Four Decades.
I can't believe it has been 40 years of creating living worlds for others to play in and for my own enjoyment and entertainment. I feel most fortunate to continue to play with some great people in a living campaign spanning most of those years, blessed to continue to do so for the love of it!
Long ago a 10 year old me was gifted the blue box basic set, even though it took nearly two years to understand how to play it on my own. Along with childhood friends, and too many acquaintances to remember, teenage me continued with AD&D and of course hybrid play with the follow-up red box that made me hate Bargle and suffer heartbreak at the death of my first character crush.
I have grown to appreciate and absorb the deep lore and immersive worlds that came from those days. Tales the likes of which only time, friendship, and fellowship can build. In a world of responsibilities my Roll20 online sessions continue this labor of love, a calling to the hobby I now share with friends, family and my adult children.
Long before the terms ttrpg or even rpg entered the lexicon to bring forth great experiences that became part of the western cultural zeitgeist, there was and shall continue to be, three simple words that to me started it all, "Ya wanna play?"
While I still draw breath may we all share in entertaining game nights, remain an unbroken fellowship, and as always remember my clarion call; "Happy Gaming!"