Dawnstar Gaming CIC

10/06/2026

Back at the beginning of May, I had the utmost pleasure to be invited by Prof. Roger Saunders to speak on the L&T Chat Show, discussing tabletop roleplaying games alongside Soren Henrich, Laura Healy and Michał Górzański.

This episode saw us discussing how TTRPGs as more than just games: looking at how collaborative storytelling, problem-solving, imagination and shared play can support learning, confidence, creativity and meaningful social connection, especially in a higher education environment.

This is exactly what Dawnstar Gaming CIC is so passionate about: highlighting the benefits of these activities and showing that there is far more to tabletop games than many people realise.

They are not just social or leisure activities, not just for children, and not just something that happens at home. Used well, they can be a positive force across a far-reaching variety of settings, supporting creativity, confidence, learning, and meaningful social connection.

Thank you to the L&T Chat Show for the invitation and for giving space to a brilliant discussion about the value of tabletop roleplaying games!

LISTEN HERE: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wNlemLrEv5cxxHteDS3g8?si=67c10f25536b466e

Links to the other participants’ relevant pages are included below for anyone who would like to learn more about their work.

Laura Healy
- https://www.instagram.com/epictalesandcriticalfails/
- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565449044244

Soren Henrich
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-s%C3%B6ren-henrich-6959311a2/

Michał Górzański
- https://italwaysrainsinnuln.wordpress.com/

L&T Chat Show · Episode

08/06/2026

LOOT!!
As promised, here's what Dawnstar Gaming CIC managed to pick up from the UK Games Expo 2026.

Both Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms and Wrath of the Kaiju, written (and signed!) by dnd_shorts and published by Loot Tavern. These are available for our players to use to come up with even more creative characters! Wrath of the Kaiju is a series of adventures facing off against ginormous creatures, so we're looking forward to running these for our groups!

An exceptionally kind donation from Dice Dragons! These guys have been massive supporters of us from way back in 2022! Their generosity is awesome and their dice are amazing too!

Want to check out our D&D sessions? Know how to DM and want to get involved? Send us a message and get in touch!

04/06/2026

Dawnstar Gaming is back with another Pokemon Go Community Day social walk!

SIGN UP HERE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dawnstar-gaming-cic-pokemon-go-community-day-frigibax-tickets-1990770101965?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us at the end of June for a few hours of catching Shiny Pokemon, this month it's Frigibax!

We are meeting at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, then walking around the scenic Spike Island. This is an amazing chance to socialise with other Pokemon Go players, find out more about what Dawnstar Gaming does in the community, improve your health and wellbeing with a leisurely stroll & casual chat and get out in one of Halton's awesome green spaces.

Dawnstar Gaming CIC's events are completely inclusive, SEN friendly and open for everyone!

Please sign up using the link above so that we can assess numbers. Tickets are completely free!

04/06/2026

UK GAMES EXPO RECAP
On Saturday 30/05/26, several intrepid Dawnstar players made the journey down to Birmingham NEC to take in the sights and sounds of the UK Games Expo. I can tell you now, this is not for the faint of heart!

We were incredibly happy to catch up with several of our supporters from over the years:

Dice Dragons , who is one of our oldest supporters, who never lets us down with dice orders, who is amazingly generous and who it was an absolute pleasure to finally meet in person! (He also stocks the super cool looking Damascus Steel dice in the pics!).

Loot Tavern , who supported us when we first set up our HAF provision with Hazlehurst Studios back in 2024, and where we FINALLY picked up our copies of Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms and Wrath of the Kaiju. Creators of so many cool classes, subclasses, monsters and everything!

dnd_shorts , who has always been kind enough to respond to my emails, who signed our above books, as the amazing author of both, and who is an all round awesome person. Muchos congratulations to both you and Loot Tavern for winning People’s Choice Best Roleplay Game for Ryoko’s Guide to the Yokai Realms!!

The rest of the day was a blur, trying to take everything in! So many cool people, cool games and cool things to do. As you can see from the pics, by the end of it, we were happy but a little exhausted!

Check out our upcoming post to see what loot we got on the day!

02/06/2026

🌟 Culture 26: Made in Halton, Forged in Adventure! 🌟

It's been over a month since our first Culture 26 story session took place — and what a way to begin.

At All Saints Church, our adventurers stepped into a story shaped by Halton’s heritage, imagination and community spirit. With townsfolk retreating to All-Hallows Minster for protection, the warding bells failed, shadows crossed the threshold, and a masked figure tried to strip the sanctuary of its meaning, the players had to work together to protect the people inside and restore the Founding Bell.

The session brought together roleplay, teamwork, tactical choices, problem-solving and plenty of dramatic dice rolls — all within a setting inspired by a real Halton venue.

This is exactly what Culture 26 is about for us: turning familiar local places into shared adventures, giving young people and families a new way to experience culture, storytelling and creativity.

A massive thank you to our first venue - All Saints Church, Runcorn - and to everyone who took part, supported the session, helped document it, and made the first chapter of the adventure such a success.

The first note has sounded. The adventure continues…

Photo Credit: Leo Coxon-Cross

06/05/2026

Back once again TONIGHT, join us at Hazlehurst Studios for another evening of miniatures! Whether you want to paint your next D&D model project or challenge a certain someone's Imperial Knight combat patrol, everyone is welcome!

Our next four evenings are all locked in. Come down on any of the following dates and see what we're about!
* 06/05 - TONIGHT!
* 20/05
* 03/06
* 17/06

We're here 18:00-21:00 and attendees can use our paints, brushes, resources, tables, and painted combat patrol armies for just £5 for the evening. Family groups get a discount and parents can stay for free to support younger players and painters.

05/05/2026

Dawnstar Gaming is back with another Pokemon Go Community Day social walk!
SIGN UP HERE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dawnstar-gaming-cic-pokemon-go-community-day-lechonk-tickets-1988315399885?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join us Saturday for a few hours of catching Shiny Pokemon, this month it's Lechonk!
We are meeting at the Espositos, then walking around the lovely Victoria Park. This is an amazing chance to socialise with other Pokemon Go players, find out more about what Dawnstar Gaming does in the community, improve your health and wellbeing with a leisurely stroll & casual chat and get out in one of Halton's awesome green spaces.
Dawnstar Gaming CIC's events are completely inclusive, SEN friendly and open for everyone!
Please sign up using the link above so that we can assess numbers. Tickets are completely free!

20/04/2026

Wow, it's been brilliant kicking off our Culture 26 project - Made in Halton, Forged in Adventure! and we can't believe that it's been almost a month since our Session Zero already!

Thank you so much to The Heath Conference Centre for their very kind use of their lecture theatre. The evening was brilliant, with the excitement for the future adventures filling the room!

Our first story session is taking place this Saturday and we can't wait to share what happens with everyone!

There are still some final spaces available, but they are going FAST! If you fancy playing D&D in a historical location in Halton, use the link below:
https://forms.gle/NzvwxGxsAwohDpbg9

Photo Credit:

08/04/2026

That's right! With the warmer weather back, Dawnstar Gaming's Pokemon Go Community Day social walks are returning!

SIGN UP HERE
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dawnstar-gaming-cic-pokemon-go-community-day-tinkatink-tickets-1986546747799?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Join us Saturday for a few hours of catching Shiny Pokemon, this month it's Tinkatink!

We are meeting at the Catalyst Museum, then walking around the wonderful Spike Island. This is an amazing chance to socialise with other Pokemon Go players, find out more about what Dawnstar Gaming does in the community, improve your health and wellbeing with a leisurely stroll and casual chat and get out in one of Halton's awesome green spaces.

Dawnstar Gaming CIC's events are completely inclusive, SEN friendly and open for everyone!

Please sign up using the link above so that we can assess numbers. Tickets are completely free!

23/03/2026

REMINDER TO REGISTER!
Dawnstar Gaming CIC is EXTREMELY proud to present Made in Halton, Forged in Adventure! A year long (almost) story telling celebration of the borough's culture and history.
We are partnering with various venues around Halton, allowing you to check out these wonderful locations whilst joining Dawnstar Gaming in an exciting session of D&D. Players will be able to join us, no matter what experience level you are, and then will be invited to watch a live epic finale at the Brindley Theatre in October!
If you would like to register your interest for the chance to play in one of these sessions, spread out across the year, then please follow the link below to fill in the form.
https://forms.gle/eiqU4nnMb7du8FEeA
Our introductory session will be taking place March 26th, 18:00-21:00 at the Heath Conference Centre.