Monday, April 18, 2005

Where imagination is the key

Where imagination is the key

"'Halt! Who are you and why are you here?'

"The deep-voiced shout echoed through the rocky passage and the adventurers froze. Before anyone could answer, the owner of the deep voice stepped out of his hiding place and turned out to be ... Nancy Montano, a 39-year-old bill collector from Pendleton, Ind.

"Not quite a scene from 'The Lord of the Rings,' this was the start of another round of 'Dungeons & Dragons' at this weekend's Game Con South Bend. At the Century Center Saturday and today, Game Con offers the chance for fans and newcomers to play dozens of board, card and miniatures games, as well as some X-Box.

"Also popular are roleplaying games like 'Dungeons & Dragons,' in which players like Nancy assume the identities of fantasy-themed characters and play out elaborate missions. The healthy imagination and sense of community these games require and foster are the foundation of Game Con's popularity."