TIME Dungeons & Dragons
THE STORIED ROOTS • While Dungeons & Dragons has had an influence on modern-day fantasy, its own inspirations lie in the pulp fiction of the early 20th century.
Origins • The landmark tabletop roleplaying game has gone through many iterations and evolutions in the past 50 years.
The Game’s Journey • The quintessential roleplaying game has been viewed as a niche hobby, a satanic beacon, and now as an expansive media franchise.
MAPPING THE STORY • D&D has followed a winding road of remakes and revamps. These series entries and pop culture moments mark the roleplaying game’s evolution.
D&D on Screen • While the game is all about players working together, some media mainstays encourage us to just sit back and watch.
The Titans of Tabletop • The most prolific voices in the tabletop roleplaying space share what it’s like to bring their storytelling on stage.
Stranger Things Stories • After its widely acclaimed first season, TIME visited the show’s set in 2017 to discuss how it moves forward while channeling the nostalgia of the past.
Who Is Vecna? • The sinister villain of Stranger Things’ fourth season has a storied history within D&D’s Forgotten Realms.
Thieves Making Magic • The secrets from the set of 2023’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves involve monsters, mayhem, and K-Y Jelly.
Modern Ventures • As more players experience the joys of Dungeons & Dragons, the franchise is expanding its reach into other business realms.
Why We’ll Always Love Dice • The players create the characters. The Dungeon Master writes the story. But the dice decide everything.
The Video Game Link • D&D has influenced gaming from the start, and gaming, in turn, has helped inspire changes to D&D.
THE MANY PARTNERSHIPS • Dungeons & Dragons has forged all sorts of cool, unique, and bizarre collaborations over its 50-year history. Here are some of the standouts.
Healing Words • Gathering with friends to roleplay challenges and victories has been a powerful medium, in both casual and clinical settings.
Therapy and Play • Psychologists and researchers have found that playing Dungeons & Dragons can be an effective way to treat mental health conditions.
The Magic of D&D Can Save Us • A game designer on Dungeons & Dragons’ fifth edition shares her journey with roleplaying games and the power of playing pretend.
TIME Dungeons & Dragons
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DRACONIC MEASURES • The unique lore and abilities of the titular D&D creature have remained consistent throughout the franchise.
Twenty-Sided Stories
