Crossroads of Fantasy and Reality

From books, gaming, and hobbies, there are many ways to find fantasy in our lives

Dealing with Obstacles, General Ethan McIntyre Dealing with Obstacles, General Ethan McIntyre

Gundam Unicorn and the Power of Possibility

Lost in isolation and loneliness, I discovered the world of Gundam. From the model kits, video games, and anime, I found that the characters’ struggles often mirrored my own mental health problems. But Gundam inspired hope. In the words of Banagher and Gundam quotes, I found motivation. And in Gundam Unicorn Anime, I finally discovered the true power of possibility.

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General, Leveling Up Laurie Trueblood General, Leveling Up Laurie Trueblood

How Our RPG Characters Drive Our Personal Development

What is the connection between RPG characters and personal development? While we’re immersed in the game, our characters are impacting our own personalities in ways we may not be aware of. What are the different types of characters we play in D&D, and how do they drive our personal growth? What are the best RPG character creation tips to have fun and while driving our personal growth & understanding?

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

RPG Blog Carnival - Character Development

Welcome to the August 2022 RPG Blog Carnival! This month we are proud to be hosting this unique collaboration across many RPG blogs and gamers. This month’s topic is Character Development. Join our adventure with others as we discuss the role of character development in roleplaying games.

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General Ethan McIntyre General Ethan McIntyre

The Changing Role of Mental Health in Marvel’s Moon Knight

The portrayal of mental health in Marvel’s Moon Knight has been a messy one. From the early years when his personas were simple disguises, to his mental trauma as a result of supernatural phenomena, to the recent depiction of Moon Knight having DID. His journey reflects not only the changes in the character but society’s prejudices and its eventual understanding of those with mental illness.

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General, Relationships and Communication Laurie Trueblood General, Relationships and Communication Laurie Trueblood

In-Person vs. Virtual Tabletop Gaming – 12 Tips to Have the Best of Both Worlds

There are many benefits to playing tabletop games. But does it make a difference if it’s analog vs digital gaming? There are unique benefits and disadvantages to each. How can we make our gaming experiences the best possible, whether it’s together around the table or tabletop gaming online? Here are 12 tips to make the most of your next tabletop experience.

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10 Rules of Life That I Learned from Gaming

There are many benefits to playing games. When we put down the controller or pack up our dice, the values we learned in playing games stay with us. From video games to tabletop roleplaying games, playing games teaches us about life. Here are the ten most important life lessons that I learned from gaming.

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Dealing with Obstacles, General Gorgan Ng Dealing with Obstacles, General Gorgan Ng

Help and Tips for Obsession, From My Experience with Collecting Pokemon Cards

From that first booster pack, I became a fan of Pokemon TCG. But with the release of new sets, I became Pokemon obsessed. I was afraid of missing out and my passion led to intrusive thoughts. My mind was always on ways to buy and collect Pokemon cards. But I needed to learn how to deal with obsessive thoughts. Here are practical tips on what I learned in my journey in how to overcome obsession.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

Geeky Gifts For Her

Most of us have a special someone in our lives who is a geek at heart. Here are some unique ideas whether you’re looking for nerdy Mother’s Day gifts, birthday presents for gamers, geeky gifts for a girlfriend, or great ideas for that special nerd in your life.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

The 6 Degrees of J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien’s influence reaches far and wide. Often called the father of modern fantasy, his writings in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have inspired generations. But what about the man himself? From fellow writers like C.S. Lewis and to college friends, the personal influence of Tolkien is almost as great as his literary legacy. From modern writers to movie stars, to beloved fictional characters and superheroes, here are the 6 degrees of Tolkien.

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General Ethan McIntyre General Ethan McIntyre

Martian Manhunter and Lessons on Compassion and Empathy

In Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier comics, the Martian Manhunter, or J’onn J’onzz faces fears and rejection from the humans. But through his connection with King Faraday, J’onn J’onzz finds goodness in humanity. Through the story of the Martian Manhunter, we see that it is our compassion and empathy that make us the best version of humanity and ourselves.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

Date Night Gifts for Nerds - A Geeky Gift Guide for Romance

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just looking to make your special someone smile, a thoughtful gift can completely brighten their day. But when you think about romantic gifts, does your mind only go to the traditional options? Try one of these geeky versions to let them know you see their true nerdy nature.

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TTRPGs and Personal Development

Most tabletop role players would tell you of the camaraderie and self-confidence they gain through playing games like D&D.  But researchers have taken notice as well.  Beyond the entertainment value, TTRPGs are a healthy habit to form, granting many benefits for improved mental health and encouraging our personal development.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

My Holiday Wish For D&D Players

Whether you enjoy to explore and set sail along the Sword Coast,

Or prefer the view of the Golden Sea from your ship’s high sternpost,

For those that seek the Sisters’ snowy peaks in the Spine,

To others that Giants of the Black Ash try to confine,

Whether you play in the frigid lands of Icewind Dale,

Or it is the barren lands of the Bandit Wastes that you travail,

This is my blessing and holiday desire,

For you, the adventurer, for next year to acquire:

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

Unique Holiday Gifts for the Tabletop Gamer in Your Life

The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, including those you spend time around the tabletop with. But what to get that dungeon master that has everything? Or that fellow player that always seems to roll a natural 20 on their charisma checks? From D&D to other TTRPGs, here are some unique gift ideas for the tabletop gamer in your life.

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Why We Like Fear and How RPG Horror Campaigns Make for A Great Experience

Whether it’s a scary movie or haunted fiction, we enjoy being scared. TTRPG horror campaigns let us imagine ourselves as participants in tales of terror.

But they are also good for us mentally and socially. Here are the best reasons why you should try an RPG horror campaign for an experience that you’ll never forget.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

A Newbie’s Introduction to LARP

Live-action role-playing (LARP) is a unique experience with a diverse offering of genres and play styles. What is LARP? How to find a LARP event and local LARP groups? And what should you do to prepare for your first LARP event? As a newbie player, these are my experiences as larping for beginners.

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General Laurie Trueblood General Laurie Trueblood

Celebrating Free Comic Book Day and the Future of Comics

Comic book heroes have been part of the American culture for over eighty years. For the past few, there have been many reports of the comic book industry dying. What is going on? The industry is undergoing major changes and there is still a lot of issues. But, the comic book industry is far from dead and in fact, has a strong future on its horizon. This year, come get re-introduced to your favorite heroes and celebrate Free Comic Book Day.

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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

– George Eliot