Dungeons and Dragons: The Waterstones' Adventurers Party

Waterstones is hosting a Dungeons & Dragons taster session on Wednesday 4 November, from 18:30 at their Broad Street home in the United Reform Building. It's run by the shop itself, and the whole thing is built for anyone who's never played before. If you've spent years hearing about D&D but have never actually sat down to a table, this is exactly the kind of night to start with.

An in-house veteran Dungeon Master takes the lead, walking the group through how the game works and how an ongoing campaign is run. You'll get a handle on how to settle on themes and how to build your own characters from scratch, so you're not just handed a pre-made sheet. Once everyone's up to speed, the venue's Dungeon Masters take over and lead the play, meaning you can jump straight into the action without needing to know the rulebook inside out.

The pitch is to drop into a world of your own imagination alongside a room of fellow adventurers: slay dragons, deceive Fae Lords, and speak with the Dead. It's a social way to get into it, too, since you're playing as part of a group rather than on your own. If you've been wanting to try it but didn't have a group to pull together, this does the hard part for you.

Tickets are £6 for those 16 and over, and capacity is limited, so it's worth booking your spot early. The session starts at 18:30 on Wednesday 4 November at Waterstones, United Reform Building, 89a Broad Street, Reading RG1 2AP.