The most played of the RPGs, Dungeons & Dragons, is played almost every night of the week at Golem’s Gate in Stafford. If compared to the first versions of the game that were released in the 1970s, the game has changed considerably, Golem’s Gate owner Jason Keller said.
The game was first introduced with more math, charts, and complicated variables; however, the new editions have been redesigned to intro into the game more quickly and is easy enough for children, Jason said.
“Trust me. You sit down; within 20 minutes, you get the hang of it, and after an hour, you are hooked,” Jason said.
Jason said he and his wife, Tama Keller, and son, Christian Keller, opened Golem’s Gate in 2017 to give everyone in the RPG community a place to play.
During each game, players gather together around a table for two to four hours at Golem’s Gate. Using their imagination, players follow along with the dungeon master who guides them to work together for one cause in an imaginary world. Sometimes terrains, figurines and maps can be used to illustrate the adventure.
James said he believes these games create a safe environment to be collectively creative, and can also help those who are neurodivergent.
“Shared creativity, that is something that we need more of because it helps build a greater community,” he said.
There are no restrictions or age limits on who can play these games at Golem’s Gate, Jason said.
“We are living in a time where you don’t have the stigma that there was back in the '70s," he said. "We are a geek community, a pop culture community. It is not something that people are ashamed of.”
Games run every day, except Sunday. Games start between 6-7 p.m. and run until 9-11 p.m.
Golem’s Gate
4645 S. Main St., Stafford
281-265-6050
www.meetup.com/golemsgate
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 4:30-9 p.m., Fri. 4:30-11 p.m., Sat. 12:30-11 p.m., Sun. closed
How to play
In Dungeons & Dragons, players are seated around a tabletop, where one player takes on the role of dungeon master while others control a single character, representing an individual in a fictional setting.
Before playing, each player creates their character and details abilities, species, occupation, moral alignment and other backstory elements.
Games begin with the dungeon master describing the environment, where the players are and what is around them.
During the game, players describe their character’s actions and talk with the dungeon master, who describes the result or response.
As play progresses, each character changes over time and increases in capability. Characters gain or lose experience, skills and wealth or gain additional character classes.
