Last Valentine’s Day, we shared something a little different: stories from the Forge team about how TTRPGs became part of their lives. Not as a gimmick, not as a contest; just honest moments, memories, and feelings that stayed with us.
This year, we wanted to keep that same spirit. Not bigger. Not louder. Just familiar in a different way.
Valentine’s Day is often associated with romance. But for a lot of us, the longest, most meaningful relationships we’ve had weren’t romantic at all. They were weekly. They involved dice. And they somehow survived scheduling.
Because if you’ve played TTRPGs long enough, you know they start to feel a lot like relationships. Some are new and exciting. Some are steady and long-term. Some are complicated. Some are paused, but never really gone.
So instead of love letters or grand gestures, here’s a quieter reflection — a look at the many relationship statuses we’ve all had at the table.
What if TTRPGs had relationship statuses? Not the dramatic kind. Just the honest ones — the ones that make you smile because you’ve been there.
The real magic in gaming is not found in the game mechanics, but in the connections we forge with one another.
~ Gary Gygax
💬 Seeing Someone
A brand-new campaign.
Session zero went well. Everyone’s excited. Characters are still polite, backstories aren’t fully tragic yet, and nobody’s tested the limits.
You’re optimistic. You’re careful. You haven’t rolled a natural 1 at a crucial moment… yet.
💬 In a Relationship
The campaign has momentum.
People show up on time. Jokes are forming. Inside references are born. Characters are starting to feel real.
You’re invested now. This isn’t casual anymore.
💬 It’s Complicated
A system change happened.
A player left. Another joined. The story took a sharp turn nobody expected.
You’re not entirely sure where this campaign is going — but you’re still here, and that counts for something.
💬 Long-Distance Relationship
Different time zones. Different countries.
Someone’s always playing late at night, someone else is holding a coffee like it’s a life-saving potion.
It takes effort, but when it works, it really works.
💬 On a Break
Nobody said it was over.
Life just happened. Work got busy. Schedules didn’t align. The group chat went quiet.
You still think about those characters sometimes. You hope you’ll come back to them.
💬 Married
A fixed game night.
Rituals. Traditions. A shared understanding that this time is protected.
You know each other’s playstyles. You trust each other with big story moments. You’ve seen some things together.
💬 Open Relationship
Side quests. One-shots. Guest characters.
The main campaign is solid, but there’s room to explore.
No jealousy. Just more stories.
💬 It’s Not You, It’s Scheduling
Everyone wants to play.
Nobody can find the same free evening.
The true final boss, undefeated.
💬 Soulmates
That table where everything clicks.
Trust. Respect. Laughter. Emotional moments that land exactly right.
You don’t just play together — you build something together.
❤️ Whatever Your Status Is
TTRPGs aren’t about perfection.
They’re about showing up, sharing time, and creating memories (sometimes messy ones) with other people.
However you define your table’s relationship status, we’re glad to be part of the journey.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at The Forge! 💚
May your rolls be kind, your schedules align, and your stories keep going.
