Article Source: Kirsty Innes PR
Last Updated: 2 October 2018 11:43
As the world witnesses a resurgence of the role playing game Dungeons & Dragons (DnD), with over nine million players registered all over the world and a hotly anticipated Paramount film set for 2021, a team of award-winning storytellers has taken the game to unique new depths in underground Edinburgh.
The Dungeon Masters at five-star Mercat Tours have recently established the new DnD Games Night as a regular fixture after their first night for charity received critical acclaim from those on the tour and some leading DnD aficionados, including Leesha Hannigan (an official illustrator for DnD). The company has even curated a special one off DnD games night as part of their spooktacular programme of Halloween Tours and events this October (26 to 31 October).
Mercat’s DnD nights take place in the centuries old underground Blair Street Vaults, two storeys beneath Edinburgh’s North Bridge – Mercat Tours is the only Edinburgh tour company with access to these vaults, which were rediscovered in the 1980s. Mercat’s version of the DnD game has a ghost theme, mixed with the real history of Edinburgh and DnD’s magical world full of powerful fighters, clever rogues, wise wizards and magical creatures of all kind.
Explaining further Lydia Gschosmann, chief Gamesmaster at Mercat said: “Our game is based on the alarmingly true stories of the Blair Street Vaults, adding a unique touch to the wonderful DnD escapism. It takes place in the wee hours of the morning, two levels beneath central Edinburgh in a dark and spooky, candle-lit tavern, surrounded by silence and restless spirits of those who dwelled and perished there.
“There's a special thrill I see in player's eyes every time they recognise an aspect of real history in the story, every time they realise who they're fighting is one of the characters they'd been told about on the tour.”
Lydia has also found that Mercat’s DnD Games Night has brought people and families together from all over the world:
“Our DnD Games Nights provides an opportunity for people to meet like-minded folks from all over the world. We’ve had people coming from Germany just to play the game - they planned their whole Scotland trip around it. At our last night, a family of four from Canada used the Games Night as a bonding experience with their daughter, an avid DnD gamer.
“It's really all about making, connections, finding like-minded people and enjoying the game in a unique atmosphere.”
Dungeons and Dragons first rose to popularity in the 70s and 80s, and thanks to social media channels and new digital platforms, has seen a revival with 2017 reported to be its best sales year in a decade. Over 9 million people have watched others play Dungeons & Dragons on Twitch, a streaming subsidiary of Amazon.
The game has featured in and inspired numerous films and TV series over the years from ET to more recently the hit Netflix TV series, Stranger Things. It has also influenced a number of authors including George RR Martin, whose book series A Song of Ice and Fire was adapted into the Game of Thrones TV Series. Other famous fans include Jon Favreau, (Iron Man), Vin Diesel, Matt Groening (The Simpsons and Futurama), Mike Myers and Robin Williams.
Mercat Tours next Dungeons & Dragons Games Night takes place on Wednesday 31 October (a special Halloween night) at Midnight. Tickets cost £50 per adult. Dungeons and Dragons novices and veterans are welcome.
For more information or to join Mercat Tours on a Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew adventure, visit www.mercattours.com
Laser Station in partnership with Cash For Kids, is thrilled to announce the success of its recent Laser Marathon fundraiser in Edinburgh, Hull & Braehead, raising a total of £2266.
READ MORETop Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh has a bumper series of events planned for May, including an unmissable Summer Gin Garden, live music each Thursday and a new Peruvian menu for the Commons Club Chef's Table.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREWe're thrilled to announce that, for the third year running, TikTok will be the Official Virtual Stage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MORESix Company announces additional investment in the Edinburgh hospitality industry with the opening of Six by Nico Edinburgh West End and Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh.
READ MOREUber releases Swiftie-inspired friendship bracelets, offering £20 credit ahead of the Era's Tour this June.
READ MOREFayre Play, the ultimate adult funfair games experience in Glasgow & Edinburgh, have announced an exclusive ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated show at Murrayfield on June 8th!
READ MOREPURE Spa & Beauty is proud to announce its partnership with 02Worx by launching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in 16 of its spa locations across the United Kingdom including three in Edinburgh.
READ MOREFor the first time, audiences will be treated to a dazzling dozen amazing pro dancers from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, performing this spectacular show at Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MOREScotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean is hosting an exclusive Oyster and Champagne Bar as part of the Edinburgh Seafood Festival on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th at Bonnie & Wild.
READ MOREFleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show has announced it will return to Edinburgh next month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.
READ MOREA packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (3 May to 13 May).
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MORERUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares details of the menu set to ignite tastebuds for The Spanish Butcher which officially opens in Edinburgh on Friday 10th May.
READ MOREJohnnie Walker Princes Street, the award-winning global visitor experience in the heart of Edinburgh, has announced exciting opportunities for passionate individuals to join its renowned team.
READ MORETHREE captivating and inspiring stories of adventure, near-death experiences and endurance are set to thrill the crowds at Port Edgar Marina’s 10th anniversary Open Weekend on 4th and 5th May!
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREEdinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.
READ MOREEdinburgh – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO, will welcome its first Scottish customers through the doors of its Edinburgh store on Thursday, 25th April.
READ MOREDavid Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce further dates for the 2024/2025 UK and Ireland tour with dates at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREA NEW four-legged champion has been crowned for the Corgi Derby at The Sky Bet Sunday Series Raceday, Musselburgh Racecourse.
READ MORE