24 October 2020

Forty Years of Playing RPGs

Today I am 50 years old. *sigh*

Finding myself in a reflective mood, I decided to go for a long walk yesterday. (It also was likely the last warm day in Toronto for 2020, so I wanted to take advantage of the t-shirt weather while it lasted.) On my journey I discovered a tree with eyes and a hidden gargoyle. I always delight in discovering such things. 



Since I received the Dungeons and Dragons Basic Set (the Holmes edition with ‘chits’ instead of dice) on my 10th birthday, today also marks four decades of my involvement with role-playing games. I can’t imagine what my life would’ve been like without this crazy hobby. So thanks to my parents for their gift (even though, I’m sure, they regretted it many times during my teenage years).


What better way to celebrate this occasion than with a “Magic Missile” beer while wearing a “Magic Missile” shirt? I believe I do 5d4 +5 damage!


I hope to keep playing RPGs for another 40 years. Sláinte!


10 comments:

  1. I'm a year older than you, but I got Holmes in 1980 for my birthday as well.

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  2. Happy 50th, Akrasia, and may you find many more gaming years in your future :)

    I’ll turn 51 next month, and still relish Holmes’ introduction to our crazy hobby!

    Allan.

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  3. 54 here, so I guess 45 years gaming now. A happy birthday to you. That first year you start using a "five" for decades alive always feel a little jarring, but it passes soon enough. :)

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  4. I'm a few years behind, but I'm getting there. Here's to many more years of gaming, and a Happy New Year! :)

    cheers

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  5. Youngsters! :)
    I've also been playing for 40 years, but I started in college (with Holmes).

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  6. Happy Birthday from London, UK! I was perusing various RPG blogs and clicked your link as we share our date of birth. I starting playing D&D in '82, and continue to this day.

    I'm going to dig deeper into your posts!

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  7. Congratulations! I'm 52 and started in 79/80 with Holmes. I've had some gaps but it's been fun.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I've had some gaps over the years too -- but I never gave up hope that I would start again!

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  8. Thanks for the well wishes, Rob Barrett, Allan, Dick McGee, AndreasDavour, Corathon, Bryan P, and Narmer!

    Great to hear from others who started with Holmes as well. :)

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  9. Happy belated birthday! (I'm almost 50 too but I am a young 'un who started with Moldvay).

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I'm a Canadian political philosopher who lives primarily in Toronto but teaches in Milwaukee (sometimes in person, sometimes online).