Recently on the Enworld general RPG forum this question came up. I thought I’d adress the matter here, both to see what you thought about it, and to see if I could get some of the Enworld crowd to come here.



Now it is a rather broad question. Being born and growing up in a DnD world would give far different result than finding yourself there all of a sudden. But there are some general things we can talk about without answering it.



First, you would have no more idea what your characteristics were than you do here and now. Nor would level and class be known. Such things are game constructs and have no place in real life, regardless of where that real life happens to be going on.



The combat capabilities of that black dragon over there? Danged if you know. But God is he big. And he has sharp pointy teeth too.



The size of various creatures would be quite obvious to you. All in all you would gain a new perspective on things you may not have considered before. People in the real world do not halt a charging bull with their bodies, what makes you think it’s going to be any different in the DnD world?



Can I mention pain? Thank you. Getting hurt hurts. Getting trampled by a 5 ton remorhaz is going to smart. For as long as you live, that is.



Then you have the magic and special abilities. Who said you’re necessarily going to be able to use magic or have any special abilities? You may want to be a wizard of renown, but it’s quite possible you’ll have no talent in the area what-so-ever.



All things considered you would be you, in a new and different world. Loaded down with knowledge about Dungeons and Dragons that most likely does not apply, that is not at all usable in your current situation. On the other hand, the “real world” knowledge and skills you have could prove useful, if you can find some way to apply them.



If you have any talent for DnD magic in its varied forms, you’ll have to develop it. For that you’re going to need tutoring, and that’ll call for you to find a tutor. That might be a hazardous undertaking, depending on how magic is viewed locally.



All in all life in your new “home” could prove perilous in the extreme. Likely will prove extremely perilous if you act like a damn fool.



(There’s a story in all this. I’m going to have to write it up.)



Okay, let us now consider the question of your being born into a DnD world. What would you be?



First thing, you wouldn’t be you. You are the result of a unique history, one that can’t be duplicated. You are the result of a long string of contingencies that resulted in you. A different history, a different string of contingencies would result in a complete different person. One you would find a complete stranger.



Now think of the new born that would one day become you being born on a differnt world. A DnD world. An infant to will have vastly different experiences than you did. Learn different things, have different diseases. Very likely develop different abilities and learn different skills. The real world you and the DnD you could have absolutely nothing in common.



Aint reality horrible? Dashing all your dreams of being someone really neato keen?:) That’s life. You might become somebody notable, famous even, but the odds are against it. If you do become famous it’ll usually be hard work and dedication that does it. Or, you might be lucky and find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.



Will what I’ve written stop the wild speculation some engage in? Like hell it will. But somebody had to give it a shot.






Coming up: I’ll be taking another look at working magick and it’s possible effects on society. I’ve been giving it more thought and I figured there’s much more to be said on the subject. Till then.



Alan