Six candidates running for office in Los Angeles gathered at the Fonda Theatre for a Dungeons & Dragons charity event, raising $30,000 for the city's primary election.
Comedian Brennan Lee Mulligan, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, led the campaign.
He emphasized the importance of using his platform to engage voters in unique ways.
"Most people want to be tapped and told how to help," Mulligan said.
The event, held just before election day, attracted hundreds of fans who pledged donations. Five of the participating candidates either won re-election or advanced to the general election.
Growing Trend of TTRPG Activism
Emily Friedman, an English professor at Auburn University, noted that the D&D community responds actively to calls for action.
"They feel like this is a space that is welcoming them," she said.
Many see the narratives within D&D as a form of resistance against contemporary social issues, such as attacks on marginalized communities.
Andoni Elias-Nava, a DSA-LA member, commented, "The left is facing these AI attacks from the corporate elite... making it feel like a D&D game."
The rise of charity events linked to tabletop role-playing games has gained momentum.
Initiatives like Jes Wade's ChariTTRPGs have raised over $1.1 million since 2021 through Twitch livestreams, according to The Guardian.
