Groups
Heroic Journeys
"A team of superheroes is tasked with taking down a rampaging monster in their city… The monster, a long, scaled beast with sharp claws and a single pitch-black eye, has started destroying cars, streetlights, food trucks, and anything else in its path. The team knows they must stop the destruction before anyone is hurt – but what about the beast? Can it be tamed, or stopped without undue harm?
The team’s advisor calls in to their headpieces, saying the beast has been spotted before, in the sewers, and has not been aggressive in the past… the heroes share a glance, before springing into action. One with super-speed starts moving nearby pedestrians away from the scene, the cryomancer attempts to slow the beast with a pile of snow under its feet, the tech whiz scans for the nearest manhole while keeping an eye on the damaged buildings for structural integrity. She shouts directions to the final hero, who’s now increased in size and strength, allowing them to grapple the beast and direct it towards an open manhole. It wriggles its way down, and the heroes jump after it.
In the sewers, the team begins chasing the monster, following the drills they’ve practiced for underground fights. The cryomancer blocks off tunnels, the speedster scouts ahead, the others keep the monster moving, and they trap it against a brick wall and a few thick walls of ice. They cheer, turn to each other, and high-five. Their plan worked! Then they hear a squeak from inside the rudimentary cage – a smaller monster pokes its head up from a nest of torn fabric…
The team shares a glance, before nodding. They can figure out how to move forward together."
Come create your own team of superheroes and enter the world of Masks: A New Generation. Set in a universe where superpowers are commonplace, players take on the roles of young superheroes navigating all kinds of challenges.
Participants design their own characters and collaboratively try to solve fictional problems with others through role play and group discussion. The purpose of the group is to help build social skills and connections. For ages 18+, this small group of 4-6 participants meets at Alli Center once a week for two hours, and each round lasts for about 3-4 months.
The Masks game uses dice and character sheets, but the rest is theater of the mind. You build your own worlds and create your own stories. The Game Master will describe the scene and might use pictures, but otherwise players drive the game.
Facilitator (and Game Master) Kayla Dick, LISW, gives an example of how participants have the power to set their own limits:
“I have everyone fill out the consent checklist that lets me know what topics aren’t allowed or what topics to approach with caution. Otherwise, I tell everyone that we use the X-Card. The X-Card is a communication tool used by someone when a sensitive/triggering/ uncomfortable situation, topic, or event happens in game. A player can use an X-Card and in the moment, no questions asked, the topic at hand is essentially ended or bypassed so as not to promote further discomfort.”
Our group is designed to cultivate essential social skills, including emotional regulation, collaboration, planning, perspective-taking, and the nuanced art of grey-area thinking. Whether you’re a seasoned tabletop gamer or completely new to the world of role-playing, all are welcome! Join us on this transformative journey as we embark on a three-month adventure of self-discovery, camaraderie and super heroic escapades.
No experience is needed. Click here to sign up.