Date Night: Join the (Adventure) Party

Join the (Adventure) Party!

Written by Brandon Stettenbenz, Photography by Mike Pfaff

My wife has way more tabletop role-playing game (RPG) experience than I do. She played Dungeons & Dragons 2.5 and 3, but refused to play 4.0. Don’t ask me what the nuances are because I still don’t know, and I’m man enough to admit it. Although I played Dungeons & Dragons on Commodore 64 (it was older than me) and various level-based RPG video-games over the years, I never had the opportunity to play a pen-and-paper D20 game.

So when Ariel bought me my own set of rad dice, I promised her we’d find an RPG group. It’s hard to find 2-4 other people, a good dungeon master, and 3+ hours to play an RPG that works for everyone’s schedule. That’s why Slur Your Role, one of our awesome Nerd Louisville events, is a great opportunity for couples that want to game together. After all, many games (including all tabletop RPGs) require more than two to do battle.

In a similar vein, escape rooms are a great option for couples or small groups of friends who want to participate in fun activities together. Like tabletop RPGs, escape rooms require cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills to complete the mission. Plus, unlike RPGs, escape rooms are typically timed, making them a perfect option for those who may not have several hours to devote to gaming. If you’re in the Fort Worth area, there are several escape room Fort Worth to choose from that offer a variety of themes and challenges, providing a unique and exciting experience for couples and friends alike.

Slur Your Role Tabletop Gaming (2nd & 4th Sundays)

Less of a traditional date than a social opportunity for couples, Slur Your Role is bi-weekly tabletop RPG event at Kaiju in Germantown (adjacent to both the Highlands and Old Louisville). Kaiju is a laid back bar themed in the giant monsters of its namesake. There are big Godzilla toys, as well as giant robots decorating the bar and kaiju artworks throughout. The nerdy decor helps you feel right at home with dice in one hand and a pint in the other.

Ariel - Slur Your Role XI — Ariel Fischer dungeon master’s a game of Dungeons & Dragons at Slur Your Role XI.

Whether you want to fight dragons, survive the wasteland, or uncover the mysteries of the Elder Gods, Slur Your Role has you covered. Games are comfortable at 4-6 plus a game master and the three separate rooms keep it from feeling claustrophobic. Ariel and I have been in the D&D group thus far, playing a thief and a magic user respectively. We’ve survived catacombs and ogres, ghouls and monsters, with the help of fighters, paladins, and rogues. We’ve talked to (and robbed) wise, old men, and dodged the ire of a bandit mage. As I’m a n00b at D&D, I’d say it’s been tough but fair, and never boring. Converting all D&D games to 5th edition (with our recent Louisville “multiverse” initiative) gave adventurers more room to manipulate their fate with extended skills and experience potential. You can also use your characters in multiple games, even outside of Slur Your Role, instead of starting from scratch.

Sterling - Slur Your Role XI — Sterling Pratt game master’s a Mutant Future adventure at Slur Your Role XI.

Sunday afternoons aren’t a popular time for a date, but there’s less of a bar crowd than Friday or Saturday nights, and nearly all the other patrons are there to game. So while you won’t be flirting and chatting the entire time, you also aren’t yelling over the jukebox and typical singles crowd. You’re also showing off your creativity and passion, which is nerd for “sexy”. So grab your crush or partner and sign on for an adventure that will challenge your collective nerd skills. You’ll build romantic rapport with your date and maybe even make some new friends.

Andy - Slur Your Role XI — Andy Bates describes a map to his players during a game of Dungeons & Dragons.

All our welcome! The next Slur Your Role is this Sunday 7/10/2016. Adventuring is free, but the drinks aren’t. So bring your imagination, your date, and don’t forget to tip your bartender

Tips:

Don’t try to hook-up your characters—other players might not enjoy your romantic sub-plot.
You’re committing to several hours of interacting with other people—don’t flirt the whole time.
Stick to your character, even if that means acting against your real-life date. But keep in mind, if their character gets killed, they probably won’t want to stick around and spectate.
The Kentucky Taco Co. will be at Slur Your Role XII with food, so we got you covered for dinner.
Above all, have fun and share it. And, remember the golden rule of gaming & romance: keep the competition light-hearted.