Swords, Stories, and Statistics: Exploring the D&D Club

Cora Garrette-Dardzinski
Podcast Manager
  Within the dungeon of room 204 adventure awaits for those who seek it. As the second year of the Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) club rolls around, Tina Martindale and the club members set up for their first campaign. This club originated from Martindale’s students, specifically Everett Ficker, who was bored in class and proposed the idea of starting up a D&D club. She loved the idea of starting a club and accepted. 
  Martindale’s enjoyment for Dungeons and Dragons had sprouted from when she was a kid in school; there were small groups of students who would play D&D all the time. Martindale explains that “some of [the campaigns] are very exciting; the dungeon master makes them and they are so creative.” During their campaigns the club will occasionally play music to make it more interesting. She shares that the creativity that comes with the club members making their characters and worlds is what makes it so exciting to be a part of. The club members also tend to create specific personalities and voices for the characters they create that really bring the story together. 
  When it comes to how well the club members get along with each other, Martindale shares that “I think sometimes they get along too great…” This competitive and collaborative environment makes all members, new and old, feel welcomed when they attend. According to Martindale, Chase Kunz, a junior, has taken on the most responsibility within the club, stating, “He’s really good at responding when I send out reminders… We sold our first concessions, and he was the only one who stayed to the very end.”Kunz is “good at bossing people around without them knowing he is bossing them around.” 
  The group plans as they go, working to gather additional campaign supplies and sell more concessions to build their inventory. Martindale encourages more students to join the club, advising them to “[j]ust show up. We are here every Monday right after school. Even if you don’t have to come on Monday you can pop over and just watch.” She also emphasizes that new members are welcome to create their own characters, and that the current club members are inclusive and eager for others to observe or join when they feel ready.

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