Can we all just get along?” — Rodney King, 1992

At a crowded game table, dice tumble across a map of snow-covered forests. Strangers laugh, plan, and argue, yet listen attentively. What begins as a fantasy skirmish quietly becomes practice for real-world empathy. The same questions arise inside and outside the game: how can people disagree without hostility, and what does critical thinking look like in action?

Divisive topics such as politics or religion often fracture families, workplaces, and communities. Even casual remarks can ignite anger or embarrassment. Roleplaying games offer a controlled, imaginative space to examine these tensions safely. Through characters, players experiment with communication, test perspectives, and learn to recognize manipulative tactics, such as false dichotomies or appeals to authority. In effect, they become social scientists studying themselves.

Launching the Viking Saga

Starting this November, our nonprofit will host a monthly series of interconnected, two-hour one-shot adventures at York’s Rage Room along Industrial Highway. Game sessions are arranged to ensure accessibility: teens, adults, and non-traditional schedules.

We prioritize inclusion, elevating queer and neurodivergent voices in game design and facilitation. Partnering with Kelsey Dionne and The Arcane Library, we use the Shadowdark RPG, known for streamlined rules and rich narrative focus. Its fast mechanics keep attention on story, exploration, and cooperative decision-making, all key elements for therapeutic and educational goals.

Sample missions might include:

• Preventing a pack of rabid wolves threatening a village during pollen season
• Weighing the fates of fallen warriors seeking their place in Valhalla
• Petitioning Thor against his priestly dwarf daughters to delay Ragnarök

Each scenario encourages mindfulness, emotional regulation, and peaceful problem-solving both in-game and beyond.

Therapeutic Storytelling in “Hunger of Howlpack”

This Level 4 adventure uses pre-generated Shadowdark characters and miniatures to present environmental and ethical challenges rooted in Norse myth. Cooperative roleplay and shared reflection strengthen social confidence and resilience. Brief evidence-informed coping exercises address social anxiety and isolation while maintaining an accessible PG-13 tone. Facilitators emphasize consent, safety, and open communication about accommodations.

Safe, Affordable Gaming Spaces

Through grants and partnerships, Autism at Face Value provides structured environments where tabletop games support mental wellness. Sliding-scale fees remove financial barriers and uphold equity. Battle mats, painted miniatures, and 3D terrain enhance engagement, while a peanut-free policy ensures safety. Facilities include free parking and nearby dining. Participants bring only dice, writing tools, and a willingness to connect.

Pre-registration is required due to high demand. The upcoming series will expand to include new game systems and apply emerging research on supportive social groups for neurodivergent communities. We happily welcome members of similarly marginalized communities, and our facilities are ADA-compliant.

Thank you for joining us. Take a seat at our table and share the story.