From D20s to Detective Hats: Activities for People Who Love Dungeons & Dragons

Ah, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The game that lets you slay dragons, solve ancient puzzles, and argue with your friends about whether or not you can technically flirt your way out of a gelatinous cube (spoiler: you can’t). But for those who love the mix of creativity, puzzle-solving, and camaraderie that D&D offers, what do you do when your Dungeon Master is on a much-needed vacation to "read the rules" (read: write ten pages of lore no one asked for)? Fear not, adventurer! Your skills in role play games can be put to use in countless other ways.

Here are some fantastic D&D-adjacent activities to keep you rolling Nat 20s in your downtime—and yes, one of them involves solving murders. Intrigued? Read on.

Murder Mystery Events: Your Next Adventure Awaits

If you like Dungeons and Dragons, you’ll love stepping into the role of a cunning detective, a suspicious suspect, or an innocent bystander with just enough secrets to look guilty. Murder mystery events offer all the things you adore about D&D: improvisation, puzzling out motives, and diving deep into a fictional world where anything could happen. Plus, you get to dress to impress—because solving crimes in a dashing trench coat or a feathered boa just hits differently.

Enter Harvest Moon Mysteries. Our self-run murder mystery kits are tailor-made for those with adventurous spirits and a love of spontaneity. Forget rigid scripts and predictable outcomes. With our kits, you’ll get:

• A Complex Storyline: More than just one crime to solve. Every character has secrets, and every secret could lead to a shocking revelation.

• A Comprehensive Host Guide: You’ll feel like the Dungeon Master of your very own whodunit.

• Immersive Character Descriptions: Whether you’re playing a glamorous socialite or a brooding investigator, you’ll find prompts to help you embrace the role.

Your guests can fully immerse themselves in the mystery or just dip their toes in, depending on their comfort level. Reserved players will love the guidance and objectives, while the chaos agents of your group will delight in going completely off-book. (And let’s be honest: every party has one.)

It’s like running a D&D one-shot, but with fewer dragons and more poisoned cocktails. Ready to uncover secrets, accuse your best friend, and savor a night of improv and intrigue? Head to Harvest Moon Mysteries to grab your kit. You’ll thank us when your rogue’s “Trust No One” philosophy pays off.

Other Activities for D&D Fans

If murder mysteries aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite for adventure, here are some other activities that play to your D&D-honed strengths:

1. Board Games for Strategy and Collaboration

Channel your inner adventuring party with games like Spirit Island or Gloomhaven. These tabletop games are perfect for D&D lovers because they require teamwork, strategic thinking, and a little bit of luck.

2. Watch Mystery Movies or Read Suspenseful Books

Nothing scratches that “I need a puzzle to solve” itch like a good mystery. Cozy up with a whodunit novel or binge a classic like Knives Out. Want something closer to home? Watch the Dungeons & Dragons movie. Yes, it’s hilarious. Yes, it’s epic. And yes, you’ll be quoting it for weeks.

3. Create Art and Build Worlds

Whether you’re sketching your character, painting miniatures, or designing maps, creative expression is a perfect outlet for world-building. Plus, it gives you something to show off at your next session. ("Oh, this old thing? Just a hand-drawn map of the Nine Hells. No big deal.")

Embrace Your Inner Adventurer

At the end of the day, D&D is about more than rolling dice and arguing with your DM about whether Prestidigitation can really cook a steak. It’s about storytelling, teamwork, and finding joy in shared experiences. Whether you’re solving murders, plotting board game strategy, or crafting an intricate new world, there’s no shortage of ways to keep that creative spark alive.

So grab your friends, pick an activity, and get ready to embark on your next great adventure. And hey, if that adventure involves accusing your most innocent-looking friend of murder… we’re not judging.

Check out Harvest Moon Mysteries to start your next thrilling journey. You bring the curiosity; we’ll bring the mystery.