The Other Part of My Life

We All Need a Bit of Fun Too

This post is divergent from my usual content. Nonetheless, I wanted to share this side of me, especially for those among my followers who have a penchant for Role-Playing Games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, among many others out there.

Though it’s been years since I last indulged in D&D, it continues to be an integral part of who I am. My journey with the game began back in 1976. It was a novel concept then. At that time, I was working night shifts at a mental hospital. The most challenging part of the job was staying alert throughout the night. To combat this, some of my fellow attendants introduced me to their D&D game. It served as an engaging and exciting way to keep us all awake and alert.

When I relocated to California in the early 80s, I found myself without my trusted friends and D&D companions. Though I attempted to find a new group through a bookstore’s bulletin board, our synergy wasn’t quite right. Consequently, I took a hiatus from the game for several years.

Fast forward to the late 80s in Grand Rapids, where I introduced D&D to my brother, sister-in-law, and wife. As Earl and Brenda were both deeply invested in theatre, it wasn’t a big leap for them to role-play. Our sessions brought us many unforgettable and thrilling adventures that we occasionally reminisce about even today.

Upon moving my family to Traverse City, leaving behind those game nights proved to be challenging. We attempted to meet up occasionally, but it was never quite the same. The logistics of traveling back and forth to Grand Rapids with a small child in tow were simply too demanding.

In Traverse City, I discovered a store selling games, costumes, and magic supplies. Even though it no longer exists, it was a treasure trove for me. The store had a bulletin board for posting about games. On it, I posted an ad expressing my desire to start a new game. I was contacted by a couple of guys, and soon we were meeting at my house once a week for our gaming sessions. My kids would watch us play, and when we felt Neil was old enough to participate and contribute, he joined us. Eventually, so did my daughter, Rowan.

As with all things, life moved on, and our games faded into the past.

A few years back, I started a blog called Rick’s Vault, intending to share musings about life, my podcast (Variant Frequencies), and some gaming artwork. Unfortunately, it was neglected due to other commitments.

Recently, I resolved to revive Rick’s Vault, this time with a focus on RPG content. I’m sharing character ideas, adventure concepts, and simple encounters. While my time for role-playing has significantly diminished, this revived blog enables me to revisit those adventures and characters.

So, if you’re someone who appreciates RPGs, even if not specifically D&D, I invite you to check out Rick’s Vault. Come visit, and join the adventure.