The Dead Wars
Last year, over 1,200 D&D players descended upon Provo, Utah, to set the Guinness World Record for the largest single D&D game ever played – and they did! I had planned to attend but, unfortunately, due to a combination of ADHD and... okay, probably just that... I put the wrong date in my calendar, didn't pay attention to the announcements on social media, and missed it entirely.
THIS YEAR they are holding the event again, dubbed (unsurprisingly) Dead Wars 2 and, damn it, I'm gonna be there! We already reserved our table so it's friggin' happening! I will be the Dungeon Master for my regular D&D group, playing at table #7 on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the second day of what will be a 2-day event this year. While Guinness will not be on-hand this time to certify the record (they are crazy expensive, and I agree with the organizers: that money is better spent making a higher-quality event) it will likely surpass the 1,227 players of the first game on at least one of the two days.
Despite it not having the pomp and circumstance of an actual Guinness World Record attempt, I am giddy with excitement (and anxiety) to be DMing a table this year. And, I dunno, maybe this will encourage me to DM at other events.
~ Rafe