Dungeons & Dragons (commonly abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. 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.
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 imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting. A Dungeon Master (DM) serves as the game's referee and storyteller, while maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur, and playing the role of the inhabitants of the game world. The characters form a party and they interact with the setting's inhabitants and each other. Together they solve dilemmas, engage in battles, explore, and gather treasure and knowledge. In the process, the characters earn experience points (XP) in order to rise in levels, and become increasingly powerful over a series of separate gaming sessions.
At its core, Dungeons and Dragons is a game of teamwork and survival, of adventures and treasures. Your goal as the adventurer is to delve into the deepest dungeons, neutralize the abominations and monsters living there, and pilfer their coffers. Doing so is one of the wealthiest and most dangerous professions of the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse, as well as the quickest way to fame- at the core of many stories of the world stands an adventurer, seeking fame, glory, and wealth.
