Had an unexpected really fun night this week at a local TTRPG store. It started when I was talking with my daughter about if she wanted to find some new gaming opportunities since the 5e group she had been playing with at the library sort of wound down.

There was a nice little local store that we had visited for the first time a few weeks ago just to check out and pick up some supplies, and the place had a nice vibe to it. So I was checking their events calendar, and in addition to playing groups, that particular night they had a miniatures painting class. She was excited to check it out, but asked if I didn't mind going with her the first time which of course was cool with me (I was actually a little honored that "dad" wasn't too uncool to be seen with!)

Well, the short version is not only did she have a great time, but I had an absolute blast as well. The shop was exactly what I love...not huge but big enough to have a few tables in a room off from the main merchandise area. Some folks were playing at the other tables, but we were initially the only 2 who showed up for painting that night. However, the guy from the shop teaching us was extremely cool and fun to hang out with. He really loved sharing his knowledge and seeing other people interested in learning painting, and then another guy who was very cool as well joined (not sure if he was just a regular or also worked there) and he started showing me all kinds of stuff.

The two of them actually were working on their LOTR armies of miniatures they were building (in anticipation of getting a game going), so it was sort of this "show some technique", everyone goes back to painting, and then just chatting all kinds of nerd stuff and joking around. There was a shop cat as well, she was both spunky and sweet and made her presence known, and would make the rounds and even jumped in our laps once or twice (my daughter and I both love cats, we have a couple, so it was like being at home).

I guess the reason I'm going on a few paragraphs about it is that I totally didn't expect to be participating, I originally thought I'd just be dropping my daughter off for an activity. And not only did she have a great time as well (most importantly to me), it made me realize how much happier I am in that setting. The guys were probably half my age, but somehow so much more relatable than a lot of people I work with in the business world (who candidly I just don't enjoy socializing with outside of work much). On this evening, I was the most relaxed I had been in the longest time and 3 hours flew by without me even noticing. We had a nice invite to come back if we wanted to continue learning more techniques (they do the painting once a week), and even an invitation to join the LOTR game itself.

Down to earth people, just having good nerdy fun...I forgot how much I missed that! And passing it along to the next generation knowing my daughter is loving it as well...TRULY priceless.

So this place is called Odyssey Games and is outside of the metro area in a town called Lancaster to the SE (35-40 minutes out). I don't know if you have ever come out that way, but if you ever do for some reason, not only is there this shop (again, definitely small but a nice feel to it, though I would not say something to make an extended trip for in itself) but literally just down the same street (like 2 blocks) is this amazing place called Pulp Reality. THAT is a place you could lose hours in...tons of boxes of unsorted comics (plenty of old stuff), in the main room everything is just 50 cents. You pick through and find what you can. In a little side room, relatively nicer stuff, a lot of 60s and 70s books, all $5 each. The guy who runs it shoots for "reading copy" lower grades, but not junk if you will. Oh, and TONS of old vinyl and some other collective stuff (cash only shop though). Also at the local mall, "Journey Into Comics" which is a spectacular comic book shop, being a relatively dead mall the owner leased a huge spot and has 3 rooms and a massive inventory (new books, vintage books, high dollar/low dollar, bargain bins), plus some used action figures and that sort of thing.

Again, probably way out of your way, but just for reference if for some reason you were traveling through the area.

For Columbus proper, I do know of Guard Tower East, we were actually thinking of starting to play there at one point. The only other one that comes to mind is Orc's Forge Games on the NE side (inside Tuttle Mall off of 270 outerbelt Dublin). A friend of mine from work has played there regularly, and I've visited before, it's pretty large and a bit more on the "commercial" side I suppose so a little different feel, you may know of it already.

So it looks like Critical Role DM Matt Mercer will be DMing the next season of Dimension 20 as well (after Dimension 20 regular DM Brennan Lee Mulligan-son of comic writer Elaine Lee of Starstruck fame- did a guest stint as DM on Exandria Unlimited)



-M

Finally got the see Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves this afternoon. Mrs. MRP, myself and some of our gaming group made a post-Easter dinner excursion to see the 3:00 PM showing. Loved it. Oh there were nits to pick, but it got the look and feel of a D&D adventure right, told a fun and entertaining story with characters you could cheer for, and made for a wonderful viewing experience. and it was a story you don't need to be a D&D fan or player to be entertained by, but also had plenty of bits the enhance the experience if you are. Definitely two thumbs up form both myself and Mrs. MRP.

-M

work in progress-

miniature scale map of an abandoned manor house that the villains have taken residence in and which the significant other of one of the party members has inherited.



this is the ground floor map, I need to add some details to it and then do the second floor map still

-M

Big meaty Unearthed Arcana playtest packet dropped today detailing some of the material being playtested for the 2024 revised 5E PHB.



I like a lot of the directions they seem to be taking the game, but iffy on some others. We will have to see how feedback reshapes some of this stuff.

-M