Adventurers assemble to indulge in this role-playing game in Mumbai this weekend

A session in progress. Pics Courtesy/Adventuring Guild Mumbai

The vampires, shadow thieves, demon lords, and mad scientists shall be out, and if you wish to meet them, all you need is to head out to Andheri. Don't worry - most of these characters are part of The Day my DM Killed Me, a table top role-playing game (TTRPG) session that will be hosted by Adventuring Guild Mumbai this weekend. "The purpose of our sessions is to tell a good story, but not all great stories need the heroes to survive," is the cheeky explainer from Rajiv Dalal, community administrator.

Pieces on the board from DnD game

A fan of the game, Dungeons & Dragons (DnD), Dalal discovered the group last year, and has been a consistent part of their events. While the usual sessions are aimed at passionate fans, this weekend, they are hosting a ‘low-level' competition designed to ‘aura farm', he says. "It is a take on the DnD format, with different storytelling forms like Baldur's Gate, Bardovia, or Beadle and Grimms, where the goal is not to survive, but just aura farm as you face the biggest villains. Think Rogue One, where the protagonists don't make it, but it makes for a gripping and heroic story," Dalal explains.

A closer view of objects from a tabletop role playing game

Being aware of the goal, it becomes easy to play. Fellow admin, Sascha A brushes off any worries. "While TTRPGs are seen as a super niche hobby, the community is welcoming to everyone. The games are inexpensive, and easy. You build characters and a story of your own, from ordinary people to wizards," she says.

Rajiv Dalal and Sascha A

Knowing the reality of Andheri's traffic, it might do us a little good to indulge in a heroic fantasy, perhaps.

ON September 27; 12 pm to 6 pm
AT Sthamba Global Brewery, Morya Landmark II, Link Road, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO @adventuring.guild.mumbai; urbanaut.app (to register)
ENTRY Rs 500 onwards