MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Reports have emerged that last Thursday, during a protest against nightly book burnings by a group of radical Christian fundamentalists, one protester was seen quietly switching sides. D&D fan Brett Stacks was spotted sneaking away from the group and casually tossing what appeared to be the 4th Edition Player’s Handbook into the flames.
“This just isn’t the kind of supporter we want joining our movement,” said Regina Kraft, local Librarian and one of the protest’s organizers. “Frankly, we’re all appalled by Mr. Stacks’ actions. Up until the incident, he had shown nothing but support for our cause. I’m not really sure what sort of intense hatred suddenly possessed him to momentarily join in on such a heinous act. I don’t know much about Dungeons & Dragons, but I can only hope he was attempting to make some sort of ironic statement about the Satanic Panic that surrounded the game in the 80’s? I’m just still baffled as to what could be so horrible about that book to cause him to do such a thing.”
Others from the protest were quick to also share their disapproval for the ritualistic destruction of years of attempted gameplay balancing.
“I think burning books of any kind is abhorrent,” said protester Mike Burnsap, owner of Legacy Coins and Cards. “Why do these people burn books? Because they’re cowards, that’s why. They have hatred and fear in their hearts towards anyone that doesn’t conform to their outdated ideals. How people live their lives has no effect on these hateful souls, and yet they refuse to leave them be. Just because 4th Edition exists doesn’t mean you can’t just continue to enjoy 3.5e. Maybe it doesn’t fit your idea of “The Traditional, Nuclear Gameplay” but you and your campaign can believe in your own ruleset while leaving others to believe theirs. What does burning books even accomplish in the digital age? Unless you plan on somehow burning every digital handbook on D&DBeyond, it accomplishes nothing.”
Despite the backlash, Brett refused to disavow his actions. Instead releasing a statement on his Roll20 account to hopefully provide some defense for his actions.
“I agree with everyone at Thursday’s protest that book burnings are detestable,” writes Brett. “These are churchgoers who parrot the opinions of others, who are told what they should hate, and I guarantee everyone who burns books like this hasn’t even read them to experience first hand what it is they’re so opposed to. No, I haven’t played 4e. But I know when something spits in the face of everything the game stands for. I mean, why even have different classes if they all become trivial in combat? And why lean so hard on combat in your TTRPG? Did they forget what the RP stands for? Listen, I support people no matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, background, or their preferred method for determining ability scores. But some texts are better left unpublished. It’s not unbridled hatred if the thing I hate genuinely sucks.”
At press time, Brett further elaborated on his feelings towards the 2024 Player’s Handbook, taking a firm stance against the newest edition unless Wizards of the Coast finally officially adds the Mystic class into the game.
