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Things look peaceful enough outside of Flynn Hall Sunday nights, but inside, a battle is raging.

Eight men find themselves on an adventure with life-and-death decisions at every turn. But junior Ryan Plaisance and his friends aren’t in any real danger; their adventure is taking place on the table in front of them in Dungeons and Dragons.

“It’s kind of in a way telling an interactive story,” Plaisance said. “That’s an appeal for a lot of people.”

The appeal leads the group to meet every Sunday night to continue the story, trading in the stresses of the real world for battles against zombies and the other deadly inhabitants of the Dungeons and Dragons world. Luckily for the group, homework has never been something they’ve had to battle in that place.

“It’s a nice getaway from school work,” freshman Jacques Audette said. “It’s a nice break.”

Plaisance described playing the game as “cathartic,” something they can look forward to every week.

“I’ve had a bunch of people come in and say, ‘This is great. I’ve been studying all afternoon and I really needed a break,’” Plaisance said.

At the end of a tough weekend, Audette said finishing the weekend on a positive note is key.

“It’s always good to have fun on Sunday nights.”

Jordan Osterman can be reached at jrosterman@stthomas.edu.