When Dungeons & Dragons was released over 40 years ago, myMMO editor Caro didn’t even exist yet. It was only about 2 years ago that she started her first adventure with her group using 5e. As it turns out, she would have expected a completely different experience in the 80s, as she realizes with shock.
This morning, I came across a post in the Dungeons & Dragons subreddit that really confused me. It was a photo of a pre-game checklist from the D&D basic rulebook from 1983. It appears to serve as a quick check to see if the group is really prepared for the start of the game.
Cool thing, I thought at first, but then I read the last item on the list:
Have the players appointed a “Caller” and a “Mapper”? Do they have graph paper and a pencil to draw the map?
… What the F are a Caller and a Mapper supposed to be? How dumb does this old thing think I am? Did I overlook something totally banal despite my D&D hyper-fixation? Are we even playing wrong? Fake fan!
Besides the actual roles, there seem to be real jobs at the table
A Caller and a Mapper. Okay, I can imagine something under those names, but what does that look like in the game and why do you need those tasks? Am I really that dumb?
Under the post, I receive replies from some (likely somewhat older more experienced) D&D veterans to my embarrassing ignorance.
I learn that a Mapper was responsible for drawing the map based on the DM’s explanations and continuously updating it as new information comes in. Nothing with pre-printed maps.
A Caller, on the other hand, was responsible for communicating on behalf of the group with the DM about what was really going on.
Interesting. But is that really necessary?
Some things sound slightly unnecessary, but others we’ve unknowingly already done
I find the task of the Caller – sorry – somehow really unnecessary. I can understand that this somewhat curtails the right of the loudest, which is certainly helpful in some cases.
However, I think D&D lives a bit from the chaos. Plus, I prefer discussing a plan in-character rather than presenting it to the DM like a pitch presentation. (And I know that our DM totally goes for that).
As for the Mapper: I find that somehow cool! There isn’t always a nicely painted or printed map on which you can walk around in the form of minis. Especially in hidden dungeons, I think it’s cool that you visually uncover the map together.
We do something similar in our campaign too. Only that our DM pre-draws the map and simply covers the undiscovered paths with paper and eventually uncovers them. So hidden clues or … nice surprises can already be waiting in advance.
I find it exciting to see how a game that takes up so much space in my mind in my spare time was already loved 40 years ago. Especially since it could have been a completely different experience at the table.
What do you think? Do you know the principle of the Caller and Mapper? Or is that new to you too? Let us know in the comments!
Besides Dungeons & Dragons, I have also fallen in love with painting miniatures that support our campaign. Now there is also a series on YouTube that not only entertains me but gives me strong tips on the hobby: On YouTube, artists compete with their miniature skills, the best method for me to learn from professionals
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