So Mike wants to know what True Dungeon is.

It's the closest I've ever come to LARPing (live action role playing), though it might qualify.

True Dungeon is a walk-through dungeon created for GenCon. Players pay $19.50 for the right journey through up to 8 rooms...solving puzzles and killing monsters in a "real" dungeon type atmosphere. Players are themselves but they select a character class to provide a balance to the party and ensure all the adventuring skill-sets are covered. Parties consist of a Paladin, mage, thief, cleric, fighter, bard, ranger (in optional Hardcore adventures a barbarian is added).

You're outfitted with stats and some basic features like one weapon, one set of armor (both random), and class specific abilities. Players have the option of purchasing bags of tokens that (also random) represent different equipment you can use in the dungeon. Things like scrolls, magic, potions, armor, weapons. This gives you the ability to survive the challenges of the dungeon and the near inevitable failure of your party (at one or all of the challenges).

Here is a link to their site where you can learn more. I see no need to re-type what someone else has already done.

It was a lot of fun. Though the price speculation and the rarity of the tokens was a bit tedious. Nerds gone wild. They're only little pieces of wood....and truth be told they didn't actually play a large part of the game (aside from the healing scrolls and potions...they're the only ones to stock up on).

I'll gladly do it again next year. The puzzles are actually pretty simple but I think most groups over analyze them and get it wrong. Simple common sense prevails. I need to remember this next year.

Mike, you would love it. There's going to be a Gencon in SoCal in Nov. along with another True Dungeon. I imagine it's fully booked...but you might look into it. And...you can always plan on going with us next year....