D&D Group Clearly Just a Polycule Using Disguise Self

Denver, CO - Dungeons & Dragons has seen a tremendous surge in popularity over the past five years. Going from an activity groups of nerds did huddled in their mother's basement to something groups of nerds do at game stores, bars, and apparently even in sold-out arenas all over the world sometimes.

Curious to learn more about the game and what makes it popular, this author sat down with a group of regulars to discuss their creative spark, collaborative process, and more at their communal live-work space in Denver:

What brought the six of you together?

Kat, their Dungeon Master: "You mean...as a D&D group, or...?"

Yes, as a D&D group, but if there's something that predates that-

Kat: "Yeah, right, sorry. It's just we've all been together for so long that I get confused sometimes. You just spend so much time with the people you love in life and you kinda just forget what it was like to live without them."

*The five players erupt into collective awws*

Martin, the group's monk: "But to like, um, actually answer your question. Kat and I were dating first, and we knew Tara and Lawrence from this improv thing we used to do."

Sara, the bard: "Don't forget about me. It was MY improv troupe."

Tara, the barbarian: "No one could ever forget about you, Sara."

Sara: "It wouldn't hurt for you to just remind me of that every once in awhile. I have needs too!"

Lawrence: "Girls, please! Remember what we talked about? We want to make a good impression on our guest."

No, please, I'm just here to observe. Go on.

Kat: "Well, we thought we'd treat you to your own private one-shot. Really show you why we fell in love with roleplay."

That sounds perfect.

The adventuring party, though they prefer the term collective, quickly sprang into action. They dimmed the lights, lit scented candles, and turned on some 90's R&B music (a strange choice for a D&D campaign if this author can allow himself to comment). With the push of a button, their dining table transformed into a battlefield map and smoke began to well up from the cup holders.

This is incredible.

Kat: "Thanks, it took me a month to get the fog effect just right."

Martin: "She didn't sleep."

Kat shoots him a disappointed look.

Martin: "What, I was worried about you!"

Tara, appearing suddenly behind me: "Aren't you hot in your sweater? That thing looks so warm. You should take it off."

Tara slips my sweater off before I can even respond, showing surprising dexterity.

Lawrence, "Here your wine is getting empty, have some of mine."

You're sure? I wouldn't want to take your glass.

Lawrence: "It's okay, we share everything."

Kat: "Are we ready to start?"

The group nods enthusiastically.

Kat: "You, traveler," she begins, pointing to me, "find yourself in a seedy brothel in Waterdeep. It is not one you know well, but a beautiful young woman walks up and sits down in your lap."

As if on queue, Sara sits down in my lap and begins whipping me with her hair. She seems to think it's sensual, but it kind of hurts.

Kat: "You're really enjoying it, traveler, when suddenly, a group of ruffians breaks down the door."

Suddenly, all six members of Vital Part rip their shirts off in tandem, revealing an array of homemade leather undergarments.

Well, this is certainly...different...than what I was expecting. I should be going. I've got a deadline to make.

I run quickly to the door before any of them can stop me.

Sara: "Wait, we were just about to introduce the big bad: Monogamost!"

Kat asked me to mention that they live stream their campaign on Thursday nights, and invite select guests to attend private live shows on the other six nights of the week.