What is an RPG
Basic Races of the D&D World
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This is a small site that gives a brief overview of what
D&D is.If you have never heard of "Baldurs Gate" or "Icewind Dale" or
the term "RPG" you should click on the link "What is an RPG" to the left
What is D&D?
D&D is a Roleplaying game that has been around for some time. When it was made, about 30 years ago it was played by only a discrete few people. Usually nerd hippies and members of bands like Led Zepplin and Iron Maiden. Basically it was a cult game that ruled the lives of geeks before computers were invented.
Now days it has been more commercialized somewhat. More recent editions have an easier to understand and more effective set of rules. Also the invention of computers have allowed the transferral of this game from paper to computers. Games such as "Baldurs Gate" use the D&D system of rules, but the world is presented to you through the graphics of the game rather than your own imagination. (which could be considered a bad thing or a good thing).
In D&D you have 1 to several characters that are roleplayed by the players that created them. Then there is one person who takes on the role of being the Dungeon Master(DM). The DM creates the world in which the characters interact, he basically controls the game like a movie director and the other players are the actors (except they can do what the want rather than follow a script). This generally means that the DM would describe to the players a situation eg(in a tavern), and the players would decide what to do eg(buy a drink, start a brawl). Then the DM would have to react to this by describing the results of the players actions. D&D based computer games usually have no DM, the computer sets the scene and reacts to player actions. This somewhat limits what you can do but does speed things up significantly.
©copyright Thomas Allen