So what I thought I’d do is offer you all a couple of top tips on D&D, a couple of invitations for how to enjoy best and feel supported during the event this year. Especially because it’s on Zoom.
And for those of you who have been before, that’s– –that’s a new thing. And we’ve run a few events in the series, “Time for Repair” online, but we haven’t had the annual D and D completely online before like this, so it’s a little bit new for us too. There are lots of characters in the D&D like tiefling names and shock trooper names.
So what I’ve done is I’ve just put together a few tips for you all. And I’ve based them on the five principles of open space. And if that’s something you’re not very familiar with, feel free to look online on the event page, and some resources are going over them more in-depth.
I don’t cover the points in depth here but, I named them. And I’ve used them as a little bit of inspiration for the tips I’m going to offer you today. All right.
Tip’s
So the first one uh is the principle of open space, which is, “Whoever comes are the right people.” So, I’m just going to invite you to think about who you want to be in the space. Right before I click the join button on zoom, I think about who I want to be. I think about what my boundaries are.
If there are certain things I know I don’t want to bring up that day, then I make a note of them. I think of it kind of like a permission slip. Like, I have permission to not talk about x or y or z if I don’t want to.
Even if it seems useful or important or like I’m the only one in the group who will say it. If you’re from one or more marginalized groups like me, there can be pressure to represent that group or play the activist.
I know I can take that pressure with me wherever I go, so after attending a few Devoted and Disgruntled events, I developed a trick. When I consider what sessions I might want to call, I notice the worries about whether certain issues will be discussed. So I don’t brush them aside.
I notice them, and I write each one down. Then I go over the list and notice how I feel as I consider each one. If I feel dread or exhaustion when I think about any of them, I cross it out.
That topic isn’t one for me to call today. if any of them made me feel excited and passionate, I added them to a list of sessions that I might want to call. You can do this process a few times a day or once for the whole weekend.
Just however often works for you. The second principle is, “Wherever it happens is the right place.”
You may not be where you want to be right now. And zoom also isn’t the same as a large room bustling with other theater people. Whether or not you’re new to D and D this year brings us all a new opportunity.
You can make D and D space your own You don’t have to travel. You don’t have to put on shoes or remember your keys or your wallet. You can make your dnd space. And I recommend making that space ahead of time if you can. Have a chair or a desk or a bit of floor or whatever, and that’s the D and D zone.
Have a place you’ll put your tea or your notebook or a soft toy something; that brings you comfort. And when you take your break, go somewhere else. Even if it’s the other side of the room or the other end of the bed.
Your space and D and D space. You got this “Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.” That’s the third principle of Open Space. This one–I’ll be honest–is the trickiest one for me.
In my experience, most conversations at D and D are exciting and often passionate and have really caring people in them, But sometimes something happens that might hurt someone.
And if that does happen to you, if you’re feeling hurt or alone or attacked, I want to invite you to talk to me about it; Me, or one of the other wonderful Improbable team members. We’re all going to have hearts visible in our names on Zoom, so you’ll know who we are.
I’ll be in the reception room throughout the event D, and D doesn’t have a court or police, and I think that’s a good thing. We can’t undo what someone else has done. But what we can help you do is make what happens next to the right thing for you.
That might be called a session on something. It might be logging off and calling a friend or snuggling with a pet. We know everyone responds to things differently and in their own time, but part of the power of D and D is that if you don’t like what’s happening, you can make something completely different happen.
Some Changes
We can help you think about what that might be. And if it’s a change in how Improbable supports people, we have a dedicated Open Space Producer who will be happy to talk with you about that during or after the event. The fourth Open Space principle is, “Whenever it starts is the right time.”
So D and D is a wonderful and long event. Comfort is the key. In many ways, Zoom allows us to manage our comfort more than ever. if you want a break from being in a session, there will be a quiet room.
There’s a butterfly room for talking to others. And there’s the public reception space. You can also turn off your camera or leave the event completely whenever you like.
You’re always welcome to rejoin anytime. You can look at the timetable on the access page for the event, and if you know that the event lasts for more hours a day than you can manage, you can schedule breaks ahead of time. When in doubt, turn the camera off, take a breath, and take a few minutes to notice how you’re feeling.
The best way to avoid getting overloaded is to take the breaks that you need. And trust me, no one’s judging you for leaving. We’re all just happy you’re taking care of yourself Whenever you are with us is the right time, and whenever you aren’t, that’s the right time too.
Last point: “When it’s over, it is over.” That’s the last principle of Open Space. Because we all care a lot about the theater world and each other, we can feel full and jangly with emotions and ideas after a session ends.
After the whole event ends, I’d encourage you to have a journal or word document or a voice recorder, video recorder around this weekend. If you’re still full of things, pour them out.
You’ll probably want to remember them, but even if you never look at them again, that can help you feel a sense of closure and calm. If there are end-of-the-day rituals you enjoy, maybe plan to do some of them at the end of each day of this weekend.
That might be taking a bath or lighting a candle, a drink or dessert, enjoying a favorite tv show or podcast. Just anything to help you transition out of D and D space and back into where you live. Okay, so to sum up, I’ve gone over five invitations or five top tips for dnd this weekend.
Five top tips for dnd this weekend
One, know your boundaries about who you want to be in the room and enjoy them.
Two, have a dnd zoom space and then have a separate physical space for breaks, naps, and all living, relaxing stuff.
Three, if something happens that doesn’t feel right, do whatever you need to do to make the next moments feel right for you. If you feel like you’re able to, please come to one of us to have a chat about it
Four, take breaks! They don’t have to be during breaks in the timetable. For me, they’re often not. But have a system in place to make sure you take breaks throughout the day.
And five, when you’re done for the day, transition back into home mode.
Conclusion
So guys this guide is on Dungeons and dragons or D&D. We have shared all types of information related to this topic. Please let us know if any of the point in this content related to the D&D in the comment box.
If you guys like this article on D&D so please share this article with your friends and family members. Also check our other articles on this site because we only share entertaining and technical guides.
Check other stories on Recablog.
