Druids and Dice
Dungeons and Dragon 5th Edition's symbol for the 'Druid' Class. The world's largest Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG), Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), is a cultural juggernaut that Celticists should not (or, can not) ignore. Set in predominantly pseudo-medieval/late Renaissance fantasy worlds, D&D has increasingly influenced the perception of historical authenticity and the fantasy genre. Since the publication of the 5th Edition of D&D in 2014, the game's popularity has skyrocketed, with 2020 seeing a 33% increase in sales, and the crowdfunding campaign for an animated TV series based on a Critical Role, a popular weekly live streamed D&D campaign from fans, raising $11,385,449. This popularity is something that cannot be ignored, as students who sit down in Celtic Studies classes or members of the general public have likely been introduced to concepts that will be covered through D&D (or through D&D i...