With the hopes of creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for Dungeons and Dragons players at the University of Rhode Island, students created a club dedicated to the game: Dungeons and Rams.
Officially recognized by the student senate on Oct. 9, Dungeons and Rams incorporates workshops and games – aimed at new and experienced players alike, according to Sara Kulis, the club’s president and founder.
“We just want to be the safe space that [students] have when [they] first start learning, and not have to feel like [they are] being left behind in the dust,” Kulis said.
Dungeons and Dragons, written as D&D, is a multi-player tabletop game involving players and a dungeon master or a game master, according to D&D Beyond . Players create characters with different stats and fight monsters created by the dungeon master who controls the plot of the game.
Kulis said she was excited to come to college and play with people, but could not find any mention of where to play D&D at URI’s activity fair this fall. Because of this, Kulis began searching for a way to create a safe and inviting space for D&D players.
“[We really want] a place where people can just be nerds, and it’s not stressful or gatekeeping,” Kulis said. “I just want to play D&D.”
D&D is a male-dominant hobby, with the player population being 60% male, 39% female and 1% other identities, according to Seed of Worlds .
Because of the gender imbalance, the D&D community can be toxic, according to Kulis. URI’s D&D club wants to avoid this.
Aemilius Wolferseder, the vice president of Dungeons and Rams, said he joined the club looking for an inclusive campus community. As a transgender individual, he wanted to be involved with a group that welcomed everyone.
“I felt frustrated by the lack of accessibility of resources on campus, and I was very passionate about Sara’s cause to create a place where people can learn freely in a safe environment,” Wolferseder said.
Wolferseder recruits members, recommends workshops and brainstorms potential campaigns, he said. As for workshops, the Dungeons and Rams club recently hosted a D&D 101 workshop on Oct. 10 to help get new people into playing.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you are passionate [about] something related to our club, you are welcome,” Wolferseder said.
Students interested in joining the club can visit their Instagram page @dungeons_and_rams.