What to do about friends being addicted to table-top RPGs?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 12:59am

My friends are slowly becoming consumed with two role-playing games: Dungeons & Dragons and Changeling. This is all they talk about. They are all gone until four in the morning playing it. They neglect their studies. They withdraw from those who do not play and, overall, do not seem to live life at all anymore. It's sad and tragic.

They're not doing drugs. They're not drinking alcohol. Their lives are being ruined by RPGs. I really enjoyed hanging out with them before they got into this s***.

Updated On: 3/4/08 at 12:59 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:09am

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:16am

Updated On: 1/27/09 at 01:16 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:19am

Cruel, you're entire posting history here is a role playing game.
I would suggest logging off and switching majors.

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:22am

Let them be.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 1:22am

Taz-he's quitting school anyway, remember? He won't have to be bothered by those same 'friends' anymore.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 6:17am

It might already be too late, Cruel.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 8:39am

Hang out with new friends.

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 11:19am

I hardly know what LARPers do.

My boyfriend has attempted to explain to me...but I still don't really get it/see the charm in it.

Care to explain?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 11:23am

Get Guitar Hero.

[artscallion]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 12:20pm

I eat some powerups, then give them the hundred hand slap.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 12:23pm

"Game mechanics
Main article: Game mechanics (Dungeons & Dragons)


D&D uses polyhedral dice to resolve random events. From left, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 20- and two 10-sided dice.
Before the game begins, each player creates his or her player character and records the details (described below) on a character sheet. First, a player rolls dice to determine his or her character's ability scores,[31] which consist of Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.[32] The player then chooses a race (species) such as Human or Elf, a character class (occupation) such as Fighter or Wizard, an alignment (a moral and ethical outlook) which has a Good/Neutral/Evil component and a Lawful/Neutral/Chaotic component, and a number of skills and feats to enhance the character's basic abilities.[33] Additional background history, not covered by specific rules, is often also used to further develop the character.[34]
During the game, players describe their PC's intended actions, such as punching an opponent or picking a lock, and converse with the DM in character—who then describes the result or response.[35] Trivial actions, such as picking up a letter or opening an unlocked door, are usually automatically successful. The outcomes of more complex or risky actions are determined by rolling dice.[17] Factors contributing to the outcome include the character's ability scores, skills and the difficulty of the task.[36] In circumstances where a character does not have control of an event, such as when a trap or magical effect is triggered or a spell is cast, a saving throw can be used to determine whether the resulting damage is reduced or avoided.[37] In this case the odds of success are influenced by the character's class, levels and (with the 3rd edition) ability scores.[38]
As the game is played, each PC grows and changes over time as they gain experience. Characters gain (or sometimes lose) experience, skills[39] and wealth, and may even change alignment[40] or add additional character classes.[41] The key way characters progress is by earning experience points (XP/EXP), which happens when they defeat an enemy or accomplish a difficult task.[42] Acquiring enough XP allows a PC to advance a level, which grants the character improved class features, abilities and skills.[43] XP can also be lost in some circumstances, such as encounters with creatures that drain life energy, or by use of certain magical powers that require payment of an XP cost.[44]
Hit points (HP) are a measure of a character's vitality and health and are determined by the class, level and constitution of each character. They can be temporarily lost when a character sustains wounds in combat or otherwise comes to harm, and loss of HP is the most common way for a character to die in the game.[45] Death can also result from the loss of key ability scores[46] or character levels.[47] When a PC dies, it is often possible for the dead character to be resurrected through magic, although some penalties may be imposed as a result. If resurrection is not possible or not desired, the player may instead create a new PC to resume playing the game.[48]"

- Wikipedia article on DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 2:12pm

truly you should be concentrating on and worrying about YOU rather than your (imaginary) friends. GET THERAPY!

[Taryn]

Posted: 2/16/08 at 2:13pm

I'm afraid you're mixing up LARP with tabletop RPGs.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 9:46pm

This is really sad. They just went 4 nights in a row, all until about 5 AM.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 10:14pm

I thought you didn't have friends.