Dora the Twelfth Level Paladin

Doyce came over at lunch to eat sushi with Margie. Katherine had Dora the Explorer on.

“Y’know,” he commented. “This is the prototypical RPG template.”

And he’s right. She goes on quests with her companions. Each adventure’s a standard three chapter module (“Gobins! Orcs! Bugbear Island!”). There’s a thief that causes them endless trouble. She has a Bag of Holding (from which she’s always pulling adventure gear), as well as a magical Map. The land is populated with strange, magical creatures, some of whom speak other languages. Some of those creatures and places magically opposed them, while others help them. They face spider webs, scary forests, quicksand, etc., as well as intellectual challenges to overcome their obstacles.

When all’s said and done, there’s usually rewards, treasure, celebration, and a trip to the tavern. Well, maybe not a trip to the tavern, but plenty of celebration. Often with a band.

There’s even an RPGA-like “What was your favorite part?” once the story is wrapped up.

Oh, and it’s all been done in computer games, too.

Doyce opines, “All you got to do is put Dora in a leather bikini or somthing, and toss her in a dungeon, and we’re ready to go.”

Next: How Blue’s Clues is a latter-day English Comedy of Manners.