Dungeons and Dragons is | Ryan Stiehl
calling an upside-down Sonic cup the demon lord Zuggtmoy.
an act of quiet rebellion in the fantasy section of a North Texas Public Library.
a gateway into pulp fiction and bad acting and not caring about either.
a way to begin writing fiction in earnest in high school.
a way of saying hello.
collectively hallucinating that loose change and checker pieces were goblins and heroes around Eva’s dad’s game table when she used to live there.
not worth my family’s distrust, though they’ve gotten better now.
a sanctuary from the intense Texas summer heat outside.
my first experience using they/them to talk to my friend’s barbarian.
finding out my entire first party was gay and/or trans over the course of three years. Well, everyone but me.
where an evil wizard orchestrates his own demise in Castle Ravenloft.
the subject of fierce debate in the Southern Baptist community even today.
finding a clever answer to the 1,500 pound problem of an oncoming, raging stone giant against all odds.
eating Domino’s pepperoni pizza while Sam rolls damage for sneak attack. Needless to say, I have plenty of time to finish my pizza.
being called “culturally gay” for the first time. I still puzzle over what the hell that even means.
slowly realizing I’m the odd one out in my party.
long nights staring at a blank Google document that’s supposed to be ready for tomorrow night’s session.
making Saturday night a sort of holy day.
wishing I were writing for Dungeons and Dragons while I lose my faith in a First Baptist Church.
commemorating Grant’s fallen paladin with an ever-vigilant constellation.
helping a former friend escape their homophobic parents and helping them hide in Washington.
practice calling my friend of eighteen years Ophelia now.
creating the same stories that I’ll treasure dearly for years to come.
realizing that my friends would rather play Thirsty Sword Lesbians or Monster of the Week now.
a way of knowing the glory days are long past
a way of saying, “I’m still glad to have known you all back then.”
About the Author:
Ryan Stiehl is an aspiring creative writer currently living in North Texas. When he is not playing TTRPGs with friends, spending time with his wife and husky-malamute, or working a “real job,” he is fast asleep and would like to remain so, thank you very much.