Dragons:

Continued From Page 1

Dungeons & Dragons (commonly abbreviated as D&D) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TSR) and 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. It influenced video games, especially the role-playing video game genre. It departs from traditional wargaming by allowing each player to create their own character to play instead of a military formation.

The created characters embark upon adventures within a fantasy setting – lofty mountains, jungle ruins, and mighty castles. The recent film was based on the tabletop role-playing game and as a result there has been a resurgence in interest to playing the game not that it ever went out of style.

The library’s six-branch program is being conducted by Manchester Librarian Assistant Brendan Cahill who developed the presentation. “Last year I ran this during FanNation (an annual event in Toms River that brings together individuals interested in science fiction, fantasy, horror, gaming and comic books).”

“I was contacted to see if I would do it as a program for other branches as it is a very popular,” Cahill said. “I first got into (D&D) by playing with my family around five years ago. My siblings and I really like to play and I got my aunt, uncle and mother into it.”

“I played a number of campaigns with my friends. It is me being the DM (Dungeon Master) and this way I am the person who runs the world. I am God,” Cahill said with a chuckle.

Cahill’s 90-minute course is aimed toward those who want to learn how to play or run a D&D campaign and teaches gamers the basics of D&D 5th edition. It includes how to create a character, filling out their attributes in pencil and paper. If someone wants to run a campaign as a Dungeon Master, he offers tips on that as well.

He explained, “the 5th edition is the easiest one to get into by far. It isn’t as complex as older editions. There is a lot of different stuff for D&D.” He brought along several reference books such as “Balder’s Gate,” “Ghosts of Salt Marsh” and the “Monster Manual” all of which are available to take out from the library.

Cahill’s program also served as a refresher for players who hadn’t played in a while.

He noted that OCL’s branches have meeting rooms that can be booked two hours at a time and “could be used for D&D campaigns and we have a lot of good resources so you don’t even need to buy anything except the dice.”

Whiting resident Brian Bieth said prior to Cahill’s program that he wanted to “learn the basic bare bones of Dungeons & Dragons because the last time I played was a couple of years ago so this will be a refresher - and maybe I will learn something I don’t know.”

Manchester resident Conor Malloy said after the presentation, “I wanted to know more about the basic rules and the mechanics of the game. I played D&D on Discord but we don’t get together very often.”

“This is something really cool because I can learn the basics so I can understand what I need to do. I also thought it would just be fun,” Malloy added.

Along with the Manchester branch, Cahill brough his program to the Long Beach Island and Plumsted branches. His D&D Crash Course will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the following branches: Lacey Branch on August 7, call 609-693-8566 to register, the Stafford Branch on August 23, call 609-597-3381 to register and the Toms River Branch on August 28, call 732-349-6200 to register.

Photos by Bob Vosseller

(Above): Manchester branch Librarian Assistant Brendan Cahill stands besides several D&D manuals, character sheets and his PowerPoint presentation which he is bringing to several more branches of the Ocean County Library this summer to help those interested in playing the popular role-playing game.

(Below): Painted figures representing characters from the popular board game Dungeons & Dragons are seen during a program where new members and those who wanted a refresher on the game received instruction by a librarian assistant.

Officers:

Continued From Page 1

Dolan, the chief of the Manchester Police Department, pinned the badge on his son.

Vance Anthony Pelino was also sworn in as an officer. Lakehurst Police Chief Matt Kline stood beside both officers during their installations.

In other news, Aidan James was appointed as lifeguard at Horicon Lake, Hailey Dries was appointed to the Land Use Board as an alternate member and Raymon Sinto was approved for membership to the Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department.

The first responders were discussed in reference to the recent grand opening of the Wawa on one of the circles. “I think a good time was had by all,” Council President Steven Oglesby said. He noted the fire department’s win in the Wawa Hoagie for Heroes three-minute hoagie building competition.

That contest also included the borough’s First Aid Squad that he belongs to and the Police Department vying for bragging rights and a trophy. “It opened this morning to a very, very positive turnout,” Oglesby said.

Looking over to the audience that featured members of the fire department, the council president remarked, “we won’t mention the ringer you had making subs.”

“Oh, they had a ringer?” Mayor Harry Robbins said grinning.

It turns out one of the members of the fire company’s team previously worked at a Wawa but they said, “that was years ago.”

“Our coach was determined to beat their coach and we did do that, I think they had 30 and we had 27 and I’m not sure what the police had but a good time was had by all,” Oglesby said.

Councilman James Davis chaired the Independence Day Car Show that was held on Union Avenue. “We had 150 cars and we turned 18 away because there wasn’t enough parking.”

“Was that a record (for cars at the show)?” the mayor asked.

“Pretty close,” Davis responded. Next year’s event may include more street space to accommodate additional classic cars to park as part of the show.

Resolutions were passed supporting Mas Flower LLC for a Class 5 retail Cannabis license and the refund of $5,000 of a cannabis application fee to a cannabis business that was not selected.

Rent Control

A resident of one a mobile home community again asked if the governing body would consider action on a rent control ordinance similar to what Manchester Township did earlier this year to curb increases in rent.

Borough Attorney Ian Goldman explained “when you are talking about rent control primarily you are talking about locations and buildings that receive a tax abatement. That is not what is happening here.”

“There are about 300-400 people who have rentals in this town. You don’t feel anything can be done?” the resident added. He noted that such developments are made up of many seniors and low-income families that are finding it difficult to match their income with the increases in rent.

Mayor Robbins urged the resident and others from that development to reach out to the state and report anything they feel might be a violation of the law or any programs that might assist residents.