In the late 1960s, Mary Jo Gygax, suspicious of her husband Gary’s frequent absences and fearing an affair, followed him to their basement in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Instead of infidelity, she found him engrossed in a lively collaboration with friends, poring over hand-drawn maps and notes. This creative endeavor, far from betrayal, was the birth of Dungeons & Dragons, the pioneering role-playing game that would transform tabletop gaming and leave a lasting cultural legacy.

In the late 1960s, Mary Jo Gygax grew suspicious of her husband Gary’s frequent absences, fearing he was having an affair.

One day, she followed him to their basement in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Instead of finding infidelity, she discovered him deep in collaboration with friends.

They were surrounded by hand-drawn maps and notes, fully immersed in a new game.

This effort would soon become Dungeons & Dragons, a groundbreaking role-playing game that forever changed tabletop gaming and pop culture.