invented.
“Why’s that?” I hear you ask.
Because as a D&D player, you are free to try anything and everything you want to. The only limitation is your own imagination (and natural 1s). Now, whether or not you actually succeed at whatever crazy action you are attempting to perform is the other aspect of D&D that is so awesome. The results of your decisions are determined, in part, by rolling dice and the discretion of the Dungeon Master (your guide through the story). And one of the greatest things in D&D is failing at something. Because failure is when the story gets interesting and deadly and thrilling and all the other things that make stories great.
Given how integral story is to D&D, it should come as no surprise that an aspiring storyteller such as myself has found inspiration in the table-top role-playing game. I have written stories inspired from D&D artwork, written stories told from the point of view of the Player Characters and Non-Player Characters I have played as, and more.
Listed below are these stories. I hope you find them enjoyable and inspire you to give the game a try.
D&D Art Vignettes
Illustrations and paintings have always been an important part of Dungeons and Dragons. The artwork, both commissioned and fan-made, has been an integral part of developing and exploring the look-and-feel of D&D over the years. One of the funnest parts of buying a D&D book, whether it be a game manual, an adventure book, or a campaign setting guide, is viewing and appreciating the artwork on display in the book.
My favorite illustrations are the ones that tell a story. Why? Because it gives me an opportunity to play around with that story. I start by trying to determine what the illustration’s intended story is. I ask, “What was the direction given to the illustrator when they were commissioned to create this piece of artwork?” I then daydream. I daydream about what would happen if I were to twist the story this way, tilt it a bit that way, or turn it around or upside down. How does the story change when I make one of these modifications? What does the story become?
This is a very fun exercise to do for any storyteller.
I learned about this exercise from Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass.com course, The Art of Storytelling. He talked about this exercise in the context of well-known stories, such as classic fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty or Little Red Riding Hood. Take a well-known story, then tilt, turn, twist, or flip it a little. See what that change does to the story. Then write that story.
The stories listed here are my results of performing this exercise with pieces of D&D artwork, official or fan-inspired. I hope you enjoy them!
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Vignettes
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is an official Wizard’s of the Coast D&D adventure. I had the pleasure of experiencing this adventure as a Player Character. From that experience, I wrote the following short (very short) stories. Most of the stories are told from the point of view of the character I played: Jaina, a human rogue mastermind.
Cybernook 