Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons (commonly abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) originally created and designed by Gary Gygax
and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR). It has been published by Wizards of the Coast, later a
subsidiary of Hasbro, since 1997. The game was derived from miniature wargames, with a variation of the 1971 game Chainmail serving as the initial
rule system. D&D's publication is commonly recognized as the beginning of modern role-playing games and the role-playing game industry, which also
deeply influenced video games, especially the role-playing video game genre.
D&D departs from traditional wargaming by allowing each player to create their own character to play instead of a military formation. These characters
embark upon adventures within a fantasy setting. A Dungeon Master (DM) serves as referee and storyteller for the game, while maintaining the setting in
which the adventures occur, and playing the role of the inhabitants of the game world, known as non-player characters (NPCs). The characters form a party
and they interact with the setting's inhabitants and each other. Together they solve problems, engage in battles, explore, and gather treasure and
knowledge. In the process, player characters earn experience points (XP) to level up, and become increasingly powerful over a series of separate gaming
sessions. Players choose a class when they create their character, which gives them special perks and abilities every few levels.