What We Love... TTRPGs

What is it that we love so much about TTRPGs?  What is there not to love... ok, maybe the scheduling monster!

Stories... let's begin there.  As humans we are story-driven, meaning-makers.  Why do we love movies, books, theater, etc... of course, for the story.  In TTRPGs sitting around the table or online and together creating an emerging story can be one of the most satisfying, shared, uplifting activities.  Memories, both fictional and non-fictional can be created and remembered long after the session and/or campaign has ended.  This in turn creates connection between those players either online or around the table.

Cooperation... being a part of a group, team, guild, community is often one of the most satisfying aspects of being human.  Together we are stronger, more brave, daring and willing to get out of our comfort zone.  So when a group decides to come together in a shared activity like TTRPGs, each individual bands together in a party, faction, guild, group, etc.. and together they take on the world around them and it's challenges.  This shared cooperation allows the group to form bonds, foster teamwork and find lasting friendships.

Exploration... not only the fictional world, but also different perspectives.  In TTRPGs, I can decide to play as PC (character) of whatever, ancestry, background, class, persuasion, gender, etc... and being able to explore outside of your real-life, personal self, is one of the most foundational aspects of playing TTRPGs.  Exploring in this way, allows a person to grow their perspective outside of their own and hopefully do it in a non-threatening, inviting environment.  Exploration of the fictional world within the game is already one of the foundational pillars.  Discovery in both of these areas can be filled with "eye-opening" wonder and awe.  There's always more to be discovered and always more to be explored.

Creation... whether as the GM or a player, being able to create is one of the most basic human instincts.  We build, design, erect, construct, write, develop, and on anond... and we do this whether we are alone or in a group.  This is one of the best aspects of TTRPGs because we can create without limitations most of the time and if there are limitations, GM and players have agreed ahead of time and all involved have hopefully been heard and so the limitations end up being more like agreed upon boundaries rather than enforced walls.  Now go wild and create.  Imagination now kicks in and starts running, with so many choices it can seem overwhelming, but start with one choice at a time until you decide it's enough.  This can also be done individually or collectively as a group.  This is one of the most beautiful aspects of TTRPGs, creation that will take place on an individual basis as well as a shared basis.