Seminars 

How to Craft Stories that Stick  /// A Beginner’s Guide to Roleplaying

How to Craft Stories that Stick

Hi there! I'm Dan, a brand storyteller by day and an avid D&D player by night. My career started in publishing before I transitioned into brand storytelling, where I’ve had the incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. I’ve worked alongside Sunday Times best-selling author Tasmina Perry, storytelling expert and Times best-selling author Will Storr, and New York Times best-seller Bella Andre. From them, I’ve absorbed key lessons in the art of storytelling that I’ve then applied to my own work, especially in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

D&D is a perfect example of how storytelling transcends medium. What starts as a humble tabletop campaign can grow into global franchises that influence movies, books, and more. I had the pleasure of seeing this firsthand when I hosted an event with the legendary John Romero, the industry icon behind D&D and Doom. During this event, Romero shared how Doom’s origins were born from a D&D campaign he ran with co-creator John Carmack. From small seeds come massive, world-conquering franchises, an idea that is both humbling and inspiring.

In my seminar, I want to dive into the practical steps for world-building and storytelling, especially for DMs and players. How can we, as creators, build narratives that resonate beyond the game? How do we craft characters and worlds that leave a lasting impact? My goal is to empower DMs to take their storytelling to the next level and show players how they can contribute to these epic tales.

📅 Friday 5pm

A Beginner’s Guide to Roleplaying

Curious about tabletop roleplaying games but don’t know where to start? Want to dive into the world of TTRPGs with confidence? This session is for you!

Join Pablo Ainsworth (He/Him)—a seasoned Player and Gamemaster with over 10 years of experience—for a beginner-friendly introduction to roleplaying games. This talk will cover:

• What TTRPGs are and how they work.
• The social contract at the heart of roleplaying.
• The 3 Levels of Roleplaying and how to find your style.

Expect an engaging and interactive session, with small moments of audience participation and a Q&A at the end. Perfect for those new to TTRPGs or anyone interested in taking their first steps into roleplaying!

📅 Sunday, 1pm