Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a set of special dice that includes a D20 with a synthetic sapphire in the place of the number 20.
The first Dungeons & Dragons set was released in 1974, but its origins are rooted in a miniatures game from 1971 called Chainmail, which added a fantasy flavor to medieval wargames. The original edition of Dungeons & Dragons was created by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax and its rules are a lot more basic than what would appear in later editions of the game.
In order to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast is releasing a special set of Sapphire Dice to mark the occasion. The set includes eleven aluminum dice, consisting of two d20s, one d12, two d10s, one d8, four d6s, and one d4. The dice come in a custom dice box/tray combo, as well as a foldout card containing the stats for an adult Sapphire Dragon, an exclusive sticker sheet, and a collector's card that confirms the set's authenticity. One of the D20s has a lab-grown sapphire in place of its twenty.
The reason why sapphires were chosen is that they are the gemstone associated with 5th and 45th anniversaries. 2019 is the 5th anniversary of the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as the 45th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons as a whole, so it makes sense as a choice of gemstone for the anniversary set of dice.
Dungeons & Dragons has had many tumultuous phases throughout its lifespan and there were many times when the future of the game was uncertain. Dungeons & Dragons has been the subject of religious condemnation, accusations of corrupting the minds of youths, and all kinds of behind-the-scenes drama.
The game is still going strong and the power of the Internet has helped to make Dungeons & Dragons more popular than it has ever been before. There are lots of online shows that can give curious fans a taste of what to expect from the game, while social media has made it easier than ever to find local groups and players. It hasn't always been easy for Dungeons & Dragons fans, but the game has survived and thrived through forty-five years of turmoil and will continue to live on for as long as people never lose their love for tossing dice with their friends.
The Sapphire Dice will be available for $299 on November 21, 2019.
Source: Wizards of the Coast